Shopping Apparatus and Methods

• US 20130041752A1
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shopper's Club, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shopper's Club, LLC
• Inventors: CRUM, BRYAN EUGENE
• Granted Patent: US 8,905,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus related to enabling a shopper to utilize a mobile electronic device to enhance the shopping experience. A shopper may utilize the mobile electronic device to check-in at a retail location. A pecuniary reward or offer may be provided to the shopper and the shopper may be notified of such reward or offer via the mobile electronic device. A mobile electronic device may be utilized to compile an electronic shopping list and/or send an electronic shopping list.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of utilizing an electronic shopping list, comprising:

electronically receiving data from a mobile electronic device that uniquely identifies a shopper and presence of said shopper at a physical retail store;

electronically receiving in combination with said data, an electronic shopping list generated by said shopper, said electronic shopping list identifying products in which the shopper has interest in purchasing and retail source information uniquely identifying at least one associated retail location to purchase each of said products on said electronic shopping list;

identifying at least one selected product of said products; and

transmitting a product-specific special offer to said mobile electronic device, said product-specific special offer specific to said selected product of said electronic shopping list.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said product-specific special offer is specific to said physical retail store.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical retail store is a competing store to said associated retail location of one or more of said products.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said product-specific special offer is for a competing product to said selected product.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said product-specific special offer requires purchase of said selected product in combination with additional products not on said electronic shopping list.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said mobile electronic device identifies presence of said shopper at said physical store from at least one of GPS data, scanning a check-in code, and Wi-Fi.

7. A computer implemented method of utilizing an electronic shopping list, comprising:

electronically receiving an electronic shopping list generated by a shopper, said electronic shopping list identifying products in which the shopper has interest in purchasing and including at least one associated retail store for one or more of said products, said shopping list including a first product of said products associated with a first retail store of said at least one associated retail store;

identifying, in response to receiving said shopping list, a first special offer associated with said first product; and

notifying said shopper via a mobile electronic device of said first special offer, said first special offer useable at a retail location distinct from said first retail store.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising electronically receiving a second product of said products associated with a second retail store of said at least one retail store, said first retail store and said second retail store distinct from one another.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said retail location is associated with said second retail store.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said retail location is a competitor of said first retail store and said second retail store.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said first product is associated with a first brand.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said first special offer is associated with a particular brand that is distinct from said first brand.

13. A computer implemented method, comprising:

receiving a first request from a shopper to add a first product to an electronic shopping list of said shopper, said first request originating from a mobile electronic device and including a first product information uniquely identifying said first product and a first retail source information uniquely identifying a first retail location to purchase said first product;

receiving a second request from a shopper to add a second product to an electronic shopping list of said shopper, said second request originating from a mobile electronic device and including a second product information uniquely identifying said second product and a second retail source information uniquely identifying a second retail location to purchase said second product;

adding said first product information to said electronic shopping list;

adding said second product information to said electronic shopping list;

associating said first retail source information with said first product information;

associating said second retail source information with said second product information;

providing said electronic shopping list to said shopper for display; and

providing said electronic shopping list to at least one server for analysis of said electronic shopping list in response to association of said shopper at a specific retail location.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said request is generated via selection of said product from an electronic advertisement viewed via said mobile electronic device.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising electronically receiving check-in data from said mobile electronic device, said check-in data identifying presence of said shopper at said specific retail location.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said check-in data is received via said mobile electronic device, said mobile electronic device sending said check-in data in response to scanning a check-in code.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said check-in code is proximal to an entrance of said specific retail location.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said check-in data is received in response to location information of said mobile electronic device identifying presence of said shopper at said specific physical retail location.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said server includes at least one server analyzing products on said electronic shopping list and distributing selective information to a retail computing device, said selective information utilized by said retail computing device to send at least one targeted shopping incentive to said shopper based on said electronic shopping list.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said server includes at least one server analyzing products on said electronic shopping list and sending at least one targeted shopping incentive to said shopper.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said targeted shopping incentive is based on product information of said electronic shopping list.