SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20110145053A1
• Filed: 08/14/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mohammed Hashim-Waris
• Original Assignee: Mohammed Hashim-Waris
• Inventors: Hashim-Waris, Mohammed
• Application Number:
  US13/058,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20110145053A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

Various systems, methods, apparatus and techniques for conducting interactions between and among consumers and sellers use a networked configuration of devices, where the network includes servers and memory storage apparatus. Consumers can provide various types of information and data via the network to be stored for later retrieval and to assist the sellers in helping consumers find discounted products and services and conduct shopping efficiently. Moreover, consumers can use the networked resources and information to create a consumer community and social networking apparatus, sharing recipes, ideas, experiences and the like. Marketing and promotional programs can be implemented via such networked participants and can be personalized to consumers based on information they have provided and data collected regarding consumer behavior and actions. Also, informational materials such as catalogs can be made available on the network and easily updated, changed, etc. by sellers. Consumers can download saved information using in-store devices that assist in shopping, comparing prices, tracking purchases and selections and in delivering information and discounts directly to consumers while shopping so that personalization of the shopping experience can be adjusted and delivered immediately.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A supply chain management system comprising:

a network comprising one or more server devices and memory storage apparatus;

a plurality of retail facilities connected to the network, each retail facility having consumer information processing equipment connected to the network, wherein the consumer information processing equipment comprises a plurality of in-store consumer interface devices (CIDs);

a plurality of remote consumer devices connected to the network for use by consumers in locations other than the plurality of retail facilities and enabled to receive information from the network and to submit information on the network;

a plurality of seller devices connected to the network for use by sellers and enabled to receive information from the network and to submit information on the network, wherein the plurality of seller devices comprise one or more of the following;

retail facilities devices, manufacturer devices, marketer devices, supplier devices;

a virtual trading room associated with the sellers and consumers, the virtual trading room;

storing on the network memory storage apparatus;

consumer information collected from the consumers via the plurality of remote consumer devices and the plurality of in-store CIDs;

seller information collected from sellers and the plurality of retail facilities;

providing the consumer information and the seller information to at least one of the following;

a remote consumer device;

an in-store CID.

25. The system of claim 24 comprising a first retail facility of the plurality of retail facilities, the first retail facility comprising a plurality of scanners to provide information about at least one of the following:

location of items in the first retail facility;

guidance for consumers in the first retail facility;

locating a check-out station the first retail facility;

shopping routes in the first retail facility;

tracking of CIDs provided for consumer use by the retail facility.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the seller information comprises at least one of the following:

information concerning discounts on product at one or more of the plurality of retail facilities;

information concerning just in time discounts, coupons and/or incentives available in one or more of the plurality of retail facilities for shoppers during the process of shopping;

information concerning just in time traveling routes within at least one retail facility based on a list of products;

information concerning product availability at one or more of the plurality of retail facilities;

information concerning product location at one or more of the plurality of retail facilities;

information concerning location of one or more of the plurality of retail facilities.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the plurality of remote consumer devices comprise at least one of the following:

a laptop;

a desktop;

a notebook;

a smart phone;

a telephone;

a personal digital assistant (PDA) device.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the consumer information comprises at least one of the following:

consumer buying practices;

consumer shopping practices;

consumer price sensitivity;

consumer feedback regarding use of the system;

consumer payment methods;

consumer pre-payment methods using debit or credit cards;

consumer in-store payment methods using checks, cash, debit cards, credit cards or food stamps;

consumer demographics.

29. The system of claim 28 further comprising an in-store consumer device configured to generate a limited time, authentication code protected coupon based on the consumer information and the seller information.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein at least one of the plurality of in-store CIDs comprises a first CID comprising a touch screen, a keypad, a live assistance call button and a printer all coupled to a processor, wherein activation of the live assistance call button enables at least one of the following:

connection to an answering service operator located locally, connection to an answering service operator located at an in-store customer service desk, connection to an answering service operator located remotely using two-way video conferencing, connection to an answering service operator located remotely using two-way audio conferencing, connection to an answering service operator who can take control of the first CID and remotely deliver visual or audio information to a user of the first CID.

31. The system of claim 30 comprising a first retail facility of the plurality of retail facilities, the first retail facility comprising a plurality of scanners to provide information to the first CID about at least one of the following:

location of items in the first retail facility;

guidance for consumers in the first retail facility;

locating a check-out station in the first retail facility;

locating a help station in the first retail facility;

shopping routes in the first retail facility;

tracking of CIDs provided for consumer use by the retail facility.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein each in-store CID is configured to be adapted to at least one of the following:

a user'"'"'s language choice;

a user'"'"'s physical disabilities.

33. A method of using a supply chain management system comprising a network coupled to a plurality of retail facilities, a remote consumer device, and a plurality of seller devices, the method comprising:

a user accessing the network;

authenticating the user'"'"'s identity;

the user selecting a task from among the following;

shopping, reading a blog, writing a blog, bartering, reading a recipe, submitting a recipe, reading other users'"'"' shopping experience notes, submitting shopping experience notes;

wherein when the user selects shopping, the user then selects a shopping category;

the user generating a shopping list;

submitting the shopping list to one or more of;

a network memory storage device;

the plurality of seller devices;

one or more of the plurality of seller devices generating pricing information relating to the submitted shopping list; and

displaying the shopping list and pricing information to the user.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the user selecting a shopping method.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising sending the shopping list to at least one of the following:

a printing device, an in-store CID, a store;

wherein when the shopping list is sent to a store, the user is provided with a retrieval code for retrieving the shopping list from an in-store device at the store.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the user retrieving the shopping list using an in-store device at the store;

the in-store device planning a shopping route for the user to pick up items on the shopping list;

the in-store device cataloging items picked up by the user in the store; and

the user paying for items picked up at the store using at least one of the following;

the in-store device, a self-serve checkout device.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising generating electronic coupons prior to paying for items picked up at the store.

38. A method of using a supply chain management system comprising a network coupled to a plurality of retail facilities, a remote consumer device, and a plurality of seller devices, the method comprising:

a marketer accessing the network;

the marketer defining a marketing campaign, wherein defining a marketing campaign comprises;

allocating electronic coupons;

defining the quantity and value of the electronic coupons;

defining the time duration of the electronic coupons;

defining the types of consumer information generated in one or more of the retail facilities to trigger offering the electronic coupons to shoppers;

setting a time limit on use of the electronic coupon based on the time the electronic coupon is generated;

implementing electronic coupon generation at one or more of the plurality of retail facilities based on consumer information generated by a shopper while in a given retail facility;

the marketer monitoring the marketing campaign using the network, wherein monitoring the marketing campaign comprises at least one of the following;

generating electronic coupon usage reports;

generating return on investment (ROI) reports;

collecting real-time ROI data on each marketing dollar spent;

modifying the marketing campaign to change one or more characteristics of any generated electronic coupons;

evaluating consumer information provided over the network from one or more of the plurality of retail facilities.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising the marketer adjusting the marketing campaign using the network, wherein adjusting the marketing campaign comprises at least one of the following:

adjusting one or more time limits pertaining to the marketing campaign;

adjusting coupon invalidation deadlines;

adjusting coupon re-issuance to customers after non-use by a previous customer;

adjusting coupon values;

adjusting availability and/or values of coupons in some stores where response is slow.