FLEXIBLE CHECKOUT COUNTER CAPABLE OF FAST AND SIMPLE SWITCH FROM NORMAL USE BY WORKER TO SELF-CHECKOUT AND VICE VERSA Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC A47F9/04 

FIELD: physics, computer engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to checkout counters used in retail facilities. The checkout counter comprises, in a working sequence, a belt conveyer, an intermediate scanning and payment unit and an end tray. A means is provided to enable use of the checkout counter by a worker or directly the a customer in self-checkout mode, as well as means which, in the case of the latter, enable the customer to directly pack commodities into bags after scanning on an area located immediately downstream of the intermediate unit from which the tray is removed. The tray is equipped with means which allow movement thereof to a position to enable use of the checkout counter in self-checkout mode. In the latter mode, the customer places acquired commodities at the initial belt conveyer, then reads the barcode of each commodity on the intermediate unit having a special-purpose programmable self-checkout interface for payment and other purposes and finally packs said commodities into bags at the end space from which the tray is removed, and then pays the total sum through suitable and pre-installed means.

EFFECT: improved customer service and improved flexibility when using check-out counters.

8 cl, 8 dwg