Apparatus and method for providing product location information to customers in a store
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method of providing product location information within a store, the method comprising:
- affixing at least a first input device at a first location within the store, so that the first input device is substantially stationary;
providing an inventory information unit having a database containing product location information and additional product-related information including product availability information;
obtaining a product location inquiry at the first input device, wherein the first input device includes a receiver, and the product location inquiry is a voice signal received by the receiver;
processing the product location inquiry at a signal processing device to determine a product location inquiry signal;
querying a database to obtain product location information in response to the product location inquiry signal;
providing an information signal in response to the product location inquiry signal, the information signal at least sometimes including at least a first portion of the product location information and also depending at least sometimes upon a first portion of the product availability information; and
providing an output signal at an output device, the output signal being a response to the product location inquiry, and being based upon the information signal,whereby, when the product availability information indicates that a product is unavailable at a location, the information signal is configured so that the output signal does not provide an indication that the product is available at the location.
2 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for providing product location information within a store. The system comprises a first user interface fixed within the store and an inventory information unit coupled to the first user interface. The first user interface is configured to receive an input signal from a user related to the identity of a product within the store, to process the input signal and to provide a product inquiry signal in response to the input signal. The first user interface is further configured to receive a location information signal, and to provide an output signal in response to the location information signal. The inventory information unit comprises a database containing product location information and is configured to provide the location information signal to the first user interface after receiving the product inquiry signal from the first user interface.
123 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of providing product location information within a store, the method comprising:
-
affixing at least a first input device at a first location within the store, so that the first input device is substantially stationary; providing an inventory information unit having a database containing product location information and additional product-related information including product availability information; obtaining a product location inquiry at the first input device, wherein the first input device includes a receiver, and the product location inquiry is a voice signal received by the receiver; processing the product location inquiry at a signal processing device to determine a product location inquiry signal; querying a database to obtain product location information in response to the product location inquiry signal; providing an information signal in response to the product location inquiry signal, the information signal at least sometimes including at least a first portion of the product location information and also depending at least sometimes upon a first portion of the product availability information; and providing an output signal at an output device, the output signal being a response to the product location inquiry, and being based upon the information signal, whereby, when the product availability information indicates that a product is unavailable at a location, the information signal is configured so that the output signal does not provide an indication that the product is available at the location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method of providing product location information within a store, the method comprising:
-
affixing at least a first input device at a first location within the store, so that the first input device is substantially stationary; providing a database containing product location information and additional product-related information including product availability information; obtaining an inquiry at the first input device; processing the inquiry at a processing device to determine an inquiry signal; querying a database to obtain product location information in response to the inquiry signal; providing an information signal in response to the inquiry signal, the information signal at least sometimes including at least a first portion of the product location information and also depending at least sometimes upon a first portion of the product availability information; providing an output signal at an output device, the output signal being a response to the inquiry and being based upon the information signal, whereby, when the product availability information indicates that the product is unavailable at a location, the information signal is configured so that the output signal does not provide an indication that the product is available at the location; and comparing information regarding the inquiry with additional, information concerning products sold at the store. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
-
9. A method of providing product location information regarding locations of products within a store to customers within the store, the method comprising:
-
affixing a plurality of user interfaces respectively at respective positions within the store in a substantially stationary manner; receiving input signals representative of inquiries from the customers in the store at the user interfaces, wherein each of the user interfaces includes a memory unit; conducting periodic communications between the user interfaces and a hub that is at least indirectly in communication with each of the user interfaces and that is capable of accessing at least one database; querying the at least one database to obtain product location information and additional product-related information; providing portions of the product location information from the hub to the respective memory units of each of the user interfaces; and providing output signals to the customers in the store via the user interfaces, the output signals being responses to the inquiries represented by the input signals, the responses being based upon the portions of the product location information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of providing product location information within a first store, the method comprising:
-
providing a hub that is at least indirectly in communication with each of a plurality of user interfaces, and that is capable of accessing at least one database, the at least one database including both product location information and additional product-related information, wherein the additional product-related information includes;
information concerning a quantity of a first product within the store;
information concerning a price of the product;
information concerning an availability or unavailability of the product within the store; and
information linking the product with another product in a cross-referential manner;periodically engaging in the communication with each of the user interfaces, wherein the engaging in the communication includes; receiving inquiry signals from the user interfaces; querying the database to obtain portions of the product location information in response to the inquiry signals; and providing information signals in response to the inquiry signals for receipt by the user interfaces, wherein the information signals include portions of both the product location information and the additional product-related information, whereby the user interfaces are able to provide output signals based upon the information signals; wherein at least some of the communication is wireless communication. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification