Automated shopping order entry system
US4959686A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0641
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An automated shopping order entry system has particularly advantageous features for use in a supermarket having a delicatessen station. A processor subsystem, a customer subsystem, and an employee subsystem are provided. The customer subsystem can be located in the view of customers entering at a customer entrance that is typically remote from the delicatessen station. The customer can select delicatessen items and gets a printout of item selection and of estimated waiting time based on an accumulated variable workload that depends on items ordered by customers. Shopping efficiency is increased by making automated shopping available to the customer at an advantageous place and time in the shopping pattern, and by handling waiting time in an advantageous manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.