U.S. patent application number 09/960915 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-18 for apparatus and method for providing point of purchase products.
Invention is credited to Barton, Steven P., Chibe, Paul.
Application Number | 20020095343 09/960915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26948659 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020095343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barton, Steven P. ; et
al. |
July 18, 2002 |
Apparatus and method for providing point of purchase products
Abstract
The present invention provides various apparatuses and methods
that allow point of purchase products to be automatically
dispensed. In an embodiment, the present invention operates with a
self-scanning checkout and enables products to be dispensed with
other retail items that a consumer collects and brings to the point
of purchase. The product is immediately dispensed and provided to
the consumer at the point of purchase. The cost of the dispensed
product is added to the cost of the collected and transported
retail items. The consumer makes one payment for both the dispensed
product and the collected and transported retail items. In another
embodiment, the present invention is modular and operates in a
quick service restaurant environment. The present invention
requires little counter/floor space, adds little to the cost of
labor, can be mounted in a variety of locations, dispenses in any
direction and integrates with virtually any existing system.
Inventors: |
Barton, Steven P.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Chibe, Paul; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BELL, BOYD & LLOYD LLC
P. O. BOX 1135
CHICAGO
IL
60690-1135
US
|
Family ID: |
26948659 |
Appl. No.: |
09/960915 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60261512 |
Jan 12, 2001 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 9/047 20130101;
A47F 9/048 20130101; G07G 1/12 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G07F
7/00 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101; G07G 1/0045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/16 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
The invention is claimed as follows:
1. A self-scanning checkout providing point of purchase products
comprising: a scanner to scan items selected by a consumer; a video
monitor to display the cost of items scanned by the consumer; a
packaging area for placing items scanned by the consumer into a
container; and a dispenser for dispensing a point of purchase
product, wherein the video monitor displays the cost of the product
dispensed by the dispenser.
2. The self-scanning checkout of claim 1, wherein the dispenser
dispenses the product into the container.
3. The self-scanning checkout of claim 1, wherein the dispenser
dispenses the product adjacent to the scanner.
4. The self-scanning checkout of claim 1, wherein the dispenser
dispenses the product adjacent to a device selected from the group
consisting of: the video monitor, a change maker that makes change
from payments for items and products purchased and a receipt
printer that provides a receipt for items and products
purchased.
5. An automated checkout device comprising: a surface for allowing
a customer to place a plurality of items to be purchased; a scanner
for allowing the customer to accumulate a cost for the items; a
second surface to support the items after they are scanned; a point
of purchase device that dispenses a point of purchase product onto
the second surface upon request of the consumer; and the cost of
the point of purchase product is added to the cost of the plurality
of items automatically.
6. The automated checkout device of claim 5, wherein the second
surface supports a container for receiving the items.
7. The automated checkout device of claim 6, wherein the container
is a bag.
8. The automated checkout device of claim 7, wherein the point of
purchase product is dispensed into the bag.
9. A device allowing a consumer to purchase product without the
need for a cashier comprising: a body having an interior; a
controller coupled to the body; a scanning device that communicates
with and is coupled to the controller, the scanning device allowing
a consumer to scan purchasable items that the consumer brings to
the device and accumulate a cost for the items; a product
maintained within the interior of the body; and the body including
a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a request
for product by the consumer, wherein a cost for the product is
added to the cost for the items.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controller is integral with
the body.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the controller is coupled to the
body by a mode selected from the group consisting of: electrical
coupling, optical coupling and coupling via a radio frequency
signal.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein the scanning device is coupled
to the controller by a mode selected from the group consisting of:
electrical coupling, optical coupling and coupling via a radio
frequency signal.
13. The device of claim 9, wherein the dispenser dispenses the
product in a direction selected from the group consisting of:
vertically upward, vertically downward and laterally.
14. The device of claim 9, wherein the scanning device is integral
with the controller.
15. The purchasing device of claim 9, which includes a display that
prompts the consumer to purchase the product.
16. The purchasing device of claim 9, wherein the body includes a
plurality of different products.
17. The purchasing device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of
different products are selected from the group consisting of:
confectionery products, periodicals, cigarette lighters, batteries,
key chains, film, writing instruments, toiletries and toys.
18. A point of purchase device that operates with an automated
purchasing device having a controller that allows a consumer to
input purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the items, the
point of purchase device comprising: a body housing a product and
including a member for coupling the point of purchase device to the
automated purchasing device; and a dispenser that dispenses the
product from the body upon request by the consumer, wherein a cost
for the product is added to the cost for the items.
19. The point of purchase device of claim 18, wherein the body
houses a plurality of different products.
20. The point of purchase device of claim 19, wherein the plurality
of different products are selected from the group consisting of:
confectionery products, periodicals, cigarette lighters, batteries,
key chains, writing instruments, film, toiletries and toys.
21. The point of purchase device of claim 18, wherein the body is
modular and physically independent from the automated purchasing
device.
22. The point of purchase device of claim 18, wherein the member
couples the body to the automated purchasing device by a mode
selected from the group consisting of: electrical coupling, optical
coupling and coupling via a radio frequency signal.
23. A point of purchase device that operates with an automated
purchasing device that allows a consumer to purchase items without
the need for a cashier, accumulating a cost for the items and
allowing the consumer to pay for a product, the point of purchase
device comprising: a body housing the product; a controller coupled
to the body; and a dispenser that dispenses the product from the
body upon a signal from the controller, the signal initiated by the
consumer, wherein a cost for the product is added to the cost for
the items.
24. The point of purchase device of claim 23, wherein the body is
modular and physically independent from the automated purchasing
device.
25. The point of purchase device of claim 23, which includes a
display that communicates with the controller and prompts the
consumer to purchase the product.
26. A point of purchase device that is coupled to a device that
allows a retail operator to input purchasable items and accumulate
a cost for the purchasable items comprising: a dispenser that
dispenses a product from a stock upon a signal from a controller
that is coupled to the retail operator controlled device, the
signal initiated by the retail operator, wherein a cost for the
product is automatically added to the cost of the purchasable items
by the controller.
27. The point of purchase device of claim 26, wherein the device is
chosen from the group consisting of: a scanner, a cash register, a
point of purchase kiosk and a touch screen.
28. The point of purchase device of claim 26, wherein the
controller is coupled to the device by a mode selected from the
group consisting of: electrical coupling, optical coupling and
coupling via a radio frequency signal.
29. The point of purchase device of claim 26, wherein the
controller is integral with the device.
30. A point of purchase device that operates with an automated
purchasing device that allows a retail operator to input
purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the purchasable items,
the point of purchase device comprising: a body housing a stock of
product; a controller maintained within the body; and a dispenser
within the body that dispenses a product from the stock upon a
signal from the controller, the signal initiated by the retail
operator, wherein a cost for the product is automatically added to
the cost for the purchasable items by the controller.
31. The point of purchase device of claim 30, wherein the automated
purchasing device is selected from the group consisting of: a
scanner and a cash register.
32. The point of purchase device of claim 30, including a display
that communicates with the controller and prompts the consumer to
purchase the product.
33. The point of purchase device of claim 30, wherein the body is
modular and physically independent from the automated purchasing
device.
34. A point of purchase device that operates with a credit/debit
card verification device that authorizes a cost for items purchased
by a consumer, the point of purchase device comprising: a
controller that communicates with the credit/debit card
verification device; and the controller is coupled to a dispenser
that dispenses a product upon a signal to the controller, the
signal initiated by the consumer through the credit/debit card
verification device, wherein a cost for the consumable product is
added to the cost for the items purchased by the consumer.
35. The point of purchase device of claim 34, wherein the
credit/debit card verification device is located at a retail
checkout line.
36. The point of purchase device of claim 34, wherein the stock
includes a plurality of different products and the controller
communicates a selected product to the dispenser.
37. The point of purchase device of claim 34, wherein the
controller is electrically coupled to the dispenser.
38. A point of purchase device comprising: a body housing a stock
of product that is physically coupled to a discrete automated
purchasing device that allows consumers to automatically purchase
items that are physically brought to the automated purchasing
device; a money acceptor coupled to the body; and a dispenser
within the body that dispenses a product from the stock upon a
consumer's input of a predefined amount of money into the money
acceptor.
39. The point of purchase device of claim 38, wherein the automated
purchasing device is selected from the group consisting of: a
scanner, a cash register and a self-scanning checkout.
40. The point of purchase device of claim 38, wherein the automated
purchasing device is located at a retail outlet selected from the
group consisting of: a retail checkout, a restaurant cash register
and an electronic ticketing station.
41. The point of purchase device of claim 38, wherein the money
acceptor is selected from the group consisting of: a cash acceptor,
a coin acceptor and a credit/debit card acceptor.
42. A device for dispensing consumable and non-consumable products
at the same location comprising: a body; a stock of a consumable
product housed within the body; a stock of a non-consumable
products housed within the body; a dispenser that dispenses the
consumable product; a device that totals purchase prices for
consumable and non-consumable products; and a payment acceptor that
allows the consumer to make a single payment for the consumable and
non-consumable products.
43. The device of claim 42, wherein the non-consumable product is
selected from the group consisting of: movie tickets, plane
tickets, periodicals, video tapes, compact disks, digital video
disks and newspapers.
44. A method of operating an automated checkout comprising:
allowing a consumer to bring purchasable items to an automated
checkout device; allowing the consumer to scan the purchasable
items and accumulate a cost for the scanned items on a display;
allowing the consumer to select a product from a dispensing device
located in juxtaposition to the automated checkout; automatically
dispensing the product from the dispensing device in response to
the consumer's selection; and automatically adding a cost of the
product to the cost for the scanned items on the display.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the consumer selects the
product by using a touch screen.
46. The method of claim 44, including the step of allowing the
consumer to pay for the product by credit/debit card.
47. The method of claim 44, wherein adding the cost of the product
includes automatically increasing a balance due on a credit/debit
card transaction.
48. A method of operating a checkout station comprising: allowing a
consumer to bring purchasable items to a store operator; allowing
the operator to scan the purchasable items and accumulate a cost
for the scanned items; allowing the consumer to independently
purchase a product by touching a screen coupled to a dispensing
device; dispensing the product from the dispensing device in
response to the consumer touching the screen; and automatically
adding a cost of the dispensed product to the cost for the scanned
items.
49. A method of operating a checkout station comprising: employing
an operator to input purchasable items into a device and accumulate
a cost for the purchasable items; prompting a consumer to purchase
a product from a dispensing device; automatically dispensing the
product from the dispensing device upon the consumer's request; and
automatically adding a cost of the product to the cost for the
purchasable items.
50. A method for providing a point of purchase product without the
need for a cashier comprising: providing a checkout area for the
consumer to bring items for purchase; accumulating a cost
associated with the items the consumer wants; providing a product
at the point of purchase; prompting the consumer that other product
is available at the point of purchase; dispensing the product to
the consumer at the point of purchase upon a request by the
consumer to purchase the product; and automatically, without need
for a cashier, adding to the cost associated with other items
purchased any additional cost for the product.
51. The method of claim 50, which includes accepting a single
payment in exchange for the product and other purchased items.
52. The method of claim 50, wherein the consumer is prompted that
the product is available by an advertisement for the product.
53. The method of claim 50, wherein prompting the consumer includes
prompting the consumer at a time selected from the group consisting
of: before the consumer purchases the other consumable items, while
the consumer is purchasing the other items and after the consumer
purchases the other items.
54. The method of claim 50, which includes allowing a retail
operator to enter the consumer's approval to purchase the
product.
55. The method of claim 50, which includes allowing the consumer to
enter the approval to purchase the product.
56. A method for providing different products at a point-of
purchase comprising: stocking a plurality of different products at
the point of purchase; automatically prompting the consumer that
the products are available at the point of purchase; automatically
accepting an approval by the consumer to purchase at least one of
the products; automatically dispensing the at least one the product
to the consumer at the point of purchase; and automatically adding
to the cost of the product to the cost of any other items that are
being purchased.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein prompting the consumer that the
products are available includes displaying a dynamic display
selected from the group consisting of: a display of the products, a
message concerning the products, an advertisement concerning the
products and a price reduction concerning the products.
58. The method of claim 56, which includes allowing a retail
operator to enter the consumer's approval to purchase the at least
one product.
59. The method of claim 56, which includes allowing the consumer to
enter the approval to purchase the at least one product.
60. A method for providing consumable and non-consumable products
at the same location comprising: stocking consumable and
non-consumable products in a single device; allowing a consumer to
purchase a consumable product from the single device without the
need for a cashier; allowing the consumer to purchase a
non-consumable product from the single device without the need for
a cashier; dispensing the consumable and non-consumable product to
the consumer at the same location in the device; and allowing the
consumer to pay for the consumable and non-consumable product
without the need for money.
61. The method of claim 60, which includes allowing the consumer to
pay for the consumable and non-consumable product at one time.
62. A method of generating revenue comprising: providing a point of
purchase device that is coupled to the retail purchasing device,
the point of purchase device designed to dispense a product at the
point of purchase; and obtaining a fee paid from a supplier of the
product in exchange for allowing the product to be dispensed from
the point of purchase device.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein the point of purchase device is
integral with the retail purchasing device.
64. The method of claim 62, wherein the retail purchasing device is
selected from the group consisting of: a self-scanning purchasing
device, a fuel dispensing gasoline pump, a debit/credit card reader
and a cash register.
65. A method for purchasing items comprising the steps of:
transporting a plurality of items to a checkout station; using a
device that identifies costs for the items to create a purchase
price for the plurality of items; prompting a consumer to purchase
a point of purchase product; dispensing from a dispenser the point
of purchase product; and automatically, without the need for a
human operator, adding the cost of the point of purchase product to
the purchase price.
66. The method of claim 65, wherein the cost of the point of
purchase product is added to the purchase price before the cost of
all of the plurality of items is totaled.
67. The method of claim 65, wherein the device that identifies
costs is an optical scanner.
68. The method of claim 65, wherein the point of purchase product
is dispensed from a device that is integral with the device that
identifies costs.
69. A system for providing point of purchase products comprising: a
device for identifying costs of items and creating a purchase price
for the items; means for prompting a consumer to purchase a point
of purchase product; and a device for dispensing the point of
purchase product upon request from the consumer and for adding a
cost of the point of purchase product to the purchase price.
70. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for prompting is
selected from the group consisting of: an advertisement, an audio
prompt, a visual prompt and a tactile prompt.
71. The system of claim 69, wherein the device for identifying is a
scanner.
72. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for prompting is
selected from the group consisting of: a credit/debit card device;
a display device separate from the device for identifying costs and
the dispensing device; and a speedpass.
73. The system of claim 69, including a device for accepting
payment for a total purchase price including the cost of the point
of purchase product and the purchase price for the items.
74. The system of claim 69, wherein the means for prompting is part
of the device and dispenser.
75. The system of claim 69, wherein the purchase price for the
items is a total purchase price which occurs when the device for
identifying has identified all of the items.
76. A method for dispensing a point of purchase product comprising
the steps of: providing a purchasable item and a point of purchase
product for sale to a retail customer; inputting a customer
selection for the point of purchase product to a retail customer
terminal proximate a point of purchase location for the purchasable
item, the retail customer terminal adapted to process the customer
selection for the point of purchase product and a customer
selection for the purchasable item; processing the customer
selection for the point of purchase product for electrical
communication with a point of purchase dispenser proximate the
point of purchase location for the purchasable item; and dispensing
the point of purchase product to the customer from the point of
purchase dispenser responsive to the electrical communication.
77. A device for dispensing a retail item comprising: a retail
customer terminal sited proximate a point of purchase location, the
retail customer terminal having an input device adapted to permit
selection of a purchasable item and a point of purchase product; a
retail item processor in electrical communication with the retail
customer terminal and adapted to process a selection of the
purchasable item and the point of purchase product; and a
dispensing terminal sited proximate the point of purchase location
and in electrical communication with the retail customer terminal
and retail item processor, the dispensing terminal adapted to
handle and dispense the point of purchase product from a storage
location to a dispensing location in response to the selection of
the point of purchase product.
78. The device of claim 77, wherein the dispensing terminal is
further adapted to handle and dispense at least one coin as change
for the retail consumer.
79. A retail item dispensing device comprising: a receptacle that
houses and ejects a point of purchase product stored therein; a
dispensing location located proximate a point of purchase location
for a purchasable item, said dispensing location comprising a
surface configured for carrying the point of purchase product; a
customer selection input device adapted to input a customer
selection of a purchasable item and point of purchase product and
located proximate the point of purchase location for the
purchasable item; a retail item processor in electrical
communication with the input device and the receptacle that ejects
the point of purchase product upon the customer selection; and a
dispensing device configured to deliver the point of purchase
product ejected from the receptacle to the dispensing location
proximate the point of purchase location for the purchasable
item.
80. A point of purchase device that is coupled to a device that
inputs purchasable items and accumulates a cost for the purchasable
items comprising: a dispenser that dispenses a product, wherein a
cost for the product is automatically added to the cost of the
purchasable items; and a communication device that allows
information relating to the product to be communicated to a remote
location.
81. The point of purchase device of claim 80, wherein the dispenser
dispenses products produced by a plurality of product suppliers and
the communication device allows for communication with the
suppliers at a plurality of remote locations.
82. The point of purchase device of claim 80, wherein the
communication device communicates over a wide area network with the
remote location.
83. The point of purchase device of claim 80, wherein the
communication device communicates with the remote location by a
mode selected from the group consisting of: the Internet, a phone
line, a satellite, microwaves and radio frequency.
84. The point of purchase device of claim 80, wherein a party
receives inventory information from the communication device.
85. The point of purchase device of claim 80, including a
controller for allowing the point of purchase device to receive
advertisement information from a remote location.
86. A point of purchase device that is coupled to a device that
inputs purchasable items and accumulates a cost for the purchasable
items comprising: a dispenser that dispenses a product, wherein a
cost for the product is automatically added to the cost of the
purchasable items; and a display that shows an advertisement for
the product, the advertisement being selected at a remote location
and communicated to the point of purchase device.
87. The point of purchase device of claim 86, including a plurality
of advertisements that are stored and adapted to be shown on the
display.
88. The point of purchase device of claim 86, wherein the plurality
of advertisements have varying costs.
89. The point of purchase device of claim 86, wherein the
advertisement is downloaded from a remote location by a mode
selected from the group consisting of: the Internet, a phone line,
a satellite, microwaves and radio frequency.
90. A point of purchase device that is coupled to a device that
inputs purchasable items and accumulates a cost for the purchasable
items comprising: a dispenser that dispenses a product, wherein a
cost for the product is automatically added to the cost of the
purchasable items; and a communication device that communicates
accumulated inventory information relating to the product to a
remote location.
91. The point of purchase device of claim 90, wherein the
communication device automatically communicates with a party
selected from the group consisting of: a supplier of the product
and a distributor of the product.
92. The point of purchase device of claim 90, wherein the
communication device automatically communicates inventory
information selected from the group consisting of: inventory for
the product reaching a predefined level, flow rates of the product
and optimization data for the product.
93. The point of purchase device of claim 90, which includes an
advertisement for the product which is automatically displayed
based on an inventory level of the product.
94. A point of purchase device that is coupled to a device that
inputs purchasable items and accumulates a cost for the purchasable
items comprising: a dispenser that dispenses a product, wherein a
cost for the product is automatically added to the cost of the
purchasable items; and a smart prompt provided to a consumer based
on at least one purchasable item that the consumer has selected to
purchase.
95. A point of purchase device that is coupled to a device that
inputs purchasable items and accumulates a cost for the purchasable
items comprising: a dispenser that dispenses a product, wherein a
cost for the product is automatically added to the cost of the
purchasable items; and a smart prompt provided to a consumer based
on a profile of the consumer.
96. The point of purchase device of claim 95, wherein the profile
is established via a customer card.
97. The point of purchase device of claim 95, wherein the profile
is established via data collected by a controller of the point of
purchase device.
98. A method for operating a point of purchase device that is
coupled to a device that inputs purchasable items and accumulates a
cost for the items comprising: using the point of purchase device
to independently track inventory data for a product dispensed by
the point of purchase device; and communicating the level to a
supplier of the product at a location remote from the purchasable
item input device.
99. The method of claim 98, wherein inventory data includes data
selected from the group consisting of: product flow rate data,
inventory level data, flow rate data at a particular time of day,
flow rate data at a particular time of year and data concerning a
type of customer who purchases the product.
100. The method of claim 98, which includes selecting an
advertisement for the product based on the inventory level.
101. A method for operating a point of purchase device that is
coupled to a device that inputs purchasable items and accumulates a
cost for the items comprising: obtaining a profile for a consumer
who has selected an item for purchase; and providing a prompt to
the consumer to purchase a product contained in the point of
purchase device, wherein the prompt is based on the user profile.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/261,512, filed Jan. 12, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Automated purchasing machines are becoming more and more
prolific. Consumers have come to rely on the convenience and speed
of automated teller machines ("ATM's") for banking. Equally
important, consumers have come to trust the security of electronic
funds transfers. This speed, convenience and goodwill are beginning
to be implemented in automated purchasing machines. Not
surprisingly, gas stations, grocery stores, fast food restaurants,
movie theaters, airports as well as other retail outlets have added
automated purchasing machines to their standard modes of conducting
business. Given their advantages, and as people become more
accustomed to them, automated purchasing machines are likely to
continue to proliferate.
[0003] There are a number of advantages inherent in automated
purchasing machines. First, automated machines are convenient and
reduce waiting time. For instance, the automated fuel pump enables
the consumer to fill the vehicle and complete the transaction
without having to leave the area around the vehicle. Second,
automated machines offer additional payment options. For instance,
many grocery store checkouts have card readers that enable the
consumer to pay for groceries from a bank account or by credit.
Third, the automated machines reduce labor. ATM's, for instance,
allow banks to reduce the number of live tellers. Fourth, automated
machines increase throughput. Automated fuel pumps, for example,
reduce the amount of idle time that cars spend next to the
pump.
[0004] A new entry into the world of automated purchasing machines
is the self-scanning checkout, which has been implemented in
various grocery stores and supermarkets. Self-scanning checkouts
enable shoppers to scan, bag and pay for items with little or no
assistance from store personnel. A consumer enters a grocery store
and selects items for purchase in the conventional manner. Instead
of approaching a standard checkout manned by a cashier, the
consumer approaches a bank of automated self-scanning checkouts,
wherein a single cashier oversees the operation of the bank of
machines. Consumers scan their own items and pay for the items by
entering a check, credit card, debit card or cash into the
machine.
[0005] One problem associated with automated purchasing machines is
that they can negatively impact point of sale purchases. For
example, before the automated fuel pump, the consumer had to enter
a convenience store or a store associated with the gas station.
Although an inconvenience to the consumer, the mandatory visit to
the store for payment (the old point of purchase) encouraged the
impulse purchase of confectionery items, such as gum, candy, soft
drinks, etc., and non-consumable items, such as magazines and
newspapers. The automated fuel pump has moved the point of purchase
to the filling station, where point of purchase products are not
displayed or advertised.
[0006] In grocery stores and supermarkets, the self-scanning
checkout also stands to reduce point of purchase sales for a couple
of reasons. First, the consumer is preoccupied with scanning
products and does not have as much free time to peruse and select a
point of purchase product. Second, one primary advantage that
self-scanning checkouts provide to the grocery store or supermarket
is reduced floor space. For example, four self-scanning checkouts
require approximately seventy-five percent of the space that four
standard checkouts require. Rack space normally associated with
standard checkouts, and which displays point of purchase products,
is likewise reduced. Self-scanning checkouts stand to reduce the
height, width and number of racks at grocery and supermarket
checkout lines. Less rack space necessarily dictates less exposure
for the point of purchase products.
[0007] A need generally exists for sellers of point of purchase
products to capitalize on the growing proliferation of automated
purchasing devices. As the point of purchase in a variety of retail
areas increasingly moves away from a checkout counter to an
automated purchasing machine, a need exists to provide an apparatus
and method of displaying and supplying point of purchase products
at the new point of purchase.
[0008] In particular, a need exists to provide an apparatus and
method for displaying and providing point of purchase products in
combination with self-scanning checkouts at grocery stores and
supermarkets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides apparatuses and methods that
improve upon the sale of point of purchase products. For example,
apparatus are provided wherein point of purchase product can be
automatically dispensed. Additionally, apparatus and materials are
provided that automate the purchase of point of purchase
products.
[0010] To this end, in an embodiment the present invention enables
point of purchase products to be dispensed as the consumer
purchases other retail items that a consumer collects and brings to
the point of purchase. The point of purchase product is immediately
dispensed and provided to the consumer at the point of purchase.
The cost of the dispensed product is added to the cost of the other
retail items. The consumer makes one payment for both the dispensed
product and the other retail items.
[0011] In an embodiment, a device is provided that allows a
consumer to purchase products without the need for a cashier. The
device includes a body that defines an interior. The device
includes a controller. The controller couples to and communicates
with a scanning device. The scanning device allows a consumer to
scan purchasable items that the consumer brings to the device and
to accumulate a cost for the items. The body maintains a
dispensable product and includes a dispenser that dispenses the
product from the body upon a request for the product by the
consumer. The controller adds a cost for the product to the cost
for the items.
[0012] In an embodiment, the body houses the controller.
[0013] In an embodiment, the controller is electrically coupled to
the body.
[0014] In an embodiment, the scanning device is electrically
coupled to the controller.
[0015] In an embodiment, the scanning device is optically coupled
to the controller.
[0016] In an embodiment, the scanning device is integral with the
controller.
[0017] In an embodiment, the purchasing device includes a display
that prompts the consumer to purchase the product.
[0018] In an embodiment, the purchasing device includes a plurality
of different products and the controller communicates a selected
product to the dispenser. The different products may be for
example: confectionery products, periodicals, cigarette lighters,
batteries, key chains, writing instruments, film; toiletries or
toys.
[0019] In an embodiment, a stand-alone point of purchase device
that operates with an automated purchasing device is provided. The
automated purchasing device has a controller that allows a consumer
to scan purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the items. The
point of purchase device includes a body housing a product. The
point of purchase device includes a member for coupling to the
automated purchasing device. The point of purchase device also
includes a dispenser that dispenses the product from the housing
upon request by the consumer. The cost for the product is added to
the cost for the items.
[0020] In an embodiment, a point of purchase device that operates
with an automated purchasing device is provided. The point of
purchase device includes a body that houses a product. The point of
purchase includes a controller coupled to the body. The point of
purchase device also includes a dispenser that dispenses the
product from the body upon a signal from the controller. The
consumer initiates the signal. Afterward, a cost for the product is
added to the cost for the items that the consumer purchases.
[0021] In an embodiment, a point of purchase device that operates
with an automated purchasing device is provided. The automated
purchasing device allows a retail operator to input purchasable
items and accumulate a cost for the purchasable items. The point of
purchase device includes a dispenser that dispenses a product from
a stock upon a signal from a controller. A retail operator
initiates the signal. A cost for the product is automatically added
to the cost of the purchasable items.
[0022] In an embodiment, the automated purchasing device is a
scanner.
[0023] In an embodiment, the automated purchasing device is a cash
register.
[0024] In an embodiment, a point of purchase device is coupled to a
device that allows a retail operator to input purchasable is
provided. The point of purchase device includes a body housing a
stock of product. A controller is maintained within the body. The
body also includes a dispenser that dispenses a product from the
stock upon a signal from the controller. The retail operator
initiates the signal. A cost for the product is added to the cost
for the purchasable items.
[0025] In an embodiment, a point of purchase device that operates a
credit/debit card verification device is provided. The credit/debit
card verification device authorizes a cost for items purchased by a
consumer. The point of purchase device includes a controller that
communicates with the credit/debit card verification device. The
controller couples to a dispenser that dispenses a consumable
product upon a signal to the controller. The consumer initiates the
signal through the credit/debit card verification device. A cost
for the consumable product is added to the cost for the items
purchased by the consumer.
[0026] In an embodiment, the credit/debit card verification device
is located at a retail checkout line.
[0027] In an embodiment, a point of purchase device is provided.
The point of purchase device includes a body housing a stock of
product. The body is physically coupled to a discrete automated
purchasing device. The automated purchasing device allows consumers
to automatically purchase items that the consumers physically bring
to the automated purchasing device. The point of purchase device
includes a money acceptor coupled to the body. The body houses a
dispenser that dispenses a product from the stock upon a consumer's
input of a predefined amount of money into the money acceptor.
[0028] In an embodiment, the automated purchasing device is located
at a retail outlet, which may be: a retail checkout, a restaurant
cash register or an electronic ticketing station.
[0029] In an embodiment, the money acceptor is selected from: a
cash acceptor, a coin acceptor or a credit/debit card acceptor.
[0030] In an embodiment, a device for dispensing consumable and
non-consumable products is provided. The device includes a body.
The body houses a stock of a consumable product. The body also
houses a stock of a non-consumable product. The device includes a
dispenser that dispenses the consumable product. The device further
includes an apparatus that totals purchase prices for consumable
and non-consumable products. The device also includes a payment
acceptor that allows the consumer to make a single payment for the
consumable and non-consumable products.
[0031] In an embodiment, the non-consumable product may be movie
tickets, air plane tickets, periodicals, video tapes, CD's, DVD's
and newspapers.
[0032] In an embodiment, a method of operating an automated
checkout is provided. In the method, a consumer is allowed to bring
purchasable items to an automated checkout device. The consumer is
allowed to scan the purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the
scanned items on a display. The consumer is allowed to purchase a
product from a dispensing device located in juxtaposition to the
automated checkout. The method includes dispensing the product from
the dispensing device and adding a cost of the product to the total
cost for the scanned items on the display.
[0033] In an embodiment, a method of operating a checkout station
is provided. In the method, a consumer is allowed to bring
purchasable items to a store operator. The operator is allowed to
scan the purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the scanned
items. The consumer is allowed to independently purchase a product
from a dispensing device. The method includes dispensing the
product from the dispensing device and automatically adding a cost
of the dispensed product to the cost for the scanned items.
[0034] In an embodiment, a method of operating a device for
inputting purchases is provided. The method includes employing an
operator to input purchasable items into a cash register and
accumulate a cost for the inputted items. The consumer is allowed
to purchase a product from a dispensing device. The product is
dispensed from the dispensing device. a cost of the product is to
the cost for the inputted items.
[0035] In an embodiment, a method for providing a point of purchase
product without the need for a cashier is provided. In the method,
a product is provided at the point of purchase. A cost associated
with other items purchased by a consumer is accumulated. The
consumer is informed that the product is available at the point of
purchase. The product is dispensed to the consumer at the point of
purchase upon an approval by the consumer to purchase the product.
Any additional cost for the product is added to the cost associated
with other items purchased.
[0036] In an embodiment, the method includes accepting a single
payment in exchange for the product and other purchased items.
[0037] In an embodiment, informing the consumer that the product is
available includes displaying an advertisement for the product.
[0038] In an embodiment, informing the consumer that the product is
available includes prompting the consumer concurrently with the
purchase of the other items.
[0039] In an embodiment, the method includes allowing a retail
operator to enter the consumer's approval to purchase the
product.
[0040] In an embodiment, the method includes allowing the consumer
to enter the approval to purchase the product.
[0041] In an embodiment, a method for providing different products
at a point-of purchase is provided. In the method, a plurality of
different products are stocked at the point of purchase. Costs
associated with other consumable items purchased by a consumer are
accumulated. The consumer is automatically informed that the
products are available at the point of purchase. The method
includes automatically accepting an approval by the consumer to
purchase at least one of the products. The method includes
automatically dispensing the at least one the product to the
consumer at the point of purchase and automatically incrementing
any accumulated cost by the cost of the at least one product.
[0042] In an embodiment, informing the consumer that the products
are available includes displaying a dynamic display that changes to
show the different products.
[0043] In an embodiment, a method for providing consumable and
non-consumable products is provided. In the method, consumable and
non-consumable products are stocked in a single device. A consumer
is allowed to purchase a consumable product from the single device
without the need for a cashier. The consumer is allowed to purchase
a non-consumable product from the single device without the need
for a cashier. The consumer is allowed to pay for the consumable
and non-consumable products without the need for cash.
[0044] In an embodiment, the consumer is allowed to pay for the
consumable and non-consumable product at one time.
[0045] In an embodiment, a method of funding a retail purchasing
device is provided. In the method a point of purchase device is
provided that operates with the retail purchasing device. A fee is
paid from a provider of a product in exchange for allowing the
product to be dispensed from the point of purchase device.
[0046] In an embodiment the retail purchasing device may be: a
self-scanning purchasing device, a fuel dispensing gasoline pump, a
debit/credit card reader or a cash register.
[0047] In an embodiment the provider may be a manufacturer of the
product or a distributor of the product.
[0048] In an embodiment, a method for purchasing items is provided.
In the method, a plurality of items are transported to a checkout
station. A device that identifies costs for the items is used to
create a purchase price for the plurality of items. A consumer is
prompted to purchase a point of purchase product. A dispenser
dispenses the point of purchase product. The cost of the point of
purchase product is automatically, without the need for a human
operator, added to the purchase price.
[0049] In an embodiment, the cost of the point of purchase product
is added to the purchase price before the cost of all of the
plurality of items is totaled.
[0050] In an embodiment, the device that identifies costs is an
optical scanner.
[0051] In an embodiment, the point of purchase product is dispensed
from a device that is integral with the device that identifies
costs.
[0052] In an embodiment a system for providing point of purchase
products is provided. The system includes a device for identifying
costs of items and creating a purchase price for the items. The
system has means for prompting a consumer to purchase a point of
purchase product. The system also includes a device and dispenser
for dispensing the point of purchase product upon request from the
consumer. The device also adds a cost of the point of purchase
product to the purchase price.
[0053] In an embodiment, the means for prompting is an
advertisement.
[0054] In an embodiment, the device for identifying is a
scanner.
[0055] In an embodiment, the means for prompting is a credit/debit
card device.
[0056] In an embodiment, the system includes a device for accepting
payment for a total purchase price. The total purchase price
includes the cost of the point of purchase product and the purchase
price for the items.
[0057] In an embodiment, the means for prompting is part of the
device and dispenser.
[0058] In an embodiment, the purchase price for the items is a
total purchase price which occurs when the device for identifying
has identified all of the items.
[0059] In an embodiment, a device for dispensing a retail item is
provided. The device includes a retail customer terminal located
proximate a point of purchase location. The retail customer
terminal has an input device that permits selection of a
purchasable item and a point of purchase product. A retail item
processor electrically communicates with the retail customer
terminal and processes consumer selections of the purchasable items
and the point of purchase products. A dispensing terminal is
located proximate the point of purchase location and electrically
communicates with the retail customer terminal and the retail item
processor. The dispensing terminal handles and dispenses the point
of purchase product from a storage location to a dispensing
location when the consumer selects the point of purchase
product.
[0060] In an embodiment, the dispensing terminal is further adapted
to handle and dispense at least one coin as change for the retail
consumer.
[0061] In an embodiment, a retail item dispensing device is
provided. The device includes a receptacle that houses and ejects a
point of purchase product stored inside the device. A dispensing
location is located proximate a point of purchase location for a
purchasable item that the consumer brings to the point of purchase.
The dispensing location has a surface that carries the point of
purchase product. The retail item dispensing device includes a
customer selection input device that inputs the customer's
selection of a purchasable item and a point of purchase product.
The input device is located proximate the point of purchase
location. The retail item dispensing device includes a retail item
processor that electrically communicates with the input device and
the receptacle. A dispensing device is also included and is
configured to deliver the point of purchase product ejected from
the receptacle to the dispensing location proximate the point of
purchase location.
[0062] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to
provide point of purchase products.
[0063] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide
point of purchase products in combination with retail items that
the consumer retrieves and brings to the point of purchase.
[0064] It is a further advantage of the present invention to
provide point of purchase products in combination with retail items
and accumulate the cost for both.
[0065] Moreover, it is an advantage of the present invention to
enable the consumer to make one payment for point of purchase
products and retail items retrieved by the consumer.
[0066] Further, it is an advantage of the present invention to
provide a point of purchase device that prompts the consumer to
purchase point of purchase products.
[0067] Further still, it is an advantage of the present invention
to provide a point of purchase device having a smart prompt
capability that prompts the consumer to purchase and have dispensed
certain products based on the items that the consumer has brought
to the point of purchase.
[0068] Still further, it is an advantage of the present invention
to provide a point of purchase device having a smart prompt
capability that prompts the consumer to purchase and have dispensed
certain products based on a profile for the consumer.
[0069] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to
provide a device that enables a point of purchase product supplier
to advertise point of purchase products.
[0070] It is likewise an advantage of the present invention to
provide a device that enables different suppliers to purchase
different proportions of advertising space and/or time on the point
of purchase product.
[0071] It is again an advantage of the present invention to provide
a device that enables different suppliers to change an
advertisement in real time from a remote location.
[0072] It is yet another advantage to provide a point of purchase
device, which requires little space and couples to a device for
inputting costs of items that are brought to the point of
purchase.
[0073] It is still a further advantage to provide a point of
purchase device, which physically integrates into existing retail
checkout settings and is readily implemented by retailers and used
by consumers.
[0074] Further still, it is an advantage to provide a modular point
of purchase device, which couples to but does not affect the
integrity of a device for inputting costs of items that are brought
to the point of purchase.
[0075] Additionally, it is an advantage of the present invention to
provide a modular point of purchase device, which couples to but
does not adversely affect the process flow of a retail checkout
device.
[0076] Additionally, it is another advantage of the present
invention to provide a modular point of purchase device that
dispenses a product into a bag containing other items or into a
convenient tray, whereby the retailer or consumer can readily
obtain the product.
[0077] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a
point of purchase device that can be coupled to a self-scanning
checkout station.
[0078] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide
a point of purchase device that can be operated in a retail
setting.
[0079] It is a further advantage of the present invention to
provide a point of purchase device that can be coupled to a retail
item cash register.
[0080] It is still another advantage of the present to provide a
point of purchase device that can be coupled to a credit/debit card
reader.
[0081] Moreover, a further advantage of the present invention to
provide a single device that dispenses consumable and
non-consumable products.
[0082] Another advantage of the present invention to provide a
self-scanning checkout having integrated point of purchase products
and a dispenser therefore.
[0083] Still further, it is an advantage of the present invention
to provide a point of purchase device that performs inventory
management for one or more products dispensed by the device.
[0084] Additionally, it is an advantage of the present invention to
provide a point of purchase device that transmits real time data to
one or more suppliers of products dispensed by the device.
[0085] Yet additionally, it is an advantage of the present
invention to combine a point of purchase device with a
change-making dispensing device.
[0086] It is yet a further advantage of the present invention to
provide a method of funding automated purchasing devices.
[0087] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed
Description of the Invention and the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0088] FIG. 1 illustrates a self-scanning purchasing device that is
adapted to dispense a point of purchase product.
[0089] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a stand-alone point of
purchase device of the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a stand-alone point
of purchase device of the present invention.
[0091] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of a stand-alone
point of purchase device of the present invention.
[0092] FIG. 5 illustrates a stand-alone point of purchase device in
operation with a cash register, a scanner and a non-consumable item
dispensing machine.
[0093] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate stand-alone point of purchase
devices in a quick service restaurant environment.
[0094] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of a stand-alone
point of purchase device having an integrated method of
payment.
[0095] FIG. 9 illustrates still another embodiment of a stand-alone
point of purchase device integrated with a coin change maker.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0096] Self-scanning checkouts are beginning to proliferate in
supermarkets and grocery stores. Current self-scanning checkouts
stand to reduce point of purchase sales because: (i) the consumer
is preoccupied with scanning products and does not have as much
free time to peruse and select a point of purchase product; (ii)
the amount of floor space available for standard point of purchase
racks is reduced; and (iii) the architecture of current popular
self-scanning checkouts requires that the height of the standard
racks be reduced.
[0097] With current self-scanning checkouts, the consumer actively
accumulates a cost for items brought to the point of purchase. That
is, instead of standing in line and looking at a rack full of point
of purchase products while a cashier enters the cost of the
consumer's items, the consumer at the self-scanning checkout pulls
items out of a shopping cart or other storage area, individually
scans each item, checks a video monitor to ensure that the right
items and the right prices are being accumulated, bags the scanned
items and pays for the items. In short, the consumer has a lot less
time to look at currently displayed point of purchase products and,
equally importantly, may not remember to do so.
[0098] The available space problem for point of purchase products
at current self-scanning checkouts is twofold. First, there is less
available space. Second, the space that is available is not located
specifically at the point of the customer's focus. That is, the
racks must be placed on either side of, or otherwise separately
from, the current scanner, the current monitor, the current payment
acceptor and the current bagging area, i.e., away from the
consumer's focus.
[0099] The reduced rack space means that there will be a higher
level of competition between suppliers of point of purchase
products. Retailers that use self-scanning checkouts are carefully
selecting products for the available rack space, which is now at an
even higher premium. It is likely that high-velocity, high-margin
products will take the lion's share of available space because
retailers cannot afford to risk stocking a loser or even a
mid-level performer. The result has been and will continue to be a
decline in new product offerings.
[0100] Both the product supplier and the retailer will suffer from
reduced sales of point of purchase products. Brand recognition will
begin to erode and the retailer will lose the additional sale.
Retailers are thus currently forced to decide between providing the
efficiency associated with self-scanning checkouts or holding on to
the point of purchase sale.
[0101] Quick service restaurants ("QSR's") provide a similar but
slightly different challenge. QSR's also have limited floor space
for point of purchase products. Counter space at the QSR is limited
and requires free access to process a fast food transaction. The
floor space in front of the counter needs to be open for lines to
form and for the consumer to choose food items. Placing a standard
point of purchase product rack in the middle of a fast food floor
and requiring the consumer to bring a point of purchase product to
the counter simply does not integrate well with an over the counter
fast food transaction.
[0102] Many QSR's are also experiencing quality labor shortages.
QSR's tend to have high employee turnover and training costs.
Product shrinkage is also an issue with QSR's. QSR's are therefore
looking at a number of technologies to alleviate their limited
space and labor issues, increase operational efficiencies and
mitigate product shrinkage. One known solution is a point of sale
kiosk that eliminates the conventional cash register. Another
solution is a "speedpass" payment system in which a "wand" is
provided to the consumer. The wand operates on a radio frequency
("RF") to send fast food transaction information to a credit/debit
card account. The speedpass system is compact, requires little
counter space and no floor space and is operationally faster and
transactionally more efficient than the conventional "QSR"
transaction.
[0103] The challenge that QSR's present to point of purchase
product suppliers is to provide a solution that works with the
conventional, e.g., cash register, system and any alternative
primary fast food item purchasing system. The point of purchase
system, in any event, preferably: (i) is convenient for the
consumer and the fast food employee to use; (ii) does not increase
or significantly increase labor costs; (iii) requires little
counter space and little or no floor space; (iv) reduces product
shrinkage; (v) integrates with any primary fast food item
purchasing system; and (vi) assists in inventory management by
providing point of purchase inventory data to the system.
[0104] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1,
an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As
illustrated, a self-scanning purchasing device 10 is provided.
Typical self-scanning checkouts are known and are available, for
example, from NCR Corp. and Optimal Robotics Corp. The
self-scanning checkout 10 includes a controller 12. The controller
12 includes a processor 14, a memory device 16 and a power supply
18. The processor 14 in one embodiment is a Pentium.TM. processor,
which runs Windows NT.TM. software. The memory device 16 runs a
program that interfaces peripheral devices connected to the
controller 12 with human operation.
[0105] The controller 12 includes an input/output ("I/O") card or
module 20 to which a plurality of wires 22 (e.g., in the form of a
ribbon cable or other wire bunching technique) connect. The wires
22 run to various peripheral devices. The peripheral devices
typically include a credit/debit card reader 24, a cash dispenser
26, a scanning device 28, and a display device having an associated
touch screen interface ("touch screen display 30"). In addition,
RS-232 or RS-485 cables may run from the controller 12 to these
devices, in the event that they have their own processing
capability. The scanning device 28 in an embodiment may also be
adapted to optically couple to the controller 12. The controller 12
also includes a video graphics card or module (not illustrated) and
may also include a sound card.
[0106] The credit/debit card reader 24 enables a consumer to select
to pay by credit card or debit card. The card reader 24 includes an
insert slot 32 a card reader display 34 and a plurality of
numerical input buttons 36. If, after inserting a card into the
slot 32, the reader 24 cannot read the card number, the consumer
can key in the card number using the numerical input buttons
36.
[0107] Either the touch screen display 30 or the numerical input
buttons 36 may be adapted to allow the consumer to enter an amount
of money. The self-scanning checkout 10 will in turn dispense the
amount of money from the cash dispenser 26. The cash dispenser 26
includes one or more dispensing slots 38 that dispense the cash and
a receipt for the transaction.
[0108] The scanning device or scanner 28 has a transparent cover 40
and electronics behind the cover 40 that reads a barcode placed on
the majority of purchasable items 42 found in a supermarket,
convenience store or other retail outlet. As the consumer scans an
item past the cover 40, the touch screen display 30 displays or
acknowledges the item and displays its price. In an embodiment, an
automated voice instructs the consumer to place the item 42 into a
bag 44. After the consumer scans multiple items, the touch screen
display 30 shows a scrolling list of items, their prices, and a
total price, i.e., a virtual receipt.
[0109] The self-scanning checkout 10 in an embodiment employs a
video camera (not illustrated) to identify produce and other
non-bar coded items 42. Once the consumer scans and bags all the
purchasable items 42, the consumer selects a card payment method
using the credit/debit card reader 24. The purchasing device 10
also allows the consumer to pay by cash, check and/or food stamps
via a bill acceptor (not illustrated). The self-scanning checkout
10 dispenses change in the form of cash from the cash dispenser 26
and coin change from a coin dispenser (not illustrated). The
self-scanning checkout 10 prints a receipt that shows the list of
items 42 appearing on the touch screen display 30. The cash
dispenser 26 may be adapted to issue the receipt, or alternatively,
a separate outlet (not illustrated) that issues the receipt from a
receipt printer (not illustrated) may be provided.
[0110] The illustrated self-scanning checkout 10 of the present
invention includes a point of purchase device 50, preferably having
a stock of product 52 and a dispenser 54. As used herein the term
"point of purchase" refers to a location where a consumer pays for
product or otherwise checks out of a store or other retail
environment. A section 55 of the front panel of the self-scanning
checkout 10 has been cutaway to illustrate that in an embodiment,
the automated checkout 10 houses the point of purchase device 50.
In other embodiments, discussed below, a stand-alone point of
purchase device mounts outside of the self-scanning checkout
10.
[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, the stock of product 52
provides a choice of four products A to D. The stock may obviously
include any number of different point of purchase products 52
including a single product 52. The point of purchase products 52
can be any uniform distribution or mix of front-end products
distributed at or near a checkout line, cash register, point of
purchase kiosk, speedpass station, touch screen input device or
other type of vending device, such as an automated movie or airline
ticket vending machine. Examples of point of purchase products
include confectionery products, such as chewing gum or candy,
magazines, toiletries, such as razors or small tissue packets,
batteries, cigarette lighters, key chains, writing instruments,
film, disposable cameras, video tapes, digital video disks (DVD's),
small toys, etc.
[0112] The present invention solves a number of problems facing
suppliers of these types of products. First, in retail outlets,
products are typically displayed according to a set planagram. The
planagrams are carefully constructed to attempt to display the
products in an aesthetically pleasing and organized manner. Where
point of purchase products are concerned, planagrams take on an
even more important role because the consumer is distracted by the
purchase of other items. Accordingly, certain product suppliers may
be temporarily or permanently locked out of the front-end market
because there is currently no place or there never will be a place
in the planagram for the supplier's products. Since the point of
purchase products 52 of the present invention are dispensed from a
device and are advertised, in one preferred embodiment, on a
dynamic display, there is no need for a planagram. Consequently,
the present invention provides a more flexible front-end
market.
[0113] Second, smaller suppliers may fall victim to "slotting,"
which effectively allows the larger suppliers to consume the
limited point of purchase space. Without the need to satisfy a
planagram, smaller suppliers can purchase available space or slots
intermittently. As described in more detail below, the suppliers
may also purchase intermediate advertising slots. The retail outlet
can establish a system whereby suppliers of faster selling products
pay less for one or more of the available slots. A small supplier
with a fast moving product therefore has an inroad into the
competitive front-end market.
[0114] The retail outlet, e.g., grocery store or supermarket can
also work with the larger suppliers to optimize the throughput of
the present invention. For instance, a particular large supplier
may pay a premium to own or maintain a long-term lease on, e.g.,
thirty percent of the available front-end slots or space. The
supplier is obligated and also desires to maximize the
profitability and throughput of this thirty percent. Accordingly,
the retail outlet lets the supplier manage its thirty percent and
concentrates on optimizing the profitability and throughput of the
remaining seventy percent by slotting quick selling and profitable
point of purchase products 52. Obviously, the percentages may vary
from this example and the retail outlet may obtain more than one
owner or major leaseholder.
[0115] When the consumer desires to purchase one or more of the
point of purchase products 52, the self-scanning checkout 10
dispenses the one or more products 52 through an opening 56 defined
by a panel of the automated checkout 10. The opening 56 may in turn
be juxtaposed above or near a product dispensing tray (FIG. 9). The
opening 56 and tray in an embodiment also serve as the opening and
tray of the coin change dispenser (FIG. 9). To direct the product
52 from the stocking point to the opening 56 or tray, the
self-scanning checkout 10 provides one or more ramps or slides 58.
Although the ramp or slide 58 is illustrated here as being
completely housed within the device 10, a portion of or all of the
ramp or slide 58 may be disposed on the exterior of the
self-scanning checkout 10. The ramp or slide 58 may also include
one or more conveying sections, such as a belt tensioned between
rollers (FIG. 9).
[0116] In FIG. 1, the opening 56 dispenses one or more products 52
directly into one of the bags 44 of items 42 brought to the point
of purchase. In another embodiment, the product 52 may be dispensed
from any point on any exposed surface of the self-scanning checkout
10. For instance, a grocery store or supermarket may place the
opening 56 (and possibly a tray) near the bill acceptor or cash out
dispenser 26, near the credit/debit card reader 24, near the touch
screen display 30 or near the scanner 28. Placing the dispenser
near the payment devices, i.e., the bill acceptor or the
credit/debit card reader 24 enables the consumer to retrieve a
dispensed product 52 when paying for the items 42 and the product
52. Placing the dispenser near the touch screen display 30 enables
the consumer to retrieve a dispensed product 52 directly after
choosing to purchase the dispensed product 52. Placing the
dispenser near the scanner 28 enables the consumer to retrieve a
dispensed product 52 while handling the other items 42 brought to
the point of purchase.
[0117] As illustrated, above or near the opening 56, the
self-scanning checkout 10 provides advertising or information about
the different products 52, illustrated here on the cutaway section
55. The advertisement informs the consumer to use the touch screen
display 30 to automatically purchase one or more of the products A
through D. The advertisement also points the consumer to where the
automated checkout 10 will dispense the product, i.e., from the
opening 56.
[0118] The dedicated advertising on the section 55 illustrates one
embodiment for advertising different point of purchase products 52.
In another embodiment, the advertising on the section 55 may be
erasable or otherwise changeable to allow store operators or
product distributors to load different products into the point of
purchase device 50 and advertise such different products. In
another embodiment, the touch screen display 30, or a different
dynamic video display in communication with the controller 12,
advertises the products A to D and may be adapted to delete or add
one or more point of purchase products 52. In a further embodiment,
and in particular where the stock includes many different products
52, the dynamic display may be adapted to scroll through the
different products and display one or more but not all at once. A
static or dynamic advertisement display may be mounted in various
places on or near the point of purchase, such as on top of the
self-scanning checkout 10 or in front of the automated checkout 10
(i.e., facing the consumer as the consumer approaches the checkout
10 from the grocery isles).
[0119] The touch screen display 30, as illustrated, currently
provides a message 60, a plurality of simulated buttons 62 (one for
each product A through D) and the running list 64 of purchased
items 42 and dispensed products 52. The message 60 informs the
consumer of the current total, and that the consumer may at any
time during the transaction purchase one of the products A to D by
selecting one of the buttons 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the
touch screen display 30 provides a unique button 62 for each point
of purchase product A to D. In another embodiment, the touch screen
may be adapted to provide a toggle or "next" button (not
illustrated), wherein the display 30 recalls and displays a new
point of purchase product 52 each time the consumer presses the
next button. In this embodiment, the touch screen display would
also provide a select or "purchase" button, which would allow the
consumer to sequentially purchase one or more displayed point of
purchase products 52.
[0120] The running list 64 of the display 30 illustrates that the
consumer has purchased a number of items 42, which the consumer has
selected elsewhere within the supermarket or convenience store and
has transported to the self-scanning checkout 10. The list 64
illustrates that the consumer has selected, transported and
self-scanned cereal, soup, celery, cake mix and flour. The running
list 64 also illustrates that the consumer has made a point of sale
purchase, namely, the consumer has purchased gum, which is one of
the products A through D. The consumer's current total of $12.00
illustrated by the message 60 includes the price of the point of
purchase product 52, i.e., fifty cents. In one preferred
embodiment, the present invention combines the cost of items 42
brought to the point of purchase and the products 52 purchased
thereafter. In this way, the consumer pays cash and receives change
once, writes one check or swipes a credit or debit card one time.
The self-scanning checkout 10 therefore supplies and the consumer
receives only one receipt.
[0121] In this illustrated embodiment, the consumer can select the
same button 62 and purchase the same product 52 as many times as
the consumer desires. The consumer can select as many different
buttons 62 and purchase as many different products 52 (and as many
different types of products 52) as the consumer desires. Each time
the consumer presses a button 62, the dispenser 54 dispenses a
single product 52. In an alternative embodiment, the touch screen
display 30 provides a simulated numerical keypad and prompts the
consumer to enter a quantity. If the consumer enters a quantity
greater than one, the dispenser 54 dispenses the multitude of
products 52 at once. It should be appreciated that any of the
simulated input devices described herein, such as the buttons 62,
the next and purchase buttons described above and the simulated
keypad, may alternatively be provided as electromechanical input
devices mounted to the panel of the automated checkout 10 and hard
wired as discrete inputs into the I/O card or module 20, as is well
known by those of skill in the art.
[0122] Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the present
invention provides a stand-alone point of purchase device 50, which
is housed within a body 66 that is separate from an automated
purchasing device 70. For purposes of the present invention, the
automated purchasing device 70 is any device that accumulates a
cost of items or accepts payment for items. In an embodiment, the
automated purchasing device 70 is the self-scanning checkout 10
described in FIG. 1. The automated purchasing device 70 in another
embodiment is any standard checkout device manned by a store
operator. That is, the automated purchasing device 70 may be used
in an employee operated purchasing line for any type of retail
store, e.g., grocery store, fast food store, convenience store,
drug store, hardware store, clothing store, superstore, etc., where
the employee scans items or where the operator scans items using a
scanner 40 or inputs selections into a cash register 72, point of
purchase kiosk or touch screen input device. The automated
purchasing device 70 also includes credit/debit card readers and
bill acceptors. The automated purchasing device 70 further includes
any type of device, such as the speed-pass, that bypasses the store
operator and automatically sends a cost for one or items to a
credit or debit account.
[0123] The stand-alone point of sale device 50 preferably mounts to
or near the automated purchasing device 70 so that the device 50 is
at the point of purchase. The automated purchasing device 70
includes the controller 12 having a processor 14, memory device 16,
power supply 18 and I/O card or module 20. The automated purchasing
device 70 may also include any other feature and apparatus
described above in connection with FIG. 1, except that the point of
sale device 50 is discrete.
[0124] The controller 12 electrically communicates with the scanner
28 via wires 22 and/or alternatively optically connects or connects
by an RS-232 or RS-485 cable to the scanner 28. The controller 12
alternatively communicates with the scanner 28 via a radio
frequency ("RF") signal, microwave signal, the Internet or via any
other suitable communication link. When the automated purchasing
device 70 is a self-scanning checkout 10 (FIG. 1), the consumer
retrieves an item 42 from one of the store isles, brings the item
to the scanner 28 and scans the item by passing it across the
transparent cover 40. When the automated purchasing device 70 is an
operator controlled checkout, the consumer retrieves an item 42
from one of the store isles, brings the item to the scanner 28,
wherein the store operator scans the item by passing it across the
transparent cover 40. In either case, the scanner 28 in one
embodiment is a stand-alone scanner 28, as illustrated, and in
another embodiment, the scanner 40 is a hand-held scanner that
either the consumer or the operator holds so that a smaller
transparent cover 40 of the hand-held scanner passes across the
barcode of the purchasable item 42.
[0125] The controller 12 electrically communicates with the cash
register 72 via wires 22 and/or via an RS-232 or RS-485 connection.
The controller 12 alternatively communicates with the cash register
72 via an RF signal, microwave signal, the Internet or via any
other suitable communication link. The controller 12 in an
embodiment only couples to the scanner 28, in another embodiment
only connects to the cash register 72 and in a further embodiment
couples to both the scanner 28 and the cash register 72.
[0126] When the controller 12 couples to the cash register 72, a
store operator mans the cash register 72. In certain retail
operations, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, drug
stores, hardware stores, clothing stores, superstores, the consumer
retrieves an item 42, such as a box of food, from one of the store
isles, and brings the item to the operator, who enters the item or
price of the item into the cash register 72. In other retail
operations, such as fast food restaurants or at will-call windows,
the consumer approaches the operator and orders purchasable items
42, such as hamburger and fries, wherein the operator enters the
item or price of the item into the cash register 72.
[0127] The controller 12 also communicates with one of the touch
screen displays 30a or 30b. Here, the displays 30a and 30b are
shown as being mounted on the exterior of the automated purchasing
device 70. Although two touch screen displays are illustrated, only
one is necessary as described above. The display 30a is adapted for
when the consumer scans the items 42, i.e., at a self-scanning
checkout (FIG. 1). Here, the display 30a provides a suitable
message 74a that prompts the consumer, after the consumer has
scanned all the purchasable items 42, whether the consumer wishes
to purchase one of the point of purchase products 52, namely,
products A to D. The display 30a also provides simulated buttons
62. In FIG. 1, the touch screen display 30 enabled the consumer at
any point during the self-scanning process to select one or more of
the buttons 62. The touch screen displays may be adapted to prompt
the consumer to select a product 52 to immediately dispense before
during or, as here, after the scanning sequence.
[0128] The display 30a may have any suitable message that prompts
the consumer to purchase a dispensable product 52. For instance,
the display 30a may be adapted to show the consumer the current
total plus the cost for a dispensed product 52. For example, the
display 30a might read, "Your total comes to $12.00. A pack of gum
would add forty cents including tax. Press one below to dispense."
The display 30a could also disclose a new total, e.g., "Your total
comes to $12.00. A pack of gum would bring the total to $12.40
including tax. Press one below to dispense." Any of the messages or
prompts disclosed herein may be visual, audio or audiovisual.
[0129] In any of the embodiments described herein, the memory 16 of
the controller 12 may be adapted to store a computer program that
enables the prompt to be a "smart prompt." That is, the software is
configured to: (i) select a prompt based on one or more items 42
that the consumer has selected and transported to the point of
purchase; (ii) select a prompt based on a customer profile obtained
from the customer's grocery store card or from data collected by
the controller; or (iii) select a prompt based on an algorithm that
combines (i) and (ii). The processor 14 of the controller 12
operates with the computer program stored in the memory 16 to
display a smart prompt on the display 30a or 30b.
[0130] When the smart prompt is based on the items 42 that the
consumer has selected and transported to the point of purchase, the
program in an embodiment looks for patterns or signals provided by
the items 42. For instance, if the consumer collects and brings one
or more items 42 to the point of purchase that are sugar free, fat
free, low fat, have sugar substitutes, etc., the smart prompt may
include a sugar free item, such as sugar free gum. In another
example, if a number of desert-type items are brought to the point
of purchase, the smart prompt may include candy, such as a candy
bar. If the consumer has pulled a magazine from the store rack, the
smart prompt may include another periodical. Obviously, those of
skill in the art may adapt the software to perform many different
types of analysis.
[0131] Grocery store or supermarket customer cards enable the store
to compile data including the buying habits of the particular
customer. The software may be adapted to use this information to
display a smart prompt. For instance, if the customer card
indicates that the consumer has purchased a number of sugar free or
fat free items in the past, the smart prompt may include a sugar
free item even if the consumer has not currently brought such an
item to the point of purchase.
[0132] In another embodiment, a plurality of controllers 12 from
different devices can link over a local area network ("LAN") to a
server computer maintained within the grocery store or supermarket.
The server computer stores buying habit information, which is
compiled whenever the consumer pays by credit or debit card. A
customer number may be internally assigned to the credit or debit
card number, wherein information is stored under the customer
number. Regardless of which standard checkout or self-scanning
checkout the customer uses within the store, the server computer
recognizes the credit/debit number, calls up the customer number
and updates the buying habit information under the customer number.
Further, regardless of which standard checkout or self-scanning
checkout the customer uses, the software is able to access
information stored by the server computer under the customer number
to provide a smart prompt. If the user has purchased a particular
product 52 at the point of sale in the past, for example, the smart
message may include the previously purchased product 52.
[0133] In another embodiment, the customer card or server computer
may be adapted to accumulate "customer points" and automatically
dispense one or more point of purchase product 52 when the
consumer's points reach a predefined threshold. Points may be
issued for items 42 that the consumer brings to the point of
purchase, for purchasing point of sale products 52, or both. In a
quick service restaurant ("QSR"), points may be accumulated for
fast food items purchased. The points can: (i) yield one or more
free products; (ii) lead to an entry into a contest; and (iii)
yield coupons for store items, point of purchase products or a
contest entry, etc. The display 30 may be adapted to visually
and/or audibly inform the consumer, e.g., "Congratulations, you've
earned a free pack of gum."
[0134] The display 30b is adapted for when the store operator scans
the items 42 using scanner 28 or inputs the items using the cash
register 72. Here, the display 30b provides a suitable message 74b
that prompts the store operator, after the operator has scanned or
inputted all the purchasable items 42, to request whether the
consumer wishes to purchase one of the point of purchase products
52, namely, products A to D. Alternatively, the operator may prompt
the consumer before or while the operator scans or enters the
consumer's selected items. The display 30b may also be adapted to
prompt the store operator to quote the price of a dispensable
product 52 or a new total that includes the price of the
dispensable product 52. Further, the display 30b that prompts the
store operator may contain a smart prompt configured based on the
products purchased or a user profile.
[0135] The display 30b also provides the buttons 62, which the
operator presses when the consumer wishes to have a point of
purchase product 52 immediately dispensed. In either the consumer
controlled or operator controlled embodiments, suitable
advertisements in the form of a static or dynamic displays also
inform the consumer of the availability of the point of purchase
products.
[0136] In FIG. 2, the point of purchase device 50 has no control
capability, i.e., is a dumb device, and completely relies on the
controller 12 to command the dispenser 54 to dispense the products
52. The dispenser 54 may be any suitable type of dispenser for
dispensing confectionery products such as chewing gum or candy,
periodicals such as magazines, books or newspapers, toiletries such
as razors or small tissue packets, batteries, cigarette lighters,
key chains, writing instruments or small toys.
[0137] In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser 54 includes a
separate solenoid 72 for each product A to D. The solenoids 72 in
an embodiment are push-type solenoids, each having a hot wire 76
and a neutral wire 78. Similarly, the wires 22 coming from the I/O
card or module 20 of the controller include hot wires 22a and a
neutral wire 22b. The hot wires 76 and neutral wires 78 of the
solenoids 72 connect to a terminal strip 80, wherein the neutral
wires are "jumpered" together. The neutral wire 22b from the I/O
card or module 20 connects to one of the jumpered neutral terminals
on the strip 80. The hot wires 22a from the I/O card or module 20
each individually connect to one of the hot wire terminals on the
strip 80.
[0138] In this arrangement, when the consumer presses a button 62
on the screen 30a or the operator presses a button 62 on the screen
30b, an input signal is sent to the I/O card or module 20. Device
software stored in the memory device 16 acknowledges the input and
closes a designated output switch, which allows the power supply
18, rated for the solenoid voltage (e.g., 120 VAC or 24 VDC) to
apply power across the corresponding hot wire 22a and neutral wire
22b. The powered up hot wire 22a and neutral wire 22b in turn apply
power across the hot wire 76 and neutral wire 78 of the
corresponding solenoid 72.
[0139] Applying power to one of the solenoids 72 causes an
electrical to mechanical conversion to take place and a mechanical
motion to occur, e.g., a lever to move from a first position to a
second position. At this point any suitable mechanical linkage may
be employed to dispense one or more of the point of purchase
products 52. For ease of illustration, the dispenser is illustrated
as having hinged or slideable doors 82 that open enough to allow
one or more of the products A to D fall, due to gravity, onto the
ramp or slide 58, wherein the product 52 dispenses through the
opening 56. Obviously, those of skill in the art can and have
devised other mechanical linkages, which may make more efficient
use of the solenoids 72 or avoid them altogether. Importantly,
however, in each implementation the initiation of a particular
button 62 has a unique consequence in that it dispenses a specified
amount of one of the products A, B, C or D.
[0140] It should be appreciated that since the stand-alone point of
purchase device 50 of FIG. 2 has no control capability, the
controller 12 accomplishes all the cost accounting. That is, the
controller 12 maintains and recalls prices for the purchasable
items 42, such as the food box or the fast food items, and the
point of purchase products 52, such as chewing gum. The consumer
controlled touch screen display 30a or the store operator
controlled touch screen display 30b shows a running list of scanned
or inputted items 42 and dispensed products 52.
[0141] Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment for a
stand-alone point of purchase device 90 is illustrated. The point
of purchase device 90 has a rudimentary level of control
capability. That is, the device 90 does not have processing
capability or the ability to store a computer program, however, the
device 90 does have electrical switching capability. The device 90
includes a power supply 18 and a plurality of relays 92. Relays are
well known electrical switching devices that contain a coil on an
inlet side and one or more normally open or normally closed
contacts on an outlet side. The output side of each relay 92
electrically connects to the solenoids 72, and the input side of
each relay electrically connects to an electromechanical pushbutton
94 according to an electrical flowchart commonly referred to as a
"ladder logic diagram."
[0142] The point of purchase device 90 including the relays 92 has
the capability to enable a consumer or a store operator to input a
decision, at the device 90, to dispense a point of purchase product
52. The power supply 18 supplies power to the solenoids 72, through
the relays 94, and possibly to the pushbuttons 94, for example, if
the pushbuttons 94 are lighted. The terminal strip 80 facilitates
the wiring. When a consumer or store operator presses one of the
pushbuttons 94, a coil on a corresponding relay 92 energizes, a
contact within the relay 92 closes and a corresponding solenoid 72
energizes. A lever of the solenoid moves and causes one of the
hinged or slideable doors 82, through a suitable mechanical
linkage, to open, so that a specified quantity of one of the point
of purchase products A to D falls onto the ramp or slide 58 and
dispenses through the opening 56. It should be appreciated that
those of skill in the art can optimize the number of solenoids 72
and the number of relays 92 necessary to enable the consumer or
operator to dispense each of the products 52 from the point of
purchase device 90.
[0143] It should be appreciated that since the stand-alone point of
purchase device 90 has electrical switching capability, but no
processing capability, a separate external controller 12 must
accomplish all the cost accounting. In an embodiment, a controller
12 maintained within a separate automated purchasing device 70
maintains and recalls prices for the purchasable items 42, such as
the food box or the fast food items, and the point of purchase
products 52, namely, products A to D. The point of purchase device
90 sends a signal through the wires 22 to the I/O card or module 20
whenever the consumer or store operator dispenses a product. If the
products A to D have different associated costs, then the device 90
has the capability to send one of a number of signals to the I/O
card or module 20, which corresponds to the particular associated
cost.
[0144] The stand-alone point of sale device 90 preferably mounts to
or near the automated purchasing device 70 so that the device 90 is
at the point of purchase. The automated purchasing device 70 may be
a self-scanning checkout or a standard checkout as described above
in connection with FIG. 2. For the sake of illustration, only the
consumer controlled touch screen display 30a is illustrated,
however, the store operator controlled touch screen display 30b may
alternatively couple to the controller via wires 22 and/or an
RS-232 or RS-485 link. The display 30a or 30b alternatively
communicates with the controller via an RF signal, microwave
signal, the Internet or via any other suitable communication link.
Either of the displays 30a or 30b shows a running list of scanned
or inputted items 42 and dispensed products 52.
[0145] The controller 12, having the processor 14, memory 16, power
supply 18 and I/O card or module 20, electrically, optically, via
RS-232, RS-485, RF signal, microwave signal, the Internet or by any
other suitable communication link connects to a stand-alone or
hand-held scanner 28 and/or to a cash register 72. The stand-alone
or hand-the scanner 28 includes the transparent cover 40 across
which the either the consumer or the store operator passes a
purchasable item 42. A store operator preferably runs the cash
register 72.
[0146] Referring now to FIG. 4, a further embodiment for a
stand-alone point of purchase device 100 is illustrated. The point
of purchase device 100 has full control capability. That is, the
device 100 can perform electrical switching, has processing
capability and the ability to store a computer program. The device
100 includes the controller 12 having the processor 14, the memory
device 16, the power supply 18 and the I/O card or module 20. The
controller 12 enables the point of purchase device 100 to have a
touch screen display 30, with simulated buttons 62 for the
dispensable products A to D. Either the consumer or the store
operator presses a button 62 on the screen 30 so that an input
signal is sent to the I/O card or module 20. Device software stored
in the memory device 16 acknowledges the input and commands the
closure of a designated output switch on the I/O unit, which allows
the power supply 18 to energize the appropriate solenoid 72. The
selected product 52 falls onto the ramp or slide 58 and dispenses
through the opening 56.
[0147] The display 30 can display dynamic advertising for one or
more dispensable products 52 and for one or more suppliers of the
products 52. The dynamic displays include still video, streaming
video and animations as well as any other type of audio, visual or
audiovisual display. The display 30 can advertise a plurality of
products 52 at once or run a single video that sequentially
displays a plurality of different advertisements from one or more
suppliers.
[0148] In a typical point of purchase environment, smaller
suppliers may not have the means to afford advertising for their
point of purchase products. For example, providing cardboard
displays or physical mock-ups at multiple locations is typically
expensive. The present invention provides a method by which any
supplier, regardless of its size, can afford at least some
advertising. Each of the suppliers can pay for a portion of the
total advertising time provided by the display 30. If the display
30 can advertise more than one product 52 at a time, the suppliers
can also pay for a percentage of the screen and run a "full-screen
ad" or a "half-screen ad" or an ad in any suitable proportion. A
supplier can, for example, run a half-screen ad for fifteen percent
of the total advertising time and a full screen ad for another
fifteen percent of the time.
[0149] The controller 12 may be adapted to connect to one or more
server computers maintained by one or more suppliers of the
products 52 by a linked system commonly referred to as a wide area
network or WAN. The WAN links one or more product suppliers by
phone line, T-1 or T-3 connections, leased phone lines, RF signals,
microwaves or the Internet. The WAN provides suppliers the ability
to update or change their advertisements in real time. A supplier
may wish to run a certain advertisement in the morning and another
in the afternoon. A supplier may wish to change the advertisement
based on inventory or to streamline its advertisements with
products for which the supermarket or grocery places on sale or
discounts.
[0150] The suppliers can store a number of advertisements in the
memory 16 of the controller 12. The controller 12 includes suitable
sound and graphics cards to display the advertisements. The point
of purchase devices also include speakers that communicate with the
processor 14 of the controller to play programmed sounds. The
supplier at a remote location selects which advertisement to
display and sends a signal over the WAN, wherein the controller 12
recalls and displays the desired advertisement. Alternatively, as
is known by those of skill in the art, the supplier can store the
advertisements in files maintained at the supplier's location or on
the Internet. When the supplier desires to run a particular
advertisement, the supplier downloads the file or files from the
remote server or the Internet to the controller 12, which displays
the desired advertisement.
[0151] The WAN linkage also enables the suppliers of the products
52 to perform inventory management. That is, the WAN provides the
suppliers the ability to monitor the movement of the products 52 in
real time or over a period of time, e.g., hours, days or weeks. A
supplier can determine which products move at particular times of
the day, days of the week or times of the year. This aids the
suppliers in supplying products 52 that will sell and also in
providing targeted and focused advertising. The controller 12 can
be configured to automatically send a signal to or place a call to
the supplier or the supplier's distributor when a product supply at
the point of purchase falls to a certain level. The supplier or
distributor thereby automatically knows when to restock the point
of purchase device.
[0152] Using the real time inventory information provided by the
WAN, the Internet, etc., and the ability to change advertisements
on the fly or in real time, the supplier can tailor advertisements
to push particular products. The supplier can advertise a product
52 at a time that it sells particularly well to maximize
throughput. The supplier can alternatively attempt to create a
market by advertising a product 52 at a time that it has not sold
particularly well. Similarly, if the supplier determines that there
is an abundance of stock for a particular product 52, the supplier
can advertise that product and/or run a special for the product. If
the point of purchase device enables the consumer to accrue points
for purchases, the software can be configured to dispense one of
the products 52 that is in ample supply when the consumer wins,
e.g., a free pack of gum.
[0153] Obviously, the supplier is not expected to manually input
advertisements at all times. Either the supplier's server computer
or the memory 16 of the controller 12 stores sequences that include
one or more advertisements that cycle continuously. The supplier
updates its sequence periodically to add, subtract or re-proportion
the advertisement of one or more products 52. The supplier's
sequence integrates with sequences provided by other suppliers.
Either the supplier's server or the memory 16 of the controller 12
can also store software that automatically runs a particular
advertisement or sequence based on inventory level. For example, if
the controller 12 senses that products B, C and D have sold more
than Product A, the software in an embodiment is programmed to
advertise product A so as to even the dispensing levels.
[0154] The stand-alone point of purchase device 100 has the
capability to communicate directly with a credit/debit card reader
24 and/or an automated purchasing device 70 (not illustrated), such
as a self-scanning checkout or a standard checkout. The touch
screen display 30 enables a product to be dispensed at any time
before, during or after the scanning or cash registry sequence.
[0155] As used herein, the term "credit/debit card" obviously
refers to credit cards and debit cards. The term also refers to any
type of identification that enables the consumer to pay for a
product without using hard currency, e.g., cash, coins or checks.
The credit/debit card therefore also includes any type of card or
smart card dedicated to a particular institution, such as a school
card, retail outlet card, etc. Credit/debit card also includes
phone cards, hotel cards, casino cards or other types of service
cards that enable the consumer to purchase services and/or goods in
a cashless transaction.
[0156] Alternatively, after the consumer or the operator has
scanned all the purchasable items or the store operator has entered
each item into the cash register, the credit/debit card reader 24
prompts the consumer to purchase a dispensable product 52 via the
card reader display 34. In an embodiment, the card reader display
34 is a vacuum florescent display ("VFD"). In a preferred
embodiment, the consumer can select a dispensable product 52 at any
time before an electronic funds transfer takes place, i.e., before
a bank or credit card company authorizes the amount. In this way,
the consumer makes a single payment.
[0157] The credit/debit card reader 24 includes an insert slot 32
and a plurality of numerical input buttons 36. If, after inserting
a card into the slot 32, the reader 24 cannot read the card number,
the consumer can key in the card number using the numerical input
buttons 36. The numerical input buttons 36 can also be used to
specify which product (e.g., Product #1 to Product #9) to dispense
or the quantity of products 52 to dispense. The card reader 24 may
also be adapted to include separate product buttons 102. The VFD 24
directs the consumer to enter a product using either numerical
input buttons 36 or the dedicated product buttons 102. The card
reader 24 in an embodiment communicates with the controller 12 of
the stand-alone device 100 via wires 22 and/or via an RS-232 or
RS-485 cable 104. The card reader 24 alternatively communicates
with the controller 12 via an RF signal, microwave signal, the
Internet or via any other suitable communication link. In an
alternative embodiment, the VFD 24 directs the consumer to select
one or more products 52 using the touch screen display 30 at the
stand-alone point of purchase device 100.
[0158] The stand-alone point of sale device 100 preferably mounts
to or near the automated purchasing device (scanner or cash
register) so that the device 100 is at the point of purchase. The
device 100 may also be adapted to enable the consumer to receive
cash back from the transaction using funds transferred from the
consumer's credit/debit card account.
[0159] As stated above, in an embodiment the automated purchasing
device 70 is the self-scanning checkout 10 described in FIG. 1. Any
of the previously disclosed embodiments for the point of purchase
device 50, 90 or 100 may be adapted to couple to the self-scanning
checkout 10. The point of purchase device 50, 90 or 100 may be
mounted on any exposed surface of the self-scanning checkout 10
including the top, front, rear or sides of the self-scanning
checkout 10. The purchasing device may be adapted to dispense a
product to a higher or lower elevation and/or horizontally to a new
location.
[0160] Supermarkets and grocery stores may install a bank of
self-scanning checkouts 10 that stand side by side. In such a case,
it may be desirable to install a single point of purchase device
50, 90 or 100 between two self-scanning checkouts 10, to dispense
products to the same. Here, the point of purchase device 50, 90 or
100 may be mounted on a side of one of self-scanning checkouts 10,
wherein the side opposes the other checkout. Or, the point of
purchase device 50, 90 or 100 may be mounted separately from and
between two adjacent self-scanning checkouts 10.
[0161] Supermarkets and grocery stores may install parallel rows of
self-scanning checkouts 10 that face each other and are overseen by
a single retail operator. In such a case, it may be desirable to
install one or more point of purchase devices 50, 90 or 100 between
two rows of self-scanning checkouts 10, to dispense products to one
or more checkouts of the two rows. In such a case, the point of
purchase device 50, 90 or 100 is mounted as a stand-alone unit,
separate from any of the self-scanning checkouts 10. The device
however, is at the point of purchase between a plurality of rows of
self-scanning checkouts 10.
[0162] Referring now to FIG. 5, any of the previously disclosed
embodiments for the point of purchase device (50, 90 or 100, only
device 50 shown for convenience) may further be adapted to couple
directly to a scanner 28, a cash register 72 or simultaneously
couple to the scanner 28 and the cash register 72. Alternatively,
any of the previously disclosed point of purchase devices 50, 90 or
100 may couple to or be integrally formed within a dispensing
device 110 that dispenses non-consumable products 112.
[0163] The scanner 28, cash register 72 and dispensing device 110
each include a controller 12 having a processor 14, a memory device
16, a power supply 18 and an I/O card or module 20. The controllers
12 of each of these devices optically couple or electrically couple
via wires 22 to a point of purchase device (50, 90 or 100), which
dispenses consumable products 52.
[0164] The controller 12 integral to the scanner 28 may be adapted
to couple, via wires 22 and/or an RS-232 or RS-485 cable 104, to a
credit/debit card reader 24 or to a bill acceptor (not
illustrated). As used herein, the term "scanner" refers to a
conventional scanner that reads bar coded information. "Scanner"
also includes any device that reads or accepts any type of
identification information provided by a retail item 42. "Scanner,"
as used herein, includes the speedpass or wand that accepts
identifying information from fast food items or other retail items.
"Scanner" also includes a device that reads or accepts any type of
signal transmission emanating from the item.
[0165] The controller 12 integral to the scanner 28 may
alternatively be adapted to communicate with the card reader 24 or
the bill acceptor via an RF signal, microwave signal, the Internet
or via any other suitable communication link. When a consumer or
store operator scans purchasable items 42 past the transparent
cover 40 of the scanner 28, the controller 12 of the scanner 28
accumulates the cost of the items 42. When the consumer selects a
dispensable product 52 via the buttons 36 or 102 on the
credit/debit card reader 24, the controller 12 of the scanner 28
recognizes the input, sends a signal to the point of purchase
device 50, 90 or 100 to dispense the product 52 and accumulates the
additional cost of the dispensed product 52. When the consumer or
store operator selects a dispensable product 52 via the input
devices located on the point of purchase devices 90 and 100, the
controller 12 of the scanner 28 recognizes the input and
accumulates the additional cost of the dispensed product 52.
[0166] When a store operator inputs purchasable items 42 into the
cash register 72, the controller 12 of the cash register 72
accumulates the cost of the items 42. The cash register may be
adapted to have certain buttons 106 dedicated to dispense the
products 52. When the store operator selects a dispensable product
52 via the button 106 on the cash register 72, the controller 12 of
the cash register 72 recognizes the input, sends a signal to the
point of purchase device 50, 90 or 100 to dispense the product 52
and accumulates the additional cost of the dispensed product 52.
When the consumer or store operator selects a dispensable product
52 via the input devices located on the point of purchase devices
90 and 100, the controller 12 of the cash register 72 recognizes
the input and accumulates the additional cost of the dispensed
product 52.
[0167] Dispensing devices 110 that dispense non-consumable items
112 are known to those of skill in the art. Generally, the
controller 12 integral to the dispensing device 11O controls a
dispenser (not illustrated), which dispenses non-consumable items
112, such as movie tickets or airline tickets. Non-consumable items
include any non-edible items such as tickets, toiletries and
periodicals including magazines, newspapers and books. The
controller 12 of the dispensing device 110 may be adapted to
couple, via wires 22 and/or an RS-232 or RS-485 cable 104, to a
credit/debit card reader 24 or to a bill acceptor (not
illustrated). A touch screen display 30 electrically communicates
with the controller 12 via wires 22 and/or cable 104.
Alternatively, an RF signal, microwave signal, the Internet or any
other suitable communication link may be used. The display 30 has
simulated buttons 62 adapted to enable the consumer to select one
or more non-consumable items 112 and one or more consumable
products 52 from the point of purchase device 50, 90 or 100.
[0168] When the consumer selects a non-consumable item 112 via the
buttons 62 on the touch screen display 30, the controller 12 of the
dispensing device 110 recognizes the input, sends a signal to the
non-consumable item dispenser to dispense the non-consumable item
112 and accumulates the cost of the dispensed item 112. When the
consumer selects a consumable product 52 via the buttons 62 on the
touch screen display 30, the controller 12 of the dispensing device
110 recognizes the input, sends a signal to the point of purchase
device 50, 90 or 100 via wires 22 and/or cable 104 to dispense the
consumable product 52 and accumulates the additional cost of the
dispensed product 52. The consumer may therefore purchase, for
example, a movie ticket and a confectionery item and make one
payment via cash or credit.
[0169] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, any of the previously
disclosed embodiments for the point of purchase device 50, 90 or
100 may further be adapted for a quick service restaurant ("QSR").
QSR's are continuously looking for technologies that alleviate
their limited space and labor issues, increase operational
efficiencies and mitigate product shrinkage. QSR's typically
require floor space in front of the cashiers to be open, wherein
customers form lines, peruse overhead menus and order food upon
approaching a cashier. Thus while QSR's provide a captive market
for point of purchase products, they do not provide a convenient
place for a typical grocery store rack.
[0170] Drive through stands also provide a captive front-end
marketplace. Outdoor drive through stands, however, do not provide
a suitable location for a product rack. Shrinkage, both inside and
at the drive through stand, poses a serious barrier to the
introduction of front-end products. Cashiers at QSR's, who must
deliver prepared food items as well as receive and exchange money,
do not have enough extra time to ensure that off-the-rack items are
accounted for. It should be appreciated, however, that any of the
point of purchase devices 50, 90 or 100 are operable in a QSR
environment.
[0171] FIG. 6 illustrates the point of purchase device 50, 90 or
100 implemented inside the QSR at the cashier station. The cashier
114 stands behind the QSR counter 116. The customer 118 observes an
overhead display 122 that sets forth a number of fast food items 42
that the QSR prepares and brings to the point of purchase. The
display 122 also presents a number of products 52 that the customer
118 can purchase and that will immediately be dispensed at the
point of purchase.
[0172] The point of purchase device 50, 90 or 100, including the
dispenser 54 (not illustrated), flush mounts to the backside of the
cash register and includes a touch screen display 30. The cash
register/point of purchase device 50, 90 or 100 includes a
controller having a processor and a memory that stores a program.
In an embodiment, as soon as the cashier 114 begins to enter the
order of the customer 118, the program and the processor cooperate
to display the message 124 and activate the simulated input buttons
62. When the cashier 114 enters a payment from the customer 118,
the program and the processor cooperate to discontinue the message
124 and deactivate the simulated input buttons 62. At any time in
between, the customer 118 can select one of the input buttons 62,
wherein a product 52 dispenses through an opening 56 into a tray
142 (which can also be the coin change tray, see FIG. 9 below) and
the cost of the product 52 automatically accumulates with the cost
of the fast food items 42.
[0173] The procedure above is virtually invisible to the cashier
114. The QSR employees or the product suppliers can restock the
products 52 during non-business hours. In an alternative
embodiment, the point of purchase device 50, 90 or 100 prompts the
cashier 114 to ask the customer 118 to purchase one or more
products 52. A second dispenser 126 mounts inside the counter 116
and dispenses periodicals or other consumable or non-consumable
products 52. The second dispenser 126 can operate according to the
computer program discussed above, wherein the customer 118
purchases a magazine or newspaper by pressing a button 62 while
ordering the items 42. Alternatively, the customer 118 requests a
periodical from the cashier 114, wherein the cashier 114 presses a
button on the cash register, a door on the dispenser 126 opens, the
customer 118 removes the selected product 52 and the cost of the
product automatically adds to the cost of the fast food items 42.
Each of these embodiments consumes no floor space and requires
little effort by the cashier 114.
[0174] FIG. 7 illustrates the point of purchase device 50, 90 or
100 implemented outside the QSR at the drive-up window. QSR's
typically employ a display, such as the overhead display 122 of
FIG. 6, at a drive-through ordering station (not illustrated). This
display can present the point of purchase products 52, as does the
display 122 of FIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive-up
customer 118 encounters a touch screen display 30 having simulated
input buttons 62 when the customer 118 pulls up to the exchange
window. As the customer 118 waits for the fast food, the message
128 prompts the customer 118 to purchase, e.g., a pack of gum.
Additionally or alternatively, the cashier (not illustrated) can
prompt the customer 118 to purchase a product 52. If the customer
selects a button 62, a product 52 dispenses through the opening 56
into the tray 142 (in an embodiment with coin change as discussed
with FIG. 9) and the cost of the product 52 automatically
accumulates with the cost of the fast food items 42. Suitable
precautions may be employed to counteract product shrinkage, such
as automatically deactivating the buttons 52 before accepting money
from the customer. Alternatively, the dispensing buttons 62 can be
located inside at the cashier station, wherein the customer 118
requests that the cashier dispense a product 52 for the
customer.
[0175] Referring now to FIG. 8, yet another embodiment for a
stand-alone point of purchase device 120, which has an integrated
method of payment, is illustrated. The device 120 mounts to or near
the automated purchasing device 70 (scanner or cash register) so
that the device 120 is at the point of purchase. The device 120 may
include one or more mounting brackets or members that allow the
device 120 to readily mount to the device 70.
[0176] The point of purchase device 120 includes a controller 12
having a processor 14, memory device 16, power supply 18 and I/O
card or module 20. The consumer selects one or more of the products
A to D by pressing the simulated input buttons 62 on a touch screen
display 30, wherein the inputs 62 couple to the I/O card or module
20. The device 120 dispenses the product 52 onto the ramp or slide
58 and through the opening 56. The controller 12 communicates with
the touch screen display 30 and either a credit/debit card insert
slot 32 a cash/coin acceptor (not shown). Before, during or after
the other purchasable items are scanned or entered into a cash
register, the consumer may select one or more of the buttons and
purchase one or more of the products 52. The player pays for the
one or more dispensed products 52 using a credit card, debit card
or cash. The purchase is made at the point of purchase for the
other purchasable items.
[0177] Referring now to FIG. 9, still another embodiment of a
stand-alone point of purchase device 130 is illustrated, wherein
device 130 dispenses the product 52 and also dispenses change in
the form of coins. The device 130 electrically couples to any of
the automated purchasing devices disclosed above. The device 130
includes a plurality of slot openings 132 for holding the
dispensable products 52. A controller 12 having a processor,
memory, power supply and I/O capability controls one or more
solenoids, such as a push-type solenoid 72. When a solenoid 72
energizes, a product 52 dispenses through a slot 134. The
illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of slots 134, here, a
separate slot 134 for each for each different product 52.
[0178] The device 130 includes a conveyor belt 136 tensioned
between a drive roller 138 and a follower roller 140. The memory
stores a program that operates with the processor so that upon an
input to dispense one of the products 52 by a consumer or a store
operator, the program and processor cause a product 52 to dispense
through its associated slot 134. At the same time, the program and
processor of the controller 12 cause a drive motor (not
illustrated) to rotate and the belt 136 to move. The product 52
drops onto the conveying belt 136, which conveys the product to a
tray 142.
[0179] The belt and rollers are just one way known by those of
skill in the art to convey the dispensed product 52. For instance,
the motor can couple to a lead screw, wherein a product-carrying
slide translates when the motor rotates. For quicker movements, a
pneumatic system can be employed. Further alternatively, a ramp or
slide can be disposed at a vertical angle, wherein gravity pulls
the product 52 into the tray 142. In any embodiment, the tray 142
is located at the point of purchase for one or more other
purchasable items.
[0180] The point of purchase device 130 also includes a plurality
of coin holders 144 for dispensing change. The program and the
processor control a plurality of solenoids 72 to allow a proper
amount of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to dispense from one
or more of the coin holders. The device 130 is therefore adapted to
dispense one or more products 52 and coin change to the consumer
for a transaction including a transaction having scanned items or
items inputted into a cash register. As such, the device may be
adapted to include an agitator (not illustrated) in communication
with the controller 12 that vibrates the device 130 to aid in
properly dispensing the coins and the products 52.
[0181] In any of the embodiments provided herein, one or more point
of purchase product sellers is able to distribute their point of
purchase products 52. That is, the sellers stock, display and sell
the point of purchase products through the self-scanning checkout,
through one of the stand-alone point of purchase devices or through
a combination consumable product and non-consumable product
dispensing device.
[0182] The manufacturers of these devices benefit when a retail
outlet purchases one or more of the devices. The point of purchase
product sellers (manufacturer and/or distributor) benefit from the
sale of these devices because they can display and distribute their
products through these devices and increase brand recognition. The
retail outlets benefit from the sale of these devices through
increased throughput, by providing convenience and speed, by
reducing labor costs and by making point of purchase sales. The
devices, however, cost money.
[0183] The present invention includes a method of making these
devices more economical for the retail outlets, i.e., funding the
devices. In one embodiment, the point of purchase product seller
pays a lump-sum or alternatively a plurality of continuous royalty
payments to the retail outlets in exchange for the right to stock
the seller's product. In this manner, the retail outlet recoups
some of its out-of-pocket cost for the devices. In another
embodiment, the point of purchase product seller pays continuous
royalty payments or more likely a lump-sum payment to the device
manufacturer. In this manner, the manufacturer can sell the device
at a lower price (or the product seller pays part of the normal
price) so that the retail outlet pays less up front. Here, the
retail outlet makes a lower up-front payment, but the product
seller likely owns rather than leases at least part of the stocking
space.
[0184] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *