SHOPPING CART

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a push handle unit of a shopping cart for scanning and ultimately paying for goods purchased by a user.

[0002] It is known in the prior art to arrange a scanner on a shopping cart. For example, US 2011036907A shows a scanner that points into the interior of a shopping cart. This allows the goods contained in the shopping cart to be automatically scanned. CN 207931760U describes a shopping cart with a scanner integrated into the push handle unit. CN 208044661U shows a movable scanner connected to the shopping cart via a cable. DE 10 2017 104 407 A1 describes a push handle unit with at least a first and a second end piece. Documents GB 2522291 A and CN 108596736 A disclose shopping carts with scanners for detecting goods.

[0003] With state-of-the-art scanners for shopping carts, a complex conversion is always required if conventional shopping carts are to be equipped with a scanner. This results in high costs for the transition from conventional shopping carts to shopping carts with scanners.

[0004] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a push handle unit of a shopping cart with which a conventional shopping cart can be retrofitted quickly and inexpensively.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a push handle unit according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0006] A push handle unit of a shopping cart is provided with at least a first and a second end piece, wherein a free-standing, upstanding gripping unit is arranged on at least one end piece, wherein the gripping unit is designed as an object holder for receiving a magnifying glass for enlarging text on a packaging and a smartphone, wherein the smartphone can be connected to the object holder and can thus be used as a mobile scanner.

[0007] The shopping cart's gripping unit is designed to comfortably grip the push handle unit of a shopping cart. The positioning of the object holder does not impede the comfortable grip of the push handle unit. Advantageously, however, additional objects or functional units can be attached to the shopping cart, eliminating the need for the user to hold them. A handle cap serves to close off the object holder when the object holder is not needed for, for example, a magnifying glass or a scanner.

[0008] A shopping cart with a push handle unit according to one of claims 1 to 6 is provided. Advantageously, the scanner of the shopping cart or push handle unit communicates with a network of a supermarket or financial services provider, allowing payment for the purchased products to be made automatically. Scanning at a checkout can thus be eliminated.

[0009] Exemplary embodiments are described in the dependent claims. Advantageously, the object holder is designed in such a way that retrofitting is possible. For example, if a shopping cart is initially equipped with a magnifying glass, the magnifying glass can be replaced by a scanner in a retrofitting process, which in principle enables shopping without scanning at a central checkout. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a push handle unit is provided, wherein a display unit for indicating a successful scanning process, in particular by a color change, is arranged on the scanner. By simply marking a successful scanning process in a color-coded manner, simple and effective communication between the user of the shopping cart and the scanner can take place, whereby the scanning process can be carried out efficiently.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, a push handle unit is provided, wherein the push handle unit has an illuminated display, wherein the illuminated display is shaped in the manner of an arrow, wherein the arrow is designed to point in the direction of the scanning area.

[0011] Advantageously, an illuminated display can be arranged on the shopping cart, which on the one hand indicates, for example by a color change, that a scanning process has been carried out successfully and is additionally shaped in such a way that the user can see where the scanning area is, i.e. where he or she must hold the packaging or product to be scanned so that the scanning process can take place.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a push handle unit is provided, wherein the push handle unit is formed with a magnifying glass in a first state and the magnifying glass is replaceable or replaced by a scanner in a second state.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, a push handle unit is provided, wherein the scanner has a reading unit facing the shopping cart, resulting in a scanning area in the direction of the shopping cart.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a push handle unit is provided, wherein the smartphone and the scanner are connected to each other via WLAN or Bluetooth.

[0015] One idea of ​​the invention can be seen as enabling the scanning of goods with a stationary scanner arranged on the shopping cart. The scanning process can alternatively be carried out by the user's smartphone if bulky or heavy goods, for example cartons of detergent, are to be scanned. The scanning unit on the shopping cart is autonomous and can have a display unit. The display unit can in particular inform the user that the scanning process was successful. The scanner or the scanning unit can be arranged in an object holder, which is provided as an alternative to the object holder for a magnifying glass. This allows shopping carts with a magnifying glass function to be retrofitted with a scanner. A further aspect of the invention is the connection of the scanner on the shopping cart to the user's smartphone or cell phone via WLAN or Bluetooth so that communication can take place.

[0016] The individual features can of course also be combined with each other, which can sometimes result in beneficial effects that go beyond the sum of the individual effects.

[0017] Further details and advantages of the invention will become clear from the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 a system of smartphone 2 and scanner 1 on a shopping cart, Fig. 2 a scanning process in which a scanner 1 scans a product, Fig. 3 a push handle unit 5 of a shopping cart with an object holder 6, Fig. 4 a shopping cart 3 in a perspective view with an object holder 6 for a magnifying glass or for a scanner or for a smartphone, Fig. 5 the shopping cart 3 in a side view with push handle unit 5, on which the object holder 6 is integrated. Fig. 6 the shopping cart 3 from behind with the push handle unit 5 and the object holder 6, Fig. 7 a push handle unit 5 of a shopping cart with an object holder 6, Fig. 8 an object holder 6 for a magnifying glass or for a scanner, which is also suitable for a smartphone or a mobile phone, Fig. 9 the object holder 6, in which a smartphone 2 is arranged, Fig. 10 the scanner 1 according to the invention on a shopping cart, Fig. 11 the scanner 1 with a reading unit 7, Fig. 12 the scanner 1 in a top view, Fig. 13 the scanner 1, Fig. 14 the scanner 1 in a side view, Fig. 15 a part of the scanner 1 without the upper housing with a representation of the internal elements of the scanner, Fig. 16 the part of the scanner 1 in a side view with the reading unit 7, Fig. 17 the part of the scanner 1 with a perspective view of the elements arranged inside, Fig. 18 the elements arranged inside the scanner 1 in a view from above, Fig. 19 the elements arranged inside the scanner 1 in a perspective view from above.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a shopping cart 3 with a scanner 1. The scanner 1 can communicate with a mobile phone 2, for example, via a Bluetooth connection. In particular, a single scan can be performed with the mobile phone 2 instead of the scanner 1, since, for example, heavy goods can only be held in front of the scanner 1 with difficulty. Furthermore, a list of the purchased goods can be displayed on the mobile phone 2 so that the user can keep track of their selected goods.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows the scanner 1 during the scanning process of a package 4. For this purpose, the user must hold the package 4 in front of the scanner 1 to start a scanning process.

[0020] The scanner 1 can have a display unit 12, which can indicate a successful scanning process, for example by means of light signals.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a push handle unit 5 of a shopping cart with an object holder 6 for a magnifying glass. Instead of a magnifying glass, the object holder 6 can accommodate a scanner.

[0022] Fig. 4 shows a conventional shopping cart 3 with a push handle unit 5, which has an object holder 6 for a magnifying glass.

[0023] Fig. 5 shows the shopping cart 3 with the object holder 6 for a magnifying glass. The magnifying glass can be replaced by a scanner, which allows a very quick and cost-effective upgrade of a conventional shopping cart 3 without a scanning unit to a shopping cart with a scanner.

[0024] Fig. 6 shows the shopping cart 3 with the push handle unit 5, on which the object holder 6 for a magnifying glass or alternatively for a scanning unit is arranged.

[0025] Fig. 7 shows a push handle unit 5 of a shopping cart, with the object holder 6 for a magnifying glass or alternatively for a scanner being arranged on the right side.

[0026] Fig. 8 shows the object holder 6 for a magnifying glass or alternatively for a scanner, wherein the object holder 6 is equipped in such a way that a smartphone can be connected to the object holder 6 and can thus be used as a mobile scanner.

[0027] Fig. 9 shows a smartphone 2 arranged in the object holder 6.

[0028] Fig. 10 shows a scanner 1 arranged on a shopping cart 3. The scanner 1 can comprise one or more display units 8 and 9, which allow communication with the user. For example, an illuminated display 8 can be arranged which lights up red continuously and lights up green for a certain period of time, for example 2 to 3 seconds, if a scanning process was successful. In addition, a light unit 9 can be present, which indicates readiness for operation. The scanner 1 is designed to be removable from the object holder 6, so that a magnifying glass can be inserted into the object holder 6 instead of the scanner 1. The scanner 1 can be designed as a 2D scanner for reading QR codes or 1D code EAN13. This should also enable pairing, i.e. bonding, to establish a connection between computer devices in computer networks. This enables communication between the computer devices.The scanner 1 can also be paired with the user’s mobile phone.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment, scanner 1 can automatically detect movement in its scanning area and then initiate the scanning process. The data read by scanner 1, i.e., the codes of the product packages, are transmitted via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, for example. The data can be transmitted to a server at the supermarket or department store and / or to the user's mobile phone or smartphone. Scanner 1 includes a battery for power supply.

[0030] Fig. 11 shows the scanning solution on shopping cart 3 with scanner 1 and reading unit 7.

[0031] Fig. 12 shows the scanning solution on the shopping cart 3 in a top view with the shopping cart 3 and the scanner 1, with the illuminated displays 8 and 9. The illuminated display 8 can have a special design, for example as an indicated arrow, to clarify to the user how or where he should hold an item to be scanned so that it can be scanned.

[0032] Fig. 13 shows the scanner 1 with the reading unit 7 and the illuminated displays 8 and 9 in a perspective view.

[0033] Fig. 14 shows the scanner 1 in a side view.

[0034] Fig. 15 shows part of the scanner 1 with the reading unit 7.

[0035] Fig. 16 shows the part of the scanner 1 with the reading unit 7, whereby the LED board 15 and the accumulator 17, i.e. the energy storage, are also shown schematically.

[0036] Fig. 17 shows the part of the scanner 1 with the reading unit 7 in a side perspective view. Also shown schematically are the LED board 15, the battery 17, and the board for managing the battery charge 16.

[0037] Fig. 18 shows the part of the scanner 1 in a view from above, also showing a light strip guide 13 and a mini PC 14.

[0038] Fig. 19 shows part of scanner 1 in a perspective view from above. Also shown are the battery 17, the battery charge management board 16, and the LED board 15.

[0039] In a more advanced version, the scanner extends straight forward. Tilting is not necessary.

[0040] The shape of this advanced embodiment is largely cylindrical. The scanner is formed, in particular, from two stepped cylindrical sections arranged one above the other. The upper section has a diameter of approximately 90 mm, and the lower section a diameter of approximately 76 mm. The total height of the scanner is approximately 45 mm. The lower section is approximately 25 mm high, and the upper section is therefore approximately 20 mm high. This flatter design is more advantageous and has improved application.

[0041] In the area of ​​the actual reading unit, the scanner is not circular, but straight. This allows the scanner to be inserted straight forward, making it more user-friendly.

[0042] A ridged surface, particularly on the cylindrical side walls, is advantageous. Symmetrical ridges are provided at short intervals, particularly in the upper section. The ridges in the lower section of the scanner, which are also preferably symmetrical, have larger spacing between individual protrusions. This ridge allows the scanner to be rotated more easily on the carriage.

[0043] Furthermore, a battery with an extended lifespan is used, allowing a runtime of up to approximately 9 hours.

[0044] The following color selection has proven advantageous for the LED display of the scanner status: Blue: basic state, ready for connection to a transmitter e.g. a mobile phone, flashing blue: the data connection to the transmitter is being established, green: the connection is established, flashing green: the data has been scanned, red or flashing red: the battery power is low.

[0045] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude further elements or process steps, just as the terms "a" and "an" do not exclude multiple elements and steps.

[0046] The reference symbols used are for the sole purpose of increasing comprehensibility and are in no way to be considered as limiting, the scope of the invention being reflected in the claims. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0047] 1Scanner 2Smartphone, mobile phone 3Shopping cart or transport trolley 4Goods to be purchased or a product packaging 5Push handle unit of a shopping cart 6Object holder for a magnifying glass 7Reading unit 8Illuminated display 9Illuminated display 10End piece 11Gripping unit 12Display unit 13Light strip cable 14Mini-PC 15LED board 16Battery charge management board 17Battery

Claims

1. Push handle unit (5) of a shopping cart (3) having at least one first and one second end piece (10), wherein a free-standing, upwardly projecting gripping unit (11) is arranged on at least one end piece (10), wherein the gripping unit (11) is configured as an object holder (6) for receiving a magnifying glass for magnifying text on a packaging and for receiving a smartphone (2), characterized in that the object holder is configured such that the smartphone (2) is connectable to the object holder (6) and is thus usable as a mobile scanner.

2. Push handle unit (5) according to Claim 1, wherein a display unit (12) for identifying a successful scanning process, in particular by way of a color change, is arranged on the scanner (1).

3. Push handle unit (5) according to Claim 2, wherein the push handle unit comprises a luminous display (8), wherein the luminous display (8) is shaped in the manner of an arrow, wherein the arrow is configured so as to be pointing in the direction of the scanning region.

4. Push handle unit (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the push handle unit (5) is configured with a magnifying glass in a first state and the magnifying glass is replaceable or is replaced by a scanner (1) in a second state.

5. Push handle unit (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scanner (1) comprises a reading unit (7) facing toward the shopping cart (3), thus resulting in a scanning region in the direction of the shopping cart (3).

6. Push handle unit (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the smartphone (2) and the scanner (1) are connected to one another via WLAN or Bluetooth.

7. Shopping cart (3) having a push handle unit (5) according to any of the preceding claims.