| 摘要 |
One aspect of the invention is directed to a system and method for providing an incentive to a customer (402) of a store (442, 444) to return a shopping cart (160) to a cart return location. The cart return location, such as a cart corral, has a plurality of detection loops (102) at an entrance to the corral. The system detects a change in inductance of the loops when a cart is returned to the cart corral and generates a cart return signal (212), which is indicative of a returned cart, in response to the change of inductance. The system determines whether a cart (160) is being removed from or returned to the cart corral by use of the multiple detection loops. The store customer (402) utilizes a frequent shopper, loyalty or reward card (404) to provide a customer identification code to the system. The shopper is credited with points or credits (426) in a frequent shopper or reward program for returning the shopping cart to the cart return location. Visual and/or audible feedback indicative of an action, for example credit given (370), may be provided to the customer. The cart return system, as disclosed may be readily configured to integrate with a wide range of existing, or new frequent shopper or loyalty programs.
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