Handheld device and kiosk system for automated compiling and generating item list information

• US 8,166,040 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2011
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smartshopper Electronics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Smartshopper Electronics, LLC
• Inventors: Vittardi, Greg A., Brindisi, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cottingham, John R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, NICHOLAS E
• Application Number:
  US13/208,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20110302059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: 707/741
• US Class Current: 707/741
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A portable handheld electronic device is in communication with a stationary kiosk device. The portable device provides automated compiling and categorizing of items and generating of categorized item lists in accordance with user-defined preferences including user-defined categories, and includes a memory for storing the assortment data, and categorizing means adapted for assigning respective predetermined and/or user-selected categories to the assortment data. Generating means compile and synchronize selected categories, and generate the item list relative to one or more user-selected categories that is further displayed and printed at request of the user. A signal receiving circuit of the kiosk device communicates with a signal generating circuit of the portable device and generates received categorized item list data in accordance with a received item list signal, and a human user interface generates a human readable display representative of the categorized item list information in accordance with the received categorized item list data.

Claims

1. A system for organizing a shopping experience of an associated user, the system comprising:

a data input configured to receive, from the associated user during each of a plurality of transactions, first input specifying a corresponding plurality of user-selected items;

a non-transitory data storage configured for storing generic assortment data corresponding to each of the plurality of user-selected items, the data storage further being configured for storing user-defined category data representative of item categories assigned by the associated user to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data, the user-defined category data comprising at least one of a user-defined sales outlet associated with a first set of the plurality of user-selected items, a user-defined location within a sales outlet associated with a second set of the plurality of user-selected items or a user-defined category naming designation associated with a third set of the plurality of user-selected items, the data storage further being configured for storing received brand data representative of item brand identifications associated with selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data;

a user input configured to receive, from the associated user, a list generation instruction; and

,

a list generator, responsive to the list generation instruction, configured to compile the plurality of user-selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions and to generate categorized item list information including selected generic assortment data items representative of the user-selected items categorized in accordance with the user-defined category data such that the selected generic assortment data items representative of the user-selected items are listed contiguously and associatively with a corresponding user-defined category, and such that at least one brand identification is selectively listed in association with at least one corresponding generic assortment data item.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a human user interface configured to generate a human readable display representative of the user-selected items categorized in accordance with the user-defined category data.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the data storage is configured for storing brand recommendation data as the brand data, the brand recommendation data being representative of brand preference information assigned to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data; and

,

the human interface is operative for presenting to the associated user preferred brand information corresponding to the brand recommendation data.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the data storage is configured for storing advertisement data as the brand recommendation data, the advertisement data being representative of a promoting vendor source assigned to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data; and

,

the human interface is configured to present to the associated user advertised brand information corresponding to the advertisement data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the data storage includes a memory storing coupon data representative of pricing discounts assigned to a plurality of items associated with the selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data; and

,

the human interface is operative for presenting to the associated user coupons corresponding to selected coupon data in accordance with a predetermined discount price policy.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the data input is configured to receive second input specifying at least one specified item;

the list generator is configured to selectively synchronize the plurality of user selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions with the at least one specified item into a synchronized list by a one of deleting the at least one specified item from the plurality of user selected items or adding the at least one specified item to the plurality of user selected items.

7. The system according to claim 6 further comprising a broadcast communication circuit for transmitting the synchronized item list to an associated communication network.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the data input is configured to receive the second input specifying the at least one specified item from an associated device.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the data input is configured to receive the second input specifying the at least one specified item from the associated user.

10. A method of organizing a shopping experience for an associated user, the method comprising:

receiving, by a data input of a portable device from the associated user during each of a plurality of transactions, first input specifying a corresponding plurality of user-selected items;

storing in a non-transitory data storage of the portable device generic assortment data corresponding to each of the plurality of user-selected items, user-defined category data representative of item categories assigned by the associated user to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data, the user-defined category data comprising at least one of a user-defined sales outlet associated with a first set of the plurality of user-selected items, a user-defined location within a sales outlet associated with a second set of the plurality of user-selected items or a user-defined category naming designation associated with a third set of the plurality of user-selected items, and brand data representative of item brand identifications associated with selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data;

receiving, by a user input of the portable device a list generation instruction; and

,

responsive to the list generation instruction, compiling by a list generator of the portable device the plurality of user-selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions and to generate categorized item list information including selected generic assortment data items representative of the user-selected items categorized in accordance with the user-defined category data such that the selected generic data items representative of the user-selected items are listed contiguously and associatively with a corresponding user-defined category, and such that at least one brand identification is selectively listed in association with at least one corresponding generic assortment data item.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

generating, by a human interface of the portable device a human readable display representative of the user-selected items categorized in accordance with the user-defined category data.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing, by the data storage of the portable device, brand recommendation data as the brand data, the brand recommendation data being representative of brand preference information assigned to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data; and

,

presenting, by the human user interface, preferred brand information corresponding to the brand recommendation data.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving as the brand recommendation data, by the data storage of the portable device, brand advertisement data representative of a promoted brand vendor assigned to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data; and

,

presenting, by the human user interface, advertised brand information corresponding to the brand recommendation data.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

storing, by the data storage of the portable device, coupon data representative of pricing discounts assigned to a plurality of items associated with the selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data; and

,

presenting, by the human user interface, coupons corresponding to selected coupon data on a tangible medium in accordance with a predetermined discount price policy.

15. The method according to claim 10 wherein:

the receiving input specifying a corresponding plurality of user-selected items comprises receiving second input specifying at least one specified item; and

,

the compiling comprises synchronizing the plurality of user-selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions with the at least one specified item into a synchronized list by a one of deleting the at least one specified item from the plurality of user selected items or adding the at least one specified item to the plurality of user selected items.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising transmitting, by a broadcast communication circuit, the synchronized item list to an associated communication network.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the receiving the second input specifying the at least one specified item comprises receiving the second input from an associated device.

18. The method according to claim 16 wherein the receiving the second input specifying the at least one specified item comprises receiving the second input from the associated user.

19. A system for enhancing shopping efficiency of an associated user, the system comprising:

a data input configured to receive, from the associated user during each of a plurality of transactions, input specifying a corresponding plurality of user-selected items;

a non-transitory data storage configured for storing generic assortment data corresponding to each of the plurality of user-selected items;

the data storage further configured for storing user-defined category data representative of item categories assigned by the associated user to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data;

the data storage further configured for storing promoted brand data representative of one or more sponsored brands assigned to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data;

a user input configured to receive, from the associated user, a list generation instruction; and

,

a list generator, responsive to the list generation instruction, configured to compile the plurality of user selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions and to generate categorized item list information including selected generic assortment data items representative of the user-selected items categorized in accordance with the user-defined category data such that selected generic assortment data items representative of the user-selected items are listed contiguously and associatively with a corresponding user-defined category, and such that at least one sponsored brand is selectively listed in association with at least one corresponding generic assortment data item.

20. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 19, wherein the data storage is further configured for storing user-defined category data representative of item categories generated by the associated user relative to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data, the user-defined category data comprising at least one of a user-defined sales outlet associated with a one of the plurality of user-selected items, a user-defined location within a sales outlet associated with a one of the plurality of user-selected items or a user-defined designation of an originator of a one of the plurality of user-selected items.

21. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 19, further comprising means for associatively storing the user-defined category data with at least one of the items in accordance with received user input.

22. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 19, wherein the user input is further adapted for receiving, from the associated user, data from the set comprising the assortment data and the user-defined category data in a form of alphanumeric data.

23. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 19, further comprising output means adapted for outputting the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the user-defined category data.

24. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 19, wherein the user-defined category data is selected from the group consisting of alphabetical order, similar items, temporal order, and user-defined order.

25. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 19, wherein the data storage is configured for storing advertisement data representative of one or more promoting vendor sources assigned to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data.

26. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 25, wherein the data storage is configured to receive, as the promotion data, brand recommendation data representative of a promoted source category assigned to the selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data.

27. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 26, wherein the list generator is configured to generate the categorized item list information such that the at least two of the user selected items are listed associatively with the brand recommendation data.

28. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 25, wherein the data storage is configured to receive, as the advertisement data, coupon data representative of a promoted sales price discount assigned to the selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data.

29. The system for automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 25, further including output means for selectively generating, responsive to a selection input from a user, sales coupon data associated with the coupon data representative of the sales price discount.

30. The system according to claim 19, wherein:

the data input is configured to receive second input specifying at least one specified item;

the list generator is configured to selectively synchronize the plurality of user selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions with the at least one specified item into a synchronized list by a one of deleting the at least one specified item from the plurality of user selected items or adding the at least one specified item to the plurality of user selected items.

31. The system according to claim 30 further comprising a broadcast communication circuit for transmitting the synchronized item list to an associated communication network.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the data input is configured to receive the second input specifying the at least one specified item from an associated device.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein the data input is configured to receive the second input specifying the at least one specified item from the associated user.

34. A method of enhancing shopping efficiency of an associated user, the method comprising:

receiving, by a data input from an associated user during each of a plurality of transactions, verbal input specifying a corresponding plurality of user-selected items;

storing in a non-transitory data storage generic assortment data corresponding to each of the plurality of user-selected items;

storing in the data storage user-defined category data representative of item categories assigned by the associated user to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data, the user-defined category data comprising at least one of a user-defined sales outlet associated with a first set of the plurality of user-selected items, a user-defined location within a sales outlet associated with a second set of the plurality of user-selected items or a user-defined naming designation associated with a third set of the plurality of user-selected items;

storing in the data storage user-defined assortment data representative of item brand preferences assigned by the associated user to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data;

storing in the data storage brand data representative of item brand identifications assigned to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the generic assortment data;

receiving, by a user input from the associated user, a list generation instruction; and

,

responsive to the list generation instruction, compiling by a list generator the plurality of user selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions and generating categorized item list information including selected generic assortment data items representative of the user-selected items categorized in accordance with the user-defined category data such that the selected generic assortment data items representative of the user-selected items are listed contiguously and associatively with a corresponding user-defined category, and selectively in association with a corresponding user-defined assortment data, and further such that at least one brand identification is listed in association with at least one corresponding generic assortment data item.

35. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 34, wherein the storing the user-defined category data in the data storage comprises storing user-defined category data representative of item categories generated by the associated user relative to selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data, the user-defined category data comprising at least one of a user-defined sales outlet associated with a one of the plurality of user-selected items, a user-defined location within a sales outlet associated with a one of the plurality of user-selected items or a user-defined designation of an originator of a one of the plurality of user-selected items.

36. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 34, further comprising associatively storing the user-defined category data with at least one of the items in accordance with received user input.

37. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 34, further comprising receiving, by the user input from the associated user, data from the set comprising the assortment data and the user-defined category data in a form of alphanumeric data.

38. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 34, further comprising outputting, by output means, the item list information representative of the received assortment data in accordance with the user-defined category data.

39. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 34, further comprising the user-defined category data selected from the group consisting of alphabetical order, similar items, temporal order, and user-defined order.

40. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 34, further comprising storing, in the data storage, paid advertisement data representative of one or more promoting vendor sources associated with selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data.

41. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 40, further comprising receiving by the data storage as the paid advertisement data, brand recommendation data representative of a promoted source category assigned to the selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data.

42. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 41, further comprising generating by list generator the categorized item list information such that the at least two of the user selected items are listed associatively with the brand recommendation data.

43. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 40, further comprising receiving, by the data storage as the paid advertisement data, coupon data representative of a promoted sales price discount assigned to the selected ones of the plurality of items included in the assortment data.

44. The method of automated compiling and generating item list information of claim 40, further comprising selectively generating by the output means responsive to a selection input from a user, sales coupon data associated with the coupon data representative of the sales price discount.

45. The method according to claim 34 wherein:

the receiving input specifying a corresponding plurality of user-selected items comprises receiving second input specifying at least one specified item; and

,

the compiling comprises synchronizing the plurality of user-selected items specified during each of the plurality of transactions with the at least one specified item into a synchronized list by a one of deleting the at least one specified item from the plurality of user selected items or adding the at least one specified item to the plurality of user selected items.

46. The method according to claim 45 further comprising transmitting, by a broadcast communication circuit, the synchronized item list to an associated communication network.

47. The method according to claim 46 wherein the receiving the second input specifying the at least one specified item comprises receiving the second input from an associated device.

48. The method according to claim 46 wherein the receiving the second input specifying the at least one specified item comprises receiving the second input from the associated user.