WO2008044946A1

WO2008044946A1 - Shopping cart printing system

Info

Publication number: WO2008044946A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2007/000298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas James Bartlett
Original assignee: Cabco Group Limited
Priority date: 2006-10-10
Filing date: 2007-10-10
Publication date: 2008-04-17
Also published as: WO2008044946A9

Abstract

A shopping cart printing system having an interface coupled to the shopping cart for permitting a user to select a document for printing. The shopping cart also includes a transmission system for sending a request for printing of the document remotely of the shopping cart and to a printing system. The printing system is located remotely of the shopping cart and is adapted to receive the request for printing and print the document for use by the user. The shopping cart printing system can delay printing until the shopping cart is close to the printing system.

Description

SHOPPING CART PRINTING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a shopping cart printing system, and in particular, but not exclusively to a shopping cart printing system that can be used by a shopper to obtain printed matter that relates to a retail outlet's products or services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In previously developed shopping cart systems, printing of material was possible by sefesfmg documents and having them printed from a printer incorporated into the shopping cart, such as taught in U.S. Patent No. 6,484,939. Although somewhat effective, the previously developed shopping cart systems are not without their problems.

The cosi of incorporating a printer into each cart can be significant. In addition, the on-going maintenance of the printers, the replacement of paper and ink, and the recharging of portable power supplies for the printers, provide an on-going labour and cost burden. It is unlikely that all of the printers could be maintained in a folly operational state all of the time.

Each time that a printer is not working, a customer will be denied the service and the retail outlet will not gain the desired benefit from providing the service. In addition, the provision of a system that does not perform can cause the customer's view of the retail establishment to be unnecessarily tarnished.

Print systems that are provided on a cart can only be used to print document files that are available on the cart, or require expensive data links to allow files to be requested and received from an external source. This limits the availability of document files and/or limits the ability to update or amend files in a timely manner.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved shopping cart system that is less expensive to set up and which requires less labour and cost to maintain, and which is likely to provide better in-service reliability. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is atinobiect of the invention to provide a shopping cart printing system that ameliorates some ofuhe ^disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF, THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart printing system, the system' including a shopping cart having an interface coupled to the shopping cart for permitting a user to select a document for printing and a transmission system, the transmission system being ' adapted ^"to transmit a request for printing of the document remotely of the .shopping cart, and the system^" also, including a printing system located remotely of the shopping cart, the printing system being adapted to receive the transmitted request for printing and being adapted to print the document for retrieval by the user.

Preferably the shopping cart also includes a screen or media system for displaying advertisements or other promotional information.

Preferably the shopping cart also includes a detection system for detecting the proximity of the shopping cart to a particular product or location in a retail establishment, or for establishing the cart's location within the retail establishment.

Preferably the shopping cart is configured to play an advertisement, or provide information, on the screen or media system related to the product detected by the detection system.

Preferably the printed document is a coupon, a rebate voucher, a promotional offer, material relating to a competition, a product data sheet, a recipe, and/or a set of instructions.

Preferably the system is adapted to detect the proximity of the cart to the printing system.

Preferably the printing of a document is delayed until the shopping cart is within a selected range from the printing system.

Preferably the printing system is located adjacent to an exit or a checkout area of a retail establishment. Preferably any documents accessible by the printing system can be amended without having to access the shopping cart or transmit data to the cart.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart which includes a media system comprising a screen for displaying images to a user, and the shopping cart further including a signal transmission device coupled to the shopping cart for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart.

Preferably the shopping cart further includes a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a retail establishment, or for establishing the cart's location within the retail establishment.

Preferably the cart is adapted to play a selected advertisement, or provide information, on the media system related to the selected product or location in the store when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the retail establishment.

Preferably the cart is adapted to promote or offer a document relating to the activities of the retail establishment after first establishing the cart's its location within the retail establishment.

Ih a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart having a compartment adapted to house one or more children and a basket adapted to hold one or more items to be purchased. A support system is coupled to the compartment for supporting the shopping cart upon a surface, the support system including a plurality of wheels. A media system comprising a child screen disposed in the compartment is used for displaying images to the one or more children when present in the compartment. An adult screen is oriented to display images externally of the compartment for viewing by an adult disposed outside of the compartment. The media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen.

The shopping cart may further include a control system comprising a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store. The shopping cart may also include a media playing device adapted to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store. The shopping cart may also include a signal transmission unit coupled to the compartment for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart. The shopping cart may also include a handle attached to the compartment permitting a user to move the shopping cart by pushing or pulling on the handle. The adult screen may be coupled to the handle. The compartment may be adapted to house at least two children within an interior space of the compartment. The compartment may have a seat assembly for supporting the at least two children in a forward facing orientation. The compartment may include a roof disposed above the at least two children.

The basket may have an upper portion disposed over the compartment and a rear portion disposed behind the compartment. The basket may include a rear wall moveable from a first position in which the rear wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting a substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within a space previously occupied by the basket when the shopping cart is not in use. The basket may include a rear wall pivotally coupled to a bottom wall, the rear and bottom walls each moveable from a first position in which the rear and bottom walls are adapted to retain the one or more items in the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting a substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within a space previously occupied by the basket.

The shopping cart may include a nesting recess disposed in a rear portion of the shopping cart, the nesting recess adapted to at least partially receive a front portion of a substantially identically shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship. The shopping cart may include an error identification system for automatically scanning the media system for errors and for automatically broadcasting an electronic error signal for transmission remotely of a store in which the shopping cart is in if a problem is identified during scanning. The shopping cart may also include a charging system for charging a battery coupled to the media system for powering the media system, the charging system including an induction coil for generating electrical current to charge the battery without a direct physical connection to an electrical source. In a fourth aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart having a main body, the main body including a nesting recess for receiving a portion of a substantially identically- shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship and a compartment. The compartment may be coupled to the main body, the compartment having an interior space adapted to house one or more children. A basket may be coupled to the main body, the basket adapted to hold one or more items to be purchased. A media system may be used comprising a child screen disposed in the compartment for displaying images to the one or more children when present in the compartment and an adult screen oriented to display images externally of the compartment for viewing by an adult disposed outside of the compartment. The media system may be adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen.

The shopping cart may include a control system comprising a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store. A media playing device may be used to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store. The basket may include a rear wall moveable from a first position in which the rear wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting the substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within the nesting recess when not in use.

In a fifth aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart having a main body, the main body having a nesting recess for receiving a portion of a substantially identically shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship and a media system. The media system includes a child screen orientated for displaying images to the one or more children when transported by the shopping cart and an adult screen oriented to display images to an adult moving the shopping cart, wherein the media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen. A control system may be used, the control system having a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store. The shopping cart may include a media playing device adapted to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store.

A basket may be attached to the compartment for holding one or more items, wherein the basket includes a wall moveable from a first position in which the wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart to retain the one or more items within the basket and a second stowed position permitting the substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within the nesting recess. The shopping cart may also include a compartment coupled to the main body for housing one or more children within the compartment. ^' The child screen may be disposed within the compartment and the adult screen may be disposed externally of the compartment.

The shopping cart may include a handle attached to the compartment permitting a user to move the shopping cart by pushing or pulling on the handle, wherein the adult screen is coupled to the handle. The shopping cart may also include a signal transmission unit coupled to the compartment for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart. The shopping cart may additionally include an error identification system for automatically scanning the media system for errors and for automatically broadcasting an electronic error signal for transmission remotely of a store in which the shopping cart is in if a problem is identified during scanning.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front isometric view of one embodiment of a shopping cart that can for part of the shopping cart printing system, the shopping cart shown engaged with a standard shopping cart; Figure 2 is a front isometric view of the shopping cart alone; Figure 3 is a rear isometric view of the shopping cart; Figure 4 is an elevation view of an entertainment center disposed within a compartment of the shopping cart; Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the shopping cart; Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the shopping cart; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the shopping cart; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the shopping cart printing system; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a printing stand formed in accordance with the present ' invention; and

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the shopping cart printing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a shopping cart. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are described purely to exemplify the invention only and it is emphasized that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of a shopping cart 100 that can be used in the shopping cart printing system is shown. Generally described, the shopping cart 100 includes a compartment 102 for housing one or more children (not shown). The compartment is fully supported by a support system 104 upon a surface 106. The support system 104 may include a plurality of wheels 108 adapted to fully support the shopping cart 100 upon the surface 106 such that the shopping cart 100 can be moved upon and fully supported by the plurality of wheels 108. The shopping cart 100 includes a media system 200 (See Figure 8) for providing a child disposed in the compartment 102 and/or an adult using the shopping cart 100 with information, such as information regarding products available in the store or in proximity to the shopping cart 100, promotions available, or entertainment, such as games, music, or video. In addition, the shopper can use the shopping cart 100, and the media system 200, to request the printing of selected documents to be printed on a printer 212 located in the store but remotely of the shopping cart, such as at a print stand 228. The selected documents are preferably documents that relate to the activities of the store or retail establishment in which the cart is used, for example coupons, rebate vouchers, promotional offers, material relating to competitions, product data sheets, recipes, instructions, etc.

In light of the above general description of the shopping cart 100, the structure of the shopping cart 100 will now be described in greater detail. The compartment 102 is preferably adapted to substantially fully enclose a child, although compartments 102 which partially expose a child are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The compartment 102 may include a roof for at least partially protecting the child from falling objects, a back 120, a left side 122, a right side 124, a front 126, and a floor 128. Doors 130 may form part of the left and right sides 122 and 124. The doors 130 preferably include handles 131 for locking the doors 130 in a closed position. The handles 131 are preferably only operable by an adult located externally of the compartment. A seating system 132 may be disposed in the compartment 102 for providing seating for one or more children in the compartment. In the illustrated embodiment, a bench seat is provided that is adapted to seat at least two children in a forward facing position. Preferably a plurality of windows 134 provide an occupant of the compartment 102 a view of the surrounding environment. The windows 134 in the illustrated embodiment are formed by providing open apertures in the compartment 102 which are preferably absent of glazing or other barrier. In the illustrated embodiment, windows are provided in the front, side, back panels, and the doors. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment is of a sufficiently large volume to fully surround two kids and all of their appendages, and provide overhead protection, such that the child occupant or occupants are protected from injury and are blocked from grabbing items surrounding the shopping cart.

Preferably, the shopping cart 100 has a small foot print, such as less than 10,000 square centimetres (cm²), and more preferably less than 9,000 cm², and most preferably less than 8,000 cm². Preferably the width of the shopping cart 100 is less than about 90 cm, and most preferably less than 80 cm, and ideally approximately 70cm. Preferably the length of the shopping cart 100 is less than about 1,800 cm, most preferably less than 1,650 cm, and ideally less than 1,500 cm. Preferably the height of the shopping cart 100 is greater than about 60 cm and less than about 150 cm, most preferably less than about 130 cm, and ideally less than 120 cm. The small foot print of the shopping cart 100 permits the shopping cart 100 to be stored in a compact manner that takes up very little floor space of the store.

To further decrease the floor space needed to store the shopping cart 100, the shopping cart 100 is preferably adapted to be disposed in a nested relationship with a substantially identical, or exactly identical, shopping cart 100.

Referring to Figure 5, the support system 104 preferably includes a plurality of wheels 108, preferably three or more, and most preferably four or more. The rear wheel or wheels 108A are adapted to turn freely about their vertically oriented axle, but are preferably fixed type wheels in the sense that they are not adapted to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis to facilitate turning of the shopping cart 100. Although not preferred, the rear wheels 108 A may alternately be castor style wheels able to rotate (turn) about a vertical axis. The front wheels 108B may be fixed wheels or castor type wheels, but are preferably castor wheels. As noted above, the support system 104 is preferably adapted to fully support the shopping cart 100 such that the shopping cart 100 can be freely moved upon the support surface 106.

Referring to Figure 3, the shopping cart 100 may include a stowage assembly 150 having one or more goods baskets 152. In the illustrated embodiment, the stowage assembly 150 includes a forward goods basket 152 disposed behind or over the compartment 102.

Preferably, the basket 152 is made of a substantially translucent material or a mesh material that permits at least some vision therethrough, and therefore does not block the adult from peering through the basket 152 and through the rear window 134 disposed in the back panel 120 such that the shopper may view occupants of the compartment 102 to monitor their safety.

As can be seen in figure 1, the cart 100 is adapted to allow it to engage with a standard shopping cart 110. The shopping cart 100 includes a handle 138 which can be used to push and steer the cart 100 around a shop or retail outlet. The cart 100 also includes two hinged arms 136, one on each side of the cart 100. The arms 136 can be stowed in recesses within the body of the cart 100 when not in use, and can be extended to engage with a handle 142 of the standard shopping cart 1 10. Fingers 1 14 at the end of each arm 136 can be used to secure the handle 142 to the end of each arm 136. When the standard shopping cart 1 10 is attached to the ends of the arms 136, it can be maneuvered about in unison with the cart 100. Referring to Figure 8, the shopping cart 100 may include a media system 200 for providing information and/or entertainment to either the occupant of the compartment or the shopper,

> or both. The media system 200 may include a control system 201, an adult screen 202, a child screen 204, a power system 206, a detection system 208, a signal transmission unit 210, a printer 212, and a remote management system 222. Turning to Figures 3 and 7, the adult screen 202 is preferably mounted to the compartment 102 such that images displayed on the adult screen 202 are viewable by a shopper located externally of the compartment 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the adult screen 202 is located externally of the compartment 102, and more specifically is coupled to a control handle 138 of the shopping cart 100, the control handle 138 being the handle gripped by the adult user to manoeuvre the shopping cart through the store.

Referring to Figure 4, the child screen 204 is preferably mounted within the compartment 102 such that images displayed on the child screen 204 are viewable by an occupant of the compartment 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the child screen 202 is located in the compartment 102 on an entertainment panel disposed on a dash board of the front wall 126 of the compartment 102. Of note, the dash board also preferably includes a mock steering wheel 214 for child entertainment. The screens 202 (See Figure 3) and 204 may be any now known or to be developed display device adapted to display electronic images, and or to receive inputs, a few suitable examples being plasma screens, LCD screens, computer monitors, touch screens, etc.

Returning to Figure 8, the control system 201 may be adapted to display electronic images upon the adult and child screens 202 and 204. Preferably, the control system 201 is adapted to display different images of different subject matter simultaneously on the screens. For instance, the control system 201 is preferably adapted to display child appropriate images on the child screen 204, such as children movies or games, while simultaneously displaying adult oriented images on the adult screen 202, such as movies, promotions, advertisements, programs, sitcoms, still images, video images, etc. The control system 201 is also adapted to provide an associated soundtrack; different for each screen. The images may be sent to the control system 201 for display via an external source, such as a satellite transmitter, for immediate, instantaneous play, or may be stored in memory for later retrieval and playback. Alternatively, the images may be downloaded from a computer linked to the control system via a direct connection or wireless connection. Further, the images may be downloaded via the internet, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), or WiFi™ (WIFI) system from an external source directly to a receiving station located in the store. The receiving station then transmits the images for instantaneous display or for storing by the control system 201 via RF (Radio Frequency), WIFI or similar technology.

Preferably, the control system 201 is coupled in communication with a detection system 208.

The detection system 208 is adapted to detect the proximity of the shopping cart 100 to a

^■ selected product or location in the store and relay this information to the control system 201.

For instance, the detection system 208 is adapted to detect the shopping cart's 100 presence in the vicinity of a selected product, such as COKE branded soft drinks, or in a certain location in the store where a selected product, such as soft drinks, are sold and send a trigger signal to the control system. . The control system 201, upon receiving the trigger signal that a

COKE product is in the vicinity of the shopping cart 100, plays an advertisement or promotional offer related to the product on the adult screen 204, or less preferably, upon the child screen 202.

In one embodiment, the proximity of the shopping cart 100 is determined by providing the shopping cart 100 with an onboard scanner 216 that picks up a signal from a transponder or tag 218 that alerts the detection system 208 that the shopping cart 100 is the vicinity of particular product (COKE) or type of product (such as soft drinks). Some suitable technologies that provide this capability, are RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infra- red, RF, Laser, Photoptic Light Sensor, WIFI, etc. In another embodiment, the shelves are scanned by light based transmitting system which searches and reads tags, such as barcodes, upon the shelves to determine when the shopping cart 100 is in proximity to a selected product.

In another embodiment, the location of the shopping cart 100 in the store is determined. The shopping cart 100 includes a location determiner assembly 221 having a transmitter that emits a signal that is picked up by an external location fixing system 223 which is able to determine the location of the shopping cart 100 from the signal received, and from the location information, determine the location of the shopping cart 100 relative to selected products or types of products in the vicinity of the shopping cart 100. A signal is then sent to the detection system 208 or control system 201 by the external location fixing system 223 resulting in the control system 201 displaying media images upon the adult screen 202 related to the products in the vicinity of the shopping cart 100. Some suitable technologies suitable for this embodiment are radio signal triangulation systems, such as RP and WIFI, and light triangulation systems, such as Laser and Infra-red, or other technologies, such as GRPS, and sonic (i.e. radar based technology). One suitable method of determining the carts proximity to products is discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,295,064, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

The control system 201 is preferably coupled to a power system 206 for powering the control system 201 and other components attached thereto. The power system 206 preferably includes a battery (not shown) disposed on board the shopping cart 100. A charging system 220 is preferably coupled to the power system 206 for charging the battery. Preferably, the charging system 220 is an induction charging system for charging the battery by induction. For instance, the charging system 220 may include a mat that provides an induction charge to a pick up coil located within the charging system 220 of the shopping cart 100, wherein the power system 206 is charged by placing the shopping cart 100 over or in close proximity to the mat without having to physically connect the charging system to the power system 206 of the shopping cart 100. Although an induction charging system is described, it is noted that other charging systems are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, a few suitable examples being hereto known or to be developed direct contact charging systems which require direct coupling of the charging system to an external power source or wireless charging systems, for instance solar based charging systems.

The shopping cart 100 may further interact with a remote management system 222. The control system 201 is adapted to store key transaction and customer interaction data (a few suitable examples being the media displayed to the child and/or shopper, time of use, duration of use, goods purchased by user) and system evaluation data (a few suitable examples being equipment errors or failures). The control system 201 is adapted, on a continuous or periodic basis, or when prompted, to transmit this data to the remote management system 222 for storage. The remote management system 222 is preferably a computer system located in the store. This data is then displayed and made accessible via a system such as internet, a company network, or similar system. Preferably, the data can be sent in "live" foπnat, hourly each day or at a preselected time sequence. Preferably, control system is adapted to conduct continuous or periodic system evaluations to determine if a system error or equipment failure has occurred or is likely to occur. Upon detecting an adverse condition, the remote management system 222 is adapted to alert an external agency of the existing or pending problem via a messaging system that may include WIFI, internet, GPRS, RF or similar. This alert may go to a cell phone, a database, or a computer system located remotely of the store, preferably to a service provider able to rectify the error or potential error.

The control system 201 may also interact with a signal transmission unit 210. The signal transmission unit 210 includes a transmitter for broadcasting a signal to a printer 212 instructing the printer to print a selected document. Preferably, a shopper is able to use the adult screen 202 to interface with the control system 201 to instruct the control system 201 to print a selected document, such as a coupon or rebate offer, at the printer 212. The printer 212 is preferably located remotely of the shopping.cart 100 but within the store, and may be used by all other shopping carts 100. For instance, multiple users can request different documents to be printed at a stand having the printer 212, and pick up the documents later during their shopping rounds as convenient. Alternatively, the printer 212 is located on the shopping cart 100 itself.

Referring to Figures 8-10, the control system 201 is preferably adapted to keep a log of files that the customer has chosen to print. The control system 201 is preferably adapted to store any number of requests, such as from one to a hundred, or even larger numbers if need be. As the shopping cart 100 moves through the shelves 250 and comes in the range of the printer 212, for instance within less than 60 feet, or shorter distances, such as less than 40 feet, 20 feet, or 10 feet, the signal transmission unit 210 can automatically transmit a print file containing the documents the customer has requested to be printed, or print request files, as the shopping cart 10OA in Figure 10 is depicted doing. The document(s), or requests for documents, can be transmitted via radio frequency (RF) or other suitable signal transmission means to the printer 212. The printer 212 is preferably located in a printer stand 228 which contains the printer 212, all of which is located remotely of the shopping cart 100, and preferably within the store containing the shopping cart 100.

The print stand 228 preferably includes a computer or server 234 coupled to the printer 212, wherein the computer 234 is adapted to receive the print request and control the printer 212 to print the documents requested, while also controlling the images printed on a user interface screen 232. The print stand 228 will identify the files requested by the user for printing on the screen 232, and can request confirmation to print these files. The documents can be printed as soon as the shopping cart 100 comes within a designated range of the printer stand 228, or the customer can confirm the request for printing by pressing a button 230, and then the printer 212 can print off the relevant pages, coupons or documents for retrieval and use by the user.

Although above, the files to be printed are described as being transferred to the print stand 228, alternately, the files to be printed can be stored at the printer 212, or can be accessed from a remote server. The printer system 212 can simply receives a request to print selected files which are stored on the computer 234 instead of receiving the document to be printed themselves, thereby reducing the amount of information that must be transferred from the shopping cart 100 to the print stand 228. In this way, the documents that are to be printed, for example a brochure, a coupon or a ticket can be updated at any time, by simply updating the document files on the centrally located server or computer 234, and without the need to access, or transmit data to, each individual shopping cart 100. Such ability to provide printed matter may be important, for example when the printing system is used in conjunction with a store promotion or a competition where real-time updates are important.

While the printing system can be configured to print when the cart 100 comes within a particular range of the printing stand 228, alternately, the printing can occur immediately when requested, regardless of the location of shopping cart 100 relative to the printing stand 228, and the user can pick up the printed documents when convenient, such as when the user's shopping cart IOOA passes by the print stand 228. The print stand 228 may be located adjacent to check out aisles for example.

The documents may be printed upon a printer roll 236, which preferably has a width of about 6 inches or less, or alternatively may be printed on pre-cut sheets, such as A5, A4, or 8.5 inch by 1 1 inch sheets. Preferably, the printed files contain documents such as discount coupons, rebates, prize tickets, recipes, list of ingredients, detailed product information, and/or other similar information.

In light of the above description of the physical structure of the shopping cart 100, the operation of the shopping cart 100 will now be described. During use, a shopper places a child in the compartment 102 and secures them in place using seat belts, straps, and/or by closing the doors of the shopping cart 100. The shopper views the adult screen 202 and selects a type of media to be displayed upon the child screen 204 and upon the adult screen 202. The shopper removes the shopping cart 100 from the charging system 220 by rolling the shopping cart 100 off the induction charging mat. A sensor senses the movement of the shopping cart 100 off of the induction charging mat and starts displaying the selected media on the screens 202 and 204. The media images displayed on the adult screen 202 may be interrupted while an advertisement is displayed regarding a selected product or service. This advertisement is set to play on a timed basis regardless if the shopping cart is in the vicinity of the advertised product or service or not. As the shopping cart 100 enters an aisle, the detection system 208 determines that a specific product is available further up the aisle. The control system 201 accordingly interrupts the media, being displayed on the adult screen 202 and plays a 15 second 'impulse buy' purchase advertisement of that item. The control system 201 resumes displaying the media (typically an entertaining movie, sitcom, etc.) initially selected by the shopper upon completion of the 'impulse buy' advertisement. The shopper may request the printing of selected documents, such as coupons, rebates, or promotional offers to be printed either on a remote printer or a printer located in the store but remotely of the shopping cart, such as at a print stand.

The shopper continues their shopping and enters the check out stand. The shopping cart 100 detects that the shopping has finished and sends instructions to the shopper and asks the occupants of the compartment 102 to exit the compartment 102. The control system 201 stops displaying the media on the screens 202 and 204. The shopper either removes the child or children and purchased goods from the shopping returns the shopping cart 100 over the induction charging mat of the charging system 220 either after transfer these items to their car or prior to leaving the store depending on the requirements and the policies of the store (i.e. if they permit the shopping cart 100 to be taken outside).

The control system 201 in coordination with the remote management system 222 monitors the use of the shopping cart 100 to collect use data, and also monitors the shopping cart 100 for operating errors and failures. Preferably this information is transmitted to a computer system located remotely of the store for monitoring. Preferably, if a scan of the systems of the shopping cart 100 reveals a problem, an instantaneous alert is sent to service personnel located remotely of the store requesting corrective action. ADVANTAGES

The shopping cart printing system formed in accordance with the present invention provides many advantages over previously used systems, a few examples of these advantages are recited below: a) - nestable with an identically shaped shopping cart to conserve space; b) a small foot print such that the shopping cart can be stored in a smaller space; c) provides separate screens for the parent and child; d) can provide targeted advertisements of products or services provided in the vicinity of the shopping cart; e) can be charged without requiring connection of an electrical chord to the shopping cart; f) can monitor system functions and customer use and provide alerts and information remotely of the store; g) can instruct customer selected coupons and promotional offers to be printed at a remote location or onboard the shopping cart; h) provides a print facility that is remote from the shopping cart and which is easier to maintain in a fully operational condition; i) provides a print facility which can have access to a large number of printable files, which can be amended or updated at any time; and i) provides a safe enclosure that substantially encases a child to protect the child from injury.

VARIATIONS

Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

Claims

Claims:

1. A shopping cart printing system, the system including a shopping cart having an interface coupled to the shopping cart for permitting a user to select a document for printing and a transmission system, the transmission system being adapted to transmit a request for printing of the document remotely of the shopping cart, and the system also including a printing system located remotely of the shopping cart, the printing system being adapted to receive the transmitted request for printing and being adapted to print the document for retrieval by the user.

2. A shopping cart printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shopping cart also includes a screen or media system for displaying advertisements or other promotional information.

3. A shopping cart printing system as claimed in any one claims 1 or 2, wherein the shopping cart also includes a detection system for detecting the proximity of the shopping cart to a particular product or location in a retail establishment, or for establishing the cart's location within the retail establishment.

4. A shopping cart printing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the printed document is a coupon, a rebate voucher, a promotional offer, material relating to a competition, a product data sheet, a recipe, and/or a set of instructions.

5. A shopping cart printing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system is adapted to detect the proximity of the cart to the printing system.

6. A shopping cart printing system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the printing of a document is delayed until the shopping cart is within a selected range from the printing system.

7. A shopping cart printing system -as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein any documents accessible by the printing system can be amended without having to access the shopping cart or transmit data to the shopping cart.

8. A shopping cart which includes a media system comprising a screen for displaying images to a user, and the shopping cart further including a signal transmission device coupled to the shopping cart for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart.

9. A shopping cart as claimed in claim 8, wherein the shopping cart further includes a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a retail establishment, or for establishing the cart's location within the retail establishment.

10. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the cart is adapted to promote or offer a document relating to the activities of the retail establishment after first establishing the cart's location within the retail establishment.