Electronic grocery lister

• US 5,884,281 A
• Filed: 09/18/1996
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kellie Ann Martin, Samuel Bernard Smith
• Original Assignee: Kellie Ann Martin, Samuel Bernard Smith
• Inventors: Martin, Kellie Ann, Smith, Samuel Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Application Number:
  US08/715,622
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 705/5, 705/17, 705/22, 705/23, 705/26, 705/29
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/025 adapted to a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

An electronic grocery lister, which stores, displays and prints grocery list items. The device includes a computer which stores names of grocery items according to broad classifications. An user may scroll through the names of grocery items which are already loaded into the computer and viewable on a small screen. A user may mark those items he or she desires to purchase and, if wished, may retrieve and (in the second and third embodiments) print all entered items. A first embodiment is portable. A second embodiment is not portable, but includes a printer. A third embodiment includes a modem by which a user can shop on-line at grocery stores having the necessary computer hardware and software.

Claims

1. An electronic grocery lister, comprising:

a central processing unit;

an electric power source, with an on/off switch;

a volatile storage device, with a memory that is cleared when the electric power source is turned off;

a command set containing a program for controlling the grocery lister, using the central processing unit and the volatile storage device;

a non-volatile storage device, with a memory that is not cleared when the electric power source is turned off, containing standard data sets that may be modified by an user, other information needed by the command set, and help menus for the user, with said standard data sets including a plurality of food and nonfood items and their prices per unit;

an alphanumeric keypad by which the user may input data and commands;

a keypad interface controller through which data and commands are transmitted to the central processing unit;

a grocery list of commonly purchased items permanently affixed to an external surface of the grocery lister, said list including a code number indicated for each of the items, whereby a user can select each of the items from the list by entering its code number through the keypad; and

a liquid crystal display, whereby the user can see data and commands entered displayed, choose options from menus, and view and edit a grocery list created by selecting from the food and nonfood items, and specifying the quantity for each item, with a capability for calculating and displaying the total price of all the items on the grocery list.

2. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 1, wherein the electric power source is at least one solar panel.

3. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 2, including at least one battery, that is recharged by at least one solar panel, and can function as a secondary electric power source when the solar panel does not receive sufficient light.

4. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 3, including, adjacent to the alphanumeric keypad:

up and down scroll buttons, whereby the user control the part of the grocery list shown in the liquid crystal display;

a plurality of category buttons, whereby the user may select from different categories of items;

an enter button, whereby the user may cause data temporarily stored in the key pad interface controller to enter the central processing unit; and

a delete button;

whereby the user may delete data temporarily stored in the key pad interface controlled.

5. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 4, including:

a green indicator light, that is turned on as a reminder that a personal message awaits the user; and

a red indicator light, that signifies that the user'"'"'s predetermined time to go shopping has arrived.

6. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 5, wherein the grocery lister will automatically go into a hibernation mode when a drop in current causes the central processing unit to sense that insufficient light is reaching the solar panel, causing the grocery lister to cease operation until sufficient light reaches the solar panel, at which time the hibernation mode will end and operation will be automatically resumed.

7. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 6, wherein there is a dial connected to a variable resistor, by which the user can control the brightness of the liquid crystal display.

8. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 7, wherein there are hook and loop fasteners on an external surface of the grocery lister.

9. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 7, wherein there are magnets on an external surface of the grocery lister.

10. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 7, including:

a printer;

a printer slot through which printed output can exit;

a print button by which the printer can be activated; and

a printer interface electrically connected to the printer and the central processing unit.

11. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 10, including:

a facsimile modem, whereby the user can interact on-line with a place of purchase.

12. The electronic grocery lister according to claim 11, in combination with a computer and facsimile modem in the place of purchase, wherein the user is given the capability to shop electronically by a process having the following steps:

a grocery list is created;

the facsimile modems in the grocery lister and the place of purchase are linked;

the grocery list is transmitted to the place of purchase;

the computer in the place of purchase checks the items on the grocery list to determine if the place of purchase is out of stock for any of the items;

the user is informed if any items are out of stock, and given the opportunity to select other items;

the user is asked to choose from the option of picking up the items and the option of having the items delivered;

a total bill for the items is calculated by the computer in the place of purchase and shown of the liquid crystal display of the grocery lister;

the user enters payment data.