Optical bar code scanner and system for retrieving bar code data

Abstract

A shopping system for scanning codes related to products, such as consumer goods and services, and for retrieving data associated with the codes includes a portable, hand-held and battery-operated optical code scanner for scanning, capturing, storing and decoding information related to scanned codes, at least a first shopping kiosk having a processor, and at least a first host computer operatively coupled to the first shopping kiosk. The scanner and the first shopping kiosk are configured such that the scanner transfers decoded data to the kiosk, and the kiosk provides the transferred decoded data in a useable format by means of a display monitor and/or a printer. A communications data link between the scanner and the first shopping kiosk is established for transfer of decoded data by a transfer, and recognition by the first shopping kiosk and/or the first host computer, of an identification code stored in memory of the scanner that is associated with a user of the scanner and/or the scanner. Upon receipt and recognition of the transferred decoded data and/or the identification code, the first host computer selects and retrieves stored information associated with the decoded data and/or the identification code that is relevant to, for instance, scanned items and shopping preferences and needs of the identified user. Such retrieved information is downloaded to the first shopping kiosk to provide such information to the identified user in a useable format.