초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cart return system for use by a store utilizing a computer, the system comprising:a detection loop arranged at the entrance to a cart return location; a loop oscillator circuit connected to the detection loop, wherein a frequency is influenced by moving a cart proximate to the detection loop; a

1. A cart return system for use by a store utilizing a computer, the system comprising:a detection loop arranged at the entrance to a cart return location; a loop oscillator circuit connected to the detection loop, wherein a frequency is influenced by moving a cart proximate to the detection loop; and a processing circuit, connected to the loop oscillator circuit, being capable of detecting a change in inductance of the loop and identifying a cart return condition in response to the loop oscillator circuit, wherein the processing circuit is adapted to provide a customer identification code to the computer, wherein the customer identification code is unique to each customer and which is input to the system by the customer.