U.S. patent application number 10/012188 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for personal business service system and method.
Invention is credited to Stevens, Dian.
Application Number | 20020087392 10/012188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22690219 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020087392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stevens, Dian |
July 4, 2002 |
Personal business service system and method
Abstract
A system and method of computerizing traditional companies with
customized individual addressable electronic direct marketing,
self-service automation, and customer care support. The system
contains a private network connecting product companies,
manufacturers, stores, educational institutions, travel companies,
medical providers, financial institutions, and many others to a
specified individual customer. The connection is made to a personal
agent device carried or worn by a participating consumer that
contains local processing means with an interactive display,
security features, optional camera, and wireless communications
with the private network. The invention also includes
communications message boards for home, business, or automobile
with docking stations for personal agent devices.
Inventors: |
Stevens, Dian;
(Hillsborough, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Clifford Kraft
320 Robin Hill Dr.
Naperville
IL
60540
US
|
Family ID: |
22690219 |
Appl. No.: |
10/012188 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10012188 |
Dec 3, 2001 |
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09187728 |
Nov 6, 1998 |
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6327570 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/202 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; A61J 7/0481 20130101; G06Q 30/0201
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/10 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A system for personalized customer service comprising, in
combination: at least one central control node with a processor,
memory means, and communications means, said control node
processing consumer business data from a plurality of participating
business service nodes; a plurality of personal agent devices
providing real-time display of consumer information provided by
said central control node; a communications means whereby said
central control node communicates with said personal agent devices,
said central node transferring consumer information to said
personal agent devices; a communications means whereby said central
control node communicates with said participating business service
nodes, said participating business service nodes transferring
consumer business data to said central control node.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/187,728 filed Nov. 6, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,570 issued
Dec. 4, 2001.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of
Business/Customer Synergy and more particularly to a system and
method of personalized customer service where a private network of
subscribing businesses communicates directly with customers via
personal agent devices to create customer loyalty, provide direct
sales information prior to purchase, provide feedback and customer
profiles to participating businesses, and provide a host of
customer/business services.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Traditionally businesses have operated independently of one
another. When a customer enters a store, the business has tried to
capture his or her attention by various signs, displays, etc. The
store has little or no data about the customer or his or her buying
habits, desires, etc., except that generated at the point of sale.
Some stores have tried to use subscriber cards to track customer
profiles and buying patterns. However, this use has been very
limited and has involved at most one business or one chain of
businesses.
[0006] Human beings are generally interested in certain subjects
and are interested in information about bargains, specials,
sweepstakes, and other buying advantages. As consumers, they do not
mind being made aware of this information if it could be presented
in a selective manner rather than a barrage of useless advertising
or junk mail.
[0007] In the past, businesses have run internal point-of-sale
systems, inventory systems, etc. but have not communicated with
other businesses at the direct point of sale. No systems exist
where businesses communicate both with other businesses, directly
with a customer, and where the system can sense when a customer is
near some specific product of interest in the store, or in the
immediate range of the store or neighboring vicinity.
[0008] What is badly needed is a means where different stores,
product companies, and businesses in different lines of supply
could track customers as well as specials etc. on various services
and merchandise, and where this information could be shared with a
specific individual customer in an intelligent manner between that
customer and businesses in synergy as well as selectively with
other interested customers. What is badly needed is a personal
agent device that a participating customer could carry or wear that
could communicate with a private network of subscribing businesses.
This agent would provide real-time information to the customer with
selected interest that is tailored to the individual needs and
desires of an individual customer and the specified service, store,
or product business. In addition this agent would allow the
customer and subscribing businesses to communicate with a master
controller and database. In this way, customer profiles could be
generated that would allow information to be tailored to a specific
customer. In addition, with micro-communicator chips placed on
products, that customer's personal agent device could communicate
directly with individual products information about the product
that would be of interest to that customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention relates to a system and method that will
computerize traditional companies with customized individual
addressable electronic direct marketing, self-service automation,
and customer care support. This system comprises a private network
that connects product companies, manufacturers, stores, educational
institutions, travel companies, health-sport-wellness facilities,
medical providers, community resources, financial institutions, and
many others to a specified individual customer. The purpose of the
present invention is to provide the hardware, software, firmware,
midware, and other support including a network to develop bonded
relationships across many channels with participating businesses
and consumers.
[0010] The system provides a private computer network whereby
subscriber businesses can communicate directly and continuously
with participating customers to provide real-time data concerning
products, prices, customer supplied needs, anticipated customer
needs, money exchange at point of sale, customer tailored
offerings, and many other derived benefits. Because of the network
nature of the present invention, subscriber businesses can share
synergy where customer purchases or indicated interests can be used
to formulate or derive new offerings tailored to a specific
customer. This synergy can extend between businesses offering
related products but also between businesses offering apparently
unrelated products where the present invention identifies
relationships in buying and need patterns that may not be apparent
without detailed analysis. The synergy can be achieved through the
use of one or more master nodes in the private computer network.
The master node(s) can be equipped with considerable computer and
communications capabilities including databasing, ability to
perform complicated mathematical procedures such as statistics, and
the ability to interface with numerous other services such as the
internet, intra-nets, the telephone system, wireless systems such
as satellite cellphone and others, and interaction with any number
of remote databases. It could also interface to cable TV systems
and private cable and fiber optic systems.
[0011] While the present invention contains many features and
sub-parts, the primary concept of the invention can be divided into
four major parts: 1) A private computer communications network
comprising one or more master control points that allows continuous
two-way communications with participating customers. 2) In-store
local wireless communication professional units that subscribing
businesses can optionally install in their stores to provide wide
bandwidth immediate communications with a customer (through a
customer private agent device) at all times that the customer may
be in or even near the store (ie. passing by on the sidewalk). 3)
Private agent communications devices that can be carried by
participating customers that allow medium bandwidth communications
with the private network and wide bandwidth communications with
in-store units. This device can contain many features including a
read/write screen and audio cuing. 4) A communications message
board that can generally reside in a participating customer's home
or car that can display and provide a summary of activity/status of
the other integrated products via a wide band communications path
into the private network. In addition to providing specialized
information previously mentioned, this device can provide all the
normal computer network features such as e-mail, voice-mail,
internet access, etc. This communications board can be a
specialized device or a modified PC computer known in the art.
[0012] The private network with one or more master control points
is the communication and coordination means of the present
invention. This network allows wideband digital or analog
communications of data, pictures, video, and any other manner of
information between master control points, subscriber businesses,
and participating users. This network can contain a plurality of
layers of communications protocol and can be optimally designed to
connect, supply, and receive information from the actual users of
the system. The master control points can create the synergy
between integrated parts of the system by means of databases,
statistics, internet access, mathematical analysis, queuing, and
expert systems. While most embodiments of this invention would have
at least one master control point, it is possible to make use of
many of the features of the present invention with no master
control point. The private network would use servers, computers,
and communications media to connect businesses, master control
points, and customers. The actual physical transport media may be
telephone lines, wireless channels, Asynchronous Transfer Mode ATM,
Internet Protocol (IP), cell phones, private T1 lines, coaxial
cable, or any other physical transport means known now or that will
most certainly come along in the future during the life of this
invention. Any means that can transport data, video, pictures,
analog voice and/or signals can be part of the physical layer of
the private network. Higher layers of the communications hierarchy
of this network can include queuing, repeat/request ARQ, forward
error correcting codes, error detection, and all other means and
methods known in the art of data communications.
[0013] The in-store local wireless communications system could be a
radio frequency (RF) system totally integrated into a store or
business. This system would be used to provide immediate wideband
two-way communications with any participating customer in its
range. Its range would be limited to the interior of the store and
the immediate vicinity outside the store as allowed by law (for
example radio communications laws promulgated by the Federal
Communications Commission). The preferred method of operating this
system is by spread spectrum, multiple access (such as code
division multiple access (CDMA) or like). However, any means for
communication digital data, pictures, video, and analog signals are
within the scope of the present invention including cable and fiber
optics. The in-store system would contain a hub or controller point
that was a node of the private network already mentioned. While
this feature is desirable and necessary for synergy, it is not
essential to the invention since stores could operate as
independent entities if desired or needed (for example during
periods of possible communication failure or the main network). In
the latter case of temporary independent operation, all data that
would normally be transmitted into the private network would be
stored and transmitted as soon as possible when the private network
was again available.
[0014] The private agent communications device would be a small,
battery powered unit carried or worn by a participating customer.
This agent device would have the ability to communicate at medium
bandwidth directly into the private network by cell phone,
wireless, satellite, or by any other communications means that is
now available or that will become available during the life of this
invention. This agent device should contain a read/write screen for
two-way personal communications with the device, a local processor
unit which preferably is a microprocessor, but could be a
hard-wired controller either digital or analog. This processor can
be stand-alone or embedded into micro-chips with other functions.
This agent device can also contain a microphone and audio
transducer (possibly combination) for audio communication with the
user. Voice recognition and speech synthesis algorithms can be
used. In addition, this agent device can contain a smartcard
reader, transfer port whereby this agent can directly transfer data
to another such agent or into a docking port, memory (both long
term and short term), fingerprint reader, bar code scanner, point
of sale terminal interface, click and capture means such as a
button, pressure switch, or any other switch means, standard voice
telephone, voice mail storage, earphone, digital camera, keyed door
lock interface, organizer (for storage of schedules, phone books,
receipts, to-do list), micro-response chip interface, medication
pill box, virtual personal banker, and many other possible
features.
[0015] The communications message board can reside in the
participating user's home, car or workplace and can act as a data
transfer interface and alternate high speed update means for the
personal agent device. This message board could be part of a
standard computer such as a personal computer (PC), or it could be
a special device. It could be equipped with normal and special
screens for viewing pictures or videos as well as regular graphic
or textual communication such as printed pages, e-mail, etc. The
communications message board could also control smoke and CO
detectors as well as other house or building sensors. Since the
communications message board can be placed in a fixed location, it
can communicate with the private network, as well as the internet
and other networks, by fixed land-line telephone, TV cable, in
building fiber optics, or any other communications transport medium
that exists now or may come along during the life of this
invention. Since this feature may not be portable, it can have
heavier, higher resolution components such as screens or monitors
as well as much larger screens than what might be possible on the
personal agent device. This feature could also optionally act as a
standard personal computer with such standard software as word
processors, financial packages, direct marketing, secondary
educational programming, medical consultation, etc.
[0016] An optional feature of the present invention is device that
will be called a micro-communicator chip or product microchip. This
can be a small electronic device that would be responsive to a
local radio frequency or optical inquiry. This device would be
placed on or in any type of physical product. When a customer
carrying a complementary interface (which can be provided on the
personal agent device previously described or in a stand-alone
unit) passes close to one of these micro-communicator chips, the
chip will respond with information about that specific product. The
micro-communicator chip can be battery powered, but the preferred
method of operation is to let it be passive responding to radio
frequency or optical interrogation by means of power subtraction
from the incoming signal known in the art. For example, in one
embodiment of the present invention, as a customer carrying or
wearing a personal agent device passes near a product (such as a
tube of toothpaste), the product micro-communicator chip would
receive a global interrogation from the interface on the personal
agent. The product chip would subtract power from the incoming
signal and respond with a coded message that would be returned
immediately to the personal agent. The message could stop here, or
the personal agent could supply information "up the line" to the
in-store system and even on through the private network that the
customer is near the product. In the usual method of operation, the
personal agent would notify the in-store system that the customer
is near that product. The in-store system might determine that
there is a "special" on that product or some other piece of
information that the customer might want to know based either on
buying history (obtained over the private network when the customer
entered the store) or on the store's history of that customer. The
in-store system would then send the necessary detailed information
to the personal agent which might beep, or otherwise notify the
customer that there is something of interest on the screen about
that product.
[0017] The scope of the present invention allows many different
embodiments and features all of which will become more fully
apparent from the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is an node diagram overview of the present invention
showing a private network, a customer private agent, and an
in-store professional system.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of an embodiment of a
master node with various communications means and a personal agent
device.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a personal
agent.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a conceptual front view of an embodiment of a
personal agent.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a conceptual back view of an embodiment of a
personal agent.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the internal design of a
possible embodiment of a customer private agent.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a conceptual view of an embodiment of a
communications message board.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the internal design of a
possible embodiment of a communications message board.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a generic embodiment of a
professional unit.
[0028] FIG. 11 is an overview of an in-store system showing the
store component and the wireless interface to the private
agent.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the operation of a
product microchip system or package signalling system.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a product
microchip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Turning to FIG. 1 a overview block diagram of the units
involved in the present invention can be seen. It should be noted
that the private network backbone communications system is not
shown in FIG. 1. Professional products 9 are special purpose
hardware/software units that are installed in traditional brick and
mortar businesses (business that have fixed locations like stores).
Professional products are specifically tailored to various
subscribing businesses, and provide customer services, educational
services and medical business support depending on location.
Professional products can be tailored to virtually any fixed
location business. The professional product cluster shown in FIG. 1
represents a type of professional product that might be found in a
grocery store. This embodiment contains a self-checkout unit 45
where a consumer could check themselves out of a store without the
aid of store personnel, and in-store wireless system 12, and a
barcode scanner 46. The barcode scanner 46 is part of the
self-checkout unit 45. In a self-checkout system, a customer can
place all items to be purchased on a conveyor belt or other
convenient means where they are automatically weighed, scanned, or
otherwise priced. Totals are conveyed to the customer visually and
back through the customer's personal agent device 11 if that
customer has one. The self-checkout unit 45 can accept credit or
store cards for payment, or can request the customer's personal
agent device 11 to make the funds transfer electronically. The
payment means is optional, with virtually any payment means within
the scope of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a personal agent device 11 which is portable
and carried by the participating consumer. This device supplies all
types of data and information to the consumer and acts as a
personal agent in the sense of taking on numerous details in the
consumer's life and keeping track of them. The embodiment of the
personal agent device 11 shown in FIG. 1 contains an optional light
53, camera 52 and key door lock interface 50. The light 53 can be
general purpose and act as a small flashlight or map light, etc.
The camera 52 can be used to record scenes, or for facial
identification in a personal feature security system. The personal
agent 11 also can contain wireless communications 56 of various
types including in-store local wireless, cellular telephone,
satellite wireless, and any other type of wireless communications
that may be developed during the life of this invention.
[0033] The personal agent device 11 is shown in FIG. 1 with an
optional ring and/or bracelet attachment 48. These local devices
can contain barcode scanners, small cameras, or other sensor
devices. They interface with the personal agent 11 as optional arms
and legs. An example of the use of a ring 48 barcode scanner is as
follows: The consumer wants to obtain information about a product
that he or she has spotted on the store shelf. This particular
product does not happen to contain any advanced communication
method such as a product microchip. The user can scan the barcode
off the product and into the personal agent 11 via radio, optical,
or physical link. Once the coded stock number is in the personal
agent 11, it can be communicated to a cooperating store computer
via wireless 56. The cooperating store computer can return complete
product information to the personal agent 11 again via wireless 56.
The personal agent device 11 can then display the complete product
information including price, nutrition content, fact that the
product is on sale, and any other product information on the
display screen of the personal agent device 11.
[0034] FIG. 1 also shows an optional key door lock interface 50 and
a cooperating lock 51. Here a subscribing hotel or motel business
could allow the personal agent 11 which has totally verified the
identity of its present possessor as the correct owner to
automatically open the lock 51 on a hotel room, or any other
location with a lock, by simply passing the lock interface 50 near
the lock. It should be noted that the lock interface 50 could be
located in the ring or bracelet 48 already discussed, or it could
be conveniently located directly on the personal agent device
11.
[0035] FIG. 1 also shows a communication message board 54 and a
docking station 55. The communication message board 54 is a device
that can be located in a home, office, or car that acts as a larger
extension of the personal agent device 11. The communication
message board 54 will be subsequently discussed in more detail; it
can contain a screen, keyboard, other data entry means, provide
email services, phone voice mail services, and many other types of
personal services that are extensions of those services provided by
the personal agent device 11. The docking station 55 allows the
personal agent device 11 to download and upload data from the
communications message board 54. Total data synchronization is
possible between the two devices.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 2 a node diagram of the present invention
can be seen. At least one master node or central control node 1 is
interconnected in a private network. There may be additional or
alternate master nodes 2 in such a network. Coupled with each
master node is a processor 3 with possible databases 4. The master
node processor 3 is able to communicate with, search, and update
these databases 4.
[0037] The private network can be configured in a manner similar to
business private networks known in the art with servers,
communication nodes, and other means for transferring data between
nodes on the network. This structure is known in the art and is not
shown in FIG. 2.
[0038] The private network can contain several to many
communication nodes 5. These communication nodes 5 can communicate
with each other and with subscribers via wireless 8, cellular
telephone 6, landline, wideband data pipes, fiber optics, or any
other network communication means that is in use today or that will
allow internode network communication in the future. In other words
a plurality of communication nodes 5 can communicate via state of
the art access means including wireless communication 6,8 with each
other and to subscribing business nodes 9 called professional units
or personal agents 11 described in the next paragraph. This
communication can be by wireless or cellular telephone or any other
communications method or by direct link such as landline telephone
or fiber optics.
[0039] One feature of the present invention is a personal agent
device 11 carried or worn by a user as a portable or mobile
communication/data node. This personal agent 11 will be described
in much greater detail in what follows; however, for the purposes
of what FIG. 2 shows, there are a plurality of personal agent
devices 11 interacting and communicating with the private network
by various access means including, but certainly not limited to,
cellular telephone data communications. Personal agent devices can
display, process, and present data to the participating consumer as
well as store data about the consumer and his or her likes,
dislikes, preferences, etc. The personal agent device 11 can read
or sense data from keypads, ball or mouse type devices, smartcard
readers, bar code readers and any other type of data or sensor
input device that exists now or may be developed during the life of
this invention.
[0040] A major feature of the present invention is the subscriber
business professional unit 9. This is a special hardware/software
combination that is present on the premises of a subscribing
business. The unit provides and interface with existing in-store
data storage, data processing, and point of sale devices. The
professional unit 9 allows a given subscribing business to directly
provide information about that business and its products to
customers who are physically in or near that business.
Communications between the subscribing business professional unit
and a consumer for the most part takes place directly with the
consumer's personal agent device. While communications can take
place by the usual access methods 6, 8 through consumer access
means already mentioned, the preferred method is by in-store
wideband local wireless communications directed from in-store local
communications nodes 12. In this manner, large amounts of data can
be exchanged between the business's professional unit 9 and the
consumer's personal agent 11. A preferred method with today's
technology is wideband code division multiple access (CDMA). This
communications method known in the art allows a plurality of users
to communicate with a central node without interference with each
other by radio frequency wireless in a local area or predetermined
radius such as within the boundary of a building 13.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed drawing of a possible
embodiment of a master node or central control node and a personal
agent device. The master node processor 3 communicates high speed
data with storage devices containing databases and memory means
such as random access memory (RAM) 4 and a subscriber control
interface 14 which is a location where a system owner or controller
can configure and control the nodes of a system in terms of who
should and should not be on the network, security control,
passwords, new subscribers, old subscribers, deletions, and a host
of other administrative network functions. The subscriber control
interface 14 can simply be a terminal, a personal computer or
workstation, or a mainframe computer system or any other means for
network subscriber control. The central control node or master node
processor 3 would have the capability of performing complex
statistical analysis of consumer business data and product sales
information (records of sales from various participating
businesses) to predict trends, target specific interested consumers
in special products or promotions, or provide feedback to
participating businesses on the success or failure of various
advertising or promotions.
[0042] The control node processor 3 communicates into a server 15
and from there into a network 16 constructed according to known
techniques such as those used with the internet, intra-nets, local
area networks, and others. In particular the server 15 can
communicate with T1 17, landline 18, and cellular telephone 6 as
well as with wideband techniques such as asynchronous transfer mode
(ATM), internet protocol (IP), and digital video 20. Modern packet
techniques such as ATM and IP are especially useful with the
present invention. The central control node can receive and
transmit consumer business data to and from various parts of the
private network. Consumer business data can consist of buying
patterns, sales records, consumer rewards, and many other types of
consumer information including age, race, and gender of the
consumer. This type of information would only be available from
participating consumers who have agreed to have this type of data
used by the system.
[0043] FIG. 3 also shows a slightly more detailed block diagram of
a personal agent device 11 which contains a user input interface 21
and at least a display 22. The personal agent device can also
contain a wireless 8 and cellular telephone 6 interface. Personal
agent devices can communicate by cellular telephone 23, wireless,
or by direct hookup as through a docking port, a telephone
connection, a fiber connection, a optical connection, or any other
communications means. As will be explained, a personal agent device
can contain many more features than are shown in FIG. 3.
[0044] FIG. 4 shows a conceptual drawing of a possible embodiment
of a personal agent device. The device contains a display screen
28, calculator function keys, special function keys, a calendar, a
fold up antenna 31, and a writing instrument such as an interface
pen 30. The personal agent device can be mounted in a plastic case
25 with a folding plastic top 26 so that the device can fold into a
flat assembly when not open. The rear side and front side of the
folded device may also contain controls and features.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows a flat view of an embodiment of a personal
agent device in the open configuration. The display screen 28 can
be a flat screen such as a liquid crystal, standard display, or
other display means known in the art. The display 28 can present
real-time displays of information of interest to the consumer
including any transaction the personal agent is involved in or any
consumer information or data sent to the personal agent from the
central node such as advertisements or bonuses of interest to the
consumer. The device can contain an area 29 shown in FIG. 5 as a
rectangle that may consist of a barcode reader, fingerprint
scanner, or other optical interface.
[0046] The personal agent can contain a plurality of keys for
special purposes. Keys 33 can be used for commonly accessed
personal functions such as email, fax, clock, schedule access, date
setting, etc. The personal agent can contain a calendar display 35
as well as a standard calculator interface 36. Many other keys 34
can be provided to control various functions of the personal agent
including off/on, screen brightness, barcode scan, click and
capture (explained subsequently), PC interface, and menu control
where various menus can be displayed and chosen from on the display
28.
[0047] The personal agent device can contain a local processor that
can be a microprocessor, a special processor, a digital signal
processor, or any other processor means. A typical example would be
an embedded processor that mimics processors like the Pentium chip
made by Intel Corporation. This processor can drive an interactive
display 28 such as a liquid crystal or similar device to input and
output data from the processor. The personal agent can contain the
ability to communicate with the private network via cellular
telephone, wireless, or any other data communications means that
exists now or will exist during the life of the present invention.
Such wireless communication can take place via a shared antenna 31
that can telescope to optimum length when the user desires
communications. The personal agent device is capable of receiving
some types of wireless communications such as cellular telephone
and in-store local wireless with the antenna in the folded
position. This facilitates reception of data, store customer
capture, and data updating when the unit is folded up and in a
standby mode.
[0048] The personal agent can contain a smartcard reader to read
data or video clips, an example of which would be using person's
exact measurements to allow the consumer to virtually try on
clothing. In this mode, the subscribing business would attach a
smartcard onto a piece of clothing that might be for sale. The
smartcard could contain enough data about the particular garment,
that with the consumers measurements (either supplied by the
consumer, or taken automatically with automated measurement systems
known in the art), a simulator software system could provide a
video or picture output of what the consumer would look like
wearing the particular garment. This virtual try-on software system
could reside on a store supplied computer with a large display, or
could reside in the personal agent. If the personal agent did not
have enough computing resources to make this computation, it could
communicate all the input data including personal measurements into
the private network for computation at the master node or elsewhere
in the network. The final image could then be transmitted back to
the personal agent for display.
[0049] The personal agent can contain memory and disk storage
features to store files containing data and picture information.
This feature can also be implemented by flash memory or
electrically writable memory. The personal agent can save
information such as memos and receipts as well as information
coming in from the private network or an in-store system.
[0050] The personal agent can be optionally equipped with a
fingerprint reader (contained in 29 in FIG. 5) that will verify
that the user is the designated consumer and not someone else.
Optionally, PIN numbers or passwords could be used. The personal
agent can also be equipped with face feature recognition, and voice
recognition to identify that the true owner of the personal agent
is the one currently using it. Many different levels of entry
security are possible with the present invention.
[0051] The personal agent can be equipped with a microphone 37 and
voice recognition system to recognize a large number of prestored
spoken commands. Optionally, the personal agent can be equipped
with synthesized voice for to used with a set of reminder messages.
Reminder messages could be used as part of a personal calendar or
organizer to remind the user of a pending meeting or some other
event that the user programs to be reminded of.
[0052] The personal agent can be optionally equipped with a barcode
reader (part of 29 in FIG. 5) in order to interface with barcode
systems employed in various businesses. With this feature, a
consumer could scan barcodes on products in a selected store to
obtain information from an in-store system on that product. In this
scenario, the consumer who was in the store and in wideband
communications with the in-store system would scan a barcode (that
would yield a stock number) into the personal agent. The personal
agent would then convey that stock number over the in-store
wireless system to the store professional unit. The professional
unit would return any sales information on that or possibly related
products to the consumer's personal agent for display. For example,
the store's professional unit might notify the consumer that that
product is being sold at a certain price, but that the store is
having a sale on a very similar different product. The personal
agent device can optionally be provided with a notification means
or button to alert store personnel or salespersons that the
consumer desires help in either making a selection or completing a
transaction.
[0053] Another possible use of a barcode reader in the personal
agent is when a consumer decides to purchase a certain item. The
personal agent can again request the price from the store's
professional unit, display it so that the consumer can verify that
the price is correct in the store's computer, and then add that
product to a list maintained by the personal agent of purchases.
The personal agent can display a running total of cost including
computed sales tax so that the consumer knows at all times while in
the store how much he or she has spent. The personal agent could
also keep track of coupons and discounts being offered by the
store.
[0054] In participating stores, the personal agent could interface
directly with the point of sale terminal at checkout feeding in a
complete list of purchased barcode stock numbers to the point of
sale terminal avoiding the necessity for the store to rescan each
item. The personal agent should allow for easy subtraction of items
or late addition of new items should the customer change his or her
mind. The barcode reader could be a part of the personal agent
device package, or it could be in the form of a detachable wearable
bracelet, ring, or necklace.
[0055] The personal agent could also optionally contain a click and
capture means where if the user is in close proximity of a store
sign or display that is notifying the consumer of some special
offer, the user could simply click and capture the information for
display or processing. The personal agent device can also
optionally be used to customize frequent shopper awards when that
is allowed and direct the consumer to "deals" or sales that would
increase some sort of frequent shopper or frequent flyer award
(such as stores that offer frequent flyer miles for dollars
spent).
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a conceptual view of a possible embodiment of
the back of a personal agent, again in the unfolded position. On
the first face, one can clearly see in FIG. 6 a set of standard
telephone touch tone keys 41 and a cellular telephone interface
microphone 39 and earpiece 38. The earpiece 38 can optionally be
made to fold down and provide an outside cover for the personal
agent device.
[0057] The cellular telephone communications 38, 39, 41 can be used
without interaction from the consumer in direct communications with
the private network. In addition, the user could use the personal
agent to place and receive normal cellular telephone calls if
desired. The personal agent can be capable of storing and
retrieving voice mail. The preferred manner of doing this is by
compressing the messages using voice compression algorithms like
ADPCM or others providing from 2:1, 4:1 or higher compression
ratios. Voice compression can be accomplished with commercially
available special purpose integrated circuits well known in the
art. The first face shown in FIG. 6 can also be equipped with
special purpose keys 40 to control reception, storage, and routing
of voice mail messages, and pre-programmed telephone numbers.
[0058] The second face of the personal agent device shown in FIG. 6
can contain special purpose keys for personal use and comfort 42,
45 that can be programmed to open house doors, garage doors, turn
on house lights, open a car door, open a car trunk, turn on car
lights. While only five such keys are shown in FIG. 6, a personal
agent device could be equipped with as many as needed.
[0059] FIG. 6 also shows an optional feature of the personal agent
device which is a medication dispenser 43. This is a series of
compartments that can hold and dispense pills or capsules of
prescribed medication to the owner/consumer. Pill dispensing and
control could be an automatic reminder supplied by the processor,
or could be by direct key control 44 on the back of the personal
agent case.
[0060] The optional pillbox/pill dispenser can hold several
different medications required by a participating consumer. The
personal agent can also contain dispensing and reminder
instructions entered directly from the professional unit at the
doctor's office. The personal agent can remind the consumer to take
a certain medication at the proper time, and actually dispense that
pill or capsule to the consumer on request. The personal agent can
check that the doctor's instructions are being obeyed in terms of
which medication and when it should be taken. The personal agent,
through doctor's professional unit and the private network, can
cross-check each new prescription with an expert database against
any other medication from any other provider that the patient is
taking for any dangers of cross interaction between drugs. If any
such danger is found, the doctor could be given immediate feedback
on his or her professional unit so that reconsideration can be
given to that prescription. The pill dispenser can consist of a
mechanical device that dispenses a single pill of the commanded
type under processor control. Any mechanical dispenser such as
those already known in the art are compatible and within the scope
of the present invention as long as chosen pills or capsules can be
dispensed upon command from processor electronics.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a
personal agent device. The device can contain a processor 58. This
processor 58 can be a microprocessor, an Application Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable device, or a hard-wired
processor. The preferred processor is an embedded processor that
will emulate the Intel 80XX-86 series including the Pentium and
Pentium derivative processors. In this manner, some operating
system features such as MS-DOS or Windows function calls and data
and/or task management could be used.
[0062] The processor 58 drives a display screen 28 which can be a
liquid crystal display, a flat electronic display, or any other
display means known in the art for portable use. Key inputs to the
processor 58 can be obtained with a key input controller 59. This
controller 59 interfaces with all the special purpose keys on the
device and provides appropriate inputs and possible interrupts to
the processor 58 by methods known in the art. The processor also
uses a random access memory (RAM memory) 61 for fast read/write
operations known in the computer art. This RAM memory 61 can be
contained internal to the processor 58 or can be external. A
read-only memory (ROM memory) 62 can be used to store firmware and
hard data tables. This ROM memory 62 can be internal to the
processor 58 or external, and can consist partially of flash memory
or electrically programmable memory.
[0063] A disk storage unit or micro-disk 60 can be used to store
large amounts of data and files. Interface between the disk 60 and
the processor 58 can be by a variety of standard methods known in
the art such as bus access or backplane access methods that have
been miniaturized. PCI, ISA, and other standards could be used.
Data stored on the micro-disk 60 should be compressed using data
compression algorithms well known in the art to conserve space. All
video and audio storage should be digital and should be compressed
by methods well known in the art to achieve optimum storage use in
light of required fidelity.
[0064] Specialized input/output (I/O) devices can be interfaced
with the processor 58 via an optional I/O interface 62. The
preferred method is to use such an interface to allow a unified
approach to handling diverse I/O devices such as a microphone 63,
camera 52, barcode reader, keylock interface 50, light 53,
fingerprint scanning device 65, and numerous other possibilities
for I/O devices.
[0065] The processor 58 could communicate with the private network,
in-store networks, and possibly other private agents with a
wireless communications interface 56. This could be a licensed or
unlicensed service depending on power and bandwidth requirements.
Capability for communication in allocated unlicensed bands is
highly desirable for the present invention. Various communication
techniques could be used such as code division multiple access
(CDMA), ATM, IP packet techniques, and other wireless techniques
also including standard FM and AM signalling.
[0066] The personal agent device could also contain a cellular
telephone 64 that would allow normal voice cellular calls and voice
mail as well as possible data communications with the private
network in the event that wireless communications was not available
or feasible in a given location or situation. Both the cellular
telephone 64 and the wireless communications module 56 could have a
common interface and standard for data transfer out of and into the
processor 58.
[0067] The personal agent can be optionally equipped with a
Geostationary Satellite Receiver (GPS) 46 which would be able to
determine the exact longitude and latitude of the personal agent at
all times. This feature could be used to notify the central control
node, business professional units, the communications message
board, or other personal agents of the device's location. This
feature would be especially useful for parents who wish to track or
locate their teenagers. This feature could optionally be turned off
for privacy anytime the user felt that he or she did not want
anyone else to be able to track their location. The output signal
from the GPS receiver 46 (if so equipped) would be fed directly
into the processor 58 via the special I/O interface 62. This signal
could consist of longitude and latitude coordinates without further
decoding.
[0068] The personal agent can optionally access networks via the
private network that contain magazines, newspapers, reference
books, trade journals, and all other manner of published material.
The personal agent could be used in this mode as a personal library
assistant and reader. The user would simply enter what he or she
wanted to access or the user could enter initiate a search on an
existing network for the material desired. After the printed
material is downloaded, the personal agent can page through the
material using the display screen 28, provide virtual dogears and
underlining, font and page size adjustment, and possibly
interactive stories. Again, stored text could be compressed using
compression techniques well known in the art and available through
commercial sources such as specialized integrated circuits. The
personal agent device can optionally contain an extra display
screen for ease in reading books and magazines. This would be
especially useful to students where the ability to flip back and
forth between books is important.
[0069] An optional feature of the personal agent could be a digital
camera 52 (that could be attachable) that would take, process, and
store pictures. Pictures could also be electronically sent to or
received from other users of other personal agents. Pictures of the
user's face could also be used in a personal feature identification
security system.
[0070] Personal agent devices can be used to provide announcements
to other such devices in a mode where one consumer either
communicates or posts messages or announcements for other
consumers. Routing of such announcements could be indexed by
subject by the master node and sent via the private network to all
other consumers whose profiles indicate a possible interest.
Personal agents can optionally contain miniaturized printers for
hardcopy output.
[0071] The keylock interface 50 can be a special feature of the
personal agent that would work in cooperation with a subscribing
hotel or motel to unlock or lock the door directly from the
personal agent. The professional unit at the hotel would assign a
keycode number and communicate it to the personal agent at check-in
time. This keycode could be used by the personal agent during the
stay to eliminate the need for any type of room key. At check-in
time, the personal agent could also communicate any customer
preference that would be prestored to the hotel professional unit
such as type of room, number of beds, non-smoking, etc. The hotel
professional unit would assign the most favorable room based on the
consumer's preference, availability, and requested price range.
[0072] The personal agent can be used as a personal banker
transferring funds and directly making purchases and paying for
them under user command or programming. The personal agent could
optionally interact with a credit card account supplying the
correct information to make purchases. This feature would normally
be available after proper identification of the user with the
fingerprint reader 65, camera 52, voice 63, or other identification
means.
[0073] In a preferred, but optional mode, the personal agent can
communicate using encrypted data. Any encryption means or method
can be used and is compatible with the personal agent. A possible
encryption scheme is a public key system well known in the art.
Another means is the DES algorithm or similar algorithm in wide
use. In addition, other encryption systems can be utilized for data
security such as one-time pad systems. Data encryption should
always be used on any data involving money transactions, private
data such as medical data, and other sensitive data transfers.
Encryption is optional on general data transfers. In addition, if
the personal agent device were used as a bill paying device or
personal banker, it would provide an optional verification provided
by the receiver of the funds that the bill was paid. This could be
accomplished again by a public key encryption system or other
verification methods.
[0074] Since the personal agent can contain a powerful processing
means, it can continue to provide service to the consumer when it
has lost communications with the private network. It can continue
to store data and display and operate on data that it has stored.
When communications is restored, it should synchronize its data
with the network, picking up any messages that should have been
sent to it and sending any outgoing messages that it has. In
addition, it is optionally possible for personal agent devices to
directly communicate with other personal agent devices either by
local wireless communications or by cellular telephone. In a store
or business, the personal agent could contain a button that would
call for a customer representative or salesperson to aid in the
sale.
[0075] The personal agent should be battery powered. The processor,
memories, and other features that comprise the personal agent are
designed to use minimum power. The battery should be rechargeable.
This can normally be accomplished by docking the personal agent in
a docking station, or with a plug in battery charger well known in
the art.
[0076] FIG. 8 is a conceptual flat view of a communications message
board previously described. The unit can be assembled in a plastic
case 66 and made to reside in a home, car, office, or other
convenient fixed location. The message board can be equipped with a
display screen 67 that can be used for displaying any manner of
message, product information, email, communications, lists, or any
other data, or information that can be displayed. This screen 67
can also act as the monitor screen if the device is used as a
standard personal computer (PC). The message board embodiment of
FIG. 8 can be equipped with a microphone and speaker or earphone
(not shown), and a volume control 77 to control sound volume. A
special window 75 can display caller ID for the internal cellular
telephone and act as a calendar display. A telephone touch-tone
keypad 76 can be provided for standard touch tone (DTMF) out
dialing. Special keys 70 containing emergency numbers can be
provided for fast dialing of numbers like 911, fire, police,
towing, or office. The unit can be equipped with numerous other
special function keys 73, 74 to control email, fax, phone messages,
games, music, records, and inputs from personal agent devices,
either by wireless, or directly through docking ports. The
communications message board can be equipped with a printer or
other hardcopy device.
[0077] The communications message board can optionally handle and
sort and/or reject e-mail. Incoming e-mail could be stored in
virtual folders. The user could instruct the message board to sort
incoming e-mail from friends and family members differently than
messages relating to personal or business interest. Sorting could
be accomplished on source of message or on the subject line.
Unrecognized messages or advertisements could be stored in a manner
that could be customized by the user (volume discount or coupons,
alphabetized, other prioritized interest). The message board could
refuse e-mail based on user defined criteria such as content,
keywords, or source of message.
[0078] If the unit is used in a car, special purpose keys 69 can
control house door locks, garage door, houselights, bring up maps,
etc. It should be noted that the communications message board can
be used in a house, a car, a business, or anywhere else where a
permanent or mobile connection to the private network can be made.
In a car application, communications with the private network could
be through the car's cellular telephone, special wireless, or any
other means of mobile communication. In a car application, the
communications message board could be powered by the car's
electrical system. The car system could also be used to interface
with automatic toll payment systems, gas pumps, and other car
service systems. In addition, the communications message board in a
car could screen with a map or optional GPS system, use
pre-programmed telephone numbers to dial for road or emergency
service such as police or ambulance. It could also maintain car
maintenance records such as time to oil change, tuneup, tire air
pressure, warranties, and contents of a first aid kit.
[0079] An optional feature of the communication message board could
be medication control for prescribed medications for various family
members. Medications could be kept in a special compartment 72 and
dispensed or reminded by the device for family members or other
groups. Medication data could be entered or controlled by sets of
special keys 70.
[0080] The communications message board could also act as a
personal banker by communicating directly with participating banks.
A special panel 68 of bank interface controls can be provided
including payment, transfer, balance, add, deduct, and receipt
keys. In addition, the message board could include a smartcard
money holder or a bankcard reader 78. The communications message
board can also optionally include a printer or hardcopy device. In
any personal banking operation, the personal agent device would use
encryption and verification/authenticatio- n techniques known in
the art to verify and authorize transactions.
[0081] The communications message board can be optionally equipped
with docking stations to dock personal agents (not shown). These
docking stations would allow personal agents to transfer and
receive at high data rates large amounts of data such as
photographs, books, or very large files the would take considerable
time to transfer by wireless means. Docking stations would also
allow convenient battery recharge of the personal agent as well.
Docking stations could provide a means for data synchronization of
critical files between the communications message board and the
personal agent device such as medical or personal preference
files.
[0082] The docking station can be in the consumer's home or
workplace. The consumer can dock his or her personal agent into
this unit upon returning home. The unit would begin to charge the
batteries in the personal unit while uploading any new information
stored in the personal agent. The docking unit could then download
any new status or information to the personal agent that had not
been transmitted by some other means such as wireless
communication. This is necessary since some information is not time
sensitive or important for immediate reading by the personal unit.
To save the higher cost of wireless communication, this information
would be loaded into the personal agent in bulk during this docking
period.
[0083] The docking unit could also act as a centralized
communication message board with access to email, voice mail, the
internet, fax, various intra-nets and the private network. This
unit could provide store mailers, new product offerings,
manufacturer coupons, and any general announcement that the
consumer might be interested in but that doesn't have a critical
time value where it would be transmitted directly to the personal
agent by wireless or cellular telephone.
[0084] This docking/message unit could also optionally take part in
the control of a house and interface with security systems, smoke
detectors, and door locks. It could be programmed to expect a child
home from school at a certain time. If the child failed to arrive
in the expected window, the parent's personal agent could be
notified via the private network. If the child did arrive as
expected, the child could be reminded to do chores or homework, or
instructed as to possible food in the refrigerator, etc. This unit
could also be programmed to control lights, heat, cooling and other
environmental conditions in the home. Control and programming of
this unit can also be by PIN, password, or fingerprint recognition,
body feature, and voice recognition security systems. The
communications message board and docking unit would have the
capability of synchronizing important data stored in the message
board or in a personal agent device. This synchronization would be
by high speed local serial or parallel transfer known in the art.
Key data, such as anything time sensitive, would be brought up to
the latest dated version and made identical in each unit.
[0085] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a
communications message board. It should be understood that many
other possible designs and features are within the scope of the
present invention. The message board can contain a high speed
processor 79. This can be a microprocessor, microcontroller, ASIC,
programmable device, or hardwired processor. The preferred device
is a high end PC type processor such as successor processors to the
Intel Pentium family.
[0086] The processor 79 can be coupled to a cellular telephone
interface 85 with caller ID 86 as previously described. The
processor can also be coupled to an internal modem 84 or
mini-server for coupling 88 into the private network and the
internet or other networks. The message board can optionally couple
into LAN and WAN (local and wide area networks).
[0087] The message board can contain large amounts of various speed
random access memory (RAM) 80 from very high speed SRAM to lower
speed DRAM, etc. In addition the unit can contain a fast access
disk storage device 81 for any manner of data and file storage. The
unit can also contain a keyboard 82 and other data entry devices
such as a mouse or joystick (not shown).
[0088] The processor 79 can drive a large, high resolution, display
screen 83 which can be a computer monitor or an electronic flat
screen mounted on the device. The preferred method is to have a
flat screen on the device with option plug in capability for
driving a large computer monitor. If the screen or monitor presents
a page, visual or advertizement of interest, it could be clipped
and stored by a special function key or other means.
[0089] The processor 79 can directly interface with a medication
control device 89 which can be a subsystem that dispenses
medications and controls the special keys and inputs associated
with medication management. A plurality of miscellaneous functions
and features can be controlled by a miscellaneous feature control
interface 87 that is directly connected to the processor. Such a
device can control parallel and serial interfaces, as well as relay
and other output controls. Numerous miscellaneous features and
functions can be handled by the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a generic embodiment of a
business professional unit. The professional unit can be very
flexible and very different in its construction depending on what
type of business subscriber it is intended for. The embodiment of
FIG. 10 would be a type of professional unit in a business like a
grocery store. The professional unit can contain a processor 90,
which can be a personal computer (PC) or a processor contained in
the professional unit. Both modes of operation are preferred for
different types of businesses. For a business with a lot of room
for computer equipment, it may be more convenient to supply the
professional unit as a PC with various hardware enhancements like
bus cards and wireless communications. For other types of
businesses, the processor 90 can be supplied as an integral part of
a single hardware unit. In this case, the preferred processor is an
embedded processor similar to subsequent versions of the Intel
Pentium family. The processor 90 would communicate with the private
network via either an out-of-store wireless or radio system 91 or
by cellular telephone (not shown). The professional unit could also
communicate with the network via a proper modem 101 and appropriate
communications channels such as landline telephone, fiber optics,
cable, etc. 96.
[0091] The processor 90 can be optionally coupled with an existing
(upgraded to be compatible) store processor or computer system 92,
including one that runs a point of sale operation 94. This coupling
93 can be by any wideband communications means such as coaxial
cable, bus-to-bus, fiber optics, LAN or other coupling means.
[0092] The professional unit can be optionally attached to large
in-store displays 95 or information boards to present information
of interest visually to customers. The professional unit can also
optionally be coupled to a self-checkout system 97 previously
described. The professional unit can optionally contain a printer
or hardcopy output device.
[0093] Optionally, a store professional unit can be coupled to an
in-store wireless system 117 to maintain direct communications with
consumers while in or near the store. The use and operation of
in-store wireless systems will be subsequently discussed.
[0094] FIG. 11 is an overview of an in-store wireless system 102
cooperating with a predetermined professional unit 101 and a store
computer system 98. This particular embodiment of the present
invention allows a subscribing and participating business to
electronically capture a participating consumer when the consumer
is near to or within the premises of the business. This electronic
capture can be by radio frequency wireless communications or
optical communications preferably infrared light.
[0095] The business professional unit 101 could be connected to a
subscribing business's computer 98 by hardwire or other link 104.
The store computer 98 may be connected 100 to a store network of
point of sale terminals 99. The business professional unit 101 can
be connected 103 to an in-store array of wireless transceivers 102
which are distributed throughout the store to allow wireless
communications within the store. The preferred wireless operation
is code division multiple access (CDMA) modulation in the allocated
frequency band around 900 MHz or 1200 MHz. This service can
currently be used without a license provided the power is
controlled to certain limits. Such a service would allow
simultaneous communication with a number of customers that were in
or near the store. The consumer would carry a personal agent device
previously described that would have its own portable wireless
transceiver. Any service allowed by the FCC is acceptable and
within the scope of the present invention, including modulated
infrared light systems. Connection 103 between the business
profession unit 101 and the transceivers 102 can be by coaxial
cable, twisted pair, or any other connection method. The preferred
method is to use 50 ohm coaxial cable. It should be noted that any
modulation technique can be used including pulse code modulation
(PCM), amplitude modulation (AM), or frequency modulation (FM).
[0096] The business professional unit could optionally aid in store
checkout by allowing the customer to scan items that are bar coded
or by reading out a prestored tally from the personal agent. After
checkout is completed, the professional unit could negotiate the
form of payment with the consumer. The consumer could insert a
credit card or simply enter an account number. In a preferred
operation, the store professional unit would obtain this
information from the user's personal agent on okay from the
user.
[0097] The business professional unit could act totally as a point
of sale terminal by weighing items as well as scanning barcodes.
This embodiment could be used in grocery stores and other
businesses where the weight of the product could be used to check
the accuracy of the price. The system would allow intervention by
either the consumer or store personnel when a given item fails to
scan or other problem arises. All such self-checkout systems could
have video cameras to transmit a given location's or aisle's
activity to a supervisor position.
[0098] The business professional unit also allows consumers to use
virtual cash, credit cards, debit cards, and to obtain rebates, use
coupons, and receive product awards. Users can be rewarded for
patronage with incentives, bonus points, or free items. This
information could be immediately transmitted to the user's personal
agent for immediate display. This would allow a consumer to know
about and make use of such bonuses and other advantages while and
before they shopped. The store professional system would honor
various loyalty or frequent shopper programs in a manner directed
by the subscribing business management. One of the features of the
present invention is that it can be used across store boundaries.
For example, a consumer that buys vitamins at a subscribing health
store may be come eligible for a free T shirt at a subscribing
fitness center. Such information would be transmitted from the
first store's store professional unit over the private network to
the master node. Here statistics and data reduction would determine
that the data should be transmitted to the store professional unit
in the fitness center. In addition, the user would be notified of
this eligibility by the personal agent. Also, if and when the
consumer enters the fitness center, the personal agent informs him
or her again of the eligibility and the fitness center's store
professional unit prepares to deliver the bonus or service (in this
example, the T shirt).
[0099] The business professional unit can be in constant
communication with a master control node via the private network
previously described. This communication can be by landline, fiber
optic, or cable 118 via a modem 117 or server. In this manner,
databases at the master node can be updated and additional consumer
information could be computed and returned to the subscribing
stores. The stores can be informed of consumer preference and
buying patterns when a consumer enters the store. In this way, the
store professional unit can know what special data it wanted to
communicate to a given consumer for display concerning specials or
other product information of interest to that consumer.
[0100] Some business professional units would be specialized. For
example a restaurant or fast food outlet would simply present their
menu and specials to the consumer's personal agent when the
consumer entered the establishment. The consumer would key in the
desired choice, and the food would be automatically prepared. After
the food is consumed, the establishment could total the value spent
and transmit the total back to the personal agent for payment
verification. If verification was given, the total could be
electronically transferred to the establishment.
[0101] A business professional unit can be used in a mode where it
alerts store personnel when a certain consumer is shopping in a
certain predetermined area of the store (for example when Mrs.
Smith, a regular dress customer is near the dress racks). In this
manner, the store professional unit allows a clerk or manager to
personally service the consumer without the consumer asking for
help. On the other hand, a certain consumer's personal agent could
transmit information to the store professional unit that that
particular customer wants to browse and not be bothered by clerks
or store personnel asking if they can help. This points out a very
important feature of the present invention: all interaction with
the personal agent, whether by the private network or by an
in-store system, is geared to the consumer's likes, dislikes,
personal and shopping profile. This synergy is possible with the
present invention because of the tight coupling and interactivity
of the various parts of the system including master nodes, the
private network, in-store professional units, and consumer personal
agent devices.
[0102] One use of the business professional unit is by a medical
provider. Here, the professional unit interfaces with the
consumer's personal agent either by in-building wireless as
previously described or by a touch/swipe interface. By reading key
patient parameters when the patient enters the facility, the
professional unit can determine insurance information, time since
last visit, instructions and/or diagnosis given on last visit, etc.
Before the patient leaves, updated information can be entered into
the patient's personal agent including new prescriptions, medical
advice, next appointment, etc. The patient can limit the
information exchanged and specify what provider gets what
information in order to provide privacy. For example, a dentist
needs different information than a medical doctor. Upon entering
the provider's office, the personal agent via the private network
can alert the health payer (HMO, Medicare, etc.) to verify patient
reimbursement eligibility. The status can be displayed on the
screen of the personal agent so that the patient is notified of any
co-payments or costs associated with the visit and on a display
coupled to the professional unit to notify the provider's staff of
this information. The professional unit would also sense and notify
the provider's staff that the patient is in the lobby waiting for
an appointment. The private network can provide the equivalent of
homepages for participating providers enabling them to provide
custom services.
[0103] In this medical provider use of the business professional
unit an example scenario is that the nurse takes the patient to an
examining room and takes vital signs which are automatically
encoded into the professional unit. The reason for the visit can be
entered into the professional unit by the nurse or voiced or
written in by the patient. The final entry can appear in the record
as though it was typed. The doctor enters and examines the patient
based on the information provided. The doctor can enter symptoms
into the professional product, and with an optional expert system
contained or accessed by the professional product, make a
diagnosis. The doctor prescribes drugs or treatment and the
professional product makes a record of it and transmits it into the
patient's personal agent. The personal agent can transmit the
information directly to the patient's pharmacy where the
prescription can be filled and waiting when the patient arrives to
pick it up, or it could be sent directly to the patient's home or
workplace. The cost of the visit and the cost of the drugs could be
billed directly against a participating patients bank account or
directly to the insurance company.
[0104] Another possible use of a business professional unit is in a
gymnasium or health club. Here various exercise machines could
contain communications interfaces to the clubs professional unit as
well as the ability to record data about the current session. The
personal agent could communicate with these machines via a bracelet
or ring transceiver an hence with the club's professional system.
The club's system would maintain records about the consumer and
could record new data about the current session directly from the
exercise machines.
[0105] FIG. 12 shows a conceptual diagram of the operation of a
micro-communicator or product microchip 106 attached to a product
105 in a store. When the personal agent 11 approaches,
interrogations 107 that are either radio frequency or optical are
transmitted by the antenna or transducer 31 of the personal agent
and received by the microchip. The microchip responds 108 either by
radio frequency or optically to notify the personal agent of any
immediate specific product information that should be displayed to
the user (such as that product is part of a special sale). The
energy for this response can come from a battery in the microchip;
however, the preferred method it to extract energy from the
interrogation signal and use that to power the response
transmission. This method is known in the art and works well when
the interrogator is near the microchip.
[0106] Since the amount of information that a microchip can
exchange is necessarily limited, another method is to have the
microchip simply identify the product. In this manner, the
consumer's personal agent senses that it is near a certain product
that the store wants the consumer to know about. This information
(for example product I.D. number) can be transmitted by the
in-store wireless system to the store's professional unit which can
then return as much information as the store deems necessary to the
consumer's personal agent for display. This alternate embodiment
would mimic the operation of a barcode reader.
[0107] A product microchip can also be used for household product
inventory control (or anywhere products may be used). In this
application, the product microchip notifies a personal agent or
communications message board whenever a certain class of product
inventory is running low. For example, the microchip can be
installed in a cereal box. When the cereal quantity goes below a
certain predetermined amount, the microchip can notify a nearby
personal agent or communications message board that it is time to
buy more. This notification can be either by interrogation or by a
direct signal originating at the microchip. In the latter case, the
preferred mode is to equip the microchip with a micro-battery.
[0108] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the
micro-communicator or product microchip. This particular embodiment
takes energy for transmission out of an incoming radio wave. Other
embodiments are possible that use batteries to supply transmit
energy. Other means of communications are also possible such as
optical, sound and others. The interrogator usually contained in a
personal agent device and the product microchip is designed to
operate in a predetermined radius or distance from the chip which
can vary from several feet up to about 20 feet depending on the
power used by the interrogator and whether batteries are used or
not in the microchip.
[0109] A microantenna 109 is attached or etched onto the microchip.
This antenna is small, and can be tuned to a particular frequency
of interest (the incoming interrogation frequency). Because of the
small physical size of the device, the preferred operation band is
microwave. In an optical embodiment, the microantenna 109 is
replaced with a sensitive optical receiver device.
[0110] The incoming radio frequency signal is passed through a
diplexer 110 which controls the receive/transmit function of the
antenna 109 to a receiver circuit 111. The receiver demodulates a
coded incoming interrogation signal, and attempts to perform code
recognition 112 on the signal. If the correct interrogation code is
recognized, a sequencer 113 clocks data words out of a flash
read-only memory (ROM) 114 into a transmitter 114. The transmitter
both creates an outgoing carrier RF radio wave and modulates it
with the digital words coming from the flash ROM 114. The preferred
modulation is direct pulse code modulation PCM; however frequency
modulation FM or amplitude modulation AM or other pulse or phase
modulation PM could be used. The transmitter 114 captures the
diplexer 110 which provides a connection to the microantenna 109
for transmission of a response.
[0111] The embodiment of the product microchip shown in FIG. 13
causes the receiver 111 to supply almost all incoming RF or optical
power to a power extractor circuit 115. This circuit converts the
alternating current AC electrical energy in the incoming signal to
direct current DC to power the entire microchip during reception
and response. A voltage regulator in the power extractor 115
maintains a constant DC voltage into the circuitry for as long as
possible. This scheme results in a maximum transmission time length
that is proportional to the incoming signal strength and duration
and to the maximum energy the microchip can store. This is so
because the microchip circuitry uses power at a constant rate.
[0112] The product microchip is programmed to selectively respond
to a certain class of interrogations through the code recognition
circuit 112. In this manner, different microchips on different
products can be programmed to respond to different classes of
interrogations rather than all at once.
[0113] To prevent multiple answers from identical products in the
same interrogation code group, it is possible to place the
microchip on the shelf near the product rather than on the product
itself if the microchip is to be used only for in-store
identification. However, if the microchip is to be used for product
signalling at the consumer's home or business, it must be on the
product itself. One method of preventing multiple answering is to
program a variable delay of a certain number of microseconds into
each chip. This delay can be set randomly on batches of chips
destined for the same product. Some member of a set of chips on
similar products will answer first, and the other chips will also
capture that signal and will not themselves transmit.
[0114] The flash ROM 114 is used to contain the product response.
This can be changed in the field with a proper maintenance device
and circuitry not shown. The flash ROM 114 can also contain the
interrogation code or that can be hard or soft programmed into the
code recognition circuit 112. The preferred method is to
manufacture the entire microchip along with the antenna on a single
piece of silicon (or other semiconductor) as an application
specific device ASIC. The microchip could be mounted in a small
plastic case for protection and attached to the product or shelf
with a stickglue surface or similar attaching means. The exact
means of attachment to the product or shelf is not important to the
functioning of the invention and can be accomplished by any
convenient method.
[0115] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various
modifications and changes could be made thereto without departing
from the scope of the appended claims.
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