Handheld device and kiosk system for automated compiling and generating item list information

Abstract

A portable handheld electronic device is in communication with a stationary kiosk device. The portable device provides automated compiling and categorizing of items and generating of categorized item lists in accordance with user-defined preferences including user-defined categories, and includes a memory for storing the assortment data, and categorizing means adapted for assigning respective predetermined and/or user-selected categories to the assortment data. Generating means compile and synchronize selected categories, and generate the item list relative to one or more user-selected categories that is further displayed and printed at request of the user. A signal receiving circuit of the kiosk device communicates with a signal generating circuit of the portable device and generates received categorized item list data in accordance with a received item list signal, and a human user interface generates a human readable display representative of the categorized item list information in accordance with the received categorized item list data.

1 . A shopping assistance system comprising:
 a data storage including data corresponding to each of a plurality of retail items, wherein each retail item is stored associatively with at least one product category;   a display operable to generate a visual representation corresponding to each of the plurality of retail items;   an input operable to receive, from an associated user, selection data corresponding to a user-selected subset of the retail items;   an input operable to receive brand recommendation data corresponding to at least one sponsored product offering from an associated product supplier;   the display further operable to generate a visual representation of a branded product corresponding to the brand recommendation data relative to at least one item in the subset;   an input operable to receive user input corresponding to acceptance of the branded product wherein the selection data is updated therewith; and   a list generator operable to selectively generate a listing of each of the subset of retail items.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an input operable to receive the brand recommendation data. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the input operable to receive the brand recommendation data is comprised of an Internet interface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising coupon data corresponding to a promotional offer associated with the brand recommendation data, and wherein the display is further operable to generate a visual representation of the coupon data. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the product supplier is a retail sales establishment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the product supplier is a product producer. 
     
     
         7 . A shopping assistance method comprising the steps of:
 storing, in an associated data storage including data corresponding to each of a plurality of retail items, wherein each retail item is stored associatively with at least one product category;   generating, on an associated display, a visual representation corresponding to each of the plurality of retail items;   receiving, from an associated user, selection data corresponding to a user-selected subset of the retail items;   receiving brand recommendation data corresponding to at least one sponsored product offering from an associated product supplier;   generating, on the display, a visual representation of a branded product corresponding to the brand recommendation data relative to at least one item in the subset;   receiving user input corresponding to acceptance of the branded product wherein the selection data is updated therewith; and   generating a listing of each of the subset of retail items.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of receiving the brand recommendation data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the brand recommendation data is received via an Internet interface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of storing, in the data storage, coupon data corresponding to a promotional offer associated with the brand recommendation data, and generating, on the display, a visual representation of the coupon data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the product supplier is a retail sales establishment. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the product supplier is a product producer. 
     
     
         13 . A shopping assistance system comprising:
 means for storing, in an associated data storage including data corresponding to each of a plurality of retail items, wherein each retail item is stored associatively with at least one product category;   means for generating, on an associated display, a visual representation corresponding to each of the plurality of retail items;   means for receiving, from an associated user, selection data corresponding to a user-selected subset of the retail items;   means for receiving brand recommendation data corresponding to at least one sponsored product offering from an associated product supplier;   means for generating, on the display, a visual representation of a branded product corresponding to the brand recommendation data relative to at least one item in the subset;   means for receiving user input corresponding to acceptance of the branded product wherein the selection data is updated therewith; and   means for generating a listing of each of the subset of retail items.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising the step of receiving the brand recommendation data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the brand recommendation data is received via an Internet interface. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising the steps of storing, in the data storage, coupon data corresponding to a promotional offer associated with the brand recommendation data, and generating, on the display, a visual representation of the coupon data. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the product supplier is a retail sales establishment. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the product supplier is a product producer.