News

Biometrics scanner launched at c-store event

May 4, 2003

DALLAS -- A biometric fingerprint scanner was unveiled last week by Optimal Robotics Corp. at NACStech 2003, the trade show for technology in the convenience-store industry. The product is called U-Scan Express.

The equipment features a biometric fingerprint scanner to identify customers for the purpose of age verification. The goal of the product is to help c-stores reduce certain sales to minors, according to a news release.

Customers present identification with their first purchases of age-restricted products, and then simply scan their index finger for future purchases.

A handheld "mobile attendant" unit alerts clerks when customers need assistance, like when a customer needs to be added to the biometric database.

The biometric device can be connected with a debit card for payment by electronic-funds transfer. The units accept cash, change, credit and debit.

Cash is secured in a safe once it is fed into the bill acceptor, the release said. A device to capture customer signatures is available for credit sales. In the case of debit transactions, customers can opt to get cash back.

U-Scan Express allows customers to pay for gasoline and in-store purchases in one transaction. In the case of gasoline, the software asks customers to identify the pump where they purchased gasoline by using a diagram of the pump area. Customers can purchase products that require prepayment, such as ice and propane, according to the release.

Even products that don't have a bar code, such as fountain beverages, can be sold with the devices. Customers identify their purchase by choosing from a series of pictures and then place the item on a scale for verification.

U-Scan will be installed in a pilot test within two months at major convenience store channel retail outlets, according to the release. About 9,000 U-Scan devices are in use, primarily in the grocery channel.