Point of sale computer system delivering composited two- and three-dimensional images

• US 20030225633A1
• Filed: 06/03/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: EMN8 Incorporated
• Original Assignee: EMN8 Incorporated
• Inventors: Oʼ Keefe, John, Humpherys, Jonathan, Whiddett, Andrew, Sidlo, Paul, Brock, Philip J., Kurani, Amar, Kovacs, William, Feltman, Simon
• Application Number:
  US10/454,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20030225633A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1014 to tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1078 Logging; Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/109 by using specially-adapted hardware at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2115 Third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2121 Chip on media, e.g. a disk or tape with a chip embedded in its case
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2151 Time stamp
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 : Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 : Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 : Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 : Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 : Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

A point of sale computer system that allows a customer to select and consummate a sale himself. The system may include graphics storage media configured to store two- and three-dimensional graphics data relating to the sale, as well as business rules storage media, configured to store business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process based on input received from the customer. The technology allows a presentation to be made to the customer that is entertaining and that maintains the attention of the customer throughout the sale selection and consummation process.

Claims

1. A point of sale computer system that allows a customer to select and consummate a sale himself comprising:

a display configured for the customer to view during the selection and consummation process;

an input device configured to be operated by the customer during the selection and consummation process and to generate control signals in response to operation of the input device by the customer;

graphics storage media configured to store two and three-dimensional graphics data relating to the sale;

business rules storage media configured to store business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process based on the control signals from the input device; and

a processing system configured to;

communicate with the display, the input device, the graphics storage media and the business rules storage media;

obtain selected two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time from the graphics storage media in response to control signals received from the input device and in accordance with the business rules;

composite the obtained two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time into a non-linear, three-dimensional graphics presentation; and

deliver the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to the display for viewing by the customer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional graphics presentation entertains the customer during the selection process.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the three-dimensional graphics presentation includes animation relating to the sale.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the animation includes animated three-dimensional graphics relating to the sale.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the business rules also specify how the graphics should be displayed during the selection and consummation process.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the business rules also specify when the graphics should be displayed during the selection and consummation process.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the business rules also specify where the graphics should be displayed during the selection and consummation process.

8. The system of claim 1 further including a payment acceptance device configured to accept payment from the customer for the consummated sale.

9. The system of claim 7 further including a cash disbursement device configured to disburse cash to the customer.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the cash disbursement device is configured to disburse change in response to overpayment for the sale.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional graphics presentation includes a series of scenes, the content of each of which is dictated by the input received from the customer.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the three-dimensional graphics presentation includes a programmed graphics transition between each scene.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the programmed graphics transition is managed by the business rules.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the programmed graphics transition includes an image of a selected item being transferred to an image of a shopping container.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the shopping container is a shopping cart.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional graphics presentation communicates in a language and wherein the customer may select the language that is used.

17. The system of claim 1 further including other data storage media configured to store other data relating to the sale, wherein the processing system also communicates with the other data storage media, and wherein the business rules also specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation based on the data in the other data storage media.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the processing system is configured to seek, obtain and record the identity of the customer and wherein the other data includes data about the customer.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the data about the customer includes data about input received from the customer during a previous visit to the point of sale computer system.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the other data includes data about the inventory of products or services that may be selected by the customer for the sale.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the other data includes data about promotional campaigns relating to the sale.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the display and input device are both contained in a kiosk.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein the display and input device are not both contained in a kiosk.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein the sale is of a product.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the product is prepared food.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein the graphics data includes images of products or services that the customer may select to purchase.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein an image of the products or services is represented by three-dimensional graphics data.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein the graphics data includes an image of a companion for the customer and wherein the business rules include rules to cause the image of the companion to be displayed to the customer during the selection process.

29. The system of claim 1 wherein the graphics data includes cross-promotional graphics that promote a product or service other than one that the customer may select during the selection and consummation process and wherein the business rules cause the cross-promotional graphics to be part of the three-dimensional graphic presentation.

30. The system of claim 1 wherein the graphics data includes text in a graphics format.

31. The system of claim 1 further including a sound transducer configured for the customer to hear during the selection and consummation process.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the graphics data include multimedia data containing both image and sound information relating to the sale and wherein the processing system causes the sound to be delivered to the sound transducer when the image portion of the multimedia data is delivered to the display.

33. The system of claim 31 further including sound storage media configured to store sound data relating to the sale;

wherein the business rules also specify the sound that should be delivered during the selection and consummation process based on the control signals from the input device; and

wherein the processing system is also configured to communicate with the sound storage media, select sound data in real time from the sound storage media in response to control signals received from the input device and in accordance with the business rules, and deliver the selected sound data to the sound transducer along with the three-dimensional graphics presentation.

34. The system of claim 1 wherein the graphics storage media is configured to be updated from a remote source.

35. The system of claim 1 wherein the business rules storage media is configured to be updated from a remote source.

36. The system of claim 1 wherein the graphics storage media and business rules storage media are configured to be updated from a remote source.

37. A method of allowing a customer to select and consummate a sale himself using a point of sale computing system comprising:

receiving control signals in response to the operation of an input device by the customer during the selection and consummation process;

selecting two and three-dimensional graphics relating to the sale in real time from a graphics storage media based on the control signals received from the input device and in accordance business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process;

compositing the selected two and three-dimensional graphics in real time into a non-linear, three-dimensional graphics presentation;

delivering the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to a display for viewing by the customer; and

displaying the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to the customer.

38. Computer program storage media containing a computer program that, when loaded in a computer system along with other software, allows a customer to select and consummate a sale himself with a point of sale computer system, including:

receiving control signals in response to the operation of an input device by the customer during the selection and consummation process;

selecting two and three-dimensional graphics relating to the sale in real time from a graphics storage media based on the control signals received from the input device and in accordance business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process;

compositing the selected two and three-dimensional graphics in real time into a non-linear, three-dimensional graphics presentation;

delivering the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to a display for viewing by the customer; and

displaying the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to the customer.

39. A point of transaction computer system that allows a customer to select and consummate a business transaction himself comprising:

a display configured for the customer to view during the selection and consummation process;

an input device configured to be operated by the customer during the selection and consummation process and to generate control signals in response to operation of the input device by the customer;

graphics storage media configured to store two and three-dimensional graphics data relating to the transaction;

business rules storage media configured to store business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process based on the control signals from the input device; and

a processing system configured to;

communicate with the display, the input device, the graphics storage media and the business rules storage media;

obtain selected two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time from the graphics storage media in response to control signals received from the input device and in accordance with the business rules;

composite the obtained two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time into a non-linear, three-dimensional graphics presentation; and

deliver the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to the display for viewing by the customer.

40. The computer system of claim 39 wherein the business transaction includes reserving an item to purchase.

41. The computer system of claim 39 wherein the business transaction includes extending credit.

42. A point of sale computer system that allows a customer to himself select and receive information about a potential business transaction that the customer may consummate at the location of the computer system comprising:

a display configured for the customer to view during the selection and receiving process;

an input device configured to be operated by the customer during the selection and receiving process and to generate control signals in response to operation of the input device by the customer;

graphics storage media configured to store two and three-dimensional graphics data containing information about the potential business transaction that the customer may consummate at the location of the computer system;

business rules storage media configured to store business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and receiving process based on the control signals from the input device; and

a processing system configured to;

communicate with the display, the input device, the graphics storage media and the business rules storage media;

obtain selected two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time from the graphics storage media in response to control signals received from the input device and in accordance with the business rules;

composite the obtained two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time into a non-linear, three-dimensional graphics presentation; and

deliver the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to the display for viewing by the customer.

43. An enterprise level point of sale computer system for an enterprise having several geographically-separated point of sale locations that allows customers at the various locations to select and consummate a sale themselves comprising:

a local computer system at each point of sale location in the enterprise comprising;

a display configured for a customer to view during the selection and consummation process;

an input device configured to be operated by the customer during the selection and consummation process and to generate control signals in response to operation of the input device by the customer;

graphics storage media configured to store graphics data;

business rules storage media configured to store business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process based on the control signals from the input device; and

a processing system configured to;

communicate with the display, the input device, the graphics storage media and the business rules storage media;

obtain selected graphics in real time from the graphics storage media in response to the control signals received from the input device and in accordance with the business rules;

composite the selected graphics in real time into a non-linear, graphics presentation; and

deliver the graphics presentation in real time to the display for viewing by the customer; and

a global computer system configured to communicate with each local computer system and to deliver graphics and business rules to each local computer management system for storage in its graphics storage media and business rules storage media.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein at least one local computer system further includes a manager station configured to control and update the graphics and business rules that are stored in its graphics and business rules storage media.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein the manager station is further configured to selectively subscribe to classes of graphics and business rules to be delivered from the global computer system.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the manager station is further configured to selectively load graphics data in the graphics data storage media and business rules in the business rules storage media.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein at least portions of the selectively loaded graphics data and business rules are tailored to the point of sale location associated with the manager station.

48. The system of claim 43 wherein:

the graphics storage media is further configured to store two and three-dimensional graphics data relating to the sale; and

the processing system is further configured to;

obtain selected two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time from the graphics storage media in response to control signals received from the input device and in accordance with the business rules;

composite the obtained two and three-dimensional graphics data in real time into a non-linear, three-dimensional graphics presentation; and

deliver the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to the display for viewing by the customer.