GB2374433A - Data control system - Google Patents
Data control system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2374433A GB2374433A GB0109190A GB0109190A GB2374433A GB 2374433 A GB2374433 A GB 2374433A GB 0109190 A GB0109190 A GB 0109190A GB 0109190 A GB0109190 A GB 0109190A GB 2374433 A GB2374433 A GB 2374433A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- display unit
- data
- item
- home
- station
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/343—Cards including a counter
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
Landscapes
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A data control system <B>2</B> for facilitating ready access by a consumer to the goods available in a retail outlet. The system <B>2</B> provides a hand-held display unit <B>8</B>, which may be removed from a home station <B>6</B> by a consumer who may then obtain details of a product's availability and its position on the shelves of the retail outlet. The system <B>2</B> also includes a central processor <B>4</B>, for the storage of data pertaining to the products available in the retail outlet, and transmission means for transmitting data from the central processor <B>4</B> to the hand-held display unit <B>8</B> when the display unit <B>8</B> is located in its home station <B>6</B>. The system <B>2</B> further includes comparator means whereby, when the hand-held unit <B>8</B> is located in its home station <B>6</B>, the data held in the hand-held display unit <B>8</B> is compared with the data held in the central processor <B>4</B> and is thereby periodically updated in relation to the latest manifest of products available in the retail outlet.
Description
<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
Improvements in a Data Control System This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to a data control system and is particularly concerned with a data control system suitable for use in a retail outlet.
When shopping for a particular item it is the case that, upon entering into a retail outlet it is often difficult to find the item without the help of a shop assistant.
It is not always the case that a shop assistant is readily accessible and when, in fact, one becomes available, the chances are that they will be unable to answer the most simple question like:'Do you sell self adjusting widget spanners and, if so, where can I find them' ? Some retail outlets have recently installed fixed display devices adjacent points of sale where a customer may enter the code for an indexed item to determine the availability of the item. A display screen will then show whether the retail outlet has such an item and, if so, how many.
When they have determined the availability of an item, the customer merely orders the item at the point of sale.
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
The data appearing on the display screen is down loaded from a central processor, which processor is also connected to an electronic cash register. The cash register is provided with a display so that the till assistant can verify the availability of the item ordered. They then issue instructions, via the central processor, to a warehouse person who retrieves the item from its stored location and gives it to the customer.
Also, of late, some superstores have installed display devices, which enable a customer to ascertain various details in relation to an item such as its price and the constituents used in the manufacture thereof.
To use such devices, a customer merely places the bar code of the item against a bar code reader to facilitate the display of the relevant details of the item on the display device.
Neither of the above mentioned devices will enable a customer to determine the availability and/or the location of an item on the shelves of the retail outlet.
It is, therefore, one of the objects of the present invention to overcome, or at least mitigate the drawbacks of prior art devices.
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
Thus, the present invention conveniently provides a data control system suitable for use in a retail outlet, the system comprising: a) a central processor for the storage of data relating inter alia to the availability and location of an item within a retail outlet; b) at least one remote display means; and, c) transmission means for transmitting data from the central processor to a display means, the data relating inter alia to the availability and location of an item within a retail outlet; characterised in that, the remote display means is a hand-held display unit.
Preferably, the data control system comprises a home-station for at least one display unit, which display unit comprises an input means for enabling, when the system is in use, a user to input details of a required item into the display unit, whereupon information relating to the item will be displayed on the display unit.
In one convenient arrangement provided by the present invention the display unit may be removable from its home-station to facilitate its use away from its home station.
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
The data control system may be provided with a comparator means for periodically comparing the data in the central processor with the data in the display unit.
Preferably, the data control means comprises means for updating the data held in the display unit, when the display unit is in its home-station, to bring the said data into conformity with the data held in the central processor.
The present invention also conveniently provides a shopping aid suitable for use in a retail outlet, the shopping aid comprising a programmable, hand-held display unit containing data relating inter alia to the availability and location of an item in the retail outlet, a home-station for the display unit when not in use, means for updating the data held in the display unit when located in its home-station, whereby, when the shopping aid is in use, a user inputs details of a required item, details of which item are thereafter displayed on a display screen of the hand-held display unit, the details indicating inter alia the availability and location of the item.
Preferably, after usage of the hand-held display, when it is returned to a home-station, the data contained therein is updated from a central processor by the updating means to reflect any changes in the data relating to an item while the display unit was away from its home-station.
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
There now follows, by way of example of the present invention, a detailed description of a data control system and a shopping aid for use therewith, which description is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing.
The main problem when visiting a retail outlet is that of obtaining an item of choice without an element of hassle. To be able to enter a store and immediately find the item of ones choice is something that one can only dream about.
With the advent of the data control system 2 provided by the present invention, the problems met hitherto have been overcome.
The data control system 2 generally comprises a central processor 4 and a home station panel 6 providing support for a plurality of hand-held display devices 8.
The central processor 4 is programmed to store data relating to items, which are available from a retail outlet together with details pertaining to the location of the item within the retail outlet and further information concerning the manufacture or source of the item.
Each hand-held display device 8 is adapted to be received in engagement with an associated adapter means, not shown, on the home station panel 6.
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
The central processor 4 down loads data to each of the devices 8, located at a home-station on the home-station panel 6, the data relating to the availability of items from the retail outlet. In addition the processor down loads details of the locations of the items within the retail outlet and the further information concerning the manufacture or source of the item.
Each hand-held display device 8 comprises a display screen 10 and input means 12 provided by a series of alpha-numerical buttons 14 for enabling a user to input a request in relation to a required item.
Thus, upon entering a retail outlet, a customer, who wishes to ascertain the details of an item, its availability and its location in the outlet, merely removes one of the hand-held display devices 8 from its home-station on the panel 6 and enters their request.
The device 8 will then display the required details relating to the item thereby enabling the user/customer to go to the location displayed on the device and retrieve the item of their choice.
The user/customer may then enter subsequent requests before returning the display device 8 to its home station on the panel 6.
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
When the display device 8 is replaced in its home station on the panel 6, a comparator means of the central processor 4 compares the data held in the central processor with the data held in the display device 8. If there are any differences in the two sets of data, the data held in the device 8 is updated before a next customer makes use of the data control system 2.
The advantages of the present invention to customers and the retail outlet are immediate in that the customer gets what they want without hassle and the retail outlet obtains a sale without the involvement of its retail staff.
It will readily be appreciated that the display device can be used in situ on the home-station panel 6.
In addition to the updating of data held in a display device 8 after it has been replaced on the home-station, the comparator means of the central processor is programmed to update the data held in the display device at regular intervals, even when the display devices may not be in use.
While the display devices 8 are described herein as hand-held, it will be appreciated that they may readily be mounted on a suitable mounting provided on a supermarket trolley or the like.
<Desc/Clms Page number 8>
It will be obvious to the reader that the data control system of the present invention may be utilised to great advantage in stores of moderate size as well as in superstores.
Claims (9)
- CLAIMS 1. A data control system suitable for use in a retail outlet, the system comprising: a) a central processor for the storage of data relating inter alia to the availability and location of an item within a retail outlet; b) at least one remote display means; and, c) transmission means for transmitting data from the central processor to a display means, the data relating inter alia to the availability and location of an item within a retail outlet; characterised in that, the remote display means is a hand-held display unit.
- 2. A data control system according to Claim 1 characterised in that, the system comprises a home-station for at least one display unit.
- 3. A data control system according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that, the display unit comprises an input means for enabling, when the system is in use, a user to input details of a required item into the display unit, whereupon information relating to the item will be displayed on the display unit.<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
- 4. A data control system according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that, the display unit is removable from its home-station to facilitate its use away from its home station.
- 5. A data control system according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that, comparator means are provided for periodically comparing the data in the central processor with the data in the display unit.
- 6. A data control system according to Claim 5, characterised in that, means are provided for updating the data held in the display unit, when the display unit is in its home-station, to bring the said data into conformity with the data held in the central processor.
- 7. A shopping aid suitable for use in a retail outlet, the shopping aid comprising a programmable, hand-held display unit containing data relating to inter alia the availability and location of an item in the retail outlet, a home-station for the display unit when not in use, means for updating the data held in the display unit when located in its home-station, whereby, when the shopping aid is in use, a user inputs details of a required item,<Desc/Clms Page number 11>details of which item are thereafter displayed on a display screen of the hand-held display unit, the details indicating inter alia the availability and location of the item.
- 8. A shopping aid according to Claim 7, characterised in that, the display unit may be used at its home-station or remote therefrom.
- 9. A shopping aid according to Claim 8, characterised in that, when the hand-held display unit is returned to a home-station after use, the data contained therein is updated from a central processor by the updating means to reflect any changes in the data relating to an item while the display unit was away from its home-station.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0109190A GB2374433A (en) | 2001-04-12 | 2001-04-12 | Data control system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0109190A GB2374433A (en) | 2001-04-12 | 2001-04-12 | Data control system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0109190D0 GB0109190D0 (en) | 2001-05-30 |
| GB2374433A true GB2374433A (en) | 2002-10-16 |
Family
ID=9912761
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0109190A Withdrawn GB2374433A (en) | 2001-04-12 | 2001-04-12 | Data control system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2374433A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2427042A (en) * | 2005-05-26 | 2006-12-13 | Iain Caldwell | Location checker |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0170194A2 (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1986-02-05 | Altura Leiden Holding B.V. | Information storage and output device |
| WO1991014984A1 (en) * | 1990-03-22 | 1991-10-03 | Klever-Kart, Inc. | Device for providing advertising to shoppers |
| WO1993004449A1 (en) * | 1991-08-20 | 1993-03-04 | Digicomp Research Corporation | Product information system for shoppers |
| US5250789A (en) * | 1991-10-31 | 1993-10-05 | Johnsen Edward L | Shopping cart |
| WO1998055954A1 (en) * | 1997-06-06 | 1998-12-10 | Telxon Corporation | Customer information terminal system with a docking member for a data collection device |
-
2001
- 2001-04-12 GB GB0109190A patent/GB2374433A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0170194A2 (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1986-02-05 | Altura Leiden Holding B.V. | Information storage and output device |
| WO1991014984A1 (en) * | 1990-03-22 | 1991-10-03 | Klever-Kart, Inc. | Device for providing advertising to shoppers |
| WO1993004449A1 (en) * | 1991-08-20 | 1993-03-04 | Digicomp Research Corporation | Product information system for shoppers |
| US5250789A (en) * | 1991-10-31 | 1993-10-05 | Johnsen Edward L | Shopping cart |
| WO1998055954A1 (en) * | 1997-06-06 | 1998-12-10 | Telxon Corporation | Customer information terminal system with a docking member for a data collection device |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2427042A (en) * | 2005-05-26 | 2006-12-13 | Iain Caldwell | Location checker |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0109190D0 (en) | 2001-05-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US20090303018A1 (en) | Electronic label provided with means for reading and displaying rfid chip content | |
| US7971787B2 (en) | Commodity-vending system and weight-scale apparatus | |
| US20190078930A1 (en) | Integrated system and method for aisle inventory management | |
| JP2006301823A (en) | Displayed commodity marketing method, system, and program | |
| JP2007128397A (en) | Shopping support system and program for the same | |
| JP2008003905A (en) | Commodity retrieval and purchase support system and control method of commodity retrieval and purchase support system | |
| US6757999B2 (en) | Retail stock locator system | |
| KR20090019219A (en) | A system for managing and selling of goods using rfid and method thereby | |
| GB2374433A (en) | Data control system | |
| JPH0594592A (en) | Pos system having customer's retrieving terminal | |
| WO2006065405A1 (en) | System and method for vending products at a vending site | |
| JP2002133523A (en) | System and method for inventory control of product by electronic price label system | |
| US6529879B1 (en) | Electronic cash register enabling to select recommendation commodities to a customer | |
| JP2016177744A (en) | Electronic shelf and stock check system using electronic shelf | |
| JP4210208B2 (en) | Flow line detecting device, terminal device and flow line grasping system | |
| KR100992939B1 (en) | Apparatus and System for supporting purchase | |
| JP2017059175A (en) | Merchandise comparing terminal, control method for the same, and merchandise comparing program | |
| JP2001243286A (en) | Sales management system | |
| US11568158B2 (en) | Information processing apparatus and information processing method | |
| JP3145948B2 (en) | Interest level collecting IC card and interest level collecting system using the same | |
| JP6040664B2 (en) | Warning control program, control device, and control program | |
| EP4030369A1 (en) | Notification device and notification method | |
| EP0874324A2 (en) | System and method of processing data for display on an electronic price label | |
| JPS6373398A (en) | Discount goods transaction system | |
| JP2005011291A (en) | Article information comparison apparatus and article information comparison program |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |