Computer system configuration and method for a store

• US 7,085,731 B1
• Filed: 04/29/1999
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sterling Global Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Softcard Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Hartley, Kevin W., Snook, Corey C., Maxwell, Eleanor B., Powell, Ken R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CUONG H
• Application Number:
  US09/301,749
• Time in Patent Office: 2,651 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705 16- 17, 705 20- 21, 705/23, 235/375, 235/378, 700/232, 700/236
• US Class Current: 705/14.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/14 Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit data transmission in general H04L; telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station H04Q9/00

Abstract

Disclosed are computer system configurations and methods for a retail store. In an exemplary system, a CPU and program in a checkout station make a list of the products selected by the customer. The CPU and program processes paper coupon information in the context of the selected products to determine discount eligibility. Another CPU and program in the checkout station perform electronic coupon redemption, by processing the selected products in the context of electronic coupon information.

Claims

1. A system for operating with a plurality of portable cards each having a card memory, and a store having a plurality of products, the system comprising:

a plurality of cash register stations, each cash register station including

an electromagnetic detector for generating first signals corresponding to product pricing and for generating second signals identifying products selected for purchase;

a card interface for reading third signals corresponding to product pricing from the card memory of one of the portable cards;

a first processing unit that executes a first program in a first memory to correlate second signals with first signals,

wherein the system also includes a plurality of second processing units different from the first processing units, each second processing unit executing a second program in a second memory, to determine a discount quantity by correlating second signals from the electromagnetic detector, in a respective one of the cash register stations, with the third signals read by the card interface, in the respective one of the cash register stations, wherein each second processing unit is in the respective one of the cash register stations.

2. The system of claim 1 further including

a central computer that communicates product pricing information with each of the first processing units.

3. The system of claim 1 further including

a network including a common computer that communicates pricing information, wherein the first processing unit, of each cash register station, is in the network, and wherein the second processing unit, of each cash register station, receives the second signals from a signal path that excludes the network.

4. The system of claim 1 further including

a switch that generates a signal indicating the end of a checkout transaction for a customer, the switch being activatable by a clerk,

wherein the second processing unit is in a signal path between the switch and the first processing unit.

5. The system of claim 1 further including

a signal path from the second processing unit to the first processing unit,

wherein the second processing unit sends a signal indicating a tender of a discount to the first processing unit, via the signal path.

6. The system of claim 1 further including

a switch that generates a signal indicating the end of a checkout transaction for a customer, the switch being activatable by a clerk,

wherein a signal path between the switch and the first processing unit excludes the second processing unit.

7. The system of claim 1 further including

a signal path from the second processing unit to the first processing unit,

wherein the second processing unit sends a signal indicating a UPC coupon to the first processing unit, via the signal path.

8. A system for operating with a plurality of portable cards each having a card memory for storing product discount information, and a store with a plurality of products, the system comprising:

a plurality of cash register stations, each cash register station including

an electromagnetic detector for generating first signals corresponding to product pricing and for generating second signals identifying products selected for purchase;

a card interface for reading from the card memory of one of the portable of cards;

a first processing unit that executes a first program in a first memory to correlate second signals with first signals,

a signal path between a peripheral device and the first processing unit,

a second processing unit different from the first processing unit, responsive to a signal on the signal path, that executes a second program in a second memory, to determine a discount quantity by correlating second signals with third signals from the card memory of one of the plurality of cards,

wherein the first processing unit determines a total amount due by receiving a fourth signal from the second processing unit, wherein the fourth signal corresponds to a discount tender.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the peripheral device is an input device.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the signal path carries product identification information.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the peripheral device is the electromagnetic detector.

12. The system of claim 8 further including a medium for a first computer network, wherein a first network-interface, in each cash register station, is an interface to the first computer network.