Patent ID: 8700230
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: A47F,B60K,B60T,B62B,G01C,G06K,G06Q,G08B,G08G,H02K,H04W,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling usage of shopping carts, the system comprising: a device that transmits, via wireless transmissions, a brake activation signal from a fixed location associated with a brake activation zone; a display unit that attaches to a shopping cart, said display unit including wireless communication circuitry; and a shopping cart wheel assembly that attaches to the shopping cart, the wheel assembly comprising a shopping cart wheel, a brake unit for inhibiting motion of the shopping cart, and wireless communication circuitry, said shopping cart wheel assembly configured to detect a wireless transmission of the brake activation signal from the device, and to report the detected transmission of the brake activation signal to the display unit by communicating wirelessly with the display unit; wherein the display unit is configured to display a warning indication that warns a shopping cart user, prior to activation of the brake unit, regarding the shopping cart's proximity to the brake activation zone.