JP2010020779A - System for shopping in store - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low cost, highly effective, and highly reliable shopping system for a shopper. <P>SOLUTION: The system for shopping in a store includes a multi network for communication in the store, a shopping cart for weighing goods placed in the shopping cart and transmitting weight information through the multi network, and a handheld and/or wireless end device detachable to the shopping cart for the shopper to transmit and receive the information though the multi network to and from the store by using the wireless end device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

[Cross-reference of related patents]
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 12 / 172,326, filed July 14, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  The present invention relates to a system for a shopper to shop at a store and a multi-network for shopping at the store. In particular, a communication multi-network is provided in which a shopper can communicate through a multi-network to send and receive information from a store.

  Prior art is full of attempts to enhance the shopping experience between shoppers and stores. These attempts will help shoppers move faster through the store, help shoppers find products on store shelves, track shoppers as they move through the store, and quickly check out shoppers. Is aimed at helping. Unfortunately, many of these attempts were extremely complex and labor intensive and were very expensive to implement, maintain and / or replace. These attempts often negatively impact store profits, pass on higher store costs to shoppers, and are unreliable and unreliable in daily operations in a fast-paced environment. It has been broken.

  Improving the experience of shoppers in the store and establishing faster checkout methods are worthy of praise. However, the high cost of such systems and the impact on store net income has been largely overlooked in the prior art. Especially in the processed food industry, profit margins are low (for example, often less than 2% of total store sales), fuel costs, product costs, labor costs and many other daily-related costs. Very sensitive to fluctuations when climbing. Such variability can increase the cost of growing stores in a way that is expected and unexpected.

  As a result of its low profit margins, the processed food industry generally strives to continually control its operating costs, ie the daily costs of opening and maintaining a store. It is important for grocery stores to control operating costs and directly address either the size of their profit margins, the increased costs passed on to their customers, or both. The prior art hardly addresses this problem, if any.

  For example, Coverey (US Pat. No. 6,725,206) describes a combination of a shopping cart that weighs items placed in the shopping cart and a handheld device for communicating this weight information with the shopping cart. ing. Coverey does not provide an in-store wireless network. Instead, Coverey wirelessly conducts financial transactions from the handheld device when it exceeds the physical limits of the store. Like most implementations of this type, Coverey's non-checkered shopping store requires handheld devices that have significant complexity, cost, and sophistication to implement complex technical functions. Coverey's handheld device is a very expensive solution where the store itself bears the cost and is potentially passed on to the store shopper. Although potentially convenient for shoppers, implementation of solutions like Coverey significantly add capital costs, replacement costs, maintenance costs, increased insurance costs and other costs to the store's daily operating costs. To do.

  Schkolnick et al. (US Pat. No. 6,032,127) uses a radio frequency (RF) field generated in a shopping cart to identify the item placed in the shopping cart by the RF tag of the equipped item. Provide an “intelligent” shopping cart that can. Similar to Coverey, Schkolnnick provides a very sophisticated, complex and expensive way to identify and catalog items placed in a shopping cart. The shopping cart is equipped with a cart computer, a computer program, and a cart memory. Adding these to a shopping cart can dramatically increase the cost per cart compared to a shopping cart that is not equipped with them. As a result, replacement and maintenance costs are increasingly escalating and can directly negatively impact store profitability.

  Yoshihisa (Japanese Patent Application No. 01130949) is a method in which a customer records an article with a scanner fixed to a cart, transmits the recorded content to a host computer through radio waves, and then stores information about the contents of the shopping cart in a cash register Provide a process that can be sent to. The shopping cart includes a scale for weighing the goods placed therein. The shopping cart records and retains weight information based on the items scanned in the cart until checkout when compared to the expected weight.

  As described above, countless attempts have been made to be friendly to shoppers, enjoyed by shoppers, and enjoy a speedy shopping experience. However, according to a rough review of your favorite grocery store, it's easy to see that these attempts have, if anything, been used or applied on a large scale in the United States or around the world. . There are several obstacles to the execution of these attempts. First, the unit price of each prior art handheld device is fairly high, with prices ranging from hundreds of dollars to over a thousand dollars. Such costs are directly related to the profitability of the store, its price to the customer, or both. As mentioned above, this is due to the very sophisticated components, software and programming expertise used to configure these handheld devices. Such high cost devices are also very susceptible to theft, which can result in high insurance and replacement costs.

  In addition, handheld devices in the range of dozens to hundreds can cost hundreds of dollars per unit and per store deployment, and initial installation costs for the use of handheld devices can be staggering. . These initial costs can result in either a decrease in store profit margins, an increase in costs that are passed on directly to shoppers (by cost pass-through), or both.

  Another obstacle to implement is the replacement cost of handheld devices due to theft or damage. Despite the initial costs, the replacement costs for the use of the handheld devices described herein over time are the same as hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of initial installations across retail chains, especially grocery stores. Can be costly. In addition, given the complexity of the handheld devices described above, technical support for handheld devices and technically complex shopping carts is required, and therefore can add significantly to the overall store operating costs.

  Similarly, the prior art and the shopping carts described above can be prohibitively expensive. These shopping carts, as noted herein in connection with handheld devices, can be very complex, have expensive components, have high replacement costs, and can be expensive to use and maintain. is there. Given that a certain percentage of shopping carts from almost all stores disappear each year without returning, does the higher replacement cost per store for such shopping carts undermine store profits? Or the higher grocery store price will be passed on to the customer, so it will most likely act to undermine the store's customer base.

  Therefore, it is a low-cost, effective and reliable shopping system for shoppers, with very little, if any, cost pass-through, due to higher store prices due to expensive end-user components. However, there is a need for a shopping system that has a very low negative impact on store profit margins and that works to enhance, simplify and facilitate the shopper's experience. This is accomplished through one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein below, which will now be described with additional details and particularities.

  A system for shopping in a store is provided herein. The system comprises a multi-network located around the store and a wireless end device used by the shopper to communicate through the multi-network. Wireless end devices can communicate wirelessly with multiple networks. The system preferably further comprises a shopping cart configured to receive and weigh items placed in the shopping cart. The shopping cart can record weight information about the item and then send it immediately or later wirelessly from the shopping cart to the multi-network. The estimated location of the shopper in the store can be tracked continuously or substantially continuously by tracking the location of the wireless end device and / or shopping cart used by the shopper in the store.

  In one embodiment herein, the multi-network comprises at least one mesh communication network and at least one star communication network. The mesh communication network and the star communication network do not necessarily depend on each other, but cooperate to transmit and receive information about the presumed location of the shopper in the store for the shopper to transmit and receive information through the multi-network. In order to be able to communicate with the store. In another embodiment herein, the multi-network may comprise only two or more star communication networks located around the store, in addition to one or more mesh communication networks in the store. , May comprise two or more star communication networks located around the store.

  Preferred mesh and star communication networks comprise a ZIGBEE network. ZigBee networks generally operate within the IEEE 802.15 communication protocol, and more preferably operate within the IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol. The preferred ZigBee network herein is particularly useful and useful for providing location functions through the use of multiple networks.

  In practice, shoppers communicate wirelessly through multiple networks via wireless end devices. Wireless end devices communicate wirelessly through mesh and star communication networks, or through two or more star communication networks. The multi-network preferably includes a central computer for routing and management and, in an alternative embodiment herein, store information transmitted over the multi-network. In one embodiment herein, by virtue of the central computer or any other device having a computing function that does not include a wireless end device, as dictated by the central computer or the central computer, Executed in a multi-network. In another embodiment herein, at least some of the computing functions, particularly those required for tracking and localization, can be performed by a wireless handheld device.

  In multi-networks, real-time location data is collected by one or more mesh communication networks. Real-time communication of data is performed by one or more star communication networks. Smaller packets of data (x and y coordinates for location tracking) are transmitted over low energy, cost-effective mesh communication networks, whereas larger packets of data (eg, voice, image and encryption) This multi-network embodiment provides an excellent use of resources because the data is transmitted over a faster, higher bandwidth star communication network.

  While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the embodiments described herein may be better understood from the following details in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. . Note that similar reference numerals indicate similar elements.

1 is a schematic plan view of a store having a preferred store-based multi-network for communication. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary mesh communication network useful in a store. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary star communication network useful in a store. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary star communication network useful in a store. 2 shows an exemplary representation of a multi-network. FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a store providing another embodiment of a multi-network. FIG. 2 shows a front view of a wireless end device used by a shopper. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred type of shopping cart herein. FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view of a preferred type of metering device shown in FIG. 7. 2 shows a flowchart of ideal behavior of a shopper in a store herein. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of non-ideal behavior of a shopper in a store herein.

  The term “store” as used herein refers to all aspects of the retail environment in which purchase of an item occurs and a shopper physically exists in the store and purchases such item. This includes but is not limited to store types such as stores, convenience stores, clothing stores, consumer goods stores, specialty stores, production facilities, wholesale stores and many other retail store types.

  The term “grocery store” is used herein to refer to the type of store where all aspects of food, fresh food, floral products, pharmaceuticals and traditional groceries products and / or services are provided within the shopping venue. means.

  The term “multi-network” as used herein refers to a communication network in a store that includes two or more different types of communication network types, two or more similar types of communication networks, or some combination thereof. means.

  The term “store-based multi-network” is used herein to refer to most, but not all, of the required wireless communication between the shopper and the store, within the store itself, within the store premises, and / or Meaning that occurs within the boundaries controlled by the store (eg, store parking).

  The term “weight information” as used herein relates to an individual product or whether the information is a collection of products placed in a shopping cart of the type described in detail herein. Regardless, it refers to all of the weight information recorded by the system herein for items placed in a shopping cart.

  The term “computational function” as used herein refers to any microprocessor or microcontroller-based computational task or routine known in the art that occurs on a computer or computer-like device comprising software, memory and a processor.

  The term “computational work” as used herein refers to general calculations associated with well-known computer and / or server types of devices having switches, complex microcontrollers and / or central processing units (CPUs). Means type. Such devices that perform computational tasks typically have a large number of software and the ability to execute various types of routines and subroutines therein.

  The term “mesh network organizer” as used herein refers to a radio in a multi-network mesh communication network. Mesh network organizers exchange information, also known as packets or data, between information routers and central store computers. In one embodiment, the mesh network organizer exchanges location tracking data between the information router and the central store computer. In one embodiment, the mesh network organizer transmits to the central computer over an Ethernet cable. Functionally, the mesh network organizer sends location tracking data of the store associate's wireless end device and the shopper's wireless end device to one or more store managers herein.

  The term “radio” as used herein refers to a device for wireless communication on a wireless network, such as a mesh communication network or a star communication network herein.

  The term “data communication radio” as used herein refers to a radio in a multi-network star communication network. Data communication radio, as used herein, refers to a hub node, also known as the central node of a store's multi-network star communication network herein. Data communications radios exchange data information, also known as packets or data, between wireless end devices and a central store computer. Data communication radios exchange data information, also known as packets or data, between a manager device and a central store computer. In one embodiment, the data communication radio transmits to the central computer over an Ethernet cable. Functionally, the data communication radio transmits data, such as a barcode, from the store associate wireless end device and the shopper's wireless end device to the manager. Since the data communication radio is a radio, it broadcasts or radiates radio waves to other components of the star communication network.

  The terms “information router” and “stationary node” and “stationary reference node” are used interchangeably throughout this application and are intended for communication with wireless end devices, central computers and other devices. Means a device in a multi-network that transmits and receives information through the multi-network.

  The term “dual network router” as used herein refers to at least three MCU radios, at least one such radio functioning as an information router for a mesh communication network, for a star communication network. It means a device that houses one radio that functions as a data communication radio and a third radio that controls the routing of information for interaction with the other two radios. Two of the at least three radios may be a Texas Instruments model 2430 or 2431, but the third radio is preferably a model higher than the Texas Instruments model 243x series, etc. Should be a controller with a larger power supply.

  The term “gateway server” as used herein refers to a store's multi-network via a switch routed by a gateway server to another store server, such as a store point of sale information management server in the store. Means a server receiving data from.

  The term “central computer” as used herein means an electronic device comprising a switch and a server, or other electronic device capable of performing the functions of a switch, a gateway server and a store computer, and an associate task management server, A computer-assisted ordering system computer, a store point-of-sale information management server, an ISP server, or another store computer may be used. The central computer can serve as the main database for the store. Functionally, the central computer organizes, manages and stores data received from the multi-network. In addition, the central computer transmits data to other elements of the multi-network or manager device, such as one or more shopper's wireless end devices, one or more associated wireless end devices.

  The term “wireless end device” as used herein refers to a device used by a shopper (and / or store associate or store manager) who is useful for buying merchandise, which wireless end device refers to merchandise in the store. , Thereby identifying each item on the store shelf that the shopper intends to purchase. As used herein, each wireless end device can be referred to as a blind node in a multi-network for location tracking purposes. A wireless end device is also an end node in a multi-network.

  The term “blind node” as used herein refers to a wireless end device and is a term used to describe a wireless end device during multi-network location tracking operations.

  The term “location tracking device” as used herein is used to receive signals from stationary nodes (routers herein) having a known location within a multi-network or multi-network of stores. Means a device that includes a location hardware module that can be configured. The position tracking device disclosed herein preferably has means for performing ray tracing calculations and blind node position calculations to determine its own position with respect to the stationary reference node.

  Provided herein is a system for shopping in a store comprising a multi-network located around the store and a wireless end device used by a shopper to communicate with the store and its staff over the multi-network. To do. Wireless end devices can communicate wirelessly with multiple networks. The system preferably further comprises a shopping cart configured to receive and weigh items placed therein. The shopping cart can sense the weight of the item placed therein and then send weight information about the item immediately or later wirelessly from the shopping cart to the multi-network. The location of the shopper can be tracked through the use of a wireless end device and / or a cart used by the shopper.

  In one embodiment herein, the multi-network comprises at least one mesh communication network and at least one star communication network, each communication network being located around a store to form a multi-network. The mesh communication network and the star communication network work together, although not necessarily dependent, to enable store-to-shopper and store-to-store communication over multiple networks. In other embodiments herein, multiple mesh and / or star communication networks may be used.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a store 5 having a store-based multi-network for wireless communication. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a section of the store 5, and the multi-network 10 is in the store 5 and store premises (eg, store parking and other external areas (not shown)) and May be placed around. In FIG. 1, the multi-network 10 includes at least one mesh communication network 14 and at least one star communication network 16. For the sake of simplicity, exemplary connections between routers 12 for both mesh communication network 14 and star communication network 16 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, respectively, herein. The multi-network router 12 or “router” 12 is shown as being located around the store 5 and is an important component of the multi-network 10.

  In selected embodiments, the mesh communication network 14 is used to determine the location of the components of the mesh communication network 14, and the star communication network 16 is such as voice, image and scanned product data. Used to communicate non-position data. In this embodiment, the star communication network 16 is used to send all non-location data directly to the gateway server 27 (see FIG. 3B). The central computer 23 may send data other than location to the store server 29, 30 or 31 and, as shown in FIG. 1, through the star communication network 16, the appropriate shopper 7, associate 8 or manager. Send any response returned in 9.

  In this embodiment, the star communication network 16 and the mesh communication network 14 are completely independent networks having a network switch 25 common to the central computer 23 and the store server 29, 30 or 31. In this embodiment, the shopper 7 uses the wireless end device 40 for shopping. The shopper communicates with the store point-of-sale information management server 30 through the star-type communication network 16, and tracks the position of the shopper (that is, the estimated position of the shopper) using the mesh-type communication network 14.

  A data network organizer 13 exists in the multi-network 14, and the data network organizer 13 assigns addresses to all the components of the mesh communication network 14 (FIG. 2A). The data network organizer 13 is the only input point to the mesh communication network 14 in exchange with the central computer 23. In addition, the reference node, also known as the information router 12, is a fixed component of the mesh communication network 14. Each information router 12 receives received signal strength indication (RSSI), x and y coordinates belonging to the location of the information router 12 and any requesting wireless end device 40 belonging to the shopper 7, associate 8 or manager 9. Send the address of the nearest star data network.

  All communications from both the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16 go to the central computer 23. The central computer 23 may record and store location information (or have location information stored) and route the message to the appropriate store server 29, 30 or 31 based on the message identification. . The store server is preferably capable of communicating with the wireless end device only through the central computer 23.

  FIG. 1 shows a multi-network 10 in which a mesh-type communication network 14 and a star-type communication network 16 each use a multi-network router 12 located around a store 5. Therefore, each multi-network router 12 preferably includes components for performing data communication through the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16.

  In selected embodiments, each multi-network router 12 is located within the store 5 in a location that is out of the reach of those who are shopping or working. A preferred area of arrangement for each multi-network router 12 is near or within the ceiling of the store 5. Each multi-network router 12 preferably accommodates at least three radios, but does not necessarily contain at least three radios. One wireless device functions as the mesh communication network 14. Another radio device functions as the star communication network 16. The third radio (or higher radio) functions to transmit data through the radio for the mesh communication network and the radio for the star communication network.

  In FIG. 1, a multi-network communication line 19 that connects each multi-network router 12 to a central computer 23 is shown. The multi-network communication line 19 may be either wireless or wired. Preferably, the multi-network communication line 19 is wired and is shown as a solid line in FIG. 1 and some subsequent figures herein to indicate that it is wired. An Ethernet cable is a preferred wired connection device between each multi-network router 12 and the central computer 23.

  A multi-network communication line 6 corresponding to a transmission zone between the multi-network routers 12 in the mesh communication network 14 is also shown. In practice, the multi-network communication line 6 is shown as a straight line for illustration, but need not necessarily be a straight line, and more precisely it operates as a circular zone of transmission emanating from each multi-network router 12. Data is transmitted and received through such zones of each dual network router 12.

  As noted above, each multi-network router 12 preferably operates with respect to both the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16. Therefore, in the router 12, a component for operating the preferred router 12 for the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16 is required. The router 12 includes at least two microcontroller units (MCUs). One MCU is used for the mesh communication network 14, and another MCU is used for the star communication network 16. Each MCU herein is a system-on-chip type of MCU and preferably includes a control unit, one or more registers, a large amount of ROM, a large amount of RAM, and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The Texas Instruments CC2431 MCU is exemplary and is used herein for its function used to easily transmit data through the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16 at a predetermined data transmission rate. Preferred MCU to use. Further, the CC2431 MCU can provide a position detection function in the multi-network 10 in this specification.

  In addition to at least two MCUs used for information flow and management along the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16, at least one controlling MCU is employed in the multi-network router 12. This further MCU is the controlling MCU and is configured to send and receive location information along the mesh communication network 14 and to send and receive data (eg, scanned product information) along the star communication network 16. Control and evaluate other MCUs (eg, CC2431 microcontroller), send messages to other MCUs, receive information from other MCUs, and manage other MCUs.

  An exemplary type of MCU used for the control functions described above is the Texas Instruments microcontroller model number MSP430. The MSP 430 is a microcontroller built around a 16-bit processor designed for applications that incorporate low cost and low power consumption and is particularly suitable for wireless radio frequency or battery powered applications. Current draw in idle mode can be less than 1 microampere. Its maximum processor speed is 16 MHz. This microcontroller can be slowed down for lower power consumption.

  Depending on system requirements, the MSP430 MCU may have an external memory bus (eg, when the wireless end device 40 is a full-featured device) or may not have an external memory bus. (For example, when the wireless end device 40 is a reduction function-equipped device). Regardless of which implementation it is, the MSP430 MCU preferably comprises several on-chip memories with 128 KB flash memory and up to 10 KB RAM.

  In practice, the data transmission rate in the mesh communication network 14 is preferably configured to be at least 125 kilobytes per second (KB / s). The data transmission rate in the star communication network 16 is preferably at least 250 KB / s. The interface between the shopper 7 and the multi-network 10 is wireless and is accessed by the shopper 7 through the wireless end device 40 (FIG. 6).

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary mesh communication network 14 for use in the present invention herein. A plurality of multi-network routers 12 are provided that are in wireless communication with the wireless end device 40 and the data network organizer 13 along the mesh communication line 17. The mesh communication line 17 is not an actual line, but between the information router 12 constituting the mesh communication network 14 and other components such as one or more wireless end devices 40 and the mesh network organizer 13. It is intended to indicate the direction and presence of a wireless communication line. Mesh network organizer 13 connects to central computer 23 along multi-network communication line 19 (shown in FIG. 1 and other subsequent figures). The multi-network communication line 19 is preferably wired. The mesh communication network 14 provides a number of advantages including low power consumption, low operating costs, efficient communication within a given space, and low maintenance costs.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each multi-network router 12 has a function of communicating with at least a part of other routers 12 in the mesh communication network 14. Each router 12 is preferably capable of communicating with all other routers 12, mesh network organizer 13, central computer 23 or wireless end devices associated with the mesh communication network 14. The term “related” as used herein means a corresponding connection of a device (eg, wireless end device 40) to the multi-network 10 for wired and / or wireless communication thereon and therein.

  The mesh communication network 14 is a local area network (LAN) that can adopt one of two connection arrangement configurations. One arrangement is a full mesh topology. Another arrangement is a partial mesh topology. In a fully meshed topology, all of the multi-network routers 12 are wirelessly connected to each other and can send and receive information to all other routers 12 in the mesh. In a partial mesh topology, each router 12 is wirelessly connected to several routers, but not all of the routers 12 available in the mesh. As used herein, the preferred topology of the mesh communication network 14 herein is a full mesh topology type.

  The data transmitted through the mesh communication network 14 is preferably limited to small packets of data such as x-position coordinates and y-position coordinates between one or more shoppers 7, store associates 8 or managers 9. The location tracking functionality of the multi-network 10 is preferably performed via the mesh communication network 14. In this embodiment, the routers 12 do not necessarily communicate with each other, but instead provide each wireless end device 40 with x and y coordinates. In a preferred embodiment herein, the wireless end device 40 can calculate its own x and y coordinates by triangulation software loaded on the wireless end device 40. Alternatively, the central computer 23 calculates the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the blind node (ie, wireless end device 40) herein, and then uses that x-coordinate and y-coordinate to one or more multi-network routers. 12 and / or the associated wireless end device 40 whose position is being calculated.

  A preferred mesh communication network 14 used herein is a ZigBee network 15. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the ZigBee network 15 is formed by a mesh of routers 12 so that each router 12 is connected to one or more of the routers 12 in the ZigBee network 15. Transmit and receive transmissions from one or more of the routers 12 in the ZigBee network 15, i.e., in either a full mesh topology or a partial mesh topology.

  ZigBee is the name of a specification for a series of advanced communication protocols using small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPAN). ZigBee is targeted for radio frequency (RF) applications that require low data rates, long battery life, and secure network construction.

  There are a plurality of advantages of using the ZigBee network 15 as the preferred mesh communication network 14 in this specification. ZigBee mesh communication networks have low power consumption, low implementation costs, high density use of components (eg, hundreds of multi-network routers 12 and / or wireless end devices 40 in the case of a single mesh communication network). But a few dozens) and its simple communication protocol is well known. The ZigBee protocol is for use in wireless communication networks that require low data rates and low power consumption.

  The ZigBee network 15 provides an inexpensive communication network and can be used for industrial control, embedded detection, medical data collection, smoke and intruder alerts, building automation, home automation and many other things. The resulting network uses a very small amount of power, thus allowing individual devices to run for one year or more using the originally installed battery.

  The ZigBee protocol operates at the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) radio band, namely 868 MHz in Europe, 915 MHz in the United States, and 2.4 GHz in most jurisdictions around the world. ZigBee technology is intended to be simple, inexpensive and easily maintainable. In a single run, the most useful information router 12 in the ZigBee network 15 is only about 10% of other Bluetooth Internet nodes through traditional Bluetooth software or Bluetooth implementations as contemplated herein. It may not be necessary. In another implementation, the information router 12 may contain only about 2% of the software of other wireless internet nodes for use in a conventional Bluetooth or ZigBee network 15, and thus technical complexity and Significantly reduce potential maintenance costs.

  In its simplest form, the ZigBee network 15 herein includes one or more information routers 12, of at least one data network organizer 13 and one or more wireless end devices 40 of the type shown in FIG. Prepare. The data network organizer 13 is a device that transmits data through one or more information routers 12 among the information routers 12 in the ZigBee network 15. The data network organizer 13 is connected to the central computer 23 through the multi-network communication line 19. In a non-beacon type ZigBee network 15, the data network organizer 13 transmits signals back to the wireless end device 40 through one or more multi-network routers 12 when requested by the wireless end device. The central computer 23 manages the router 12, associates the wireless end device 40 with the ZigBee network 15, stores information about the router 12, and routes messages between the router 12 and the wireless end device 40.

  The central computer 23 or, in an alternative embodiment, the wireless end device 40 provides a number of important functions within the mesh communication network 14 and particularly the ZigBee network 15. The key functions provided by the central computer 23 are: calculation, information storage, organization, response, network notification, data prioritization, event prioritization, data transmission to other storage devices and / or computing devices And other functions. The key functions provided by the wireless end device 40 are calculation, information storage, organization, response, network notification, data prioritization, event prioritization and other functions. Servers or server grade computers are particularly useful herein in the multi-network 10 in function as a central computer 23 because of their generally large computational and storage performance. It is contemplated herein that more than one server grade computer can be used to form the combined function of the central computer 23 and that it is not necessary to entrust one or more types of computing devices.

  The ZigBee network 15 may be either a non-beacon type or a beacon type. In a non-beacon enabled network (ie, whose beacon order is 15), the multi-network router 12 has a data receiver that is preferably continuously active. The non-beacon enabled type of the ZigBee network 15 enables a heterogeneous network consisting of a plurality of device types, and there are devices that are continuously receiving and other devices that transmit only when an external stimulus is detected.

  A well known example of an element in a heterogeneous network is a lamp having a wireless light switch. The ZigBee node in the lamp receives continuously because it is connected to the lamp's power supply, whereas the battery-powered light switch remains in the “sleeping” or inactive state until the light switch is turned on. It is. The light switch then activates, sends a command to the lamp, receives an acknowledgement, and returns to the inactive state. In the beacon-enabled network, the information router 12 in the ZigBee network 15 transmits a periodic beacon to confirm its existence with other network nodes. Such nodes may sleep between beacons, thus reducing the duty cycle and extending battery life.

  In general, the ZigBee network 15 minimizes the time that a given multi-network router 12 is on, thereby minimizing its power usage. In a beacon type network, the router 12 only needs to be active while the beacon is being transmitted. In a non-beacon enabled network, power consumption may be higher because at least some of the routers 12 in the multi-network 10 are always active while others are inactive. is there. However, it is possible for all or substantially all routers 12 in the multi-network 10 to be constantly active. In order to maintain power, a beacon type of ZigBee communication network is preferred in the case of a store 5 or grocery store as described herein.

  FIG. 3A shows a display of the star communication network 16. As used herein, the data communication radios 20 do not communicate directly with each other, regardless of whether they are housed in their own devices or housed using the multi-network router 12. Communicate directly with the central computer 23 along the multi-network communication line 19. The multi-network communication line 19 is preferably a wire that connects the router 12 to the central computer 23. Also, in this specification, the star communication line 18 is intended to represent a wireless communication line between the router 12 and the wireless end device 40, not a wired line. A preferred multi-network communication line 19 for use herein is a type of communication line suitable for use in an Ethernet physical layer operating within the IEEE 802.3 communication standard. More specifically, this Ethernet cable is preferably made of “twisted pair”, RJ45 and CAT-x copper types. Such cables are designed to facilitate digital transmission of voice and data over high quality and high speed copper wires.

  Herein, the star communication network 16 is particularly useful and important for the multi-network 10. With its data transmission rate of 250 KB / s or higher, the star communication network 16 is a preferred part of the multi-network 10 holding data streams that require higher data transmission rates with respect to speed and efficiency. Some of these data types most suitably transmitted through the star communication network 16 instead of or in addition to the mesh communication network 14 are voice data, images, video, financial transaction data. , And other data types that are more appropriate in the case of a 250 KB / s transmission rate instead of or in addition to the 125 KB / s transmission rate provided by the mesh communication network 14. However, for example, if the star communication network 16 fails, information or data that requires a higher data transmission rate provided by the star communication network 16 may be transmitted through the mesh communication network 14. Is possible.

  The preferred star communication network 16 herein operates within the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802 communication protocol. IEEE 802 refers to a family of IEEE standards that handle local area networks and metropolitan area networks. More specifically, the IEEE 802 standard is limited to networks that carry variable-size data packets. In contrast, in cell-based networks, data is transmitted in short, uniformly sized units called cells, for example used in cellular mobile phones. In the present specification, the star communication network 16 is preferably Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1 and 802.15.2), Wimedia (IEEE 802.15.3), WI-FI (IEEE 802.11b), Wi- It has been recognized that it can operate in multiple communication protocols including but not limited to Fi5 (IEEE802.11a / HL2) and other wireless protocols.

  Within the IEEE 802, the star communication network 16 preferably transmits data within the IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol. The IEEE 802.15.4 protocol controls transmissions sent over a wireless personal area network (WPAN). WPAN may involve the use of Bluetooth technology. The IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol has a low data rate (eg, about 125 KB / s) and can also have a long battery life (eg, battery life that can be months or years) in the multi-network router 12 And is well known for very low technical complexity and low power requirements.

  FIG. 3B shows an exemplary display of the star communication network 16. This figure clearly shows that the multi-network router 12 of the mesh communication network 14 transmits a signal to the wireless end device 40. In the preferred embodiment, router 12 provides wireless end device 40 with the x and y coordinates of information router 12. The wireless end device 40 performs the necessary calculations to provide its own position in the x and y coordinates, or signals through the star communication network 16 to have the calculations performed at that level of the multi-network 10. Is sent to one of the store servers 27, 29, 30 or 31. Based on either case, the location of each wireless end device 40 is determined through the data exchange between the wireless end device 40 and the information router 12 of the mesh communication network 14 through the central computer 23 and / or the store server (27, 29, 30 and 31).

  FIG. 4 shows an exemplary display of the multi-network 10. This figure clearly shows that the multi-network router 12 of the mesh communication network 14 transmits a signal to the wireless end device 40. In the preferred embodiment, router 12 provides wireless end device 40 with the x and y coordinates of router 12. The wireless end device 40 performs the calculations necessary to provide its own position in the x and y coordinates, or stores the signal through a star communication network 16 that can perform ray tracing and position tracking calculations. Either send to one of the servers 27, 29, 30 or 31. Based on either case, the location of each wireless end device 40 is passed to the store servers (27, 29, 30 and 31) through data exchange between the wireless end device 40 of the mesh communication network 14 and the router 12. known. In the case where the wireless end device 40 is a reduced function device and one of the store servers (27, 29, 30 or 31) performs the position tracking calculation, the closest information router 12 sends the x coordinate to the wireless end device 40. And y coordinates are provided. US patent application 61 / 011,125 (filed January 15, 2008) and US patent application 61 / 065,166 (filed February 8, 2008) are preferred methodologies for location tracking herein. And is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  In practice, the multi-network router 12 closest to the wireless end device 40 receives the x and y coordinates of the wireless end device 40 from the mesh network organizer 13 (FIG. 2). The mesh type network organizer 13 receives the x coordinate and the y coordinate from one of the store servers 27, 29, 30 or 31 described below. In any case, the position of the wireless end device 40 in the map of the store 5 is determined via the mesh communication network 14 of the multi-network 10 at least one of the wireless end device 40 and the store server 27, 29, 30 or 31 described below. Known to both.

  FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment in an exemplary plan schematic view of a store 5 having a plurality of star communication networks 16. FIG. 5 shows a mesh communication network 14 combined with a plurality of star communication networks 16. FIG. 5 shows a plurality of star communication networks 16 and a mesh communication network 14, but it is also possible to have a multi-network 10 including only a plurality of star communication networks 16 without the mesh communication network 14. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that. Viewed as a whole, the plurality of star communication networks 16 or any of the plurality of star communication networks 16 and the mesh communication network 14 constitutes the multi-network 10 as defined above.

  As in FIG. 1, in FIG. 5, the mesh communication line 17 indicates that each multi-network router 12 is connected to the mesh network organizer 13 in the mesh communication network 14. The mesh communication line 17 may be either wireless or wired. The mesh communication line 17 is preferably wireless rather than wired. Further, the mesh communication line 17 exists between the routers 12 in the mesh communication network 14. Actually, the mesh communication line 17 is displayed as a straight line for illustration, but it is not necessarily a straight line. More precisely, each router 12 operable in the mesh communication network 14 generates a restricted communication zone where transmission between the routers 12 and 12 occurs.

  The star communication line 18 exists between any one of the shopper 7, the associate 8 and the manager 9 and the data communication radio 20, and can function as a hub of the star communication network 16. The data communication radio 20 operates as a repository for data transmitted from the router 12. The star communication line 18 may be either wireless or wired. The star communication line 18 is preferably wireless.

  A multi-network communication line 19 connected to the data communication radio 20 and the central computer 23 is shown. A multi-network communication line 19 connecting the data network organizer 13 to the central computer 23 is shown. The multi-network communication line 19 may be either wireless or wired. The multi-network communication line 19 is preferably wired. The multi-network communication line 19 is illustrated with a solid line to indicate that it is wired. An Ethernet cable is a preferred wired connection device useful between the data communication radio 20 and the central computer 23.

  In the case of a multi-network 10 including two or more star communication networks 16, each data communication radio 20 shown for each star communication network 16 is connected to a central computer 23 through a star communication line 19, and the central computer 23 systematically manages all elements of the multi-network 10 including, but not limited to, each star communication network 16.

  FIG. 6 shows a front view of the front of a wireless end device 40 having a plurality of interface keys 42. The wireless end device 40 is battery powered and preferably rechargeable. The wireless end device 40 has the capability of locating itself and associating it with the existing multi-network 10 herein (ie, joining itself wirelessly). The wireless end device 40 may be either a reduced function mounted device or a full function mounted device. Preferably, the wireless end device 40 comprises a type of scanner that is well known to those skilled in the art, and this scanner is useful for scanning items by the shopper 7 when shopping at the store.

  When the wireless end device 40 is a reduction function-equipped device, it substantially acts as a device that transmits and receives information from the multi-network 10. In such a situation, the wireless end device 40 substantially performs a minimal number of calculation functions within the wireless end device 40 itself, and in this configuration, RSSI calculations can still be performed within the wireless end device 40. Accordingly, the key shown in FIG. 6 is not intended to suggest the operation of a function in the wireless end device 40 other than the reception or transmission of information from the multi-network 10. Instead, such computing functions are intended to be performed substantially within the multi-network 10 and may be performed by a central computer 23 or a similar device attached to the multi-network 10 that does not include the wireless end device 40. preferable.

  Each composite interface key 42 indicates the function that occurs, but in a reduced function device, most of the composite interface keys 42 are actually transmissions requested to or from the multi-network 10. To implement. In this case, the wireless end device 40 itself does not substantially calculate and maintain the current price of the item that was pre-scanned and then placed in the shopping cart 50. Instead, when the cart key 44 is pressed, the cart key 44 signals the multi-network 10 and the wireless end device 40 is ready to scan items placed in the shopping cart 50 after the items are scanned. Let them know. Information about scanned items is transmitted wirelessly to the multi-network 10 and ultimately routed to the central computer 23 for storage and / or further processing.

  In a preferred practice, the central computer 23 is scanned by the shopper 7 with all running lists of items scanned by the shopper 7, the price of each item, the weight of each item placed in the shopping cart 50, and the shopper 7. Then also keeps a grand total of all the items placed in the shopping cart 50. Whatever the key type used in the reduced function device herein, there is virtually no or little computational work.

  In this specification, FIG. 6 is intended as an example, and the type and configuration or arrangement of buttons shown does not form part of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a myriad of key types, sizes, shapes, configurations, symbols, and graphics can be made to fit within the scope and purpose of the wireless end device 40 herein. Let's go. The fact that the composite interface key 42 of the wireless end device 40 sends information to the multi-network 10 rather than providing some type of computing function is important. Such use of the interface key 42 reduces the hardware required for calculation functions such as totaling stored commodity price data.

  When the wireless end device 40 is a reduced function built-in device as described above, several advantages are obtained. First, the wireless end device 40 is extremely cost effective to build and use compared to other devices known in the art. Second, because of the lower cost components (ie, high speed processor and memory), the wireless end device 40 herein is less susceptible to theft. Third, however, even if the wireless end device 40 is stolen, its replacement cost is much less than the cost per unit of other more complex devices known in the art. Fourth, the wireless end device 40 does not have a high power and high speed processor and memory in the preferred embodiments herein, some depending on one or more high speed processors and very sophisticated memory types. There's no big software for another device. Fifth, because of the cost per unit of the wireless end device 40, in the case of a store such as a grocery store where hundreds of shoppers may visit every day, more units for more customers. Can be deployed. Finally, as long as each store has a compatible multi-network 10 that can be used by the wireless end device 40, the wireless end device 40 can be used in multiple grocery stores.

  When the wireless end device 40 is a full-function device, it has a function of performing at least a part of a certain complicated calculation function in the circuit, that is, in the microcontroller. For example, one function that the full function wireless end device 40 may perform is to store information in its memory regarding the items in the store scanned by the wireless end device 40. In practice, once the shopper 7 is willing to go out of the store 5, the wireless end device 40 will create an inventory of each scanned store product and will show the current height of all scanned store products. Hold and subsequently provide financial transaction functions.

  In a full function device, the wireless end device 40 includes sufficient processor speed and power to perform certain computing functions, and also includes sufficient memory to store information. In the case of this type of wireless end device 40, the composite interface key 42 located on the wireless end device 40 corresponds to one or more computing functions performed at least partially within the wireless end device 40 itself. To do. Once one or more calculations have been made, the results are preferably transmitted through the multi-network 10 for storage and / or further processing by the central computer 23. In this implementation, in the event of a computation or other type of outage in the wireless end device 40, it is preferred, but not necessary, that the central computer 23 acts as a backup for the full function wireless end device 40.

  The preferred wireless end device 40 herein comprises at least one microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU in this specification is preferably a system-on-chip type MCU. The MCU herein includes a control unit, one or more registers, a large amount of ROM, a large amount of RAM, and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). In the reduced functional type of wireless end device 40, the ALU is accessed very little, if any, in the case of any computation in the wireless end device 40. In the full-function type wireless end device 40, the ALU is accessed and therefore used for calculations.

  Most preferably, the wireless end device 40 comprises at least two MCUs. One MCU is used to send and receive information from the wireless end device 40 to the mesh communication network 14 (eg, ZigBee network 15). Another type of MCU is used to send and receive information from the wireless end device 40 to the star communication network 16. An exemplary preferred MCU for use herein is a Texas Instruments CC2431 MCU.

  The Texas Instruments CC2431 MCU is the preferred type of MCU for use herein because of its functionality used to transmit data with respect to both the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16. It is not the only type. In addition, the CC2431 MCU provides a position detection function in the multi-network 10 in this specification. Such location detection is found within the multi-network 10 regardless of whether any device so equipped is a wireless end device 40, a shopping cart 50 or a multi-network router 12. Is an important preferred feature in this document because it allows it to be located anywhere within.

  The technical specifications regarding the CC2431 MCU are as follows. 32 MHz single cycle low power 8051 MCU, 2.4 GHz radio frequency transceiver compliant with IEEE 802.15.4, 128 KB in-system programmable flash, ultra low power requirement, ZigBee protocol stack (Z-stack) capable of operating, 8 It is 4 kilobytes holding data in kilobyte SRAM and all power modes. CC2431 is a proper system on chip (SOC) for wireless sensor networking ZigBee / IEEE802.15.4 solution. CC 2431 includes a location hardware module (ie, “location engine”) and can be used to locate either the wireless end device 40 or the shopping cart 50 within the multi-network 10. Based on this, the location engine calculates an estimate of the location of an unknown wireless end device or shopping cart in the multi-network 10. Such position detection has been described in detail above.

  In addition to at least two MCUs used for positioning and data information flow and management along the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16, respectively, at least one control MCU is employed in the wireless end device 40. To do. This further MCU is a controlling MCU that controls, evaluates, sends messages, receives information, and manages other MCUs configured to send and receive information along the mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16. It is.

  The preferred type of MCU for controlling all other MCUs within the router 12 is the MSP 430 built by Texas Instruments. The MSP 430 is a microcontroller built around a 16-bit processor designed for applications that incorporate low cost and low power consumption and is particularly suitable for wireless radio frequency (RF) or battery powered applications. Current draw in idle mode can be less than 1 microampere. Its maximum processor speed is 16 MHz. This microcontroller can be slowed down for lower power consumption. The MSP 430 does not have an external memory bus. Therefore, it is limited to on-chip memory and preferably comprises 128 KB flash memory and up to 10 KB RAM.

  In a situation where the multi-network 10 includes a plurality of star communication networks 16, the preferred configuration of the internal hardware of the wireless end device 40 governs the multi-network 10 and all other necessary functions within the wireless end device 40. Two MCUs that are responsible for communication with the MCU that performs the processing are provided. In this configuration, one of the two MCUs is always associated with the multi-network 10 and thereby connects to the multi-network 10 wirelessly. When the other MCU is not connected to the multi-network 10 wirelessly, it searches for the strongest radio signal transmitted by the multi-network 10. If the signal detected by the unrelated MCU is stronger than the signal transmitted by the currently associated star communication network 16, the unrelated MCU is in an associated state. The changed and previously associated MCU is changed to an unrelated state and then begins looking for the strongest radio signal available from the multi-network 10. Such processing between related or unrelated MCUs always occurs when the shopper 7 is moving around the store 5 and therefore one star communication network 16 located in the store 5. To another star communication network 16.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in an alternative embodiment herein where the multi-network 10 includes a plurality of star communication networks 16 and does not include a mesh communication network 14, from the wireless end device 40 Both two MCUs (preferably Texas Instruments CC2431) responsible for sending and receiving information can be associated with the multi-network 10 at the same time. Such dual association allows transmission of larger packets of data with the wireless end device 40. For these larger packets of data, voice data, video and wireless transmission (ie, between the wireless end device 40 and the multi-network 10) are optimally facilitated by a transmission rate of 256 KB / s or higher. Other data types to be included.

  An ideal shopping cart 50 of the type disclosed herein is shown in FIG. The shopping cart 50 has a handle 52, a basket 54 attached to the handle 52, and a lower cart 56 positioned below the basket 54. The basket 54 has one or more weighing devices 58 placed around its inner surface 55. Preferably, at least two weighing devices 58 are placed in the inner surface 55 of the shopping cart 50. Also, at least one of the weighing devices 58 is preferably in the form of a hook 60, as shown in FIG. Each metering device 58 or hook 60 is preferably attached to a strain gauge 62 (FIG. 8) or other strain calculation device known in the art. In particular, the strain gauge 62 used herein is a device used to measure the deformation or strain of a placed object. The strain gauge 62 may be placed on the hook 60 by some joining means, such as an adhesive, when using the hook 60, i.e., placing the product on it to produce a measurable deformation. Place on hook 60 to measure its deformation.

  This measurable deformation is a measurement of at least a portion of the weight of the product applied to the hook 60. In practice, at least two hooks 60 are set in the inner surface 55 of the basket 54. The hooks 60 are set so that a bag 65 or other retaining structure can be connected to each hook 60 to measure the distance therebetween. The term “bag” as used herein means any suitable container for holding goods placed therein for weighing in the shopping cart 50. Including, but not limited to, one or more bags, boxes, plastic containers or other suitable containers that can be hung from the hook 60. With respect to a bag 65 having goods in it suspended between two hooks 60, each hook 60 may have a weight of one in the bag 65 due to the relative deformation of a strain gauge 62 attached to the hook 60. Part or all are preferably detected and thus measured. However, each hook 60 in this specification depends on the configuration or orientation of the bag 65 suspended thereon, and is at least partially suspended on one hook 60 and also suspended on one or more hooks 60. There is a possibility of detecting about 50% of the weight of the product placed in the bag 65 to be lowered.

  As described above, the weight sensed for each hook 60 depends on the location of the product within the bag relative to all other products in the bag 65, the relative movement of the bag 65 and other factors, and 50 %. The total weight of the product placed in the bag 65 can be obtained from all the sums of the weights detected by the applicable hooks 60. The term “applicable hook” is used herein to refer to those hooks 60 in actual use, such as those in which the bag 65 is suspended, for the weighing of goods detected by the hooks 60. The hook 60 is represented.

  Once weighing device 58 herein is placed therein (eg, as in the case of a bag or box attached to it), it detects at least a portion of the weight of the item, At least one of the actions can be performed. In one embodiment herein, the weighing device 58 has been detected by a transmitting device 66 (FIG. 7) set on the shopping cart 50 that can transmit information regarding the detected weight to the multi-network 10. Transmit the weight of the product (ie in the form of strain gauge deformation data). In practice, it is preferred that each weighing device 58 attached to the shopping cart 50 is connected to a transmitting device 66. Such a connection between the transmitting device 66 and one or more metering devices 58 is preferably wired, but may be wireless. The nature of such a connection between one or more metering devices 58 and the transmitting device 66 may be made in a myriad of ways and does not form an integral part of the present invention herein. Will be recognized by those skilled in the art.

  A preferred transmitting device 66 includes one or more transmitting devices (eg, one or more MCUs or radios described above) and transmits weight information obtained from one or more strain gauges 62 to the multi-network 10. Can be sent. In one embodiment herein, the transmitting device 66 may not be able to store weight information sensed and transmitted by one or more weighing devices 56 in itself, but this is not necessarily so. Instead, such transmitted weight information may be transmitted through the multi-network 10 to the central computer 23 or some other storage device and / or computing device (eg, the server in FIG. 3B) connected to the multi-network 10 as described above. 29, 30 and 31). Such a connection may be either wireless or wired.

  Preferably, the transmitting device 66 includes at least one radio configured for transmission with the mesh communication network 14 and at least one radio configured for transmission with the star communication network 16; And at least one MCU that controls and manages transmission with the radio. In operation, the shopping cart 50 can track within the store and around the store premises by using the location tracking function of the radio configured in the mesh communication network 14. The weight data is preferably transmitted using a radio configured to be used in the star communication network 16. The central computer 23 in this embodiment acts as a manager, organizer and repository of data sent to and received from the shopping cart 50.

  In another embodiment herein, the shopping cart 50 may include an appropriate type and amount of memory to store the sensed weight of items placed in the shopping cart 50. . Such memory, if present, resides in the transmitting device 66 and connects to one or more radios set in the transmitting device 66 that is responsible for transmitting weight information to the multi-network 10. It is preferable to communicate, but not always.

  FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a preferred shopper interaction with the shopping system described herein. The schematic in FIG. 9 is preferred because it describes the ideal behavior of the shopper and system when working properly together. For example, to initiate one aspect of the interaction, the shopper 7 selects an item from a store shelf or display. The shopper 7 then scans the product barcode using the wireless end device 40. The shopper 7 then places the item in the shopping cart 50 (ie, along the base of the shopping cart) or is connected to one or more weighing members 58 set around the shopping cart 50. Put the product in the bag. Once an item has been weighed by one or more weighing members 58 set around the shopping cart 50, its weight information is preferably sent immediately to the multi-network 10 for later transmission. Can be temporarily stored.

  Note that in one preferred embodiment herein, once such information is measured, neither the weighing member 58 set around the shopping cart 50 nor the shopping cart 50 itself holds or stores weight information. It is important to. Instead, once weight information is obtained, the weight information may be stored, organized and managed in the central computer 23 and / or other suitable storage devices connected to the multi-network 10 described above. It is preferable to transmit from the shopping cart 50 to the multi-network 10.

  In practice, the central computer 23 keeps track of all current heights of items that have been scanned and added to the shopping cart 50. The current amount may be retrieved by the shopper 7 or the store point-of-sale information management server upon request and transmitted from the central computer 23 to the wireless end device 40 through the multi-network 10.

  Ideally, the shopper 7 follows a predetermined route as shown in FIG. Unfortunately, shoppers in the store often exhibit non-ideal behavior. FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the non-ideal behavior of the shopper at the store 5 herein. Regardless of whether it is intentional, the shopper 7 may not scan the product or may scan the product incorrectly before placing the product in the shopping cart 5. When such a situation occurs, the shopping cart 50 detects an increase in the overall weight. This increase in weight is preferably transmitted immediately through the multi-network 10 to the central computer 23 and / or other suitable storage devices connected to the multi-network 10.

  Thereafter, the weight difference is calculated between the actual weight (ie, the total weight measured and then recorded) and the total weight of the scanned product. The weight difference is stored and if the difference increases or decreases due to further actions by the shopper 7, the total weight is continuously updated as necessary.

  Once the weight difference is calculated, it is sent back to the wireless end device 40 through the multi-network 10. Either a message or alert in the wireless end device 40 is communicated to the shopper to notify that an unscanned weight increase or an unexpected weight increase has occurred. The purpose of this communication is to give the shopper 7 the opportunity to scan previously unscanned items placed in the shopping cart 50, or to completely remove items from the shopping cart and return them to the store shelves. The communication to the shopper 7 that informs that an unscanned item for placement has been placed in the shopping cart 5 is preferably instantaneous or nearly instantaneous. The time between two events, placing an unscanned item in the shopping cart 50 and notifying the shopper that the item has not been scanned, causes the shopper 7 to return the item at the collection point. In order to have the opportunity, it should preferably be sufficiently short so that the shopper 7 does not move too far through the collection point of the goods not scanned.

  If shoppers 7 do not return unscanned merchandise to the store shelves, or if the central computer 23 over multi-network 10 does not scan merchandise to recognize the merchandise, alert store personnel Also good. Based on such warnings, whatever store policies or anti-theft mechanisms exist, based on that, store personnel may use appropriate measures to prevent either inadvertent mistakes or overt theft attempts. , May arbitrate.

  The written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other embodiments have structural elements that do not differ from the literal words of the claim, or include equivalent structural elements that have very little difference from the literal words of the claim. Are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims (20)

A system for shopping in a store,
a) a multi-network for communication around the store;
b) a wireless end device used by a shopper, the wireless end device operating to communicate information wirelessly within the multi-network.   And further comprising a shopping cart configured to receive items placed in the shopping cart, wherein the shopping cart is operable to record weight information for each of the items placed in the shopping cart. The system according to claim 1.   The system of claim 2, wherein the shopping cart is operable to transmit the recorded weight information wirelessly to the multi-network.   The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-network comprises at least one mesh communication network and at least one star communication network.   The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one mesh communication network of the multi-network comprises a ZigBee communication network.   The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-network comprises two or more star communication networks.   The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless end device is a reduced function device.   The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless end device is a full function device.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a network coordinator connected to the multi-network, and the network coordinator manages, organizes and routes information transmitted through the multi-network. A system for shopping in a store,
a) a multi-network for communication around the store;
b) a shopping cart configured to weigh the items contained therein, the shopping cart operating to record the weight of each item placed in the shopping cart; A system with.   The system of claim 10, wherein the shopping cart is operative to transmit the recorded weight information of each of the items wirelessly over the multi-network.   The system of claim 10, further comprising a wireless end device used by a shopper, wherein the wireless end device is operative to communicate information wirelessly through the multi-network.   The system of claim 12, wherein the wireless end device is a reduced function device.   The system of claim 12, wherein the wireless end device is a full function device.   The system of claim 10, wherein the multi-network comprises at least one mesh communication network and at least one star communication network.   The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one mesh communication network of the multi-network comprises a ZigBee communication network.   The system of claim 10, wherein the multi-network comprises two or more star communication networks.   The system of claim 12, wherein the system comprises a network coordinator connected to the multi-network, and the network coordinator manages and systematically routes information transmitted through the multi-network. A multi-network for communication around the store,
a) at least one mesh communication network; b) at least one star communication network;
The multi-network is a multi-network that operates to send and receive information to the shopper while the shopper is shopping at the store.   The multi-network of claim 19, further comprising a wireless end device used by a shopper, wherein the wireless end device is operable to communicate information wirelessly through the multi-network.

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