Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved order fulfillment system. The system is provided with improved data entry system for selecting items for purchase by a customer, and an improved item collection terminal and order delivery system. The portable terminal to be used for collecting of items is provided with an audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide assistance to the to terminal user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle or directly with the shopping establishment's communications network.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a consumer interactive shopping and marketing system. The system includes a portable data terminal for communicating information over a communication network. The present system has aspects that may be used within a shopping establishment or at a user's home.

Abstract: The two part payment terminal system improves communication between a server and one or more customers. The system includes a mobile terminal that can be hand-held and employed by a server for taking orders, such as in a restaurant. The system can also include a plurality of mobile companion devices that can be employed by customers for payment of the ordered items. Customers and/or servers can also utilize the mobile terminal and/or companion devices to provide the customer with menu items, available discounts, nutritional information, etc.

Abstract: A hand held terminal for optically scanning coded information has an electronic housing with a major axis, an intermediate axis and a minor axis. An optical scanning device is mounted at a first longitudinal end of the terminal with respect to the major axis. A multi-line information display is arranged on a top surface of the housing such that the display is facing in a direction corresponding to the minor axis. The terminal further has a handle with a handgrip extending outwardly from the housing at a second longitudinal end. The axis of the handle forms an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees from the major axis and is perpendicular to the intermediate axis. An operator control is arranged on said top surface adjacent the second end of said housing such that the control can be operated by the thumb on a hand grasping the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. At least one shopping establishment kiosk cradle is employed to interface with a portable terminal which is also part of the system. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle. A home cradle for the portable terminal is also provided and is adapted to remain in the home of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a consumer interactive shopping and marketing system. The system includes a portable data terminal for communicating information over a communication network. The present system has aspects that may be used within a shopping establishment or at a user's home.

Abstract: An accessory module is provided for connection to the USB docking port of a personal digital assistant (PDA). The accessory unit provides additional functionality to the PDA, and in an exemplary embodiment provides a video driver for retrieving display data from the PDA and generating a video driving signal for a display of the data, for example, for a presentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved portable shopping system. The system is provided with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes components for presenting audio as well as video information to the customer. The audio and/or video information corresponds to one or more of the customer's user preferences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. At least one shopping establishment kiosk cradle is employed to interface with a portable terminal which is also part of the system. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle. A home cradle for the portable terminal is also provided and is adapted to remain in the home of the user.

Abstract: A hand held terminal has a display, a keying input, an odor sensor, a processor for receiving information from the keying input and from the odor sensor for processing same and for directing information onto the display and a housing for the keying input, odor sensor, display and processor.

Abstract: A hand held terminal for optically scanning coded information has an electronic housing with a major axis, an intermediate axis and a minor axis. An optical scanning device is mounted at a first longitudinal end of the terminal with respect to the major axis. A multi-line information display is arranged on a top surface of the housing such that the display is facing in a direction corresponding to the minor axis. The terminal further has a handle with a handgrip extending outwardly from the housing at a second longitudinal end. The axis of the handle forms an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees from the major axis and is perpendicular to the intermediate axis. An operator control is arranged on said top surface adjacent the second end of said housing such that the control can be operated by the thumb on a hand grasping the device.

Abstract: A hand-held data acquisition terminal includes an ovoid electronic housing having an optical scanning device at one end with respect to a major axis and a handle extending outwardly from the opposite end with respect to the major axis. The electronic housing includes an upwardly facing display and operator controls which can be activated by the thumb of a user holding the terminal by the handle. A compact assembly of electronic components is provided. A cradle is provided having a concave cylindrical surface and a pocket for receiving the handle of the terminal. An accessory is also described for mounting the terminal to a shopping cart.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved order fulfillment system. The system is provided with improved data entry system for selecting items for purchase by a customer, and an improved item collection terminal and order delivery system. The portable terminal to be used for collecting of items is provided with an audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide assistance to the to terminal user.

Abstract: A computer-assisted shopping system includes a self-service scanning station, a multiplexing tendering station, and associated methods of serving customers at a retail establishment. One of the methods of customer service of the present invention allows a shopping establishment to offer a self-scanning shopping option to customers who are unable or unwilling to obtain a personal identification card, which is required with the prior art self-scanning shopping systems. A self-service scanning station is provided that includes a bar-code scanner, preferably permanently mounted or tethered to the self-service scanning station, a processor, optionally connected by a network to a central computer of the shopping establishment, and a printer for printing itemized receipts of items to be purchased. A customer who does not have a personal identification card may bring the purchases to the self-service shopping station, scan the purchases and obtain an itemized receipt of items to be purchased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved portable shopping system. The system is provided with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide customer specific marketing files to promote the sale of identified items.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. At least one shopping establishment kiosk cradle is employed to interface with a portable terminal which is also part of the system. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle. A home cradle for the portable terminal is also provided and is adapted to remain in the home of the user.

Abstract: An improved portable terminal system is described employing linked data files to present related information on a configurable display device. The portable terminal uses a machine coded reader to read machine coded data on an item and to register such information in a corresponding collection file. The system retrieves associated data files and presents such files in the form of a link if such information is determined to be non-essential. Thus, non-essential data may be presented as optional available data which may be accessed with a simple election command.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved portable shopping system. The system is provided with improved data presentation system for presenting customer desired data on a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide customer specific marketing files to promote the sale of identified items.