DETERMINATION OF CUSTOMER PROXIMITY TO A REGISTER THROUGH USE OF SOUND AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20140089087A1
• Filed: 09/24/2012
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores Texas LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Argue, Stuart, Marcer, Anthony Emile
• Granted Patent: US 9,460,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.53
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures

Abstract

A method is disclosed for providing notifications and other communications to a customer based on the customer'"'"'s proximity to a checkout register at a store. A mobile electronic device with mobile self checkout software thereon may record and analyze ambient noise to determine when a customer is in a checkout line as well as to track the customer'"'"'s progress through the checkout line. The mobile self checkout software may present information to the customer according to the customer'"'"'s position in the checkout line. The type and nature of the information presented to the customer may be changed according to the customer'"'"'s distance from the checkout terminal as well as how quickly the customer is approaching the terminal.

Claims

1. A method of providing notifications to a retail customer comprising:

a customer using mobile self checkout software on a mobile electronic device;

the mobile self checkout software determining when the customer is in a checkout line;

the mobile self checkout software providing notifications to the customer when the customer is in a checkout line;

the mobile self checkout software determining the customer'"'"'s proximity to a POS terminal; and

the mobile self checkout software changing the type of notifications which are provided to the customer according to the customer'"'"'s proximity to the POS terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile electronic device analyzes ambient sounds to determine if a customer is in a checkout line.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile electronic device analyzes ambient sounds to determine the customer'"'"'s proximity to a checkout line.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile self checkout software provides longer content to the customer when the customer is farther away from the POS terminal and wherein the mobile self checkout software provides shorter content to the customer when the customer is closer to the POS terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile self checkout software provides advertising content to the customer when the customer is farther away from the POS terminal and wherein the mobile self checkout software provides an instruction regarding checkout when the customer is closer to the POS terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile self checkout software provides a longer advertisement to a customer when the customer is farther away from the POS terminal and wherein the mobile self checkout software provides a shorter advertisement to the customer when the customer is closer to the POS terminal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile self checkout software provides an advertisement for a product to the customer when the customer is adjacent that product in the checkout line.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile self checkout software provides an advertisement to a customer based on the customer'"'"'s prior purchase history.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile self checkout software allows the customer to scan items for purchase while shopping, and wherein the mobile self checkout software provides an advertisement to a product which is complementary to said items.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile self checkout software provides said advertisement when the customer is adjacent said product.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said product is in a checkout line.

12. A method of providing notifications to a retail customer comprising:

a customer using mobile self checkout software on a mobile electronic device while at a retail location;

the mobile self checkout software determining when the customer is in a checkout line; and

the mobile self checkout software providing notifications to the customer when the customer is in a checkout line.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile self checkout software analyzes ambient noises to identify sounds from a POS terminal to determine if the customer is in a checkout line.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile self checkout software analyzes ambient noises to determine the customer'"'"'s proximity to a POS terminal and changes the type of notifications which are provided to the customer according to the customer'"'"'s proximity to the POS terminal.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile self checkout software analyzes ambient sounds to determine if a customer is in a self checkout line or a conventional checkout line and wherein the mobile self checkout software provides a first notification if the customer is in a self checkout line and a second different notification if the customer is in a conventional checkout line.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile self checkout software allows the customer to scan items while shopping and presents an advertisement to the customer based on the items.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile self checkout software presents an advertisement for a product to the customer when the customer is adjacent the product in a checkout line.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mobile self checkout software selects the product based on items selected for purchase by the customer.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile self checkout software determines the customer'"'"'s proximity to a POS terminal and changes the length of the notifications according to the proximity.