公开(公告)号：US07292158B2

公开(公告)日：2007-11-06

申请号：US10019142

申请日：2001-04-20

申请人： Franz Wieth ,  Horst Sonnendorfer

发明人： Franz Wieth ,  Horst Sonnendorfer

IPC分类号： G08G1/123

CPC分类号： G07G3/00 ,  A47F9/045 ,  G06Q20/387 ,  G06Q30/0226 ,  G06Q30/0253 ,  G07F7/0636 ,  G07F7/0681

摘要： A method and a system for detecting and rewarding the returning of shopping carts to the supermarket collection points is provided. During shopping, a first signal A is generated. When a shopping cart is returned, a signal B is generated. These two signals A and B are correlated either in the supermarket or in an information device that the customer carries with him or her, in order to deliver a reward for returning the shopping cart. When the first signal A is generated, the customer or an information device carried with the customer is identified. Alternatively, the signal is provided to the customer at the supermarket checkout so that the customer himself/herself can take steps for the correlation of the signal A with the signal B that is still to be obtained.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种用于检测和奖励购物车返回超市收集点的方法和系统。 在购物期间，产生第一信号A. 当购物车返回时，产生信号B. 这两个信号A和B在超市或客户与他或她携带的信息装置中相关联，以便递送返回购物车的奖励。 当生成第一信号A时，识别客户或与客户携带的信息设备。 或者，在超市结帐处将信号提供给客户，使得客户自己可以采取步骤来使信号A与仍然获得的信号B相关。

公开(公告)号：US20070002139A1

公开(公告)日：2007-01-04

申请号：US11418381

申请日：2006-05-03

申请人： Greg Benson ,  Matthew Fistonich

发明人： Greg Benson ,  Matthew Fistonich

IPC分类号： H04N7/18

CPC分类号： G08B13/22 ,  G05B13/0275 ,  G06F11/202 ,  G06F21/52 ,  G06F2221/034 ,  G06N5/048 ,  G06N7/005 ,  G06N99/005 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q50/26 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G07C5/008 ,  G07C5/085 ,  G07C5/0891 ,  G07C9/00087 ,  G07C9/00158 ,  G07C2009/0092 ,  G07F7/0636 ,  G07G1/0036 ,  G07G3/00 ,  G08B13/196 ,  G08B13/2454 ,  G08B21/02 ,  G08B21/12 ,  G08B25/14 ,  G08B29/04 ,  G08B29/16 ,  H04K3/22 ,  H04L9/3236 ,  H04L9/3247 ,  H04L63/0428 ,  H04L63/10 ,  H04L63/101 ,  H04L67/025 ,  H04L67/12 ,  H04L67/18 ,  H04L67/22 ,  H04L2209/805 ,  H04N7/181

摘要： Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system comprised of at least one master data collection unit, any number of remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the objects being monitored. The master unit may be in a fixed location, or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave the area where it is located. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices, wherein the child devices can be remote sensors or monitors of various measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification and biometric identification. The master unit is able to discover new remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located. The master unit can be remotely reprogrammed. The reprogramming can be accomplished with authenticated instructions.

公开(公告)号：US06867694B2

公开(公告)日：2005-03-15

申请号：US10019143

申请日：2001-04-19

申请人： Franz Wieth ,  Horst Sonnendorfer

发明人： Franz Wieth ,  Horst Sonnendorfer

IPC分类号： A47F9/04 ,  G07F7/06 ,  G08B13/14

CPC分类号： G07G3/00 ,  A47F9/045 ,  G06Q20/387 ,  G07F7/0636 ,  G07F7/0681

摘要： A system for detecting and rewarding the return of shopping carts to collection points is provided. A signal corresponding to a dividend is generated as soon as a shopping cart is returned to a collection point. The signal is only generated when the shopping cart is returned correctly to a row of shopping carts. The correct return of the shopping carts is monitored by a digital image processing camera or with an optical signal transmitter which cooperates with evaluation units disposed on the shopping cart.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种用于检测和奖励购物车返回收集点的系统。 一旦购物车返回到收集点，就会生成对应于分红的信号。 该信号仅在购物车正确返回到一排购物车时生成。 购物车的正确返回由数字图像处理相机或与设置在购物车上的评估单元配合的光信号发送器监视。

公开(公告)号：US06486768B1

公开(公告)日：2002-11-26

申请号：US09153912

申请日：1998-09-16

申请人： John R. French ,  Philip Witham

发明人： John R. French ,  Philip Witham

IPC分类号： G06F704

CPC分类号： G07F7/0636 ,  G06Q30/0222 ,  G06Q30/0225 ,  G06Q30/0226 ,  G06Q30/0236 ,  G07F7/0681 ,  Y10S194/905

摘要： A system and method for providing an incentive to a cutomer of a store to return a shopping cart to a cart return location. The cart return location, such as a cart corral, has a plurality of detection loops at an entrance to the corral. The system detects a change in inductance of the loops when a cart is returned to the cart corral and generates a cart return signal, which is indicative of a returned cart, in response to the change of inductance. The system determines wheather a cart is being removed from or returned to the cart corral by use of the multiple detection loops. Visual and/or audible feedback indicative of an action may be provided to the customer.

摘要翻译： 一种用于向商店的切割机提供激励以将购物车返回到购物车返回位置的系统和方法。 购物车返回位置，例如购物车畜栏，在畜栏的入口处具有多个检测环。 响应于电感的变化，当购物车返回到购物车畜栏时，该系统检测到环路的电感的变化，并且响应于电感的变化产生指示返回的购物车的购物车返回信号。 系统通过使用多个检测环路来确定购物车正在从购物车畜栏中移除或返回到购物车畜栏。 可以向客户提供指示动作的视觉和/或听觉反馈。

公开(公告)号：US20020121977A1

公开(公告)日：2002-09-05

申请号：US10019142

申请日：2002-04-15

发明人： Franz Wieth ,  Horst Sonnendorfer

IPC分类号： G08B013/14

CPC分类号： G07G3/00 ,  A47F9/045 ,  G06Q20/387 ,  G06Q30/0226 ,  G06Q30/0253 ,  G07F7/0636 ,  G07F7/0681

摘要： A method and a system for detecting and rewarding the returning of shopping carts to the supermarket collection points is provided. During shopping, a first signal A is generated. When a shopping cart is returned, a signal B is generated. These two signals A and B are correlated either in the supermarket or in an information device that the customer carries with him or her, in order to deliver a reward for returning the shopping cart. When the first signal A is generated, the customer or an information device carried with the customer is identified. Alternatively, the signal is provided to the customer at the supermarket checkout so that the customer himself/herself can take steps for the correlation of the signal A with the signal B that is still to be obtained.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种用于检测和奖励购物车返回超市收集点的方法和系统。 在购物期间，产生第一信号A. 当购物车返回时，产生信号B. 这两个信号A和B在超市或客户与他或她携带的信息装置中相关联，以便递送返回购物车的奖励。 当生成第一信号A时，识别客户或与客户携带的信息设备。 或者，在超市结帐处将信号提供给客户，使得客户自己可以采取步骤来使信号A与仍然获得的信号B相关。

公开(公告)号：US06378684B1

公开(公告)日：2002-04-30

申请号：US09503418

申请日：2000-02-14

申请人： Gary L. Cox

发明人： Gary L. Cox

IPC分类号： G07F700

CPC分类号： G07F7/0636 ,  Y10S194/905

摘要： A shopping cart detection apparatus and reward dispensing mechanism for inclusion therewith for providing a patron reward in the form of a ticket, coupon, or the like, to a patron for their returning a shopping cart to a cart collection area. The shopping cart detection apparatus includes a control interface connected electrically to at least one sensor that senses proper cart passage through the apparatus into a cart collection area. With that passage to generate a radio frequency interrogation of a chip maintained in a card that is attached to the cart, and with that cart data transmitted to a control interface that directs dispensing of a ticket as a patron reward for their cart return. Additionally, the control interface also passes cart data as it receives to a communications interface that, in turn, passes that information to a computer, micro processor, or the like, for tabulating and maintaining information concerning cart usage. Which cart detection apparatus can be arranged as a portable or mobile unit for use on the parking lot of an establishment, and can be configured to operate as part of a cart retrieval system for locating carts as have been removed from the establishment premises. With, preferably, the patron reward system also includes a sensing apparatus to indicate to the establishment personnel when a roll of tickets as the dispenser utilizes is low and needs to be replaced.

摘要翻译： 一种购物车检测装置和奖励分配机构，用于将其包含在一张票，优惠券等形式的顾客奖赏中，用于将购物车返回到购物车收集区域。 购物车检测装置包括电连接至至少一个传感器的控制接口，该至少一个传感器感测到正确的车辆通过设备进入购物车收集区域。 通过该通道来产生维持在附接到购物车的卡片中的芯片的射频询问，并且将该车辆数据传输到控制接口，该控制接口指示将票的分发作为他们的购物车返回的顾客奖励。 此外，控制界面还将购物车数据传送到通信接口，该通信接口又将该信息传递到计算机，微处理器等，用于列表和维护关于购物车使用的信息。 哪个车检测装置可以被布置为用于在机构的停车场上使用的便携式或移动单元，并且可以被配置为作为用于定位车辆的购物车检索系统的一部分来操作，这已经从建筑场所移除。 优选地，顾客奖励系统还包括感测装置，用于在作为分配器利用的一卷票据较低并且需要更换时向该场所人员指示。

公开(公告)号：US06206165B1

公开(公告)日：2001-03-27

申请号：US09423547

申请日：1999-11-12

申请人： Aage Lenander

发明人： Aage Lenander

IPC分类号： G07F700

CPC分类号： G07F7/0645 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G07F7/0636 ,  Y10S194/905

摘要： In a returning system for service carts (24), said system comprising electronic monitoring of the movement of the carts (24) through an activity area, the main novel features are a) that the returning system is an electronic system operable in a deposit-free manner, the elements of said system being mutually related in a compulsorily activating manner from a collection station, at which the carts stand in readiness to be collected, and via an activity area again back to a readiness collection station, b) that the system comprises an electronic signal director (20) that is both controllable and/or controlling and comprises fixed and variable functions, c) that the system further comprises, c1) mobile electronic communication devices (28) intended and constructed for placement on the system's service carts (24) so as to accompany the latter, each of said communication devices (28) being adapted for electronic identification of the particular service cart on which it is placed, and c2) stationary electronic devices (18) adapted to record the identity of the cart concerned and to be connected for communication to said signal director (20), said stationary devices (18) being placed in a mutual sequence in such a manner that they co-operate to form a path of advancement extending from a cart-collection station (14, 15), through said activity area, and back to a cart-collection station (14, 15), said path to be followed by the service carts (24) for triggering electrical signals for the activation of the signal director (20), and d) that said signal director (20) is connected for communication with an indicator (17, 30) adapted to make known the giving of a reward caused by the returning of a cart.

摘要翻译： 在用于服务车（24）的返回系统中，所述系统包括通过活动区域电动监视车（24）的移动，主要新颖特征是a）返回系统是可在存款 - 所述系统的元件以强制激活的方式从收集站相互相关，在收集站处，购物车立即被收集，并且经由活动区域再次返回到准备收集站，b）系统 包括可控制和/或控制并且包括固定和可变功能的电子信号引导器（20），c）系统还包括c1）预期和构造用于放置在系统的服务车上的移动电子通信设备（28） （24），以便伴随后者，每个所述通信设备（28）适于电子识别其上放置的特定服务车，以及c2）st 适于记录所述手推车的身份并被连接以用于与所述信号导向器（20）进行通信的所述固定装置（18），所述固定装置（18）以相互顺序的方式放置，使得它们协作 形成从购物车收集站（14,15）延伸通过所述活动区域并返回到购物车收集站（14,15）的前进路径，所述服务车（24）跟随的所述路径， 用于触发用于激活信号引导器（20）的电信号，以及d）所述信号引导器（20）被连接以与指示器（17,30）通信，所述指示器适于使得已知给出由返回 的购物车

公开(公告)号：US6142283A

公开(公告)日：2000-11-07

申请号：US265709

申请日：1999-03-09

申请人： Keith L. Amdahl ,  Dan L. Otterson ,  Christopher J. Rogney ,  Mark G. Bussey ,  Fred C. Zimmerman ,  Verne L. Severson

发明人： Keith L. Amdahl ,  Dan L. Otterson ,  Christopher J. Rogney ,  Mark G. Bussey ,  Fred C. Zimmerman ,  Verne L. Severson

IPC分类号： A47F10/04 ,  G07F7/02 ,  G07F7/06 ,  G07F7/00

CPC分类号： G07F7/0636 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G06Q20/343 ,  G07F7/02 ,  G07F7/0627 ,  G07F7/0681 ,  Y10S194/905

摘要： A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail. Furthermore, a plurality of electronic sensors are utilized to detect the removal and return of carts to the apparatus and thereby prevent theft of rewards dispensed by the system. In particular, one such sensor utilizes a transmitter and a receiver which are coupled to a transmitter and receiver of a cart key located in close proximity thereto to determine whether a valid cart key is being detected by the sensor, as well as the unique identity of that cart key, so that the apparatus may maintain a queue of the carts retained therein. A control unit in the preferred apparatus utilizes a non-volatile audit memory mounted in the apparatus for storing system parameters such as statistical and configuration information, whereby if the control unit is replaced the system parameters may be restored to the new control unit.

摘要翻译： 用于保持和自动售货车（例如行李车，购物车和婴儿车）的小车管理装置包括用于接收设置在车上的小车钥匙的固定轨道，包括多个桨叶的可旋转水轮，其中至少一个突出到 固定轨道以在其中提供障碍物;电磁制动器，其联接到所述水轮以选择性地禁止所述水轮的旋转并且限制从所述轨道移除推车钥匙;以及单向离合器，其还联接到所述水轮以允许所述水轮的自由旋转 在返回方向的水盘上，当购物车返回到设备时，允许将购物车钥匙插入到保持轨道中。 优选的装置可以与现有的手推车一起使用，这些推车适用于适合于保持在轨道内的推车钥匙。 此外，使用多个电子传感器来检测推车到装置的移除和返回，从而防止系统分配的奖励被盗。 特别地，一个这样的传感器利用发送器和接收器，其耦合到位于其附近的购物车钥匙的发送器和接收器，以确定传感器是否正在检测有效的车钥匙，以及唯一身份 该车钥匙，使得该装置可以保持保持在其中的推车的队列。 优选装置中的控制单元使用安装在装置中的非易失性审计存储器来存储诸如统计和配置信息的系统参数，由此如果更换控制单元，则可以将系统参数恢复到新的控制单元。

公开(公告)号：US6125985A

公开(公告)日：2000-10-03

申请号：US264925

申请日：1999-03-09

申请人： Keith L. Amdahl ,  Dan L. Otterson ,  Christopher J. Rogney ,  Mark G. Bussey ,  Fred C. Zimmerman ,  Verne L. Severson

发明人： Keith L. Amdahl ,  Dan L. Otterson ,  Christopher J. Rogney ,  Mark G. Bussey ,  Fred C. Zimmerman ,  Verne L. Severson

IPC分类号： A47F10/04 ,  G07F7/02 ,  G07F7/06 ,  G07F7/00

CPC分类号： G07F7/0636 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G06Q20/343 ,  G07F7/02 ,  G07F7/0627 ,  G07F7/0681 ,  Y10S194/905

摘要： A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail. Furthermore, a plurality of electronic sensors are utilized to detect the removal and return of carts to the apparatus and thereby prevent theft of rewards dispensed by the system. In particular, one such sensor utilizes a transmitter and a receiver which are coupled to a transmitter and receiver of a cart key located in close proximity thereto to determine whether a valid cart key is being detected by the sensor, as well as the unique identity of that cart key, so that the apparatus may maintain a queue of the carts retained therein.

摘要翻译： 用于保持和自动售货车（例如行李车，购物车和婴儿车）的小车管理装置包括用于接收设置在车上的小车钥匙的固定轨道，包括多个桨叶的可旋转水轮，其中至少一个突出到 固定轨道以在其中提供障碍物;电磁制动器，其联接到所述水轮以选择性地禁止所述水轮的旋转并且限制从所述轨道移除推车钥匙;以及单向离合器，其还联接到所述水轮以允许所述水轮的自由旋转 在返回方向的水盘上，当购物车返回到设备时，允许将购物车钥匙插入到保持轨道中。 优选的装置可以与现有的手推车一起使用，这些推车适用于适合于保持在轨道内的推车钥匙。 此外，使用多个电子传感器来检测推车到装置的移除和返回，从而防止系统分配的奖励被盗。 特别地，一个这样的传感器利用发送器和接收器，其耦合到位于其附近的购物车钥匙的发送器和接收器，以确定传感器是否正在检测有效的车钥匙，以及唯一身份 该车钥匙，使得该装置可以保持保持在其中的推车的队列。

公开(公告)号：US6024203A

公开(公告)日：2000-02-15

申请号：US934422

申请日：1997-09-19

申请人： Keith L. Amdahl ,  Christopher J. Rogney ,  Mark G. Bussey

发明人： Keith L. Amdahl ,  Christopher J. Rogney ,  Mark G. Bussey

IPC分类号： A47F10/04 ,  G07F7/06 ,  G07F7/00

CPC分类号： G07F7/0636 ,  A47F10/04 ,  G07F7/0627 ,  G07F7/0681 ,  Y10S194/905

摘要： A cart management apparatus and method for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining device for selective retaining at least one of the carts; a cart identification sensor for uniquely identifying carts retained by the retaining device; a control device for controlling the vending and returning of carts, wherein the control device maintains a queue of carts identified by a cart identification sensor and retained by the retaining device; a reward device for dispensing a reward when a cart is returned to the retaining device; and a counter for counting a number of times that an identification of the cart is missed from the queue of carts so as to prevent the reward device from dispensing a reward when the number of times exceeds a predetermined value of the counter.

摘要翻译： 用于保持和自动售货车（例如行李车，购物车和婴儿车）的推车管理装置和方法包括用于选择性地保持至少一个推车的保持装置; 用于唯一地识别由保持装置保持的车的车辆识别传感器; 用于控制推车的售货和返回的控制装置，其中所述控制装置维持由购物车识别传感器识别并由保持装置保持的推车的队列; 用于当购物车返回到保持装置时分配奖励的奖励装置; 以及计数器，用于计数从车的队列中错误识别车辆的次数，以便当次数超过计数器的预定值时，防止奖励装置分配奖励。