초록 ▼

A computer network for a retail store. The computer network collects coupon redemption information from a plurality of cash registers and periodically sends the redemption information to a market research center, allowing the correlation of coupon redemptions with customer demographic data. Each cas

A computer network for a retail store. The computer network collects coupon redemption information from a plurality of cash registers and periodically sends the redemption information to a market research center, allowing the correlation of coupon redemptions with customer demographic data. Each cash register includes a special computer for coupon redemption compilation. The special computer interfaces to conventional cash register computer hardware without requiring a substantial change to cash register computer software.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A store for a system having a plurality of portable cards each having a card memory for storing coupons, the store comprising:a network medium;a roof structure;a plurality of products under the roof structure;a common computer, under the roof structure, that sends pricing

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A store for a system having a plurality of portable cards each having a card memory for storing coupons, the store comprising:a network medium;a roof structure;a plurality of products under the roof structure;a common computer, under the roof structure, that sends pricing signals for pricing products, through the network medium; anda plurality of cash register stations under the roof structure, each cash register station includinga card interface for reading from the card memory of one of the portable cards;a first processing unit that executes a first program in a first memory,a first network interface coupled to the first processing unit and the network medium,a second processing unit that executes a second program in a second memory, the second processing unit being responsive to the card interface, the second processing unit generating a first signal corresponding to a product and sending the first signal to the first processing unit, and generating a second signal corresponding to a person,a second network interface coupled to the second processing unit and the network medium,an electromagnetic detector for generating a third signal corresponding to a product,wherein the first processing unit receives one of the pricing signals from the common computer, through the first network interface, andthe first processing unit determines a price by processing the one of the pricing signals, the first signal from the second processing unit, and the third signal.