Shopping cart handle with built-in console for the input and display of consumer product information

• US 7,036,725 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• 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:
  US10/304,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20040262385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.13, 235/462.43, 235/383, 235/384, 235/385
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1408 Display devices mounted on it, e.g. advertisement displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1416 mounted on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1428 Adaptations for calculators, memory aids or reading aids
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection

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 self-scanning shopping cart for pricing and check out comprising:

A shopping cart apparatus in conjunction 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,

wherein said personal information input device allows a user of the shopping cart to pay for at least one item purchased at the shopping cart from any location within a store and without interacting with checkout personnel,

and wherein said display means comprises a front portion for displaying the product information and a back portion comprising a child'"'"'s toy.