Self-scanning system with enhanced features

• US 20040222302A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Matsumori, Kunihiko
• Granted Patent: US 6,854,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• 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

Abstract

A self-scanning system including a mobile personal shopping terminal having enhanced features. A bar code scanner coupled to the terminal is disabled for a period of time after a scanning activity to prevent the inadvertent scanning of the same item two or multiple times. The time period varies based on the user'"'"'s profile information. When a single item is nonetheless scanned two or more times, the terminal notifies the user of this fact. Usage of the terminal is also monitored to detect a user that has trouble finding an item within the retail facility. A store clerk may approach such a user and volunteer assistance. Furthermore, kiosk functions are incorporated into the terminal for providing the user information and business opportunities with the retail store. For example, the retail store may allow the user to purchase an audio piece that is being broadcast at the store using the terminal. The terminal may also be used to purchase recycled/used items that are placed for sale by individuals through the retail store.

Claims

1. A mobile shopping terminal comprising:

a control unit; and

a scanner coupled to the control unit, characterized in that the control unit retrieves profile information associated with a user, identifies a time period based on the profile information, detects a first scanning activity by the scanner, and disables the scanner for the identified time period in response to detecting the first scanning activity prior to enabling a second scanning activity.

2. The mobile shopping terminal of claim 1, wherein the profile information includes information on the user'"'"'s self-scanning experience.

3. The mobile shopping terminal of claim 2, wherein the time interval decreases with increase in the user'"'"'s self-scanning experience.

4. The mobile shopping terminal of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying a list of self-scanned items, wherein a duplicative item on the list is visually distinguished from other items on the list.

5. A store server for use in a retail facility, the store server comprising:

means for recording an activity of a mobile shopping terminal used by a user;

a processing unit coupled to the means for recording, the processing unit configured to analyze the activity and determine whether assistance should be provided to the user based on the analyzed activity; and

a means for transmitting user profile information to a store terminal accessible to a store clerk in response to a determination that assistance should be provided to the user, the user profile information including data for identifying the user to whom assistance is to be provided.

6. The store server of claim 5, wherein the activity is a scanning activity conducted with a scanner coupled to the mobile shopping terminal.

7. The store server of claim 5, wherein the processing unit is configured to analyze a time period associated with the activity.

8. The store server of claim 5, wherein the processing unit is configured to analyze a location associated with the activity.

9. The store server of claim 5, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a shopping route based on the activity.

10. The store server of claim 9, wherein the processing unit determines that assistance should be provided to the user if the shopping route is determined to be an ineffective shopping route.

11. The store server of claim 5 further comprising means for transmitting a message for display on the mobile shopping terminal, the message inquiring whether assistance is desired by the user.

12. The store server of claim 5 further comprising means for transmitting to the store terminal location information associated with the user.

13. An electronic shopping system for use in a retail facility comprising:

a store computer maintaining information on items for sale or rent in a data store; and

a first mobile shopping terminal coupled to the store computer, wherein the first mobile shopping terminal, while operating in a first mode, receives from a first user of the terminal information on an item for sale or rent by the first user, the information being transmitted to the store computer for storing in the data store;

a second mobile shopping terminal coupled to the store computer, wherein the second mobile shopping terminal, while operating in a second mode, transmits to the store computer a second user'"'"'s selection of the item for sale or rent by the first user and in response, the store computer transmits the information on the item to the second mobile shopping terminal for display thereon, the selected item being inserted into a list of items that have been self-scanned by the second user responsive to an indication by the second user to purchase or rent the selected item.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile shopping terminal accesses a website hosted by the store computer in response to a user command.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile shopping terminal displays information and news associated with a particular community in response to a user command.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile shopping terminal displays information associated with an in-store auction.

17. In an electronic shopping system for use in a retail facility, the electronic shopping system comprising:

a store computer maintaining information on a plurality of audio pieces;

a broadcast system broadcasting an audio piece selected by the store computer; and

a mobile shopping terminal including;

a scanner for self-scanning of items desired for purchase by a user;

means for receiving from the store computer information on the audio piece broadcast by the broadcast system;

a user input receiving a user command to purchase the broadcast audio piece; and

a control unit inserting the audio piece into a list of items that have been self-scanned by the user in response to the user command.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising means for delivering the audio piece to the user.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a memory unit coupled to the mobile shopping terminal, wherein the means for delivering includes a means for storing the audio piece in the memory unit.

20. In an electronic shopping system including a mobile shopping terminal coupled to a scanner, a computer-implemented method for controlling use of the scanner by a user, the method comprising:

retrieving profile information associated with the user;

identifying a time period based on the profile information;

detecting a first scanning activity by the scanner; and

disabling the scanner for the identified time period in response to detecting the first scanning activity prior to enabling a second scanning activity.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the profile information includes information on the user'"'"'s self-scanning experience.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the time interval decreases with increase in the user'"'"'s self-scanning experience.

23. A computer-implemented method for providing aid to a user of a mobile shopping terminal coupled to a scanner, the method comprising:

recording an activity of the mobile shopping terminal;

analyzing the activity by a processing unit;

determining whether assistance should be provided to the user based on the analyzed activity; and

transmitting user profile information to a store terminal accessible to a store clerk in response to a determination that assistance should be provided to the user, the user profile information including data for identifying the user to whom assistance is to be provided.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the activity is a scanning activity conducted with the scanner.

25. In an electronic shopping system having a database storing information on items for sale or rent and first and second mobile shopping terminals accessible to first and second users, a method for electronic shopping comprising:

receiving at the first mobile shopping terminal operating in a first mode information input from the first user on an item for sale or rent by the first user;

transmitting the received information to the store computer;

storing the information in the database by the store computer;

receiving at the second mobile shopping terminal operating in a second mode the second user'"'"'s selection of the item for sale or rent by the first user;

transmitting the information on the selected item to the second mobile shopping terminal;

displaying the information on a display;

displaying on the display a list of items that have been self-scanned by the second user via the second mobile shopping terminal;

receiving a user indication by the second user to purchase or rent the selected item; and

in response to the user indication, inserting the selected item into the list of items that have been self-scanned by the second user.

26. In an electronic shopping system having a store computer coupled to a database and a broadcast system, and a mobile shopping terminal accessible to a user, the database storing information associated with a plurality of audio pieces and the mobile shopping terminal being coupled to a scanner and a display, a method for electronic shopping via the mobile shopping terminal, the method comprising:

broadcasting via the broadcast system an audio piece selected by the store computer;

receiving from the store computer information on the audio piece broadcast by the broadcast system;

displaying the information on the display;

displaying on the display a list of items that have been self-scanned by the user using the scanner;

receiving a user command to purchase the broadcast audio piece; and

inserting the audio piece into the list of items that have been self-scanned by the user in response to the user command.