Systems and Methods for Managing In-Store Purchases Using Mobile Devices

• US 20120158482A1
• Filed: 12/09/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Inventors: Paradise, Andrew, Preston, Dan R., Mercado, Jose H. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US13/315,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20120158482A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

In-store, “non” transaction data is captured and analyzed based on consumer interactions with products at the retail location. Using a mobile device, an image is acquired that identifies a product being offered for sale by a retail establishment. The image is transmitted to a purchase server, which, in return sends product information for the product back to the mobile device, where it is displayed to the consumer. An event signifying a decision by the consumer not to purchase the product is identified and information about the non-purchase event is transmitted from the mobile device to the purchase server.

Claims

1. A method of capturing event data resulting from a consumer'"'"'s behavior at a retail establishment, the method comprising:

obtaining, via an image acquisition component operatively connected to a mobile device, an image comprising information that identifies a product being offered for sale by a retail establishment;

transmitting the image from the mobile device to a purchase server;

receiving at the mobile device, in response, product information comprising description and price information for the product;

displaying the product information on a display of the mobile device;

identifying an event in the retail establishment representing a decision by the consumer not to purchase the product; and

transmitting the event information from the mobile device to the purchase server.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the image comprises one or more of a bar code, an image of the product, an image of all or a portion of packaging of the product, a product name, a brand name, a serial number, and a product number.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the product information is displayed as one or more of an image and text.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the event comprises one or more of the consumer entering the retail establishment, a determination of a location of the consumer, the consumer scanning an image comprising information that identifies the product, capturing a time the consumer scans an image comprising information that identifies the product, addition of an item to a shopping cart, removal of an item from a shopping cart, determination of an elapsed time since a previous event, and the consumer leaving the retail establishment.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving at the mobile device, in response to transmitting the event information, one or more of a survey, a coupon, an invitation to a sale, and an offer for a subsequent purchase.

6. A method of capturing event data resulting from a consumer'"'"'s behavior at a retail establishment, the method comprising:

obtaining, via an image acquisition component operatively connected to a mobile device, an image comprising information that identifies a product being offered for sale by a retail establishment;

transmitting the image from the mobile device to a purchase server;

receiving at the mobile device, in response, product information comprising description and price information for the product;

receiving at the mobile device instructions to search for additional product information related to the product;

comparing the product information and the additional product information on a display of the mobile device; and

updating the product information based on the comparison.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the updated product information comprises an updated price.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the updated product information is further based on one or more of a price difference, a location of the consumer, a location of another retail establishment offering the product, availability of the product from an online retail establishment, and a frequency the consumer scans an image comprising information that identifies the product.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein updating the product information comprises receiving at the mobile device an offer from an offer server.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

determining the consumer has decided to accept the offer; and

allowing the consumer to authorize purchase of the product via the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

determining the consumer has decided not to accept the offer; and

receiving at the mobile device an updated offer from the offer server.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

repeating the steps of claim 11 until the consumer either accepts the updated offer or an offer limit has been reached.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the offer limit is based on one or more of an elapsed time since an offer, a maximum number of offers, a maximum reduction in price, a location of the consumer, and availability of the product.

14. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

identifying an event in the retail establishment representing a decision by the consumer not to purchase the product; and

transmitting the event information from the mobile device to the purchase server.

15. A system for capturing event data resulting from a consumer'"'"'s behavior at a retail establishment, the system comprising a mobile device having at least one processor configured to:

obtain, via an image acquisition component an image comprising information that identifies a product being offered for sale by a retail establishment;

transmit the image to a purchase server;

receive, in response, product information comprising description and price information for the product;

identify an event in the retail establishment representing a decision by the consumer not to purchase the product; and

transmit the event information to the purchase server.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the image comprises one or more of a bar code, an image of the product, an image of all or a portion of packaging of the product, a product name, a brand name, a serial number, and a product number.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the product information is displayed as one or more of an image and text.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the event comprises one or more of the consumer entering the retail establishment, a determination of a location of the consumer, the consumer scanning an image comprising information that identifies the product, capturing a time the consumer scans an image comprising information that identifies the product, addition of an item to a shopping cart, removal of an item from a shopping cart, determination of an elapsed time since a previous event, and the consumer leaving the retail establishment.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive, in response to transmitting the event information, one or more of a survey, a coupon, an invitation to a sale, and an offer for a subsequent purchase.

20. A system for capturing event data resulting from a consumer'"'"'s behavior at a retail establishment, the system comprising a mobile device having at least one processor configured to:

obtain, via an image acquisition component an image comprising information that identifies a product being offered for sale by a retail establishment;

transmit the image to a purchase server;

receive product information comprising description and price information for the product;

receive instructions to search for additional product information related to the product;

compare the product information and the additional product information; and

update the product information based on the comparison.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the updated product information comprises an updated price.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the updated product information is further based on one or more of a price difference, a location of the consumer, a location of another retail establishment offering the product, availability of the product from an online retail establishment, and a frequency the consumer scans an image comprising information that identifies the product.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein updating the product information comprises receiving an offer from an offer server.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine the consumer has decided to accept the offer; and

allow the consumer to authorize purchase of the product via the mobile device.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine the consumer has decided not to accept the offer; and

receive an updated offer from the offer server.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the processor is further configured to:

repeat the steps of claim 25 until the consumer either accepts the updated offer or an offer limit has been reached.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the offer limit is based on one or more of an elapsed time since an offer, a maximum number of offers, a maximum reduction in price, a location of the consumer, and availability of the product.

28. The system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

identify an event in the retail establishment representing a decision by the consumer not to purchase the product; and

transmit the event information to the purchase server.

29. An article of manufacture having computer-readable program portions embodied thereon for capturing event data resulting from a consumer'"'"'s use of a mobile device at a retail establishment, the article comprising computer-readable instructions for:

obtaining, via an image acquisition component operatively connected to a mobile device, an image comprising information that identifies a product being offered for sale by a retail establishment;

transmitting the image from the mobile device to a purchase server;

receiving at the mobile device, in response, product information comprising description and price information for the product;

displaying the product information on a display of the mobile device;

identifying an event in the retail establishment representing a decision by the consumer not to purchase the product; and

transmitting the event information from the mobile device to the purchase server.

30. An article of manufacture having computer-readable program portions embodied thereon for capturing event data resulting from a consumer'"'"'s use of a mobile device at a retail establishment, the article comprising computer-readable instructions for:

obtaining, via an image acquisition component operatively connected to a mobile device, an image comprising information that identifies a product being offered for sale by a retail establishment;

transmitting the image from the mobile device to a purchase server;

receiving at the mobile device, in response, product information comprising description and price information for the product;

receiving at the mobile device instructions to search for additional product information related to the product;

comparing the product information and the additional product information on a display of the mobile device; and

updating the product information based on the comparison.