System and method for conducting sales of goods and retail store employing the same

• US 20040238629A1
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kenneth E. Buchholz
• Original Assignee: Kenneth E. Buchholz
• Inventors: Buchholz, Kenneth E.
• Application Number:
  US10/857,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20040238629A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• 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: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0054 with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0081 the reader being a portable scanner or data reader G07G1/009 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method of conducting sales transactions. More particularly, the invention may be said to include a first station at which a customer may obtain a portable scanning device. This scanning device may be readily transported about a store and may be utilized to both scan and purchase the items selected by the customer. In addition, the invention generally includes a processor assembly that is wirelessly communicable with the portable scanning device. This feature may be characterized as enabling the customer to make a purchase from virtually any location in the store. After the desired items are purchased, an exit audit may be conducted in which an electronic scale assembly that is communicatively interconnected with the processor assembly is utilized to audit the purchase.

Claims

1. A method of transacting a sale, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a first item for purchase, wherein said selecting step comprises scanning a first bar code associated with said first item using a portable scanning device, and wherein said selecting step occurs at a first location of a retail store; and

purchasing said first item using said portable scanning device, wherein said purchasing step comprises wireless transmission of signal between said portable scanning device and a processing unit of said retail store.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said selecting step comprises selecting a second item for purchase, wherein said selecting a second item step comprises scanning a second bar code associated with said second item using said portable scanning device, and wherein said selecting a second item step occurs in a second location of said retail store remote from said first location.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

deselecting said second item for purchase after said selecting step, wherein said deselecting step comprises scanning said second bar code associated with said second item using said portable scanning device.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said purchasing step comprises purchasing said second item using said portable scanning device, wherein said purchasing said second item step comprises wireless transmission of signal between said portable scanning device and said processing unit of said retail store.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said purchasing said first item step and said purchasing said second item step occur in a third location of said retail store remote from said first and second locations.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises weighing said first item after said purchasing step, and wherein said auditing step occurs at a fourth location of said retail store that is remote from said first, second, and third locations.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises weighing said first item after said purchasing step, and wherein said auditing step occurs at said third location of said retail store.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said purchasing said first item step and said purchasing said second item step occur in at least one of said first and second locations of said retail store.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises weighing said first item after said purchasing step, and wherein said auditing step occurs at a second location of said retail store that is remote from said first location.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises weighing said first item after said purchasing step; and

disposing said first item in a bag that is at least one of transparent and translucent prior to said auditing step.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said first item is located in said bag during said auditing step.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

disposing said first item in a bag, at least a majority of which is at least one of substantially transparent and translucent, wherein said first item is located in said bag throughout said purchasing step.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said first item is disposed in said bag during said purchasing step.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises weighing said first item after said purchasing step, and wherein said first item is located in said bag during said auditing step.

15. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said selecting step is accomplished in an aisle of said retail store, and wherein said retail store is a supermarket.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

providing a customer with said portable scanning device prior to said selecting step if said customer presents an identification card previously provided by said retail store.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by said customer.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

removing said portable scanning device from a support assembly supporting a plurality of portable scanning devices prior to said selecting step; and

disposing said portable scanning device on said support assembly subsequent to said purchasing step.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:

printing a sales receipt, wherein said printing step occurs after said disposing step.

20. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

disposing said first item in a carrier after said selecting step, wherein said carrier is selected from the group consisting of a cart, a bag, and a basket; and

auditing said purchasing step while said first item is disposed in said carrier, wherein said auditing step comprises weighing at least said first item after said purchasing step.

21. A method, as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

said purchasing step is accomplished while said first item is disposed in said carrier.

22. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step after said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises;

weighing said first item; and

monitoring for a presence of a security tag associated with said first item.

23. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step after said purchasing step; and

printing a sales receipt after said purchasing step and before said auditing step.

24. A method, as claimed in claim 23, wherein:

said sales receipt comprises a receipt bar code, and wherein said auditing step comprises scanning said receipt bar code.

25. A method, as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by a customer, and wherein said auditing step comprises electronically displaying an image of said customer in response to said scanning said receipt bar code step.

26. A method, as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by a customer, and wherein said auditing step comprises electronically providing biographical data of said customer in response to said scanning said receipt bar code step.

27. A method, as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said auditing step comprises determining if said first item is a controlled substance selected from the group consisting of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages based on said scanning said receipt bar code step.

28. A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by a customer, and wherein said auditing step comprises comparing data indicative of an age of said customer to data indicative of a minimum legal age requirement to purchase said controlled substance.

29. A method of transacting a sale, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a first item for purchase, wherein said selecting step comprises scanning a first bar code associated with said first item using a portable scanning device;

purchasing said first item; and

auditing said purchasing step after said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises;

weighing said first item; and

comparing a first weight corresponding to a theoretical weight of at least said first item to a second weight corresponding to an actual weight of at least said first item.

30. A method, as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said selecting step comprises selecting a second item for purchase, wherein said selecting a second item step comprises scanning a second bar code associated with said second item using said portable scanning device;

said purchasing step comprises purchasing said first and second items using said portable scanning device, wherein said purchasing said first and second items step comprises wireless transmission of signal between said portable scanning device and said processing unit of said retail store;

said weighing step of said auditing step comprises collectively weighing said first item and second items; and

said first weight of said comparing step of said auditing step corresponds to a cumulative theoretical weight of at least said first and second items; and

said second weight of said comparing step of said auditing step corresponds to an actual cumulative weight of at least said first and second items.

31. A method, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said first weight of said comparing step of said auditing step corresponds to a cumulative theoretical weight of at least said first item, said second item, and an item transport; and

said second weight of said comparing step of said auditing step corresponds to an actual cumulative weight of at least said first item, said second item, and said item transport.

32. A method, as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said item transport is selected from the group consisting of a cart and a basket.

33. A method, as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said auditing step comprises monitoring for a presence of a security tag associated with said first item after said purchasing step.

34. A method, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

wherein said purchasing step comprises wireless transmission of signal between said portable scanning device and a processing unit of said retail store.

35. A method, as claimed in claim 34, further comprising:

printing a sales receipt after said purchasing step and before said auditing step.

36. A method, as claimed in claim 35, wherein:

said sales receipt comprises a receipt bar code, and wherein said auditing step comprises scanning said receipt bar code.

37. A method, as claimed in claim 36, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by a customer, and wherein said auditing step comprises electronically displaying an image of said customer in response to said scanning said receipt bar code step.

38. A method, as claimed in claim 36, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by a customer, and wherein said auditing step comprises electronically providing biographical data of said customer in response to said scanning said receipt bar code step.

39. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said auditing step comprises determining if said first item is a controlled substance selected from the group consisting of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages based on said scanning said receipt bar code step.

40. A method, as claimed in claim 39, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by a customer, and wherein said auditing step comprises comparing data indicative of an age of said customer to data indicative of a minimum legal age requirement to purchase said controlled substance.

41. A method, as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

disposing said first item in a bag that is at least one of transparent and translucent prior to said auditing step.

42. A method, as claimed in claim 41, wherein:

said first item is disposed in said bag during said auditing step.

43. A method, as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

disposing said first item in a bag that is at least one of transparent and translucent prior to said purchasing step.

44. A method, as claimed in claim 43, wherein:

said first item is disposed in said bag during said purchasing step.

45. A method, as claimed in claim 44, wherein:

said first item is disposed in said bag during said auditing step.

46. A method, as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said selecting and purchasing steps are accomplished by a customer.

47. A method of transacting a sale, the method comprising the steps of:

issuing a loyalty card to a customer, wherein said issuing step comprises electronically coupling loyalty card data indicative of said loyalty card with biographical data of said customer and payment data of said customer;

electronically reading said loyalty card, wherein said electronically reading step comprises electronically accessing at least one of said biographical data and said payment data; and

purchasing a first item, wherein said purchasing step comprises utilizing said at least one of said biographical data and said payment data of said accessing step.

48. A method, as claimed in claim 47, wherein:

said issuing step comprises electronically coupling visual image data of at least one of said customer and a state-issued identification of said customer to said loyalty card data.

49. A method, as claimed in claim 48, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step after said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises electronically displaying a visual image corresponding to at least some of said visual image data of said issuing step.

50. A method, as claimed in claim 49, wherein:

said auditing step comprises weighing said first item after said purchasing step.

51. A method, as claimed in claim 47, wherein:

said biographical data comprises birth date data of said customer.

52. A method, as claimed in claim 51, wherein:

said first item is a controlled substance selected from the group consisting of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, and wherein said purchasing step comprises electronically accessing said birth date data.

53. A method, as claimed in claim 52, further comprising:

auditing said purchasing step after said purchasing step, wherein said auditing step comprises electronically displaying said birth date data.

54. A method, as claimed in claim 47, wherein:

said purchasing step comprises utilizing said payment method data.

55. A method, as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

allowing a portable scanning device to be removed from a structure supporting a plurality of portable scanning devices, wherein said allowing step is in response to said electronically reading step.

56. A method, as claimed in claim 55, wherein:

selecting said first item for purchase, wherein said selecting step comprises scanning a first bar code associated with said first item using said portable scanning device.

57. A method, as claimed in claim 56, wherein:

said purchasing step comprises wireless transmission of signal from a portable scanning device.