Abstract: Disclosed is a shopping cart bagging station that couples to a shopping cart, and can be used by customers to bag their purchases as they shop. The shopping cart bagging station can be made from recyclable materials and is lightweight and portable. The shopping cart bagging station can be supplied as a kit, where the kit includes a sheet of rigid material, with each of the shopping cart elements outlined with perforated lines in the sheet of rigid material. The shopping cart bagging station is constructed by separating elements along the perforated lines, and then fitting the shopping cart bagging station elements together to form the shopping cart bagging station. The shopping cart bagging station elements fit together with slot joints formed by connecting slots in the elements. The customer can separate the shopping cart bagging station elements and construct the shopping cart bagging station themselves.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitor point of sale terminals and provide information to customers, via a lighting system. In some embodiments, information is provided, via visible light, to consumers and, via invisible light, to the management of a retail shopping facility. For example, a notification system for monitoring point of sale terminals in a retail shopping facility may include one or more visible light emitting status lights, at least one non-visible light emitting status light at each of the point of sale terminals, one or more optical sensors configured to detect the non-visible wavelength and an intensity associated with the non-visible wavelength emitted from the at least one non-visible light emitting status light; and a control circuit.

Abstract: A method, a computer system and computer program product, including: establishing a communication link between at least one of the user mobile device and a user wearable computing device, and the computing system, receiving from at least one of the user mobile device and the wearable computing device: a shopping list of the user and a fitness goal of the user that the user has yet to achieve, and calculating a route throughout the shopping center that achieves or exceeds the fitness goal of the user while also guiding the user past the goods on the shopping list of goods that the user needs to purchase, wherein the route prioritizes achieving or exceeding the fitness goal of the user over an optimal route through the shopping center past the list of goods the user needs to purchase.

Abstract: A self-checkout system comprises a cabinet housing, the cabinet including a ventilated region; a point of sale (POS) station at the cabinet housing, the POS station including heat-generating components, the ventilated region of the cabinet housing removing heat generated from the POS components from the cabinet housing; and an air flow system at an interior of the cabinet housing that outputs air through the ventilated region.

Abstract: A shopping cart that avoids collisions during movement comprises a proximity detection system comprising one or more sensors that detect and recognize an object along the path of the shopping cart; a controller that determines from data collected by the one or more sensors whether a collision between the shopping cart and the object is possible; a feedback system that provides one or more of audible, visual, or tactile feedback to a user of the shopping cart when the controller determines that the collision is possible; and a braking system that automatically stops the shopping cart from continued motion when the controller determines that the collision is possible. At least one of the feedback system and the braking system is activated in response to the controller determining that the shopping cart is a predetermined distance from the object.

Abstract: A collection apparatus for organizing paper-based transaction items collected at a store checkout comprises a housing including a front section, rear section, left side, right side, top region, and bottom region; and an interior of the housing that is constructed and arranged into three regions. Each region includes a cavity; a removable container positioned in each cavity; three slot-shaped openings in the front section. Each slot-shaped opening is aligned with an opening in a removable container for providing a path for the paper-based transaction items to the removable container. A sensor in each cavity or container senses the paper-based transaction items received via a slot-shaped opening into the container.

Abstract: A universal support clip for coupling a mobile electronic device to a shopping cart comprises a bar clamping member, which comprises a first end; a second end having a base portion constructed and arranged to accommodate a plurality of different device mount interfaces; and a body portion between the first and second ends, the body portion including a curved interior wall for receiving a portion of a handlebar of the shopping cart from the first end in an open state and for securing to the portion of the handlebar when the first end is in a closed state.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitor point of sale terminals and provide information to customers, via a lighting system. In some embodiments, information is provided, via visible light, to consumers and, via invisible light, to the management of a retail shopping facility. For example, a notification system for monitoring point of sale terminals in a retail shopping facility may include one or more visible light emitting status lights, at least one non-visible light emitting status light at each of the point of sale terminals, one or more optical sensors configured to detect the non-visible wavelength and an intensity associated with the non-visible wavelength emitted from the at least one non-visible light emitting status light; and a control circuit.

Abstract: A mobile computing device and cradle holster comprises a body formed of a unitary material that is constructed and arranged to surround both a mobile computing device and a cradling apparatus coupled to the mobile computing device. The body includes an opening for receiving the mobile computing device and cradling apparatus and for exposing a top region of both the mobile computing device and cradling apparatus. The opening further has a width configured to receive and hold in place both the cradling apparatus and the mobile computing device coupled to the cradling apparatus, and the cradling apparatus comprising a mating interface for conformably positioning in an interior of the holster. At least one clip extends from a rear surface of the body for removably coupling to a belt of a wearer, the clip including a mounting element for coupling to the rear surface of the body.

Abstract: A clip for coupling a portable computing device to a shopping cart comprises an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve partially encircles and applies a force to a tubular element of the shopping cart. An outer sleeve partially encircles the inner sleeve and couples the inner sleeve to the tubular element of the shopping cart. One of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve includes a protrusion that mates with a groove in the other of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve for locking the inner sleeve in the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve further includes a interlock slide that extends from a region of the inner sleeve not encircled by the outer sleeve for communicating with a mobile device cradle. The portable computing device is coupled to the mobile device cradle. A mobile device holder holds a mobile device for a shopper while shopping in a retail store.

Abstract: An asset protection system and method may include detecting that a first item includes a first security device coupled to the first item, in response to the first item being scanned by the user, instructing the user to deactivate the first security device and then place the first item into a bagging area, wherein a deactivator is located at the point of sale computer terminal to deactivate the first security device, directing a detection source to scan the bagging area after the first item and other items have been placed into the bagging area, and determining based on the scanning by the detection source, that a second security device coupled to the at least one item other than the first item in the bagging area has been deactivated, but the at least one item has not been scanned by the user at the point of sale computer terminal.

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: A shopping cart bagging station that couples to a shopping cart is described. The shopping cart bagging station includes a bag dispenser and a shopping cart coupler. The bag dispenser holds a plurality of shopping bags, and dispenses the shopping bags one at a time as products are placed in a shopping bag. The shopping cart coupler is coupled to the bag dispenser and couples the shopping cart bagging station to a shopping cart. The shopping cart bagging station is coupled to a shopping cart by coupling the shopping cart coupler to the bag dispenser such that a side of the shopping cart is clamped between the shopping cart coupler and the bag dispenser. The shopping cart bagging station can be mounted in various locations on a shopping cart, making it easy and convenient for a customer to carry and load a number of shopping bags as they shop.

Abstract: Described is a shopping cart bagging station that is used in retail stores to dispense shopping bags while a customer of the retail store shops. The shopping cart bagging station holds and dispenses shopping bags. The shopping cart bagging station is coupled to a shopping cart so that the customer can load items they purchase into the shopping bags as they shop. The shopping cart bagging station includes a support channel and three hooks coupled to the support channel. The support channel couples to the shopping cart. The three hooks hold shopping bags. By using the shopping cart bagging station, a customer does not have to visit a checkout station to bag their purchased items.

Abstract: Described is a shopping bag distribution station can be used by customers to obtain shopping bags to bag their purchases as they shop. The disclosed shopping bag distribution station includes a shopping bag dispenser and a wire rack. The shopping bag dispenser holds shopping bags, and is hung from the wire rack in a retail store so the shopping bags in the shopping bag dispenser are available to customers as they shop. The shopping bag dispenser includes a box front portion and a back plate that couple together to form a rectangular enclosure for the shopping bags. The box front portion has a bag holder hook inside the enclosure that shopping bags are hung from. An opening in the box front portion allows access to the shopping bags hanging from the bag holder hook.

Abstract: Shopping cart bagging stations are described that can be used by customers to bag their purchases as they shop. A shopping cart bagging station holds and dispenses at least one shopping bag. The shopping cart bagging stations are formed of a plurality of shopping cart bagging station elements that fit together using slot joints. Some of the slot joints may be rotational slot joints, which allow rotation of one or more of the shopping cart bagging station elements. The shopping cart bagging station may include a hinged support bar that allows the shopping cart bagging station to be folded. The hinge and the rotation of one or more of the shopping cart bagging station elements allows the shopping cart bagging station to be folded into a compact form when not in use, and quickly and easily opened for use.

Abstract: A cart for use by a store associate in a lawn and garden center comprises a frame; a folding tray table extending from a top region of the frame; at least one basket extending from the frame, wherein a combination of the tray table and the at least one basket are configured for receiving lawn and garden items and items used by the store associate to assist customers; at least one bagging fixture for holding shopping bags; and a wheel assembly coupled to a bottom region of the frame, comprising at least two wheels.