Method and apparatus for computer-aided shopping
First Claim
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1. Apparatus to aid shopping by a consumer, comprising:
- (a) bar code reading means to read, at a location remote from a store, information representing items desired by said consumer;
(b) portable memory means to receive and retain said information; and
(c) terminal means located at said store to read said portable memory means, after temporary physical attachment of said portable memory means to said terminal means, to compile a list of said items and to provide said list to said consumer.
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Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a method and means to aid shopping which includes the use by a consumer of a portable bar code scanner having an electronic memory. The consumer enters desired items into the memory by scanning bar codes on, for example, containers, coupons, advertisements, and pamphlets furnished by a store. The memory is then read by a store terminal which may compile a printed shopping list and/or may transmit the order to a warehouse environment for manual and/or automatic order picking. The memory may be read by the store terminal over a telephone line via a modem.
577 Citations
17 Claims
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1. Apparatus to aid shopping by a consumer, comprising:
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(a) bar code reading means to read, at a location remote from a store, information representing items desired by said consumer; (b) portable memory means to receive and retain said information; and (c) terminal means located at said store to read said portable memory means, after temporary physical attachment of said portable memory means to said terminal means, to compile a list of said items and to provide said list to said consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16)
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8. A method of shopping by a consumer, comprising:
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(a) providing bar code reading means to read information representing items desired by said consumer at a location remote from a store; (b) providing portable memory means to receive and retain said information; (c) providing terminal means located at said store to read said portable memory means, after temporary physical attachment of said portable memory means to said terminal means, to compile a list of said items, and to provide a printed said list to said consumer; (d) reading bar codes with said bar code reading means, said bar codes representing items desired by said consumer; (e) transferring said stored information into said terminal means by physically temporarily attaching said portable memory means to said terminal means; and (f) said terminal means providing said printed list to said consumer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17)
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10. A method of shopping by a consumer, as defined in claim 10, wherein said bar codes are selected from the group consisting of bar codes containers, bar codes in pamphlets, bar codes on advertisements, and bar codes on coupons.
Specification