US20050116031A1 - Point of sale (POS) based bar code reading and cash register systems with integrated internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminals - Google Patents

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
• This is a Continuation-in-Part of copending application Ser. Nos. 10/______ [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 Ser. No. 10/______ [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; 09/990,585 filed Nov. 21, 2001; 09/999,687 filed Oct. 31, 2001; 09/954,477 filed Sep. 17, 2001; and 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 owned by Assignee, Metrologic Instruments, Inc., of Blackwood, N.J., and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
• 1. Field of Invention
• The present invention relates to retail point of sale (POS) scanning and checkout systems which enable retail cashiers to check out goods and services for purchase, while enabling customers to verify the price of products being purchased as they are being scanned, and also learn about consumer products and services offered by retailers through advertisements, productions and other forms of electronic-education delivered to consumers at a checkout counter.
• 2. Brief Description of the State of the Art
• POS-based checkout systems of the type illustrated inFIG. 1 are well known in the art and appear to be setting standards in the retail industry, particularly in high-volume checkout applications such as supermarkets, discount stores, superstores, and the like. Such POS-based checkout systems have either a projection-type or a bioptical laser scanner mounted in the countertop between the cashier, who stands on one side of the checkout counter, and the customer, who stands on the other side thereof during checkout operations.
• At thecheckout system1 shown inFIG. 1, purchase items are automatically identified by the laser scanningbar code reader2 as the cashier moves the items in the direction towards the package area where the scanned items are bagged. Automatically the price of each scanned item is displayed on aprice display monitor3 typically located above thecash register terminal4 in a direction facing away from the item movement direction, illustrated inFIG. 1. 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 theprice display monitor2. 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. In such instances, the customer is typically resigned to accept that scanned items have been properly marked with correct price information, as price verification on thedisplay3 by the customer is virtually impossible if and when the slightest distraction occurs along the checkout counter. When the customer is accompanied by children, visual price verification tends to become even more difficult.
• Also, conventional courtesy stands5 which straddle POS-based projection andbioptical laser scanners2, and provide support forATM devices6 and their accompanying mag-stripe readers7 as shown inFIG. 1, typically occupy a great deal of valuable space at the checkout counter, and generally detract from the appearance of the checkout counter where produces are purchased and sold.
• Moreover, while mostprice display monitors3 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.
• Thus, there is a great need in the art for improved POS-based bar code reading systems that are capable of satisfying the diverse requirements of modern checkout operations in physical retail environments, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art POS-based systems and methodologies.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• 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.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Customer-Kiosk Terminal is installed in the countertop surface so that (i) the cashier is capable of entering product price information into the computer-based cash register system during the check-out of weighed purchase items, while (ii) the customer is able to view the price, weight and item-identity data of scanned items on the LCD panel located on the customer side of the system.
• 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-Kiosk-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.
• 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 its ATM submodule is removably detachable from a first installation port provided on the right side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module, and its voice-over-IP courtesy phone submodule is removably detachable from a second installation port provided on the left side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module.
• 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 the cashier at the POS station faces the vertical scanning window of a POS-based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit as well as a cashier-scale-terminal (with LCD panel and membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading System, while the customer faces (i) an Internet-enabled customer-Kiosk Terminal (with LCD panel and touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) provided on the cashier's side of the system, as well as (ii) the financial transaction terminal associated with the ATM submodule, (iii) the hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module, and (iv) the courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal.
• 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, the display screen associated with the customer kiosk terminal is provided with an Advertisement/Promotion Mode of display operation so that it is capable of displaying advertisements and promotions (of the hosting retailer or other retailers) while the cashier is not scanning products and the price and product information thereof is being displayed during its Price/Product Information Display Mode.
• 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 such advertising and promotions can relate to the products offered for sale in the hosting retailer store, services and products offered for sale in local and/or regional markets, as well as community news, sporting events, recreational events as well as local educational programs and the like.
• 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, comprising: a plurality of VLDs, light focusing optics, scanning motors and scanning optics for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the horizontal and vertical scanning windows of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor, memory architecture, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses) and an I/O interface connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; a cashier-scale terminal having a LCD panel, keypad and associated circuitry; a customer-transaction terminal (i.e. having a LCD panel, a keypad, a magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem) realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as a LCD panel, touch-screen keypad mounted thereon, and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader integrated with the microcomputing system; a voice-over-IP telephone handset integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card operably connected to system bus architecture, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device connected to the NIC card and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal, so that entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal has one or more Ethernet data ports for operable connection to a TCP/IP network such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.
• 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, which comprises a POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit and contained in a housing of generally unitary construction.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, comprising a POS-Based Bottom-Type Bar Code Reading Unit which is integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Transaction-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit and enclosed in a scanner/kiosk housing of unitary construction.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide such novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System, wherein an electronically-controlled cash drawer is operably associated with the system, and mountable beneath a counter surface in a manner well known in the art.
• 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, comprising: a cashier transaction terminal (with a LCD panel and a membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the system; a customer-kiosk transaction terminal (with a LCD panel and a touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) supported on a customer-transaction module on the customer's side of the system; a transaction terminal associated with an ATM submodule mounted to a first side of the scanner/kiosk housing; a hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module mounted to the second side of the scanner/kiosk housing; and a courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal.
• 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, comprising: a plurality of VLDs, light focusing optics, scanning motors and scanning optics for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the horizontal scanning window of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor, memory architecture, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses) and an I/O interface connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; a cashier-scale-transaction terminal having a LCD panel, keypad and associated circuitry, for entering and processing information relating to (i) purchase items to be weighed by the electronic scale subsystem, as well as (ii) customer information enabling a consumer transaction to be transacted at the system, and enable the opening of the electronically-controlled cash drawer during the appropriate stage of the consumer transaction; a customer-transaction terminal (i.e. having a LCD panel, a keypad, a magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem) realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as a LCD panel, touch-screen keypad mounted thereon, and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader integrated with the microcomputing system; a voice-over-IP telephone handset integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card operably connected to system bus architecture, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device connected to the NIC card and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal so that entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal has one or more Ethernet data ports for operable connection to a TCP/IP network such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.
• 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.
• 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 a POS-Based Vertical/Projection-Type Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit is integrated with a Cashier-Transaction-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit which are enclosed in a housing of unitary construction.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein an electromagnetic-based demagnetization coil structure is contained with a thin support base plate, for demagnetizing product security tags, labels and the like during retail checkout operations.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein an electronically-controlled cash drawer which can be mounted beneath a counter surface, is operably associated with the system.
• 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.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of displaying product and service advertisements in physical retail store environments, while customers checkout their purchased items.
• These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter and in the Claims to Invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In order to more fully understand the Objects of the Present Invention, the following Detailed Description of the Illustrative Embodiments should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Figure Drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional (i.e. prior art) POS checkout station, wherein (i) a projection-type or bioptical-type laser-scanning bar code symbol reading system with an integrated electronic produce scale subsystem is installed within the countertop surface (e.g. between a pair of conveyor belts), (ii) a customer courtesy stand straddles the laser scanner and supports an ATM terminal on the customer side of the checkout counter, whereas a cashier scale terminal (comprising a LCD panel and keyboard) is supported on the cashier side of the counter to enable the cashier to enter (i.e. key) information into the system about products and produce items to be weighed by the electronic scale subsystem, and (iii) a computer-based cash register system having a customer-viewable price-verification and advertisement display panel which is installed on the cashier side of the check-out counter away from but interfaced with the bar code scanning system and electronic product scale subsystem;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a POS-based checkout station configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention, wherein a first illustrative embodiment of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Customer-Kiosk Terminal is shown installed in the countertop surface so that (i) the cashier is capable of entering product price information into the computer-based cash register system during the check-out of weighed purchase items, while (ii) the customer is able to view the price, weight and item-identity data of scanned items on the LCD panel located on the customer side of the system;
• FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the first illustrative of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, showing a POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module via a housing interconnection technique, 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;
• FIG. 3B is an elevated side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, showing that the produce weigh tray of the present invention is supported upon an insert resting upon the transducers of the electronic produce scale unit integrated into the system, and the surface recess formed within the produce weigh tray extends below the planar top surface of the scanning window aperture formed therein above the bottom scanning window of the POS-based bioptical laser scanning unit;
• FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the first illustrative embodiment of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk System Terminal inFIGS. 3A and 3B, wherein the Produce Weigh Tray thereof is shown removed from the electronic produce scale integrated therewith;
• FIG. 4B is a partially exploded diagram of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 4A, showing the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module removably detached from its POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit, and its ATM submodule removably detached from a first installation port provided on the right side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module and its voice-over-IP courtesy phone submodule removably detached from a second installation port provided on the left side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module;
• FIG. 5 is an elevated rear view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIGS. 3A through 4B, showing the vertical scanning window of the POS-based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit and the cashier checkout terminal (with LCD panel and membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the system;
• FIG. 6 is an elevated front view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIGS. 3A through 4B, showing (i) the Internet-enabled Customer Kiosk Terminal (with LCD panel and touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) provided on the cashier's side of the system, (ii) the transaction terminal associated with the ATM submodule, (iii) the hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module, and (iv) the courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal;
• FIG. 7A is an elevated first side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIGS. 3A through 4B;
• FIG. 7B is an elevated second side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIGS. 3A through 4B;
• FIG. 8 is a block-schematic representation of the system diagram of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal shown inFIGS. 2 through 7B.
• FIG. 9 is the second illustrative of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of the present invention, wherein a POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit is integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit in a housing of unitary construction;
• FIG. 10 is an elevated rear view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 9, showing the vertical scanning window of the POS-based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit and the cashier scale terminal (with LCD panel and membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the system;
• FIG. 11 is an elevated front view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 9, showing (i) the customer-kiosk transaction terminal (with LCD panel and touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) provided on the customer's side of the system, (ii) the transaction terminal associated with the ATM submodule, (iii) the hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module, and (iv) the courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal;
• FIG. 12A is an elevated first side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 9;
• FIG. 12B is an elevated second side view of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 9;
• FIG. 13 is a block-schematic representation of the system diagram of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal shown inFIGS. 9 through 12B;
• FIG. 14 is the first illustrative of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of the present invention, wherein a POS-Based Bottom Laser Scanning Unit is integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Transaction-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit enclosed in a housing of unitary construction, and having an electronically-controlled cash drawer operably associated with the system;
• FIG. 15 is an elevated rear view of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 14, showing the cashier-scale-transaction terminal (with LCD panel and membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the system;
• FIG. 16 is an elevated front view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 14, showing (i) the customer-kiosk transaction terminal (with LCD panel and touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) provided on the customer's side of the system, (ii) the transaction terminal associated with the ATM submodule, (iii) the hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module, and (iv) the courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal;
• FIG. 17A is an elevated first side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 14;
• FIG. 17B is an elevated second side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 14;
• FIG. 18 is a block-schematic representation of the system diagram of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal shown inFIGS. 14 through 17B;
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the second illustrative of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of the present invention, wherein a POS-Based Vertical/Projection Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit is integrated with a Cashier-Transaction-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit enclosed in a housing of unitary construction and having an electronically-controlled cash drawer operably associated with the system, and wherein the base portion of the system (mountable to a countertop surface) contains an electromagnetic-based demagnetization coil structure for demagnetizing product security tags, labels and the like during retail checkout operations;
• FIG. 20 is an elevated rear view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 19, showing the cashier-transaction terminal (with LCD panel and membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the system;
• FIG. 21 is an elevated front view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 20, showing (i) the customer-kiosk transaction terminal (with LCD panel and touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) provided on the customer's side of the system, (ii) the transaction terminal associated with the ATM submodule, (iii) the hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module, and (iv) the courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal;
• FIG. 22A is an elevated first side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 19;
• FIG. 22B is an elevated second side view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal illustrated inFIG. 19; and
• FIG. 23 is a block-schematic representation of the system diagram of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal shown inFIGS. 19 through 22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
• Referring now to the figure drawings, the Objects of the Present Invention will be best understood by reading the following Detailed Description Of The Illustrative Embodiments in conjunction with the appended Drawings, wherein like structures and elements are indicated by like reference numerals.
• First Illustrative Embodiment of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading System with an Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of the Present Invention
• InFIG. 2, there is shown a POS-basedcheckout station10 configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this checkout station design, a first illustrative embodiment of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 is shown. This system is installed in acountertop surface12 so that (i) the cashier is capable of entering product price information into thesystem4 via a cashier-scale terminal14 during the checking out of weighed purchase items, while (ii) the customer is able to view the product price, weight and identity information about scanned items on theLCD panel13 located on the customer side of the system. While the first illustrative embodiment of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 is shown installed within a POS-basedcheckout station10, it is understood that all other embodiments of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System of the present invention disclosed herein can be installed and used within such a retail environment with or without modification.
• As shown inFIG. 3A, POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 comprises a POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit15 integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module16 using housing interconnection techniques shown inFIG. 4B. The POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit15 can be realized using any of the products taught in copending application Ser. Nos. 09/990,585 filed Nov. 21, 2001; 09/999,687 filed Oct. 31, 2001; 09/954,477 filed Sep. 17, 2001; and 09/551,887 filed Apr. 18, 2000; each incorporated herein by reference.
• As shown inFIG. 3B, the POS-based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit16 supports a novel produce weightray18 having a recessedsurface region19 for slidably receiving the full weight ofproduce items20 under the natural forces of gravitational loading so that the full weight of the produce items to be purchased is accurately measured by an electronicproduce scale subsystem21 integrated within the bottom portion of the POS-basedbioptical scanning unit16. As shown inFIG. 3B, theproduce weigh tray18 is supported upon aninsert22 resting upon thetransducers23 associated with the electronicproduce scale subsystem21. Thesurface recess19 formed within theproduce weigh tray18 extends below the planar top surface of thescanning window aperture24 formed therein above thebottom scanning window25 provided in the POS-based biopticallaser scanning unit16. By virtue of this novel weigh tray design, retailers can be assured that they will recover the full cost of produce and other items requiring weighing prior to the computation of the purchase price (i.e. all produce items will fall into thetray recess19 and be accurately weighed). Also, the tray design of the present invention prevents accidental slippage of the spherical shaped produce items onto the floor surface which might cause damage to the produce and render such items unsuitable for sale, or at substantially reduced purchase price.
• InFIGS. 4A and 4B, theproduce weigh tray18 is shown removed from the electronicproduce scale subsystem21. As shown inFIG. 4B, the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 comprises: a Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module16 removably detachable from POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit16; anATM submodule27 removably detachable from afirst installation port28 provided on the right side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module16; and a voice-over-IPcourtesy phone submodule29 removably detached from asecond installation port30 provided on the left side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module16. Each module is provided with releasablemechanical connectors31A′,31B′ that enable the device to connect to a mating surface shown, andelectrical connectors31A,31B′ that can be releasably joined to establish necessary and sufficient electrical connections between the component parts of the system. The advantage of this modular design is that the retailer can build a system that meets the requirements of its customers, and possibly start out with a basic system structure and expand as necessary by addingmodules16,27 and29.
• As shown inFIG. 5, the cashier at the POS station faces thevertical scanning window32 of the POS-based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit15 as well as the cashier-scale terminal14 (withLCD panel34 and membrane keyboard35) provided on the cashier's side of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11.
• As shown inFIG. 6, the customer at the POS station faces (i) the Internet-enabled customer-Kiosk Terminal13 (withLCD panel36 and touch-screen keyboard37 integrated therewith) provided on the cashier's side of the system, as well as (ii) thefinancial transaction terminal38 associated with the ATM submodule27, (iii) the hand-set39 associated with the voice-over-IP phone module29, and (iv) thecourtesy desk surface40 disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal13. Preferably, Internet-enabled kiosk terminal (computer subsystem)13 is provided with an Advertisement/Promotion Mode of display operation so that it is capable of displaying advertisements and promotions (of the hosting retailer or other retailers) ondisplay36,37 while the cashier is not scanning products and the price and product information thereof is not being displayed during its Price/Product Information Display Mode. The enabling infrastructure for enabling the creation and delivery of such product/service advertisements and promotions on the Internet-enabledcustomer kiosk terminal13 is taught in great detail in published WIPO Publication No. WO 01/37540 A2 by IPF, Inc., incorporated herein by reference. Such advertising and promotions can relate to the products offered for sale in the hosting retailer store, services and products offered for sale in local and/or regional markets, as well as community news, sporting events, recreational events as well as local educational programs and the like.
• Side views of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 are shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, and illustrate that the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module16 and the POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit15 are contained within separate housings yet interconnected at physical interface-boundary line42.
• InFIG. 8, a system diagram is provided for the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 illustrated inFIGS. 2 through 7B. As shown, the system comprises: a plurality of VLDs43, light focusing optics44, scanning motors45 power regulation circuitry46, and scanning optics for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the horizontal and vertical scanning windows of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules47A,47B and47C, including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals D0 through D3, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor50, memory architecture51, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses)52 and an I/O interface53 connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; cashier-scale terminal14 having a LCD panel, keypad and associated circuitry; customer-transaction terminal15 (i.e. having a LCD panel, a keypad, a magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem)54 realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as a LCD panel36, and touch-screen keypad37 mounted thereon (for using customer-transaction terminal13), and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader55 integrated with the microcomputing system; a voice-over-IP telephone handset39 integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card56 operably connected to system bus architecture52, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device57 connected to the NIC card56 and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal54, so that entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 has one or more Ethernet data ports58 for operable connection to a TCP/IP network59 such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.
• Second Illustrative Embodiment of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System with Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of the Present Invention
• InFIG. 9, there is illustrated the second illustrative of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 9, POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11 comprises a POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit15 integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit16′ but in this design,Units15 and16′ are both and contained in acompact housing60 of generally unitary construction, as shown. The POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit15 can be realized using any of the products taught in copending application Ser. Nos. 09/990,585 filed Nov. 21, 2001; 09/999,687 filed Oct. 31, 2001; 09/954,477 filed Sep. 17, 2001; and 09/551,887 entitled “Bioptical Holographic Laser Scanning System” filed Apr. 18, 2000; each incorporated herein by reference. While not shown, the POS-based Bioptical BarCode Reading Unit15 also supports the novel produce weightray structure18 described in detail above, and therefore, enjoys all of the benefits thereof.
• As shown inFIG. 9, the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11′ further comprises: an ATM submodule28′ provided on the right side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit16′; and a voice-over-IPcourtesy phone submodule29′ provided on the left side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module16′. Eachmodule28′,29′ is permanently mounted to itscentral kiosk housing60 as shown using physical and electrical connectors that establish necessary mechanical and electrical connections required between the component parts of the system.
• As shown inFIG. 10, the cashier at the POS station faces thevertical scanning window32 of the POS-based Bioptical BarCode Reading Unit15 as well as the cashier-scale-terminal14 (withLCD panel34 and membrane keyboard35) provided on the cashier's side of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11′.
• As shown inFIG. 11, the customer at the POS station faces (i) the Internet-enabled Customer-Kiosk-Terminal13 (withLCD panel36 and touch-screen keyboard37 integrated therewith) provided on the cashier's side of the system, as well as (ii) thefinancial transaction terminal38 associated with the ATM submodule28′, (iii) the hand-set39 associated with the voice-over-IP phone module29′, and (iv) thecourtesy desk surface40 disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal13. Preferably, thedisplay screen36 is provided with an Advertisement/Promotion Mode of display operation so that it is capable of displaying advertisements and promotions (of the hosting retailer or other retailers) while the cashier is not scanning products and the price and product information thereof is being displayed during its Price/Product Information Display Mode. The enabling infrastructure for enabling the creation and delivery of such product/service advertisements and promotions on the Internet-enabledcustomer kiosk terminal13 is taught in great detail in published WIPO Publication No. WO 01/37540 A2 by IPF, Inc., supra, incorporated herein by reference. Notably, such advertising and promotions can relate to the products offered for sale in the hosting retailer store, services and products offered for sale in local and/or regional markets, as well as community news, sporting events, recreational events as well as local educational programs and the like.
• Side views of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11′ are shown inFIGS. 12A and 12B, and illustrate that the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit16′ and the POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit15 are contained inhousing60 having a generally unitary construction.
• InFIG. 13, a system diagram is provided for the POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11′ illustrated inFIGS. 9 through 12B. As shown, the system11′ comprises: a plurality of VLDs43, light focusing optics44, scanning motors45 power regulation circuitry46 and scanning optics (as part of unit15) for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the horizontal and vertical scanning windows of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules47A,47B and47C, including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals D0 through D3, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor50, memory architecture51, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses)52 and an I/O interface53 connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; cashier-scale terminal14 having a LCD panel, keypad and associated circuitry; customer-transaction terminal13 (i.e. having a LCD panel, a keypad, a magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem)54 realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as a LCD panel36, touch-screen keypad37 mounted thereon (forming customer transaction terminal13), and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader integrated with the microcomputing system; voice-over-IP telephone handset39 integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card56 operably connected to system bus architecture52, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device57 connected to the NIC card56 and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal54, so that the entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal11′ has one or more Ethernet data ports55 for operable connection to a TCP/IP network such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.
• First Illustrative of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System with an Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of the Present Invention
• InFIG. 14, there is shown is a first illustrative of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of thepresent invention70. As shown, a POS-Based Bottom-Type Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit71 is integrated with a Cashier-Checkout-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit72 enclosed in a scanner/kiosk housing73 of generally unitary construction. Also as shown, thesystem70 includes an electronically-controlledcash drawer74 operably associated with the system, and mountable beneath a counter surface in a manner well known in the art.
• As shown inFIG. 15, POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal70 comprises: a cashier-transaction terminal75 (with aLCD panel76 and a membrane keyboard77) provided on the cashier's side of the system; a customer-kiosk transaction terminal78 (with aLCD panel79 and a touch-screen keyboard80 integrated therewith) supported on the customer's side of the system as shown; afinancial transaction terminal81 associated with anATM submodule82 mounted to a first side of the scanner/kiosk housing; a hand-set83 associated with the voice-over-IP phone module84 mounted to the second side of the scanner/kiosk housing; and acourtesy desk surface85 disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal78. These components are generally similar to the components described in connection with systems shown inFIGS. 3A and 9, supra.
• Front and rear view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal70 are shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, and show how the cashier and customer, respectively, face the system during checkout operations. Side views of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal70 are shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B.
• InFIG. 18, a system diagram is provided for the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal70 illustrated inFIGS. 17 through 17B. As shown, the system comprises: a plurality of VLDs43, light focusing optics44, scanning motors45, power regulation circuitry46, and scanning optics (as part of Unit71) for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the horizontal scanning window of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules47A,47B and47C, including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals D0 through D3, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor50, memory architecture51, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses)52 and an I/O interface53 connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; cashier-scale-transaction terminal75 having LCD panel76, keypad77 and associated circuitry, for entering and processing information relating to (i) purchase items to be weighed by the electronic scale subsystem21, as well as (ii) customer information enabling a consumer transaction to be transacted at the system, and enable the opening of the electronically-controlled cash drawer74 during the appropriate stage of the consumer transaction; financial transaction terminal81 (i.e. having LCD panel, keypad, magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem)54 realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as a LCD panel79, touch-screen keypad80 mounted thereon, and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader integrated with the microcomputing system; voice-over-IP telephone handset83 integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card56 operably connected to system bus architecture52, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device57 connected to the NIC card and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal54, so that entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal70 has one or more Ethernet data ports55 for operable connection to a TCP/IP network such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.
• By virtue of its novel construction, the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal70 shown inFIG. 14 is capable of performing all of the functions enabled by thebioptical scanner28, theATM terminal6, theprice display panel3, and thecash register computer4 configured together in the prior art POS-based checkout counter system shown inFIG. 1. Moreover, thesystem70 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 prior art system ofFIG. 1, while enabling a variety of Internet-based services that offer real value to customers as they are checking out their purchase items.
• Second Illustrative of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System with an Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of the Present Invention
• InFIG. 19, there is illustrated the second illustrative of the POS-Based Scanning Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal of thepresent invention90. As shown therein, a POS-Based Vertical/Projection-Type Laser Scanning BarCode Reading Unit91 is integrated with a Cashier-Transaction-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit92 and enclosed in ahousing93 of unitary construction. As there is no horizontal scanning unit in this design, the system is supported upon a relatively thin (e.g. 2″) base plate-like structure94 which contains an electromagnetic-baseddemagnetization coil structure95 for demagnetizing product security tags, labels and the like during retail checkout operations. Also, an electronically-controlledcash drawer96, which can be mounted beneath a counter surface, is operably associated with the system.
• As shown inFIG. 20, POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal90 comprises: a cashier-transaction terminal97 (with aLCD panel98 and a membrane keyboard99) provided on the cashier's side of the system; a customer-kiosk transaction terminal100 (with a LCD panel101 and a touch-screen keyboard102 integrated therewith) supported on the customer's side of the system; afinancial transaction terminal103 associated with anATM submodule104 mounted to a first side of the scanner/kiosk housing93; a hand-set105 associated with the voice-over-IP phone module106 mounted to the second side of the scanner/kiosk housing93; and acourtesy desk surface107 disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal100. Most of these components are generally similar to the components described in connection with systems shown inFIG. 14, supra,
• Front and rear view of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal90 are shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, and show how the cashier and, respectively, face the system during checkout operations. Side views of the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal90 are shown inFIGS. 22A and 22B.
• InFIG. 23, a system diagram is provided for the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal90 illustrated inFIGS. 22A through 22B. As shown, the system comprises: a plurality of VLDs43, light focusing optics44, scanning motors45, power regulation circuitry46, and scanning optics (as part of Unit91) for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the vertical scanning window108 of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules47A,47B and47C, including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals DO through D3, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor50, memory architecture51, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses)52 and an I/O interface53 connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; cashier-transaction terminal97 having LCD panel98, keypad99 and associated circuitry, for entering and processing information relating to (i) purchase items and (ii) customer information to enable a consumer transaction to be transacted at the system, and enable the opening of the electronically-controlled cash drawer96 during the appropriate stage of the consumer transaction; customer-transaction terminal103 (i.e. having LCD panel, keypad, magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem)54 realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as LCD panel101, touch-screen keypad102 mounted thereon, and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader integrated with the microcomputing system; a voice-over-IP telephone handset105 integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card56 operably connected to system bus architecture52, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device57 connected to the NIC card and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal54, so that entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal90 has one or more Ethernet data ports55 for operable connection to a TCP/IP network such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.
• By virtue of its novel construction, the POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal90 shown inFIG. 19 is capable of performing all of the functions enabled by thebioptical scanner2, theATM terminal6, theprice display panel3, and thecash register computer4 configured together in the prior art POS-basedcheckout counter system1 shown inFIG. 1. Moreover,system90 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 system ofFIG. 1, while enabling a variety of Internet-based services that offer real value to customers as they are checking out their purchase items.
• Modifications
• While the various embodiments of the laser scanning bar code reading subsystems employed in the systems of the present invention have been described in connection with linear (1-D) bar code symbol scanning applications, it should be clear, however, that the scanning apparatus and methods of the present invention are equally suited for scanning 2-D bar code symbols, as well as alphanumeric characters (e.g. textual information) in optical character recognition (OCR) applications, as well as scanning graphical images in graphical scanning arts. It is also understood that the bar code reading subsystems employed in the systems of the present invention can be realized as image-based bar code reading systems as taught in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/954,477 filed on Sep. 17, 2001, incorporated herein by reference.
• Several modifications to the illustrative embodiments have been described above. It is understood, however, that various other modifications to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention will readily occur to persons with ordinary skill in the art. All such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying Claims to Invention.

Claims (20)

1. A POS-based bar code symbol reading system having an integrated customer-kiosk terminal.

2. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Customer-Kiosk Terminal is installed in the countertop surface so that (i) the cashier is capable of entering product price information into the computer-based cash register system during the check-out of weighed purchase items, while (ii) the customer is able to view the price, weight and item-identity data of scanned items on the LCD panel located on the customer side of the system.

3. A 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-Kiosk-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.

4. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein its ATM submodule is removably detachable from a first installation port provided on the right side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module, and its voice-over-IP courtesy phone submodule is removably detachable from a second installation port provided on the left side of the Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Module.

5. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein the cashier at the POS station faces the vertical scanning window of a POS-based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit as well as a cashier-scale-terminal (with LCD panel and membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the POS-Based Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading System, while the customer faces (i) an Internet-enabled customer-Kiosk Terminal (with LCD panel and touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) provided on the cashier's side of the system, as well as (ii) the financial transaction terminal associated with the ATM submodule, (iii) the hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module, and (iv) the courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal.

6. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein, the display screen associated with the customer kiosk terminal is provided with an Advertisement/Promotion Mode of display operation so that it is capable of displaying advertisements and promotions (of the hosting retailer or other retailers) while the cashier is not scanning products and the price and product information thereof is being displayed during its Price/Product Information Display Mode.

7. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein such advertising and promotions can relate to the products offered for sale in the hosting retailer store, services and products offered for sale in local and/or regional markets, as well as community news, sporting events, recreational events as well as local educational programs and the like.

8. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, comprising one or more of the following components: a plurality of VLDs, light focusing optics, scanning motors and scanning optics for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the horizontal and vertical scanning windows of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor, memory architecture, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses) and an I/O interface connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; a cashier-scale terminal having a LCD panel, keypad and associated circuitry; a customer-transaction terminal (i.e. having a LCD panel, a keypad, a magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem) realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as a LCD panel, touch-screen keypad mounted thereon, and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader integrated with the microcomputing system; a voice-over-IP telephone handset integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card operably connected to system bus architecture, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device connected to the NIC card and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal, so that entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal has one or more Ethernet data ports for operable connection to a TCP/IP network such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.

9. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, which comprises a POS-Based Bioptical Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit and contained in a housing of generally unitary construction.

10. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, comprising a POS-Based Bottom-Type Bar Code Reading Unit which is integrated with a Cashier-Scale-Transaction-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit and enclosed in a scanner/kiosk housing of unitary construction.

11. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System, wherein an electronically-controlled cash drawer is operably associated with the system, and mountable beneath a counter surface.

12. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, comprising: a cashier transaction terminal (with a LCD panel and a membrane keyboard) provided on the cashier's side of the system; a customer-kiosk transaction terminal (with a LCD panel and a touch-screen keyboard integrated therewith) supported on a customer-transaction module on the customer's side of the system; a transaction terminal associated with an ATM submodule mounted to a first side of the scanner/kiosk housing; a hand-set associated with the voice-over-IP phone module mounted to the second side of the scanner/kiosk housing; and a courtesy desk surface disposed beneath the customer-kiosk transaction terminal.

13. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, comprising one or more of the following components: a plurality of VLDs, light focusing optics, scanning motors and scanning optics for producing and scanning laser scanning beams so as to project a laser scanning pattern through the horizontal scanning window of the system, and scan bar codes on objects being moved thereby by the cashier, and light collection optics for collecting the focusing the return laser light signal for subsequent photodetection; a plurality of laser scan data generator and processing modules including a plurality of photodetectors, for producing scan data signals, that are ultimately decode-processed in order to produce symbol character data representative of the bar code symbol scanned by the system; a microprocessor, memory architecture, system bus architecture (having different levels of buses) and an I/O interface connected to such buses for enabling the collection, processing and transport of data elements generated by the various components in the system; a cashier-scale-transaction terminal having a LCD panel, keypad and associated circuitry, for entering and processing information relating to (i) purchase items to be weighed by the electronic scale subsystem, as well as (ii) customer information enabling a consumer transaction to be transacted at the system, and enable the opening of the electronically-controlled cash drawer during the appropriate stage of the consumer transaction; a customer-transaction terminal (i.e. having a LCD panel, a keypad, a magstripe reader, and associated circuitry); Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal (i.e. computer subsystem) realized as a microcomputing system running an operating system (OS), networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol, Internet access software (e.g. Web browser software such as Microsoft Explorer) to access the WWW and other information resources on the Internet, and peripheral hardware and software components such as a LCD panel, touch-screen keypad mounted thereon, and a speech/voice recognition interface and a bar code symbol reader integrated with the microcomputing system; a voice-over-IP telephone handset integrated with the microcomputing system, and having software components running thereon to support its voice communication functions over the Internet, or alternatively, over a Public Telecommunications Switching Network (PTSN) in a manner known in the art; a network interface controller (NIC) card operably connected to system bus architecture, for enabling data packet communications over an packet-switched information network (e.g. Internet); an multiport Ethernet hub device connected to the NIC card and the Internet-enabled customer-kiosk terminal so that entire POS-Based Bar Code Reading System With Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal has one or more Ethernet data ports for operable connection to a TCP/IP network such as a retail LAN which, in turn, is connected to the Internet.

14. A 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.

15. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein a POS-Based Vertical/Projection-Type Laser Scanning Bar Code Reading Unit is integrated with a Cashier-Transaction-Terminal/Customer-Kiosk-Terminal Unit which are enclosed in a housing of unitary construction.

16. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein an electromagnetic-based demagnetization coil structure is contained with a thin support base plate, for demagnetizing product security tags, labels and the like during retail checkout operations.

17. A POS-Based Bar Code Reading Cash Register System With An Integrated And Internet-Enabled Customer-Kiosk Terminal, wherein an electronically-controlled cash drawer is mounted beneath a counter surface, is operably associated with the system.

18. A POS-based checkout station embodying any one of the POS-based bar code reading systems claimed herein.

19. A method of checking out products and produce items in a retail store environment.

20. A method of displaying product and service advertisements in physical retail store environments, while customers checkout their purchased items.

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