IP Library Granted Patent US 7,072,850
Granted Patent B1
US 7,072,850 · App. 09/045,518 · Granted Jul 4, 2006

Method and apparatus for processing a supplementary product sale at a point-of-sale terminal

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,072,850
App. No.
09/045,518
Granted
Jul 4, 2006
Kind
B1
Abstract

Upsells are made accessible to customers so customers may select upsells as they select items in their purchase. Each upsell has an associated rounding code. For example, the rounding code may be determinable from a bar code printed on an adhesive label that is affixed to the upsell. A POS terminal receives the rounding code, by scanning the label or other means. Typically, the rounding code is read in a manner similar to the manner in which items in the purchase are read by the POS terminal. The purchase price (sum of all item prices and any tax) is rounded, based on the rounding code. For example, given a purchase price of $8.26, and a rounding code that indicates a multiple of $5, the purchase price would be rounded up to the next-higher multiple of $5 ($10.00). The customer would pay the rounded price in exchange for the items and the upsell. Thus, the difference between the rounded price and the purchase price ($10.00−$8.26 =$1.74) is effectively the price the customer pays for the upsell.

Claims (55)

1. A method comprising:

scanning a bar code on at least one item;

determining a purchase price for a purchase including the at least one item;

receiving a rounding code from a first item not included in the purchase;

determining a rounding multiple corresponding to the rounding code;

rounding the purchase price based on the rounding multiple; and

allowing an exchange of the at least one item and the first item for the rounded purchase price.

2. A method comprising:

scanning a bar code on at least one item;

determining a purchase price for a purchase including the at least one item;

receiving a rounding code from a first item not included in the purchase;

determining a rounding multiple corresponding to the rounding code;

rounding the purchase price based on the rounding multiple; and

receiving the rounded purchase price in exchange for the at least one item and the first item.

3. A method comprising:

scanning a bar code on at least one item;

determining a purchase price for a purchase including at least one item;

receiving a rounding code from a first item not included in the purchase;

selecting a rounding multiple from a plurality of rounding multiples based on the received rounding code;

rounding the purchase price based on the selected rounding multiple; and

receiving the rounded purchase price in exchange for the at least one item and the first item.

4. A method comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of at least one item from a customer;

determining a price for the at least one item;

receiving a signal indicative of a scanned bar code on a first item not included in the at least one item;

selecting an integer from a plurality of integers based on the scanned bar code, in which at least one of the plurality of integers is “1”;

determining a rounded price based on the price and the selected integer, in which the rounded price is a lowest multiple of the selected integer that is greater than the price;

setting the rounded price as required payment for the at least one item and the first item; and

registering the rounded price as being paid for by the customer.

5. A method comprising:

receiving at least one item from a customer;

receiving a first item from a customer, in which the first item is not included in the at least one item;

scanning a bar code on the at least one item;

determining a price for the at least one item;

determining a rounding multiple based on the first item;

determining a rounded price based on the price and the rounding multiple, in which the rounded price is a lowest multiple of the selected integer that is greater than the price;

charging the customer the rounded price for the at least one item and the first item; and

receiving payment of the rounded price from the customer.

6. A method comprising:

receiving at least one item from a customer;

receiving a first item from a customer, in which the first item is not included in the at least one item;

determining a price for the at least one item;

scanning a bar code on the first item;

selecting an integer from a plurality of integers based on the scanned bar code, in which at least one of the plurality of integers is “1”;

determining a rounded price based on the price and the selected integer, in which the rounded price is a lowest multiple of the selected integer that is greater than the price;

charging the customer the rounded price for the at least one item and the first item; and

receiving payment of the rounded price from the customer.

7. A method comprising:

receiving a plurality of items from a customer, each item having a bar code;

scanning the bar code on each of the plurality of items;

selecting an integer from a plurality of integers based on one of the scanned bar codes;

determining a price of a subset of the plurality of items, the subset not including the item corresponding to the one of the scanned bar codes;

determining a rounded price based on the price and the selected integer, in which the rounded price is a lowest multiple of the selected integer that is greater than the price;

charging the customer the rounded price for the plurality of items; and

receiving payment of the rounded price from the customer.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2016
From: INVENTOR HOLDINGS, LLC
To: PAYPAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 039277/0523 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2014
From: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
To: INVENTOR HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 033983/0658 →
LICENSE Recorded Aug 8, 2014
From: WALKER DIGITAL GAMING, LLC; WALKER DIGITAL GAMING HOLDING, LLC; WDG EQUITY, LLC; WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
To: IGT
Reel/Frame 033501/0023 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2001
From: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
To: WALKER, JAY
Reel/Frame 011874/0792 →