United States Patent
`US 6,975,205 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Frenchetal.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Dec. 13, 2005
`
`
`US006975205B1
`
`(54) CART RETURN CREDIT SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: John French, San Diego, CA (US);
`Philip Witham,Portland, OR (US)
`:
`.
`‘
`(73) Assignee: Carttronics, LLC, Carlsbad, CA (US)
`() Notice:
`Subjectto any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This ptt isabel to seminal dic
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/535,076
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 23, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/153,912,
`filed on Sep. 16, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,486,768.
`
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1975) Smith .....eeecee eens 194/4 C
`3,882,982 A
`B/L9TS POQgS veces 194/4R
`3,897,863 A
`2/1976 Moule .........-sss
`sees 194/4 C
`3,938,638 A
`1/1984 Gillet voesssseeserreeeecressen 14/4 C
`4,424,893 A
`9/1984 Unger
`oo...
`cece 194/4 C
`4,470,495 A
`10/1985. Gillet wo... 348/942
`4,549,182 A
`2/1986 Eisermann ............... 194/205
`4,572,347 A
`4,623,877 A * 11/1986 Buckens .........ccc08 340/572
`
`
`
`
`10/1991 Schultz et al. wee. 364/405
`5,056,019 A
`6/1992 Lucas 0... .. 340/825.35
`5,119,087 A
`
`
`11/1994 Adamset al. wc... 194/212
`5,360,094 A
`.. 250/222.1
`1/1996 Allen et al.
`....
`5,485,006 A
`
`6/1996 Amdahlet al... 194/211
`5,526,916 A
`1/1997 Deaton et al.
`....
`... 382/100
`5,592,560 A
`sseesessss.e. 382/100
`11/1997 Deatonet al.
`5,687,322 A
`T8659 A «11/2000 Pateet aon90218
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`SOQ 7R8AL EGR
`DE
`196 25 525 Al
`1/1998
`DE
`0 025 754 B1
`9/1980 Lee GO7F 7/06
`EP
`2122792 A
`1/1984
`veeeeeesee GO7F 7/06
`GB
`WO 85/00961
`3/1985 ee AATF 10/04
`WO
`WO 97/11441
`3/1997
`wo
`WO 98/51197
`11/1998
`WO
`.
`.
`* cited by examiner
`
`ABSTRACT
`7)
`A system and method for providing an incentive to a
`customerof a store to return a shopping cart to a cart return
`location. The system generates a cart return signal. The
`system determines whethera cart is being removed from or
`returned to the cart corral. Alternatively, a radio frequency
`identification system may be used to detect return of a cart.
`The shopper is credited with points or credits in a frequent
`shopper or reward program for returning the shopping cart
`to the cart return location. The cart return system may be
`readily configured to integrate with a wide rangeof existing
`>
`or new frequent shopper or loyalty programs.
`
`15 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`;
`;
`Primary Examiner—Michael Horabik
`Assistant Examiner—M Shimizu
`(51)Tint.C0?oc cecceeccccsceeeseeseeseeseesneen H04Q 19/00=(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Gordon & Rees LLP
`(52)
`340/5.92; 194/211; 705/14;
`235/383; 340/518.5
`(58) Field of Search o...0.. eee 340/5.9, 5.91,
`340/5.92, 568.5; 705/14; 194/211; 235/383
`
`
`
`CENTRAL COMPUTER
`
`
`STORE N
`yee
`
`
`
`STORER,
`—~Yuu —_|
`
`
`NETWORK/ SATELLITE /
`TELEPHONELINK
`ua
`
`440 |eroneDATA
`
`‘STORE A
`
`STORE COMPUTER
`1704
`CUSTOMER
`
`>| IDENTIFICATION
`>|
`YL.
`
`
`INTERFACE
`\PRODUCT
`
`Rt
`>|
`4 cable
`430
`vo
`FILES
`DETECTOR
`INTERFACE
`f
`yz
`INCENTIVE FILE
`ase cy)
`STORE
`CUSTOMER
`PRODUCTS
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4Lp 426
`
`42g
`420
`CUSTOMER CODE,
`
`222
`DATE,TIME, ETCS
`\7o2
`
`cceeeeceeterpertesremeernertceeenshenantnstnncenennneerrenercnewcttednetnenee
`La
`|JACKNOWLEDGMENT
`L
`
`
`
`
`1703~T INTERFACE
`HO
`fat
`
`
`CARDREADER
`age
`102/200/
`=
`cusr.
`SCANNER!
`7200/2302.
`DETECTOR
`i
`CONT.
`
`SENSOR(S)/
`|
`*
`:
`1704,
`CUSTOMER
`MICRO-
`1]
`(DENTIFICATION fe»)
`LER |] DETECTOR(S)/
`i
`
`
`t->L_
`INTERFACE
`CONTRO
`i
`RECEIVER
`
`CUSTOMER|| \OUTPUTINTREG 1 | i
`
`
`eaFORTOREN,|
`RETURNED CART!
`220
`
`
`roe SHOPPING CART
`
`Yor
`
`Exhibit 1032
`Apple, et al. v. Uniloc
`IPR2019-00251
`
`Exhibit 1032
`Apple, et al. v. Uniloc
`IPR2019-00251
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`Figure 1
`
`|\O06a
`
`}
`
`
`Figure 2
`
`102bae
`
`‘oe
`
`lO2a
`
`104.
`
`Figure 5
`
`lO2a
`
`N02a
`
` 102b
`= oo
`
`}O2b
`
`Loop A
`Loop B
`
`Figure 6
`2
`
`
`
`Figure 7
`
`Figure 8
`
`[02a ec
` ¥eo-
`1ozb _
`
`lo2b
`
`JO2a
`
`Loop A
`
`Loop B
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`i
`Three lane, twelve loop array:
`Figure 8
`lozk
`loz,
`lozy
`
`
`
`102K
`
`IO2b
`
`iso
`
`Figure 10
`
`Figure 11
`
`lozk
`
`
`
`
`
`
`164
`
`RF {D Tag
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`Figure 12 Cart Detector circuit
`
`
`
`voltage
`
`200-7
`
`, [ 208
`
`
`ZIl0
`
`Controller
`
`"Cart Detected"
`2 output
`
`Figure 13 System Electronics
`
`{02a
`
`13
`
`Loop &
`
`lO2.b
`
`Loop B
`
`
`Cart
`Detector
`
`oe
`200a.
`
`
`
`
`Store
`Micro-
`Controller
`Computer
`
`Cart
`22O
`al interface
`420
`
`
`
`
`Detector
`—_
`
`
`200b
`
`
`
`— lI¢
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`SYMBOLS
`A AND B
`REPRESENT
`THE OUTPUTS
`OF THE LOOP
`DETECTORS.
`
`A |S THE
`FIRST LOOP
`TO BE PASSED
`BY A RETURNING
`CART, B THE
`SECOND.
`
`300
`
`Nw
`
`(READY, NO CART)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(CART DETECTED)
`
` START TIMER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A ON WITHIN
`
`
`10 SECONDS?
`
`(CART COMING
`
`
`OUT BACKWARDS)
`
`
`
` WAIT. UNTIL
`(GIVE UP, TOO SLOW)
`
` (CART MOVING IN)
`FIG. 14
`
`
`WAIT UNTIL
`A AND B ARE
`BOTH OFF
`
`WAIT 10 SECONDS
`
`A AND B ARE
`BOTH OFF
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`550
`
`CREDIT GRANTING FUNCTION
`
`S52
`
`
`
`CARD IN
`READER?
`
`
`
`(LOOP: WAITING FOR CARD)
`
`
`
`
`
`S54
`
`READ CARD
`
`INDICATE BAD READ
`WITH LED AND SOUND
`
`ISCO
`
`ve
`
`
`SUCCESSFUL
`
`READ?
`
`
`
`INDICATE NO CART
`
`CART COUNT
`
`
`RETURNED WITH LED
`= ZERO?
`
`
`AND SOUND
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`FIG. 1D
`CUSTOMER ID TO
`
`
`STORE COMPUTER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INDICATE CREDIT GRANTED
`WITH LED AND SOUND
`
`
`
`
`STORE COMPUTER
`RETURNS ACKNOWLEDGE
`
`
`OF CREDIT GRANTED?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INDICATE CARD NOT
`ACCEPTED WITH LED AND
`
`
`SOUND
`
`
`
`
`DECREMENT CART
`COUNT
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`y
`
`STORE B
`
`;
`
`NETWORK/SATELLITE/
`
`TELEPHONE LINK
`
`CENTRAL COMPUTER
`
`442
`
`440
`
`STORE DATA
`
` 450
`STORE A
`
`
`STORE
`
`
`SCANNER
`PRODUCT
`
`
`
`1/0
`INCENTIVE
`INTERFACE]|POINTS FILE
`
`422
`
`
`CUSTOMER
`STORE
`INFORMATION
`
`
`PRODUCTS
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`
`404
`
`
`
`
`ID CARD|| CARDREADER/ MICRO- SENSOR Sd |
`
`
`!
`SCANNER
`CONTROLLER
`DETECTOR(S)}|
`t
`RETURNED CART|
`
`222
`
` CUSTOMER CODE,
`100
`PAEEVEN
`/
`DATE, TIME, ETC.
`v
`nn memeneSerer7
`102/200
`1
`
`'
`
`i)
`(
`
`t
`|
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`02
`
`FIGIG6
`
`7”
`
`SHOPPING CART
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`“7°
`
`STORE
`
`
`
`PRODUCTS
`
`CUSTOMER
`INFORMATION
`
`
`U2Z
`
`
`
`CUSTOMER CODE,
`DATE, TIME, ETC./
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`
`
`STORE B
`
`
`
`
`CENTRAL COMPUTER
`
`NETWORK/SATELLITE /
`TELEPHONE LINK
`
`
`STORE DATA
`
`
`STORE A
`
`STORE COMPUTER
`
`
`CUSTOMER
`IDENTIFICATION
`
`INTERFACE
`
`PRODUCT
`
`
`
`SCANNER/
`FILES
`
`
`
`/0
`READER/
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`DETECTOR
`
`426
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`_-77 100
`
`CARD READER/
`SCANNER/
`DETECTOR
`
`CUSTOMER
`IDENTIFICATION
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`(OUTPUT INTRFC|
`
`e.g., FOR TOKEN,
`| COUPON, CERT.
`
`
`
`
`402
`
`MICRO-
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`SENSOR(S)/
`DETECTOR(S)/
`RECEIVER
`
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`
`
`COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
`
`
`
`222
`
`CUSTOMER CODE,
`DATE, TIME, ETC./
`
`
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`
`CARD READER/
`1708 Lo n2‘/2”
`
`
`SCANNER/
`
`DETECTOR
`102 /200/2302
`
`
`
`CUSTOMER
`MICRO-
`SENSOR(S)/
`
`IDENTIFICATION
`CONTROLLER
`DETECTOR(S)/
`
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`RECEIVER
`
`
`CUSTOMER
`|
`
`
`OUTPUT INTRFC 1
`
`e.g., FOR TOKEN,
`"RETURNEDCART!
`
`
`
`
`| | COUPON, CERT.
`
`
`_-100
`
`O
`
`!
`
`
`
`COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
`
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CODE
`
`
`CUSTOMER CODE,
`
`DATE, TIME, ETC./
`
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`
`
`
`CARD READER/
`SCANNER/
`
`DETECTOR
`
`
`
`CUSTOMER
`SENSOR(S) /
`MICRO-
`
`IDENTIFICATION
`DETECTOR(S)/
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`RECEIVER
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`| OUTPUT INTRFC I
`|RETURNEDCART!
`
`
`|
`€.g., FOR TOKEN,
`
`| COUPON, CERT.
`
`_--]00
`
`
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
`
`
`CUSTOMER AND
`TRANSACTION
`
`INFORMATION /
`
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SENSOR(S)/
`
`
` DATA PROCESSING SECTION CUSTOMER
`
`DETECTOR(S)/
`RECEIVER
`
`
`FIG. 20
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`pier
`
`
`
`
`Keypad,
`ée— 112.
`Card reader —— Ni
`or other
`1706
`
`customerID
`
`jlo.
`
`~
`
`ZNO
`
`Cable to store
`
` 2106
`Tag reading loop
`
`
`
`
`Alternative RF ID_»
`@&
`Tag locations —"™\
`
`
`FIG. 21
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`02a
`
`220
`
`127
`¥
`
`
`CART DETECTORA
`
`Zooa
`PROCESSOR/ CPU /
`
`
`MICROCONTROLLER
`
`INTERFACE,
`E.G., SERIAL,
`
`TO STORE
`CART DETECTOR B
`COMPUTER OR
`COMPUTING
`
`ENVIRONMENT
`
`
`
`110
`
`
`
`
`READER/
`CUSTOMER
`
`
`OUTPUT
`SCANNER/
`IDENTIFICATION
`
`
`INTERFACE
`!
`
`DETECTOR
`INTERFACE
`
`
`1
`i
`
`!!
`
`|
`I
`|
`
`FIG. 22
`
`
`
`Ho
`
`
`PROCESSOR/ CPU /
`
` RFID TAG RECEIVER
`
`
`MICROCONTROLLER
`INTERFACE,
`E.G., SERIAL,
`
`TO STORE
`
`COMPUTER OR
`
`COMPUTING
`
`ENVIRONMENT
`
`
`
`HO
`
`“7”
`
`
`
`READER/
`CUSTOMER
`
`OUTPUT
`SCANNER/
`IDENTIFICATION
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`|
`DETECTOR
`INTERFACE
`
`
`|
`
`
`170¢.
`~--t- Ye
`
`I
`!
`
`|
`
`|!
`
`FIG. 23
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`CART RETURN DETECTION
`
`
`
`2400
`
`(READY, NO CART)
`
`
`
`2402
`
` RFID TAG
`DETECTED?
`
`
`
`
`
`UPDATE CART
`INVENTORYLIST
`
`
`
`ADD NEW ENTRY
`TIME ENTRY FOR
`
`TO CART
`THIS CART
`
`
`
`INVENTORYLIST
`
`
`
`
` INVENTORY
`
`LIST (TIME, ID)
`
`
`
`SAME CART
`
`DETECTED WITHIN
`A PREDETERMINED
`
`PERIOD?
`YES
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY CART
`RETURN, e.g., WITH
`INDICATOR AND/
`OR SOUND
`
`
`INCREMENT CART
`COUNT
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 24
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN IDENTIFICATION
`WITH PRIMARY METHOD
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN IDENTIFICATION
`WITH SECONDARY
`METHOD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INDICATE NO
`
`
`RETURN
`CART RETURNED
`RETECTED?
`WITH INDICATOR
`
`
`
`AND/OR SOUND
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT TRANSACTION
`INFORMATION TO
`
`DATABASE COMPUTER
`
`
`
`
`GRANTED
`
`?
`
`
`2520
`
`
`
`
`
`INDICATE CREDIT
`GRANTED WITH
`INDICATOR AND/
`OR SOUND
`
` INDICATE ID NOT
`
`ACCEPTED WITH
`
`INDICATOR AND/
`
`OR SOUND
`
`
`FIG. 25
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`2600 (2504/2510)
`J
`
`2700
`
`INDICATE
`CARD NOT
`READ WITH
`INDICATOR
`AND/OR
`
`
`Jf (2810/2504)
`
`
`INDICATE
`INVALID
`NUMBER WITH
`
`ACCUMULATED
`
`INDICATOR
`NUMBER?
`
`AND/OR
`
`
`
`RETURN
`
`FIG. 27
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 6,975,205 B1
`
`1
`CART RETURN CREDIT SYSTEM
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`This is a continuation-in-part application of application
`Ser. No. 09/153,912, entitled CART RETURN LOYALTY
`CREDIT SYSTEM,filed Sep. 16, 1998, now U‘S. Pat. No.
`6,486,768.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention generally relates to a reward system
`and method for wheeled vehicles, and more specifically, to
`a way to encourage the return of a shopping cart to a cart
`return location.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2
`locking
`devices typically include some type of wheel
`mechanism which is activated when the cart crosses a
`
`boundary of some type around the perimeter of the parking
`lot or travels a fixed distance from a store exit. However,
`these concepts do not provide incentives to discourage
`removal of a cart from thelot or to return the cart to the cart
`corral.
`
`One method increasingly used byretailers to encourage
`repeat business is a frequent shopper program, also known
`as a reward or loyalty program.
`In such a program, a
`customeris typically issued a card having a unique customer
`identification code. The card is issued after the customer
`
`provides identifying information and usually some demo-
`graphic information to the issuing store. This frequent
`shopper or reward card may beof various types, such as
`magnetic stripe, bar-code, or smart card technology having
`a non-volatile memory (proximity, and so forth).
`According to In-Store, the newsletter of In-Store Market-
`ing & Business, a current survey of frequent shopper or
`reward program penetration showsthat there are now more
`than 7,750 supermarkets in the United States that have
`card-based frequent shopper programs, which represents
`about 26% of all supermarkets. This is up from 19% (5,867
`stores) of total United States supermarkets in the 1st Quarter
`of 1997. The growth in loyalty card programs is similar
`throughout the developed countries of the world. A super-
`market is defined as a grocery store with more than $2
`million in annualsales.
`
`The use of these reward programs continues to grow at a
`rapid pace. In 1998, fifty chains with twenty or more stores
`and seventy-five retailers with fewer than twenty stores have
`or are in the process of rolling out frequent shopper pro-
`grams. Over 72% of the frequent shopper store count is
`made up by chains with more than $2.0 billion of annual
`sales. The percentage of frequent shopper penetration in
`1998 represented 22.5% of All Commodity Volume (ACV)
`in the United States, which is up from 17.4% in the first
`quarter of 1997. It is estimated that 3,600 additional super-
`markets will add frequent shopper programs soon, which
`would mean that about 38% of all supermarkets will have a
`reward program. Similar growth in loyalty card programs
`may be anticipated throughout the developed countries of
`the world.
`
`2. Description of the Related Technology
`Wheeled shopping carts are conventionally provided by
`supermarkets, discount stores and otherretail stores for the
`convenience of shoppers suchthat relatively large loads of
`goods can be collected, paid for and then wheeled outto the
`shoppers vehicle for unloading. A few shoppers will volun-
`tarily return a cart to a central cart return location, such as
`a cart corral. Typically, however, the shopper leaves the cart
`in the vicinity of where the vehicle is parked. The empty cart
`must then be collected by store personnel and returned to the
`store for subsequent use. Substantial costs may be incurred
`associated with the process of retrieving the carts from the
`far corners of the site and collecting them into a central cart
`corral or a cart line in front of the store. A typical store may
`spend from oneto six person-years in the collection process,
`and incur additional indirect costs associated with injury and
`disability claims. Worldwide, labor costs of cart collection
`add up to millions of dollars.
`Additionally, some carts may be removed from the store
`parking lot. For example, a shopper without a vehicle may
`use the cart to transport goods back to his home and then
`abandon the cart. This can result in permanentloss of the
`cart. Furthermore, thieves may intentionally abscond with
`carts for the purpose oflater resale to otherretailers. Loss of
`shopping carts results in substantial financial loss to the
`retailer, since each cart is a relatively expensive piece of
`equipment.
`According to the Food Marketing Institute (FMD) in one
`ACNielsen performs an annual “Frequent Shopper Pro-
`recent year, U.S. retailers annually lost approximately 11%
`grams”study. The ability to use a frequent shopperor loyalty
`of their carts with a value of $185 million, plus another $117
`card was cited as more important by card holders than
`million in cartretrieval expenses. Because it is common for
`every-day low pricing or customer service. When card
`shoppersto “borrow”carts to transport their purchases home
`holders initially joined their shopper card programs, savings
`or to a transit stop, retailers must contract for regular cart
`was cited as the primary reason by nearly 75% of card
`retrieval services. Retrieval contractors comb their neigh-
`holders, with check cashing the number two reason at 15%.
`borhoodsseveral times per day or week, at substantial cost
`Today, many card holders have had a frequent shopper card
`to the retailer. The total impact is typically thousands of
`over 12 months, and savings continues to be the primary
`dollars per site per year. Onceoff-site, carts are often taken
`reason for card usage. Over 50% of the card holders are
`great distances, experiencing worn wheels and other dam-
`primarily looking for special deals on products. Although
`55
`age. Rough handling during the collection process often
`the most often cited reason for shopping inaparticular store
`further damagesthosecarts that are retrieved. Extra cleaning
`is still location, the ability to use a frequent shopper card
`and repair that may be required following retrieval could
`ranked third in importance, next to location and store deals.
`easily add thousands of dollars of additional expenses per
`In 1998, 55% of households in the United States have at
`store per year. Furthermore, to compensate for carts that are
`least one grocery store loyalty card. A similar ACNielsen
`off-site, retailers typically maintain excess cart inventories,
`study in 1997 showed that only 35% of households had a
`often 10% to 20% over their actual need,
`to ensure that
`card. The highest percentage of card holders was found in
`enough carts are available during peak shopping hours. At
`Chicago, with 94% of households having at least one store
`somesites, the total of all these costs may exceed $100,000
`card. Other top markets include Los Angeles, N.Y., Buffalo/
`Rochester and Charlotte, N.C.
`persite.
`Numerous proposals have been made in the past for
`Asystem and methodis desired that would enlist the help
`devices to deter shoppers or others from removing carts
`of customers in the cart collection process. To accomplish
`from the immediate vicinity or parking lot of a store. Such
`this, such a system and method would elicit supportive
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`US 6,975,205 B1
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`3
`behavior of a shopper by providing incentives to return a
`shopping cart to a cart return location. These incentives
`would provide a reward to the shopper for returning a
`shopping cart and to encourage repeat business. The system
`and method would thus provide direct benefits to both the
`customer and the store operator.
`It is also desired to have a shopping cart return system that
`can be associated with a frequent shopper or rewards pro-
`gram. Such a cart return system would be able to integrate
`with the existing store infrastructure so as to minimize store
`expenses and not require customers to learn a totally new
`system or new procedure. A variety of different ways to
`sense the return of a cart, to obtain a customeridentification,
`and to provide the reward are also desired.
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`fication signals with a cart returned signal received from the
`sensor for a customer rewards program.
`In another aspect of the present invention there is a cart
`return system for use by a store, the system comprising a
`detection loop arranged at the entrance to a cart return
`location, a cart detection circuit connected to the detection
`loop being configured for detecting a change of inductance
`of the loop and identifying a cart detected condition, and a
`processing circuit, connected to the cart detection circuit,
`being configured for identifying a cart return condition in
`response to the cart detected condition, wherein the process-
`ing circuit is configured to receive a customeridentification.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram for one embodiment
`of a sensor, card reader and system electronics arrangement
`used with a cart corral in a cart return loyalty credit system
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view diagram of the sensor loop
`configuration shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a side elevation view diagram for a second
`embodimentof a sensor, card reader and system electronics
`arrangement used with a cart corral.
`FIG. 4 is a top plan view diagram of the pole and sensor
`loop configuration shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is a side elevation view diagram of the sensor loop
`configuration shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 6 is a side elevation view diagram for a third
`embodimentof a sensor, card reader and system electronics
`arrangement used with a cart corral.
`FIG. 7 is a top plan view diagram of the pole and sensor
`loop configuration shown in FIG. 6.
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view diagram of the sensor loop
`configuration shown in FIG. 6.
`FIG. 9 is a top plan view diagram for a fourth embodiment
`caster of the cart. A RFID transceiver or receiver may be
`of a sensor loop configuration used with a cart corral.
`used in conjunction with a antenna located at the entrance to
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view diagram of a card reader,
`the cart corral to detect that a cart is returned to the corral.
`system electronics and sensor panel arrangement for the
`Byuse of the RFID tags onthe carts, a current cart inventory
`sensor loop configuration shown in FIG. 9.
`may be maintained, and a chronological cart return record
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view diagram ofa fifth embodi-
`may be generated to prevent fraudulent credits from being
`ment of a cart, identification (ID)tag, card reader and system
`issued. Whenacart is detected as being returned to the cart
`electronics arrangement used with a cart corral.
`corral, the customer ID obtained from the reader or other
`FIG. 12 is a diagram of one embodimentofa cart detector
`interface is then sent to the store computer or a computing
`circuit utilized by the system electronics unit shown in any
`environment via a wireless or wired link.
`of FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 10 or 11.
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
`system electronics unit and card reader shown in any of
`FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 10 or 11.
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a cart return detection function
`performed by the system electronics unit shown in any of
`FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 10 or 11.
`FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a credit granting function
`performed by the system electronics unit shown in any of
`FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 10 or 11.
`FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing one embodimentof
`the sensors, system electronics unit and card reader com-
`bined with a store infrastructure.
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`FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing another embodiment
`of the sensors, system electronics unit, input interfaces and
`output interfaces combined with a store infrastructure.
`FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of
`the sensors, system electronics unit, input interfaces and
`output interfaces combined with a computing environment.
`FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing another embodiment
`of the sensors, system electronics unit, input interfaces and
`output interfaces combined with a computing environment.
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`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Oneaspect of the present cart return credit system inven-
`tion is a system consisting of a cart sensor and a card
`reader/scanner/detector or other interface (e.g., a keypad,
`biometrics sensor, Bluetooth protocol transceiver, etc.) con-
`figured to obtain a customer identification (ID) which can be
`retrofitted to existing cart corrals. An optional output inter-
`face may be included in the system. The output interface
`may be a device that is used as backup to provide a reward
`to the customerif a link to a store computer or a computing
`environmentor the store computer/computing environment
`itself is not functioning properly. Alternatively, the output
`device may be used as the primary source of a reward to the
`customer, such as a token, coupon,or certificate. The cart
`sensor may use a detection loop, a loop oscillator circuit and
`a detector to detect a change in inductance of the loop when
`a cart is returned to the cart corral. Alternatively, each cart
`may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag,
`such as attached to the frame or embedded in a wheel or
`
`In another aspect of the present invention there is an
`integrated system of sensors, card readers or other customer
`identification interfaces, and/or other components, such as
`described in the previous paragraph, which may be newly
`constructed or assembled.
`
`In another aspect of the present invention there is a cart
`return system, comprising a sensor whichis activated when
`a cart is returned to a cart corral, a plurality of customer
`identification signals which are manually entered at the cart
`corral or wirelessly transmitted from a customer device, and
`a data processing section receiving signals from the sensor
`and the customerinput signals so as to associate the returned
`cart with a customer identification for a customer rewards
`program.
`
`In another aspect of the present invention there is a cart
`return system, comprising a sensor whichis activated when
`a cart is returned to a cart corral, a first interface which
`receives a first set of identification signals from a customer,
`a second interface which receives a second set of customer
`identification signals from the customer; and a data process-
`ing section associating at least one set of customer identi-
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`US 6,975,205 B1
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`5
`FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing one embodimentof
`the sensors and data processing section combined with a
`computing environment.
`FIG. 21 is a perspective view diagram of a sixth embodi-
`ment of a cart, alternative radio frequency identification
`(RFID)tag locations, alternative antenna panel arrangement,
`customer ID interface and system electronics arrangement
`used with a cart corral.
`
`FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing one embodimentof
`the system electronics, input interfaces and output interfaces
`shown in any of FIGS. 16-19 or the data processing section
`shown in FIG. 20.
`
`FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing another embodiment
`of the system electronics, input interfaces and output inter-
`faces shown in any of FIGS. 16-19 or the data processing
`section shown in FIG. 20.
`FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a cart return detection function
`
`performed by the system electronics shown in FIGS. 21 and
`23.
`
`FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a reward points or credits
`granting function performed by the system electronics
`shown in any of FIGS. 16-19 or the data processing section
`shown in FIG. 20.
`FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the obtain identification with
`
`primary method process or the obtain identification with
`secondary method process defined in FIG. 25, such as
`performed by the card reader of FIGS. 17-19 and 21-23.
`FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the obtain identification with
`primary method process or the obtain identification with
`secondary method process defined in FIG. 25, such as
`performed by the customeridentification interface of FIGS.
`17-19 and 21-23.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`the preferred
`The following detailed description of
`embodiments presents a description of certain specific
`embodiments to assist in understanding the claims. How-
`ever, the present invention can be embodied in a multitude
`of different ways as defined and covered by the claims.
`Reference is now madeto the drawings wherein like numer-
`als refer to like parts throughout.
`The purpose of the cart sensor system is to sense or
`register the return of the cart (the preferred customer behav-
`ior) and to enable the credit granting system whereby the
`customerreceives credits or points or other benefits in return
`for their replacing the cart in the designated place.
`The detailed description is organized into the following
`sections: Magnetic Stripe Cards and Readers, Smart Cards
`and Readers or Reader/Writers, Wireless Communication
`Protocols and Technology, Shopping Carts, Physical Lay-
`outs of Cart Corral Sensors and Input & Output Interfaces/
`Electronics Station, Cart Detector Circuit and System Elec-
`tronics, Software Functions, and Store Infrastructure.
`
`Magnetic Stripe Cards and Readers
`Data can be encoded on magnetic stripe cards using a
`proprietary methodology or by employing an open or stan-
`dard encoding pattern. The device that encodes data on a
`magnetic stripe is termed an encoder. The device that reads
`or decodes data from a magnetic stripe is termed a reader.
`There are commonstandards by which magnetic stripe cards
`are encoded. Such standards are created by organizations
`such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and
`the ABA (American Banking Association). Virtually all
`magnetic stripe cards, with the exception of those used for
`
`6
`security or proprietary purposes, utilize these standards.
`Therefore, assuming a card has been encodedto the typical
`standard, any brand or model of reader built to a standard
`will be capable of reading (decoding) the magnetic stripe.
`Standards have been developed for encoding three
`“tracks” on a magnetic stripe card. A track is basically a
`single physical line on the magnetic stripe where data are
`encoded. The tracks are referred to as Track 1, Track 2 and
`Track 3. What are laid-down on the tracks are bits—the off
`or on switches (zeroes and ones) that make up computer
`binary language. The density to which the bits are recorded
`are logically referred to as BPI, or bits-per-inch. What
`follows is an explanation of what makes up each track and
`whatit normally encodes.
`Track 1 is an alphanumeric track, recorded at 210 BPI at
`7 bits per character.Its limit is 79 characters. In the case of
`a credit card, this track normally encodes the cardholder’s
`name, card numberand card expiry date. Included in the 79
`characters are a numberof delimiter and placeholder char-
`acters found on the track.
`
`Track 2 is a numeric-only track, recorded at 75 BPI at 5
`bits per character. Its limit is 40 characters. Track 2 on credit
`cards contains the cardholder’s card number and expirydate.
`While these two pieces of data are also found on Track 1, the
`reasons for placing them on Track 2 are twofold. Firstly, it
`provides a degree of redundancy on the card, should one of
`the tracks be erased or become unreadable. The second
`
`reason is that a number of states and other jurisdictions do
`not allow for the non-discretionary recording of a person’s
`name during a financial transaction.
`Track 3 which is seldom used is numeric-only in nature,
`recorded at 210 BPI, 5 bits per character. It is termed the
`“thrift track”. Up to 107 characters can be placed on Track
`3.
`
`Magnetic card readers and encoders can be purchased as
`single track, dual track and triple track. In the case of a dual
`track reader or encoder, it could be tracks 1 & 2, or 2 & 3.
`As the name implies, magnetic stripe readers only read
`already-encoded magnetic stripes and they are used almost
`exclusively on-line (attached to a personal computer (PC)
`terminal or cash register). In a retail store, the reader and
`computing device form a part of a point-of-sale (POS)
`system. They are normally interfaced with a computer
`device either through an RS-232 serial connection, or via a
`keyboard wedge. Thislatter interface is most common in PC
`applications. In this case, the card reader shares the PC’s
`keyboard port and all scanned data are accepted by the PC
`as if they were keyed in. Serial readers almost always
`require an external AC/DC powersupply. Keyboard wedge
`readers “borrow” power from the keyboard port.
`On-line magneticstripe reader systems come in twobasic
`styles:
`integrated decoder and non-integrated decoder. A
`decoder is the electronic circuitry that decodes the “raw”
`electrical signals generated by the reader. The main advan-
`tage of the integrated, one-piece systems is the low cost.
`Their main disadvantage is that should one of the compo-
`nents (reader or decoder) fail, the entire system will prob-
`ably need to be replaced.
`Most magnetic stripe readers are of the “swipe” type,
`where the card is manually drawn through a slot in the
`reader. One swipe-type magnetic card readerthat is available
`from Panasonic is model ZU-M1242S1. Insertion readers,
`common on ATM machines, automated gas pumps and
`kiosks, are also available. Typically, insertion readers are
`integrated into other equipment, like kiosks or automatic
`teller machines (ATMs).
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`8
`Wireless Application Protocol
`The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a secure
`A smart card is similar in appearance to a traditional
`specification that allows users
`to access
`information
`magnetic stripe card, but unlike a traditional magneticstripe
`instantly via handheld wireless devices such as mobile
`card,
`the smart card stores information on an integrated
`phones, pagers, two-way radios, smartphones and commu-
`circuit chip embedded within the card, rather than on the
`nicators. WAP supports most wireless networks, including
`magnetic stripe on the surface. While a typical magnetic
`CDPD, CDMA, GSM, PDC, PHS, TDMA, FLEX,
`stripe card stores approximately 212 bytes of information,
`ReFLEX, iDEN, TETRA, DECT, DataTAC, and Mobitex.
`generally consisting of a user’s name, account and personal
`WAP is supported by various software operating systems.
`identification number offset, a smart card may store 64
`Ones specifically engineered for handheld devices include
`kilobytes or more of information, which is about 300 times
`PalmOS, EPOC, Windows CE, FLEXOS, OS/9, and Jav-
`that of a magnetic stripe card such asatraditional credit
`aOS.
`card. The intelligence of the integrated circuit chip allows
`smart cards to protect the stored information from damage or
`theft. For this reason, smart cards are more secure than
`magnetic stripe cards, which carry information on the out-
`side of the card and can therefore be more easily copied or
`accidentally erased.
`Various businesses a