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  Rf point of purchase apparatus and method of using sameUSPTO Application #: 20070069011Title: Rf point of purchase apparatus and method of using same Abstract: The present invention provides a checkout device that includes a purchasable item having an RFID tag affixed thereto and a scanner for detecting the RFID tag. A dispenser proximate to the scanner dispenses a point of purchase product upon selection by a user of the checkout device. A controller in operative communication with the scanner and the dispenser subsequently calculates the cost of the purchase item and the point of purchase product. A display device in operative communication with the controller displays the cost to the person using the checkout device. (end of abstract)
Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP - Chicago, IL, US Inventors: Steven P. Barton, Paul Chibe USPTO Applicaton #: 20070069011 - Class: 235381000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Registers, Systems Controlled By Data Bearing Records, Credit Or Identification Card Systems, With Vending The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070069011. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. application Ser. No. 09/960,915 filed on Sep. 21, 2001 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/261,512, filed Jan. 12, 2001, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Automated purchasing machines are becoming more and more prolific. Consumers have come to rely on the convenience and speed of automated teller machines ("ATMs") for banking. Equally important, consumers have come to trust the security of electronic funds transfers. This speed, convenience and goodwill are beginning to be implemented in automated purchasing machines. Not surprisingly, gas stations, grocery stores, fast food restaurants, movie theaters, airports as well as other retail outlets have added automated purchasing machines to their standard modes of conducting business. Given their advantages, and as people become more accustomed to them, automated purchasing machines are likely to continue to proliferate. [0003] There are a number of advantages inherent in automated purchasing machines. First, automated machines are convenient and reduce waiting time. For instance, the automated fuel pump enables the consumer to fill the vehicle and complete the transaction without having to leave the area around the vehicle. Second, automated machines offer additional payment options. For instance, many grocery store checkouts have card readers that enable the consumer to pay for groceries from a bank account or by credit. Third, the automated machines reduce labor. ATMs, for instance, allow banks to reduce the number of live tellers. Fourth, automated machines increase throughput. Automated fuel pumps, for example, reduce the amount of idle time that cars spend next to the pump. [0004] A new entry into the world of automated purchasing machines is the self-scanning checkout, which has been implemented in various grocery stores and supermarkets. Self-scanning checkouts enable shoppers to scan, bag and pay for items with little or no assistance from store personnel. A consumer enters a grocery store and selects items for purchase in the conventional manner. Instead of approaching a standard checkout manned by a cashier, the consumer approaches a bank of automated self-scanning checkouts, wherein a single cashier oversees the operation of the bank of machines. Consumers scan their own items and pay for the items by entering a check, credit card, debit card or cash into the machine. [0005] One problem associated with automated purchasing machines is that they can negatively impact point of sale purchases. For example, before the automated fuel pump, the consumer had to enter a convenience store or a store associated with the gas station. Although an inconvenience to the consumer, the mandatory visit to the store for payment (the old point of purchase) encouraged the impulse purchase of confectionery items, such as gum, candy, soft drinks, etc., and non-consumable items, such as magazines and newspapers. The automated fuel pump has moved the point of purchase to the filling station, where point of purchase products are not displayed or advertised. [0006] In grocery stores and supermarkets, the self-scanning checkout also stands to reduce point of purchase sales for a couple of reasons. First, the consumer is preoccupied with scanning products and does not have as much free time to peruse and select a point of purchase product. Second, one primary advantage that self-scanning checkouts provide to the grocery store or supermarket is reduced floor space. For example, four self-scanning checkouts require approximately seventy-five percent of the space that four standard checkouts require. Rack space normally associated with standard checkouts, and which displays point of purchase products, is likewise reduced. Self-scanning checkouts stand to reduce the height, width and number of racks at grocery and supermarket checkout lines. Less rack space necessarily dictates less exposure for the point of purchase products. [0007] A need generally exists for sellers of point of purchase products to capitalize on the growing proliferation of automated purchasing devices. As the point of purchase in a variety of retail areas increasingly moves away from a checkout counter to an automated purchasing machine, a need exists to provide an apparatus and method of displaying and supplying point of purchase products at the new point of purchase. [0008] In particular, a need exists to provide an apparatus and method for displaying and providing point of purchase products in combination with self-scanning checkouts at grocery stores and supermarkets. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides apparatuses and methods that improve upon the sale of point of purchase products. For example, apparatus are provided wherein point of purchase product can be automatically dispensed. Additionally, apparatus and materials are provided that automate the purchase of point of purchase products. [0010] To this end, in an embodiment the present invention enables point of purchase products to be dispensed as the consumer purchases other retail items that a consumer collects and brings to the point of purchase. The point of purchase product is immediately dispensed and provided to the consumer at the point of purchase. The cost of the dispensed product is added to the cost of the other retail items. The consumer makes one payment for both the dispensed product and the other retail items. [0011] In an embodiment, a device is provided that allows a consumer to purchase products without the need for a cashier. The device includes a body that defines an interior. The device includes a controller. The controller couples to and communicates with a scanning device. The scanning device allows a consumer to scan purchasable items that the consumer brings to the device and to accumulate a cost for the items. The body maintains a dispensable product and includes a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a request for the product by the consumer. The controller adds a cost for the product to the cost for the items. [0012] In an embodiment, the body houses the controller. [0013] In an embodiment, the controller is electrically coupled to the body. [0014] In an embodiment, the scanning device is electrically coupled to the controller. [0015] In an embodiment, the scanning device is optically coupled to the controller. [0016] In an embodiment, the scanning device is integral with the controller. [0017] In an embodiment, the purchasing device includes a display that prompts the consumer to purchase the product. [0018] In an embodiment, the purchasing device includes a plurality of different products and the controller communicates a selected product to the dispenser. The different products may be for example: confectionery products, periodicals, cigarette lighters, batteries, key chains, writing instruments, film; toiletries or toys. [0019] In an embodiment, a stand-alone point of purchase device that operates with an automated purchasing device is provided. The automated purchasing device has a controller that allows a consumer to scan purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the items. The point of purchase device includes a body housing a product. The point of purchase device includes a member for coupling to the automated purchasing device. The point of purchase device also includes a dispenser that dispenses the product from the housing upon request by the consumer. The cost for the product is added to the cost for the items. [0020] In an embodiment, a point of purchase device that operates with an automated purchasing device is provided. The point of purchase device includes a body that houses a product. The point of purchase includes a controller coupled to the body. The point of purchase device also includes a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a signal from the controller. The consumer initiates the signal. Afterward, a cost for the product is added to the cost for the items that the consumer purchases. [0021] In an embodiment, a point of purchase device that operates with an automated purchasing device is provided. The automated purchasing device allows a retail operator to input purchasable items and accumulate a cost for the purchasable items. The point of purchase device includes a dispenser that dispenses a product from a stock upon a signal from a controller. A retail operator initiates the signal. A cost for the product is automatically added to the cost of the purchasable items. [0022] In an embodiment, the automated purchasing device is a scanner. Continue reading... Full patent description for Rf point of purchase apparatus and method of using same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Rf point of purchase apparatus and method of using same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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