Apparatus that assist a shopper during his visit to a merchant store. In
one embodiment in the form of a shopping cart, the invention enables a shopper
to check himself out of the merchant store. The shopping cart includes a bar-code
scanner. The shopping cart rejects non-scanned goods and accepts or rejects scanned
goods as directed by the shopper. In another embodiment, the shopping cart includes
a web-enabled computer with display. The computer displays product-specific information.
The shopping cart computer may detach from the cart-with or without its accessories.
The shopper can use the same computer at home to browse the web, to prepare for
the shopping trip, to do other transactions. The shopper puts goods in a input
bin of the shopping cart. One or more scanners attached to the input bin scan the
product for identity. The computer retrieves product-specific information and displays
this information on its display. On the successful scanning of a product and a
display of the product's information, the shopper can accept or reject the product.
The product moves into one container in the cart if accepted and moves to a different
container in the cart if rejected. On completing shopping, the shopper selects
his preferred payment method on the device and pays using the selected method.
At the packaging counter, a merchant agent sees a indication that the shopper has
paid and, in response, unlocks the cart to remove and pack the goods. Accordingly,
the merchant minimally assists in the checkout.
