Self-checkout system with scan gate and exception handling

A self-checkout system comprising:

• a display screen extending in a vertical plane configured to display transaction information to a self-checkout user when in use;
• a base extending in a horizontal plane including a top surface, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a third lateral edge, and a fourth lateral edge on a periphery of the base, wherein the first and second lateral edges are opposite one another, the base configured for receiving one or more items on the top surface, and wherein the first lateral edge is on a left side of the base, the second lateral edge is on a right side of the base, the third lateral edge is on a front side of the base, and the fourth lateral edge is on a back side of the base when in use by the self-checkout user facing the display screen;
• a scan window disposed primarily within the front portion of the base in an offset manner relative to a center of the base such that the scan window is proximate the front side and less than an entire area of the base;
• and
• a plurality of data reading systems in operable communication with the display screen with scanning fields collectively defining a scan gate having a field of view that encompasses 360-degree coverage including top, bottom, and side views for each of the one or more items as the items pass through the scan gate over at least a portion of the base, the scan gate operable to obtain and read encoded data from each of the one or more items as the items pass through the scan gate and onto the top surface of the base, wherein the plurality of data reading systems include:
• a side data reading system including a first left side data reader positioned along the first lateral edge of the base, and a first right side data reader positioned along the second lateral edge of the base and opposite the first left side data reader, wherein each of the first left side data reader and the first right side data readers has a field of view oriented in a generally horizontal direction across the base and the scan window, the fields of view at least partially overlapping one another to provide the side views of the items as they pass through the scan gate;
• a bottom data reading system including a first bottom data reader housed underneath the top surface of the base, wherein the first bottom data reader has a field of view projecting through the scan window disposed in the base and at least partially overlapping the fields of view of the data readers of the side data reading system to provide the bottom view of the items as they pass through the scan gate;
• and
• a top data reading system including a first top data reader positioned over the base having a generally downward field of view directed at the scan window and at least partially overlapping the fields of view of the data readers of the side and bottom data reading systems to provide the top view of the items as they pass through the scan gate,
• wherein the combined field of view of the scan gate is offset from a center of the base in a manner that is directed primarily at a front portion of the base that is proximate the front side and less than an entire area of the base.