Direct docking self-service kiosk
AssigneeToshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Myers, Daniel P. Kelaher, Kevin J. Gierl, William L. Dungan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments herein describe a self-service kiosk or POS system that includes a base that is connected to an upper, vertical module. The base can include an item-receiving area where a customer places an item for purchase. This area can include a weight and/or pressure sensors. The upper module can include one or more cameras that have field of views that include the item-receiving area. The POS system can also include a computing system for using images captures by the camera (or cameras) to identify the item.
Claims18
A point of sale (POS) system comprising:
- a base defining an item-receiving area for receiving an item for purchase,
- wherein the base comprises first guiding features, wherein the first guiding features comprises at least two rails extending vertically from the base;
- and
- an upper module comprising:
- second guiding features configured to mate with the first guiding features to align the upper module to the base and form a reversible connection with the base, wherein, when connected, the upper module extends vertically from the base, and
- one or more cameras arranged with field of views that include the item-receiving area when the upper module is attached to the base.
A method comprising:
- providing a base of a point-of-sale (POS) system, the base defining an item-receiving area for receiving an item for purchase;
- aligning first guiding features of the base with second guiding features of an upper module of the POS system, wherein, when the upper module is attached to the base based on the alignment provided by the first and second guiding features, the upper module extends vertically from the base;
- and
- mating a first electrical connector in the base with a second electrical connector in the upper module based on the alignment provided by the first and second guiding features.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.