Abstract: An air circulation and ventilation system for a retail store produce display comprises an air flow system that outputs an air flow to the produce display; a sensor system that determines a condition of the produce in the produce display; a sensor controller that controls the air flow system to change the air flow in the produce display in response to the condition of the produce in the produce display; and a self-contained power panel for powering the air flow system and the sensor system.

Abstract: Described is a retractable bagging station for use in a retail store. The bagging station includes a frame and a bag dispenser retractably coupled to the frame. The bag dispenser holds and dispenses shopping bags. The bag dispenser is retractably coupled to the frame such that the bag dispenser extends out of and retracts into the frame. The bagging station is retractable into the frame so that the bagging station can be stored in a retracted position under a counter, for example, when the bagging station is not needed. When the bagging station is needed, it can be extended out from the frame to be used. The bagging station can be mounted under a counter of a checkout station, for example, so the bagging station can be used at the checkout station when needed.

Abstract: Described is a mobile computing device holder that mounts to a piece of furniture, specifically to the corner of a piece of furniture. The mobile computing device holder holds a mobile computing device base, such as a docking station or charger, and a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device holder includes a corner mount fixture that mounts to a corner of a piece of furniture and holds the mobile computing device base such that the mobile computing device is cradled in the mobile computing device base. The mobile computing device holder also includes a tether device that tethers the mobile computing device to the mobile computing device base so the mobile computing device can be used, but cannot be moved more than the length of the tethering device from the corner mount fixture.

Abstract: A self-checkout system comprises a register belt station; an itemization station downstream from the register belt station; and a bagging station downstream from the itemization station. The register belt station, an itemization station, and bagging station are each modular and removably coupled to each other.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring store comprise establishing an electronic communication between a mobile device and a unmanned vehicle; tracking in a store by the unmanned vehicle a customer having the mobile device; collecting data by the unmanned vehicle regarding items of interest by the customer; and processing and outputting to the mobile device a result from the collected data, the result used by the customer to determine whether to purchase the items of interest based on the collected data.

Abstract: A trash bin cabinet for a checkout station in a retail store is described. The checkout station includes the trash bin cabinet with a drawer locking mechanism, and a trash level sensor with an optical notification system. The trash bin cabinet has a drawer unit that contains at least one trash bin. The drawer locking mechanism locks the drawer when the drawer unit is closed so the drawer unit does not come open by itself and become a hazard or a nuisance. The trash level sensor senses the level of trash in the trash bins and sends a trash level status signal to the optical notification system. The optical notification system optically radiates the trash level status signal so people or sensors can monitor the level of trash in the trash bins without visiting the checkout station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cash security system for a retail store that includes a cash cart, a base station, a key, and a cart detector. The cash cart includes a wheeled cart body, a cash box, and a cart security module. The cash cart is used to carry cash within the retail store. The cart security module includes a number of security devices and modules that track where the cash cart is in the retail store, and activates alarms if a problem is detected. The base station includes a base station security module with a number of security devices and modules that concurrently track the movement and location of the cash cart. The cart detector, the cart security module, and the base station security module each activate a security alarm if a security issue with the cash cart is detected.

Abstract: A self checkout counter scanning apparatus comprises a handheld scanning device and a retractable cord system extending from the handheld scanning device. The retractable cord system comprises a retractable cord comprising a first end coupled to the handheld scanning device, a second end having a connector for coupling to a self checkout counter element, and a central portion between the first end and the second end. The retractable cord system further comprises a housing and a cord pulley system in the housing. The central portion of the retractable cord communicates with the cord pulley system such the first end of the retractable cord maintains a linear path from the housing to the handheld scanning device during a transition from a retraction state to an extension state of the retractable cord.

Abstract: A system is described for making use of recycled containers, such as recyclable bags. The shopper first opts into a reusable bag recycling program using a computing device, such as a smartphone. The shopper may select and purchase products through an e-commerce system. The e-commerce system determines if the shopper has allergies and if so, either provides a non-allergenic reusable bag to shopper, or uses non-allergenic bags to package the products purchased through the e-commerce system. If the shopper does not have allergies, then a standard reusable bag will be used. An automated dispensing unit receives reusable bags, authenticates, tests, sanitizes and stores the reusable bags. Credit is provided to shopper for each reusable bag returned. It also debits the account of shopper for reusable bags provided to shopper or used to package products purchased through the e-commerce system.

Abstract: A mobile, modular bagging station comprises a rotatable carousel base constructed and arranged for positioning on a self-checkout scale platform; a center piece coupled to a top surface of the carousel base; and a plurality of holding elements extending from the top portion. A weight of a plurality of store items in shopping bags positioned on the holding elements is determined by the scale platform on which the carousel base is positioned.

Abstract: A bag dispenser for use in a retail store is described. The bag dispenser holds and dispenses bags from a roll of plastic bags such as grocery bags, meat bags, or produce bags. The bag dispenser includes a bag holder rod that holds the roll of bags and allows the roll of bags to rotate on the bag holder rod in order to dispense bags. The bag dispenser also includes a bag separator that facilitates separation of a bag from the roll. The bag dispenser also includes a rod coupler that couples the bag dispenser to a rod, such as a rod of a shopping cart, a rod of a shopping cart basket or a rod of a pick-up basket, for example. The bag dispenser quickly and easily dispenses bags so that an employee of the retail store does not waste time and effort obtaining a bag.

Abstract: A display table for displaying perishable produce items comprises a base; a produce bed on which the perishable produce items are positioned; and an air flow system for providing air circulation and ventilation at the produce bed. The air flow system comprises a plurality of ducts under the produce bed; an air distribution box that evenly distributes the air through the ducts; and a plurality of fans that circulate the air from the ducts under the produce bed to a region above the produce bed. The display table further comprises a control device that controls a flow of the air via the fans to the produce bed according to a state of the perishable produce items on the produce bed; and a self-contained power panel that that generates power for the fans, the air distribution box, and the control device, wherein the power panel includes a cell power electrical system.

Abstract: A coupling device for removably attaching a mobile computing device having a display to a shopping cart handle comprises: a clip mechanism configured to removably couple to a shopping cart handle; a handle grip unit extending tangentially from the clip; a top surface of the handle grip unit constructed and arranged to receive and hold in place a mobile computing device having a display, the handle grip unit permitting a user to orient, rotate, or angle the coupling device, and therefore, the display of the mobile computing device, about the shopping cart handle while providing a steady grip so that the user can move the shopping cart without the mobile computing device falling off the shopping cart. The top surface has a width that is greater than a main body of the handle grip unit to directly couple with a region of the mobile computing device directly under a display of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Described is a checkout station that includes a hanger hook coupled to a platform. The hanger hook is used to hang empty clothes hangers on, so the hangers can be collected and held in one location until they are re-used or disposed of. The hanger hook can be a U-shaped elongate member with a curved bottom piece, a first side, and a second side. The first side and the second side are each coupled to the bottom piece to form the “U” shape. The first side couples to the register stand, and hangers are hung from the second side. Having the hanger hook at the checkout station makes it easy for employees and customers to hang empty hangers on the hanger hook so the hangers are collected and do not end up on the floor or cluttering the work spaces of the checkout station.

Abstract: Described is a shopping cart basket for affixing to a shopping cart. The shopping cart basket can be used to carry tools, accessories, or other items that an individual wants to carry with, but keep separate from, items in the shopping cart. The shopping cart basket includes a basket body with a pair of hooks on arms that hook the shopping cart basket to the shopping cart. The shopping cart basket can be hung from many different locations on a shopping cart, including the front or back, the sides, the inside, or the outside. The shopping cart basket can be hung from any type of shopping cart, including basket types of shopping carts or flatbed carts. The shopping cart basket includes elements that hold and secure tools commonly used by employees performing tasks with a shopping cart.

Abstract: Described is a shopping cart bagging station. The shopping cart bagging station is a bagging station that couples to a shopping cart. The shopping cart bagging station described is used by customers to bag their purchases as they shop, or by employees bagging items for a customer. The shopping cart bagging station is designed to be heavy-duty so that it can be used in pick-up areas and other areas that require a bagging station that can withstand temperatures and handle heavy loads. The shopping cart bagging station includes a support structure and three shopping cart coupling hooks. The shopping cart coupling hooks couple the bagging station to a shopping cart, and they hold and dispense the shopping bags. The support structure and the three shopping cart coupling hooks are formed of metal rod that can withstand extremes in temperature and hold heavy loads.

Abstract: An automated selecting and mixing machine including a cabin disposed within a housing structure, the cabin configured to receive a container from a user, the container containing a base medium, a container engagement element, the container engagement element being movable from a first position to a second position to manipulate a lid of the container, a plurality of dispensers, the plurality of dispensers configured to dispense an element into the container to mix with the base medium, a mixing mechanism located in the cabin, configured to manipulate the container positioned within the cabin to achieve a mixed product, and a user interface coupled to the housing structure, wherein a user selects the mixed product using the user interface to initiate an automated process of the automated selecting and mixing machine, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method, computer system, and computer program product is also provided.

Abstract: Described is a checkout station in a retail store that includes a bumper for preventing dividers from covering a belt end sensor. The belt end sensor senses when items on a checkout station conveyor belt have reached the end of the conveyor belt. If a divider stored on an edge wall alongside the conveyor belt covers the belt end sensor, the conveyor belt stops motion when it should keep moving. The checkout station includes a bumper that couples to the edge wall. The bumper prevents the dividers from covering the belt end sensor and interfering with the operation of the belt end sensor and the conveyor belt. The bumper includes a backbone and a hook coupled to the backbone. The hook couples the bumper to the edge wall. When the bumper is coupled to the edge wall, the bumper blocks dividers from covering the belt end sensor.

Abstract: Described is a cabinet for holding paper bags at a bagging station in a retail store, and a bag retaining fixture mounted inside the cabinet. The cabinet holds a stack of paper bags, and the bag retaining fixture secures the stack of paper bags inside the cabinet. The cabinet housing can be mounted to or near the bagging station. The bag retaining fixture is coupled to an inner surface of the cabinet. The bag retaining fixture includes a plate and an elongate wire coupled to the plate. The elongate wire puts pressure on the stack of paper bags to hold them in place as individual paper bags are removed for filling. The cabinet for holding paper bags and the bag retaining fixture keep the stack of paper bags from being scattered as the paper bags are stored and dispensed.