Patent Abstract:
A system made up of a portable information terminal mountable on a shopping cart for providing product and advertising information while the cart is moved inside a store and an external memory device connectable to the portable information terminal, the external memory device including a memory housing, a non-volatile memory storing data in the memory housing, and a first electrical connector projecting from the housing for allowing a processor to access the stored data; the portable terminal including a terminal housing including a display, a processor in the terminal housing for causing the display to display product information and advertisements, and a second electrical connector inside the housing complementary to the first electrical connector for connecting an external memory device to the processor, the terminal housing including a passage providing access to the second electrical connector from outside the terminal housing and at least one door recessed in the passage shiftable from a first position blocking the passage to a second position by inserting the external memory device into the passage.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/675,849 filed Apr. 29, 2005, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a portable information terminal mountable on a shopping cart and to an external memory device usable with same, and, more specifically, toward a portable information terminal having an opening configured to receive a portable memory device, the opening being protected by a door, and toward a portable memory device configured to open the door when inserted into the opening. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shopping carts have remained essentially unchanged in form for many years. Recently, however, with the availability of inexpensive, compact computing power, attempts have been made to add small computers to shopping carts to assist users with shopping. For example, it is known to attach bar code readers to shopping carts to allow users to perform price checks and/or to perform a self-check out. One example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,871 to Gupta, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. However, the Gupta device appears likely to interfere with proper cart nesting and requires an electrical contact depending from the bottom of the cart for recharging which would likely be damaged in moving the cart through store aisles and/or over curbs in a store parking lot. It is not believed that systems such as the one disclosed in Gupta have been widely adopted. 
     Related shopper-assisting devices that clip or otherwise detachably mount to a shopping cart handle are also known. However, these must be taken from a rack or other storage location by a user and attached to a cart handle before use. When a shopper reaches the check-out line, store personnel must detach the unit from the car and return the unit to a storage and/or charging station or rely on the customer to perform these actions. It is believed that these inconveniences have kept such devices from being widely adopted. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide an electronic shopper assisting device that is easy to use and maintain and that does not suffer from the aforementioned drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These problems and others are addressed by the present invention, a first feature of which is a system comprising a portable information terminal mountable on a shopping cart for providing product and advertising information while the cart is moved inside a store and an external memory device connectable to the portable information terminal. The external memory device includes a memory housing, a non-volatile memory storing data in the memory housing and a first electrical connector projecting from the housing for allowing a processor to access the stored data. The portable terminal includes a terminal housing including a display, a processor in the terminal housing for causing the display to display product information and advertisements, and a second electrical connector inside the housing complementary to the first electrical connector for connecting an external memory device to the processor. The terminal housing including a passage providing access to the second electrical connector from outside the terminal housing and at least one door recessed in the passage shiftable from a first position blocking the passage to a second position by inserting the external memory device into the passage. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a portable information terminal mountable on a shopping cart for providing product and advertising information while the cart is moved inside a store. The terminal comprises a housing including a display, a processor in the housing for causing the display to display product information and advertisements and an electrical connector inside the housing for connecting an external memory device to the processor. The housing includes a passage providing access to the electrical connector from outside the housing and a door recessed in the passage and shiftable between a first position blocking the passage and a second position by inserting an external memory device into the passage. 
     Another feature of the invention comprises an external memory device usable with a system comprising a portable information terminal mountable on a shopping cart for providing product and advertising information while the cart is moved inside a store and an external memory device connectable to the portable information terminal. The external memory device includes a memory housing, a non-volatile memory storing data in the memory housing, a first electrical connector projecting from the housing for allowing a processor to access the stored data, and a projecting member projecting from said memory housing adjacent to said first electrical connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will be better understood after a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a portable information terminal having a housing holding an electronic module and having passage for receiving a removable memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the information terminal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the information terminal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a first removable memory device for use with the information terminal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a second removable memory device for use with the information terminal of  FIG. 1  that includes a projection for releasing a latch on a door in the housing; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the removable memory device of  FIG. 5  with its cap removed; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a passage in the housing of  FIG. 1  for receiving the memory device of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the memory device of  FIG. 5  being received in the passage of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention used with a cart wheel locking device wherein the wheel locking device is controlled by the information terminal; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the wheel locking device of  FIG. 9  locking a cart wheel when a memory device is not present in the information terminal; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the wheel locking device of  FIG. 9  unlocking a cart wheel when a memory device is inserted into the passage in the information terminal housing; 
         FIG. 12  schematically illustrates the nesting of several shopping carts which carts include the information terminals of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of several nested carts that include the information terminals of  FIG. 1  wherein the information terminals are electrically interconnected for battery recharging; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a plurality of nested carts including a second embodiment of an information terminal connected to a handle according to the present invention having batteries being recharged by a corral having charging rails; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of one end of the handle of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an elevational view of the end of the handle of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  schematically illustrates an information terminal mounted on a handle connected between two charging rails of the corral of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a third embodiment of the information terminal in which electrical connectors are integrated with a locking device for securing adjacent carts to one another; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates one of the electrical connectors of  FIG. 18  in a housing on an adjacent cart; 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view of the connector end of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a charging rail and guide channel arrangement for charging the battery of an information terminal connected to a handle; 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view of an end of the handle and charging rail of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a first handle grip cross section; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a second handle grip cross section; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a third handle grip cross section; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic elevation view illustrating a door in the passage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic elevation view of a memory device holding open the door of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic elevation view of first and second doors in the passage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic elevation view of a memory device holding open the doors of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic elevation view of a first latch in a latching position for securing the door of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic elevation view of the latch of  FIG. 30  in an unlatched position; 
         FIG. 32  is a schematic elevation view of a third latch for securing the door of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a schematic elevation view showing two of the latches of  FIG. 32  securing the door of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a plan view of two doors in the passage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 35  is an elevational view schematically illustrating a latch for securing the doors of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 36  is an elevational view schematically showing the latch of  FIG. 35  being opened by the memory device of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 37  is an information terminal without connected grip portions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting same,  FIG. 1  illustrates an information terminal in the form of a cart handle  10  comprising first and second grips  12  extending from a central housing  14 . Central housing  14  includes a display  16 , preferably a touch screen display, and a hollow interior for containing an electronic module or modules, a battery  15 , illustrated in  FIG. 17 , a circuit board, a bar code reader  17 , and other functional elements discussed herein. Housing  14  includes a first or front portion  18  formed integrally with grips  12  and a rear portion  20  mounted to front portion  18  either removably using fasteners such as screws or via a snap fit, or permanently using suitable adhesives, for example. When rear portion  20  is removably mounted, a suitable gasket is provided to ensure an watertight seal that will at the same time allow the unit to breathe and minimize condensation build up in the hollow interior of housing  14 . 
     While the information terminal of  FIG. 1  includes attached grip portions  12 , it is also possible to form the information terminal  10  without grip portions  12  and instead provide mounting hardware (not shown) for connecting an information terminal  10  to an existing cart handle. An information terminal  10 ′ without grip portions  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 37 . 
     Grips  12  include gripping portions  21  and join housing  14  at reinforced portions  22  to increase the strength of handle  10  and to reduce the likelihood of damage where the grips  12  join housing  14  when the handle is pushed or pulled or when downward pressure is applied against the housing  14 . The gripping portions  21  have a circumference (or periphery if the grip portion does not have a circular cross section) of about 3 inches or 8 centimeters over most of their length to make them comfortable to grip for a user. Reinforced portions  22  are flared and have a larger circumference or periphery which increases from the periphery of the gripping portion  21  to the sidewall of housing  14 . As will be appreciated from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flared reinforced portion  22  surrounds the gripping portions  21  of grips  12  on all sides so that a cross section of the gripping portion  21  projected toward housing  14  will pass through without intersecting the largest circumference or periphery of reinforced portions  22 . 
     The housing and internal components are adapted to operate over a wide range of temperatures, −45° C., to 70° C., for example, so that the device can, for example, be stored outdoors in both extreme winter conditions and in direct sunlight in summer, and be resistant to both moisture and the impacts that are likely to be suffered by a shopping cart handle. The grips and housing are preferably formed from a suitable thermoplastic material. 
     Battery  15  is rechargeable and should be capable of operating the electronic modules for approximately 16 hours before recharging. 
     Housing  14  includes an opening  24  for receiving a modular bar code reader  17  and a passage  28  providing access to an internal I/O port or connector  30 , illustrated in  FIG. 8 , for example, which in the presently preferred embodiment comprises a USB port. Hardware contained within housing  14  will perform various functions and provide various displays on screen  16  which functions and displays do not comprise a part of the present disclosure. 
     The hardware in housing  14  may be activated by inserting an activation device into port  30 . In the present embodiment, the activation device comprises a solid state storage device  32  having a USB interface compatible with port  30 . Alternately, the electronic module could be activated using bar code reader  17  to scan a bar code carried by an authorized user—on a customer loyalty card, for example. When storage device  32  is used, information about a user on device  32  can optionally be made available to a processor in housing  14  and/or transmitted to a central server in wireless communication with electronic cart handle  10 . 
     Memory device  32  can be used to receive and store information from information terminal  10  or a server in communication with the terminal which information a user may later access using, for example, a home computer. Where privacy is an issue, device  32  may merely contain a serial number to identify the device  32  to a secure server in communication with the electronic module. In such cases, no personal information would be stored on device  32 . This would substantially prevent the disclosure of private information if a device  32  is lost. For purposes of the present disclosure, it is merely necessary to know that an authorized user can be identified to a processor in housing  14  with either device  32  or a bar code on a customer loyalty card, and that a processor in the electronic module, which may for example be in wireless communication with a server and/or the internet, can provide information to the user of the information terminal  10  based on previously stored preferences. 
     Removable memory device  32  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  27  and  29  and includes a body portion  34  in which a suitable compact flash or other solid-state memory  35  is contained, a USB connector  36  insertable into port  30 , a cap  38  and a ring  40  or similar arrangement to allow device  32  to be connected to a key ring. 
     As discussed above, information terminal  10  is adapted for use both indoors and out of doors and therefor must be weather resistant. For this reason, it is not practical to place an exposed USB or other I/O port on the exterior of the housing  14 . Instead, with reference to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , it is desirable to provide a closure to protect the connector  30  and the interior of the housing. While  FIG. 1  illustrates passage  28  on the upper part of housing  14 , it may be provided at other locations of the housing  14  as well, and generally will be provided toward the lower portion of housing  14  and/or in an upwardly angled manner to minimize direct expose to rain and snow. 
     In one embodiment, a door  150 , illustrated in  FIGS. 26 and 27  is provided in passage  28 . Door  150  forms a seal with the sidewalls  152  of passage  28  to minimize the entry of moisture into this opening in housing  14 . Door  150  is biased toward the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 26  by a spring  154  but may be swung open on hinge  156  when memory device  34  is inserted into passage  28  as illustrated in  FIG. 27 . As will be appreciated from these figures, door  150  will swing closed under the influence of spring  154  when memory device  34  is removed from the housing  14 . 
       FIGS. 28 and 29  illustrate a different closure arrangement for passage  28  that include first and second doors  160  in passage  28  each biased toward a closed position by a spring  162 . As illustrated in  FIG. 29 , inserting memory device  34  in passage  28  opens doors  160  against the biasing force of springs  162  to provide access to port  30 . Doors  160  return to a closed position under the influence of springs  162  when memory device  34  is removed from passage  28 . 
     It may sometimes be desirable to provide a latch for securing a door  150  or doors  160  to reduce the chance of foreign objects being inserted into passage  28 . The size of passage  28  will generally be smaller than an adult finger, but a child might be able to damage port  30  with a small stick or similar object. While an adult intent on damaging information terminal  14  will likely be able to defeat such a latch, with a hammer and a screwdriver, for example, the added security provided by a latching mechanism will deter more casual tampering with internal components. 
     A first latching mechanism is illustrated in  FIGS. 30 and 31  installed on a door  150  of  FIG. 26 . This mechanism comprises a latching member  170  slidably mounted on door  150  and biased by a spring  172  into an opening  174  which may be provided in a wall of housing  14  or by a separate catch member  176  illustrated in  FIGS. 30 and 31 . A pin  178  extends through door  150  and is held in the raised position of  FIG. 30  by a spring  180 . A wire  182  is connected to one end of pin  178  and extends via a staple  184  to the end of latching member  170 . When pin  178  is depressed by memory device  34  as illustrated in  FIG. 31 , wire  182  pulls latching member  170  away from catch member  176  and allows door  150  to open under the force of memory device  34 . 
     An alternate latching arrangement is illustrated in  FIGS. 32 and 33  wherein door  150  is prevented from opening by one or more latch members  190 . Each of the latch members  190  includes a cam surface  192  projecting from the sidewalls  152  of passage  28  and a latch end  194  adjacent door  150 . Inserting a memory device  34  into passage  28  therefore pushes outwardly on cam surface or surfaces  192  and moves latch end or ends  194  out from under door  150  thereby allowing door  150  to be opened when a memory device  34  is pressed thereagainst. Latch members  190  operate independently of one another. Therefore, when two or three latch members  190  are provided, it becomes difficult to actuate all latch member  190  simultaneously without using a memory device  34  or a similarly sized and shaped object. 
     An alternate memory device  42  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Memory device  42 , in addition to a body portion  44  holding solid state memory  35 , a USB connector  46 , a cap  48  and a ring  50 , includes a projection or key member  52  having a predetermined shape, which is a cross in the present embodiment. The shape of key member  52  matches the shape of a key opening  54 , illustrated in FIGS.  7  and  34 - 36 , in a housing adjacent port  30 . Key member  52  fits into key opening  54  when memory device  42  is used. Key member  52  projects further from body  44  than connector  46  and thus enters key opening  54  and actuates a release mechanism  56  which unlocks doors  58  over port  30 . Release mechanism  56  includes a cam  200  pivotable about an axis  202  and connected to a latch  204  so that pressure applied by projection  52  against cam  200  turns the cam and pulls latch  204  away from door  58 , thereby allowing doors  58  (only one of which is shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36 ) to swing inwardly under when USB connector  46  presses thereagainst. And, because projection  52  extends further from memory device housing  44  than USB connector  46 , latch  204  remains the retracted position illustrated in  FIG. 36  until doors  58  have closed behind memory device  42  as it is withdrawn from passage  28 . This arrangement makes it more difficult for a user to use an unauthorized device in USB port  30 . Key  52  may be retractable, with a thumb slide  53 , for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , to make USB drive  30  usable with standard USB ports, such as the ports found on a user&#39;s home computer. 
     In addition to activating electronic modules in housing  14 , the insertion of memory device  32  or  42  can perform a security function as well. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-12 , the cart  59  to which information terminal  10  is attached may include a wheel locking arrangement for securing the wheels  60  of shopping carts. These wheel locking devices may comprise a solenoid  62  for selectively driving a rod  64  into an opening in wheel  60  to substantially prevent wheel  60  from turning. Solenoid  62  is controlled by signals from the processor in housing  14  and only unlocks wheels  60  when an authorized memory device  32 ,  42  is inserted into port  30 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a plurality of nested shopping carts  70  equipped with information terminals  10 . The size and position of housing  14  substantially prevents the terminals  10  from interfering with cart nesting when mounted on a variety of standard carts. In addition, information terminal  10  is preferably mounted so that display  16  makes an angle of about 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal to improve visibility and minimize glare, while not interfering with the use of a child seat in the cart or with cart nesting. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a daisy chain arrangement for recharging batteries  15  contained within housing  14  of a plurality of nested carts  80 ,  82 ,  84 . As will be apparent from these figures, each housing  14  includes a power cord  86 , a power outlet  88  and a power LED  90  which lights when power is being supplied to the cart on which LED  90  is mounted. The power cord  86  on first cart  80  is attached to a suitable DC power source  92  (such as a transformer connected to an AC power source), the power cord  86  of second cart  82  plugs into power outlet  88  of the first cart  80 , and the power cord  86  of third cart  84  plugs into power outlet  88  of second cart  82 . LED&#39;s  90  on each cart turn on when that cart is connected to a source of electric power. In this manner, it can readily be determined whether all carts in a nested series are being recharged. This arrangement is best suited for a last-in first-out arrangement of carts and therefore is primarily intended for situations wherein groups of carts are connected and fully charged, overnight, for example, before being used by purchasers. In an alternate arrangement, each of the plurality of nested carts could be plugged individually into a power source until fully charged. This would allow for the carts that have been charging the longest to be removed from a series of carts first, over the course of a business day. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a cart corral  100  having first and second rails  102  each of which is provided with an electrically conductive charging rail  104 , best seen in  FIG. 17 , connected to a power source  103 . Corral  100  includes first and second angled guide members  106  for guiding a cart into the corral. Electrical contacts  108  on the ends of grip portions  12  make electrical contact with these charging rails to recharge a battery  15  inside housing  14 . The contacts  108  may alternately be formed in separate end caps  107  which can be attached to the grip portions  12  after grip portions  12  are cut to a proper length. Either contacts  108  or charging rails  104  may be flexible or displaceable to ensure a good electrical connection between contacts  108  and charging rail  104  even when the separation between rails  102  and or the separation between the ends of handle  10  is not constant. Alternately, end caps  107  can be telescopically mounted within handle grip portions  12  and spring biased away from one another to accommodate variations in the separation between the charging rails. Corral  100  may further includes hinged flaps  112  or similar structures to ensure that carts pass through the corral in a single direction and that the cart that has been charging for the longest period time is removed first to provide for first in first out recharging. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a charging system integrated into a daisy chain cart security system. In such a security system, nested carts are secured by inserting a member  114  chained to one cart into a slot  116  on an adjacent cart. The member  114  may be released by inserting a coin or token to release a single cart. The coin or token is returned when the cart is returned to the nested line of carts after use. An example of such a daisy chain locking system (which does not include the electrical charging system of the present invention) is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,282 to Lenader, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , member  114  includes a hasp  115  that connects to a locking mechanism in slot  116  and electrical contacts  118  that engage electrical contacts  120  in slot  116  to electrically connect two carts. Electrical contacts  120  in slot  116  are in turn connected by wire  121  to the electrical contacts  118  of a member chained to that cart which can be inserted into a slot  116  of an adjacent cart in a similar manner to electrically connect and mutually secure a plurality of nested carts in series. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a recharging system that comprises a single rail  130 , mounted, for example on a wall  132 . Rail  130  includes a channel  133  in which a pair of spaced electrical contacts  134  are mounted, one above the other for making electrical contact with a pair of vertically projecting electrical contacts  136  on the end of a cart handle  138 . A guide channel  140  is provided on the ground adjacent rail  130  to help guide the cart wheels and properly position cart handle  138  with respect to rail  130 . This arrangement is space-efficient and allows for the recharging of a battery through a single end of a cart handle. 
     The present invention has been described herein in terms of several preferred embodiments. Obvious additions and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts upon a reading of the foregoing description. It is intended that all such obvious modifications and additions be included within the scope of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1