CHILD LOCK FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20080059880A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sluchak, Thomas J., Cato, Robert T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/700
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1408 Display devices mounted on it, e.g. advertisement displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1416 mounted on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment

Abstract

A method for controlling a display device, such as, for example, the display device mounted on a shopping cart, the shopping cart having a wheeled base and a basket portion in connection with the wheeled base and a handle in connection with the wheeled base, the method comprising: allowing a user to enter information at and obtain information from the display device; and providing a locking mechanism located on or implemented within the device for permitting the user to activate or deactivate the display device in order to prevent unauthorized access.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a display device, the method comprising:

allowing a user to enter information at and obtain information from the display device; and

providing a locking mechanism associated with the device for permitting the user to activate or deactivate the display device in order to prevent altering or invalidating of information entered by the user and information provided to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device automatically displays pricing information of products.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device allows the user to enter requests or queries for product information and additional information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device is connected to an information network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism provides a visible indication to the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device provides a visible indication of a status of the locking mechanism to the user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device provides an audible indication of a status of the locking mechanism to the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is a switch mounted on a housing of the display device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is a switch recessed into a housing of the display device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is activated by swiping a card in a magnetic stripe reader located on a housing of the display device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein scanning a bar code activates the locking mechanism.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is provided with a means of inverting or momentarily suspending a child lock mode, the child lock mode requiring the user to take a supplemental action with the display device at the same time that normal information is input into the display device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is provided with a means of deactivating a child lock mode, the means including a configuration screen, information associated with the user'"'"'s identification or frequent shopper number, a password, swiping a special magnetic stripe, or scanning a special bar code.

14. A system for controlling a display device, the system comprising:

a network; and

a host system in communication with the network, the host system including software to implement a method comprising;

allowing a user to enter information at and obtain information from the display device; and

providing a locking mechanism associated with the device for permitting the user to activate or deactivate the display device in order to prevent altering or invalidating of information entered by the user and information provided to the user.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the display device provides a visible indication of a status of the locking mechanism to the user.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism is a switch mounted on a housing of the display device.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism is a switch recessed into a housing of the display device.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein scanning a bar code activates the locking mechanism.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the user is provided with a means of inverting or momentarily suspending a child lock mode, the child lock mode requiring the user to take a supplemental action with the display device at the same time that normal information is input into the display device.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the user is provided with a means of deactivating a child lock mode, the means including a configuration screen, information associated with the user'"'"'s identification or frequent shopper number, a password, swiping a special magnetic stripe, or scanning a special bar code.