Situation 1
Step-by-step guide situation 1 — Checking in at the checkout
The ‘security gate’ beyond the entrance of the self-checkout can only be opened in two ways: by the store employee, or for a reason requiring action by the CPS system. Such as wanting to leave the store without purchases, or after scanning ‘all’ groceries with an app using the hand scanner or mobile phone, or scanning and paying for ‘all’ groceries at the self-checkout.
If the customer wants to leave the store without buying anything, this is only possible by starting up the CPS system. This prevents the customer from leaving the store unpaid through all kinds of loopholes. The customer presses the ‘I want to leave the store’ button. This starts the CPS system and closes the ‘privacy gate’ and the ‘product stop gate’. The camera checks whether the customer has a trolley or basket and whether it contains products. The RFID reader additionally checks whether products with an RFID code are detected.
If the trolley contains products and RFID codes are detected, the customer is asked whether they want to pay for the groceries. If yes, the process continues with point 3 of situation 2. If no, the customer is asked to press the ‘return products’ button, after which the CPS system asks the customer to scan the items concerned and, following the on-screen instructions, place them in the returns bin. The CPS system updates the RFID shopping list and calls a store employee for assistance. Only when no return RFID tags can be read any more does the CPS system open the ‘security gate’ to let the customer through, closing it again immediately. The store employee can put the products back on the shelf. The transaction is closed.
If the trolley is empty but RFID codes are detected, security is called in immediately. They check whether unpaid groceries are in the customer's bag, asking whether the customer intends to pay for them. If yes, the process continues with point 3 of situation 2. If no, intended fraud may be at play. This can be confirmed by comparing the QR code on the packaging of the products concerned, via the QR reader, with the product code in the inventory database. Security then takes an appropriate anti-theft measure.
If it is established that there are products in the trolley but no RFID code is detected at all, the CPS system calls in security immediately. This may involve fraudulent deactivation of the RFID codes. Security follows up with an appropriate anti-theft measure.
If the customer has no trolley or basket and no RFID codes are detected, the CPS system opens the ‘security gate’ to let the customer through, closing it again immediately. The ‘leave the store’ transaction is then closed and the ‘privacy gate’ and ‘product stop gate’ reopen.
The customer who wants to pay for groceries collected with the app, via the hand scanner or mobile phone, does so at a separate kiosk. The CPS protocol is then followed as usual, with the difference that when the ‘I want to pay’ button is pressed, the RFID scanner first checks whether RFID tags are present. If not, payment can proceed; if so, the CPS system indicates which products still need to be scanned, then continues with point 3 of situation 2. If necessary, a store employee is alerted to assist.
These days it regularly happens that a group of schoolkids, each with their own bag of crisps or chocolate bar in hand, causes a huge jam at the self-checkout because each wants to pay separately. This also causes problems at the staffed checkout: leaving the store unpaid, slipping past the waiting customers. That loophole no longer exists in the CPS system, because payment is only possible individually or as a group. This means that whoever realises this too late must continue with point 2 of situation 1: ending the transaction.