STORE PRODUCT LOCATING SYSTEM

• US 20080301102A1
• Filed: 04/22/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lilco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lilco, Inc.
• Inventors: LIANG, Susan
• Application Number:
  US12/107,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20080301102A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A store product locating system and method enables a customer to locate a product quickly at its exact position within the store. Using a kiosk, a customer can input a name for a product they are searching for, the system searches for the product in its database of products and their locations, and the system then displays the location of the product on a floor plan map. The customer can input a number of products being searched for, and the system displays the location of each product in turn along with already-input product locations. The system prints out a map with the locations of the products requested marked on the map. The system can also enable input by customer voice request, uploading a list of products shopped for from a flash memory device or handheld device, and downloading to the handheld device, as well as uploading a list of items to a store'"'"'s website from a PC.

Claims

1. A store product locating system comprising:

(a) a product search input means adapted to enable a customer to input a name or phrase for a product they are searching for within the store and compose a search query for that product;

(b) a system database searchable by the search query provided by the product search input means to find a product name corresponding to the search query and its location within the store; and

(c) a product location map output means responsive to the search of the system database for the product name and its location found for outputting a map visually identifying the location of the product searched for by the customer.

2. A store product locating system according to claim 1, wherein the product search input means is a kiosk having a keyboard and search input display for inputting and visually confirming an input product name or phrase, and a display screen for displaying a floor plan map for the store displaying the found location for the product searched for.

3. A store product locating system according to claim 2, wherein the kiosk includes a printer for printing a map printout showing the found location for the product searched for the customer.

4. A store product locating system according to claim 2, wherein the kiosk includes an electronic receiver for enabling the customer to upload a list of product items searched for from a handheld device.

5. A store product locating system according to claim 4, wherein the electronic receiver includes an electronic transmitter for transmitting a map of product locations to the customer'"'"'s handheld device.

6. A store product locating system according to claim 2, wherein the customer can input a number of products being searched for, and the system provides a map display of the location of each input product in turn along with already-input product locations maintained on the display screen.

7. A store product locating system according to claim 2, wherein the kiosk enables a customer to select one of a plurality of languages for display of a product and instructions to its location on the display screen.

8. A store product locating system according to claim 1, wherein the product search input means is adapted to enable a customer to upload a list of product items searched for to a store website on the Internet from a personal computer, and to obtain an output map either at the customer'"'"'s personal computer or to be retrieved by the customer in the store.

9. A store product locating system according to claim 2, wherein the product location map output means outputs a map that includes directions from a present location of the customer at the kiosk to the product searched for.

10. A store product locating system according to claim 1, wherein the product location map output means outputs a map that displays the locations of a plurality of products searched for by the customer so that the customer can shop for the plurality of items conveniently.

20. A store product locating method according to claim 1, wherein the product location map output means outputs a map that displays the locations of a plurality of products searched for by the customer so that the customer can shop for the plurality of items conveniently.

11. A method of locating a product within a store comprising:

(a) providing a product search input means to enable a customer to input a name or phrase for a product they are searching for within the store and compose a search query for that product;

(b) searching a system database by the search query provided by the product search input means to find a product name corresponding to the search query and its location within the store; and

(c) providing a product location map in response to the search of the system database visually identifying the location of the product searched for by the customer.

12. A store product locating method according to claim 11, wherein the product search input means is a kiosk having a keyboard and search input display for inputting and visually confirming an input product name or phrase, and a display screen for displaying a floor plan map for the store displaying the found location for the product searched for.

13. A store product locating method according to claim 12, wherein the kiosk includes a printer for printing a map printout showing the found location for the product searched for the customer.

14. A store product locating method according to claim 12, wherein the kiosk includes an electronic receiver for enabling the customer to upload a list of product items searched for from a handheld device.

15. A store product locating method according to claim 14, wherein the electronic receiver includes an electronic transmitter for transmitting a map of product locations to the customer'"'"'s handheld device.

16. A store product locating method according to claim 12, wherein the customer can input a number of products being searched for, and the system provides a map display of the location of each input product in turn along with already-input product locations maintained on the display screen.

17. A store product locating method according to claim 12, wherein the kiosk enables a customer to select one of a plurality of languages for display of a product and instructions to its location on the display screen.

18. A store product locating method according to claim 11, wherein the product search input means is adapted to enable a customer to upload a list of product items searched for to a store website on the Internet from a personal computer, and to obtain an output map either at the customer'"'"'s personal computer or to be retrieved by the customer in the store.

19. A store product locating method according to claim 12, wherein the product location map output means outputs a map that includes directions from a present location of the customer at the kiosk to the product searched for.