TRIGGERING BEACONS THAT ARE USED IN POINT-OF-PURCHASE DISPLAYS AND OTHER IN-STORE DISPLAYS

• US 20180047059A1
• Filed: 03/29/2016
• Published: 02/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: LAZO, Phillip, LOCKWOOD, Thomas A., RANKIN, David B.
• Application Number:
  US15/558,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20180047059A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A system uses beacons with point-of-purchase displays and other in-store displays to direct customers to certain products of interest to the customer. The system determines which beacons should receive electrical power based on sensors within the displays.

Claims

1. A display system for use with a mobile device, the system comprising:

a first support structure to support one or more products including a first product;

a first computing system associated with the support structure;

a first sensor associated with the structure and in communication with the first computing system, the first sensor sensing at least one of the proximity or movement of the first product;

a first beacon emitting a signal identifying the first beacon; and

wherein the first sensor upon sensing the proximity or movement of the first product, sends a signal to the first computing system; and

the first computing system determines to provide electrical power to the first beacon.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the determination whether to provide electrical power to the first beacon is based on the sensing of movement of the first product.

3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the determination whether to provide electrical power to the first beacon is based on the sensing of a lack of proximity of the first product.

4. The display system of claim 1, wherein providing electrical power to the first beacon comprising supplying the electrical power to the first beacon from a power source external to the first beacon.

5. The display system of claim 1, wherein providing electrical power to the first beacon comprising switching on a power source internal to the first beacon.

6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the determination to provide electrical power to the first beacon includes a determination of how long to provide the electrical power.

7. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is one of an optical sensor, magnetic sensor, capacitive sensor, vibration sensor, pressure sensor, and strain gauge.

8. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a mobile device, wherein the mobile device detects the signal from the first beacon and communicates with a software platform on the Internet to receive information about the first product.

9. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor and a second beacon, wherein the one or more products comprise a second product associated with the second sensor and the second beacon, wherein the second sensor upon sensing the proximity or movement of the second product, sends a signal to the first computing system;

and the first computing system determines to provide electrical power to the second beacon.

10. The display system of claim 9, further comprising a mobile device, wherein the mobile device detects the signal from the second beacon and communicates with a software platform on the Internet to receive information about the second product.

11. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first support structure comprises at least one shelf.

12. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first beacon is a radio device transmitting a unique identifier.

13. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor to detect the mobile device.

14. The display system of claim 13, wherein upon detection of the mobile device, the computing system determines to provide electrical power to the beacon.

15. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first support structure is a retail-ready display.

16. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first support structure is a point-of-purchase display.