Multisystem Interface for Roaming Self-Checkout
First Claim
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1. A checkout system comprising:
- an interface adapter attachable to a point-of-sale system between a point-of-sale computer and a peripheral device, the peripheral device inputting information about a purchase of products by a consumer for recording by the point-of-sale computer; and
an interface electronic computer system communicating with the interface adapter and a receiver communicating with a mobile wireless device and executing a program stored in non-transient medium to;
(a) receive a list of products for purchase by a consumer from a mobile wireless device operated by the consumer;
(b) convert the product list into a data form used by the peripheral device to communicate with the point-of-sale computer to provide a simulated peripheral datastream; and
(c) transmit the simulated peripheral datastream to the interface adapter to be communicated to the point-of-sale system in a manner of data normally received by the peripheral device to simulate inputting of information about the purchase of products by the consumer through the peripheral device.
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Abstract
An interface device fits between a point-of-sale terminal and a peripheral element, for example, the UPC scanner, to permit a rapid checkout of groceries or the like by simulating rapid scanning of a stored grocery list accumulated by a consumer in a roaming checkout through the store. The consumer scans items as he or she shops to create the stored grocery list. A promotional system for providing coupons at the point of purchase decision and the novel method of handling items that need to be weighed are also provided.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A checkout system comprising:
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an interface adapter attachable to a point-of-sale system between a point-of-sale computer and a peripheral device, the peripheral device inputting information about a purchase of products by a consumer for recording by the point-of-sale computer; and an interface electronic computer system communicating with the interface adapter and a receiver communicating with a mobile wireless device and executing a program stored in non-transient medium to; (a) receive a list of products for purchase by a consumer from a mobile wireless device operated by the consumer; (b) convert the product list into a data form used by the peripheral device to communicate with the point-of-sale computer to provide a simulated peripheral datastream; and (c) transmit the simulated peripheral datastream to the interface adapter to be communicated to the point-of-sale system in a manner of data normally received by the peripheral device to simulate inputting of information about the purchase of products by the consumer through the peripheral device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of checking out purchases made by a consumer using a system including:
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an interface adapter attachable to a point-of-sale system between a point-of-sale computer and a peripheral device, the peripheral device inputting information about the purchase of products by a consumer for recording by the point-of-sale computer; an interface electronic computer system communicating with the interface adapter and a receiver communicating with a mobile wireless device and executing a program stoned in Don-transient medium to; (a) receive a list of products for purchase by a consumer from a mobile wireless device operated by the consumer; (b) convert the product list into a data form used by the peripheral device to communicate with the point-of-sale computer to provide to simulated peripheral datastream; and (c) transmit the simulated peripheral datastream to the interface adapter to be communicated to the point-of-sale system in a manner of data normally received by the peripheral device to simulate inputting of information about the purchase of products by the consumer through the peripheral device;
the method comprising the steps of(i) receiving a list of multiple products for purchase by a consumer from a mobile wireless device operated by the consumer; (ii) converting the product list into a data form used by the peripheral device to communicate with the point-of-sale computer to provide a simulated peripheral datastream; and (iii) transmitting the simulated peripheral datastream to the interface adapter to be communicated to the point-of-sale system in the manner of data normally received by the peripheral device to simulate inputting of information about the purchase of products by the consumer through the peripheral device.
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16. An electronic scale system comprising:
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a platform providing an upwardly facing surface for receiving items to be weighed; a weight sensor communicating with the platform to provide an electronic signal indicating a weight of an item on the platform; an electronic display viewable by a user of the platform; an electronic computer communicating with the weight sensor and the display and executing a program stored in non-transient media to; (a) receive the electronic signal indicating a weight of an item on the platform; and (b) display on the display a machine-readable element encoding a weight value together with a human-readable element encoding the weight value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A checkout system comprising:
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a product-merchandising stand holding product and a machine-readable scan code located on the stand separate from product held by the stand; an interface electronic computer system communicating with a wireless transceiver and holding a data structure linking product identifiers to machine-readable scan codes; and a mobile wireless device providing a camera, a user-display, and a user data entry device and incorporating a user electronic computer communicating with the camera and display executing a program stored in non-transient media to; (a) scan the machine-readable scan code; (b) display information about one or more products proximate to the machine-readable scan code for selection by the user through commands entered through the user-data entry device; (c) store a product identifier related to the selected display products in a virtual shopping cart; and (d) transmit data of the virtual shopping cart to the interface electronic computer system to provide a list of products for purchase by a consumer.
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Specification