The present invention relates generally to a consumer interactive shopping and marketing system The system includes a portable data terminal for communicating information over a communication network The present system has aspects that may be used within a shopping establishment or at a user's home

Consumer interactive shopping system

The present invention relates to an improved portable shopping system. The system is provided with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide customer specific marketing files to promote the sale of identified items.

Method and system for presenting item information using a portable data terminal

Provided is a method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. The user may view, select, sort and print desired coupons from the downloaded package. The user's demographic as well as coupon selection data is provided back to the online service and coupon distributor and issuers for subsequent marketing analysis. The online service can perform subsequent coupon processing on previously downloaded coupon packages such as variation of discount amounts. The online service provider can also determine how many times a particular coupon was viewed. When the printed coupons are presented at a retail store, the discount is provided to the user. Upon redemption by the store via a coupon redeeming center, transaction data is also supplied to the coupon issuers and distributor for integration into marketing analysis. The electronic coupon system is secure due to the inclusion of user-specific identification indicia printed thereon.

Method and system for electronic distribution of product redemption coupons

A data processing system issuing electronic certificates (6) through 'online' networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices (3) with video monitors or telephones. Each electronic certificate (6) includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device (4) linked to a consumer's personal input device (3), or electronically stored in a designated database (5) until a specified expiration date. The certificate can be used for various purposes, including use as a coupon for a discounted price on a product or service, proof of a gift or award, proof of reservation, or proof of payment. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. The data processing system provides reports on the selected certificates and their use following selection. Certificate issuers (1) also have online access to the data processing system and can create or revise offers, and provide various instructions pertaining to the certificates to be issued, including limitations as to the number of certificates to be issued in total and to each individual consumer.

Interactive marketing network and process using electronic certificates

The present invention relates to an improved order fulfillment system. The system is provided with improved data entry system for selecting items for purchase by a customer, and an improved item collection terminal and order delivery system. The portable terminal to be used for collecting of items is provided with an audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide assistance to the to terminal user.

Portable shopping and order fulfillment system

A system for processing articles selected for purchase and bearing distinct identification codes comprises, in one version: (a) a code reader for generating an output signal indicative of such article identification code; (b) a conveyor for receipt and transport of such article; (c) an entrance sentry for defining an inlet to a secured zone extending along a portion of the conveyor and for generating an output signal indicative of entry of the article into the secured zone and of a measurable characteristic of the article; and (d) a controller for selective movement of the conveyor in respective article acceptance and article rejection senses. The controller is operable in several respects, namely, for storage, for each of a plurality of such articles, of a signal indicative of a predetermined value of the measurable article characteristic correlated with such article identification code, for response to the code reader output signal for comparison of such stored signal with the output signal of the sentry, and for operation of the conveyor selectively in response to the results of such comparison.

System for security processing of retailed articles

Vorrichtung und verfahren zur erfassung und abfertigung von zum kauf ausgewaehlten artikeln mit maschinenlesbaren unterscheidbaren identifizierungscodes

Humble David R

Papers

System for security processing of retailed articles

Vorrichtung und verfahren zur erfassung und abfertigung von zum kauf ausgewaehlten artikeln mit maschinenlesbaren unterscheidbaren identifizierungscodes

Anordning foer behandling av artiklar som aer utvalda foer koep och har distinkta identifieringskoder samt saett att anvaenda anordningen

Dispositif et procede de traitement d'articles vendus au detail, notamment dans une caisse de sortie de supermarche