> Here in Austin, Walmart and Home Depot have installed self-serve
> check-out lanes. Here is how it works:
>
> You scan your item
>
> You now have to put the item in a bag. It complains if you don't.
>
> Repeat until done
>
> Pay (cash, credit)
>
> If you attempt to put an item in the bag without scanning, it complains.
>
> Now, presumably it has a fairly sensitive weight sensor somewhere. I
> know it could detect a package of two screws when I used it. But I was
> wondering what would prevent you from trying the following:
>
> 1) Scan can of tomatoes
>
> 2) Drop a CD in bag
>
> 3) Scan tomatoes again
>
> 4) Drop tomatoes in bag

        Probably nothing, the systems I've heard of were all based on the honour
system, about the only "enforcement" is they have video cameras and an
operator might be watching at any time.

        On a related note Walmart is going to start pushing for RFID tags on all
products it sells, that'll mean when checking out you won't even have to
remove the item from the shopping cart! TTYL

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