Product information system for shoppers

Abstract

The present invention teaches apparatus, method and use for a portable shopper product information remote unit. A plurality of remote units are provided to shoppers within a retail establishment which uses bar code scanners at a cashier's counter to record products of the shopper's purchase. The units are retrieved from each shopper subsequent to a finished purchase and returned to a central maintenance system. The remote units' batteries are recharged and data updated with at least updated pricing information such that the bar code scanners at the cashier's counters and the remote units are provided with the same updated product pricing information. The remote units include, a bar code scanning device capable of scanning bar codes, a microcomputer with database memory capable of storing and retrieving updatable product information related to each of the bar codes, a display for conveying product information, limited user-function control of the microcomputer, a rapidly rechargeable battery for supplying the unit with electrical power, and a data input device through which the database memory can be updated. Security mechanisms are provided so that these remote units can not be removed from the retail establishment by unauthorized persons.