THA
`
`T MOLT LLULL WILLITE
`
`US009990670B1
`
`( 12 ) United States Patent
`Pienkos
`
`( 10 ) Patent No . :
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`
`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`Jun . 5 , 2018
`
`( 54 ) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING PRODUCT LOCATION
`INFORMATION TO CUSTOMERS IN A
`STORE
`( 71 ) Applicant : John T . Pienkos , Mequon , WI ( US )
`( 72 ) Inventor : John T . Pienkos , Mequon , WI ( US )
`( 73 ) Assignee : Innovaport LLC , Milwaukee , WI ( US )
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`( * ) Notice :
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U . S . C . 154 ( b ) by 0 days . days .
`( 21 ) Appl . No . : 14 / 999 , 634
`( 22 )
`Filed :
`Jun . 6 , 2016
`Related U . S . Application Data
`( 60 ) Continuation of application No . 14 / 120 , 873 , filed on
`Jul . 7 , 2014 , now Pat . No . 9 , 489 , 690 , which is a
`continuation of application No . 13 / 815 , 667 , filed on
`Mar . 14 , 2013 , now Pat . No . 8 , 787 , 933 , which is a
`continuation of application No . 12 / 924 , 740 , filed on
`Oct . 4 , 2010 , now Pat . No . 8 , 775 , 260 , which is a
`division of application No . 11 / 707 , 842 , filed on Feb .
`19 , 2007 , now Pat . No . 7 , 819 , 315 , which is a
`continuation of application No . 09 / 626 , 365 , filed on
`Jul . 23 , 2000 , now Pat . No . 7 , 231 , 380 .
`( 60 ) Provisional application No . 60 / 158 , 444 , filed on Oct .
`9 , 1999 .
`( 51 ) Int . CI .
`( 2012 . 01 )
`G06Q 30 / 00
`( 2012 . 01 )
`G060 30 / 06
`U . S . CI .
`. . . G06Q 30 / 0639 ( 2013 . 01 )
`???
`CPL . . . . . . . . . .
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 30 / 0639 ; G06Q 30 / 0601 ; G06Q
`30 / 0641 ; G06Q 30 / 02 ; G06Q 10 / 087
`
`( 58 )
`
`*
`
`( 56 )
`
`USPC . . . . . . . . .
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705 / 26 . 1 , 26 . 9
`See application file for complete search history .
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`6 / 1976 Stevenson , III
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`5 / 1983 Lemelson
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`8 / 1983 Kuenzel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H04M 17 / 02
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`9 / 1985 Lieberman
`( Continued )
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Allison Galosich ,
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`Northbrook , May 1998 , vol . 212 , Iss . 5 , p . 74 , 3 pgs .
`( Continued )
`Primary Examiner — Andrew Joseph Rudy
`ABSTRACT
`( 57 )
`A system and method are disclosed for providing product
`location information within a store . The system comprises a
`first user interface fixed within the store and an inventory
`information unit coupled to the first user interface . The first
`user interface is configured to receive an input signal from
`a user related to the identity of a product within the store , to
`process the input signal and to provide a product inquiry
`signal in response to the input signal . The first user interface
`is further configured to receive a location information signal ,
`and to provide an output signal in response to the location
`information signal . The inventory information unit com
`prises a database containing product location information
`and is configured to provide the location information signal
`to the first user interface after receiving the product inquiry
`signal from the first user interface .
`3 Claims , 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 1 of 15
`
`RECEIVE INDICATION THAT CUSTOMER
`DESIRES TO MAKE INQUIRY ( OPTIONAL )
`
`RECEIVE PRODUCT LOCATION
`INQUIRY FROM CUSTOMER
`
`502
`
`PROCESS PRODUCT LOCATION INQUIRY
`
`COMMUNICATE PROCESSED PRODUCT
`
`LOCATION INQUIRY TO DATABASE ?????? ?
`
`CHECK DATABASE FOR RELEVANT
`INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO INQUIRY
`
`PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION
`TO OUTPUT CONTROL DEVICE
`
`OUTPUT RELEVANT INFORMATION TO
`CUSTOMER
`
`506
`
`507
`
`

`

`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
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`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 2 of 15
`
`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`Page 2
`
`G06Q 10 / 087
`705 / 14 . 36
`
`G06Q 10 / 087
`705 / 26 . 9
`
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`1
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`8 , 787 , 933 B1
`7 / 2014 Pienkos
`9 , 489 , 690 B1 * 11 / 2016 Pienkos
`2009 / 0012704 AL
`1 / 2009 Franco et al .
`
`
`
`NNN NNNNNNN
`
`. . . . . . . . GO6Q 10 / 087
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Web Pages From Website of Marcole Interactive Systems , www .
`marcole . com , Printed on May 20 , 2005 , 74 Pages .
`“ Frustrated Shoppers Turn to GPS ” , Oddly Enough — Reuters ,
`Yahoo ! News , Apr . 30 , 2003 , printed on May 17 , 2003 , 2 Pages .
`Web pages concerning Symbol Technologies and Telxon Corpora
`tion , obtained at website of Symbol Technologies , www . symbol .
`com , printed on May 17 , 2003 , 72 Pages .
`Web pages of Treo Systems , Inc . , available at www . treosystems .
`com , Copyright 2010 , printed on Oct . 25 , 2012 , 19 pages .
`“ Meijer Launches Mobile In - Store Product Locator ” , Aug . 31 ,
`2010 , 2 pgs . , www . progressivegrocer . com / top - story - meijer . sub . - -
`launches . sub . - - mobile . su - b . - - in . sub . . - store . sub . - - product . sub . - - lo
`cator - 30356 . html .
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`2012 , 4 pgs . , www . forbes . com / sites / ciocentral / 2012 / 07 / 09 / mobile
`the - biggest - chang - e - to - hit - retailing - in - 50 - years .
`* cited by examiner
`
`GO1S 5 / 12
`342 / 457
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Jun . 5 , 2018
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`
`DAIRY ETC .
`
`FROZEN FOODS
`
`106
`
`108
`
`- 1200
`
`- 120b
`
`120d
`
`113
`
`113
`
`100
`
`120f
`
`- - - - - - - -
`
`Hallo 01
`
`118
`
`114
`
`120e
`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 3 of 15
`
`110
`
`102
`
`104
`
`120a
`DELI
`
`BAKERY
`
`130
`
`1164 St
`OFFICE
`116L
`
`135
`
`FIG . 1
`
`

`

`en om ww . . .
`
`U . S . Patent
`
`Jun . 5 , 2018
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`
`250
`
`251
`
`- 2200
`
`FIG . 2 ( b )
`
`201
`
`202
`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 4 of 15
`
`FIG . 2 ( a )
`
`220a
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Jun . 5 , 2018
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`
`I USER INTERFACE 320
`
`RECEIVER
`
`302
`
`VOICE
`RECOGNITION
`AND
`RESPONSE UNIT
`
`INPUT
`BUTTON
`
`304
`
`308
`
`SPEAKER
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`306
`
`Y
`
`FIG . 3
`
`404
`MONITOR
`
`406
`
`DATABASE 1996
`
`340
`
`- 310
`
`CENTRAL HUB 330
`
`TO
`OTHER
`VOICE RECOGNITION
`AND RESPONSE UNITS
`
`1102
`TO
`INVENTORY
`COMPUTER
`AND
`OTHER
`KEYBOARD
`RECOGNITION
`AND RESPONSE
`UNITS
`
`-
`
`-
`
`KEYBOARD
`RECOGNITION
`AND
`RESPONSE UNIT
`402
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 5 of 15
`
`KEYBOARD
`INPUT
`USER INTERFACE 4201
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`FIG . 4
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Jun . 5 , 2018
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`
`RECEIVE INDICATION THAT CUSTOMER
`DESIRES TO MAKE INQUIRY ( OPTIONAL )
`
`RECEIVE PRODUCT LOCATION
`INQUIRY FROM CUSTOMER
`
`PROCESS PRODUCT LOCATION INQUIRY
`
`COMMUNICATE PROCESSED PRODUCT
`LOCATION INQUIRY TO DATABASE
`
`CHECK DATABASE FOR RELEVANT
`INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO INQUIRY
`
`PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION
`TO OUTPUT CONTROL DEVICE
`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 6 of 15
`
`OUTPUT RELEVANT INFORMATION TO
`CUSTOMER
`
`FIG . 5
`
`503
`
`504
`
`505
`
`506
`
`507
`
`

`

`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`
`20
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING PRODUCT LOCATION
`INFORMATION TO CUSTOMERS IN
`A
`STORE
`
`must accompany the shoppers simply because the employ
`ees themselves are not exactly sure of the precise location of
`the products in question .
`While both customers and many employees of a store
`5 often are not fully aware of the locations within the store of
`the various products being sold by the store , this is typically
`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`not because the information is not available . A store typi
`APPLICATION
`cally has one or more managers or other employees who are
`in charge of maintaining inventory within the store , and who
`This application claims the benefit of U . S . Provisional
`10 consequently know the locations of most , if not all , of the
`Application No . 60 / 158 , 444 filed Oct . 9 , 1999 .
`products within the store . Moreover , many modern stores
`have a computerized or other information system that is
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`utilized to keep track of the stores ' inventory . Such inven
`tory systems can keep track of , in addition to the types and
`The present invention relates to an apparatus and method
`15 brands of products being sold , the vendors of the products
`for providing product location information to customers ( or
`being sold , the prices for which the products are being
`employees or others ) in stores and other retail centers .
`bought and sold by the store , the number of each type of
`product that is remaining within the store and even the
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`locations of the various products within the store .
`U . S . Pat . No . 5 , 630 , 068 shows one system that has
`The number and variety of different products being sold
`already been designed to assist customers and others in
`in stores has increased and continues to increase at a rapid
`locating products within stores . According to this system ,
`customers in a store are provided with relay units that are
`pace . This abundance of different products is a result not
`either mounted on shopping carts that the customers push
`only of increased demand on the part of consumers and the
`development of more and more specialized products on the 25 around within the store , or simply carried around the store
`part of manufacturers , but also of the emergence of enor -
`by the customers . The relay units are coupled to a central
`mous warehouse - type stores in which retailers attempt to
`computer by way of light or radio frequency ( RF ) signals .
`provide every imaginable product ( within broadly - defined
`When the customers begin shopping , they identify from a
`product areas ) to consumers . Because of this huge increase
`list those products that they are interested in purchasing .
`in the number of available products being sold in an indi - 30 Upon finishing this entry of information , the customers are
`vidual store , shopping has become a frustrating experience
`provided with graphical and other information indicating the
`for many shoppers . Instead of being able to quickly find the
`location of the desired products within the store and , as they
`products in the stores that they are interested in purchasing ,
`progress through the store , are provided with prompts /
`shoppers often must seek the proverbial “ needle in the
`reminders when they approach the locations of the products
`haystack " when searching for desired products or else must 35 that were originally indicated .
`walk through every aisle of the store in order to guarantee
`Although this known system is capable of providing
`that they are not missing the products that they desire .
`product location information to customers , the system has
`Of course , modern stores typically do have a variety of
`several , drawbacks . The optical , RF and / or sensor equip
`displays or signs posted throughout the store that directm ent required by the system for allowing communication
`customers ( at least in a general fashion ) towards particular 40 between the central computer and the relay units , for deter
`types of goods . Such signs are often hung from the ceilings
`mining the positions of relay units , and for determining
`of the stores or posted at the ends of aisles . However , in
`when the relay units are approaching the locations of prod
`many cases such signs are not an adequate mechanism for
`u cts that have been selected by the customers , is compli
`providing customers with sufficient information to allow
`cated . Because the relay units are mobile , the relay units can
`them to easily find the products for which they are searching . 45 be lost or damaged by customers . Indeed , relay units that are
`Not only are the signs sometimes difficult to read , but also
`coupled to shopping carts can be damaged as a result of a
`the signs are limited in that only a small amount of infor -
`variety of circumstances , including exposure to the elements
`mation can be fit onto the signs .
`when shopping carts are left outside of the store . For these
`Consequently , shoppers often resort to a common fall -
`reasons , the known system may be undesirably complicated
`back — asking an employee of the store to direct them to the 50 and expensive .
`products they are looking for . Such behavior , while often
`From the above , it is apparent that it would be advanta
`allowing shoppers to find the desired products within a store ,
`geous if stores had systems within the stores for providing
`has significant disadvantages . First , store employees are not
`product location information to customers ( or employees or
`always able to provide clear instructions and , indeed , fre -
`others ) . It would further be advantageous if these systems
`quently do not themselves know where various products are 55 were easily accessed by customers and provided information
`located . As a result , shoppers who decide to ask store
`in a rapid and convenient manner . It would be particularly
`employees for directions often must ask more than one
`advantageous if access were facilitated by employing a
`system with user interfaces that were conveniently acces
`employee for such directions .
`More importantly , a constant barrage of product location
`sible by customers from
`a number of locations within a
`questions to employees from shoppers invariably detracts 60 given store .
`from the employees ' productivity . Not only are the employ .
`It would also be particularly advantageous if access was
`ees distracted from the work they are otherwise performing ,
`facilitated by employing a system having user interfaces that
`but also answering questions can significantly detract from
`made use of modern electronic interface technologies . At the
`the time the employees actually are performing their work ,
`same time , it would further be advantageous if the system
`particularly since the employees often physically walk with 65 utilized a simple array of electronic technologies so that the
`the shoppers to the location of the products to help the
`system could be inexpensively installed within stores and
`shoppers find what they are looking for . Employees often
`was robust and easily maintained . It would be particularly
`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 7 of 15
`
`

`

`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`
`5
`
`response to the product location inquiry signal and providing
`advantageous if the system were interconnected with exist
`an output signal at an output device , the output signal being
`ing ( or new or modified ) computerized or other information
`a response to the product location inquiry .
`systems within stores whereby existing inventory informa
`tion could be easily obtained and relayed to customers .
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`FIG . 1 shows a plan view of an exemplary store in which
`the invention is being utilized ;
`The present invention relates to a system for providing
`FIGS . 2a and 2b are front elevation views of two exem
`product location information within a store . The system
`comprises a first user interface fixed within the store and an 10 plary user interfaces at which persons desiring product
`inventory information unit coupled to the first user interface .
`location information may obtain such information ;
`The first user interface is configured to receive an input
`FIG . 3 is a block diagram showing elements of a preferred
`signal from a user related to the identity of a product within
`embodiment of the invention that utilizes voice recognition
`the store , to process the input signal and to provide a product
`and voice response technology to interface with persons
`inquiry signal in response to the input signal . The first user 15 desiring location information ;
`interface is further configured to receive a location infor -
`FIG . 4 is a block diagram showing elements of a second
`mation signal , and to provide an output signal in response to
`embodiment of the invention using an alternative commu
`the location information signal . The inventory information
`nications technology to interface with persons desiring loca
`unit comprises a database containing product location infor -
`tion information ; and
`mation and is configured to provide the location information 20
`FIG . 5 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps performed
`signal to the first user interface after receiving the product
`by the present invention .
`inquiry signal from the first user interface .
`The present invention additionally relates to a system for
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`providing product location information within a store , which
`includes an information unit and an input / output device . The 25
`Referring to FIG . 1 , an exemplary store 100 is shown in
`information unit includes processing circuitry and a database
`which the present invention is deployed . As shown , store
`containing product location information , and is configured
`100 is a food store ( e . g . , “ Pick ’ n Save ” ) with various
`to receive an input signal , to process the input signal , to
`specialty food centers , such as a bakery 102 , a deli 104 , a
`obtain product location information from the database in
`dairy section 106 and a frozen foods section 108 . The store
`response to the processed input signal , and to provide an 30 layout includes a number of different shelves 110 , racks ( not
`output signal indicative of information regarding product
`shown ) , aisles 112 , refrigeration compartments 113 , and
`location . The input / output device is fixed at a location within
`check - out counters 118 and may include more than one
`the store , and is configured to receive a user input concern -
`room , such as a main shopping room 114 and an office 116 .
`ing a product location inquiry and to provide the input signal
`Items that may be purchased by consumers , or which may
`to the information unit in response to the user input . The 35 for some other reason be of interest to consumers , are at
`input / output device is further configured to receive the
`different locations within the store . While the store may be
`output signal from the information unit and to communicate
`organized in order to facilitate customers ' searches for
`a user output in response to the output signal , where the user
`desired items , customers still must look around and walk
`output is indicative of product location .
`around the store to find various items .
`The present invention further relates to a system for 40
`While a food store 100 is shown , the present invention is
`providing product location information within a store that
`applicable to all other types of stores that sell more than one
`includes an input means , a signal processing means , a data
`item ( or have more than one item of interest to customers )
`storage means , and an output means . The input means is for
`and have such items located in different positions within the
`receiving an input signal . The signal processing means is for
`store . For example , in addition to food stores , the present
`processing the input signal to generate a product inquiry 45 invention can be employed in a pharmacy / drug store ( e . g . ,
`signal and is coupled to the input means . The data storage
`Walgreen ' sTM ) , a home - improvement - store ( e . g . , Home
`means is for storing product location information and pro -
`DepotTM ) , an office merchandise store ( e . g . , Office
`viding a product location information signal to the signal
`DepotTM ) , a department store ( e . g . , Marshall Field ' sTM ) , and
`processing means in response to the product inquiry signal .
`virtually all other stores .
`The data storage means is coupled to the signal processing 50
`Referring to FIG . 1 , in a preferred embodiment multiple
`means . The output means is for providing an output signal ,
`user interfaces 120 ( specifically , user interfaces 120a - 1200 )
`and also is coupled to the signal processing means . The
`are positioned at multiple locations within the store ( in an
`output means generates the output signal in response to a
`alternate embodiment , a store would have only one such user
`command signal from the signal processing means , which
`interface positioned at one location ) . Each of user interfaces
`generates the command signal in response to the product 55 120 is capable of receiving inquiries from customers ( or
`employees or others ) as to the location of various items
`location information signal .
`The present invention additionally relates to a method of
`within store 100 . Also , each of user interfaces 120 is capable
`providing product location - information within a store . The
`of providing information to customers in response to receiv
`method comprises the step of affixing at least a first input
`ing inquiries from the customers .
`device at a first location within the store . The method further 60
`In the preferred embodiment , each of user interfaces 120
`comprises the steps of obtaining a product location inquiry
`is capable of providing information regarding the location of
`at the first input device , processing the product location
`any item of interest to customers within store 100 ( as well
`inquiry at a signal processing device to determine a product
`as capable of indicating to customers that a particular item
`location inquiry signal , and querying a database to obtain
`does not exist within the store if customers inquire as to the
`product location information in response to the product 65 location of that item ) . In alternative embodiments , some
`location inquiry signal . The method also comprises the steps
`( e . g . , one or more ) of user interfaces 120 are able to provide
`of providing a product location information signal in
`more information than some of the other user interfaces .
`
`Case: 3:23-cv-00498 Document #: 1-4 Filed: 07/21/23 Page 8 of 15
`
`

`

`US 9 , 990 , 670 B1
`
`interface does not need to access the central hub each time
`Indeed , in certain alternative embodiments , one or more of
`a customer makes a request . Rather , periodically all ( or
`user interfaces 120 are capable of providing completely
`some ) of the relevant location information within central
`different information than one or more of the other user
`interfaces .
`hub 130 is downloaded into individual memories associated
`As shown in FIG . 1 , in the preferred embodiment , each of 5 with each ( or some of user interfaces 120 . Then , when a
`user interfaces 120 is connected to a central hub 130 . User
`customer makes an inquiry at a particular user interface 120 ,
`interfaces 120 can be , but need not be , coupled to one
`the user interface accesses its own memory to obtain rel
`another as well as coupled individually to central hub 130 .
`evant information in response to the inquiry , instead of
`The exact connection matrix between user interfaces 120
`relaying the individual request to central hub 130 and
`and central hub 130 is not of significant concern . For 10 obtaining relevant information in response to that request
`example , some ( or all ) of user interfaces 120 can be con
`from the central hub .
`nected to one another and to central hub 130 in serial
`This second embodiment is believed to be a preferred
`fashion , as are user interfaces 120d - 120f in FIG . 1 . Alter
`embodiment in relation to the first embodiment insofar as
`natively ( or in addition ) , some ( or all ) of user interfaces 120
`can be connected in the form of a wheel with a hub and 15 this second embodiment does not require effectively unin
`terrupted communications between user interfaces 120 and
`spokes , as are user interfaces 120a , 1205 and 120d with
`to central hub 130 in FIG . 1 . Coupling ( as shown by
`central hub 130 at all times and , further , does not place as
`a dashed line 140 in FIG . 1 ) of user interfaces 120 to central
`great of a burden upon the potentially - limited processing
`hub 130 and / or to one another is preferably by way of
`capabilities of the central hub . At the same time , this second
`electrical wiring in order to be relatively - inexpensive 20 embodiment requires greater memory storage capability on
`although , in alternate embodiments , the coupling can occur
`the part of each of user interfaces 120 to store the down
`by way of wireless communications or some other commu -
`loaded data from central hub 130 .
`Additional embodiments are also possible . For example ,
`nication mechanism .
`Central hub 130 is , in the preferred embodiment , a central
`in certain embodiments , the user interfaces 120 are pro
`computer database ( or other information source ) in which 25 grammed by having one or more store employees ( or other
`information regarding the location of all or at least some of
`individuals ) couple each user interface individually to cen
`the items within store 100 ( i . e . , inventory location informa
`tral hub 130 only for the time necessary to download
`tion ) is stored . The product location information can include
`relevant information . In one embodiment , an employee can
`information as to where products are both placed or stored .
`program the user interfaces 120 using a mobile device ( not
`In addition to this product location information stored in 30 shown ) that is carried around with the employee . The mobile
`central hub 130 is a variety of types of additional informa -
`device contains all of the relevant information and can be
`tion regarding products or other store features ( e . g . , infor -
`" plugged into the different user interfaces 120 , one by one ,
`mation regarding the current stock of different items and
`to download location information to the different user inter
`prices of different items ) .
`faces . The mobile device effectively functions as the " central
`The location information and any other information ) 35 hub ” insofar as all product location information is trans
`within central hub 130 can be provided to the central hub in
`ferred from it .
`a variety of ways . In the preferred embodiment ( and as
`In further embodiments , some or all of user interfaces 120
`shown in FIG . 1 ) , the information is provided to central hub
`are coupled only to certain other user interfaces such that ,
`130 from an overall inventory database 135 of the store ,
`when one user interface is provided with information ( e . g . ,
`such as currently exist in many stores today , with which the 40 when such user interface is connected to central hub 130 or
`central hub is configured ( and programmed ) to communi -
`to the mobile device discussed above ) , other user interfaces
`cate . In an alternate embodiment , central hub 130 is the only
`also receive that information . Indeed , in one embodiment , a
`database containing inventory information within the store ,
`user interface 120 is programmed to act as an “ intermediate
`and is programmed with inventory information including
`hub ” , such that location information is stored ( or down
`product location information by store personnel ( or by some 45 loaded ) onto that user interface but not others . In such a
`other automatic system ) .
`system , the other user interface ( s ) 120 that are connected to
`Operation of user interfaces 120 in relation to central hub
`the intermediate hub user interface can request and obtain
`130 can take different forms according to different embodi -
`information from the intermediate hub in the same fashion
`ments . In a first embodiment , each of user interfaces 120 is
`as user interfaces would access central hub 130 in the first
`configured to send a signal to central hub 130 to access the 50 embodiment described above . ( Referring to FIG . 1 , for
`database , upon receipt of an i