Self scanning and check out shopping cart-based electronic advertising system

• US 6,484,939 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1996
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smart Media of Delaware, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smart Media of Delaware, Inc.
• Inventors: Blaeuer, Dennis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US08/639,940
• Time in Patent Office: 2,415 Days
• Field of Search: 235/353, 235/462, 235/462.14, 235/462.43, 235/462.44, 235/375, 235/380, 235/383, 186/52, 186/56, 463/37, 463/46, 446/73, 403/08
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1416 mounted on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/201 Price look-up processing, e.g. updating
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0081 the reader being a portable scanner or data reader G07G1/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A console for the input and display of consumer product information such as pricing, etc. The console may be built into the handle of the shopping cart or as a retrofit application on existing handles. The console has a product information input device for numerical values such as product pricing, cost per unit, etc. The apparatus has a calculator and output display for such data. Some space on the console will likely be dedicated to a display panel for advertising. The console may be equipped with a bar code scanner as an alternate means of inputting such consumer data. The console should have an output display, such as a monitor, and/or a readout in order to display the product information such as: cost per unit. A video monitor may be used in connection with the console in order to provide advertising information related to products.

Claims

1. A shopping cart combination for reading bar codes found on consumer products, said combination including:

a shopping cart having a wheeled base and a basket portion in connection with said wheeled base and a handle apparatus in connection with said wheeled base,

said shopping cart having a means for reading bar codes,

means for obtaining personal information, and

means for displaying pricing information derived from said bar codes and for displaying entertainment;

wherein said means for obtaining personal information allows a user of the shopping cart to pay for all items purchased at the shopping cart from any location within a store and without interacting with checkout personnel, thereby eliminating the need for the checkout personnel.

2. The combination of claim 1 having a means for the storage of pricing information, said means for storage in communication with said means for displaying pricing information, said means for storage having a means for updating said pricing information.

3. The shopping cart combination of claim 1, wherein said means for obtaining personal information is a means for reading magnetic strip information.

4. A self scanning shopping cart for pricing and check out comprising:

a shopping cart apparatus in connection with the shopping cart, said apparatus having a bar code reader for reading bar codes associated with products and a personal information input device for accepting information used to identify the user of the shopping cart,

said shopping cart apparatus having a transceiver for electromagnetic transmissions and for updating pricing information in response to said electromagnetic transmissions,

said cart having a display means for displaying product information, advertising information and entertainment, and

wherein said personal information input device allows a user of the shopping cart to pay for all items purchased at the shopping cart from any location within a store and without interacting with checkout personnel, thereby eliminating the need for the checkout personnel.

5. The shopping cart of claim 4 wherein said shopping cart has a rack for supporting shopping bags, said rack in connection with said shopping cart.

6. The shopping cart of claim 4 where said apparatus has a means for displaying the total of all the products purchased by the consumer.

7. The shopping cart of claim 4 where said apparatus has a means for printing a written receipt for the total amount of purchases made by the consumer.

8. The shopping cart of claim 4, wherein said personal information input device is a magnetic strip reader for reading magnetic strip based information.

9. The shopping cart of claim 4, wherein said product information is pricing information.

10. The shopping cart of claim 4, wherein said shopping cart includes a homing means which sends out a signal identifying the location of the cart when the shopping cart leaves a specified area.

11. The shopping cart of claim 4, wherein said shopping cart includes a security alarm means which sends out a notification signal indicating that the shopping cart has left a specified area.

12. The shopping cart of claim 4 wherein said electromagnetic transmissions include radio frequency transmissions.

13. The shopping cart of claim 4 where said shopping cart apparatus has a means for debiting a consumer account by transmitting information relayed by said personal information input device.

14. The shopping cart of claim 4 where said shopping cart apparatus has a means for displaying the price information of a product by swiping bar code information across said bar code reader.

15. A self scanning shopping cart for pricing and check out comprising:

a shopping cart apparatus in connection with the shopping cart, said apparatus having a bar code reader for reading bar codes associated with products and a personal information input device for accepting information used to identify the user of the shopping cart,

said shopping cart apparatus having a transceiver for electromagnetic transmissions and for updating pricing information in response to said electromagnetic transmissions,

said cart having a two-sided electronic display means for displaying product information in connection with said bar codes and entertainment information, a front portion of said display means facing the customer displaying said product information, and a back portion, opposite said front portion of said electronic display means, displaying entertainment information,

wherein said personal information input device allows a user of the shopping cart to pay for all items purchased at the shopping cart, thereby eliminating the need for checkout personnel.

16. The shopping cart of claim 15 where said shopping cart apparatus has a means for debiting a consumer account by transmitting information relayed by said information input device.

17. The shopping cart of claim 15 where said apparatus has a means for displaying the price information of a product by reading bar code information across said bar code reader.

18. The shopping cart of claim 15 wherein said shopping cart display means displays advertising information transmitted to said display by means of electromagnetic transmissions.

19. The shopping cart of claim 15 wherein said shopping cart display means displays advertising information transmitted to said display by means of a magnetic information storage medium.

20. The shopping cart of claim 15 wherein said shopping cart has a rack for supporting shopping bags, said rack in connection with said shopping cart.

21. The shopping cart of claim 15 where said shopping cart apparatus has a means for displaying the total of all the products purchased by the consumer.

22. The shopping cart of claim 15 where said shopping cart apparatus has a means for printing a written receipt for the total amount of purchases made by the consumer.

23. A self scanning shopping cart for pricing and check out comprising:

a shopping cart apparatus in connection with the shopping cart, said apparatus having a bar code reader for reading bar codes associated with products and a personal information input device for accepting information used to identify the user of the shopping cart as well as information relating to accumulated costs or purchases and product directory information;

said shopping cart apparatus having a transceiver for electromagnetic transmissions and for updating pricing information in response to said electromagnetic transmissions;

said cart having a display means for displaying product information entertainment and advertising; and

wherein said personal information input device allows a user of the shopping cart to pay for all items whose bar codes have been read at the shopping cart from any location within a store and without interacting with checkout personnel, thereby eliminating the need for the checkout personnel.

24. A self scanning shopping cart for pricing and check out comprising:

a shopping cart apparatus in connection with the shopping cart, said apparatus having a bar code reader for reading bar codes associated with products and a personal information input device for accepting information used to identify the user of the shopping cart;

said shopping cart apparatus having a transceiver for electromagnetic transmissions and for updating pricing information in response to said electromagnetic transmissions;

said cart having a display for displaying product information in connection with said bar codes and entertainment, wherein said product information and entertainment is relayed to said cart through said electromagnetic transmission;

a security alarm wich sends out a notification signal indicating that the shopping cart has left a specified area; and

wherein said personal information input device allows a user of the shopping cart to pay for all items purchased at the shopping cart from any location within a store and without interacting with checkout personnel, thereby eliminating the need for the checkout personnel.

25. A method for self scanning shopping and check out comprising the steps of:

receiving product information and product advertising through a shopping cart transceiver means as said shopping cart moves through a store;

scanning items using a bar code reader and placing said scanned items in said shopping cart;

displaying prices of items, personal shopping information and entertainment; and

paying at the shopping cart for those items scanned by the reader from any location within the store and without interacting with checkout personnel, thereby eliminating the need for the checkout personnel.