Shopping cart handle in with built-in console for the input and display of consumer product information

Abstract

A console for the input and display of consumer product information such as pricing, etc. The console may be built into the handle of the shopping cart or as a retrofit application on existing handles. The console has a product information input device for numerical values such as product pricing, cost per unit, etc. The apparatus has a calculator and output display for such data. Some space on the console will likely be dedicated to a display panel for advertising. The console may be equipped with a bar code scanner as an alternate means of inputting such consumer data. The console should have an output display, such as a monitor, and / or a readout in order to display the product information such as: cost per unit. A video monitor may be used in connection with the console in order to provide advertising information related to products.

Description

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 639,940, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 470,033, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] The invention relates to the field of shopping carts and, in particular, to an improved shopping cart handle having an output and input means to input raw data concerning consumer items found on the market and an output display that displays that and related data. Such a apparatus and associated computer hardware will allow the consumer to input such information as price per unit volume, etc. into a computer and to retrieve refined data e.g. price per unit, etc. from a display associated with the computer. [0003] It is thought that the use of a shopping cart so equipped with an information display monitor and a data input device will make it easier and more convenient for the shopper to process information related the goods at the store including: price per unit infor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a customer in a store with a readily available means for inputting product pricing information into a display monitor and to make pricing calculations such as price per unit, etc. and to have such information readily displayed to the shopper.

[0010] Another object is to provide a means for consumers to quickly display product information on a display monitor without having to input such information manually trough the use of a keyboard.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a shopper in a store with readily available product directory in order to make the shopping experience more pleasurable.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide food and retail companies with the ability to present advertising information to a shopper in a store in a manner that requires little effort on the part of the consumer.

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, none of the prior art shows a shopping cart handle having a bar code scanner in order for the consumer to input price and unit information directly into a computer that is part of the handle console.

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