Point of sale terminal arrangement using television set-top box
First Claim
1. A point of sale terminal arrangement, comprising in combination:
- a television set-top box having an internal programmed processor;
a display coupled to the set-top box for displaying output from the set-top box;
an input device suitable for providing input commands to the set-top box;
a database operatively coupled to the internal programmed processor, the database comprising a catalog of merchandise available for purchase by a consumer; and
catalog program means, operating on the programmed processor, for permitting a consumer to search the database for merchandise.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A television set-top box used as a point of sale terminal at a retail establishment such as a department store or kiosk. The television set-top box may include a swipe card reader and is coupled to a television display, an input device and a printer. The customer accesses a catalog database of merchandise and inventory using a user interface to point of sale software. The customer may also enter an order using order entry software forming a part of the point of sale software. The catalog database is situated on a disc drive within the set-top box and can be updated from a catalog server as required to maintain accurate inventory and merchandise information in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the set-top box operates in a client mode to access information from the catalog server.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A point of sale terminal arrangement, comprising in combination:
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a television set-top box having an internal programmed processor;
a display coupled to the set-top box for displaying output from the set-top box;
an input device suitable for providing input commands to the set-top box;
a database operatively coupled to the internal programmed processor, the database comprising a catalog of merchandise available for purchase by a consumer; and
catalog program means, operating on the programmed processor, for permitting a consumer to search the database for merchandise. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A point of sale terminal arrangement, comprising in combination:
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a digital television set-top box having an internal programmed processor;
a high definition television display coupled to the set-top box for displaying output from the set-top box;
a keyboard suitable for providing input commands to the set-top box;
a storage device situated within the set-top box;
a database residing on the storage device and operatively coupled to the internal programmed processor, the database comprising a catalog of merchandise available for purchase by a consumer;
means for receiving updates to the database on a periodic basis;
catalog program means, operating on the programmed processor, for permitting a consumer to search the database for merchandise;
order entry program means, operating on the programmed processor, for permitting a consumer to enter an order for merchandise appearing in the catalog of merchandise;
a swipe card reader coupled to the programmed processor to permit the consumer to enter a swipe card to effect payment for merchandise appearing in the catalog of merchandise;
a cable modem coupled to a catalog server, to thereby download updates of the catalog of merchandise to the database; and
a printer coupled to the set-top box.
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12. A point of sale terminal arrangement, comprising in combination:
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a digital television set-top box having an internal programmed processor;
a high definition television display coupled to the set-top box for displaying output from the set-top box;
a keyboard suitable for providing input commands to the set-top box;
a cable modem coupled the programmed processor to access a catalog server;
means for receiving updates to the database on a periodic basis a storage device situated within a catalog server accessible by the set-top box using the cable modem;
a database residing on the storage device and operatively coupled to the internal programmed processor, the database comprising a catalog of merchandise available for purchase by a consumer;
means for receiving updates to the database on a periodic basis;
catalog program means, operating on the programmed processor, for permitting a consumer to search the database for merchandise;
order entry program means, operating on the programmed processor, for permitting a consumer to enter an order for merchandise appearing in the catalog of merchandise;
a swipe card reader coupled to the programmed processor to permit the consumer to enter a swipe card to effect payment for merchandise appearing in the catalog of merchandise; and
a printer coupled to the set-top box.
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Specification