The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 13, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 23, 2000
John French, San Diego, CA (US);
Philip Witham, Portland, OR (US);
John French, San Diego, CA (US);
Philip Witham, Portland, OR (US);
Carttronics, LLC, Carlsbad, CA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for providing an incentive to a customer of a store to return a shopping cart to a cart return location. The system generates a cart return signal. The system determines whether a cart is being removed from or returned to the cart corral. Alternatively, a radio frequency identification system may be used to detect return of a cart. The shopper is credited with points or credits in a frequent shopper or reward program for returning the shopping cart to the cart return location. The cart return system may be readily configured to integrate with a wide range of existing, or new frequent shopper or loyalty programs.