Multiple self-checkout system having integrated payment device

A self-checkout system for conducting purchasing transactions comprising:

• at least two self-checkout stations, wherein:
• at least one of the self-checkout stations include one or more security devices for aiding in the prevention of customer fraud and a display;
• the one or more security devices comprise at least one of a physical characteristic measurement device (PCMD);
• the PCMD produces a signal indicative of a measured characteristic of an item for comparison to a stored value of the measured characteristic;
• and
• at least one of the self-checkout stations configurable for use as an attendant checkout system;
• and
• a single self-payment module for effecting payments for transactions conducted on each of the at least two self-checkout systems, wherein the self-payment module includes at least one or more of a coin acceptor, a bill acceptor, a electronic payment card reader, a signature capture device, a pin-pad, a coin dispenser, a bill dispenser and a coupon compartment.

A method for conducting transactions for a self-checkout system, wherein the self-checkout system includes at least two self-checkout stations and a single self-payment module for effecting payments and/or completing transactions conducted on each of the at least two self-checkout systems, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal at a first time, the first signal indicating that a first self-checkout station is ready to tender payment and complete a transaction conducted on the first self-checkout station;
• receiving a second signal at a second time, the second signal indicating that a second self-checkout station is ready to tender payment and complete a transaction conducted on the second self-checkout station;
• determining a priority of completing a respective transaction of the first self-checkout system and the second self-checkout system based upon the earlier of the first time and the second time, wherein completing the transaction comprises at least tending payment in at least one of cash, credit, debit and EBT at the self-payment module, and wherein upon completing a transaction, the self-payment module is set to process another payment for a self-checkout station;
• selecting the self-checkout station for completing the respective transaction first based upon the determined priority, wherein upon the first time being the same time as the second time, the priority is awarded to the first self-checkout station;
• completing the transaction of the selected self-checkout system determined to have first priority;
• and
• completing the transaction of the self-checkout system determined to have second priority.

A computer readable medium having computer instructions provided thereon for enabling a computer system to perform a method for conducting transactions for a self-checkout system, wherein the self-checkout area includes at least two self-checkout stations and a single self-payment module for effecting payments and/or completing transactions conducted on each of the at least two self-checkout systems, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal at a first time, the first signal indicating that a first self-checkout station is ready to tender payment and complete a transaction conducted on the first self-checkout station;
• receiving a second signal at a second time, the second signal indicating that a second self-checkout station is ready to tender payment and complete a transaction conducted on the second self-checkout station;
• determining a priority of completing a respective transaction of the first self-checkout system and the second self-checkout system based upon the earlier of the first time and the second time, wherein completing the transaction comprises at least tending payment in at least one of cash, credit, debit and EBT at the self-payment module, and wherein upon completing a transaction, the self-payment module is set to process another payment for a self-checkout station;
• selecting the self-checkout station for completing the respective transaction first based upon the determined priority, wherein upon the first time being the same time as the second time, the priority is awarded to the first self-checkout station;
• completing the transaction of the selected self-checkout system determined to have first priority;
• and
• completing the transaction of the self-checkout system determined to have second priority.

A computer application program operable on a computer for enabling a computer system to perform a method for conducting transactions for a self-checkout system, wherein the self-checkout system includes at least two self-checkout stations and a single self-payment module for effecting payments and/or completing transactions conducted on each of the at least two self-checkout systems, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal at a first time, the first signal indicating that a first self-checkout station is ready to tender payment and complete a transaction conducted on the first self-checkout station;
• receiving a second signal at a second time, the second signal indicating that a second self-checkout station is ready to tender payment and complete a transaction conducted on the second self-checkout station;
• determining a priority of completing a respective transaction of the first self-checkout system and the second self-checkout system based upon the earlier of the first time and the second time, wherein completing the transaction comprises at least tending payment in at least one of cash, credit, debit and EBT at the self-payment module, and wherein upon completing a transaction, the self-payment module is set to process another payment for a self-checkout station;
• selecting the self-checkout station for completing the respective transaction first based upon the determined priority, wherein upon the first time being the same time as the second time, the priority is awarded to the first self-checkout station;
• completing the transaction of the selected self-checkout system determined to have first priority;
• and
• completing the transaction of the self-checkout system determined to have second priority.