Integrated system for gathering commerce information and distributing advertising using a global computer network

• US 20020174009A1
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeff Myers
• Original Assignee: Jeff Myers
• Inventors: Myers, Jeff, Winarski, Tyson
• Application Number:
  US09/860,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20020174009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history

Abstract

The present invention is an integrated system for gathering commerce information and distributing advertising using a global computer network in order to improve and enhance the efficiency of commerce in retail stores. The first component of this integrated system is a local area network (LAN) in retail stores that interconnects all of the cash registers. The LAN that interconnects each cash register is also interconnected to an array of electronic billboards that are mounted to the checkout aisles near the cash registers. Sales data is registered by the cash register, recorded as a customer record, and electronically transferred to a main server connected to the LAN. Periodically, this main server uploads this sales data to a central data server through using a global computer network. The central data server then stores the individual customer purchase record in the customer purchase database.

The commercial information stored in this customer purchase database is accessible through using a global computer network to access a central web-site. This web-site is directly connected to the central data server. Based upon the information stored in this customer purchase database, it is possible purchase advertising through the same web-site by accessing the advertising purchase system. The purchased advertisements are uploaded and transmitted to the individual stores through the global computer network. The advertising is shown on electronic billboards that are fixed to the checkout aisles in retail stores. A computer system selects specific advertisements to show specific customers based upon the recorded purchase history of the specific customer and a product profile of the specific product in the advertisement. Customers may select products from advertisements while at the checkout aisles via touchscreen displays. Store clerks would bring these selected products directly to the shoppers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for an integrated system for gathering commerce information and distributing advertising using a global computer network comprised of:

an electronic billboard comprised of;

a video display; and

a still image display;

a cash register;

a main computer, said main computer is connected to a global computer network, said electronic billboard and said cash register are connected to said main computer;

a server connected to said global computer network, said main computer can communicate with said server through said global computer network;

a commerce sales data base, said commerce sales database stored on said server, said cash register gathers a commerce sales information, said cash register transfers said commerce sales information to said main computer, said main computer transfers said commerce sales information to said server, said server stores said commerce sales information in said commerce sales database;

an electronic billboard database, said electronic billboard database stored on said server; and

an advertisement stored as a digital file, said digital file is uploaded to said main computer through said global computer network, said main computer transfers said digital file to said electronic billboard for display.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said display is a changeable display of alphanumeric characters on a flexible sheet of plastic transistors.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said display is a flat panel electroluminescent display.

4. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said display is a light emitting diode display.

6. The apparatus described in claim 1, further comprising a web-site, said web-site is contained on said main computer, said web-site is accessible on said global computer network.

7. The apparatus described in claim 6, further comprising a purchase system whereby a block of time to display said advertisement on said electronic billboard is purchased.

8. A method of selecting and displaying an advertisement, comprised of the steps of:

gathering a sales data on a product using a cash register;

compiling said sales data into a customer purchase record;

accessing a global computer network;

transferring said sales data to a main computer;

compiling said sales data into a commerce sales database;

selecting a product based upon said commerce sales database;

designing an advertisement for said product;

preparing a product profile for said product;

accessing an electronic billboard database;

searching said electronic billboard database for an available electronic billboard;

purchasing a block of advertising time to display said product advertisement on said electronic billboard;

compiling said advertisement and said product profile into a single digital file;

uploading said digital file through said global computer network to said main computer;

transferring said digital file from said main computer to a communication server;

transmitting said digital file with said communication server;

receiving said digital file at an electronic billboard server;

accessing said customer purchase record;

comparing said customer purchase record to said product profile; and

displaying said digital file on a display electrically connected to said billboard computer.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprised of the step of connecting to a web-site supported by said main computer.