System, method and apparatus for interactive and comparative shopping

• US 8,255,291 B1
• Filed: 02/12/2007
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tensilrus Capital NV LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Tensilrus Capital NV LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Nair, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Amee A
• Application Number:
  US11/674,134
• Time in Patent Office: 2,024 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/26.1, 705/26.64
• US Class Current: 705/26.64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/953 Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method and system allows a user to aggregate product information or compare multiple products by a single query. A sales representative or end consumer is provided quick access to accurate detailed product information and comparison information, which can make shopping less confusing. The method involves generating a comparison report of two or more products, including detailed product information.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, from a device, a single search query that includes a plurality of identifiers corresponding to a plurality of products;

determining whether the single search query includes a live shopping override;

querying one or more local databases with the plurality of identifiers to identify information on the plurality of products if the single search query does not include the live shopping override;

if the single search query includes the live shopping override, establishing a direct data link with a website that includes the information on the plurality of products, wherein the direct data link can only be used at one or more specific agreed upon times;

generating a comparison chart that includes the information on the plurality of products, wherein the comparison chart also includes comparative data for at least one of the plurality of products; and

providing the comparison chart to the device in response to the single search query.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a portable device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the portable device comprises at least one of a cell phone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the comparison chart is provided in an e-mail, in a text message, through a phone call, through a phone call with text to speech, or in a video.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of identifiers comprise one or more of a universal product code (UPC), a radio frequency identification (RFID), a product model number, or a product description.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining the information through the direct data link; and

updating the one or more local databases with the information.

7. A system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a single search query that includes a plurality of identifiers corresponding to a plurality of products; and

a processor operatively coupled to the receiver and configured to;

determine whether the single search query includes a live shopping override;

query one or more local databases with the plurality of identifiers to identify information on the plurality of products if the single search query does not include the live shopping override;

if the single search query includes the live shopping override, establish a direct data link with a website that includes the information on the plurality of products, wherein the direct data link can only be used at one or more specific agreed upon times;

generate a comparison chart that includes the information on the plurality of products, wherein the comparison chart also includes comparative data for at least one of the plurality of products; and

provide the comparison chart in response to the single search query.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the single search query is received from at least one of a cell phone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the comparison chart is provided through at least one of instant messaging, text messaging, a phone call, a phone call with text to speech, an email, or a video.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of identifiers comprise one or more of a universal product code (UPC), a radio frequency identification (RFID), a product model number, or a product description.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the comparison chart is provided in e-mail, in a text message, through a phone call, through a phone call with text to speech, or in a video.

12. A device comprising:

an input configured to receive a single search query that includes a plurality of identifiers corresponding to a plurality of products;

a transmitter operatively coupled to the input and configured totransmit the single search query to a remote device;

a receiver configured to receive, from the remote device, a comparison chart that includes information on the plurality of products, wherein the comparison chart also includes comparative data for at least one of the plurality of products, wherein the information on the plurality of products is obtained from one or more local databases if the single search query does not include a live shopping override, and wherein the information on the plurality of products is obtained through a direct data link with a website if the single search query includes the live shopping override; and

a display configured to display the comparison chart.

13. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to process a received single search query that includes a plurality of identifiers corresponding to a plurality of products;

instructions to determine whether the single search query includes a live shopping override;

instructions to query one or more local databases with the plurality of identifiers to identify information on the plurality of products if the single search query does not include the live shopping override;

instructions to establish a direct data link with a website if the single search query includes the live shopping override, wherein the website includes the information on the plurality of products, and wherein the direct data link can only be used at one or more specific agreed upon times;

instructions to generate a comparison chart that includes the information on the plurality of products, wherein the comparison chart also includes comparative data for at least one of the plurality of products; and

instructions to provide the comparison chart in response to the single search query.

14. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions to provide the comparison chart comprise instructions to provide the comparison chart in an e-mail, in a text message, through a phone call, through a phone call with text to speech, or in a video.