Automated order and delivery system

• US 5,310,997 A
• Filed: 09/10/1992
• Issued: 05/10/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tandy Corporation (RS Legacy Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tandy Corporation (RS Legacy Corp.)
• Inventors: Hollander, Richard, Roach, John V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): FILIPEK, JEFFER
• Application Number:
  US07/942,946
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/375, 235/385, 364/401, 364/402, 364/403, 364/404, 364/405
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/046 Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters record carriers or readers per se G06K
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures

Abstract

A system for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility. A main processor has a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and processes sale transaction records for customers. A point of sale system coupled to the processor has a controller and at least one pen-based computer in communication with the controller via RF transmissions. Program instructions respond to entry on the computer of a customer number and to entry of merchandise identification numbers to build a sale transaction record of selected items for purchase. The program instructions display item information and enable selection of items for addition to the sale transaction record, display delivery method instructions and enable their selection for addition to the sale transaction record, and transmit the transaction record to the processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of the selected items according to the selected delivery instructions. The system integrates point of sale and warehouse processing functions to enable delivery of merchandise to customers in the shortest possible time.

Claims

1. Apparats for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the apparatus comprising:

a main processor including a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and including program instructions for processing a sale transaction record for each customer;

a point of sale system coupled with said main processor, said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of a customer identification number for accessing said database to display customer identification information and for generating said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including item entry means responsive to entry of a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item to the customer and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including delivery method entry means for displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer and for selecting delivery method instructions for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including total command means for indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer and for transmitting said sale transaction record to said main processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

wherein said point of sale system comprises a controller coupled to said main processor and at least one pen-based computer coupled to said controller via radio frequency transmissions;

said customer identification number being entered into said pen-based computer from a customer membership card associated with the customer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a warehouse system coupled with said main processor, said warehouse system including program instructions responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record from said command means for generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a check-out system coupled with said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of said customer identification number for accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said point of sale system further comprises a server connected on a time-shared network to said controller, said at least one pen-based computer coupled via said radio frequency transmissions to said server.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a secondary controller operating as a back-up for said controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pen-based computer comprises a hand-held computer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said computer includes an infrared scanning device for entering data.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller is coupled with said processor utilizing a synchronous data link control (SDLC) protocol.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pen-based computer includes an infrared scanner and said customer identification number is entered by scanning said membership card.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said merchandise item identification number is entered into said pen-based computer from a universal product code label associated with the merchandise item.

11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said check-out system comprises at least one check-out register.

12. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said check-out system is connected to a remote credit processing facility via said point of sale system.

13. Apparatus for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the apparatus comprising;

a main processor including a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and including program instructions for processing a sale transaction record for each customer;

a point of sale system coupled with said main processor, said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of a customer identification number for accessing said database to display customer identification information and for generating said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including item entry means responsive to entry of a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item to the customer and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including delivery method entry means for displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer and for selecting delivery method instructions for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including total command means for indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer and for transmitting said sale transaction record to said main processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

a warehouse system coupled with said main processor, said warehouse system including program instructions responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record from said command means for generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions;

wherein said sale transaction record for each customer includes information indicating the customer identification number, accumulated frequent shopper points for the customer, item number, description, price and delivery method for each selected item of merchandise.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a check-out system coupled with said point of sale system, said check-out system including program instructions responsive to entry of said customer identification number for accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items.

15. Apparatus for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the apparatus comprising:

a main processor including a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and including program instructions for processing a sale transaction record for each customer;

a point of sale system coupled with said main processor, said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of a customer identification number for accessing said database to display customer identification information and for generating said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including item entry means responsive to entry of a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item to the customer and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including delivery method entry means for displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer and for selecting delivery method instructions for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including total command means for indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer and for transmitting said sale transaction record to said main processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

a warehouse system coupled with said main processor, said warehouse system including program instructions responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record from said command means for generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions;

wherein said item entry means includes means for selecting purchase of items by the customer at a reduced price utilizing frequent shopper points subtracted from said accumulated total of points available for the customer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said item entry means includes command means for verifying selection of each selected item and for cancelling selection of selected item.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery to a package pick-up area of said facility.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delayed delivery to a package pick-up area of said facility.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery to a dock area of said facility.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery to an installation area of said facility.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery by shipment to a customer designated location.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said point of sale system further comprises delivery information means of entering delivery location information of the customer for addition to said sale transaction record.

23. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said point of sale system further comprises means for displaying additional products required for a selected item and for adding customer-selected ones of said additional products to said sale transaction record.

24. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said point of sale system further comprises means for displaying suggested accessories for a selected item and for adding customer-selected ones of said accessories to said sale transaction record.

25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said point of sale system further comprises means for displaying warranty information for a selected item and for adding customer-selected warranty options to said sale transaction record.

26. Apparatus for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the apparatus comprising:

a main processor including a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and including program instructions for processing a sale transaction record for each customer;

a point of sale system comprising a controller coupled to said main processor and at least one pen-based computer in communication with said controller via radio frequency transmissions, said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of a customer identification number for accessing said database to display customer identification information on said computer and for generating said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including item entry means responsive to entry of a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item on said computer and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including delivery method entry means for displaying merchandise delivery method information on said computer and for selecting delivery method instructions for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including total command means for indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer and for transmitting said sale transaction record to said main processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

a warehouse system coupled with said main processor including program instructions responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record from said point of sale system for generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

a check-out system coupled with said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of said customer identification number for accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items;

wherein said point of sale system further comprises modify command means for altering said sale transaction record and for transmitting a modified sale transaction record to said main processor, and responsive to an acceptance indication of said modified sale transaction record, said warehouse system generates a merchandise reverse-pick request in said warehouse to initiate cancellation of a previously issued pick request.

27. Apparatus for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the apparatus comprising:

a main processor including a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and including program instructions for processing a sale transaction record for each customer;

a point of sale system comprising a controller coupled to said main processor and at least one pen-based computer in communication with said controller via radio frequency transmissions, said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of a customer identification number for accessing said database to display customer identification information on said computer and for generating said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including item entry means responsive to entry of a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item on said computer and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including delivery method entry means for displaying merchandise delivery method information on said computer and for selecting delivery method instructions for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including total command means for indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer and for transmitting said sale transaction record to said main processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

a warehouse system coupled with said main processor including program instructions responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record from said point of sale system for generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions;

a check-out system coupled with said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of said customer identification number for accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items; and

a new member processing system coupled to said controller for entering customer information in said database, said system comprising means for adding a customer to said database by issuing a customer identification number for association with customer name, address and credit data;

means for displaying customer information; and

means for issuing a customer member card including said customer identification.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising an entry scanner system coupled to said controller, said scanner system for receiving a customer'"'"'s identification number upon entry into said point of sale portion of said facility.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said received customer identification information is utilized to display the customer'"'"'s name in the point of sale portion of said facility.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a financial services system coupled to said controller, said financial services system including program instructions for verifying customer credit data.

33. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a headquarters computer system coupled to said controller and said processor, said headquarters system for receiving customer and merchandise information and sales history information stored in said database and for altering said merchandise information in said database.

31. Apparatus for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the apparatus comprising:

a main processor including a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and including program instructions for processing a sale transaction record for each customer;

a point of sale system comprising a controller coupled to said main processor and at least one pen-based computer in communication with said controller via radio frequency transmissions, said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of a customer identification number for accessing said database to display customer identification information on said computer and for generating said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including item entry means responsive to entry of a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item on said computer and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including delivery method entry means for displaying merchandise delivery method information on said computer and for selecting delivery method instructions for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including total command means for indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer and for transmitting said sale transaction record to said main processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

a warehouse system coupled with said main processor including program instructions responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record from said point of sale system for generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions;

a check-out system coupled with said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of said customer identification number for accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items; and

a labor management system coupled to said controller, said labor management system including program instructions for performing labor scheduling within said facility responsive to sales history data stored in said controller.

32. Apparatus for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the apparatus comprising;

a main processor including a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and including program instructions for processing a sale transaction record for each customer;

a point of sale system comprising a controller coupled to said main processor and at least one pen-based computer in communication with said controller via radio frequency transmissions, said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of a customer identification number for accessing said database to display customer identification information on said computer and for generating said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including item entry means responsive to entry of a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item on said computer and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including delivery method entry means for displaying merchandise delivery method information on said computer and for selecting delivery method instructions for addition to said sale transaction record;

said point of sale system including total command means for indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer and for transmitting said sale transaction record to said main processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

a warehouse system coupled with said main processor including program instructions responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record from said point of sale system for generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions;

a check-out system coupled with said point of sale system including program instructions responsive to entry of said customer identification number for accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items; and

a system coupled to said controller, said system including program instructions for maintaining point-of-sale customer population data and for conducting promotional merchandise lotteries for customers within the point of sale portion of said facility.

34. A method for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the method comprising:

storing customer identification information, merchandise information and a sale transaction record for each customer in a database;

entering a customer identification number to access said database for display of the customer'"'"'s identification information and to generate said sale transaction record;

entering a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item and for selecting said item for additon to said sale transaction record;

displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer for selecting delivery method instructions and for adding said instructions to said sale transaction record;

indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse, responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record, to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

;

displaying additional products required for a selected item and adding customer-selected ones of said additional products to said sale transaction record.

35. A method for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the method comprising:

storing customer identification information, merchandise information and a sale transaction record for each customer in a database;

entering a customer identification number to access said database for display of the customer'"'"'s identification information and to generate said sale transaction record;

entering a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item and for selecting said time for addition to said sale transaction record;

displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer for selecting delivery method instructions and for adding said instructions to said sale transaction record;

indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse, responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record, to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

;

displaying suggested accessories for a selected item and adding customer-selected ones of said accessories to said sale transaction record.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein said sale transaction record for each customer includes information indicating the customer identification number, customer name, item number, description, price and delivery method for each selected item of merchandise.

38. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said sale transaction record for each customer includes information indicating the customer identification number, accumulated frequent shopper points for the customer, and item number, description, price and delivery method for each selected item of merchandise.

39. The method of claim 35 including selecting purchase of items by the customer at a reduced price utilizing frequent shopper points subtracted from said accumulated total of points available for the customer.

40. The apparatus of claim 35 including either verifying selection of each selected item or cancelling selection of each selected item.

41. The method of claim 35 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery to a package pick-up are of said facility.

42. The method of claim 35 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delayed delivery to a package pick-up area of said facility.

43. The method of claim 35 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery to a dock area of said facility.

44. The method of claim 35 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery to an installation area of said facility.

45. The method of claim 35 wherein said delivery method instructions include a selection of delivery by shipment to a customer designated location.

46. The method of claim 35 further comprising entering delivery location information of the customer for addition to said sale transaction record.

47. A method for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the method comprising;

storing customer identification information, merchandise information and a sale transaction record for each customer in a database;

entering a customer identification number to access said database for display of the customer'"'"'s identification information and to generate said sale transaction record;

entering a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer for selecting delivery method instructions and for adding said instructions to said sale transaction record;

indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

generating a merchandise pick request tin said warehouse, responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record, to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

;

displaying warranty information for a selected item and adding customer-selected warranty options to said sale transaction record.

48. A method for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the method comprising:

storing customer identification information, merchandise information and a sale transaction record for each customer in a database;

entering a customer identification number to access said database for display of the customer'"'"'s identification information and to generate a said sale transaction record;

entering a merchandise item identification number for acessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item and for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer for selecting delivery method instructions, said instructions being added to said sale transaction record;

indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer to effectuate warehouse delivery of sad selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse, responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record, to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items;

altering said sale transaction record; and

generating a merchandise reverse-pick request in said warehouse to initiate cancellation of a previously issued pick request.

49. A method for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility, the method comprising:

storing customer identification information, merchandise information and a sale transaction record for each customer in a database;

entering a customer identification number to access said database for display of the customer'"'"'s identification information and to generate a said sale transaction record;

entering a merchandise item identification number for accessing said database to display merchandise information pertaining to said item an for selecting said item for addition to said sale transaction record;

displaying merchandise delivery method information to the customer for selecting delivery method instructions, said instructions being added to said sale transaction record;

indicating acceptance of said sale transaction record by the customer to effectuate warehouse delivery of said selected merchandise items to the customer according to said selected delivery method instructions;

generating a merchandise pick request in said warehouse, responsive to said acceptance indication of said sale transaction record, to locate said selected merchandise and initiate delivery of said merchandise according to said selected delivery method instructions; and

accessing said sale transaction record and accepting payment for said selected merchandise items;

adding a customer to said database by issuing a customer identification number for association with customer name, address and credit data;

displaying customer information; and

issuing a customer member card including said customer identification.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising receiving a customer'"'"'s identification number upon entry into said point of sale portion of said facility.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein said received customer identification information is utilized to display the customer'"'"'s name in the point of sale portion of said facility.