Point of sale (POS) based bar code reading system with integrated internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal

Abstract

Novel POS-based bar code symbol reading systems are disclosed having an integrated customer-kiosk terminal. Also disclosed are novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register Systems having Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminals.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part of copending application Ser. No.: ______ [Attorney Docket No. 108-120USA000, not yet assigned] entitled "Improved Polygon-Based Bioptical POS Scanning System Employing Dual Independent Optics Platforms Disposed Beneath Horizontal And Vertical Scanning Windows" by Timothy Good, filed Jan. 11, 2002; and application No. ______ [Attorney Docket No. 108-152USA000, not yet assigned] entitled "Multipath Scan Data Signal Processor Having Multiple Signal Processing Paths With Different Operational Characteristics To Enable Processing Of Signals Having Increased Dynamic Range" by Mark Lucera and Joseph Ralph filed Jan. 11, 2002; Ser. No. 09 / 990,585 filed Nov. 21, 2001; Ser. No. 09 / 999,687 filed Oct. 31, 2001; Ser. No. 09 / 954,477 filed Sep. 17, 2001; and Ser. No. 09 / 551,887 filed Apr. 18, 2000; and is also related to International Application PCT / US01 / 44011 filed Nov. 21, 2001; each of said Applications being ow...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel POS-based bar code symbol reading system having an integrated customer-kiosk terminal, and being essentially free of the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art POS-based systems and methodologies.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein a POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit is integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Terminal / Customer-Ki-osk-Terminal Module via a housing interconnection technique, and wherein the POS-based bioptical scanning unit supports a produce weigh tray having a recessed surface region for slidably receiving the full weight of produce items under gravitational loading so that the full weight of the produce items to be purchased is accurately measured by an electronic produce scale integrated within the bottom portion of the POS-based bioptical scanning unit.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein by virtue of its novel construction, the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal is capable of performing all of the functions enabled by prior art POS-based checkout counter systems, with the advantage that the system of the present invention does so in a system form factor having a unitary construction that occupies only a fraction of the space required by the prior art, while enabling a variety of Internet-based services that offer real value to customers as they are checking out their purchase items.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel POS-based checkout station embodying any one of the POS-based bar code reading systems disclosed herein Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of checking out products and produce items in a retail store environment.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional checkout counter arrangements of such design render it difficult for customers to visually track scanned items with their purchased price information being displayed on the price display monitor 2.

Visual tracking becomes even more difficult when large checkout lines are formed and the cashier is pressured to scan purchase items at the highest speeds humanly possible.

When the customer is accompanied by children, visual price verification tends to become even more difficult.

Moreover, while most price display monitors 3 above the cash register terminal are capable of displaying advertisements and promotions to the customers as they checkout their products, such monitors are not capable of performing any other functions in conventional POS-based checkout environments.

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