RETAIL SUBSCRIPTION IN INTERNET OF THINGS ENVIRONMENT

• US 20170124633A1
• Filed: 10/19/2016
• Published: 05/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores Texas LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Natarajan, Chandrashekar, High, Donald R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,762,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/014 Providing recall services for goods or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

A system and method for item replenishment comprise a subscription device that associates tags with items, a tag tracking device for collecting data on the tags associated with the items, and a management system that monitors changes in use of the items, including analyzing use patterns to determine when the items should be replenished, replaced, or upgraded.

Claims

1. A method for delivery to a consumer location, comprising:

applying a monitoring device to a product of interest;

monitoring consumption of the product of interest;

automatically determining by an item replenishment device a need for replenishment, upgrade or replacement of the product of interest from the monitoring device; and

performing a replenishment, upgrade or replacement of the product of interest in response to a monitoring result, and according to a set of predefined rules.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, in response to the item replenishment device determining the need for replenishment, upgrade, or replacement, a prediction pattern of demand management or time sensitive advertising.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising recommending if the item is to be recalled, or available for cross-sell.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining by an alert generator from the processor output those alerts that are available for safety.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting by a subscription device data on tags through beacons in an area to determine where consumer goods are located and how often they are used.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein other data including at least one of a product expiration date and a shelf life is executed by the item replenishment device to improve a replenishment cycle along with product consumption and future upgrade releases.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting item tracking guidelines.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating a customer profile that is used to analyze the use patterns.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating a tag of the plurality of tags with an item of the plurality of items at a time of purchase where purchase data may be electronically communicated at the time of the e-receipt, or receiving a result of scanning the tag; and

receiving by a tag tracking device a unique identification from the tagged item, which is directed to the subscription device for processing.

10. A system for item replenishment, comprising:

a subscription device that associates tags with items;

a tag tracking device for collecting data on the tags associated with the items; and

an analyzer that monitors changes in use of the items, including analyzing use patterns to determine when the items should be replenished, replaced, or upgraded.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor recommends if the item is to be recalled, or available for cross-sell.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a cross-selling processor.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising an alert generator for determining from the processor output what alerts are available for safety.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the subscription device collects data on tags through beacons in an area to determine where consumer goods are located and how often they are used.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein other data including at least one of a product expiration date and a shelf life is executed by a special purpose processor of the system to improve a replenishment cycle along with product consumption and future upgrade releases.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising a tracking processor for setting item tracking guidelines.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising a customer profile generator for updating a customer profile that is used to analyze the use patterns.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the subscription device associates a tag of the plurality of tags with an item of the plurality of items at a time of purchase where purchase data may be electronically communicated at the time of the e-receipt, or by receiving a result of scanning the tag whereby the tag tracking device receives a unique identification from the tagged item, which is directed to the subscription device for processing.

19. An Internet of Things (IoT) based subscription system, including:

a tag that is associated with an item, and outputs an identifier;

a reader that receives the identifier and item usage information from the tag; and

a management system that monitors changes in use of the items, including analyzing use patterns to determine when the items should be replenished, replaced, or upgraded.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the management system includes a registration module that registers the tag with a subscription program that provides for the replenishment, replacement, or upgrade of the item associated with the tag, and further includes:

a tag tracking device that monitors a location, movement, or use of the tag or item;

a pattern analyzer that processes data received by the tag tracking device regarding the location, movement, or use of the tag or item;

an order processor that automatically orders a quantity of the item in response to a result of the pattern analyzer; and

a customer profile generator that includes profile information for use by the pattern analyzer or the order processor.