Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SELP-SERVICE SHOPPING CART
BACI~CROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of shopping carts and more particularly
to a self service shopping cart.
The necessary technology for manufacturing "intelligent" shopping carts,
or shopping carts that can help customers perform their shopping tasks, has
been
available for some time. Numerous proposals for such shopping carts have been
put
forth. However, none of these proposals has gained widespread acceptance. The
primary reason for this lack of acceptance has been economic - intelligent
shopping
carts cost significantly more than traditional shopping carts. More recent
proposals
have included the use of advertising in connection with these carts in an
attempt to
reduce their cost by generating revenue from advertisers, but so far these
proposals
have not proven to be economical.
A further disadvantage of the existing automated shopping cart proposals
relates to their configuration in a store environment. An intelligent shopping
cart
has to be convenient to the user and it also has to be cost effective for the
store.
The primary motivation, convenience and cost savings must be effected in the
design
of such a cart. It is therefore imperative that the cart replace or augment
expensive
fia.nctions that already exist in a store. One of these functions is the check-
out
counter. The check-out counter entails costs in terms of machinery, personnel,
mistakes and theft, not to mention the inconvenience that a long line presents
to the
shopper, which can result in lost business. The convenience factor is also
evident in
terms of a way the cart can handle the transaction. It is advantageous for a
consumer to perform a single transaction, preferably at the local where the
goods
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are, in order to quicldy and efficiently purchase goods. Existing shopping
cart
proposals do not have these advantages.
For example, U.S. Patent 5,287,266 illustrates a shopping cart display
system which is designed to provide advertisements to consumers. This system
appears to be quite useful to shoppers who are interested in obtaining
information
about goods that they wish to purchase. However, this system does not provide
a
process or apparatus by which purchases can be completed at the cart or a
means by
which advertisements and/or 'promotions can be displayed in various formats,
modes
and sizes and for different periods of time allowing the retailer or system
provider to
charge different prices for, and obtain various revenues from, the
advertisements
and/or promotions based on their format, length, type, etc. Moreover, the
system
does not provide the consumer with access to remote retailers, vendors or
orgaiuzations so that they can transact with them from the shopping cart.
Recent developments in the self scanning art have included systems by
NCR, Symbol Technologies, Optimal Robotics, Inter-Act Systems, Inc. and
I~lever
Dart. NCR has developed a fixed check-out lane system. The system contains a
self
scanning station, security scale, bagging station and a payment station
similar to an
automatic teller machine (ATM). The system is a fixed check-out lane and,
among
other things, is not designed for use on/with an intelligent shopping cart.
The
system developed by Symbol Technologies includes a hand-held scanner with a
small
display and a few buttons to add/delete and total a transaction. The system
requires
the user to check-out from a check-out lane. Optimal Robotics has developed a
fixed checlc-out station similar to the NCR check-out station.
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Inter-Act Systems, Inc. has developed a laoslc-like system, where
consumers can obtain discounts based on the consumer's prior shopping history
and
currently available discounts. Klever Dart has developed a small device that
is
mounted to a handle of a shopping cart. The device displays messages that are
triggered by infrared shelf transmitters mounted within the store's aisles.
With respect to developments concerning in-store advertisements, Act
Media has developed an in-store advertising system that mounts plastic
placards
containing cardboard advertisements on the front of a shopping cart. The
system
also uses ceiling signs to show users where items are located through-out the
store.
Catalina Marketing has developed a system where store promotions, namely
coupons
are printed out at the checlc-out lane as part of the consumer's receipt. The
promotions are based on the items that were scanned at the cash register.
None of the aforementioned systems, however, relate to a self service
shopping cart system in which advertisements and/or promotions can be
displayed
at the cart in various formats, modes, types and sizes and for different
periods of
time, allowing the retailer and/or system provider to charge different prices
for, and
obtain various revenues from, the advertisements and/or promotions based on
their
format, length, type, etc. Moreover, these system do not provide the consumer
with
access to remote retailers, vendors or orgaiuzations from the shopping cart.
,SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the difficulties of the prior art by
providing a self service shopping cart system and method for using the same
whereby the retailer operating the system can generate revenues from: 1 ) at
the cart
advertisements and/or promotions, 2) by providing the consumer with access to
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remote retailers, vendors and other organizations from the shopping cart and
3) by
allowing consumers to access the system over the Internet. The system is
capable of
displaying advertisements and/or promotions in various formats, modes, types
and
sizes and for different periods of time. Thus, the retailer and/or system
provider can
charge different prices for, and obtain various revenues from, the
advertisements
and/or promotions based on their format, length, etc. Moreover, by allowing
the
user to transact with remote retailers, vendors, and other organizations, the
retailer
and/or system provider can offset some of the system costs to the remote
retailers,
vendors and organizations. In addition, since the system is a self service
system, the
number of store personnel can be reduced or augmented, which also saves the
retailer money.
In one aspect of the invention, a portable unit for use in a self scanning
and check-out system is provided. The portable unit comprises a console
apparatus,
said console apparatus inputting identifying information associated with a
user of
the portable unit and product information associated with a scanned product,
said
console apparatus displaying pricing and other information associated with
said
product information; and communication means coupled to said console apparatus
for transmitting said product information to, and receiving said pricing and
other
information from, a host computer, said communications means allowing the user
of
the portable unit to communicate with a remote organization while using said
self
scanning and check-out system.
In another aspect of the present invention, a self service shopping cart for
use in a self scanning and check-out system is provided. In this aspect, the
shopping
cart comprises a portable unit detachably mounted to said shopping cart. The
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portable unit comprises a console apparatus, said console apparatus inputting
product information associated with a scanned product, said console apparatus
displaying pricing and other information associated with said product
information;
and communication means coupled to said console apparatus for transmitting
said
5 product information to, and receiving said pricing and other information
from, a
host computer, said communications mea~.ls allowing the user of the portable
unit to
communicate with a remote organization from the shopping cart.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a self service shopping cart
for use in a self scanning and check-out system is provided. The shopping cart
comprises a portable unit detachably mounted to said shopping cart, said
portable
unit comprises a console apparatus, said console apparatus displaying
advertising
and/or promotional iilformation. Said console apparatus displays said
advertising
and/or promotional information, based on predetermined criteria, in varying
display
formats, modes, types and sizes and for varying lengths of time.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, a self scanning and check-out
system is provided. The system comprises a store server located within a
store, said
store server includes information associated with products to be sold in the
store; a
remote server coupled to said store server, said remote server providing the
store
server with access to a remote network; and a portable unit. The portable unit
comprises a console apparatus, said console apparatus inputting product
information
associated with a scanned product, said console apparatus displaying pricing
and
other information associated with said product information; and communication
means coupled to said console apparatus for transmitting said product
information
to, and receiving said pricing and other information from, said store server
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computer, said communications means allowing the user of the portable unit to
communicate with an organization remote from the store.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a self
scanning and checlc-out system is provided. The method comprises the steps of
providing a portable unit for inputting product information associated with a
scanned product and inputting identifying information about a user of the
portable
unit; and displaying advertising and/or promotional information on the
portable
unit of the system. Said advertising and/or promotional information is
displayed in
varying display formats, modes, types and sizes and for varying lengths of
time based
on predetermined criteria.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a self service shopping
cart system.
It is an object of the invention to provide a self service shopping cart that
allows customers to pay for products without the aid of store personnel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable unit for
a self service shopping cart system that allows a user to access and transact
with
remote retailers, vendors and other organizations from the self service
shopping cart.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a self service
shopping cart system that displays advertisements and/or promotions in varying
display formats, modes, types and sizes and for varying lengths of time based
on
predetermined criteria.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to allow a consumer to
access a self service shopping cart system over the Internet to interact with
the
system from home.
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A further object of the invention is to provide a shopping cart that can
gather information pertaining to particular customers.
These and other objects of die present invention will be readily apparent
from the description and drawings of preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary self service shopping system according to
r
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a bloclc diagram illustrating the components of the portable unit
illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the various hardware and software
components of the console unit illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate an example of a self service shopping process
performed by the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a representative web page containing an availability
message.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a page containing a personalized message.
FIG. 7 illustrates a representative page containing a ready to shop
message.
FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary session initialization process performed by
the present invention.
FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate an example of the scanned product processing
performed by the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a representative page having a scanned item message.
FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary page for a scanned item.
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FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a page for a scanned item in which a
comparative advertisement or promotion is displayed instead of an
advertisement or
image of the scanned item.
FIG. 13 illustrates another exemplary page for a scan~.ied item in which a
comparative advertisement or promotion is displayed.
FIG. 14 illustrates another representative page containing a comparative
advertisement or promotion.
FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a page used to display a cross-linked
advertisement or promotion based on the scanned item.
FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary shopper tools process performed
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 illustrates a representative shopper tools page.
FIG. 1~ illustrates an example of a shopper points page.
FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary page associated with the view shopping
lists process performed by the present invention.
FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary store specials processing performed in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 illustrates an representative page associated with the store specials
process.
FIG. 22 illustrates view cart processing performed in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary view cart page.
FIG. 24 illustrates checlc-out processing performed by the present
invention.
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FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a check-out page.
FIG. 26 illustrates a sample rescan page.
FIG. 27 illustrates the shopper plaza function of the present invention.
FIG. 28 illustrates a~.i example of a shopper plaza page containing a list of
participating retailers.
FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary web page for a remote organization
selected during the shopper plaza process.
FIG. 30 illustrates an example of a shopper plaza network access function
performed by the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary self service shopping system 50 according
to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 50 contains a store
system
70 comprising an in-store server (ISS) 76, a point-of sale (POS) server 78, at
least
one charging rack 74, a plurality of wireless access points 72 (although only
one is
illustrated for convenience purposes), network access equipment 82 and an
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 80. Portable shopping units 100, that are
adapted to be mounted on a handle 92 of a shopping cart 90, communicate with
the
ISS 76 via wireless communications, denoted generally by reference numeral 94.
Although only one portable unit 100 is illustrated for convenience purposes,
the
system 50 may contain over two hundred such units 100. A transceiver in the
portable unit 100 communicates with a transceiver in one of the access points
72,
which communicates with the ISS 76 through a wired network such as e.g., a
local
area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). As will be described below, it
is
desirable that the portable unit 100 communicates with the ISS 76 using the
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TCP/IP communications protocol. It is also desirable that the portable unit
100
operate as a TCP/IP web browser.
The ISS 76 is connected to the UPS 80 so that power to the ISS 76 is not
interrupted. The ISS 76 is a lcey component of the store system 70 because it
5 provides interaction with all other system components. In addition, the
store data
for the entire system 70 is contained in or attached to the ISS 76. The ISS 76
also
contains advertisement, promotion and consumer information. As will be
described
below, the ISS 76 manages consumer sessions and transmits price information
and
loyalty program messages between the POS server 78 and activated portable
units
ZO 100. The ISS 76 also logs transactions that tape place during shopping
sessions and
performs restart and data gathering functions. The ISS 76 is designed to
support
numerous simultaneous sessions from individual portable units 100.
The ISS 76 is also connected to the POS server 78 through the store
network. The POS server 78 maintains product information for all of the
products
within the store. This information can include pricing information, product
name,
loyalty program messages, etc. associated with a product's UPC code or
equivalent
thereof. The POS server 76 allows store personnel to modify product
information
without disrupting the operation of the system 50. The POS server 78 receives
and
responds to requests for data from the ISS 76.
The store system 70 contains at least one charging raclc 74. The number
of racks 74 contained in a store system 70 is dependent upon the number of
portable units 100 the store will use. The racks 74 serve a dual purpose.
First, the
racks 74 are used to recharge the portable units 100. In addition, the racks
74 may
be used as a security mechanism for the portable units 100. This may be
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accomplished, for example, by providing a card reader for magnetic cards,
"smart
cards" (i.e., cards with a computer chip) or other cards, or any other
apparatus (e.g.,
a dip reader) on the raclc 74 that will not allow access to a portable unit
100 until an
authorized card, identification code, physical key, etc. is input into the
rack 74. If a
card or code is used to identify the user, this information is communicated to
the
ISS 76, or other server, via any type of communications link. The raclc 74 may
include a video monitor or may be positioned next to a video monitor for
displaying
instructional or promotional information, videos or advertisements.
The ISS 76 is also connected to the networlc access equipment 82. The
networlc access equipment 82, which may be a modem or network terminator,
allows a central server 64 to be connected to the store system 70. The central
server
82 allows remote retailers 52, advertisers 56 and consumers 60 (from their
homes or
offices) to access the store system 70 via their respective connections 54, 58
and 62
to the central server 64. It is desirable that the retailers 52, advertisers
56 and
consumers 60 access the store system over the Internet. Similarly, the central
server
64 allows users of the portable units 100 to access the Internet and remote
retailers
52 while they are in the store, so that the user may order and purchase goods
and
services from the retailers 52 during their shopping session. This feature of
the
present invention will be described in more detail below with respect to FIBS.
27-
29.
FIB. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the portable unit
100. The unit 100 includes a card reader 102, a bar code scanner 104 and a
console
unit 110. A physical attachment mechanism 96 is provided on the shopping cart
handle so that the unit 100 may be attached and removed from the shopping
cart.
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The bar code scanner 104 is designed to read the UPC (Uniform Product
Code) labels commonly found on consumer product packaging. Upon scanning a
UPC label, the console unit transmits the information to the ISS, which in
conjunction with the POS server, retrieves and returns pricing and other
related
information associated with the scanned product to the portable unit.
The card reader 102 may be a conventional magnetic strip reader adapted
to read magnetic strip information from store, credit, debit or other magnetic
strip
cards. The card reader 102 may also be a computerized reader capable of
reading
smart cards or equivalent cards. Use of the card reader 102 allows customer
information to be collected by the self service shopping cart system of the
present
invention. This information allows a shopping history for that customer to be
compiled. Such information can be used by advertisers and/or promoters to
produce advertisements and/or promotions targeted towards a particular
customer.
For example, advertisements, promotions or loyalty program messages for items
normally purchased by a customer (or competing items) may be displayed at the
start of the shopping session. The location of individual customers may also
be
monitored in order to analyze in-store traffic patterns. Moreover, the card
reader
102 can be used by the customer to pay for the goods at the shopping cart when
she
is finished shopping.
The card reader 102 and bar code scanner 104 are coupled to and
communicate with the console unit 110. Information received from the reader
102
or scanner 104 is sent to the ISS from the console 110. As will be discussed
in more
detail below, the console 110 will serve as a consumer input device, display
panel
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and communication mechanism between the consumer, ISS, remote retailers and
the
Internet.
FIG. 3 is a bloclc diagram illustrating the various hardware and software
components of the console unit 110. In a preferred embodiment, the console
unit
110 is a portable computer having a touch panel display, such as the Fujitsu
7500SA
computer, with the architecture illustrated in FIG. 3. The console unit 110
will
have a microprocessor or reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor
126,
custom hardware 128 and a power system 130. The console unit 110 will include
a
multitaslcing operating system 120, wireless/radio LAN driver 118, custom
drivers
122, serial drivers 124, web browser 116, browser plugins 114 and graphics
support
112 software.
The operating system 120 can be any suitable multitaslzing operating
system such as WINDOWS~ CE or WINDOWS~ 98 by MICROSOFT~. The
web browser 116 can be any browser suitable to run with the selected operating
system 120, such as the Internet Explorer by MICROSOFT~. The browser 116
will be used to provide an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) for the
console
unit 110 allowing the unit 110 to communicate with the ISS with hypertext
marlc-
up language (HTML) formatted messages. The graphics support 112 and plugins
114, which are used by the browser 116, must be compatible with the browser
116
and the operating system 120.
The LAN driver 118 provides the wireless communications interface
between the console unit 110, its hardware and software components and the
ISS.
The serials driver 124 provide an interface between the console unit 110, its
hardware and software components and the bar code scanner and card reader. The
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power system 130 provides power to the unit 110. The processor 126 provides
the
major computational and logical functions for the unit 110 and may contain
memory for storing data and program instructions. The custom hardware 12$ may
also include volatile and non-volatile memory. The custom drivers 124 may
include
software necessary to operate any of the custom hardware 128.
As will become apparent from the following description, the console unit
110 will operate as a web browser. The console unit 110 will display
interactive web
pages having HTML links, virtual buttons or icons and will input user actions
via the
touch panel display, bar code scanner or card reader. The console unit 110 may
generate requests based on these user inputs, and transmit the requests to the
ISS.
The ISS obtains and transmits response information fulfilling the request. The
console unit 110 receives, processes and displays the response information
from the
ISS. By structural g the console unit 110 and the shopping system in this
manner,
the system of the present invention is easy to develop and maintain (i.e., it
is
flexible). Moreover, costs for system hardware and software are greatly
reduced
because powerful browser software already exists for today's processing
environments and thus, there is no need to design or purchase complex system
hardware to implement the functions of the present invention.
The self service system of the present invention is a self scanning system.
By "self scanning" it is meant that the shopper will be able to scan a product
with
the bar code scanner, by herself, to verify the price of the product and to
checlc-out
of the store on her own. Store personnel may be decreased, augmented or
eliminated by such a system. Thus, the process of totaling the goods purchased
and
the actual payment may be done at the portable unit. The user can total the
cost of
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goods, bag the goods and then pay for the goods prior to the leaving the store
and
without the need of store personnel.
FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate an example of a shopping process 200
performed by the present invention. Initially, inactive portable units are
located in
5 the charging racks. The portable units within the racks that are available
for use
(i.e., their power systems are charged) will display an availability message
or signal
(e.g., an audible message or tone or a flashing light). A representative page
displayed on the portable unit containing an "availability" message 308 is
illustrated
in FIG. 5. Reference numeral 300 is used to illustrate an exemplary display
region
10 300 for the portable unit's console. This example display region 300 is
partitioned
into a main region or frame 302, side bar region 304 and a status bar region
306.
The main region 302 contains the availability message 308, which in this
example
alerts the consumer that the portable unit is ready for use. The main region
302 will
be used throughout the shopping session to display various messages,
15 advertisements, promotions, product and store information. The side bar
region
304 will be used to display HTML links, icons or virtual buttons for use by
the
consumer. The status bar region 306 will be used to display status information
for
the current shopping session as well as static advertisements and/or
promotions. It
should be noted that any style or framing technique supported by the web
browser
may be used for the display region 300. In this example, the side bar region
304
simulates the top of a shopping bag for aesthetic purposes and is blank
because user
inputs are not required. The status bar region 306 does not contain any
shopping
session information (because a session is not in progress), but does contain a
store
log 310. The store logo 310 is used as an advertisement for the store the user
is in,
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but could be replaced by a sponsor's logo or other advertisement or promotion
if
additional revenue were desired.
At step 204, the consumer enters user information into the storage rack.
As noted above, user information could be input by swiping an authorized card,
entering an identification code or inserting a physical lcey into the rack. It
is
desirable that the user swipe a store or payment card (such as a credit or
debit card)
into a card reader of the storage raclc. The storage rack will transmit this
information to the ISS where the system performs a session initialization
process
(step 206).
FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary session initialization process ( step 206).
At step 600, the system validates the user data input into the rack. If it is
determined that this is a first time user of the system, an instructional
video is played
on the rack's monitor, or on a monitor next to the raclc (step 604). The
system can
determine a first time user by checking shopper history information stored on
the
ISS or other suitable storage medium. At step 606 shopping session data is
initialized. This may include clearing accumulated purchase, savings and tax
information and any variables or flags required by the ISS or POS server. This
may
also include the opening of a session log to keep traclc of the shopping
session. The
process then determines the availability of the portable units currently
stored in the
storage raclc (step 608) and selects one unit that is ready for the shopping
session
(step 610).
Referring again to FIGS. 4a and 4b, after the session initialization process
(step 206), a single portable unit is made available to the user (step 208)
and the
available portable unit displays a personalized message to the consumer (step
210).
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FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a page containing a "personalized" message
312 on
the main region 302 of the portable unit's display region 300. It is worth
noting
that the shopping session can be sponsored by a particular manufacturer,
retailer or
other organization. Accordingly, the sponsor's logo 314 can be displayed
prominently along with the personalized message 312. Although not required,
the
side bar region 304 contains virtual buttons 316, 318 and 320 associated with
various user options and system functions.
At step 212 the user mounts the portable unit on to the handle of the
shopping cart. It is desirable that the system perform a checlc to determine
if the
portable unit is mounted correctly (step 214). If it is determined that the
portable
unit is not mounted correctly, the unit alerts the consumer to try again and
the
method 200 proceeds to step 212. The alert can be audible or visual. If it is
determined at step 214 that the portable unit is mounted correctly, the
mounted
unit displays a ready to shop message (step 2I8).
FIG. 7 illustrates a representative page containing a "ready to shop"
message 334 on the main region 302 of the portable unit's display region 300.
The
store's logo 310 can be displayed prominently along with the ready to shop
message
334. To derive additional revenue, the sponsor logo or another advertisement
or
promotion may be displayed in the main region 302. At this point, the side bar
region 304 contains a "shopper tools" virtual button 316, "store specials"
virtual
button 318, "shopper plaza" virtual button 320 and a "view cart" virtual
button
322. As will become apparent, the shopper tools virtual button 316 will allow
the
consumer to access a shopper tools function of the system. Similarly, the
store
specials virtual button 318, shopper plaza virtual button 320 and view cart
virtual
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button 322 will allow the consumer to access store specials, shopper plaza and
view
cart functions of the system, respectively (described below in more detail).
The status bar region 306 contains a store logo 310, sponsor logo 314, a
subtotal identifier 326, savings identifier 328, tax identifier 330, total
identifier 332,
and a "check-out" virtual button 324. The subtotal, savings, tax and total
identifiers
326, 328, 330, 332, which are static identifiers, will be used to identify the
session's
accumulated subtotal, sales or other savings, sales tax and accumulated
purchase
total, respectively. The check-out virtual button 324 will allow the consumer
access
to a checlc-out function of the system. The check-out function can be used by
the
consumer to pay for items scanned during the shopping session at the shopping
cart
and without the intervention of store personnel.
Once the portable unit is ready to shop, the system will perform several
parallel tasks until session termination processing (step 238) is performed.
These
tasks include maintaining the status bar (step 220), running and scheduling
advertisements and/or promotions (step 222) and inputting and deciphering user
actions ( step 224 ) .
The status bar will be maintained during the shopping session as the
consumer adds or removes scanned products from the shopping cart and at other
times when the status bar information changes during the shopping session.
This
processing can be performed during the other tasks and functions of the system
(described below).
The session termination processing can be performed after a user has
ended the shopping session (by checking-out, paying for the goods or canceling
the
session) and, if desired, returning the portable unit to the storage rack.
History and
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log files can be updated and stored, while temporary files may be deleted at
this
time.
The running and scheduling of advertisements and/or promotions can be
performed periodically, or as will be described below, in conjunction with the
scanning of particular products. A lcey feature of the present invention is
its ability
to allow the retailer and/or system provider to obtain various revenues by
offering
numerous advertisement and promotional opportunities to manufacturers and
other
retailers. The present W vention can display advertisements and/or promotions
in
varying formats, sizes, types and modes and for different lengths of time.
That is,
the advertisements or promotions can talce up a small area of the portable
unit's
display region, an intermediate area or a large area. Each size having an
associated
fee. The advertisement or promotion mode could include static or video
advertisements or promotions. Similarly, the length of time the advertisement
or
promotion remains on the display region could also vary (e.g., from a few
seconds to '
a permanent display). Each time period having an associated fee. The present
invention implements cross-linking of items (e.g., "Potato chips would go good
with
your soda purchase, try brand X") and comparative advertisements or promotions
(i.e., showing a Brand B soda when Brand A soda is scanned). As noted above,
the
present invention allows the shopping session to be sponsored by a particular
manufacturer or retailer. All of these options can be easily implemented into
the
present invention due to its system configuration. The store can sell the
advertisements and/or promotions at different prices depending upon the
advertisement or promotion's format, length, type and style, which provides
additional revenues to the store and a desirable opportunity to advertisers
and
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promoters. Moreover, the advertisers/promoters can communicate directly with
the
central server over the Internet. This provides the advertisers/promoters with
the
ability to download new information, advertisements or promotions to the
system
directly if needed.
5 The input and deciphering process (step 224) performed by the present
invention will initiates several taslcs dependent upon the input user action.
An
exemplary list of deciphered actions includes: a Scanned Product, which
initiates a
scanned product processing (step 226); Shopper Tools, which initiates a
shopper
tools process (step 22S), Store Specials, which includes a store specials
process (step
10 230); Shopper Plaza, which initiates a shopper plaza function (step 232);
View Cart,
which initiates a view cart function (step 234); and Checlc-Out, which
initiates a
check-out process (step 236). These functions are described in detail below.
Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, an example of the scanned product
processing (step 226) is now described. This process runs when it is
determined that
15 the consumer has used the bar code scanner to scan a product's UPC label.
At step
640, the system will provide an indication that the UPC code has been read by
the
scanner. This indication could be an audible indication (e.g., a beep), a
visual
indication (e.g., blinking a light-emittuig diode (LED)) or both. The console
software then compares the scanned UPC with the previously scanned UPC. If
they
20 match, a duplication flag is set (step 642). This flag will be used by the
ISS to
prevent duplicate advertisements and/or promotions from being displayed to the
consumer. At step 644 the scanned code, duplication flag and shopping session
information is formatted into a HTML message and transmitted to the ISS.
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At step 646 the ISS receives and processes the information from the
portable unit (sent at step 644). The ISS also passes this information to the
POS
server. At step 648 the ISS checlcs the status of the duplication flag and its
database
for other any advertisement or promotional information associated with the
scanned
UPC code. At step 650 it is determined if the duplication flag is set. Tf it
is
determined that the duplication flag has not been set, the process determines
if there
is an advertisement and/or promotion associated with the scanned code (step
652).
If it is determined that no advertisement and/or promotion is associated with
the
code or if the duplication flag is set, the process continues at step 658.
If at step 652 it is determined that there is an advertisement and/or
promotion associated with the scanned code, the process continues at step 654
to
determine if the advertisement and/or promotion needs to be transmitted to the
portable unit (or if the associated advertisement and/or promotion is already
stored
on the portable unit). It is desired to store some advertisements and
promotions on
the portable unit prior to the shopping session. The pre-storing of
advertisements
and promotions will speed up the transmission times between the ISS and
portable
units. Any advertisements or promotions could be stored on the portable unit,
but
in a preferred embodiment, the system could use the consumer's shopping
history to
place targeted advertisements and/or promotions. Alternatively, the system
could
pre-store the advertisements and promotions associated with the store's top 20
scanned products, cross-linked advertisements/promotions or comparative
advertisements/promotions associated with the store's top scanned products.
Any
technique or combination of techniques can be used.
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If it is determined that the associated advertisement or promotion needs
to be transmitted to the portable unit, then at step 656 the ISS formats the
advertisement or promotional information so that it may be transmitted to the
portable unit (if it is not already in the correct format). At step 658 the
ISS receives
the product information associated with the scanned code from the POS server.
As
noted above, this information could include pricing, brand name or description
of
the scanned product. At step 660 the ISS formats all the product, session,
advertisement and promotional information into a message destined for the
portable
unit. As noted earlier, the message is formatted so that it is suitable for a
TCP/IP
transmission and displayable on the browser running on the portable unit. The
message is then transmitted to the portable unit.
At step 662 the portable unit displays a web page containing the scanned
product information, includilig any advertisements, promotions or product
descriptions in the display region of the portable unit. FIG. 10 illustrates a
representative page having a "scanned item" message 336 on the display region
300
of the portable unit. The page includes an item description 338 comprising the
description of the scanned product (e.g., 32 oz. ketchup) and its price (e.g.,
$3.29).
A generic product image 342 is also displayed in the main region 302. It
should be
noted that the product image 342 could be a specific image of the actual
scanned
product, an advertisement or promotion for the scanned product, an image of a
cross-linked product associated with the scanned product or a comparative
advertisement or promotion that was triggered by the scanned product. The main
display region 302 also includes an "add item" virtual button 352 and a
"cancel
item" virtual button 354 (discussed below with reference to steps 666 to 672).
It
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should be noted that the status bar region 306 has been updated to include a
subtotal amount 344 next to the subtotal identifier 326, savings amount 346
next to
the savings identifier 328, tax amount 348 next to the tax identifier 330 and
a total
amount 350 next to the total identifier 332 (as a result of the status bar
processing
performed by the present invention).
At step 664 the portable unit inputs a user action. At step 666 it is
determined if the action was the selection of the add item virtual button. If
it is
determined that the add item virtual button was selected by the consumer, the
item
is added to the shopping session and the session information is updated (step
668).
If necessary, the added information is transmitted to the ISS for additional
processing. If it is determined that the cancel item virtual button was
selected (step
670), then the item is canceled from the session (672). If necessary, the
canceled
information is transmitted to the ISS for additional processing. It should be
noted
that if the consumer selects any other active virtual button, then the process
226
would exit and control would pass to the appropriate process.
FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary page for a scanned item. The page
includes an item description 356 comprising the description of the scanned
product
(e.g., 24 pack of Brand A soda) and its price (e.g., $6.99). No product image
is
displayed. FIG. 12 illustrates a~.i example of a page for a scanned item in
which a
comparative advertisement or promotion 358 is displayed instead of an
advertisement or image of the scanned item. In this scenario, the user scanned
Brand A soda, but a comparative advertisement 358 for Brand B soda was
displayed.
FIG. 13 illustrates another exemplary page for a scanned item in which a
comparative advertisement 360 is displayed. In this example, the user scanned
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Brand A soda, but a much larger comparative advertisement 358 for Brand B soda
was displayed. FIG. 14 illustrates another representative page for a
comparative
advertisement 362. In this example, the entire main region 302 of the display
is
used for an advertisement of Brand B soda. This larger advertisement could be
a full
motion video advertisement that runs for a specified period before the display
300 is
updated to loolc lilce one of the displays illustrated iii FIGS. 10 to 13. It
should be
appreciated that the advertisements of FIGS. 11 to 14 could be replaced with,
or
combined with, promotional information. FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a
page
used to display a cross-linked advertisement and/or promotions 366 based on
the
scanned item. In this example, the main display region 302 includes an item
description 364 comprising the description of the scanned product (e.g., dozen
Grade A large eggs) and its price (e.g., $1.29). In this example, the user
scanned
Grade A eggs, but a cross-linked advertisement 366 for bacon is displayed. It
should
be appreciated that the preceding were just some of the examples of the
advertisements that the present invention can handle.
FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary shopper tools process (step 228)
according to an embodiment of the present invention. This process 228 will run
when it is determined that the consumer has selected the shopper tools virtual
button from a web page displayed on the portable unit. The process begins by
displaying an interactive shopper tools GUI or web page on the portable unit
(step
680). FIG. 17 illustrates a representative shopper tools page. The page
includes a
"shopper tools" message 370, a "help" virtual button 372, "view points"
virtual
button 374 and a "view shopping lists" virtual button 376. To fill up space on
the
page, this example displays a large store logo 310 in the main display region
302. It
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is conceivable that the store could also sell or lease this space to an
advertiser to
obtain additional revenues.
At step 682 the portable unit inputs a user action. If it is determined that
the user selected the help virtual button (step 684), then the process 228
displays a
5 page, or series of interactive pages, designed to provide help to the
consumer (step
686). If it is determined that the user selected the view points virtual
button (step
688 ), then the process 228 displays a shopper points page, or series of
interactive
shopper points pages (step 690). It should be appreciated that a shopper
points
page could also be a savings club, loyalty program or other~similar program
provided
10 by the retailer or system provider and is not limited to a points program.
FIG. 18
illustrates an example of a shopper points page. The page includes a "view
points"
message 378, a "personalized" message 380 and a total 384 of frequent shopper
points, savings or other benefits accumulated by the consumer. According to
the
example, the main display region 302 also provides a virtual button 382
allowing the
15 consumer to obtain details and reward information. It should be apparent
that the
view points page could be easily adapted to implement any store's frequent
shopper
programs or other promotional techniques without undue expense or deviating
from
the scope of the present invention.
If it is determined that the user selected the view shopping lists virtual
20 button (step 692), then the process displays a view shopping lists page, or
series of
interactive view shopping lists pages (step 694). FIG. 19 illustrates an
exemplary
page associated with the view shopping lists process. This page illustrates an
example of a home shopping list created by the consumer that has been
transmitted
to the ISS via the Internet from the consumer's home (described in more detail
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below), generated automatically by the system from the consumer's shopping
history
or input into the system by another suitable means. The page includes a "my
home
list" message 390 identifying the origin of the shopping list, a list of items
394 and
check boxes 392 indicating whether the item was scanned in by the consumer.
The
page also includes a "scan up" virtual button 396 and a "scan down" virtual
button
398 allowing the consumer to scroll through the shopping list. Although not
illustrated, there can be a page allowing the consumer to select from a list
of
shopping lists. Once the user selects a shopping list, a page similar to the
one
illustrated in FIG. 19 can be displayed. It should be noted that if the
consumer
selects any other active virtual button, then the process would exit and
control
would pass to the appropriate process.
FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary store special processing (step 230)
performed u1 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This
process 230 runs when it is determined that the consumer has selected the
store
specials virtual button from a web page displayed on the portable unit. The
process
230 begins by displaying an interactive store specials GUI or web page on the
portable unit (step 700). FIG. 21 illustrates an representative page
associated with
the store specials process. The page includes an "also on sale" message 400
and a
listing 402 of virtual buttons and links to various department within the
store. If the
user selects one of the departments, a page associated with the user's
selection would
be displayed. This page associated with the user's selection would contain a
list of
specials and possibly advertisements or promotions associated with the
specials.
Referring again to FIG. 20, at step 702 a user action is input and if it is
determined that a listed department was selected, the process would display
the page
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associated with the department. If the consumer selected another active
virtual
button, then the process would exit and control would pass to the process
associated
with the consumer's selection.
FIG. 22 illustrates view cart processing (step 234) performed in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This process runs when
it
is determined that the consumer has selected the view cart virtual button from
a
displayed page on the portable unit. The process begins by displaying an
interactive
view cart GUI or web page on the portable unit (step 720). FIG. 23 illustrates
an
exemplary view cart page. The page includes a "view cart" message 420
identifying
the page, a list 422 of scanned items, a scroll up virtual button 396, a
"remove item"
virtual button 424 and a scroll down virtual button 398. The virtual buttons
396,
398 a~.id 424 are used by the consumer to hi-light an item, scroll through the
list
422 and remove any items if desired.
Referring again to FIG. 22, a user action is input at step 724. If the
action is the scroll up virtual button (step 726), then the list of items on
the
displayed page is upwardly scrolled (step 728). If the user action is the
scroll down
virtual button (step 730), then the list of items on the displayed page is
downwardly
scrolled (step 732). If the user action is the remove item up virtual button
(step
734), then the hi-lighted item is removed from the list and most importantly,
canceled from the session (step 736). It may be necessary to transmit a
canceled
item message to the ISS to properly update the current shopping session
information
and log. If the consumer selected another active virtual button, then the
process
would exit and control would pass to the process associated with the
consumer's
selection.
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FIG. 24 illustrates checlc-out processing (step 236) performed by the
present invention. This process runs when it is determined that the consumer
has
selected the check-out virtual button from a displayed page on the portable
unit.
The process begins by displaying an interactive check-out GUI or web page on
the
portable unit (step 750). FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a check-out page.
The
page includes a "checlc-out" message 430 used to alert the consumer that the
checlc-
out process has been selected. The page also contains a "payment selection"
message 432, a "cash" virtual button 436, "checlc" virtual button 438 and a
"credit/debit" virtual button 440. These buttons 436, 438 and 440 will be used
by
the shopper to complete the shopping session and possibly pay for the scanned
goods at the shopping cart.
Referring again to FIG. 24, once the GUI has been displayed, the process
inputs a user action (step 752). As a security measure, the system of the
present
invention will implement a random rescan feature. That is, every once in a
while, as
determined by the retailer, the system will select a consumer to have the
contents of
her shopping cart scanned by store personnel. This rescanning feature can be
used
to determine if the consumer has scanned everything in her cart. This rescan
feature
is designed to keep the consumer honest. If the consumer knows there's a
possibility that her cart will be rescanned, she will be less lilcely to place
items in the
cart without scanning them. Although this feature is described as "random," it
can
be implemented in any manner. For example, the ISS can lceep track of
consumers
who constantly add and remove items from the cart and target these consumers
for
the rescan.
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If the consumer is selected for a rescan (step 754), then a page is
displayed directing the consumer to a rescan facility or check-out lane (step
764)
where store personnel scan the items ai the cart and finalize the shopping
session
(step 766). Security measures can be talcen if it is determined that the
shopper was
attempting to leave the store without paying for items in the cart. One
security
measure can include prohibiting the shopper from using the portable units in
the
future. FIO. 26 illustrates a sample rescan page. The page includes a polite
"rescan"
message 450 and instructions directing the consumer to a rescan facility 452.
The
page could contain the store logo 310, other advertisements and promotions or
an
explanation of the randomness of the rescan process.
If the user is not selected for a rescan, the process continues by
determining if the user selected a cash or check payment method (step 756). If
the
user selected cash or check, the process finalizes the shopping session and
purchase
information (step 758), displays an appropriate page (step 760) that directs
the user
to a checlc-out facility (step 762). At the checlc-out facility, the user will
pay for the
goods and either return the portable unit to the store personnel or be
directed to
place the unit back on the storage raclc. If the user selected a credit/debit
payment
(step 768), the process finalizes the shopping session and purchase
information (step
770), authorizes the payment by checking with the banlc or credit card company
associated with the payment card (step 772) and displays an appropriate page
on the
portable unit that the shopping session is complete and that the portable unit
should
be returned (step 774). Thus, the user can check-out from the cart without the
aid
of store personnel. If there are any problems during the checkout process, the
shopper will lcnow immediately and without having to wait on a large check-out
line.
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FIG. 27 illustrates the shopper plaza function (step 232) of the present
invention. The shopper plaza function allows the user to access multiple local
retail
outlets, such as a pizza parlor, restaurant, movie theatre, video store, etc.
from the
cart. This way, consumers can order pizza to be picked-up or delivered,
purchase
5 movie tickets, make restaurant reservations, and rent movies from the
shopping cart
while shopping for groceries. Thus, the consumer can shop for groceries and
transact with other vendors in the community from the cart. The Shopper Plaza
function is also accessible from the consumer's home over the Internet
(described
below with reference to FIG. 30).
10 The process runs when it is determined that the consumer has selected the
shopper plaza virtual button from the portable unit (or over the Internet).
The
process begins by displaying an interactive shopper plaza GUI or web page
(step
780). This shopper plaza page can contain a list of participating retailers,
vendors,
theaters, etc. The list can be organized by locality, vicinity to the store,
category or
15 in any other manner that would make it easy for the consumer to select a
remote
retailer, service, etc. from the cart. FIG. 28 illustrates an example of a
shopper plaza
page containing a list of participating video rental retailers. The page
includes a
"shopper plaza" message 460, a video rental identifier 462 and virtual buttons
464,
466 and 468 associated with three participating video stores within the local
20 community.
Referring again to FIG. 27, a user action is input at step 782. At step 748
it is determined if the user selected a shopper plaza function. If the user
did not
select a shopper plaza function, the process terminates and control may pass
to the
selected process. If the user selected a shopper plaza function, the
appropriate page
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or GUI is displayed at step 786 and the consumer is connected to the remote
retailer/organization through a "shopper plaza networlc" (described below).
The
user's interaction with the remote organization's page is processed in an
appropriate
mamier (Step 788). If the user continues selecting shopper plaza functions,
then the
process continues at step 784.
Although it is not illustrated, it is also possible for the consumer to access
the Internet directly from within the store. By allowing the consumer to
access the
Internet from the cart, the portable unit is capable of displaying local and
global
news, weather and entertainment information. Thus, keeping the consumer up to
date with late breaking news, weather and entertainment developments. The
portable unit would allow the consumer to access games, travel information,
various
search engines or any other Internet related service from the cart as well.
FIB. 29 illustrates an exemplary web page for a remote organization
selected during the shopper plaza process. In this example, the user has
selected
"Video Store 1" located on fifth avenue. Notice how the video store's page is
framed within the main display region 302. This type of framing prevents the
consumer from becoming disoriented during the shopper plaza process. The
displayed page contains a "Video Store 1" message header 470 to inform the
consumer of her selection. The page contains the remote retailer's logo and
personalized message 472, an advertisement 474 for users of the system of the
present invention and a list 476 of videos available for renting. The list 476
contains
numerous virtual buttons 478, 480, 482 for selecting a video and a virtual
button
484 for seeing more available videos. The page can also contain instructions
486
from the remote retailer to aid the consumer in completing a transaction. It
should
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be appreciated that the page illustrated in FIG. 29 is an example and that any
page
or series of pages can be used.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the system 50 of the present invention uses a
central server 64 that allows remote retailers 54, advertisers 58 and
consumers 60 to
access the ISS 76 of a particular store via the Internet or other suitable
network
connection. As part of the present invention, the system 50 will maintain a
home
page for each of its store systems 70. The home pages provide access into the
ISS
76 and the shopper plaza function associated with the store system 70. The web
pages and the connections through the Internet malce up a "shopper plaza
network."
FIG. 30 illustrates an example of a shopper plaza network access function
800 performed by the present invention. As will be described below, the
process
allows a user to log into a store's system from home (or any other computer),
where
the user can: ( 1 ) create and manage shopping lists, (2 ) find or create
recipes, ( 3 )
I5 view retailer specials, (4) redeem "loyalty" or frequent shopper points,
(5) pre-shop
for a subsequent grocery piclc-up at the store, and (6) send shopping
remiilders to
the server and/or a shopper in the store. These on-line features can be used
to
generate revenue by providing: "branded" shopping lists (e.g., the shopper
adds
mouthwash to her list and the system returns "Brand A"), pre-shopping
assistance
(convenience fees shared with the retailer) and recipes (e.g., the user enters
ingredients and the system suggests a specific brand).
At step 802 the user connects to the ISS via the shopper plaza network.
This can be done by accessing the store's shopper plaza home page or a central
shopper plaza web page, which then directs the user to the appropriate store.
At
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step 804 the store's external shopper plaza web page is displayed. At step 806
the
system inputs and deciphers user actions associated with the displayed pages.
If the
user selects Shopping Lists, then processing begins allowing the user to
create,
manage and store shopping lists (step 808). If the user selects Recipes, then
processing begins allowing the user to find or create recipes (step 810). If
the user
selects View Specials, then processing begins allowing the user to view
retailer
specials (step 812). If the user selects Shopper Points, then processing
begins
allowing the user to redeem "loyalty" or frequent shopper points (step 814).
If the
user selects Pre-Shop, then processing begins allowing the user to pre-shop
for a
subsequent grocery pick-up at the store (step 816). If the user selects End
Session,
then the session is disconnected (step 822).
Additional disclosure relating to the invention is found in co-pending
U.S. Application No. 08/639,940, filed April 16, 1996, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with the
preferred embodiments known at the time, it should be readily understood that
the
invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention
can
be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations,
substitutions or
equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate
with the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not
to be
seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope
of the
appended claims.
What is claimed is:
