Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for retail transactions. A display unit shows product information on a product. A transaction controller provides the product information. A database stores at least one of the product information and customer information. Another embodiment of the invention includes a technique to interact with a customer in a retail setting. A reader reads product information related to a product. A communication controller transmits the product information to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Another embodiment of the invention includes a technique to simplify record tracking of customers. Transaction data in transactions made by a plurality of consumers are recorded. The recorded transaction data is maintained as part of transaction records of the consumers. The transaction records are compiled according to pre-defined criteria.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for retail transactions. A display unit shows product information on a product. A transaction controller provides the product information. A database stores at least one of the product information and customer information. Another embodiment of the invention includes a technique to interact with a customer in a retail setting. A reader reads product information related to a product. A communication controller transmits the product information to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Another embodiment of the invention includes a technique to simplify record tracking of customers. Transaction data in transactions made by a plurality of consumers are recorded. The recorded transaction data is maintained as part of transaction records of the consumers. The transaction records are compiled according to pre-defined criteria.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for retail transactions. A display unit shows product information on a product. A transaction controller provides the product information. A database stores at least one of the product information and customer information. Another embodiment of the invention includes a technique to interact with a customer in a retail setting. A reader reads product information related to a product. A communication controller transmits the product information to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Another embodiment of the invention includes a technique to simplify record tracking of customers. Transaction data in transactions made by a plurality of consumers are recorded. The recorded transaction data is maintained as part of transaction records of the consumers. The transaction records are compiled according to pre-defined criteria.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique to monitor a vehicle. A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag is installed in a vehicle to transmit vehicle information to a vehicle monitor. The vehicle monitor transmits a command to the vehicle upon receipt of the vehicle information based on a vehicle condition. A controller activates a control action to a mechanism controlling the vehicle in response to the command. In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle monitor includes a field generator, an RFID reader, and a controller. The field generator generates a radio frequency (RF) field to awaken a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag installed in a vehicle driven by a driver. The RFID reader receives vehicle information transmitted by the RFID tag when the RFID tag is awaken by the field generator. The controller is communicatively coupled to the RFID reader to transmit a command to the vehicle based on the vehicle information and a vehicle condition.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver and a processing unit. The receiver receives merchandise information on a merchandise having a merchandise radio frequency identification (RFID) tag when a user is within a distance from the merchandise. The merchandise information is transmitted from a module in a wireless transmission. The module has a RFID reader to read the merchandise RFID tag and retrieves the merchandise information from a merchandise database based on the merchandise RFID tag. The processing unit is coupled to the receiver to inform the user of the merchandise information.

Abstract: A shopping method for receiving purchase discounts including subscribing to a discount purchase service, receiving consumer coupon discount information from the discount purchase service using at least one of a public telephone network and the Internet; purchasing an item having a coupon discount according to the coupon discount information; and receiving a discount as specified by the coupon discount information.

Abstract: A commercial business method provides for establishing a relationship between a manager and plural consumers, manufacturers and retailers. The manager produces universal coupon wallet cards which are used instead of physical coupons but with the same effect as physical coupons of the type that may be received in the mails or cut from newspapers or magazines, etc. When a consumer, having one of the wallet cards sees a coupon which a special indicia printed on it identifying the coupon as able to be used without the actual presence of the coupon itself, the consumer is able to take note of the retailer, product and price and may then purchase the product as if using the physical coupon, by merely presenting the wallet card. The wallet card is scanned by the retailer so as to be able to forward information about the purchase is the corresponding manufacturer either directly or through the manager so as to establish a rebate to the retailer or to the consumer.

Abstract: A method of avoiding the use of discount coupons comprises the steps of advertising a plurality of products available for purchase from a plurality of vendors at a discount according to related discount coupons, and purchasing a plurality of the advertised products by a plurality of consumers, from the vendors without using the related discount coupons, and transmitting discount coupon data of the discount coupons related to the purchased products, and proof of purchase data, over the Internet to a discount payment clearinghouse, and transmitting purchase confirmation data, by the vendors, to the discount payment clearinghouse; and transmitting requests for payment of the discounts, by the consumers, to the discount payment clearinghouse. The clearinghouse then correlates the coupon data, proof of purchase data and purchase confirmation data and pays out cash discounts to the consumers in accordance with the correlated data.