DISTRIBUTED POINT OF SALE, ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE, AND PRODUCT INFORMATION SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20130110657A1
• Filed: 11/02/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Inventors: FORSTER, Ian James
• Granted Patent: US 8,630,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices

Abstract

A distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system. The system can include a central database and at least one integrated POS/EAS/information terminal adapted to communicate with NFC-enabled devices, RFID and EAS tags, and the database, wherein, when a customer places an NFC-enabled device and a product having an RFID and EAS tag and proximate the terminal, the terminal facilitates a transaction for purchasing the product. The terminal can include a processor, an NFC transceiver, a UHF RFID reader, and a Bluetooth transceiver. The transaction for purchasing the product can be performed via the NFC-enabled device.

Claims

1. A distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system, comprising:

a central database; and

at least one integrated POS/EAS/information terminal adapted to communicate with NFC enabled devices, RFID and EAS tags, and the database;

wherein, when a customer places an NFC-enabled device and a product having an RFID and EAS tag proximate the terminal, the terminal facilitates a transaction for purchasing the product.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a processor, an NFC transceiver, a UHF RFID reader, and a Bluetooth transceiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction for purchasing the product is performed via the NFC-enabled device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal provides the customer with information pertaining to the product.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the information is displayed on the NFC-enabled device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID and EFS tag comprises a secondary antenna tuned to 13.56 MHz.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the terminal is adapted to prioritize receiving UHF signals from RFID tags wherein the UHF signals are modulated by an NFC transmission.

8. A method for facilitating transactions using a distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system, comprising:

placing an NFC-enabled device and a product having an RFID and EAS tag in proximity to an integrated POS/EAS/information terminal;

initiating an NEC link between the NEC-enabled device and the terminal;

interrogating the RFID and EAS tag by the terminal;

receiving information pertaining to the product from a database;

presenting the customer with a list of options regarding the product;

executing a selected option from the list of options; and

terminating the NEC link.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising modulating a signal between the REID and EAS tag and the terminal with the signal between the terminal and the NEC-enabled device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected option is a purchase request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

executing a secure transaction via the NFC-enabled device;

changing the status of the REID and EAS tag; and

delivering a transaction receipt to the customer.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected option is a purchase and delivery request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

presenting the customer with product delivery options;

executing a secure transaction via the NFC-enabled device; and

delivering a transaction receipt to the customer.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected option is an information request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

presenting the customer with product information options; and

delivering the selected information to the customer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising initiating a Bluetooth link between the terminal and the NFC-enabled device.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected option is a product video request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

presenting the customer with product video options;

initiating a Bluetooth link between the terminal and the NFC-enabled device; and

delivering the selected video to the customer.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the selected option is a product characteristics request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

inquiring customer preferences for product characteristics;

determining whether a product matching the customer preferences is present in inventory;

presenting product availability details if the product is present in inventory; and

presenting a conciliation offer if the product is not present in inventory.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the customer preferences are pre-entered by the customer into the NFC-enabled device.

17. A terminal for a distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system, comprising:

a processor;

an NFC transponder;

a UHF REID reader;

a Bluetooth transponder; and

an 802.11-compliant antenna;

wherein, upon receiving an NFC signal from an NEC-compliant device, the terminal establishes an NFC link with the NEC-compliant device, interrogates an RFID and EAS tag located proximate to the terminal, and facilitates a secure transaction for purchase of a product on which the RFID and EAS tag is disposed.

18. The terminal of claim 17, wherein the terminal transmits information to the NFC-enabled device, the information pertaining to the product on which the RFID and EAS tag is disposed.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the RFID and EFS tag comprises a secondary antenna tuned to 13.56 MHz.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the terminal is adapted to prioritize receiving UHF signals from RFID tags wherein the UHF signals are modulated by an NFC transmission.