Personal retail tool and server system
First Claim
1. A personal retail tool, comprising:
- a housing;
electronics including a processor and non-volatile memory within the housing, the non-volatile memory storing software configured to display menu choices suitable for user selection of payment and/or consumer preference information;
a data input device configured for user;
a display screen; and
a wireless transmitter having a communication range of no more than about 20 meters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A small personal retail tool wirelessly connects to a wireless retail transaction server. The server sends information concerning the store'"'"'s menu to the retail tool. The customer is then able to select from the menu and order using the personal retail tool. The retail server processes the order and requests payment from the retail tool. The retail tool then optionally requests a PIN number from the customer in order to access stored payment information. The order is completed and the connection is terminated. The retail server is designed to appear as a cash register to a retailer'"'"'s back-end server. However, instead of going through a cashier, the retail server enables customers to place orders and make payment on their own, without first waiting in line, without rushing and without interacting with a cashier. Customers who would rather place their order with a cashier can still use the retail server solely to pay for their purchases.
27 Citations
61 Claims
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1. A personal retail tool, comprising:
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a housing;
electronics including a processor and non-volatile memory within the housing, the non-volatile memory storing software configured to display menu choices suitable for user selection of payment and/or consumer preference information;
a data input device configured for user;
a display screen; and
a wireless transmitter having a communication range of no more than about 20 meters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for communicating with a retail base station with a personal retail tool, the system comprising:
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a base station at a retail store location, the base station being connected to a local back-end server; and
a personal retail tool capable of wireless communication with the base station, the personal retail tool comprising an input device, a processor, non-volatile memory and a display screen;
wherein the system is configured to allow user selection of preference selection and/or payment through interaction with the input device and display screen. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for facilitating retail transactions at a point-of-sale, the method comprising:
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powering on a personal retail tool that has a display screen and input buttons;
wirelessly connecting the personal retail tool to a retail transaction server from a distance of no greater than 20 meters;
taking an order from a customer via the personal retail tool; and
confirming the customer'"'"'s order and payment information. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A retail transaction server, comprising
a housing; -
a wireless receiver; and
electronics including a processor and memory within the housing, the memory containing software that ushers a customer through a transaction process. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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Specification