Martin A Sloane, 8520220 Boca Dr W UNIT 1704, Boca Raton, FL 33434

6434530, Aug 13, 2002

Jan 20, 1999

09/233825

Martin A. Sloane - Boca Raton FL
Tod Bogan - Camillus NY

Retail Multimedia Corporation - Boca Raton FL

G06F 1760

705 1, 705 16, 235383

An interactive system adapted for use in a shopping venue, comprises: an interactive and intelligent source of information, for example supplemental information related to articles available for selection by shoppers in a shopping venue, and not otherwise available to the shoppers during shopping; and, a plurality of interactive, mobile apparatus which shoppers can move throughout the shopping venue and use for transmitting queries to the interactive source of information and use for receiving information transmitted from the interactive source of information, whereby shoppers can receive information useful for evaluating the articles when making article selection decisions, and at least some of the received information can be formulated to influence the article selection decisions. At least some of the information transmitted to the shoppers can be responsive to the queries. An artificial intelligence unit can evaluate the queries and select information for inclusion in responses to the queries.

5918211, Jun 29, 1999

May 30, 1996

8/655478

Martin A. Sloane - Great Neck NY

Retail Multimedia Corporation - Great Neck NY

G06F 1760
G06F 1700
G06F 1900

705 16

A system and method for influencing and potentially altering a consumer's purchase decisions at the point-of-purchase in a retail store using a portable bar code scanner that is in constant wireless communication with the store and a retailer/manufacturer's computer/controller. The consumer uses the portable bar code scanner to scan products in the store, and if a scanned product is currently under a promotion, the controller alerts the consumer's portable bar code scanner as to the promotion, so that the consumer can to take advantage of the promotion. In another embodiment, the consumer will be identified before beginning shopping by their frequent shopper card, so that the computer/controller, in communication with the portable bar code scanner, can utilize the consumer's past purchase history and offer the consumer promotional product discounts. A video surveillance camera within the portable bar code scanner also allows the retailer to monitor each portable bar code scanner's use throughout the retail establishment for security purposes.