A mobile, modular bagging station comprises a rotatable carousel base constructed and arranged for positioning on a self-checkout scale platform; a center piece coupled to a top surface of the carousel base; and a plurality of holding elements extending from the top portion. A weight of a plurality of store items in shopping bags positioned on the holding elements is determined by the scale platform on which the carousel base is positioned.

A self-checkout system comprises a register belt station; an itemization station downstream from the register belt station; and a bagging station downstream from the itemization station. The register belt station, an itemization station, and bagging station are each modular and removably coupled to each other.

A hanging bag dispenser includes a bag support platform having a surface that contacts a last bag in a vertically supported bag pack. A mounting device is attached to the platform to engage a mounting aperture that penetrates each bag in the bag pack. A positioning system is attached to the bag support platform and maintains the bag support platform at a sufficient height to allow the bag pack to extend downwardly from the mounting device. A pivotally mounted bag control arm is mounted to the platform and permits installation of the bag pack on the mounting device when pivoted to a loading position and rests upon an outermost bag in the bag pack when pivoted to a control position. A guard plate is mounted adjacent the control arm that prevents access to an upper portion of the bag pack when the control arm is in to the control position.

A checkout conveyor system for visually separating items is an apparatus that automatically projects a light as a divider. The apparatus includes a first rail, a second rail, a plurality of first illumination devices, a motion sensor, a plurality of first proximity sensors, a plurality of second proximity sensors, at least one microcontroller, and at least one power source. The first rail upholds and positions the plurality of first illumination devices and the plurality of first proximity sensors along a checkout system of the apparatus. The plurality of first illumination devices projects a line across a space between groups of items detected by the plurality of first proximity sensors and the plurality of second proximity sensors. The motion sensor activates the line. The at least one microcontroller manages the inputs and outputs. The at least one power source supplies the necessary power.

A checkout conveyor system for visually separating items is an apparatus that automatically projects a light as a divider. The apparatus includes a first rail, a second rail, a plurality of first illumination devices, a motion sensor, a plurality of first proximity sensors, a plurality of second proximity sensors, at least one microcontroller, and at least one power source. The first rail upholds and positions the plurality of first illumination devices and the plurality of first proximity sensors along a checkout system of the apparatus. The plurality of first illumination devices projects a line across a space between groups of items detected by the plurality of first proximity sensors and the plurality of second proximity sensors. The motion sensor activates the line. The at least one microcontroller manages the inputs and outputs. The at least one power source supplies the necessary power.

A high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus and method are presented. The high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus permits bagging operations for multiple purchase transactions to occur in parallel. Overlapping the bagging operation of multiple purchase transactions allows the scanning and payment operations of the purchase transactions to continue at higher speeds. In addition, point of sale terminals with high-velocity item scanners are allowed to function at higher speeds.

A high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus and method are presented. The high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus permits bagging operations for multiple purchase transactions to occur in parallel. Overlapping the bagging operation of multiple purchase transactions allows the scanning and payment operations of the purchase transactions to continue at higher speeds. In addition, point of sale terminals with high-velocity item scanners are allowed to function at higher speeds.

Disclosed is a call button system for a monitor at a self-checkout station of a retail store. The call button system includes an apparatus for coupling the call button to a monitor at the self-checkout station. The call button can be used by customers to summon help from a retail store employee while they are using the self-checkout station. The apparatus for coupling the call button to the monitor places the call button conveniently near the monitor the customer will be using at the self-checkout station. The apparatus for coupling the call button to the monitor includes a coupling bracket that couples the call button to the monitor. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes two S brackets that stabilize the call button and the coupling bracket.

Disclosed is a call button system for a monitor at a self-checkout station of a retail store. The call button system includes an apparatus for coupling the call button to a monitor at the self-checkout station. The call button can be used by customers to summon help from a retail store employee while they are using the self-checkout station. The apparatus for coupling the call button to the monitor places the call button conveniently near the monitor the customer will be using at the self-checkout station. The apparatus for coupling the call button to the monitor includes a coupling bracket that couples the call button to the monitor. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes two S brackets that stabilize the call button and the coupling bracket.

According to one embodiment, a reading apparatus includes a shielding body, an antenna, and a reader and writer. The shielding body is formed in a box shape with an upper opening, to place an accommodating body and to shield radio waves. The antenna is provided in the shielding body to receive information from an RFID tag attached to a product that is passing through the opening. The reader and writer is connected to the antenna to read information of the product from the information received by the antenna.