Methods and systems for providing location based assistance via a mobile device
First Claim
1. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps of a method of operating a system for providing location based assistance via a computing device, the steps comprising:
- hosting a database of personal information regarding a customer of a merchant, the personal information enabling communication, by a system of the merchant to members of an online social network of the customer, according to privacy information set by the customer;
hosting a database of information regarding current availability of sales associates of the merchant;
hosting a database of current product inventory information that identifies a merchant location of each product item in the inventory of the merchant;
receiving a current location of the customer and a request from the customer for assistance regarding a particular product item;
posting notice of shopping activities of the customer to the members of the online social network of the customer, according to the privacy information;
in response to receiving the request for assistance from the customer;
determining whether at least one sales associate, at a location of the merchant at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is available to interact with the customer, based on the information regarding current sales associate availability, and the current product inventory information,establishing call communication between the customer and one of the at least one available sales associate at a location of the merchant at which the particular product is in stock and available for purchase, based on the information regarding current sale associate availability, the current product inventory information, and the current location of the customer, if it is determined that at least one sale associate at a location at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is available to interact with the customer, andestablishing call communication between the customer and a designated location of the merchant, based on the information regarding current sale associate availability, the current product inventory information, and the current location of the customer, if it is determined that at least one sale associate at a location at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is not available to interact with the customer, or if it is determined that the particular product item is not available at any location of the merchant; and
providing access to information representative of customer purchase history, wherein the inventory information is determined based upon a comparison of the inventory information and the purchase history.
18 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing location based assistance. The method and system including hosting a database of information regarding a customer, hosting a database of information regarding sale associate availability, and receiving a customer assistance request. The system determines the location of the customer and determines the availability of at least one sale associate within a predetermined location threshold of the location of the customer to service the customer assistance request. The customer assistance request is then routed to the at least one sale associate within the predetermined location threshold of the location of the customer for assistance.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps of a method of operating a system for providing location based assistance via a computing device, the steps comprising:
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hosting a database of personal information regarding a customer of a merchant, the personal information enabling communication, by a system of the merchant to members of an online social network of the customer, according to privacy information set by the customer; hosting a database of information regarding current availability of sales associates of the merchant; hosting a database of current product inventory information that identifies a merchant location of each product item in the inventory of the merchant; receiving a current location of the customer and a request from the customer for assistance regarding a particular product item; posting notice of shopping activities of the customer to the members of the online social network of the customer, according to the privacy information; in response to receiving the request for assistance from the customer; determining whether at least one sales associate, at a location of the merchant at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is available to interact with the customer, based on the information regarding current sales associate availability, and the current product inventory information, establishing call communication between the customer and one of the at least one available sales associate at a location of the merchant at which the particular product is in stock and available for purchase, based on the information regarding current sale associate availability, the current product inventory information, and the current location of the customer, if it is determined that at least one sale associate at a location at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is available to interact with the customer, and establishing call communication between the customer and a designated location of the merchant, based on the information regarding current sale associate availability, the current product inventory information, and the current location of the customer, if it is determined that at least one sale associate at a location at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is not available to interact with the customer, or if it is determined that the particular product item is not available at any location of the merchant; and providing access to information representative of customer purchase history, wherein the inventory information is determined based upon a comparison of the inventory information and the purchase history. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps of a method of operating a system for providing customer assistance via a computing device, the steps comprising:
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hosting a database of product inventory information comprising merchant locations at which each product item is currently in stock and available for purchase; receiving a customer call requesting assistance regarding a particular product item; posting notice of shopping activities of the customer to members of an online social network of the customer, according to privacy information set by the customer; in response to receiving the customer call requesting assistance; determining whether at least one sales associate is available at a location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase, and establishing call communication between the customer and an available sales associate at a merchant location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase, based on information regarding current sales associate availability and the current product inventory information, if it is determined that at least one sales associate is available at a merchant location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase; and providing access to information representative of customer purchase history, wherein the inventory information is determined based upon a comparison of the inventory information and the purchase history. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps of a method of operating a system for providing customer assistance via a computing device, the steps comprising:
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hosting a database of product inventory information comprising merchant locations at which each product item is currently in stock and available for purchase; receiving a customer call requesting assistance regarding a particular product item; posting notice of shopping activities of the customer to members of an online social network of the customer, according to privacy information set by the customer; in response to receiving the customer call requesting assistance; determining whether at least one sales associate is available at a location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase, and establishing call communication between the customer and an available sales associate at a merchant location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase, based on information regarding current sales associate availability and the current product inventory information, if it is determined that at least one sales associate is available at a merchant location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase; and providing access to social media information regarding the customer, wherein the inventory information is determined based upon a comparison of the inventory information and the social media information.
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31. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps of a method of operating a system for providing customer assistance via a computing device, the steps comprising:
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hosting a database of product inventory information comprising merchant locations at which each product item is currently in stock and available for purchase; receiving a customer call requesting assistance regarding a particular product item; posting notice of shopping activities of the customer to members of an online social network of the customer, according to privacy information set by the customer; in response to receiving the customer call requesting assistance; determining whether at least one sales associate is available at a location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase, and establishing call communication between the customer and an available sales associate at a merchant location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase, based on information regarding current sales associate availability and the current product inventory information, if it is determined that at least one sales associate is available at a merchant location at which the particular product item is currently in stock and available for purchase; and providing access to information representative of customer purchase intent, wherein the inventory information is determined based upon a comparison of the inventory information and the purchase intent.
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Specification