US6502749B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for operating a checkout system having an RF transmitter for communicating to a number of wireless personal pagers
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
•
Filing: 1999-11-02
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Granted: 2003-01-07
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Expires: 2019-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A retail terminal assembly includes a portable communication device for use by retail personnel. The assembly also includes a signal transmitter for transmitting a personnel-request signal to the portable communication device. The assembly further includes a processing unit electrically coupled to the signal transmitter. Moreover, the assembly includes a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit. The memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to (a) detect an intervention-needed activity and generate an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto, and (b) operate the signal transmitter so as to transmit the personnel-request signal in response to generation of the intervention-needed control signal. A message is communicated to the retail personnel by the portable communication device in response to receipt of the personnel-request signal by the portable communication device. A method of operating a retail terminal is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Snyder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:39
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2451; G08B13/246; A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/046; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G3/00; G07G3/006; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B3/00; G08B3/10; G08B3/1008; G08B3/1016; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of operating a retail terminal having a signal transmitter associated therewith, comprising the steps of: detecting an intervention-needed activity and generating an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto; operating said signal transmitter so as to transmit a personnel-request signal in response to generation of said intervention-needed control signal; and receiving said personnel-request signal with a portable communication device associated with retail personnel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of operating a retail terminal having a signal transmitter associated therewith, comprising the steps of: detecting an intervention-needed activity and generating an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto; operating said signal transmitter so as to transmit a personnel-request signal in response to generation of said intervention-needed control signal; and receiving said personnel-request signal with a portable communication device associated with retail personnel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of detecting said intervention-needed activity includes the step of detecting a currency level of a currency dispenser and generating said intervention-needed control signal if said currency level is below a predetermined currency threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of detecting said intervention-needed activity includes the step of detecting a security-breach activity and generating said intervention-needed control signal in response thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of detecting said intervention-needed activity includes the step of determining if a customer operates an input device associated with said retail terminal so as to request assistance from retail personnel and generating said intervention-needed control signal in response thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: said signal transmitter includes a wireless RF signal transmitter, and said operating step includes the step of operating said RF signal transmitter so as to transmit an RF personnel-request signal in response to generation of said intervention-needed control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said portable communication device includes a display screen, further comprising the step of: displaying a message directed to said retail personnel on said display screen of said portable communication device in response to receipt of said personnel-request signal by said portable communication device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said portable communication device includes a wireless alphanumeric pager device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
A retail terminal assembly, comprising: a portable communication device for use by retail personnel; a signal transmitter for transmitting a personnel-request signal to said portable communication device; a processing unit electrically coupled to said signal transmitter; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit, causes said processing unit to (a) detect an intervention-needed activity and generate an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto, and (b) operate said signal transmitter so as to transmit said personnel-request signal in response to generation of said intervention-needed control signal, wherein a message is communicated to said retail personnel by said portable communication device in response to receipt of said personnel-request signal by said portable communication device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A retail terminal assembly, comprising: a portable communication device for use by retail personnel; a signal transmitter for transmitting a personnel-request signal to said portable communication device; a processing unit electrically coupled to said signal transmitter; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit, causes said processing unit to (a) detect an intervention-needed activity and generate an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto, and (b) operate said signal transmitter so as to transmit said personnel-request signal in response to generation of said intervention-needed control signal, wherein a message is communicated to said retail personnel by said portable communication device in response to receipt of said personnel-request signal by said portable communication device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
The retail terminal assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a currency dispenser for dispensing currency during a checkout transaction, wherein: said currency dispenser is electrically coupled to said processing unit, and said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to detect a currency level of said currency dispenser and generate said intervention-needed control signal if said currency level is below a predetermined currency threshold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retail terminal assembly of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to detect a security-breach activity and generate said intervention-needed control signal in response thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The retail terminal assembly of claim 8 , further comprising an input device for receiving input from a customer, wherein said input device is electrically coupled to said processing unit, and said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to determine if said customer operates said input device associated with said retail terminal so as to request assistance from said retail personnel and generate said intervention-needed control signal in response thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The retail terminal assembly of claim 8 , wherein: said signal transmitter includes a wireless RF signal transmitter, and said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to operate said RF signal transmitter so as to transmit an RF personnel-request signal in response to generation of said intervention-needed control signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The retail terminal assembly of claim 8 , wherein: said portable communication device includes a display screen, and said message communicated to said retail personnel is displayed on said display screen of said portable communication device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retail terminal of claim 13 , wherein said portable communication device includes a wireless alphanumeric pager device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of operating a retail terminal having a wireless RF signal transmitter associated therewith, comprising the steps of: detecting an intervention-needed activity and generating an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto; operating said RF signal transmitter so as to transmit an RF personnel-request signal in repsonse to generation of said intervention-needed control signal; and receiving said RF personnel-request signal with a communication device associated with retail personnel, wherein said communication device includes a wireless alphanumeric pager device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of operating a retail terminal having a wireless RF signal transmitter associated therewith, comprising the steps of: detecting an intervention-needed activity and generating an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto; operating said RF signal transmitter so as to transmit an RF personnel-request signal in repsonse to generation of said intervention-needed control signal; and receiving said RF personnel-request signal with a communication device associated with retail personnel, wherein said communication device includes a wireless alphanumeric pager device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-01-06 | 2006-07-08 | 2007-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-06 | 2010-07-08 | 2011-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-06 | 2014-07-08 | 2015-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |