METHOD TO CREATE A GAME LIKE COMPETITION BETWEEN TWO OR MORE SHOPPERS USING MOBILE SELF CHECKOUT SOFTWARE

• US 20140213366A1
• Filed: 01/31/2013
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores Texas LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Argue, Stuart, Marcar, Anthony Emile
• Application Number:
  US13/756,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20140213366A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list

Abstract

Techniques for allowing customers to participate in a competition while shopping are disclosed. The techniques include electronically joining a first mobile electronic device into a shopping competition among customers at a brick and mortar store. The techniques also include receiving a UPC code from a first physical item at a brick and mortar store into the first mobile electronic device, creating an electronic shopping cart which includes the first item on the first mobile electronic device, assigning a point value to the first mobile electronic device for selecting the first item for purchase, and selecting a winner among competition participants based on points earned by the competition participants in selecting items for purchase.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method comprising:

electronically joining a first mobile electronic device into a shopping competition, the shopping competition being among customers at a brick and mortar store;

receiving a UPC code from a first physical item at the brick and mortar store into the first mobile electronic device;

creating an electronic shopping cart which includes the first physical item on the first mobile electronic device;

assigning a point value to the first mobile electronic device for selecting the first physical item for purchase; and

selecting a winner among competition participants based on points earned by the competition participants in selecting items for purchase.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of electronically joining a first mobile electronic device into a shopping competition includes receiving into the first mobile electronic device a selection of a time period for completing a shopping trip.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of electronically joining a first mobile electronic device into a shopping competition includes receiving into the first mobile electronic device a selection of a number of items for purchase during a shopping trip.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the shopping competition is among customers who are unknown to each other.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of electronically joining a first mobile electronic device into a shopping competition further includes electronically joining a second mobile electronic device into the shopping competition;

and

wherein the method further comprises receiving a UPC code from a second physical item at the brick and mortar store into the second mobile electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of creating an electronic shopping cart which includes the first physical item on the first mobile electronic device more specifically comprises creating a common electronic shopping cart which includes the first physical item and the second physical item and displaying the electronic shopping cart on the first mobile electronic device and the second mobile electronic device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises assigning point values to the first mobile electronic device and assigning point values to the second mobile electronic device as a respective first customer and a respective second customer compete to acquire items from a single shopping list.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving, from a customer, selected point values for items on the shopping list.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method more specifically comprises a server assigning a point value associated with the first physical item based on an attribute of the first physical item selected from the group consisting of the price, weight, bulkiness, difficulty to find, item location in a store, brand, color, and item sponsorship.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method more specifically comprises a server assigning a point value associated with the first physical item based on time to acquire the item.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a prize to a competition winner.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the prize is selected from the group consisting of a coupon, a mobile gift card, a discount, and public recognition.

13. A computer system comprising:

a shopping cart module programmed to;

receive a UPC code from a first physical item at a brick and mortar store into a first mobile electronic device; and

create an electronic shopping cart which includes the first physical item on the first mobile electronic device; and

a competition module programmed to;

electronically join the first mobile electronic device into a shopping competition, the shopping competition being among customers at the brick and mortar store;

assign a point value to the first mobile electronic device for selecting the first physical item for purchase; and

select a winner among competition participants based on points earned by the competition participants in selecting items for purchase.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the competition module is programmed to receive a selection of a time period for completing a shopping trip from the first mobile electronic device to thereby select a competition.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the competition module is programmed to receive a selection of a number of items for purchase during a shopping trip from the first mobile electronic device to thereby select a competition.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the competition module is programmed to electronically join a second mobile electronic device into the shopping competition;

and

wherein the shopping cart module is programmed to;

receiving a UPC code from a second physical item at the brick and mortar store into the second mobile electronic device; and

create a common electronic shopping cart which includes the first physical item and the second physical item and display the electronic shopping cart on the first mobile electronic device and the second mobile electronic device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the competition module is programmed to assign a point value to the first mobile electronic device and assign a point value to the second mobile electronic device as a respective first customer and a respective second customer compete to acquire items from a single shopping list.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the competition module is programmed to receive, from a customer, selected point values for items on the shopping list.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the competition module is programmed to assign a point value associated with the first physical item based on the group consisting of the time to acquire the item, item price, item weight, item bulkiness, difficulty to find the item, item location in a store, item brand, item color, and item sponsorship.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the competition module is programmed to provide a prize to a competition winner.