Method and apparatus for resetting a product scale of a retail checkout terminal

A method of operating a retail checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:

• providing a scanner for scanning a first item of a user's items for purchase;
• providing a product scale for weighing a second item of the user's items for purchase, wherein (i) the product scale includes an upper surface, and (ii) the product scale is configured to determine weight of the second item when the second item is positioned in direct contact with the upper surface;
• detecting absence of the second item on the upper surface of the product scale and generating an absence signal in response thereto;
• determining a first idle value with the product scale in response to generation of the absence signal;
• comparing the first idle value to a reset value after the detecting step;
• generating a first control signal if the first idle value matches a reset value;
• generating a second control signal if the first idle value does not match the reset value;
• and
• automatically resetting the product scale in response to generation of the second control signal.

A retail checkout terminal, comprising:

• a scanner for scanning a first item of a user's items for purchase;
• a product scale for weighing a second item of said user's items for purchase;
• means for detecting absence of said second item on said product scale and generating an absence signal in response thereto;
• means for determining a first idle value with said product scale in response to said absence signal;
• means for comparing said first idle value to a reset value after said absence signal is generated;
• and
• means for generating a first control signal if said first idle value matches said reset value.