In-store self-service ordering guide system and method

• US 7,711,600 B1
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micro Industries Corporation
• Original Assignee: Micro Industries Corporation
• Inventors: Curran, John, Curran, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender; F. Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Obaid; Fateh M
• Application Number:
  US11/842,322
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A self-service shopper ordering guide system and method for use by retailers to customize product ordering promotions. An ordering guide database is synchronized with the retailer'"'"'s product and inventory databases so that current product data is available to the system. The self-service ordering guide system comprises tools for developing and deploying screens to self-service terminals located throughout a store. A screen flow editor prompts a user to define screens for an order flow and to specify products from the ordering guide database to include on screens. The user'"'"'s selections populate screen templates that comprise an order flow. Photographs and files for use in the screens and subscreens allow a retailer to create a customized look. A shopper using an in-store terminal is prompted to make selections from the screens to create an in-store order. The ordering guide system is further integrated with the retailer'"'"'s fulfillment system for processing online orders.

Claims

1. A computerized system for shopper self-service ordering in a retailer'"'"'s store comprising:

(a) a retailer product information database comprising information for products available from said retailer'"'"'s store inventory or a warehouse serving said retailer'"'"'s store;

(b) an ordering guide product database comprising products from said retailer product information database identified as currently in-stock said retailer'"'"'s store inventory or a warehouse serving said retailer'"'"'s store;

(c) an ordering guide system server comprising;

(1) a synchronization application for removing from said ordering guide product database selected products that are identified as out-of-stock in said retailer product information database; and

(2) a services application for communicating with a plurality of self-service terminals in said retailer'"'"'s store;

(d) a computer for use by a menu designer;

(1) to create a plurality of menus comprising options for selecting products defined in said ordering guide product database;

(2) to associate with each of said plurality of menus dates that determine when shoppers can order associated products; and

(3) to deploy through said ordering guide system server to;

(i) a first self-service terminal a first plurality of menus for purchasing a first group of products from said ordering guide product database; and

(ii) a second self-service terminal a second plurality of menus for purchasing a second group of products from said ordering guide product database;

(e) wherein said first and second a-self-service terminals comprise an ordering guide system application that;

(1) displays said plurality of menus to a shopper consistent with associated dates;

(2) responds to said shopper'"'"'s selection of options on said menus;

(3) creates a product order for said shopper'"'"'s selection of at least one product from said menus;

(4) receives said shopper'"'"'s selection of a date for receiving said product order;

(5) communicates said product order to said ordering guide system server; and

(f) a retailer fulfillment system for;

(1) receiving said product order from said ordering guide system; and

(2) processing said product order for delivery of said at least one

product to said shopper on said date for receiving said product order selected by said shopper.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said retailer fulfillment

system processes said product order for delivery of said at least one product to said shopper by arranging for delivery of said at least one product to said retailer'"'"'s store.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said retailer fulfillment system processes said product order for delivery of said at least one product to said shopper by arranging for delivery of said at least one product to said shopper'"'"'s home.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said synchronization application synchronizes products according to a product identifier.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said ordering guide product database comprises for each of a plurality of products a name, a description, a price, and an options group collection identifier for linking said product to other products.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of menus comprises options for selecting food products at a grocery store.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said ordering guide system application at said self-service terminal accepts payment from said shopper for said product order.