Fastener retailing method with graphic interface selection and locator software
First Claim
1. A method of vending fasteners to retail consumers, comprising the steps of:
- (a) stocking numerous varieties of fasteners at a retail outlet in selected locations, each of said locations identifiable by visible retail location identifiers;
(b) providing consumers with access to a computer programmed with merchandising software, said software having a user interface for receiving user input and for displaying icons describing said fasteners and also for displaying the retail location identifiers corresponding to the locations in which said fasteners are stocked; and
(c) allowing such consumers public access to said fasteners.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for vending fasteners to retail consumers. The fasteners are stocked at a retail outlet in pre-determined locations that are readily identifiable by visible location identifiers. Consumers use software that provides information about the fasteners to facilitate selecting an appropriate fastener product and finding it at the retail outlet. The software is executed by a computer having a graphic interface means for receiving user input. The graphic interface means also displays images of the fasteners and information about their nature and uses. The graphic interface means also displays the location identifiers so the consumers can readily locate the selected fasteners. The consumers are provided public access to the fasteners for self-service shopping prior to payment. In one embodiment the graphic interface means includes a touch screen located at the retail outlet. In an alternate embodiment the graphic interface means includes a personal computer, a monitor and an input device located remote from the retail outlet.
56 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of vending fasteners to retail consumers, comprising the steps of:
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(a) stocking numerous varieties of fasteners at a retail outlet in selected locations, each of said locations identifiable by visible retail location identifiers;
(b) providing consumers with access to a computer programmed with merchandising software, said software having a user interface for receiving user input and for displaying icons describing said fasteners and also for displaying the retail location identifiers corresponding to the locations in which said fasteners are stocked; and
(c) allowing such consumers public access to said fasteners. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for selecting a fastener comprising:
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(a) a computer having a user interface for displaying information and for receiving user input;
(b) a collection of pages capable of being displayed on said user interface, said pages including one or more selection pages and one or more detail pages, wherein some of said selection pages include icons for selecting one or more types of fasteners, and wherein each said detail page includes information describing a selected type of fastener; and
(c) display software for controlling the display of said pages on said user interface, in response to said user input. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of selecting a fastener suitable for a particular purpose from a collection of numerous varieties of fasteners comprising:
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(a) identifying an application in which a fastener may be used;
(b) accessing a collection of pages by using a computer, the collection of pages describing various types of fasteners;
(c) navigating through the collection of pages to identify a particular fastener suitable for the application; and
(d) choosing an appropriate fastener therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of locating a particular fastener substantially similar to a sample fastener comprising:
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(a) accessing a collection of pages by using a computer, the collection of pages describing various types of fasteners;
(b) navigating through the collection of pages and selecting a type of fastener;
(c) repeating step (b) one or more times and progressively selecting a type of fastener more closely resembling the sample fastener; and
(c) selecting the particular fastener. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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- 30. A computer readable medium containing a collection of pages capable of being displayed on a user interface device, said pages including one or more selection pages for selecting a type of fastener from two or more types of fasteners and including one or more detail pages for describing selected types of fasteners, wherein said pages are organized in a tree structure having a selection page at its root node.
Specification