Method and apparatus for promoting products and influencing consumer purchasing decisions at the point-of-purchase
First Claim
1. An apparatus for promoting consumer products having UPC bar codes at the point-of-purchase within a retail establishment, comprising:
- processing means including data receiving means for receiving consumer product and promotional information, data storage means for storing the received consumer, product and promotional information, and data transmission means for transmitting the stored consumer product and promotional information within the retail establishment;
at least one portable bar code scanner for use by a consumer during shopping, and having scanning means for scanning the UPC bar code, a transmitter for transmitting the scanned UPC bar code information to said processing means, a receiver for receiving consumer product and promotional information transmitted from said data transmission means, and user controls for allowing the consumer to control the portable bar code scanner functions;
security means incorporated into said portable bar code scanner; and
,said processing means selectively transmitting consumer product and promotional information to said portable bar code scanner based upon the consumer scanned UPC bar code. receiver and the retailer/manufacturer'"'"'s computer via a local area network.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for influencing and potentially altering a consumer'"'"'s purchase decisions at the point-of-purchase in a retail store using a portable bar code scanner that is in constant wireless communication with the store and a retailer/manufacturer'"'"'s computer/controller. The consumer uses the portable bar code scanner to scan products in the store, and if a scanned product is currently under a promotion, the controller alerts the consumer'"'"'s portable bar code scanner as to the promotion, so that the consumer can to take advantage of the promotion. In another embodiment, the consumer will be identified before beginning shopping by their frequent shopper card, so that the computer/controller, in communication with the portable bar code scanner, can utilize the consumer'"'"'s past purchase history and offer the consumer promotional product discounts. A video surveillance camera within the portable bar code scanner also allows the retailer to monitor each portable bar code scanner'"'"'s use throughout the retail establishment for security purposes.
705 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for promoting consumer products having UPC bar codes at the point-of-purchase within a retail establishment, comprising:
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processing means including data receiving means for receiving consumer product and promotional information, data storage means for storing the received consumer, product and promotional information, and data transmission means for transmitting the stored consumer product and promotional information within the retail establishment; at least one portable bar code scanner for use by a consumer during shopping, and having scanning means for scanning the UPC bar code, a transmitter for transmitting the scanned UPC bar code information to said processing means, a receiver for receiving consumer product and promotional information transmitted from said data transmission means, and user controls for allowing the consumer to control the portable bar code scanner functions; security means incorporated into said portable bar code scanner; and
,said processing means selectively transmitting consumer product and promotional information to said portable bar code scanner based upon the consumer scanned UPC bar code. receiver and the retailer/manufacturer'"'"'s computer via a local area network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of promoting products having UPC bar codes at the point-of-purchase within retail establishments comprising the steps of:
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sending consumer product and promotional information to a controller; storing the consumer product and promotional information in the controller; providing a consumer with a portable bar code scanner as the consumer begins retail shopping, the scanner being in wireless communication with the controller; scanning a product'"'"'s UPC bar code with the portable scanner; monitoring said scanning step with security means incorporated into said portable bar code scanner; sending the scanned product UPC bar code information to the controller; sending product description, price and promotional information to the bar code scanner based on the scanned UPC code and promotional consumer product information stored in the controller; and
,alerting the consumer at the point-of-purchase as to any specific product discounts and promotions being offered. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification