Systems and methods for near field communication enabled shopping cart corrals
First Claim
1. A corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, the corral comprising:
- an enclosure defined by three members and having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts;
a first panel coupled to a first one of the three members, the first panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and configured to display one or more advertisements;
a second panel coupled to a second one of the three members, the second panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and configured to display one or more advertisements, the third member being coupled to the other two members which are substantially parallel to each other; and
a near field communication component being integrated into the corral and being configured to;
establish a connection with a mobile device in response to the mobile device being placed in proximity to the near field communication component;
communicate with the mobile device via the established connection; and
execute a promotional function associated with the one or more advertisements displayed in either the first panel or the second panel, wherein the promotional function causes promotional content to be transferred to the mobile device;
wherein the second member is shorter than the first member and the first panel and second panel are provided in a staggered arrangement, and the corral further comprises a bar member that is coupled to, and extends through, the first panel and second panel so as to further couple the corral near the opening of the enclosure, wherein the bar member is coupled to portions of the first panel and second panel such that the bar member is situated at an angle that is not parallel with respect to the third member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Certain embodiments disclose a corral and enclosure defined by three members having an opening configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, with two substantially parallel walls of equal or different lengths and advertisement panels affixed on the walls, such that they can be staggered. The staggered arrangement of the at least two panels facilitates better visibility and allows the simultaneous viewing of at least two panels. The panel(s) may also include a near field communication component that is configured to execute a promotional function associated with an advertisement that is displayed by the corral. The promotional function may cause promotional content to be transferred to the mobile device.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, the corral comprising:
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an enclosure defined by three members and having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts; a first panel coupled to a first one of the three members, the first panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and configured to display one or more advertisements; a second panel coupled to a second one of the three members, the second panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and configured to display one or more advertisements, the third member being coupled to the other two members which are substantially parallel to each other; and a near field communication component being integrated into the corral and being configured to; establish a connection with a mobile device in response to the mobile device being placed in proximity to the near field communication component; communicate with the mobile device via the established connection; and execute a promotional function associated with the one or more advertisements displayed in either the first panel or the second panel, wherein the promotional function causes promotional content to be transferred to the mobile device; wherein the second member is shorter than the first member and the first panel and second panel are provided in a staggered arrangement, and the corral further comprises a bar member that is coupled to, and extends through, the first panel and second panel so as to further couple the corral near the opening of the enclosure, wherein the bar member is coupled to portions of the first panel and second panel such that the bar member is situated at an angle that is not parallel with respect to the third member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, the corral comprising:
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an enclosure having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts, wherein the enclosure is defined by a first member, second member and third member, the third member being coupled to the other two members which are substantially parallel to each other and the second member being shorter than the first member such that the first panel and second panel are provided in a staggered arrangement; at least one advertisement panel coupled to the enclosure and configured to display an advertisement; and a near field communication component configured to; establish a connection with a mobile device in response to the mobile device being placed in proximity to the near field communication component; communicate with the mobile device via the established connection; and execute a promotional function for a product or service offered for sale by a business that is located in a vicinity of the corral, wherein the promotional function causes promotional content associated with product or service to be transferred to the mobile device; wherein the corral further comprises a bar member that is coupled to, and extends through, the at least one advertisement panel to further couple the corral near the opening of the enclosure, wherein the bar member is coupled to the at least one advertisement panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification