Apparatus and method for operating a self-service checkout terminal having a voice generating device associated therewith

A retail terminal, comprising:

• a light;
• a voice generating device;
• a processing unit electrically coupled to said voice generating device and said light;
• and
• a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit, causes said processing unit to:
• (a) operate said voice generating device so as to generate a first voice instruction in a first voice type which instructs a user in regard to operation of said retail terminal,
• (b) determine if said user performs a first activity with said retail terminal which is indicative of said user responding to said first voice instruction and generate a proper-response control signal in response thereto,
• (c) operate said voice generating device so as to generate a second voice instruction in a second voice type different from the first voice type which instructs said user in regard to operation of said retail terminal if a predetermined amount of time lapses subsequent to generation of said first voice instruction, but prior to generation of said proper-response control signal,
• (d) determine if said user performs a second activity with said retail terminal which is indicative of said user disregarding said first voice instruction and generate an improper-response control signal in response thereto, and
• (e) activate the light for summoning help following said improper-response control signal.

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

• generating a first voice instruction at a first voice inflection level so as to instruct a user in regard to operation of said retail terminal by the retail terminal;
• determining if said user performs a first activity with said retail terminal which is indicative of said user responding to said first voice instruction and generating a proper-response control signal in response thereto by the retail terminal;
• generating a second voice instruction at a second voice inflection level different from the first voice inflection level so as to instruct said user in regard to operation of said retail terminal if a predetermined amount of time lapses subsequent to generation of said first voice instruction, but prior to generation of said proper-response control signal, wherein said first voice inflection level is different than said second voice inflection level by the retail terminal;
• determining if said user performs a second activity with said retail terminal which is indicative of said user disregarding said second voice instruction and generating an improper-response control signal in response thereto by the retail terminal;
• generating a third voice instruction at a third inflection level which instructs said user in regard to operation of said retail terminal in response to generation of said improper-response control signal by the retail terminal;
• determining if said user performs a third activity with said retail terminal which is indicative of said user disregarding said third voice instruction and generating another improper-response control signal in response thereto by the retail terminal;
• and
• activating a light for summoning help following generation of said other improper-response control signal by the retail terminal.

A security method for a self-service retail terminal, comprising the steps of:

• generating a first voice instruction in a first voice type which instructs a self-service user in regard to operation of said self-service retail terminal by the retail terminal;
• determining if said self-service user performs a first activity with said retail terminal which is indicative of said self-service user responding to said first voice instruction and generating a proper-response control signal in response thereto by the retail terminal;
• if a predetermined amount of time lapses subsequent to generation of said first voice instruction, but prior to generation of said proper-response control signal, generating a second voice instruction in a second voice type different from the first voice type in order to convey a desired impression on the self-service user that the self-service user has improperly used the self-service terminal, and to instruct said self-service user in regard to the proper operation of said self-service retail terminal by the retail terminal;
• determining if said user performs a second activity with said retail terminal which is indicative of said user disregarding said second voice instruction and generating another improper-response control signal in response thereto by the retail terminal;
• and
• activating a light for summoning help following generation of said other improper-response control signal by the retail terminal.

A method for a self-service retail terminal, comprising the steps of:

• generating a first voice instruction in a first voice type instructing a self-service customer to perform a task during a transaction by said retail terminal;
• determining if said self-service customer performs the task by said retail terminal;
• and
• if said self-service customer fails to perform the task, generating a second voice instruction in a second voice type by said retail terminal, wherein the second voice type is different than the first voice type and conveys an impression of seriousness to the self-service customer;
• determining if said user performs the task following the second voice instruction by the retail terminal;
• and
• if said self-service customer fails to perform the task, activating a light for summoning help by the retail terminal.

A method for a self-service retail terminal, comprising the steps of:

• generating a first voice instruction in a first voice type instructing a self-service customer to perform a task during a transaction by said retail terminal;
• determining if said self-service customer performs the task by said retail terminal;
• and
• if said self-service customer fails to perform the task before a predetermined amount of time lapses subsequent to generation of said first voice instruction, generating a second voice instruction in a second voice type by said retail terminal, wherein the second voice type is different than the first voice type and conveys an impression of seriousness to the self-service customer;
• determining if said user performs the task following the second voice instruction by the retail terminal;
• and
• if said self-service customer fails to perform the task before the predetermined amount of time lapses subsequent to generation of said second voice instruction, activating a light for summoning help by the retail terminal.

A method for a self-service retail terminal, comprising the steps of:

• generating a first voice instruction in a first voice type instructing a self-service customer to perform a first task during a transaction by said retail terminal;
• determining if said self-service customer performs a second task different than the first task which is indicative of said self-service customer disregarding the first voice instruction by said retail terminal;
• and
• if said self-service customer performs the second task, generating a second voice instruction in a second voice type by said retail terminal, wherein the second voice type is different than the first voice type and conveys an impression to the self-service customer that the self-service customer is illicitly operating the terminal;
• determining if said user performs the first task following the second voice instruction by the retail terminal;
• and
• if said self-service customer fails to perform the first task, activating a light for summoning help by the retail terminal.