Abstract:
A method of operating a retail check-out station. A customer selects items to be purchased, and scans bar codes attached to the items, using a cell phone camera. The bar codes identify the items. The cell phone extracts data from multiple bar codes and assembles the data into a different type of code, such as a 2-D bar code. The cell phone prints out the 2-D bar code, either on paper or on its display. The check-out station scans the 2-D bar code to obtain the identities of the items, and completes the transaction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This Background will first describe a retail environment, a problem which arises, and then a solution. 
       Retail Environment 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  is a bird&#39;s eye view of a schematic of five check-out stations A through E in a retail store. Stations A through C are staffed by cashiers, as indicated. Stations D and E are self-service check-out stations, which are not staffed by cashiers. 
         [0003]    Each station A-E examines a respective group of purchased items PI, and identifies each item within each group, as by scanning bar codes on the items, so that the price of each item can be tallied. 
         [0004]    Each station A-E generally prints a paper receipt PR for the customer. In addition, each station A-E stores some, or all, of the data contained in the receipts PR within a central computer C. The stored data are represented by files F. 
         [0005]      FIG. 2 , left side, is a representation of a hypothetical paper receipt PR. It indicates that station A in  FIG. 1  produced the paper receipt PR, and states the date and time of the sale. It also indicates the identities of the purchased items PI in  FIG. 1 , together with their prices. This data can collectively be termed scanned data, and is indicated by the dashed box SD in  FIG. 2 . The data is termed scanned because it is commonly obtained by scanning barcodes contained on the items purchased. 
         [0006]    The paper receipt PR in  FIG. 2  also contains a total cost for the sale, and other data, such as (1) the name of the customer, or patron, and (2) how the bill was paid, as by cash payment, credit card payment, or another type of payment, and so on. 
         [0007]    Some, or all, of the data indicated on the paper receipt PR is stored in the computer file F, also indicated in  FIG. 1 , within the computer C of  FIG. 1 . In addition, other data, relevant to the accounting system of the retail store, can be stored within the file F, as indicated by the other data OD. 
         [0008]    Therefore, as so far described, a computer record, indicated by the files F in  FIG. 1 , is generated for each transaction undertaken by a patron of the retail store. The check-out stations A-E generate data for each file F. 
       PROBLEM AND SOLUTION 
       [0009]    It sometimes happens that the retail store becomes crowded with patrons P in  FIG. 3 , who must line up in queues Q, and wait for available check-out stations. The retail store can respond to this situation by equipping an employee E in  FIG. 4  with a portable scanner S 1 . The employee E pre-scans the bar codes (not shown) of the items  25  of a patron P 1  waiting in a queue. The scanned bar codes are stored in the computer C as a file F 1 . Patron P 1  is given a ticket, token, or other indicator, which identifies the file F 1 . 
         [0010]    When patron P 1  reaches the check-out station C, he tenders the ticket/token, which allows the file F 1  to be retrieved. Then the transaction completes. If the station is staffed by a person, the person reads the ticket/token in an appropriate manner. If the station is a self-service station, then person P 1  presents the ticket/token to a scanner for reading. 
         [0011]    The portable scanner S 1  can be viewed as a check-out station resembling station D, but with reduced capabilities. For example, scanner S 1  would lack a weighing scale, and the ability to accept cash. 
         [0012]    Consequently, when scanner S 1  scans the items of patron P 1 , the overall system sees the initiation of an ordinary check-out transaction. However, when the scanning of the items of patron P 1  is completed, that ordinary transaction is not completed, but is suspended instead. Then, when patron P 1  reaches station C, the ticket/token is used to retrieve file F 1 , and the transaction is resumed, and it completes. 
         [0013]    During the time delay, between (1) the start of scanning of the items of P 1  by scanner S 1  and (2) the tendering of the ticket/token by P 1  to a station, that station was processing the purchases of other customers. 
         [0014]    It is pointed out that the transaction for P 1  is broken into two sub-transactions. One is the scanning (sometimes called pre-scanning) of the items of patron P 1 , which identifies the items which P 1  wishes to purchase. The second is the tallying of the bill for P 1  and acceptance of payment, together with any other overhead steps required. The second step occurs at station C in  FIG. 4 , since the first step has already occurred before patron P 1  arrived at station C. 
         [0015]    Thus, patron P 1  experiences a benefit. The time spent by patron P 1  at the station C, after waiting in the queue, is reduced. Further, in many cases, the total time spent by P 1 , including time in the queue, has been reduced. 
         [0016]    However, while patron P 1  is benefited, this process may have a disadvantage to the retail store itself. That disadvantage can lie in the fact that portable scanner S 1  is, in essence, a miniature version of an ordinary self-service check-out station D. As such, it is not a generic item which is available for purchase by the retail store. It probably must be purchased from the manufacturer of the overall system of check-out stations A-E. 
         [0017]    By analogy, in the automotive world, power steering pumps are not interchangeable. A power steering pump for a vehicle A will probably not fit a vehicle B, because the two vehicles are made by different manufacturers. Similarly, a portable scanner S 1  in  FIG. 4  manufactured by Company A probably cannot be used with a checkout system manufactured by Company B. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    An object of the invention is to provide an improved check-out system for retail stores. 
         [0019]    A further object of the invention is to provide an improved system for reducing queues which form at check-out stations in retail stores. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    In one form of the invention, a patron scans bar codes on items to be purchased, using a cell phone, smart phone, or other portable device. The bar code data is then conveyed to a check-out station directly by the patron. The check-out station then completes the transaction, using the patron&#39;s bar code data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a bird&#39;s eye view of check-out stations A-E in a retail store. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates contents of a paper receipt PR in  FIG. 1 , together with a computer file F which stores some, or all, of the data of the paper receipt PR. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows stations A-E of  FIG. 1 , with patrons P lined up in queues Q, awaiting available check-out stations. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a rendition of  FIG. 3 , with an added scanner S 1 , which is operated by an employee E. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates one form of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cell phone CP displaying a 2-D bar code  30 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cell phone CP displaying four different linear bar codes, in sequence. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    This discussion will first (1) explain an improvement over the approach described in the Background of the Invention, and then (2) illustrate an alternate approach. 
         [0029]    The approach described in the Background of the Invention accomplishes three tasks. One task is scanning the items of patron P 1 , while P 1  stands in a queue Q. Scanning the items of P 1  identifies the items and places the identifying data into a format usable by computer programs. 
         [0030]    A second task is storing that identifying data in a location which is available to a check-out station, namely, in computer C. A third task is enabling a check-out station to select, from computer C, the identifying data corresponding to patron P 1 . That is, computer C stores identifying data for numerous patrons. The data for patron P 1  must be selected from that collection of identifying data. The ticket/token described above facilitates this third task. 
       Preliminary Matters 
       [0031]    In the approach of the Background of the Invention, scanner S 1  in  FIG. 4  was used by an employee. In an alternate approach, the retail store provides a collection of scanners S 1  of  FIG. 4 , and makes them available to customers. This approach has the advantage that an employee E is not required to perform the scanning of the patrons&#39; items. 
         [0032]    Under the alternate approach, the identifying data of a patron&#39;s items is stored in the central computer C, as described above. However, the scanners S 1  do not print out a ticket, or provide a token, as described above. Instead, the function of the ticket/token is provided by the customer. 
         [0033]    For example, the scanner S 1  may ask the patron to punch in an identifying number, such as the patron&#39;s telephone number, or a random number which the person fabricates on the spot. The data for the patron is then stored by using that number as an identifying number in a file name. 
         [0034]    Alternately, the scanner can scan the patron&#39;s loyalty card, credit card, driver&#39;s license, or other ID card, and thereby secure a unique code for the patron&#39;s identifying data, and store the identifying data under that number. 
         [0035]    However, this alternate approach shares a characteristic with the approach of the Background of the Invention, namely, that the identities of the items of a patron are still stored within computer C in  FIG. 4 . As a practical matter, that almost necessarily requires that (1) scanners S 1  in  FIG. 4  be owned by the retail store, and (2) the store&#39;s computer network be involved in accepting the scanned data and storing it until check-out occurs by the patron. This adds expense, in the form of capital cost and maintenance. 
       SEVERAL FORMS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    Against the preceding background, Applicant presents another form of the invention. In brief, the patron starts a transaction-handling application on their own smartphone or other computing device. The smartphone application records each barcode scanned until the patron indicates the scanning is complete, which causes the application to generate a 2d barcode containing the product codes and other relevant transaction data in one barcode image. Then the patron delivers the scanned data directly to the check-out station via its optical barcode scanner. The checkout station processes the barcode data and sells each item code in the data, and applies loyalty information and coupon information if available. After the processing is complete the check-out station accepts tender from the patron and finalizes the transaction. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates patron P 2 , and a cell phone CP owned by that patron. The patron P 2  scans each item within collection  45 , using the cell phone CP. No employee of the retail store is involved in the scanning, nor is any equipment of the retail store involved. Specifically, no computer of the retail store acts as a storage location of the scanned data at this time, although after the sale a computer of the retail store will probably store some, or all, of the scanned data. 
         [0038]    After all items in group  45  have been scanned, the cell phone CP then prepares a message containing the scanned data. That message can take the form of a 2-D, that is, two-dimensional, bar code, 30 which contains data identifying all the items. 
         [0039]    2-D bar codes are well known and available in various formats, including QR (Quick Response) codes. In one form, they resemble miniature checkerboards, approximately the size of postage stamps. In the case of black-and-white 2-D bar code, each square in the checkerboard represents one bit of data. If colors are used, each square can represent more than one bit. For example, if eight colors are used, each square can represent a decimal number from one to eight, or, equivalently, three bits. The storage capacity of 2-D bar codes varies, but a good round estimate is one kilobyte of storage capacity. 
         [0040]    Block  30  in  FIG. 5  represents the 2-D bar code. The cell phone CP can display the 2-D bar code  30  on its video display in  FIG. 6 , thereby creating a visual image of the code  30 . The check-out station will then optically scan the video display to obtain the code  30 , and its data contents. The check-out station optically reads the bar code  30  to obtain the scanned data, and then completes the sales transaction in the usual manner. 
         [0041]    The cell phone CP can print the code  30  onto a sheet, and present the sheet to the check-out station. 
         [0042]    In one form of the invention, the retail store is equipped with scanners at its check-out stations, which scan bar codes in the usual manner. However, the scanners possess the additional capacity of being able to read 2-D bar codes. Block  60  in  FIG. 5  represents such a scanner, or a combination of (1) a prior art bar code scanner and (2) a 2-D bar code scanner. The latter scanner can be used for scanning purposes other than scanning 2-D bar codes which the cell phone CP generates. 
         [0043]    With this arrangement, no additional equipment is required by the retail store, to allow patrons to scan their own items. Additionally, no loyalty program token or additional identifier is required other than the barcode or message produced by the phone. A patron scans the items, generates the 2-D bar code  30 , presents the code  30  to a check-out station, which is either staffed or self-service, and the station reads the code  30  using a scanner which it uses for other purposes. 
         [0044]    A significant feature of the invention is that the 2-D bar code is a visual image which contains data which with one scan can identify a list of items which the patron is purchasing. Although the 2D barcodes do have data size limits, they can be expected to contain up to 50 items, which is more than enough for most retail transactions. The barcode data can optionally include loyalty identifiers and coupon data. For exceptionally large transactions, multiple 2-D barcodes can be produced that are sequentially displayed. That data does not directly convey information describing the items in an ordinary human language, such as English or Spanish. Instead, each data item within the 2-D bar code is a number, or symbol string, which must be decoded in order to ascertain its meaning. 
         [0045]    Of course, a skilled technician may be able to directly read the meaning of such codes. Nevertheless, such codes still do not convey the descriptive information in a human language. In this example, information is conveyed because the technician performs the decoding process mentally. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  illustrates another form of the invention. The data scanned from the items (such as scanned bar codes) is not assembled into a single 2-D bar code. Instead, linear bar codes representing single items, or 2D barcodes representing multiple items (in cases of transactions containing too many items for one 2D barcode) are displayed, in sequence, on the display of the cell phone CP of the patron. A scanner at the check-out station E reads the sequence of bar codes. 
         [0047]    This is a type of serial data transfer, in which each unit in the transfer is an individual bar code, and the bar codes are displayed serially. This is distinct from the presentation of a 2-D bar code, for at least two reasons. One is that the 2-D bar code contains identifying data for multiple items. A second reason is that the 2-D bar code is a single graphical image, presented at one time (unless error correction requires a repeated presentation). 
       ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 
       [0048]    1. The items are labeled with one type of code, such as linear bar codes. That is, each item purchased by the patron may contain a unique linear bar code which identifies the item. However, the cell phone CP in  FIG. 5  generates another type of code, such as a 2-D bar code, or another type of graphical image. The latter type of code generated by the cell phone CP (e.g., a 2-D bar code) is qualitatively different from the codes read from the items (e.g., bar codes). The two types of codes are decoded differently by scanners. Different algorithms are required to extract information from the two types of code. 
         [0049]    2. In one form of the invention, the check-out stations A-E in  FIG. 5 , in general, do not scan bar codes of items a second time. That is, the 2-D bar code presented by the customer is used to identify the items which the customer purchases. The items listed in that 2-D bar code are not re-scanned by the check-out station. Exceptions may occur, as when mistakes arise. But one goal is to eliminate double scanning. 
         [0050]    Numerous substitutions and modifications can be undertaken without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the invention as defined in the following claims.