Optical bar code scanner and system for retrieving bar code data
First Claim
1. A shopping system for scanning codes related to products and for retrieving data associated with the codes, the shopping system comprising:
- a battery-operated personal code scanner having a size and a shape such that the scanner is hand-held, the scanner including a light source for projecting a light from the scanner to the code to be scanned, an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from the code and for generating an electrical signal in response to detecting the reflected light, a microcontroller for decoding the electrical signal to decoded data, memory operatively coupled to the microcontroller for storing the decoded data and at least one identification code to identify a user of the scanner, the identification code being unique to the scanner and a user, and an infrared emitter operatively coupled to the microcontroller for transferring the identification code and the decoded data from the scanner by infrared communication;
at least a first shopping kiosk for receiving the decoded data from the scanner including a processor and an infrared receiver, the infrared receiver being configured by an application program used by the processor to enable the infrared receiver to receive the identification code by infrared communication and, upon the processor recognizing the identification code, to establish a communications data link with the scanner such that the infrared emitter can transfer the decoded code to the infrared receiver; and
at least a first host computer operatively coupled to the first shopping kiosk, the first host computer and the first shopping kiosk being configured to enable a two-way communications link between the first host computer and the first shopping kiosk, the first host computer including a processor and memory, the processor being configured with one or more application programs to receive the decoded data from the first shopping kiosk through the communications link and to identify information related to the decoded data, wherein, in response to identifying the information related to the decoded data, the processor selects and retrieves stored information from the memory and transmits the retrieved information to the first shopping kiosk through the communications link, and the first shopping kiosk provides the retrieved information in a useable format.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shopping system for scanning codes related to products, such as consumer goods and services, and for retrieving data associated with the codes includes a portable, hand-held and battery-operated optical code scanner for scanning, capturing, storing and decoding information related to scanned codes, at least a first shopping kiosk having a processor, and at least a first host computer operatively coupled to the first shopping kiosk. The scanner and the first shopping kiosk are configured such that the scanner transfers decoded data to the kiosk, and the kiosk provides the transferred decoded data in a useable format by means of a display monitor and/or a printer. A communications data link between the scanner and the first shopping kiosk is established for transfer of decoded data by a transfer, and recognition by the first shopping kiosk and/or the first host computer, of an identification code stored in memory of the scanner that is associated with a user of the scanner and/or the scanner. Upon receipt and recognition of the transferred decoded data and/or the identification code, the first host computer selects and retrieves stored information associated with the decoded data and/or the identification code that is relevant to, for instance, scanned items and shopping preferences and needs of the identified user. Such retrieved information is downloaded to the first shopping kiosk to provide such information to the identified user in a useable format.
63 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A shopping system for scanning codes related to products and for retrieving data associated with the codes, the shopping system comprising:
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a battery-operated personal code scanner having a size and a shape such that the scanner is hand-held, the scanner including a light source for projecting a light from the scanner to the code to be scanned, an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from the code and for generating an electrical signal in response to detecting the reflected light, a microcontroller for decoding the electrical signal to decoded data, memory operatively coupled to the microcontroller for storing the decoded data and at least one identification code to identify a user of the scanner, the identification code being unique to the scanner and a user, and an infrared emitter operatively coupled to the microcontroller for transferring the identification code and the decoded data from the scanner by infrared communication;
at least a first shopping kiosk for receiving the decoded data from the scanner including a processor and an infrared receiver, the infrared receiver being configured by an application program used by the processor to enable the infrared receiver to receive the identification code by infrared communication and, upon the processor recognizing the identification code, to establish a communications data link with the scanner such that the infrared emitter can transfer the decoded code to the infrared receiver; and
at least a first host computer operatively coupled to the first shopping kiosk, the first host computer and the first shopping kiosk being configured to enable a two-way communications link between the first host computer and the first shopping kiosk, the first host computer including a processor and memory, the processor being configured with one or more application programs to receive the decoded data from the first shopping kiosk through the communications link and to identify information related to the decoded data, wherein, in response to identifying the information related to the decoded data, the processor selects and retrieves stored information from the memory and transmits the retrieved information to the first shopping kiosk through the communications link, and the first shopping kiosk provides the retrieved information in a useable format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification