Abstract:
A computer-automated system is disclosed for promoting specifiable items of merchandise in a retail shopping facility for specifiable time periods. The automated promotion system enables a customer with an appropriately configured mobile device to avail of promotional prompts within the shopping facility electronically (i.e., within the specified time period), substantiating redemption of a related benefit at checkout (i.e., within or beyond the specified time period). The system has three principal components: a source, a node, and a checkpoint. The source enables a retailer to script the parameters of the promotion (e.g., the duration, benefit, and relevant merchandise). The node—preferably, an electronic shelf label—provides means for publishing the promotion to a customer pursuant to information entered by the retailer at the source. The checkpoint consummates the promotion.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed, in general, to retail promotion systems, and in particular, to an automated system for promoting specifiable items of retail merchandise for specifiable time periods. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In retail store facilities, sales are consummated typically at a “point-of-sale” or “checkout” station. It is here that a customer makes payment to the retailer in exchange for items of merchandise obtained from the store&#39;s sales floor. The checkout process is often administered by an attendant (e.g., a sales associate or cashier) responsible for itemizing the merchandise, calculating a total price, presenting it to the customer, and receiving and/or recording the customer&#39;s payment. 
         [0003]    To improve efficiency, several retailers have lately been installing “self-service” checkout stations, which—through the use of computer terminals equipped with bar code scanners, scales, and automated payment devices—enable customers to checkout their merchandise themselves. Since a single store associate can monitor several such self-service checkout stations at one time, a retailer can “open” more queues, shorten checkout lines, reduce wait times, and increase customer throughput. 
         [0004]    In a drive to attain even further efficiency, retailer are now beginning to investigate and adopt so-called “mobile checkout” systems. In such systems, a mobile device with scanning capabilities (such as a smartphone) is used by a customer while shopping to scan items as they are retrieved and deposited into the customer&#39;s shopping cart. When the customer has finished shopping, the mobile device is brought to a checkout station, where information captured from the device, having been extracted at that point or earlier, is used to consummate the purchase quickly, without having to undergo additional item tabulation and/or scanning. 
         [0005]    While the technical sophistication of retail checkout processes continues to evolve, it is well understood that any advantages attainable through such improvements will be limited naturally by customer adoption rates. Accordingly, the investigation into novel features that would be attractive to customer and that could be used in combination with modern electronic checkout systems continues to be an area of interest among retailers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In light of the above, the present invention provides a computer-automated system for promoting specifiable items of merchandise in a retail shopping facility for specifiable time periods. The automated promotion system enables a customer with an appropriately configured mobile device, such as the customer&#39;s smartphone, to avail of promotional prompts published electronically by the retailer within the shopping facility. The customer&#39;s response to the prompt is recorded electronically, providing in due course, the temporal substantiation sought for redemption of the related benefit at checkout. 
         [0007]    The system (and its related methodology) provides the retailer with the capability to conduct discrete product promotions at an unprecedented level of specificity. The system would, for example, enable a store manager to launch targeted promotional efforts precisely at “slow moving” products. 
         [0008]    The system is also compatible within “full-service”, “self-service”, and “mobile” checkout systems. A combination therewith would provide additional opportunities for discounts, price rollbacks, and like pecuniary benefits, and as such, would be expected to be viewed favorably by retail customers. 
         [0009]    The automated promotion system comprises a merchandise information source, a merchandise information node, and a merchandise information checkpoint. The merchandise information source enables a retailer to script the parameters of the promotion (e.g., the duration, benefit, and relevant merchandise). The merchandise information node preferably an electronic shelf label—provides means for publishing the promotion to a customer pursuant to information entered by the retailer at the merchandise information source. And, the merchandise information checkpoint provides the means for consummating the promotion. 
         [0010]    The automated promotion system is preferably used in combination with a software application installed and executing on a customer&#39;s personal smartphone (or other like mobile device). The software application is engineered to drive an electronic scanner integrated into the mobile device and record scanned data into the device&#39;s data storage, thereby providing the means for capturing an “electronically-recordable customer transaction” that will affect in due course the purchase of the item of merchandise at the merchandise information checkpoint. 
         [0011]    In sum, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a computer-automated system for promoting retail merchandise. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer-automated system for promoting a specifiable item of merchandise in a retail shopping facility for a specifiable time period. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer automated system for promoting retail merchandise, wherein the system utilizes so-called “electronic shelf labels” and is compatible within a “mobile checkout” framework. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer-automated system for promoting a specifiable item of merchandise in a retail shopping facility for a specifiable time period, wherein the system comprises a merchandise information source, merchandise information node, and merchandise information checkpoint. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for conducting a specifiable limited-time product promotion utilizing a mobile device provided with software capable of recording a customer transaction performed in response to a promotional prompt published at an electronic shelf label. 
         [0016]    For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates schematically a merchandise promotion system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising an merchandise information source  100 , a merchandise information node  200 , and a merchandise information checkpoint  300 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  illustrates schematically particular components of the merchandise information source  100  and the communicative relation thereof to a merchandise information node  200 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  illustrates schematically different merchandise information displays  200   a  and  200   b  presented on merchandise information node  200  at different times. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates schematically a particular type of merchandise information display  200   c , presented on a merchandise information node  200 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  illustrates schematically the use of a smartphone application  420  for scanning a bar code  212  which is provided in a merchandise information display  200   b.    
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  illustrates schematically the use of a smartphone application  420  for scanning a bar code  22  which is—in contrast to FIG.  4 A—provided on an item of merchandise  20 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  provides a representative outline of the basic elements of the inventive system. As shown therein, the merchandise promotion system comprises three basic elements: i.e., merchandise information source  100 , a merchandise information node  200 , and a merchandise information checkpoint  300 . 
         [0024]    The merchandise information source  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2A , comprise an interface  112  for input of limited-time merchandise information  118  and a transmitter  130  and  132  for transmission of said information to the merchandise information node  200 , the information being associated with an item of merchandise an having a predefined expiration. 
         [0025]    The merchandise information node  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  3  comprises a receiver  210  for reception of the limited-time merchandise information and a display  200   a - c  for the visual presentation of said information. The display—as seen in FIG.  1 —is located within “visual proximity” of the item of merchandise  20  and provides a prompt (i.e., a “promotional prompt”) calling for the performance by a customer of an “electronically-recordable customer transaction”. 
         [0026]    Finally, the merchandise information checkpoint  300  comprises an electronic processor capable of affecting a purchase of the item of merchandise as a function of the “electronically-registered customer transaction”. Thus, the checkpoint  300  functions to redeem, validate, and/or bring into a effect the promotional benefit associated with the “promotional prompt”. 
         [0027]    As an adjunct to automated promotional system, the invention also provides a corresponding methodology. 
         [0028]    This method comprises the steps of: providing a computer program executable on a portable device, wherein the portable device has an electronic scanner and data storage, and wherein the computer program is capable of driving the electronic scanner to scan an electronically-scannable tag and recording the scanned data in said data storage; providing an electronic shelf label in visual proximity to said item of merchandise, the electronic shelf label capable of receiving and visually-displaying said promotional information; transmitting said promotional information to said electronic shelf label, the promotional information being visually-presented by said electronic shelf label to prompt a customer equipped with said portable device to read said electronically-scannable tag; checking for the presence of scanned data recorded in the data storage of a portable device at a checkout register in said retail facility, the presence of said scanned data providing complete or partial validation of said promotional information for a customer bearing said portable device at said checkout register. 
         [0029]    As used herein, limited-time merchandise information includes any information provided in any electronic form that is pertinent to an offer for sale by the retailer of, or otherwise associated with, an item of merchandise (i.e., a promotional component) and that has associated therewith a limited-time component (cf., an expiration). The merchandise information should not be expected to be static and unchanging. After input, the merchandise information can, in the course of is transmission and reception to and from the source and the node, be consolidated into an single data record (or string), and/or distributed among a plurality of data records (or strings), and/or combined or merged with other data. 
         [0030]    In preferred embodiments, the promotional component of the information includes, but is not limited to, price discounts and reductions (e.g., price rollback programs), electronic coupons (cf., for current or future purchases of the same or different merchandise), and loyalty points (e.g., customer rewards programs and frequent flyer miles). Regardless of its content, the promotional component becomes applicable to a customer after an requisite validation of the time component. 
         [0031]    The time component of the information is to be construed herein as including any data that defines and will effect directly or indirectly an automatic predefined expiration of the promotional component of the merchandise information. Although embodiments of the invention can include functions for renewing and/or extending the time limits, the input of the time limitation at the merchandise information source fixes, set, and/or otherwise limits the duration of the associated merchandise promotion. The duration thus can vary, but will nonetheless, in contrast to other merchandise data, always be pre-decided. 
         [0032]    There is no particular limitation to the duration of the time component and can be anywhere from one or a few hours to several weeks and months if not years. Preferably, in view of the currently forecasted practical utilization of the invention, the duration would likely be under a day. This would be consistent with a preferred embodiment, wherein the window for validation, past the duration of the promotion, automatically expires at the end of the day. 
         [0033]    There is no particular limitation on the design of the merchandise information source, provided its fundamental function of “feeding” the merchandise information node with limited-time merchandise information is served. This function involves, at least, an input interface and a transmitter. The input interface can comprise any means enabling a retailer to enter the data components that ultimately form the limited time merchandise information. The transmitter can comprise any means enabling the transmission of the time-limited merchandise information from the merchandise-information source to a merchandise information node. 
         [0034]    A representative example of an interface  112 , entitled “ESL Tag Editor”, is illustrated in  FIG. 2A . As shown therein, the interface  112  is provided via an application installed and executed on a personal computer  110 , the personal computer  110  being in communication with an electronic shelf label server (ESL)  120 , which in turn is in communication with an ESL base station  130 . 
         [0035]    The ESL Tag Editor interface  112  comprises input fields for entering “limited-time merchandise information” comprising, in particular, product information  114  (i.e., “Brand” and “SKU”), promotional information  116  associated with the product (i.e., “Rollback (Y/N)” and “Rollback Price”), and temporal information  118  (i.e., “Rollback Start” and “Rollback Expiry”). The time-limited merchandise information, together with other information from other sources (e.g., pricing and quantity information associated retrieved from another relationally-linked database) are processed into an image file(s) and transmitted to a predetermined ESL (cf., “Tag 62308” identified in field  106 ). Prior to submission, the image file(s) can be reviewed by the creator in preview display  103 . When acceptable to the creator, the entries can be submitted by clicking button  104 , whereupon the image file(s) are transmitted from the ESL server  120  to the ESL base server  130 , converted to a radio signal  132 , and ultimately acquired by the appropriate ESL  200  through a receiver contained, placed, and/or enclosed, for example, within region  210 . 
         [0036]    In the specific example shown in  FIG. 2A , a rollback promotion—providing a price discount of $5 for product SKU 309699—is schedule to commence on Mar. 27, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. and expire 3 hours later at 12:00 p.m. As illustrated, the retailer submits this information (i.e., clicks the “Submit” button  104 ) at 8:45 a.m. After the designated commencement time, the existing image  200   a  on the ESL device  200  will be updated (e.g., as seen in image  200   b  in  FIG. 2B , representing the state of the ESL device  200  at 9:23 a.m.) After the designated expiration time, the limited-time promotional image  200   b  displayed on ESL device  200  can revert back to its previous state (e.g., as shown in image  200   a  in  FIG. 2B , representing the state of the ESL device  200  at 12:01 p.m.) 
         [0037]    The ESL server  120  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A  comprises hardware and/or software assets used for managing, processing, or otherwise handling the data required for presentation of information on the merchandise information node  200 . The ESL server  120  can be networked with, for example, other application servers and file servers, that may be called upon in the course of managing the ESL devices within a store. For example, certain product information can be contained within a retailer central product database, which is accessed through the ESL server, when such information is needed to update information published on an ESL device. ESL software can include ESL-related data recording, scheduling, transmitting, receiving, and editing functions; ESL device tracking and mapping functions; ESL base station management and control functions; and ESL security and access control functions. 
         [0038]    In embodiments of the present invention where some or all of the limited-time merchandise information is converted into an optically scannable 2D or 3D bar code, the ESL server can also include programming for such conversion. This programming can be included within the firmware of an ESL device. With current technology, however, and in the interest of maintaining low power consumption at the ESL devices as—which are often battery powered—as well as keeping low the overall production costs and maintenance of such devices, the conversion is preferably hosted at the ESL server. 
         [0039]    The ESL server can have its own user interface (e.g., via keyboard and monitor) or, as in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , is accessed by a user (e.g., a retail store manager) through a terminal or personal computer  110 , with appropriate retailer network authorizations, permissions, and/or privileges. In the former case, the ESL server can essentially be a personal computer, located for example, in the back office space of a retail establishment, with all hardware and software assets needed for ESL management locally provided. In the latter case, the ESL server can be located in remote network, and accessed through a personal computer located remotely or in a local administrative back office. 
         [0040]    Technical configuration and details of various ESL servers are known. Various ESL server configurations and operations can be found disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,921, issued to N. Hashiguchi et al. on Sep. 4, 2012; U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,714, issued to D. K. Shetty et al. on Feb. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,365, issued to J. S. Rimkus on Nov. 24, 1998; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/0161932, filed by G. Y. Byun et al. on Jul. 27, 2011; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,403,909, issued to K. W. Haulk et al. on Jul. 22, 2008. 
         [0041]    The base station  130  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A  provided an example of a transmitter, useful in proving a communications channel between an electronic shelf label (ESL) server  120  and an electron shelf label device  200 . Examples of ESL base stations and components thereof are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,794, issued to A. M. G. Claessen on Aug. 22, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,436,285, issued to J. P. Roquemore, III on Oct. 14, 2008; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,674, issued to N. Matsushita on Jul. 13, 2004. 
         [0042]    The computer  110 , ESL server  120 , and the base station  130  can exist within a much larger retailer-operated network. A computer network used by the retailer to host the merchandise information source can comprise a plurality of interconnected computers and terminals, servers, data storage facilities, hub, routers, switches, network security devices, network management devices, wireless nodes and access points, load balancers, and related software. Within this network, data relating to the time-limited merchandise information can be stored within the network&#39;s data storage facilities, with the ESL server drawing upon, interacting with, and providing access to such data. 
         [0043]    The data storage facilities can comprise one or more data storage devices capable of recording and retrieving digital information from a medium (e.g., magnetic, optical, semiconductor, etc.). For small to medium-scale retailers, the data storage facilities can utilize storage with comparative modest capacity, such as provided by a single internal or external hard drive or flash drive. For larger global retailers, the data storage facilities will require greater capacity and bandwidth, and thus, may employ several networked and attached data storage components, these being deployed at an enterprise-scale and may include, for example, arrays of data servers and file servers; SAN and NAS storage facilities; RAID storage systems; data backup, archiving, and redundancy facilities; and data management and load balancing agents. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , the information-bearing signal  134  transmitted from the ESL base station  130  is received by a merchandise information node  200 . 
         [0045]    The merchandise information node  200  can be provided through well known display devices of various configurations, but will comprise, at the least, a receiver and a display. As stated above, the receiver (e.g., housed in region  210 ) functions to receive the information-bearing signal  134  from the base station  130 . Device identification, authentication, and handshaking protocols are well known and can be selected and deployed based on the individual specific needs of the retailer. 
         [0046]    Once received, the signal is processed by internal circuitry and logic to extract and use the time-limited merchandise information for visual presentation thereof on the display. In accordance with the invention, this visual presentation (cf., display  200   b ) is temporary, contemporaneous with the duration of the promotion, and reverting back to any default information previously displayed on the merchandise information node  200  (cf., display  200   a ). The duration of the visual presentation is a function of the predefined expiration data entered at the merchandise information source  100 . 
         [0047]    The predefined expiration data can either be intrinsic or extrinsic to the limited-time merchandise information. If intrinsic, the expiration data is incorporated into and part of the file(s) or data string(s) constituting the limited-time merchandise information. Accordingly, the duration of the visual present can be controlled locally, for example, at an appropriately configured merchandise information node  200 . If extrinsic, the expiration data remains at the merchandise information source  100 , which accordingly controls the duration of the visual presentation. 
         [0048]    The limited-time merchandise information is visually presented to provide a prompt for performing an electronically-recordable customer transaction. The electronically-recordable transaction can be, for example, the scanning of a bar code provided on the merchandise information node  200 , the scanning of a bar code visually presented on the display  200   b , the scanning of a bar code on an item of merchandise  20 , the swiping of a customer account card using a magnetic stripe reader, and the scanning of an RFID tag on or near the merchandise information node or item of merchandise. 
         [0049]    The prompt provides implicit and/or literal instructions or guidance to a customer on an action to be performed by the customer to participate in the limited-time promotion. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , a merchandise information node  200  visually presents a display  200   b  advertising a temporary price (i.e., “$20”) available for a limited time (i.e., “02H  37 M”) which can be obtained by scanning barcode  212  as per the literal prompt  214  (i.e., “Scan Now”). A similar explicit prompt  214  (i.e., “Scan UPC Code Now”) is used in the display  200   c  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , representative of embodiments that do not rely upon a bar code displayed on the merchandise information node  200 . 
         [0050]    Through the use of externally provided instructions (e.g., via newsletters, advertisements, commercials, store circulars, and in-store instructional documentation, placards, and signage), an understanding of the actions needed to participate in the limited-time promotion can be developed among customers, enabling the use of less explicit or narrative prompts. For example, instructional signage placed in a retail facility can provide an outline of the promotion, together with a fulsome description of the steps involved for participation, enabling a retailer to reduce the amount of words or other information used for the prompt. Along these line, a bar code (or other optically-scannable scannable indicia) can alone serve as an implied prompt. 
         [0051]    In respect of the customer transaction being “electronically-recordable”, it will be appreciated that, although not excluded from the invention, recordation is generally not performed by or at the merchandise information node  200 . Rather, as discussed further below, recordation is preferably effected through the use of a customer-operated mobile device, which can either be owned by the customer, or provided for the customer&#39;s use by the retailer within the retail facility. 
         [0052]    Useful and/or desirable formats for machine-readable indicia would include any of the matrix, geometric, and bar code formats currently available and well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of such formats can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,322, issued to T. Pavlidis et al. on Apr. 2, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,285, issued to F. Schuessler on Sep. 28, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,596, issued to A. Longacre, Jr. on Sep. 6, 2011; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,197, issued to K. T. Rubin et al. on Dec. 14, 2004. Due in part to its storage capacity—and in part to its widespread adoption by retailers, customers, and smartphone application developers—the preferred format is the so-called QR code format. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the QR (“Quick Response”) code is a high density matrix bar code that utilizes three square targets at three of its corners (i.e., upper left, upper right, and bottom left corners) and a smaller square target near its fourth corner to normalize the code image for size, orientation, and angle of viewing. The international standards and technical specifications for the creation and use of QR codes are defined in ISO/IEC 18004, available from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva, Switzerland (&lt;http://www.iso.org&gt;). 
         [0054]    The amount of data stored in a QR code will largely depends on the overall dimensions of the array. “Version 1” of a standards-compliant QR code (i.e., the least capacious version) is a 21×21 array having a capacity of 72 data bits at high (type “H”) error correction. “Version 40” (i.e., the most capacious) is a 177×177 array having a capacity of approximately 23K at low (type “L”) error correction. 
         [0055]    When used for the present invention, the type of data stored within the QR code will vary. In one embodiment, for example, the QR code can encode an alphanumeric string (or other data sequence) that is decoded or otherwise extracted through software executed on a mobile capture device, and subsequently processed therein, and/or at the merchandise information checkpoint  300 , and/or within other processing facilities in the retailer&#39;s computer network, for use at checkout. When processed, the QR code can, for example, trigger the generation of a electronic coupon, or update the contents of a virtual shopping cart, or provide—in a comparatively simple embodiment—a text file that can be read at checkout, electronically or by an attendant. 
         [0056]    As an alternative to wireless communication, the merchandise information node  200  can be updated via wired communication. Wired deployments do however have difficulties in respect of layout limitations caused by the complicated cabling likely needed to connect a high number of individual ESL displays. Wireless ESL deployments are, in this regard, preferred. 
         [0057]    Examples of various ESL device, and components thereof, are discussed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,596, issued to R. H. Marvin et al. on May 30, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,914,648, issued to S. Niiyama et al. on Jul. 5, 2005; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0036636, filed by H. Karhuketo et al. on May 9, 2011; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0128126, filed by B. Nilsson et al. on Feb. 7, 2011. 
         [0058]    ESL devices used for the merchandise information node  200  of the present invention can include a variety of components, such as an addressable electooptical flat panel display, a transmitter, a receiver, a power source, mounting hardware, and standard ESL circuitry. 
         [0059]    In respect of the display, an electrophoretic display (i.e., so-called “electronic paper” displays) are particularly well-suited for the present invention. These “bi-stable” displays are typically based on a thin layer of microcapsules filled with electrically charged dyed particles and provide a paper-like high contrast appearance, ultra-low power consumption, and a thin light form. Power can be supplied by wired connections, but more typically, a battery is used. “Bi-stability” confers the ability to create a stable image without continuous supply of power, thereby reducing power consumption and the frequency of batteries replacement. 
         [0060]    The invention is not limited to any particular mechanical placement or means for mounting the merchandise information node, nor is the invention limited to any particular distribution of these nodes throughout a retail store facility. For example, a node  200  can be integrated into the shelving framework, or clipped onto the front edge of a shelf, or slid into or otherwise engaged with a coupling track on a shelf rail, or rested upon or placed in a display stand. 
         [0061]    In respect of its relative position, the merchandise information node  200  is placed in the visual proximity of the item of merchandise  20  with which it is associated. Whether it is above, below, or to either side thereof is of no relevant consequence. The capability of the node to adequately prompt a customer to avail of a promotion associated with a specific product is preserved as long as a customer can see both from the same position, and thereby associate one with the other. 
         [0062]    The merchandise information checkpoint  300  provides a means for validating, redeeming, or applying a promotion, or otherwise affecting a purchase of an item of merchandise as a function of the electronically-recorded customer transaction prompted at the merchandise information node  200 . 
         [0063]    If the customer did not respond to any prompts, the merchandise information checkpoint  300  is used for normal checkout operations. On the other hand, if the customer did respond to a prompt, in addition to basic checkout operations, the merchandise information checkpoint  300  would be used execute the processes scripted to effect the promotion. Thus, for example, if the promotion provides a price discount, the checkout price is reduced. If the promotion provides loyalty points, these are added at checkout. If the promotion call for coupons redeemable for future purchase, these can be printed together with the receipt for final purchase. Other promotional scenarios should be apparent. 
         [0064]    Typically, to proceed through its checkout processes, information is exchanged between the merchandise information checkpoint  300  and a customer-operated mobile device  400 . This is not however always the case. Despite having been used for responding to the promotional prompts published at the merchandise information nodes  200 , the customer-operated mobile device need not necessarily be involved in any of the checkout processes conducted at the merchandise information checkpoint  300 . 
         [0065]    For example, a electronically-recorded customer transaction can be uploaded (either contemporaneously with its performance or over the course of shopping prior to checkout) to a customer account service hosted on the retailer&#39;s computer network (e.g., a virtual shopping cart provided in conjunction with a mobile checkout program). Thus, at checkout, the merchandise information checkpoint  300  would need only to access the customer account in order to consummate the customer&#39;s purchases, including redeeming any electronically-captured promotions. 
         [0066]    Furthermore, access need not necessarily require or involve the mobile device. Access can also be accomplished, for example, by “swiping” a customer account card or by manually entering account information into a checkout terminal  320 . In either event, the customer&#39;s purchase will be modified to the extent that the customer had timely responded to a limited-time promotional prompt. 
         [0067]    Since the present invention seeks to provide a “limited-time” promotion, the time at which the promotion is accepted by a customer is important. Accordingly, in combination with other well known validation processes (e.g., customer identification), the merchandise information checkpoint  300  should also be capable of providing a time check. In this regard, two general approaches can be implemented. 
         [0068]    First, the merchandise information checkpoint  300  can be configured to communicate with the mobile device used by the customer whilst shopping and directly extract information recorded thereon indicative of the time in which the prompted customer transaction had been electronically recorded. This information can be, for example, a date/time stamp created by the mobile device contemporaneously with the electronic recordation. Alternatively, the information could also be any information (such as an image, file, or the aforementioned “alphanumeric string”) that was presented at the merchandise information node  200  only for a known pre-defined time period. The presence of such short-lived ephemeral information on the mobile device would be indicative of timely participation in the promotion. 
         [0069]    Second, the merchandise information checkpoint  300  can be configured to communicate with the mobile device to extract information (e.g., a customer account number) that leads, for example, to an extrinsic file (e.g., a customer account) hosted on the retailer&#39;s computer network, where the desired authentication and validation operations are performed, including any related date/time checks. In this configuration, the merchandise information checkpoint  300  will apply promotional benefits based on time signatures and/or data indicated or otherwise provided in extrinsic file(s) (i.e., files that reside neither in the merchandise information checkpoint  300  or in a customer-operated mobile device  400 . 
         [0070]    For the present invention, the key component of the merchandise information checkpoint  300  is an electronic processor capable of affecting a checkout purchases as a function of the electronically registered customer transaction. Other capabilities and/or other components can of course be included. 
         [0071]    For example, in embodiments of the inventive system wherein the prompted customer transaction is to be electronically recorded on a customer-operate mobile device  400 , the merchandise information checkpoint  300  should include means for communicating with and extracting information from that mobile device (e.g., a bar code scanner  310  and bar code processing software). Similarly, in embodiments of the inventive system wherein the prompted customer transaction is to be electronically-recorded extrinsically in a customer account hosted on the retailer&#39;s computer network, the merchandise information checkpoint  400  should include means for accessing and communicating with that network (e.g., via IEEE 802.11-based wireless communication channels or through IEEE 802.3-based wired communications). 
         [0072]    In addition, preferred configurations for the merchandise information checkpoint  300  will also include an optical bar code or RFID scanner; a keyboard for manual entry of data; data communication ports; a printer for printing receipts; and cash and bank card payment systems. The latter can include a magnetic stripe reader, a cash drawer, and—for self-service checkout stations—a bank note scanner and change dispenser. 
         [0073]    The construction, programming, deployment, installation, and operation of devices, components, systems, sub-systems, modules, and accessories that can be integrated into the merchandise information checkpoint  300  are well known. The merchandise information checkpoint  300  and/or components, can be custom-engineered, retrofitted from an existing checkout system, or simply purchased. As to the latter, point-of-sale systems and components are available commercially from, for example, Casio Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), Sharp Corporation (Osaka, Japan), NCR Corporation (Duluth, Ga.), Toshiba TEC Corporation/IBM (Tokyo, Japan), and Hewlett-Packard Company (Palo Alto, Calif.). 
         [0074]    As an alternative to “fixed” point-of-sale systems, “mobile” point-of-sale systems can also be employed. In these systems, mobile handheld devices equipped with bar code readers and credit card scanners are used to consummate checkout. Such mobile systems and components thereof are commercially-available from, for example, NCR Corporation (Duluth, Ga.), Verifone Systems, Inc. (San Jose, Calif.); LightSpeed Retail, Inc. (Montreal, Calif.); and Hewlett Packard Company (Palo Alto, Calif.). 
         [0075]    When a limited-time promotion is in effect, a promotional prompt will be present at the merchandise information node  200  for the predefined duration of the promotion. Electronic acceptance of the promotion within this window of opportunity, pursuant to the invention, needs ultimately to be communicated to the merchandise information checkpoint  300  for it (i.e., the timely acceptance) to affect purchase. This functionality is preferably performed through the use of a customer-operated mobile device. 
         [0076]    The preferred mobile device is equipped with both an electronic scanner and data storage. The electronic scanner is used to read merchandise tags and labels, such as when a customer logs those products in the course of retrieving and depositing them in a shopping cart. Data storage is used to support the recording by (and other functions of) the electronic scanner. For example, a rolling inventory, list, or tabulation of the contents of the customer&#39;s shopping cart, together with the electronically-recorded customer transactions that ensue from promotional prompts (i.e., capture data), can be stored, maintained, and retrieved from the device&#39;s data storage. As mentioned further below, such information can also be uploaded into network storage facilities hosted within the retailer&#39;s computer network. 
         [0077]    Preferably, the customer-operated mobile device is a customer-owned personal smartphone, such as an Apple “iPhone”, a Samsung “Galaxy”, a Motorola “Droid”, an LG “Optimus”, or a Blackberry “Curve”. Supporting the use of personal smartphones offers several advantages. Smartphone are now in broad usage and have standard features useful for practicing the invention, such as a digital camera (which can be used as an optical bar scanner) and integrated wireless and internet connectivity (which can be used for data and information exchange). Smartphones in general also have deep data processing capability and typically run on a operating system designed to host third party software (i.e., “apps”). Finally, customers will likely already be familiar and comfortable with the operation of their own personal smartphones. Downloading and using a retail shopping app thereon should be fairly straightforward, leading potentially to better rates of adoption and system utilization. 
         [0078]    As an alternative or adjunct to the use of a customer&#39;s personal smartphone, a retailer can also provide appropriately configured mobile devices to customers for use within the retail store facility. This approach could provide a retailer broader latitude for incorporating features (such as an RFID tag reader) that may otherwise be difficult to support within the constraint of third party smartphones and/or their operating systems. Restricting the invention to use only of retailer-developed mobile device could also engender better security and more robust overall performance. It would also be easier for store associates to provide assistance to customers in the use of a singular mobile device platform, rather than a plethora of varying types and configurations of personal smartphones. 
         [0079]    Regardless, where personal smartphones are to be supported within the retailer&#39;s system, a smartphone app must be provided by the retailer (or authorized agent) to provide the specific functionality that would not likely be integral to such smartphones, but is otherwise needed for the invention. The key functionality here is, of course, the ability to respond appropriately to the promotional prompts presented at the merchandise information nodes as specifically deployed by the retailer. 
         [0080]    Thus, if the retailer&#39;s system uses a promotional prompt that calls for the scanning of a QR code, the smartphone app should include a QR barcode reader and related information processing and recording software. Likewise, if the retailer&#39;s system uses a promotional prompt that calls for a customer to scan a UPC barcode, the smartphone app should include a UPC barcode reader and related information processing and recording software. 
         [0081]    Other desirable functionality includes: Means for uploading information (e.g., the “electronically-recordable customer transaction) to a customer account on the retailer&#39;s computer network; price checking and comparison; customer account access; the “virtual shopping cart” discussed further below; means for date/time stamping capture data; and means for communicating with or transferring information to the merchandise information checkpoint  300 . 
         [0082]    A representative example of a smartphone app  420  is illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b.    
         [0083]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , the smartphone app  420  installed onto smartphone  400  provides a “Scan” function  422 , which using the smartphone&#39;s integrated digital camera (not shown) to capture a QR code  212  presented on ESL display  200   b  when the image thereof becomes resolved within the focusing bracket  410  and recognized by the app&#39;s logical processes. Once captured, the QR code is translated, and the information provided thereby (i.e., “capture data”) transferred into a customer “virtual shopping cart”, either within local smartphone data storage or within a customer account hosted on the retailer&#39;s computer network. 
         [0084]    The capture process is similar where the prompt calls for the scanning a UPC label on an item of merchandise, rather than a bar code presented at a merchandise information node. As shown in  FIG. 4B , the display  200   c  on node  200  advertises the promotion, but acceptance thereof is effected by scanning a UPC code on an item of merchandise  20 , rather than a bar code presented on an electronic shelf label. The customer thus uses smartphone  400  to read the UPC code on the item  20  by imaging it onto the app  420 &#39;s focusing brackets  410 . 
         [0085]    The contents of the shopping cart are inventoried on a rolling basis as the customer continues shopping. The inventory is accessible to the customer, for example, by activating the “Cart” button  424 , which as illustrated, reveal the presence of the promotion in the inventory window  434  (i.e., “VG Olive Oil Rollback −$5”), as well as a total price  432  and an associated customer account  412 . 
         [0086]    At the time of checkout, the customer clicks “checkout” button  426 , which reveals another QR code  428  which may contain, for example, information leading to the customer account  412 . The QR code  428  can be read by scanner  310 , and therethrough, providing the merchandise information checkout station  320  directly or indirectly with the contents of the shopping cart together with any pertinent indicia that indicates capture of a promotion. Checkout is then completed, together with the application of all validated and timely captured promotions. Payment is then received. A receipt is provided to the customer. The merchandise is bagged and taken away. 
         [0087]    Instead of a smartphone or other handheld device, one can also use, as the mobile device, a so-called “smart shopping cart”. These shopping carts are typically equipped with a handle-mounted tablet computer providing an electronic RFID or optical bar scanner and active communication ports into the retailer&#39;s computer network. Technical components and examples of such smart shopping carts are discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,697, issued to A. Varatharajah et al. on Jun. 28, 2005; U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,939, issued to D. C. Blaeuer on Nov. 26, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,407, issued to L. Fiordelisi on Aug. 20, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,068, issued to K. Silverbrook et al. on Jan. 19, 2010; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,819, issued to D. A. Collins, Jr. on May 29, 1990. 
         [0088]    Although commonly used in combination with sophisticated self-service checkout systems, most commercially-available smart shopping carts have fixed scanners, i.e., scanners that would have limited mobility and “reach” for scanning bar codes on similarly fixed displays. These can nonetheless be used for embodiments of the invention where an item of merchandise, rather than a fixed shelf-mounted ESL, is brought to the device and scanned. For embodiments where fixed shelf-mounted ESL are deployed, a separate handheld scanner plugged into or otherwise communicably connected to the smart shopping cart could be employed. 
         [0089]    Although several embodiments of the invention are disclosed hereinabove, those skilled in the art having the benefits of this disclosure can effect modifications thereto. These modifications are to be construed as being encompassed within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.