U.S. patent application number 10/609446 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-30 for food product scale-based incentive system.
Invention is credited to Schuller, Robert J., Weisz, Robert J..
Application Number | 20040267621 10/609446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33540865 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040267621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schuller, Robert J. ; et
al. |
December 30, 2004 |
Food product scale-based incentive system
Abstract
In a scale-based incentive system, a scale located in a store
perishables department prints incentive information for one or more
incentive items based upon the identify of the weighed item. A
computerized checkout system automatically applies a price
adjustment when the customer presents both the weighed item and one
or more of the incentive items at checkout. The scale may also
print an incentive code (such as a bar code) and the computerized
checkout system may use the incentive code to identify (as from an
incentive database) multiple incentive items associated with that
code and the weighed item.
Inventors: |
Schuller, Robert J.; (Troy,
OH) ; Weisz, Robert J.; (Aurora, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMPSON HINE LLP
2000 COURTHOUSE PLAZA N.E.
10 WEST SECOND STREET
DAYTON
OH
45402-1758
US
|
Family ID: |
33540865 |
Appl. No.: |
10/609446 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/23 ;
705/14.26; 705/14.38; 705/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/207 20130101;
G06Q 20/209 20130101; G07F 9/026 20130101; G06Q 20/208 20130101;
G06Q 20/201 20130101; G07G 1/0054 20130101; G06Q 20/203 20130101;
G06Q 20/206 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G07G 1/0072 20130101;
G01G 19/4144 20130101; G06Q 30/0238 20130101; G06Q 20/202 20130101;
G06Q 20/387 20130101; G06Q 30/0225 20130101; G06Q 20/204 20130101;
G07G 1/009 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/023 ;
705/014; 705/016 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An incentive system within a store for providing at least one
incentive in relation to an item purchased, the incentive system
comprising: a scale located in a department of the store, the scale
including a weighing device for producing weight indicative
signals, at least one label printing mechanism for printing labels,
an input device for inputting product identifying information for
weighed products, the scale adapted for operation in at least one
mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an item:
(i) a weight dependent price is established for the weighed item
and the weight dependent price is printed on a product label along
with a product code; and (ii) incentive identifying information is
printed for at least one incentive items based upon the weighed
item, where the incentive item is different than the weighed item;
a computerized checkout system for determining a total price due
for a given customer transaction involving a plurality of products,
the computerized checkout system including a product code reader
for reading product codes, wherein the computerized checkout system
automatically applies an appropriate price adjustment when a
customer presents both the weighed item and the incentive item at
checkout as determined by reading of both the product code for the
weighed item and a product code for the incentive item.
2. The incentive system of claim 1 wherein the incentive
identifying information is printed on the product label.
3. The incentive system of claim 1 wherein the incentive
identifying information is printed on a label separate from the
product label.
4. The incentive system of claim 1 wherein the scale includes at
least one other printing mechanism with non-label media and the
incentive identifying information is printed on non-label
media.
5. The incentive system of claim 1 wherein the scale is adapted
such that incentive identifying information is printed for multiple
incentive items based upon the weighed item, where each of the
incentive items is different than the weighed item, and when the
customer presents both the weighed item and a multiplicity of the
incentive items at checkout, the computerized checkout system
automatically applies an appropriate price adjustment corresponding
to each of the multiplicity of incentive items.
6. The incentive system of claim 1 wherein the product code for the
weighed item comprises at least part of a bar code and wherein the
product code for the at least one incentive item comprises at least
part of a bar code, and the product code reader comprises a bar
code scanner.
7. The incentive system of claim 1 wherein the incentive
identifying information is information other than any incentive
code.
8. The incentive system of claim 1 wherein the scale is located in
a perishables department of the store.
9. An incentive system within a store for providing at least one
possible incentive in relation to an item purchased, the incentive
system comprising: a scale located in a perishables department of
the store, the scale including a weighing device for producing
weight indicative signals, at least one label printing mechanism
for printing labels, the scale adapted for operation in at least
one mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an
item: (i) a price for the weighed item is established and printed
on a product label along with a product identifier and (ii)
incentive identifying information is printed for at least one
incentive item based upon the weighed item, where the incentive
item is different than the weighed item, and the incentive
identifying information is incentive code free; a computerized
checkout system for determining a total price due for a given
customer transaction involving a plurality of products, the
computerized checkout system including a product identifier input
device for inputting product identifiers, where the computerized
checkout system automatically applies an appropriate price
adjustment when a customer presents both the weighed item and the
incentive item at checkout as determined by input of both the
product identifier for the weighed item and a product identifier
for the at least one incentive item.
10. The incentive system of claim 9 wherein the incentive
identifying information is printed on the product label.
11. The incentive system of claim 9 wherein the incentive
identifying information is printed on a label separate from the
product label.
12. The incentive system of claim 9 wherein the scale includes at
least one other printing mechanism with non-label media and the
incentive identifying information is printed on non-label
media.
13. The incentive system of claim 9 wherein the scale is adapted
such that incentive identifying information is printed for multiple
incentive items based upon the weighed item, where each of the
incentive items is different than the weighed item, and when the
customer presents both the weighed item and a multiplicity of the
incentive items at checkout, the computerized checkout system
automatically applies an appropriate price adjustment corresponding
to each of the multiplicity of incentive items.
14. The incentive system of claim 9 wherein the product identifier
for the weighed item comprises at least part of a bar code and
wherein the product code for the at least one incentive item
comprises at least part of a bar code, and the product identifier
input device comprises a bar code scanner.
15. The incentive system of claim 9 wherein the incentive
identifying information for the incentive items includes
information identifying a location of the incentive item within the
store.
16. An incentive system within a store for providing at least one
incentive in relation to an item purchased, the incentive system
comprising: a packaged, random weight food product having at least
one adhesive label applied thereto including price information and
a store-selected product code thereon, the at least one label
further including at least one incentive code free incentive
printed thereon, where the incentive is for an incentive item that
is different than the food product; a computerized checkout system
for determining a total price due for a given customer transaction
involving a plurality of products, the computerized checkout system
including a product code input device for inputting product codes,
where the computerized checkout system automatically applies an
appropriate price adjustment when a customer presents both the
packaged, random weight food product and the incentive item at
checkout as determined by input of both the store-selected product
code for the packaged, random weight food product and a product
code for the incentive item.
17. The incentive system of claim 16 wherein the at least one label
comprises both a product label and an incentive label, the product
label includes the price information and the store-selected product
code thereon, the incentive label includes the incentive
thereon.
18. An incentive system within a store for providing multiple
incentives in relation to an item purchased, the incentive system
comprising: a scale located in a perishables department of the
store, the scale including a weighing device for producing weight
indicative signals, at least one label printing mechanism for
printing labels, the scale adapted for operation in at least one
mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an item:
(i) a price for the weighed item is established and printed on a
product label along with a product code, (ii) incentive identifying
information is printed for a plurality of incentive items based
upon the weighed item along with a single incentive code, where the
plurality of incentive items are different than the weighed item; a
computerized checkout system for determining a total price due for
a given customer transaction involving a plurality of products, the
computerized checkout system including a code reader for reading
product codes and incentive codes, wherein the computerized
checkout system applies an appropriate price adjustment when each
of (i) a product code of at least one of the incentive items and
(ii) the incentive code are read by the code reader during a
customer checkout transaction, where the computerized checkout
system utilizes the incentive code to identify the plurality of
incentive items and to determine which of the plurality of
incentive items was included in the customer checkout
transaction.
19. The incentive system of claim 18 wherein the computerized
checkout system accesses a database to identify incentive items
associated with the incentive code.
20. The incentive system of claim 18 wherein when product codes for
a multiplicity of the incentive items are read by the code reader,
the computerized checkout system applies an appropriate price
adjustment corresponding to each of the multiplicity of incentive
items.
21. An incentive system within a store for providing multiple
incentives in relation to an item purchased, the incentive system
comprising: a scale located in a perishables department of the
store, the scale including a weighing device for producing weight
indicative signals, at least one label printing mechanism for
printing labels, the scale adapted for operation in at least one
mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an item:
(i) a price for the weighed item is established and printed on a
product label along with a product code, (ii) incentive identifying
information is printed for a plurality of incentive items based
upon the weighed item along with an incentive code, where the
plurality of incentive items are different than the weighed item; a
computerized checkout system for determining a total price due for
a given customer transaction involving a plurality of products, the
computerized checkout system including a code reader for reading
product codes and incentive codes, wherein the computerized
checkout system applies an appropriate price adjustment when each
of (i) the weighed item product code, (ii) a product code of at
least one of the incentive items and (iii) the incentive code are
read by the code reader during a customer checkout transaction,
where the computerized checkout system utilizes the incentive code
to identify the plurality of incentive items and to determine which
of the plurality of incentive items was included in the customer
checkout transaction.
22. An incentive system within a store for providing multiple
possible incentives in relation to an item purchased, the incentive
system comprising: a packaged, random weight food product having at
least one adhesive label applied thereto including price
information and a store-selected product code thereon, the at least
one label further including multiple incentives thereon, each for a
respective incentive item that is different than the food product,
and an incentive code thereon; a computerized checkout system for
determining a total price due for a given customer transaction
involving a plurality of products, the computerized checkout system
having access to an incentive database that links the incentive
code to the multiple incentive items.
23. A random weight item pricing scale, comprising: a weighing
device for producing weight indicative signals, at least one label
printing mechanism for printing labels, an input device for
inputting product identifying information for weighed products,
wherein the scale is adapted for operation in at least one mode in
which, in connection with a weighing operation of an item: (i) a
weight dependent price is established for the weighed item and the
weight dependent price is printed on a product label along with a
product code; (ii) a database is accessed, the database linking a
plurality of incentive items to the weighed item, where the
plurality of incentive items are different than the weighed item
and (iii) incentive identifying information is printed for the
plurality of incentive items based upon the weighed item.
24. The scale of claim 23 wherein the incentive identifying
information is printed on the product label.
25. The scale of claim 23 wherein the incentive identifying
information is printed on a label separate from the product
label.
26. The scale of claim 23 wherein the scale includes at least one
other printing mechanism with non-label media and the incentive
identifying information is printed on non-label media.
27. An incentive system within a store for providing multiple
possible incentives in relation to an item purchased, the system
comprising: the scale of claim 23 located within the store; and a
computerized checkout system for determining a total price due for
a given customer transaction involving a plurality of products, the
computerized checkout system including a product code reader for
reading product codes, wherein the computerized checkout system
automatically applies an appropriate price adjustment when a
customer presents both the weighed item and at least one of the
incentive items at checkout as determined by reading of both the
product code for the weighed item and a product code for the at
least one incentive item.
28. An incentive system within a store for providing multiple
possible incentives in relation to an item purchased, the system
comprising: the scale of claim 23 located within the store, wherein
the scale also prints an incentive code for the plurality of
incentives; and a computerized checkout system for determining a
total price due for a given customer transaction involving a
plurality of products, the computerized checkout system including a
code reader for reading product codes and incentive codes, wherein
the computerized checkout system applies an appropriate price
adjustment when each of (i) the weighed item product code, (ii) a
product code of at least one of the incentive items and (iii) the
incentive code are read by the code reader during a customer
checkout transaction, where the computerized checkout system
utilizes the incentive code to identify the plurality of incentive
items and to determine which of the plurality of incentive items
was included in the customer checkout transaction.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to in-store scales
utilized for weighing food products and printing labels that are
applied to weighed products, and more particularly, to a
scale-based incentive system providing an incentive or incentives
that are automatically cleared at checkout and to a scale-based
incentive system providing multiple incentives in connection with a
single item for increasing marketing and promotional
opportunities.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As demonstrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,797, it is known to
provide food product scales capable of printing labels having a
coupon part with a coupon bar code thereon. Such scales and related
coupon systems have generally provided a single incentive in
connection with a given weighed product, and therefore such systems
are relatively limited. Such systems also typically require the
presentation of a coupon by the customer during checkout.
[0003] Accordingly, it would be desirable and advantageous to
provide a more advanced scale-based incentive system to provide
more incentive options to supermarkets and groceries, their
customers and the companies that distribute products in such
supermarkets and groceries.
[0004] European Patent Publication No. EP 1,197,892 A1 describes
various features of coupon/incentive systems.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect, an incentive system within a store for
providing at least one incentive in relation to an item purchased
includes a scale located in a department of the store. The scale
includes a weighing device for producing weight indicative signals,
at least one label printing mechanism for printing labels, and an
input device for inputting product identifying information for
weighed products. The scale is adapted for operation in at least
one mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an
item: (i) a weight dependent price is established for the weighed
item and the weight dependent price is printed on a product label
along with a product code; and (ii) incentive identifying
information is printed for at least one incentive items based upon
the weighed item, where the incentive item is different than the
weighed item. A computerized checkout system is provided for
determining a total price due for a given customer transaction
involving a plurality of products, and includes a product code
reader for reading product codes. The computerized checkout system
automatically applies an appropriate price adjustment when a
customer presents both the weighed item and the incentive item at
checkout as determined by reading of both the product code for the
weighed item and a product code for the incentive item.
[0006] In another aspect, an incentive system within a store for
providing multiple possible incentives in relation to an item
purchased includes a scale located in a perishables department of
the store and a computerized checkout system for determining a
total price due for a given customer transaction involving a
plurality of products. The scale includes a weighing device for
producing weight indicative signals and at least one label printing
mechanism for printing labels. The scale is adapted for operation
in at least one mode in which, in connection with a weighing
operation of an item: (i) a price for the weighed item is
established and printed on a product label along with a product
identifier and (ii) incentive identifying information is printed
for a plurality of incentive items based upon the weighed item,
where the plurality of incentive items are different than the
weighed item. The computerized checkout system includes a product
identifier input device for inputting product identifiers. The
computerized checkout system automatically applies an appropriate
price adjustment when a customer presents both the weighed item and
at least one of the incentive items at checkout as determined by
input of both the product identifier for the weighed item and a
product identifier for the at least one incentive item.
[0007] In a further aspect, an incentive system within a store for
providing at least one incentive in relation to an item purchased
includes a packaged, random weight food product having at least one
adhesive label applied thereto including price information and a
store-selected product code thereon. The at least one label further
includes at least one incentive code free incentive printed
thereon, where the incentive is for an incentive item that is
different than the food product. A computerized checkout system is
provided for determining a total price due for a given customer
transaction involving a plurality of products, and includes a
product code input device for inputting product codes. The
computerized checkout system automatically applies an appropriate
price adjustment when a customer presents both the packaged, random
weight food product and the incentive item at checkout as
determined by input of both the store-selected product code for the
packaged, random weight food product and a product code for the
incentive item.
[0008] In still another aspect, an incentive system within a store
for providing multiple incentives in relation to an item purchased
includes a scale located in a perishables department of the store,
the scale including a weighing device for producing weight
indicative signals, and at least one label printing mechanism for
printing labels. The scale is adapted for operation in at least one
mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an item:
(i) a price for the weighed item is established and printed on a
product label along with a product code, (ii) incentive identifying
information is printed for a plurality of incentive items based
upon the weighed item along with an incentive code, where the
plurality of incentive items are different than the weighed item. A
computerized checkout system is provided for determining a total
price due for a given customer transaction involving a plurality of
products, the computerized checkout system including a code reader
for reading product codes and incentive codes. The computerized
checkout system applies an appropriate price adjustment when each
of (i) the weighed item product code, (ii) a product code of at
least one of the incentive items and (iii) the incentive code are
read by the code reader during a customer checkout transaction,
where the computerized checkout system utilizes the incentive code
to identify the plurality of incentive items and to determine which
of the plurality of incentive items was included in the customer
checkout transaction.
[0009] In yet a further aspect, an incentive system within a store
for providing multiple possible incentives in relation to an item
purchased includes a packaged, random weight food product having at
least one adhesive label applied thereto including price
information and a store-selected product code thereon, the at least
one label further including multiple incentives thereon, each for a
respective incentive item that is different than the food product,
and an incentive code thereon. A computerized checkout system is
provided for determining a total price due for a given customer
transaction involving a plurality of products, the computerized
checkout system having access to an incentive database that links
the incentive code to the multiple incentive items.
[0010] In still another aspect, a random weight item pricing scale
includes a weighing device for producing weight indicative signals,
at least one label printing mechanism for printing labels, and an
input device for inputting product identifying information for
weighed products. The scale is adapted for operation in at least
one mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an
item: (i) a weight dependent price is established for the weighed
item and the weight dependent price is printed on a product label
along with a product code; (ii) a database is accessed, the
database linking a plurality of incentive items to the weighed
item, where the plurality of incentive items are different than the
weighed item and (iii) incentive identifying information is printed
for the plurality of incentive items based upon the weighed
item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a food product scale;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary store;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a computerized checkout
system;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a scale-based incentive
system;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a packaged, random weight product with
label or labels; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a scale include an RF
component.
DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a scale 10 is shown schematically and
includes an associated weighing station 12 having a load cell or
other known weighing mechanism or device to produce weight
indicative signals that are passed to a controller 14. A user input
device 16 (such as a keypad, a touch sensitive display, a scanner,
etc) is also connected to the controller 14. The user input device
16 may be utilized by store personnel (or in the case of a self
service situation the customer) to identify the product being
weighed, usually by a PLU (price look-up) number. Item identifiers
for products being weighed may take other forms as well. For
example, the input device could comprise a large number of keys,
one for each product that might be weighed. The controller 14
refers to a price database (stored in suitable memory of the
controller or accessible via a link through communications
interface 18 to another computer system) to identify the price per
unit weight linked to the entered PLU or other product identifier,
and calculates a total price for the product based upon the weight
as indicated by the weight indicative signals received from the
weighing station 12. The controller 14 then establishes product
print data (such as total price, price per unit weight, product bar
code, logos or other image data, label set-up and format) to be
delivered to a printing mechanism 20. The printing mechanism 20
includes a print head 22 and associated supply of adhesive labels
24 to be applied to products once the product print data is printed
on a label ("product label") and the product label is output. The
print head may be a thermal print head, with the labels including a
thermally activated layer. However, it is recognized that other
print head types and corresponding label types could be used. The
adhesive side of the labels may be entirely or partially coated
with adhesive, and the labels may be formed of any suitable
material. The scale also includes a display 26 for displaying
information, such as weight and price of the item being
weighed.
[0018] In another embodiment, the scale may also include another
display 28, with display 26 set up to face an operator side of the
scale and with the other display 28 set up to face a customer side
of the scale. The inclusion of another printing mechanism 30 is
also possible, with the printing mechanism 30 including an
associated print head 32 and supply of media 34, which media 34 may
be label media or non-label media.
[0019] The various components of the scale 10 could be integrated
into a single housing or unit. Alternatively, the scale 10 may be
formed of components formed as separate units and connected
together for communication with each other, in which case the
controller may be a distributed controller, with various control
functions distributed among the components. As used herein the
terminology "controller" is intended to encompass the distributed
controller configuration. Further, the term "controller" is
intended to broadly encompass the collection of circuits,
processors and other components that carry out the various
operating and processing functions of the scale and its component
parts.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, the scale 10 may be located within
a store 40 having a point of sale 42 with an associated
computerized checkout system, typically including plurality of
check out lanes, each with a corresponding bar code scanner, cash
register and electronic payment terminal (as used for paying by
credit card or debit card). The scale 10 is preferably located at
another location, such as a perishables department as represented
by the fruit and vegetable department 44, the meat and fish
department 46 or associated back room 48, or the deli department 50
so that incentives can be provided to customers prior to the actual
purchase of any products and prior to the customer being on the way
out of the store.
[0021] A schematic of a computerized checkout system 60 for
determining a total price due for a given customer transaction
involving a plurality of products is shown in FIG. 3, illustrating
multiple cash register 62, bar code scanner 64 and payment terminal
66 combinations. Connections are provided to a point-of-sale
computer 68 that includes one or more databases for storing pricing
information for the products located in the store, as well as other
information needed at checkout, such as one or more coupon
databases. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the scale 10 and the
point-of-sale computer 68 may be connected for communication with
an in-store computer system, via respective communication links 72
and 74, enabling the store computer system to be used to modify
databases stored in either the scale 10 or the point-of-sale
computer system, or enabling the scale 10 or point-of-sale computer
system to access information on the store computer system 70 on a
real time basis, such as during weighing of an item by the scale 10
or during a customer checkout transaction at the point-of-sale. The
scale 10 and point-of-sale computer 68 may also be connected for
communication with each other via communication link 76. Each of
the scale 10, point-of-sale computer 68 and store computer system
70 may be connected (e.g., by communications links 78, 80 and 82)
to enable communication with one or more remote computer systems
84, such as a store chain's regional computer system, a credit or
debit verification computer system, or a service provider's
computer system (e.g., enabling a service provider for the scale to
download data and programs directly to the scale 10).
[0022] In one implementation, appropriate programming and
configuration of the scale 10 and the computerized checkout system
60 provides an incentive system within a store 40 for providing
multiple incentives in relation to an item purchased. In
particular, a scale 10 located in a perishables department 44, 46,
48 or 50 of the store, is adapted for operation in at least one
mode in which, in connection with a weighing operation of an item:
(i) a weight dependent price is established for the weighed item
and the weight dependent price is printed on a product label along
with a product code (such as a bar code or part of a bar code); and
(ii) incentive identifying information is printed for a plurality
of incentive items based upon the weighed item, where the plurality
of incentive items are different than the weighed item. In
practice, the scale operator inputs a product code, typically
referred to as a PLU (price look-up) number, for the item being
weighed. The PLU is considered "store-selected" because different
store chains can use different PLU numbers for the same items. In
other words, there is no mandated standard for the PLU number
across all chains in the United States. The scale 10 uses the PLU
number to access a pricing database (internal or remote) for use in
establishing the priced of the weighed item. The scale 10 also uses
the PLU number to access an incentive database (again internal or
remote) to identify any incentives associated with or linked to the
weighed item. Where one or more incentives are associated with the
weighed item, the scale prints the incentive information. In this
implementation the incentive information is preferably "incentive
code free," meaning that the incentive information does not include
a coupon bar code or other incentive specific code that needs to be
input during checkout. The information can be printed on part of
the product label, on a label separate from the product label
(i.e., an incentive label), or on non-label media (on an incentive
ticket) in the case of the a scale 10 including a second printer 30
with non-label media. Regardless of where the incentive information
for the incentive or incentives is printed, the incentive
information is communicated to the customer by providing the
product label, incentive label or incentive ticket to the customer
(either separately or applied to the weighed product). The customer
can then retrieve one or more of the incentive items from their
respective locations within the store. When the customer presents
both the weighed item and one or more of the incentive items at the
point-of-sale during checkout, the computerized checkout system 60
automatically applies an appropriate price adjustment without
requiring the customer to physically present a "coupon" during
checkout. In particular, when both the product code for the weighed
item and a product code (such as a UPC bar code) for an incentive
item is read at checkout during a transaction, the point-of sale
computer 68 automatically applies the adjustment (e.g., a discount
or other price reduction corresponding to the incentive). In one
example, after all of a customers products have been presented at
checkout, the point-of-sale computer may automatically scan for
various product combinations as may be stored in an incentive
database (e.g., a database associating each incentive item with the
weighed item) and when a matching combination is found, the
computer 68 applies an appropriate price adjustment as is also
reflected in the incentive database. In another example, the point
of sale computer 68 may only look for product combinations when
triggered to do so by reading of the product code for the weighed
item. In the latter case the price adjustment may be made before
all of the customer's products have been presented at checkout. In
either case, the price adjustment is considered "immediate" if the
price adjustment is somehow reflected in the customer's current
checkout transaction total. Where multiple incentives are
associated with the weighed item and printed by the scale, and the
customer presents a multiplicity of the incentive items at
checkout, the computerized checkout system implements appropriate
price adjustments for each of the incentive items, enabling a
customer to maximize savings.
[0023] The foregoing incentive system implementation is
advantageous for customers because it can provide them with
multiple incentive options based upon the selection of a particular
weighed item, and the customer does not need to remember to
physically hand any coupon to the checkout person. The
implementation is advantageous for the store because it invites
customers to increase the number of products purchased during a
given store visit. The implementation is advantageous for product
manufacturers because it enables them to market one or more
different products in connection with a single weighed item.
[0024] In the foregoing implementation, or where the weighed item
is packaged, labeled and set out for customer selection, as might
typically be done in the meat and fish department 46, a resulting
incentive system includes a packaged, random weight food product
100 (FIG. 5) in combination with the above-described an configured
computerized checkout system. The packaged, random weighed food
product 100 has an adhesive label 102 applied thereto including a
first label part 104 with price information 106 and a
store-selected product code 108 printed thereon. The label 102
includes a second label part 110 with one or more incentive code
free incentives 112 printed thereon, each for a respective
incentive item that is different than the food product. A
separation line 114 may separate the two parts 104 and 110, and
part 110 may be removable from the package by tearing along the
line 114. Alternatively, label part 104 may be formed as a first
label that is separate from label part 110 formed as a second label
110'. In a typical example the store-selected product code 108 is
part of a random weight universal product code (as a bar code) that
defines a number taking the following format:
[0025] 2 (I) I I I I (C) P P P P C,
[0026] where the first digit as a 2 identifies the UPC as being a
random weight type, where the second four or five digits "I" are
set up as the product code, where the "C" digits are used as check
digits, and where the four "P" digits are used for the price of the
weighed item. The product code set up by the "I" digits may be the
same as the PLU number or may be different. In either case, the
product code is considered a "store-selected product code" because
different store chains can use different numbers for the same
items. In other words, for a given product, there is no mandated
standard across all chains in the United States for the product
code set up by the "I" digits. This situation is in contrast to the
product codes used for most items in the store, where the product
manufacturer/packager applies the product code/bar code and it is
the same across all stores and store chains per the current UPC bar
code system.
[0027] In another implementation, appropriate programming and
configuration of the scale 10 and the computerized checkout system
60 provides a slightly different incentive system within a store 40
for providing multiple incentives in relation to an item purchased.
In particular, the scale 10 located in a perishables department of
the store is adapted for operation in at least one mode in which,
in connection with a weighing operation of an item: (i) a price for
the weighed item is established and printed on a product label
along with a product code (such as a bar code or part of a bar
code), (ii) incentive identifying information is printed for a
plurality of incentive items based upon the weighed item along with
a single incentive code (such as a bar code or part of a bar code)
that is linked to the plurality of incentive items, where the
plurality of incentive items are different than the weighed item.
The computerized checkout system applies an appropriate price
adjustment when each of (i) a product code of at least one of the
incentive items and (ii) the incentive code are read by the code
reader during a customer checkout transaction. In particular, the
computerized checkout system utilizes the incentive code to
identify (as from an incentive database) the plurality of incentive
items and to then determine which of the plurality of incentive
items was included in the customer checkout transaction. Such an
incentive system uniquely ties multiple different incentive items
to a single incentive code. In an alternative example of this
incentive system, the computerized checkout system 60 may be
configured to also require that the weighed item product code be
read during the checkout transaction in order for price adjustments
for the incentive items to be made, in which case an incentive
database would also link the weighed item to the incentive
code.
[0028] While the foregoing describes several preferred
implementations of an incentive system, it is recognized that
variations are possible. In particular, while the primary form of
product identifier or product code applied to weighed products is
incorporated into the commonly used bar code and the primary form
of product identifier or product code input device is a bar code
scanner, other types of product codes and input devices could be
used. For example, the product identifier or code printed on labels
for weighed items could be a simple visual number and the product
identifier or code input device could be a keypad used by checkout
personnel to manually input the number. The same holds true for
incentive codes when used. As another example, future technologies
may enable printing of other types of scannable or otherwise
detectable codes to be used with corresponding scanning or
detection technologies.
[0029] As a further example, the development of labels
incorporating RFID tags that store information (either read only or
read/write) is contemplated. Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary
scale incorporating a supply of labels 24' (or possibly some
non-label media) including respective RFID tags is shown, and
includes an additional component in the form of an RF unit 200. In
one embodiment each and every label includes a pre-attached RFID
tag. In another embodiment the scale includes a mechanism for
selectively attaching RFID tags to certain labels as needed. In a
further embodiment the scale includes a mechanism for attaching the
RFID tag to the package separate from the product label that is
printed.
[0030] In the case of labels incorporating passive, read only RFID
tags it is contemplated that each tag would be pre-configured to
store a distinct number and the RF unit 200 would take the form of
an RF reading mechanism that outputs a localized RF detection field
in the vicinity of the labels as they exit the scale, in order to
read the number from the RFID tag of each label that is printed.
The scale would then associate the number of the read RFID tag with
the weighed product (e.g., type (e.g., PLU number), weight and
price) and make that information available to the computerized
checkout system (e.g., by sending the information to an appropriate
database), where the checkout system would include an RF reading
unit (in place of or in addition to the bar code scanner) to read
the number from the RFID tag of the weighed item when presented at
checkout. The checkout system would then access a database
according to the read RFID number to identify the product and its
price for transaction totaling purposes. In this type of system,
when one or more incentives are associated with the product that is
weighed by the scale, the incentive information can also be
accessed by the computerized checkout system once it identifies the
product type. The computerized checkout system can then determine
whether any of the incentive products are also presented at
checkout in order to automatically apply price adjustments as
previously described, without requiring the customer to present any
coupon. In another embodiment, where a separate incentive label or
ticket is presented to the customer and it identifies multiple
incentives, the scale may automatically link the unique number of
the RFID tag of such incentive label or ticket to the multiple
incentives, and make that information available to the computerized
checkout system, so that the incentive label or ticket can be
presented by the customer at checkout in a coupon type fashion.
[0031] In the case of labels incorporating read/write RFID tags it
is contemplated that the RF unit 200 would take the form of an RF
read/write unit to write information (e.g., type (e.g., PLU
number), weight and price) to the RFID tag, where the checkout
system would include an RF reading unit to read the information
from the RFID tag of the weighed item when presented at checkout.
In this type of system, when one or more incentives are associated
with the product that is weighed by the scale, that information can
be accessed by the computerized checkout system once it identifies
the product type by reading the RFID tag. Alternatively, the scale
may write all incentive information to the RFID tag (of the product
label or a separate incentive label or ticket) or may write an
incentive code to the RFID tag (of the product label or a separate
incentive label or ticket) where the incentive code is used by the
computerized checkout system to access incentive information, so
that the incentive label or ticket can be presented by the customer
at checkout in a coupon type fashion.
[0032] It is recognized that numerous other variations exist,
including both narrowing and broadening variations of the
above-described embodiments and examples.
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