GB2454274A - A portable route guide, a weigh station and a charging system for a shopping system - Google Patents

Abstract

A shopping system provides a user with a trolley 45 mounted route guide 14 which once loaded with information regarding a shopping route within a store does not interact with any external agency (eg route providing computer) until the required goods are located and loaded in the trolley. A shopping list may be scanned and a route computed and loaded onto the guide device. The device may be realisably secured to a shopping trolley. The device may be cylindrical so that it may be transported in a network of tubes within a store. A basket contained within a frame of a sopping trolley is also claimed. The basket of a shopping trolley is movable in the vertical direction when docked in the checkout weigh station. The total weight of the contents of the baskets can be weighed and compared with the expected total weight of the contents. The basket may be weighed using wheels located at a checkout (55, 57, figure 6). The guide device may be recharged using a dynamo or inductive effect. A device for generating electric power is also claimed in which a current is passed through a first coil (71, figure 8) which causes a magnet (85, figure 8) to move on a second coil (81, figure 8) the resultant charge is stored a storage cell (89, figure 8). The second coil may be mounted in the handle of the trolley and the first coil in a trolley docking Station.

Description

SHOPPING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to shopping, particularly shopping at supermarkets using shopping trolleys.

Background to the Invention

Shopping is an essential part in today's modern society. Supermarkets and Superstores constantly fight each other and local shops for consumer market share. Competitive advantage through an efficient shopping experience/system is deemed as a significant advantage for the supermarkets.

In town stores are being replaced by out of town systems partly because of the price of land/buildings in many of the major cities and townships. Each square foot of land/buildings needs to cleverly used to maximise the return to the store.

Furthermore, if the shopping experience is particularly stressful, evidence suggests that shoppers will not maximise their spend in the store, choosing to leave without finding some of they goods that they initially set out to purchase.

Therefore reducing the peoples shopping stress during the shopping experience by helping them to locate and find the goods that they need/want is deemed to be of further advantage to the store.

Statements of the Invention

A shopping system which helps the user to quickly locate goods, from a defined requirement such as a shopping list. Said list is read by a scanner when the user enters the shop. The scanned results are referenced to a central database. A computer then sorts and sequences the goods identified from the list, so that the best shopping route around the shop is identified. The unique route sequence is written and stored onto a guide device in the form of a portable unit, which is dispensed from a store. The user then attaches the portable unit onto their shopping trolley and/or carries the portable unit around the shop, reading the route planner on a display screen of the portable unit. The unit is then placed in a dispensing system before the user leaves the store.

Preferably the dispensed unit is recycled in the system so that it can be used for a subsequent customer.

Preferably, the portable unit is cylindrical in shape.

Preferably, the portable unit is propelled through a network of tubes using compressed air or by vacuum, said network of tubes connect the dispensing entry and exit points in a closed loop system.

Preferably the portable unit contains a mechanism so that the unit can be clipped onto a horizontal cylindrical bar/tube, such as a shopping trolley handle.

Preferably the portable unit contains intelligent electrical circuitry and suitable power source to power said electrical circuitry and a user display I monitor.

Preferably, the portable unit has one or more control buttons so that the user can edit items on the list, as shown on the display.

Alternatively, the guide device may be permanently attached to, or be part of, the shopping trolley.

Accordingly, in a system of the invention, the route sequence is determined in advance by a central computer. This sequence is then fed to the guide device which is then entirely self-contained in that it does not interact with the central computer, or any other external device or agency, during the shopping process within the store, at least until the completion of the steps of locating the goods and loading then into the trolley. Such a process requires less processing power, therefore less battery power if a battery is the source of the power, and so may be smaller, than systems in which there is real time interaction between the guide device and the central computer or other external devices located within the store.

Power for operation of the guide device may be provided by one or more batteries or in some other way. For instance, power may be generated by light responsive (solar-type) panels or elements located on the guide device or elsewhere on the trolley. Power may be alternatively or additionally derived through a dynamo device mounted on the guide device or on the trolley. The dynamo may be responsive to the rotation of one or more trolley wheels or may be an induction device in which power is generated through movement of the trolley as in, for instance, a so called shake electric torch.

The present invention also provides a device generating electric power comprising a first electric coil connected or connectable to an AC power supply, a second electric coil having a magnet mounted therein for relative movement thereto, said second electric coil being connected or connectable to electric power storing means, whereby arranging the two coils in substantially adjacent longitudinal alignment and passing AC current through the first coil causes the magnet to oscillate within the second coil and thereby generate electric current within the second coil to cause power to be stored in the electric power storing means.

A shopping system of the invention may incorporate such a charging device.

The portable unit and/or the trolley may be provided with a clamping device to enable the unit to be securely or releasably attached to the trolley.

The system may include means for determining what goods have recently being acquired the shopper and then providing the shopper with details of, for instance, discounts or special offers which are available on the same or similar goods. The system may further include means for including such goods in the shopping route if the shopper indicates interest in such goods.

Preferably, the guide device and/or the shopping trolley is provided with means whereby they may be secured together. For, instance, the guide device may be provided with clamping means for securing it to the handle or push bar of the trolley. The clamping means may include loading means to prevent unauthorised removal of the device from the trolley.

The present invention also provides a shopping system which improves the speed and efficiency at which a user is processed through the store and ultimately through the checkout / paying area. Said shopping system comprises of a container, herewith termed as a basket. Said basket fits into a supporting structure, herewith termed shopping trolley whereby the trolley has a frame structure designed to accommodate the basket and preferably one or more wheels. The basket and the shopping trolley are connected in such as way that the basket is permitted to vertically float with respect to the trolley.

Clearly the invention anticipated all other axis of such floatation also.

Each basket, within a set of trolley assemblies, is preferably of a consistent calibrated weight/mass.

Preferably, said portable unit contains a bar code reader powered by a suitable power source.

Preferably at each user checkout/payment point within the store is a weigh station. Said weigh station is electrically connected to the checkout / payment storage system.

In operation, the shopping system improves the speed and efficiency at which a user is processed through the store as it removes duplication of effort and time from the process.

Essentially, the traditional process of shopping in a main supermarket is for the user to walk around the shop adding goods into a shopping trolley. When all the goods are in the trolley the user goes to the checkout and removes all the goods from the trolley onto the checkout conveyor. The checkout operator then scans the goods and the user has to load them back in the trolley before leaving the store.

The shopping system of the invention is for the user to scan the goods as they walk around the shop and before adding them into the shopping trolley assembly, consisting of a basket and a trolley frame. During the scanning process, the items weight and price is recorded and stored by the portable unit. When all the goods are in the basket the user goes to the checkout. The user pushes the shopping trolley assembly into the checkout isle taking care to line the channels/grooves on either side of the basket with vertically floating wheels connected at either side of the checkout isle. During the process of the basket connecting with the wheels, the wheels rotate slightly allowing the basket to be docked in the checkout isle. During this docking process the basket, of the shopping trolley assembly, lifts in the vertical axis. This operation means that the weight of the basket is now loaded through the wheels of the checkout isle. The wheels are connected to a weighing station and/or load cell that records the weight of the basket.

The portable unit is connected to the checkout by either wireless or wired technology, therefore allowing the checkout to communicate and retrieve the data stored said unit.

The checkout system the correlates the total weight of the goods in the basket with the total price of the scanned goods. During the collation process it automatically deducts the calibrated and consistent weight of the basket without goods added (as this information is stored in the system). The net result is that if the total weight correlates with the total price of the goods, within an acceptable margin, the user is allowed to process through the checkout isle paying for the goods in the process. The reader will note that the goods never leave the basket. This is a considerable time saving for the user and checkout operators.

If the total weight of the goods does not match the price, within an acceptable margin, the user and trolley is directed to a conventional checkout system, where the items are unloaded, scanned and reloaded back in the trolley.

In practice more that 90% of all users processed through the shopping system of the invention will have there goods processed straight through the checkout isle without having to unpack and repack them.

This shopping system of the invention offers a considerable advantage for the user, as the "lost" / non-shopping time in the store is significantly eliminated/reduced in the order of 90% savings.

This shopping system of the invention offers considerable savings to the store, as the number of checkouts required for the new system of the invention, is significantly less that the number of checkouts required with the old system, based on a like for like throughput of users. This checkout/isle saving equates directly to a floor space saving, meaning that the floor space can be used for further value adding functions and/or more products to sell.

Clearly, the shopping system of the invention means that the shop requires fewer checkout operators, resulting in a direct payroll saving.

Clearly the shopping system of the invention will increase the throughout of people/users in the store. This will have a significant impact on the number of car parking spaces the store requires.

The reader will understand that the shopping system of the invention has many significant competitive advantages for both the user and the store, such competitive advantages resulting in the attraction of more customers to the store.

Clearly, the invention anticipates the out-of-store advantage of the system also, in that as the user enters the store, they could pick up one or more disposable or re-useable cardboard (or alternate material) boxes. Said boxes are placed inside the basket of the shopping trolley assembly. Once again the boxes are of a calibrated pre-determined weight that is stored in the stores central computer. Therefore as the user walks around the store, loading the basket hence box with products, and the products do not have to be removed at the checkout, the user can walk out of the store and straight to their car and load the box directly into the car. Unlike the conventional system where the products need to be packed, unpacked, re-packed then unpacked in the car, the new system permits the user to pack and unpack just once. This again is deemed to offer significant advantages to both the user and the shop.

Clearly, the portable unit of the invention with the route planner embodiment can work in conjunction or separately to the weigh system embodiment of the invention.

Description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings are as follows: Figure 1 is an isometric of the shopping trolley entering the store Figure 2 is an isometric of the portable unit Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 and is a partial cross section isometric of

the portable unit

Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 2 and is an isometric of the portable unit with the shopping trolley handle attachment Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 4 and is an isometric of the portable unit attached to the shopping trolley handle Figure 6 is an isometric of the shopping trolley entering the checkout isle Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 6 and shows a cross sectional view of the shopping trolley assembly docked in the checkout aisle Figure 8 is an isometric view of a device for generating electric power in accordance with the present invention Figure 9 is a top plan view of a line of shopping trolleys with electric power generating devices of the invention.

Detailed description of the Invention

The invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an isometric of the shopping trolley assembly (10) entering the store.

Preferably the user has a shopping list (not shown). The shopping list is similar to a lottery ticket, where products for sale are shown on the list and before the user comes to the shop, they place a tick in the boxes on the list that correspond to the products that they want to purchase. This design of the shopping list is the first embodiment as it enables a reader/scanner to quickly identify which products, generic or otherwise, the user wants to purchase.

As the user enters the store they feed there shopping list into the ticket machine 11 in an appropriate entry slot 12. The ticket is automatically read by the machine 11 and the ticket is allowed to exit the machine 11 via an exit orifice 13.

The ticket machine quickly calculates the most appropriate route around the shop for which the user can collect the products. The data is then fed into an awaiting portable unit 14, in the dispensing shoot 15.

As the user removes the portable unit 14, the barrier 16 lifts allowing the user to pass into the store.

This embodiment of the invention permits all the users shopping list to be automatically stored on the portable unit 16. The data is transferred in a matter of seconds or fractions of a second. This embodiment of the invention is therefore deemed to be very appropriate for a fast flowing user based system such as users entering a super market.

If the user does not have a shopping list, the user can press an entry button 17 and the barrier will automatically lift.

The benefit of the store defined shopping list is that most people create a shopping list at home during the period between visiting the store. By having a predefined list available which only requires boxes ticking/crossing is useful to the user as it prompts them for what they might need but not necessarily thought of and/or would have purchased if they did not have the pre-defined list.

Figure 2 is an isometric of the portable unit 14 of the third embodiment of the invention.

Preferably the portable unit 14 is of cylindrical shape as shown. This enables it to be transported in a network of tubes around the supermarket shop.

The fourth embodiment of the invention defines a means for the portable units 14 to be re-used within the overall shopping system.

As the portable units 14 are cylindrical they can propelled through a network of tubes using compressed air or by vacuum within the supermarket.

The portable unit has an electronic security tag, that is activated if the unit is taken outside the store. This means that the user has to detach the portable unit from the shopping trolley before leaving the store. This provides the added advantage that the portable unit does not need to be weather proof.

Nor will it be lost or stolen while shopping trolleys are stored outside the shops, typically in trolley parks in the shop car park area.

The detached units are placed in a hopper, positioned adjacent to the exit doors of the store. The hopper feeds the portable units back into the network of tubes for reusing for subsequent customers.

This system therefore accommodates stores where the entrance and exit doors are positioned some distance away from each other.

A system Blower (not shown) provides the required vacuum and pressure to move portable units 14 around the network of tubes. One blower is required for each zone. The blower switches between intake and exhaust to either suck or blow. Advanced systems also maintain consistent carrier speeds regardless of variations in payload weight.

The portable unit is preferably made from high impact resistant material to transport it around the network protecting it from damage. It could be imbedded with RFID tags for accurate tracking and sealed to prevent leaks.

Preferably it will have two wear bands on the outside to improve suction and cornering capabilities. Typically the portable unit 14 can move through the network of tubes at speeds of 25ftJsec for a 7lbs payload in a 6" carrier.

From Figure 2, the portable unit 14 has a display area 20 and a user interface area 21. Preferably, on each longitudinal end of the portable unit is an electric contact 22, so that when one or more portable units 14 are aligned in the pipe work, an electrical charge can be passed through them to recharge the power supply / battery contained within the portable unit.

Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 and is a partial cross section isometric of the portable unit 14, showing, by way of example, how the handle clip 30 is spring loaded and folds neatly within the cylindrical shape of the design.

Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 2 and is an isometric of the portable unit 14 with the shopping trolley handle attachment 40 extended.

Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 4 and is an isometric of the portable unit 14 attached to the shopping trolley handle 45. Preferably a further embodiment of the portable unit is that the display can rotate and/or be aligned so that it is in the optimum position for the user to view it. Clearly, people with differing heights have different viewing angles and the invention of the system anticipates this with an adjustment feature provided, where necessary.

Figure 6 is an isometric of the shopping trolley assembly 50 entering the checkout isle 51.

The shopping trolley assembly 50 comprises of a trolley frame 52 and a basket 53. Clearly one or more removable cardboard boxes (not shown) could be inserted inside the basket 53, to prevent the user unpacking and repacking the purchased items when they wish to load the items into their car.

The basket 53 is non-rigidly coupled to the frame 52, so that it is allowed to vertically float in respect to the frame 52. This vertical float is typically a small distance, in the order of 12mm (0.500").

The checkout isle 51 comprises of a series of wheels 55 located in the isle, positioned with respect to the height and width of the basket grooves 56.

Preferably, the wheels 55 are also permitted to vertically float with respect to the fixture 57 of the checkout isle. The wheels are connected to a weighing system (not shown).

The checkout also has a computer system 58, for collation and computation of the data presented. Clearly the payment storage means is also provided.

Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 6 and shows a cross sectional view of the shopping trolley assembly 50 docked in the checkout isle 51. From Figure 7, the wheels 55 are clearly shown located in the basket groove 56. The wheels act to vertically lift the basket 53 from its vertical rest position on the trolley frame 60, so that there is a vertical gap provided 61.

The vertical lifting embodiment of the invention, permits the basket 53 and thus the contents to be accurately weighed.

As the user places the products in the basket, they scan the barcode of the products. This records the weight and the price of the product in the portable unit.

Therefore as the portable unit is connected to the checkout computer system, the weight of the basket, from the weigh station is computed to the price and weight data from the portable unit. If the two measurements tally, and/or tally within an acceptable tolerance level, the user is permitted to leave the shop after quickly paying for the produce.

Referring now to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, a device for generating electric power comprises a first electric coil 71 of cylindrical shape and comprising a coil 73 wound around a solid core 75. Coil 71 is electrically connected to an AC power supply 77.

Shown adjacent coil 71 in Figure 8 is a second coil 79 which is also of cylindrical shape comprising an electric coil 81 wound on a hollow former 83.

Mounted within former 83 is a magnet 85 which is of cylindrical shape having rounded edges and which is of a thickness which is relatively small compared with its diameter. The diameter of magnet 85 is such that it may move easily within former 83 of coil 79.

Coil 79 is electrically connected to a charging circuit 87 which in turn is connected to a storage cell 89.

Passage of AC current from power supply 77 to coil 71 causes the solid core to become magnetised. This in turn alternatively attracts and repels magnet 85 mounted within coil 79. This causes current to be induced within coil 79 and this results in power being stored in storage cell 89 via charging circuit 87.

Referring now to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings, a device for generating electric power, such as that described above with reference to Figure 8, may be utilised with the shopping trolley system of the invention.

Arranged at a docking facility for stacking trolleys 91, when trolleys are not being used, is a bar 93 which runs alongside the stacked trolleys. Located within bar 93 at appropriately spaced intervals therealong are electric coils 95 each of which is connected to an AC power supply.

Located at one edge of the handle of each trolley is a coil 97 similar to coil 79 of Figure 8. The height of coil 97 and its horizontal positioning when located in the docking facility is such that each coil on a shopping trolley will be longitudinally aligned with a respective coil in bar 93. The longitudinal gap between members of a pair of coils 95, 97 is sufficiently small that the passage of AC current through coil 95 will cause power to be generated in coil 97 which is then passed to a storage cell (not shown) and used to power a device 99 which presents details of the shopping route as described above.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS -

1. A shopping system comprising a computer arranged to receive data indicative of goods required by a shopper, said system including means for creating a shopping route within a store which route includes the locations of said goods, means for transferring said shopping route to a guide device mounted or mountable on a portable shopping container, said guide device including means for relaying guide information to a shopper without additional interaction with the computer or another external agency.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the portable shopping container is a trolley or a basket.

3. A system according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the guide device is releasably secured to the container.

4. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a guide device is permanently secured to the container.

5. A shopping system comprising a basket contained within the frame of a shopping trolley, said basket being vertically moveable to dock in a check out weigh station, whereby the total weight of the contents of the basket can be weighed and compared to the expected total weight of said contents.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the system includes means to provide a visual or audible indication, and/or to restrict further movement of the basket and/or to restrict access to goods within the basket, if the total weight of the goods does not correlate with the expected total weight.

7. A system according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the expected total weight is derived from data scanned from each of the goods loaded into the basket.

8. A system according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

9. A system according to claim 5 and substantially as herein described.

10. A shopping system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A device for generating electric power comprising a first electric coil connected or connectable to an AC power supply, a second electric coil having a magnet mounted therein for relative movement, said second electric coil being connected or connectable to electric power storing means, whereby arranging the two coils in substantially adjacent longitudinal alignment and passing the current through the first coil causes the magnet to oscillate within the second coil and thereby generate electric current within the second coil causing power to be stored in the electric power storing means.

12. A device according to claim 11 substantially as described herein.

13. A device for generating electric power substantially as described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A shopping system according to any of the claims 1 to 10 incorporating a device according to any of claims 11 to 13.