Enhancing a user's shopping experience
First Claim
1. An inventory server comprising:
- a processor; and
a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprisingreceiving, from a mobile device associated with a user, via a network, a plurality of categories for customizing a database located on the network that stores information about products owned by the user, wherein each of the plurality of categories is associated with a respective type of product, and wherein the plurality of categories are provided by the user to the mobile device via an application executed by the mobile device,creating the plurality of categories within the database,storing the information about the products owned by the user within at least one of the plurality of categories based on the respective type of product associated with each of the products owned by the user,setting a different level of security for accessing, by designated contacts associated with the user, each of the plurality of categories of the database,receiving, from a sensor, via the network, a signal associated with a scanned barcode comprising a product identifier associated with a first product chosen by the user for purchase,decoding the signal associated with the scanned barcode comprising the product identifier associated with the first product to extract product information corresponding to the first product,analyzing, based on a first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, the product information corresponding to the first product, wherein the first factor comprises a compatibility of the first product chosen by the user for purchase with the products owned by the user,determining, based on analyzing the product information corresponding to the first product based on the first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user, andin response to determining that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user,determining to recommend an alternative product to the user,providing, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, a recommendation regarding the alternative product for display on the mobile device associated with the user,providing, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, an option to accept or decline the recommendation, andreceiving, from the mobile device associated with the user, an acceptance of the recommendation, wherein the mobile device comprises a display incorporating a touch screen, and wherein the mobile device receives the acceptance of the recommendation via touch input from the user to the touch screen of the display.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The subject disclosure provides systems and methods for enhancing a purchasing experience by enabling a purchaser to receive a variety of real-time updates or recommendations regarding products that the purchaser, such as a user, may need or intend to purchase. A recommendation provided by the system may be based upon comparing the product with a plurality of sources. The recommendation may include a recommendation that a product may near depletion and thus may need to be replaced, a recommendation that the user may already have a sufficient amount or number of the product, a recommendation that the product may or may not match an existing item owned by the user, or a recommendation not to purchase a product. A virtual closet may also be created according the systems and methods of the subject disclosure, allowing users and contacts selected by the user to collaborate on products.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inventory server comprising:
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a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising receiving, from a mobile device associated with a user, via a network, a plurality of categories for customizing a database located on the network that stores information about products owned by the user, wherein each of the plurality of categories is associated with a respective type of product, and wherein the plurality of categories are provided by the user to the mobile device via an application executed by the mobile device, creating the plurality of categories within the database, storing the information about the products owned by the user within at least one of the plurality of categories based on the respective type of product associated with each of the products owned by the user, setting a different level of security for accessing, by designated contacts associated with the user, each of the plurality of categories of the database, receiving, from a sensor, via the network, a signal associated with a scanned barcode comprising a product identifier associated with a first product chosen by the user for purchase, decoding the signal associated with the scanned barcode comprising the product identifier associated with the first product to extract product information corresponding to the first product, analyzing, based on a first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, the product information corresponding to the first product, wherein the first factor comprises a compatibility of the first product chosen by the user for purchase with the products owned by the user, determining, based on analyzing the product information corresponding to the first product based on the first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user, and in response to determining that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user, determining to recommend an alternative product to the user, providing, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, a recommendation regarding the alternative product for display on the mobile device associated with the user, providing, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, an option to accept or decline the recommendation, and receiving, from the mobile device associated with the user, an acceptance of the recommendation, wherein the mobile device comprises a display incorporating a touch screen, and wherein the mobile device receives the acceptance of the recommendation via touch input from the user to the touch screen of the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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receiving, by an inventory server comprising a processor, from a mobile device associated with a user, via a network, a plurality of categories for customizing a database located on the network that stores information about products owned by the user, wherein each of the plurality of categories is associated with a respective type of product, and wherein the plurality of categories are provided by the user to the mobile device via an application executed by the mobile device; creating, by the processor, the plurality of categories within the database; storing, by the processor, the information about the products owned by the user within at least one of the plurality of categories based on the respective type of product associated with each of the products owned by the user; setting, by the processor, a different level of security for accessing, by designated contacts associated with the user, each of the plurality of categories of the database; receiving, by the processor, from a sensor, via the network, a signal associated with a scanned barcode comprising a product identifier associated with a first product chosen by the user for purchase; decoding, by the processor, the signal associated with the scanned barcode comprising the product identifier associated with the first product to extract product information corresponding to the first product; analyzing, by the processor, based on a first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, the product information corresponding to the first product, wherein the first factor comprises a compatibility of the first product chosen by the user for purchase with the products owned by the user; determining, by the processor, based on analyzing the product information corresponding to the first product based on the first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user; and in response to determining that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user, determining, by the processor, to recommend an alternative product to the user, providing, by the processor, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, a recommendation regarding the alternative product for display on the mobile device associated with the user, providing, by the processor, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, an option to accept or decline the recommendation, and receiving, by the processor, from the mobile device associated with the user, an acceptance of the recommendation, wherein the mobile device comprises a display incorporating a touch screen, and wherein the mobile device receives the acceptance of the recommendation via touch input from the user to the touch screen of the display. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20)
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15. A method comprising:
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receiving, by an inventory server comprising a processor, from a mobile device associated with a user, via a network, a plurality of categories for customizing a database located on the network that stores information about products owned by the user, wherein each of the plurality of categories is associated with a respective type of product, and wherein the plurality of categories are provided by the user to the mobile device via an application executed by the mobile device; creating, by the processor, the plurality of categories within the database; storing, by the processor, the information about the products owned by the user within at least one of the plurality of categories based on the respective type of product associated with each of the products owned by the user; setting, by the processor, a different level of security for accessing, by designated contacts associated with the user, each of the plurality of categories of the database; receiving, by the processor, from a sensor, via the network, a signal associated with a scanned barcode comprising a product identifier associated with a first product chosen by the user for purchase; decoding, by the processor, the signal associated with the scanned barcode comprising the product identifier associated with the first product to extract product information corresponding to the first product; providing, by the processor, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, a first option to confirm or reject that the product information corresponds to the first product chosen by the user for purchase; in response to receiving a confirmation from the user that the product information corresponds to the first product chosen by the user for purchase, analyzing, by the processor based on a first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, the product information corresponding to the first product, wherein the first factor comprises a compatibility of the first product chosen by the user for purchase with the products owned by the user; determining, by the processor, based on analyzing the product information corresponding to the first product based on the first factor and the information about the products owned by the user stored in the database, that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user; and in response to determining that the first product chosen by the user for purchase is not compatible with the products owned by the user, determining, by the processor, to recommend an alternative product to the user, providing, by the processor, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, a recommendation regarding the alternative product for display on the mobile device associated with the user, providing, by the processor, to the mobile device associated with the user, via the network, an option to accept or decline the recommendation, and receiving, by the processor, from the mobile device associated with the user, an acceptance of the recommendation, wherein the mobile device comprises a display incorporating a touch screen, and wherein the mobile device receives the acceptance of the recommendation via touch input from the user to the touch screen of the display. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification