Portable Data Module and System for Consumer Transactions

This application is a continuing application of provisional applications Ser. No. 60/000,051 and Ser. No. 60/000,063 each filed Jun. 8, 1996 and incorporated by reference.

The field of the present invention relates to the use of a Consumer Data Device (CDD) for use in various transactions and information transferral.

Previously, consumer data devices have been typically limited to "front end" use, that is, use at the point-of-sale (POS). In many cases, the most effective use of these devices from a merchandiser's perspective would be well before the POS transaction, such as in interaction with systems to generate coupons or "rainchecks". Two-way communications with these devices have been limited to direct contact means, either by electrical conductors or magnetic stripes, both of which tend to wear out because of the required mechanical contact forces. One-way communications using liquid crystal displays being read by POS system bar-code scanners have suffered from poor performance due to lack of adequate display contrast.

The present invention is directed to a Consumer Data Device comprised of a plastic encased, credit-card sized case containing a memory for data and transaction retention, an LCD display for displaying information, an LCD display for bar-codes to be read by a bar-code scanner, and means to scroll through the stored information, and a data communication link via spread-spectrum RF or direct electrical contact.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred configuration for the Consumer Data Device;

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative Consumer Data Device;

FIG. 3 illustrates an Apparatus for Initiating Raincheck Printing (AIRP);

FIG. 4 illustrates a Raincheck Printing System (RPS);

FIG. 5 illustrates a coupon generating kiosk;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate kiosk.

Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In its simplest form, the CDD may be considered a portable data storage and retrieval device that consumers can use to replace "paper" transactions and exchanges of information. The CDD enables numerous methods and concepts to replace coupons, rainchecks, product information, recipes, as well as to acquire consumer information. An important enabler for the effectiveness of the CDD is the ability of the device to communicate and respond to the POS (Point-of-Sale) system and/or main store computer system. Methods of these communications are also discussed below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred configuration for the Consumer Data Device comprised of a plastic encased, credit-card sized device that contains memory means for data and transaction retention, an LCD display 20 for displaying information, an LCD display 30 for displaying bar-codes to be read by a bar-code scanner, and means to scroll through the stored information for example the up and down scroll buttons 40. The primary means for data communications would be through spread-spectrum RF or direct electrical contact. Methods and apparatus for producing bar codes via an LCD display are disclosed in provisional application Ser. No. 60/000,063 filed Jun. 8, 1995 hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative means for data communications through an optical means which would require a photo-receiver 50 on the CDD. The memory means would have the capability to be segmented into secure and unsecured blocks. The secured blocks would be reserved for encrypted reading and writing of financial information necessary to support electronic purse functions. This information would include incrementing and decrementing currency amounts as well as allocating certain currency amounts for particular stores and/or categories of items. The unsecured blocks would be able to be read and written to by any authorized device, such as POS systems to accomplish coupon generation and redemption. The scroll feature would allow the consumer to view categories and specific stored information within the categories, such as currencies balances in the electronic purses, number and type of coupons and/or rainchecks available, or the like.

Method of Use 1--Use of consumer data device in raincheck generation/distribution system triggered/controlled by real-time inventory management system w/consumer data device storage and redemption capability.

In the retail environment, when a customer discovers a desired item is out of stock, the retailer often desires to provide the customer with a raincheck, which is essentially a certificate granting the customer a guarantee that the out of stock item may be purchased later at the current price. Typically, the certificate may be manually generated by the store clerk.

In a preferred method, the raincheck is automatically generated by an in-store printing device and/or downloaded into a Consumer Data Device after the system has interrogated inventory and determined that the item is not available. By eliminating the manual process that exists today, the store can more efficiently serve the needs of the customer while acquiring information, in real-time, about the movement and inventory status of sale or promotional items. Additionally, the ability to automate the ordering process becomes feasible if this system is connected into the store inventory control system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an Apparatus for Initiating Raincheck Printing (AIRP). The AIRP would initiate a Raincheck generating session by monitoring the area for the specific RF Tag of the item in question. The AIRP would then determine if there were additional items in the immediate vicinity and initiate communications with the Raincheck Printing System (RPS) (see FIG. 4), if no items were detected. If no items are detected in the area, the AIRP shall indicate this condition to the customer via the Out of Stock Indicator. Customers could ultimately be notified electronically via Internet (e.g. e-mail), fax, or phone when their merchandise arrives at the store, providing the customer input the pertinent information into the Raincheck Printing system at the time of the Raincheck transaction.

Upon detecting the initiation of the Raincheck Printing Process (RPP), the RPS shall interrogate the backroom controller. The backroom controller would then respond to the RPS with one of two kinds of information: Additional Inventory Locations or Item Arrival Date(s). This information will then be presented to the customer via the display on the RPS. If the information is of the Item Arrival Date type, the RPS will ask the customer (via the display) if a Raincheck is required. If a Raincheck is required by the customer, the RPS will interrogate the customer for various pieces of information, i.e., quantity, contact means (fax, phone, e-mail, surface mail, etc.), and print the appropriate information on the form. The form may comprise a bar-code, a set of bar-codes, or other data set or symbol containing the Raincheck information. Alternately, the Raincheck information could be downloaded into the previously described Consumer Data Device, which would allow the consumer to access and redeem the Raincheck once notified electronically by the store.

After the customer interaction has been completed, the RPS will initiate a transmission to the backroom controller with item identification and quantity inventory information for inventory control purposes. If the customer selected a specific means of follow-up contact, that information would also be included. This contact information could be interpreted and utilized by the backroom controller to completely automate a Raincheck system, i.e., automatically send e-mail/fax/phone notification of item availability when inventory indicates item stock availability. Thus the raincheck would be issued only if no merchandise is on the store premises, thus saving store profits downstream. Inventory can be more accurately maintained by ordering enough items to cover normal buying and the additional quantity out on Rainchecks.

The system would allow the customer to save store personnel time by looking at the display of the Raincheck Printing System for additional inventory locations. Moreover, customers would ultimately be more satisfied since they would not have to run around all over the store looking for someone to help them find their merchandise.

Method of Use 2--Use of consumer data device in issuance of coupons from Kiosk system:

Retailers currently utilize one or more of the following methods for distributing coupons:

(1) Free Standing Inserts (FSI's)--Coupons that are made available to consumers through newspapers, magazines and fliers. They are generally not "targeted" by distribution and have quite low redemption rates.

(2) Shelve edge or aisle distributed coupons--Coupons which are typically dispensed by a machine that is located on the shelf edge or near the product in the isle. Flashing LED's and other means of attracting attention are used to get the consumer to remove a coupon from the machine and redeem at the time of purchase.

(3) Point of Sale generated--These point-of-sale generated coupons usually are targeted to the consumer based upon what was purchased during the transaction and thus the consumer must keep possession of them as well as remember to use them.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a coupon generating kiosk having a touchscreen display visible to the consumer, that would allow them to select from coupons and other promotional items as determined by the offerings presented. An alternative means of dispensing the promotional items would be available through a traditional paper generated system via a printing device. This printing option may be necessary if the consumer is not carrying their device or it has limited memory. The kiosk's primary means of communicating to the CDD will be through spread-spectrum RF, but as an alternative it has the ability to communicate to the CDD optically as well as acoustically.

A preferred embodiment for the kiosk coupon generating system would allow a consumer to readily access coupon, discount and promotional opportunities from the kiosk without having to remove and scan or "swipe" their consumer data device. Through the use of Spread-Spectrum RF technology, the kiosk would interrogate the CDD that the consumer is carrying with them.

As the consumer enters the store they would approach the coupon generating kiosk and initiate a "transaction" by selecting the appropriate icon presented on the touchscreen. The kiosk would then interrogate the CDD that the consumer is carrying to determine who is present, as well as accessing information from the CDD's memory. This information could include prior store purchasing history, family specific information such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc., as well as summaries of other transactions that have occurred in the store. Once the purchasing history has been evaluated, the kiosk would present a variety of coupon and promotional discount opportunities to the consumer that could be used in the current shopping visit. Upon selection of these coupons by the consumer, the kiosk would "download" the information to the CDD, once again utilizing RF technology so that the CDD does not have to be physically removed from the consumer's wallet or purse. The redemption of the coupon would occur at the POS, with the POS system or data collection device (combined bar-code scanner/RF reader) interrogating the CDD for stored coupon information. Decrementing and/or deleting of redeemed coupons within the CDD would occur once a match had been made to the appropriately purchased item. Alternative methods of communication between the CDD and the kiosk, as well as the POS system, would be optical and acoustic and through means of a contact pad.

One advantage of this system may be that it allows the manufacturer and store to influence the consumer's buying decision during their current shopping activity and prior to the POS transaction, and it gives the consumer a coupon that they do not have to worry about losing or forgetting as in the case of POS-issued coupons.

A preferred embodiment of the Automated Raincheck System would include some or all of the following. Ideally, rainchecks would be issued only if no merchandise is on the store premises, thus saving store profits downstream. Inventory can be more accurately maintained by ordering enough items to cover normal buying and the additional quantity out on rainchecks.

Optical--The use of optical technology to transfer information from the scanning device or the POS/store system would use a modulated infrared source in the preferred embodiment. The modulation would represent the data to be transferred from the POS device to the Consumer Data Device. Alternatively, this link may be accomplished by modulating the scanning laser beam (in the case of the laser scanner), or it could be accomplished by modulating the LED illuminator(s) in the case of wand or handheld CCD type scanners. Alternatively, the scanner could modulate an additional optical source such as a visible indicator or other additional source. The optical source need not be part of the scanner but may be a separate device which is connected to the scanner, the POS terminal, or other data device. The optical signal may be at any wavelength within the part of the electromagnetic spectrum commonly referred to as "optical", which includes from the far-infrared through the deep-ultraviolet.

Optical communication of the CDD to the POS system may be in the form of a bar-code shown on a liquid crystal display (LCD).

RF/Wireless--Another form of the POS terminal to CDD communication channel is in the form of a radio-frequency link (RF link). The function of the RF link would be in a manner similar to that described for the optical method, the main difference being the use of electromagnetic energy in the "RF" spectrum as opposed to the "optical" spectrum for the transfer of the information. In the preferred embodiment, a spread spectrum RF signal would be used. Alternatively, a narrow band RF signal could be used. As in the case of the optical method, the RF device may be a part of the bar-code scanner, or it may be a separate device which may be connected to the scanner, or directly to the POS terminal, or to some other data device. One potentially key advantage to this method may be elimination of the (required) line of sight between the POS system, scanning device and Consumer Data Device.

Other--Additional forms of the invention could include one or more of the following for the communication channel: Acoustic link, where the operation and connections would take place acoustically, (longitudinal waves in air); direct electrical connection, where the connections would require contacting the CDD to the POS system, and/or the scanning device (see for example the alternate kiosk of FIG. 6). Inductive or capacitive coupling may be also be used.