Consumer interactive shopping system

• US 7,063,263 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Roslak, Thomas K, Barkan, Edward, Petrovich, Adam, Premutico, Mauro, Swartz, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): ST CYR, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US10/957,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20050040230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/462.45, 235/462.46, 235/380, 235/383, 235/385
• US Class Current: 235/472.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0054 with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0072 with means for detecting the weight of the article of which the code is read, for the verification of the registration weighing combined with recording means, e.g. in weighing scale, G01G19/415
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/00 Alarm indicators, e.g. bells

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a consumer interactive shopping and marketing system. The system includes a portable data terminal for communicating information over a communication network. The present system has aspects that may be used within a shopping establishment or at a user'"'"'s home.

Claims

1. A consumer interactive shopping system that facilitates shopping comprising:

a data component that provides a shopping characteristic associated with one or more consumers and a shopping parameter associated with a good or service;

a shopping assistant component that communicates wirelessly with a host component, and modifies the shopping parameter based upon the shopping characteristic; and

a security component that provides identification and theft prevention and determines a theft probability based upon one of;

a location data, a time amount in proximity of a product, and an existence of the product.

2. The system of claim 1, the shopping characteristic is one of:

a user profile, a product-related data, a location data, a shopping habit, and a historical data.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprises a messaging component that provides an alert to the shopping assistant component.

4. The system of claim 3, the alert informs a user of a changed circumstance via the shopping assistant component using one of:

a text, an image, a sound, a vibration, and a light.

5. The system of claim 4, the changed circumstance is one of:

a sale, coupon availability, an inventory update, an order-fulfillment, and a queue-position.

6. The system of claim 4, the changed circumstance is based upon at least one of:

the data component a locator component, and a marketing component.

7. The system of claim 3, the messaging component provides a greeting that conveys introductory information to the shopping assistant.

8. The system of claim 7, the introductory information is a shopping sheet containing at least one of:

a shopping list a layout, an ad, a special, a recipe, and a gift registry.

9. The system of claim 7, the introductory information is based upon at least one of:

the data component, and a locator component.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a marketing component that provides product-related data to the shopping assistant component, the product-related data is one of a coupon, an advertisement, a printable coupon, and a special offer.

11. The system of claim 10, the host component utilizes a verified coupon list, wherein coupons are verified.

12. The system of claim 10, the product-related data is based upon at least one of:

the data component, and a locator component.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a locator component that provides location data to the shopping assistant component.

14. The system of claim 13, the location data is at least a virtual map and a pinpoint location of a user with the shopping assistant component.

15. The system of claim 1, the shopping parameter is communicated to the shopping assistant component, wherein such shopping parameter is at least a shopping list, location data, product-related data, an alert, and introductory information.

16. The system of claim 15, a user determines the shopping list.

17. The system of claim 16, the shopping list is supplemented by an artificial intelligence component based upon inferences related to the shopping characteristics.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprises an artificial intelligence component that infers the shopping parameter based at least upon historical data.

19. The system of claim 1, the shopping assistant component further comprises a receiver component, wherein at least the shopping parameter is received.

20. The system of claim 1, the shopping assistant component further comprises a display component that provides at least the shopping parameter via a text, an image, a sound, a light, and a vibration.

21. The system of claim 1, the shopping assistant component further comprises an input component allowing a user to dynamically interact with a display component with one of:

a writing, a voice, a sound, and a physical manipulation.

22. The system of claim 1, the shopping assistant component further comprises a transmitter component sending at least the shopping parameter to the host component.

23. The system of claim 22, the shopping parameter is one of:

a shopping list, verification data, and location data.

24. The system of claim 1, the shopping assistant component further comprises a recognition component providing verification data to the host component based on one of:

a voice, a code, a thumbprint, a handwriting, and a PIN.

25. The system of claim 1, the security component utilizes weight to verify a checkout procedure.

26. The system of claim 1, the security component provides one of:

a bulk quantity checkout and a bag checkout.

27. The system of claim 1, the security component provides a pick-up upon checkout.

28. The system of claim 27, the security component allows a payment via one of:

a cash, a check, a debit card, and a credit card.

29. The system of claim 28, the security component identifies the payment based on one of:

a recognition component and the data component.

30. The system of claim 1, the shopping assistant component is a kiosk.

31. The system of claim 29, further comprising:

a printer allowing a user to print;

an internet connection allowing the user to connect to the Internet; and

a user assistance via at least an employee, an audio segment, a video, a text, and an image.

32. The system of claim 1, the shopping assistant has a holster on one of:

a shopping cart and a kiosk.

33. The system of claim 32, the holster allows one of:

a hard-wire communication and a wireless communication.

34. A computer implemented method that facilitates marketing comprising:

receiving a shopping parameter from a shopping assistant component;

analyzing the shopping parameter;

sending a product-related data to the shopping assistant component;

displaying the product-related data on the shopping assistant component;

calculating a time amount at a product location;

determining an existence of the product;

computing a theft probability based at least upon the time amount and the existence of the product; and

alerting security if the theft probability is above a threshold.

35. The computer implemented method of claim 34, the product-related data can be an inventory, a coupon, an advertisement, a sale, and a special.

36. The computer implemented method of claim 35, further comprising inferring the product-related data based at least upon a location and a historical data.

37. A computer implemented method that facilitates shopping comprising:

receiving a shopping parameter from a shopping assistant component;

analyzing the shopping parameter;

sending an updated shopping parameter to the shopping assistant component;

displaying the updated shopping parameter on the shopping assistant component;

computing a time amount at a product site;

determining existence of the product;

computing a theft likelihood based at least upon the time amount and the existence of the product; and

notifying security if the theft likelihood is above a defined limit.

38. The computer implemented method of claim 37, the updated shopping parameter comprising at least one of:

a shopping list, a real-time map, a queue-position, an order-fulfillment, an alert of changed circumstance, and an introductory information.

39. The computer implemented method of claim 38, further comprising inferring the updated shopping parameter based at least upon a location and a historical data.

40. A computer implemented method that facilitates checkout comprising:

sending a product-related data to the shopping assistant component;

receiving a shopping parameter from a shopping assistant component;

analyzing the shopping parameter;

comparing the shopping parameter to a physical content;

verifying a user;

calculating a time quantity at a merchandise location;

evaluating availability of the merchandise;

computing a theft probability based at least upon the time amount and the availability of the merchandise; and

accepting a payment method from the verified user for the physical content.

41. The computer implemented method of claim 40, the shopping parameter comprising a shopping list defined by the user.

42. The computer implemented method of claim 40, further comprising supplementing the shopping list based at least upon a historical data and a inventory data.

43. The computer implemented method of claim 40, further comprising:

analyzing the shopping parameter;

determining a weight estimate;

comparing the weight estimate to an actual weight of the product;

computing a theft probability on the weight disparities; and

alerting security if the theft probability is above a threshold.

44. A computer implemented method that facilitates shopping comprising:

receiving a shopping parameter;

analyzing the shopping parameter;

determining a location of a shopping assistant component;

transmitting a location data to the shopping assistant component; and

computing a theft probability based on the difference between an actual product weight and a weight estimate of a product.

45. The computer implemented method of claim 44, the location data comprising at least one of a pinpoint location, a map, a virtual map, an interactive map, and a 3-dimensional map.

46. A computer readable medium storing computer executable components that facilitate shopping, comprising:

a shopping assistant component that communicates with a host component;

a data component that provides a shopping characteristic that is based on user related information and a shopping parameter that is related to at least one good or service;

the shopping assistant component and the host computer modify the shopping parameter based upon the shopping characteristic;

a analysis component that calculates a theft probability based at least upon a time amount spent at a product location and existence of the product; and

a security component that alerts security if the theft probability is above a threshold.

47. A data packet transmitted between two or more computer components that facilitate shopping, comprising:

a first communication that sends a shopping parameter, the shopping parameter modified;

a second communication that receives the modified shopping parameter;

an analysis component that calculates a theft probability based at least upon the time amount spent at a merchandise site and the existence of the merchandise; and

a security component that alerts security if the theft probability is above a threshold.

48. A computer implemented system that facilitates marketing comprising:

means for receiving a shopping parameter from a shopping assistant component;

means for analyzing the shopping parameter;

means for sending a product-related data to the shopping assistant component; and

means for displaying the product-related data on the shopping assistant component,

means for verifying a user;

means for calculating a time amount spent at a product location;

means for determining an existence of a product;

means for computing a theft probability based at least upon the time amount and the existence of the product;

means for alerting security if the theft probability is above a threshold.

49. A computer implemented system that facilitates shopping comprising:

means for receiving a shopping parameter from a shopping assistant component;

means for analyzing the shopping parameter;

means for sending an updated shopping parameter to the shopping assistant component;

means for displaying the updated shopping parameter on the shopping assistant component;

means for determining a weight approximation;

means for comparing the weight approximation of a product to an actual weight of the product;

means for calculating a theft probability based on the weight disparities; and

means for alerting security if the theft probability is above a threshold.

50. A computer implemented system that facilitates checkout comprising:

means for receiving a shopping parameter from a shopping assistant component;

means for analyzing the shopping parameter;

means for comparing the shopping parameter to a physical content;

means for verifying a user;

means for computing a theft probability based at least upon time spent at a product location and existence of the product;

means for alerting security if the theft probability is above a threshold; and

means for accepting a payment method from the verified user for the physical content.

51. The computer implemented system of claim 50, further comprising:

means for analyzing the shopping parameter;

means for determining a weight estimate;

means for comparing the weight estimate to an actual weight of the product;

means for computing a theft probability based on a weight disparity; and

means for alerting security if the theft probability is above a threshold.

52. A computer implemented system that facilitates shopping comprising:

means for receiving a shopping parameter;

means for analyzing the shopping parameter;

means for determining a location of a shopping assistant component;

means for transmitting a location data to the shopping assistant component;

means for determining a weight estimate of a product;

means for comparing the weight estimate to an actual weight of the product;

means for computing a theft probability based on a weight disparity; and

means for alerting security if the theft probability is above a threshold.