Patent ID: 6644549
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G06K,G06Q,G07F,G07G

Abstract:
A method of processing transactions of products, comprising the steps of:a) storing and periodically updating product attribute data corresponding to each product in a common database of a host computer; b) providing a portable, hand-held terminal containing an electro-optical scanner for reading bar code symbols to each customer for the products, and having a respective customer hold the terminal and operate the scanner with one hand in a hand-held reading mode to read a respective symbol to identify a respective product; c) manually entering information relating to the respective product via a keyboard at a highest upper wall of the terminal in the reading mode and accessible to another hand of the respective customer from directly behind the terminal in the reading mode; d) transmitting the identified product to the host computer, by wireless transmission in one direction, on a real-time basis to automatically retrieve the stored, updated product attribute data corresponding to the product selected by the customer; e) transmitting the stored, updated product attribute data to the terminal, by wireless transmission in an opposite direction, on a real-time basis to automatically deliver the retrieved, updated data; f) printing the retrieved, updated delivered data at the terminal; and g) directly viewing displayed information relating to the identified product via a display at the highest upper wall of the terminal in the reading mode and viewable to the respective customer from directly behind the terminal in the reading mode.