U.S. patent application number 11/026781 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for integration of wic items and transactions into personal shopping devices.
Invention is credited to David Lawrence Bennett, Robert James Demick, David L. Johnson, Thomas J. Prorock, Raymond Lee JR. Waddell, Long-Kim Vo Yates.
Application Number | 20060149626 11/026781 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36641828 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060149626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bennett; David Lawrence ; et
al. |
July 6, 2006 |
Integration of WIC items and transactions into personal shopping
devices
Abstract
A method, system and computer program product for providing
access to government benefits is disclosed. The method comprises
positioning a short-range transmitter in a predetermined product
area in a store, and storing one or more marketing messages in the
short-range transmitter, wherein the one or more marketing messages
are associated with one or more specific products located in the
predetermined product area. The one or more marketing messages are
transmitted to a wireless computer, and a user is identified as a
participant in a government benefits scheme. Available under a
subsidy program are communicated to a user and upon purchase of an
item, an analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program is
provided.
Inventors: |
Bennett; David Lawrence;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Demick; Robert James; (Raleigh,
NC) ; Johnson; David L.; (Clayton, NC) ;
Prorock; Thomas J.; (Raleigh, NC) ; Waddell; Raymond
Lee JR.; (Raleigh, NC) ; Yates; Long-Kim Vo;
(Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DILLON & YUDELL LLP
8911 N. CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY.,
SUITE 2110
AUSTIN
TX
78759
US
|
Family ID: |
36641828 |
Appl. No.: |
11/026781 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.1 ;
705/14.64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/26 20130101;
G06Q 30/0269 20130101; G06Q 30/0222 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0633 20130101; G06Q 30/0267 20130101; G06Q 30/0277
20130101; G06Q 30/0207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/014 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: positioning a short-range transmitter in a
predetermined product area in a store; storing one or more
marketing messages in the short-range transmitter, wherein the one
or more marketing messages are associated with one or more specific
products located in the predetermined product area; transmitting
the one or more marketing messages to a computer; identifying a
user as a participant in a government benefits scheme; and
communicating benefits available under a subsidy program to a
user.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, upon purchase of an
item, providing an analysis of benefits available under a subsidy
program.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of providing an
analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program to a user
further comprises ascertaining the value of a government benefit to
the user.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of providing an
analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program further
comprises informing a user of the out-of-pocket cost of an item
with a government benefit and the out-of-pocket cost of an item
without a government benefit.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing behavior
modification instructions to a user.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing behavior
modification instructions to a user further comprises providing
nutrition instructions to a user.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of providing a analysis
of benefits available under a subsidy program further comprises
providing the user with the option to claim or refuse to claim a
benefit with respect to an individual item
8. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of providing an
analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program further
comprises providing the user with notice of a comparable product
that is available to said user at a lower effective price.
9. A system comprising: a short-range transmitter in a
predetermined product area in a store; a storage device for storing
one or more marketing messages in the short-range transmitter,
wherein the one or more marketing messages are associated with one
or more specific products located in the predetermined product
area; a transmitting device for transmitting the one or more
marketing messages to a wireless computer; a card reader for
identifying a user as a participant in a government benefits
scheme; and a display device for communicating benefits available
under a subsidy program to a user.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a graphical interface
for, upon purchase of an item, providing an analysis of benefits
available under a subsidy program.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said graphical interface for
providing an analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program
to a user further comprises graphical interface constructs for
ascertaining the value of a government benefit to the user.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein said graphical interface for
providing an analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program
further comprises graphical interface constructs for informing a
user of the out-of-pocket cost of an item with a government benefit
and the out-of-pocket cost of an item without a government
benefit.
13. The system of claim 10, further comprising graphical interface
for providing behavior modification instructions to a user.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for providing
behavior modification instructions to a user further comprises
graphical interface for providing nutrition instructions to a
user.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein said graphical interface for
providing an analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program
further comprises graphical interface constructs for providing the
user with the option to claim or refuse to claim a benefit with
respect to an individual item
16. The system of claim 10, wherein said graphical interface for
providing an analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program
further comprises graphical interface constructs for providing the
user with notice of a comparable product that is available to said
user at a lower effective price.
17. A computer program product in a computer-readable medium
comprising: a computer-readable medium; instructions on the
computer-readable medium for positioning a short-range transmitter
in a predetermined product area in a store; instructions on the
computer-readable medium for storing one or more marketing messages
in the short-range transmitter, wherein the one or more marketing
messages are associated with one or more specific products located
in the predetermined product area; instructions on the
computer-readable medium for transmitting the one or more marketing
messages to a wireless computer; instructions on the
computer-readable medium for identifying a user as a participant in
a government benefits scheme; and instructions on the
computer-readable medium for communicating benefits available under
a subsidy program to a user.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising
instructions, upon purchase of an item, providing an analysis of
benefits available under a subsidy program.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said
instructions for providing an analysis of benefits available under
a subsidy program to a user further comprises instructions on the
computer-readable medium for ascertaining the value of a government
benefit to the user.
20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said
instructions for providing an analysis of benefits available under
a subsidy program further comprises instructions on the
computer-readable medium for informing a user of the out-of-pocket
cost of an item with a government benefit and the out-of-pocket
cost of an item without a government benefit.
21. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising
instructions on the computer-readable medium for providing behavior
modification instructions to a user.
22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the
instructions for providing behavior modification instructions to a
user further comprises instructions on the computer-readable medium
for providing nutrition instructions to a user.
23. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said
instructions for providing an analysis of benefits available under
a subsidy program further comprises instructions on the
computer-readable medium for providing the user with the option to
claim or refuse to claim a benefit with respect to an individual
item
24. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said
instructions for providing an analysis of benefits available under
a subsidy program further comprises instructions on the
computer-readable medium for providing the user with notice of a
comparable product that is available to said user at a lower
effective price.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates in general to the field of
computers, and in particular to wireless computers receiving
signals from short-range transmitting devices. Still more
particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system
for providing access to government benefits by locating, detecting,
prompting purchase of, and monitoring eligible Women, Infants, and
Children ("WIC") items in a store.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The United States Department of Agriculture administers a
special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and
children, commonly referred to as "WIC". The WIC program targets
the low-income, nutritionally at risk population. In particular,
the WIC program may assist pregnant women, infants up to their
first birthday and children up to their fifth birthday. The WIC
program provides many benefits to such women, infants and children,
such as supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education and
counseling at WIC clinics and screening and referrals to other
health, welfare and social services. The WIC program currently
serves approximately 3.82 million children, 1.95 million infants
and 1.86 million women at a cost of approximately 4.7 billion
dollars.
[0005] Currently, WIC participants may receive checks or vouchers
to purchase specific foods each month that are designed to
supplement their diets. The foods provided are high in one or more
of the following nutrients: protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A
and C. These are the nutrients frequently lacking in the diets of
the program's target population. Different food packages are
provided for different categories of participants.
[0006] The WIC foods in a food package that are available to be
purchased by a particular WIC participant may not be easily
identified in a grocery store. Some of these WIC items may be
identified, such as by a sticker with the label "WIC authorized".
However, these stickers may not be self-evident. For example, the
WIC eligible items, along with their WIC eligible labels, may be
stocked in high or low positions on a shelf and hence may not be
easily identified. Furthermore, not all of the WIC eligible items
may be marked.
[0007] After the WIC participant placed the eligible WIC items that
could be located in the grocery cart, the WIC participant may hand
the cashier a paper voucher to purchase the items. There are
various problems with using paper vouchers to purchase WIC items.
For example, the cashier may assume incorrectly that the items
purchased with the voucher were all eligible WIC items.
Furthermore, using the paper voucher to purchase WIC items may
result in long waits by retailers for reimbursement. Furthermore,
the WIC participant may be uncomfortable to hand the cashier a WIC
paper voucher due to the stigma associated with receiving food for
free from a government program. Finally, users have traditionally
experienced confusion in tracking the most efficient use of their
benefits from a price-benefit perspective. Additionally,
conventional solutions lead to voided transactions (e.g. for lack
of funds or benefits), because the user has limited ability to
predict total real prices before a transaction is complete.
[0008] Consequently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2002
promulgated a program, referred to as the Electronic Benefits
Transfer ("EBT") program, designed to replace the time-consuming
and error-prone paper voucher system that was costly to administer,
often uncomfortable for participants to use, and could result in
long waits by retailers for reimbursement. Pilot programs for
implementing the EBT program are now occurring across the
country.
[0009] However, there are no currently available mobile shopping
user interface systems that implement the WIC-EBT standard in a
manner that is adequate for assisting the WIC participant in
locating their WIC eligible items in the store and completing the
purchase most beneficial to the participant.
[0010] This is especially true at the actual time of the purchase,
such as in a grocery store or similar retail establishment. The
prior art is inadequate to target the WIC-buying audience and
facilitate their transactions. What is needed is a system, method
and computer program product for providing access to government
benefits by locating, detecting, prompting purchase of, and
monitoring eligible Women, Infants, and Children ("WIC") items in a
store.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A method, system and computer program product for providing
access to government benefits is disclosed. The method comprises
positioning a short-range transmitter in a predetermined product
area in a store, and storing one or more marketing messages in the
short-range transmitter, wherein the one or more marketing messages
are associated with one or more specific products located in the
predetermined product area. The one or more marketing messages are
transmitted to a wireless computer, and a user is identified as a
participant in a government benefits scheme. Benefits available
under a subsidy program are communicated to a user and upon
purchase of an item, an analysis of benefits available under a
subsidy program is provided.
[0012] The above, as well as additional purposes, features, and
advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the
following detailed written description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed descriptions of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system in which the
present invention can be implemented, either as a wireless device
for receiving a marketing message, a transmitter/receiver for
communicating with the wireless device, and/or as a server that
exchanges data with the wireless device via the
transmitter/receiver;
[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict an exemplary environment in which the
wireless device is mounted to a shopping cart in a store;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exemplary store plan layout in which the
present invention may be implemented;
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical user interface that
correlates items that have been previously selected by a shopper
with associated costs and available government benefits;
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI)
on the wireless device offering a price comparison based on
available benefits to the shopper;
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary Graphical User Interface
(GUI) on the wireless device offering an inventory of available
benefits to the shopper;
[0020] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI)
on the wireless device for tracking an inventory of benefits
currently being used by the shopper;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention to transmitted information on
available benefits to a wireless unit;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention to provide government benefits
and behavior modification during a shopping session;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention to provide government benefits
using a best-price function during a shopping session; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention to provide government benefits
using an out-of-pocket cost function during a shopping session.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Although the present invention is described with reference
to the WIC program, as described above, it is noted that the
principles of the present invention may be applied to any
government benefit service program or other nongovernmental benefit
programs. It is further noted that embodiments applying the
principles of the present invention to other government benefit
service programs and nongovernmental benefit programs would fall
within the scope of the present invention. While the present
invention is described with respect to a portable personal shopping
device, one skilled in the art will realize that the invention may
also be practiced with respect to fixed point of sale equipment
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0026] With reference now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a block
diagram of an exemplary data processing system in which a preferred
embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Data
processing system 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102,
which is connected to a system bus 108. In the exemplary
embodiment, data processing system 100 includes a graphics adapter
104 also connected to system bus 108, for providing user interface
information to a display 106.
[0027] Also connected to system bus 108 are a system memory 110 and
an input/output (I/O) bus bridge 112. I/O bus bridge 112 couples an
I/O bus 114 to system bus 108, relaying and/or transforming data
transactions from one bus to the other. Peripheral devices such as
nonvolatile storage 116, which may be a hard disk drive, and input
device 118, which may include a conventional mouse, a trackball, or
the like, as well as a bar code or similar reader or a card reader
or other similar device, is connected to I/O bus 114. Data
processing system 100 will perform the method of the present
invention using software, stored in memory system 110 and executed
on CPU 102. The construction and use of software structures is well
understood by those skilled in the relevant arts.
[0028] Data processing system 100 also includes a wireless
interface 120. Wireless interface 120 is an interface that permits
data processing system 100 to wirelessly communicate, preferably
via a line-of-sight carrier signal such as a low-power infrared
(IR) wave, with another data processing system, such as a
short-range transmitter/receiver system 122, which also
communicates with a server 124. Note that in a preferred
embodiment, all communication is tuned down to a low-power level
IR, such that there is only line-of-sight communication, such that
no wireless communication occurs from reflected or other "bleed
over" signals.
[0029] Short-range transmitter/receiver 122 may also include an
IDentification Signal Receiver (IDSR) 126. IDSR 126 is a logic
(hardware and/or software) that receives and processes an
identification signal from a wireless computer such as a Personal
Shopping Device (PSD).
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the features shown for data
processing system 100 are used by the PSD, while the short-range
transmitter/receiver 122 uses all features shown for data
processing system 100 except for the graphics adapter 104 and
display 106, and the server 124 has all features shown for data
processing system 100 except for the short-range wireless
interface, since server 124 and short-range transmitter/receiver
122 preferably are able to communicate across long distances.
[0031] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is provided solely
for the purposes of explaining the invention. Those skilled in the
art will recognize that numerous variations are possible, both in
form and function. For instance, data processing system 100 might
also include a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or digital
versatile disk (DVD) drive, a sound card and audio speakers, and
numerous other optional components. All such variations are
believed to be within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2B, an exemplary use of data
processing system 100 is shown. Data processing system 100 is
depicted as a Personal Shopping Device (PSD) 202, which is attached
to a shopping cart 204, preferably in a manner that is semi-fixed
(i.e., requiring tools to remove PSD 202 from shopping cart 204, in
order to prevent the theft of PSD 202). As seen in the top view of
FIG. 2B, PSD 202 has an active viewing screen 206, which displays a
Graphical User Interface (GUI) for displaying data, as well as for
receiving inputs (preferably via a touch-screen capability) into
PSD 202.
[0033] An exemplary use of PSD 202 may be in a retail
establishment. As a shopper places items into shopping cart 204,
the shopper scans the product using a bar code reader/magnetic
card/smartcard reader module 208, which reads a Universal Product
Code (UPC) bar code from a product selected by the shopper and
records the product in PSD 202. Bar code reader/magnetic
card/smartcard reader module 208 is also capable of reading a
magnetic identification card for the purpose of identifying a user
as a recipient of government benefits. In addition to bar code,
magnetic cards, and smartcards, some embodiments of bar code
reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module 208 may be configured
to read other forms of non-volatile memory devices, such as compact
flash, memory keys, or memory sticks. The PSD 202 stores all items
that have been scanned and placed in the shopping cart 204 into a
list. When the customer checks out, the checker simply downloads
the list (with prices) to conclude a shopping transaction.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an exemplary
environment in which the present invention may be utilized. Store
plan 300 depicts an arrangement of a retail store having multiple
pre-determined product areas 308. Within each product area 308 is a
short-range transmitter/receiver 122. Each short-range
transmitter/receiver 122 preferably uses a low-power infrared (IR)
carrier signal, such that communication with a short-range
transmitter/receiver 122 is only available within the associated
pre-determined product area 308 via line-of-sight, and not via
reflected or other bleed-over signals. For exemplary purposes, note
that store plan 300 may include a meat section 302, a dairy section
304, and a produce section 306, each section also being a
pre-determined product area having a short-range
transmitter/receiver 122. Each short-range transceiver 122
communicates with server 124 to retrieve shopping information and
government benefits information in the form of marketing messages
related to products available both throughout the store and in the
vicinity of the short-range transceiver.
[0035] While the invention is explained with respect to an
infrastructure involving short-range transmitter devices as
depicted in FIG. 3, one skilled in the art will quickly realize
that the invention is capable of being practiced in different
communication environments, some as simple as being based on the
scanning of an item, without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 4, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that
correlates items that have been previously selected by a shopper
with associated costs and available government benefits is
illustrated. FIG. 4 illustrates an all items inventory view 400 of
items purchased by a user of the personal shopping device 202
without regard to whether they have been purchased using a
government benefit scheme or out-of-pocket with cash. All items
inventory view 400 includes for each of several items a selected
item column 402, which lists the item under consideration. Category
and subcategory column 404 lists the WIC eligibility category of
the selected item or its ineligible status. Base price column 406
provides a base or `shelf price` for the selected item without
government benefits, but including any applicable loyalty discounts
or coupons, as well as a unit of measure and quantity.
[0037] WIC cost column 408, for WIC eligible items, lists the price
after any applicable WIC discount. Out-of-pocket (OOP) cost item
column 410, for items that are WIC ineligible or that the user has
selected to purchase without using government benefits, lists the
cost that a user will pay out of pocket. A user can choose to
purchase a WIC eligible item without WIC benefits by touching a WIC
removal button 412, which provides a user with the option to claim
or refuse to claim a benefit with respect to an individual item, or
can choose to transfer an item purchased out-of-pocket back to a
WIC purchase by actuating WIC reinstatement button 414. The
presence of the WIC removal button 412 and WIC reinstatement button
414 allows a user to eliminate transactions for which he lacks
appropriate cash or benefits without the embarrassment of having to
do so at the end of a transaction.
[0038] Where a more favorable price (with or without benefits) on a
similar WIC category items is available, better price button 416 is
made available in all items inventory view 400. All items inventory
view 400 additionally includes a totals line 418 with a total for
WIC cost column 408 and a total for out-of-pocket cost column 410
for the inventory of items purchased.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary Graphical User
Interface (GUI) on the wireless device offering a price comparison
based on benefits available to the shopper is depicted. The
depicted graphical user interface includes a price comparison view
500, which would be activated by actuating better price button 416.
Price comparison view 500 is a means for providing behavior
modification instructions to a user.
[0040] Price comparison view 500 includes an address line 502 for
identifying a user, an item line 504 for identifying the item
subject to price comparison, a notice line 506 for informing the
user that a lower effective price is available through the WIC
program on the same item or a comparable item, a price comparison
box 508 for comparing the various prices available and a skip
message box 510. Alternatively, notice line 506 could be used to
provide a nutritional comparison or instruction message. Within
price comparison box 508, several different items of a particular
category are listed.
[0041] For the example shown with respect to FIG. 5, the item
subject to price comparison is milk. Items that will be listed in
price comparison box 508 will be milk or comparable items (such as
soy milk). For each item that is listed in the price comparison, an
item description column 512, which provides the identity of the
listed item, is displayed. Similarly price column 514, displays a
base of an item price before application of benefits. Per unit
price column 516, which displays a price per unit, and a benefits
applied price column 518, which displays a price per unit after
application of WIC benefits are displayed. Additionally, a best
price indicator 520 is displayed for demonstrating to the user what
the best available pricing is.
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 6, an exemplary Graphical User Interface
(GUI) on a wireless device offering an inventory of benefits
available to the shopper is displayed. Currently available benefits
view 600 illustrates the benefits available to a user storewide.
For each available item, an item description 602 identifies the
item on which benefits are available. A category, subcategory and
benefits expiration date column 604 provides the WIC categorization
of the item and the expiration date for the available benefit. A
unit of measure, quantity and cost column 606 is displayed, with
relevant quantitative data. For items that are subject to
competitive pricing, a better price button 416 is also
displayed.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary Graphical User
Interface (GUI) on the wireless device for tracking an inventory of
benefits currently being used by the shopper is displayed. The WIC
items inventory view 700, contains an item description column 702
for each item, which includes identification data for the item.
Category and subcategory column 704 provides WIC classification
data, and a unit quantity of measure and cost column 706 provides
the relevant quantitative data. Better price button 416 is also
displayed for items subject to price comparison.
[0044] With reference now to FIG. 8, a flow chart of steps taken in
a preferred embodiment of the present invention to transmit
information on available benefits to a wireless unit is depicted.
The process starts at step 802, which will typically correspond to
activation of short range transmitter/receiver 122. The process
then moves to step 804, which depicts short range
transmitter/receiver 122 broadcasting random marketing messages
until a user ID or WIC ID request is detected. The process then
moves to step 806, which illustrates server 124 determining if a
valid user ID is detected. If a valid user ID is not detected, then
the process returns to step 804, which is described above.
[0045] If server 124 determines that a valid user ID is detected,
then the process next moves to step 808. At step 808, server 124
determines if the user ID detected at step 806 is WIC eligible. If,
at step 808, server 124 determines that the user ID detected in 806
is WIC eligible, then the process next moves to step 810. At step
810, short range transmitter/receiver receives an eligible products
list from server 124 containing marketing messages regarding
products and benefits available to the user ID detected in step
806, and those marketing messages are stored on short range
transmitter/receiver 122 and transmitted to personal shopping
device 202. The process then ends at step 812.
[0046] Returning to step 808, if it is determined that the user is
not WIC eligible, then the process next moves to step 814, which
depicts short range transmitter/receiver 122, sending standard
marketing messages, not containing benefit information to personal
shopping device 202 and conducting a normal shopping session, the
process then ends at step 812.
[0047] Turning now to FIG. 9, a flow chart of steps taken in a
preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide government
benefits and behavior modification during a shopping session is
illustrated. The process starts at step 902, which will typically
correspond to activation of a personal shopping device. The process
next moves to step 904, which depicts personal shopping device 202,
receiving a user ID through input device 118. A user ID can be
received by input device 118, either by scanning a card through bar
code reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module 202, or through
tactile input through a keyboard device, or through other methods,
such as an RFID card.
[0048] The process next moves to step 906, which depicts personal
shopping device 202 determining if a user is WIC eligible. If
personal shopping device 202 determines that a user is not WIC
eligible, then the process ends at step 908. The end of the process
at step 908 will typically lead to a user engaging in shopping
through other processes not involving government benefits. If
personal shopping device 202 determines that the user is WIC
eligible, the process next moves to step 910. Step 910 illustrates
personal shopping device utilizing short range wireless interface
120 to communicate with short range transmitter/receiver 122 and
fetch an eligible products list. The process then moves to step
912, which depicts personal shopping device 202, preparing and
displaying an eligible products list, such as current available
benefits view 600.
[0049] The process next proceeds to step 914. At step 914, personal
shopping device 202 determines whether a product has been
purchased. If a product has not been purchased, then the process
next proceeds to step 916, which depicts personal shopping device
202 entering a waiting state. The process then returns to step 914.
If, by contrast, if personal shopping device 202 determines that a
product has been purchased at step 914, the process next proceeds
to step 918, which depicts personal shopping device 202 determining
if the product purchased at step 914 is WIC eligible. If the
selected product is not WIC-eligible, the process returns to step
916. If the selected product is WIC-eligible, the process next
moves to step 920, which depicts personal shopping device 202
updating and displaying WIC items inventory view 700, which is one
form of an inventory of benefit items. The process then moves to
step 922. At step 922, personal shopping device 202 calculates the
best available WIC price.
[0050] The process next proceeds to step 924, which depicts
personal shopping device 924 determining if a lower effective price
is available. If no better price is available, then the process
moves to step 928, which is discussed below. If a better price is
available, then the process moves to step 926. At step 926,
personal shopping device 202 offers and possibly displays a best
prices menu, which can take the form of displaying a better price
button 416 in WIC items inventory view 700, current available
benefits view 600, or all items inventory view 400 and waiting for
a user to then actuate better price button 416 to display price
comparison view 500. Alternatively, price comparison view 500 may
be displayed directly without resorting to any of WIC items
inventory view 700, current available benefits view 600, or all
items inventory view 400.
[0051] The process then moves to step 928, which depicts personal
shopping device 202 determining whether the user intends to modify
behavior by reading response to best price view 500. If no behavior
modification is indicated, then the process next moves to step 910
which is described above. If behavior modification is indicated,
then the process next moves to step 930, which depicts personal
shopping device 202 updating its data based on new purchase. The
process then moves to step 932, which depicts personal shopping
device determining whether the user is ready to checkout. If the
user is not ready to checkout, then the process returns to step
910, which is described above. If the user is ready to checkout,
then the process moves to step 934. At step 934, personal shopping
device 202 provides checkout services. The process then ends at
step 908.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow chart of steps taken in a
preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide government
benefits using a best-price function during a shopping session is
depicted. The process starts at step 1000. The process then moves
to step 1002. At step 1002, a customer signs on to a personal
shopping device 202. The process then moves to step 1004, which
depicts a customer scanning a discount card or loyalty card through
bar code reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module 208. The
process next proceeds to step 1006, which depicts a customer
entering a WIC ID through an input device 118 such as bar code
reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module 208. The process then
moves to step 1008. At step 1008, customer WIC benefit data is
transferred to personal shopping device 202 from server 124 through
short range transmitter 122. The process next moves to step 1010,
at which a customer scans in all manufacture coupons.
[0053] The process next proceeds to step 1012, at which a customer
scans an item for purchase, and then proceeds to step 1014. At step
1014, personal shopping device 202 performs an item price query.
The process then moves to step 1016, which begins business logic
process 1052, containing steps 1016-1034. Step 1016 depicts
personal shopping device determining if the purchased item is
covered under a store promotion or loyalty card program. If the
product is not covered under a store promotion or a loyalty card
program, then the process moves to step 1018, which depicts
personal shopping device 202 determining if the product matches a
manufacturer coupon. If the selected product does not match a
manufacturer coupon, then the process moves to step 1022. Step 1022
depicts personal shopping device 202 applying any remaining store
discounts.
[0054] Returning to step 1016, if the item purchased is subject to
a store promotion or loyalty card then the process next moves to
step 1026, which depicts personal shopping device reducing the base
price of the selected item by a discount amount. The process next
moves to step 1028. At step 1028, personal shopping device 202
applies a store coupon for the difference between the original
price and the discount price. The process then returns to step
1018. At step 1018, as described above, personal shopping device
202 determines whether a manufacturer coupon matches the selected
item. If a manufacturer coupon matches the selected item, then the
process moves to step 1030. At step 1030, personal shopping device
reduces the modified item price by the coupon amount. The process
then moves to step 1020. At step 1020, personal shopping device 202
determines if the coupon is configured for multiplication. If the
coupon is configured for multiplication, then the process moves to
step 1032. At step 1032, personal shopping device 202 applies an
applicable multiple factor such as double coupons or triple
coupons. The process then moves to step 1034. At step 1034, the
personal shopping device 202 reduces the price by any applicable
amount of discounts. The process then moves to step 1022, which is
described above.
[0055] After step 1022, the process then moves to step 1036, which
depicts personal shopping device 202 determining if the item is WIC
eligible. If the item is not WIC eligible, then the process moves
to step 1038 which depicts personal shopping device 202 adding the
item, with its effective price, to a sales transaction. The process
then moves to step 1048. At step 1048, the personal shopping device
202 determines whether a last item or checkout has been detected.
If a last item or checkout has not been detected, then the process
moves to step 1050, which depicts performing checkout service. The
process then ends at step 1052. If a last item or checkout has not
been detected, then the process returns to step 1012, which is
described above.
[0056] Returning to step 1036, if an item is WIC eligible, then the
process moves to step 1040. At step 1040, a WIC benefit is
calculated by personal shopping device for the item. The process
then moves to step 1042. At step 1042, personal shopping device
presents the price after application of the WIC benefit and the
modified price from business process logic 1052 to the customer in
price comparison view 500 on display 106 of personal shopping
device 202. The process next moves to step 1044, which depicts
price comparison view 500 optionally indicating a recommended price
or best price and providing a reason for that advice. The process
next moves to step 1046, at which user selects the item with the
best effective price from price comparison view 500 through
interaction with personal shopping device 202. The process then
moves to step 1038, which is described above.
[0057] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention to provide government benefits
using an out-of-pocket cost function during a shopping session. The
process starts at step 1100. The process then moves to step 1102.
At step 1102, a customer signs on to a personal shopping device
202. The process then moves to step 1104, which depicts a customer
scanning a discount card or loyalty card through bar code
reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module 208. The process next
proceeds to step 1106, which depicts a customer entering a WIC ID
through an input device 118 such as bar code reader/magnetic
card/smartcard reader module 208. The process then moves to step
1108. At step 1108, customer WIC benefit data is transferred to
personal shopper device 202 from server 124 through short range
transmitter 122. The process next moves to step 1110, at which a
customer scans in all manufacture coupons.
[0058] The process next proceeds to step 1112, at which a customer
scans an item for purchase, and then proceeds to step 1114. At step
1114, personal shopping device 202 performs an item price query.
The process then moves to step 1116, which begins business logic
process 1152, containing steps 1116-1134. Step 1116 depicts
personal shopping device 202 determining if the purchased item is
covered under a store promotion or loyalty card program. If the
product is not covered under a store promotion or a loyalty card
program, then the process moves to step 1118, which depicts
personal shopping device 202 determining if the product matches a
manufacturer coupon. If the product does not match manufacturer
coupon, then the process moves to step 1122. Step 1122 depicts
personal shopping device 202 applying any remaining store
discounts.
[0059] Returning to step 1116, if the item purchased is subject to
a store promotion or loyalty card, then the process next moves to
step 1126, which depicts personal shopping device 202 reducing the
base price of the selected item by a discount amount. The process
next moves to step 1128. At step 1128, personal shopping device 202
applies a store coupon for the difference between the original
price and the discount price. The process then returns to step
1118. At step 1118, as described above, personal shopping device
202 determines whether a manufacturer coupon matches the selected
item. If a manufacturer coupon matches the selected item, then the
process moves to step 1130. At step 1130, personal shopping device
reduces the modified item price by the coupon amount. The process
then moves to step 1120, which depicts personal shopping device 202
determining if the coupon is configured for multiplication. If the
coupon is configured for multiplication, then the process moves to
step 1132. At step 1132, personal shopping device 202 applies an
applicable multiple factor such as double coupons or triple
coupons. The process then moves to step 1134. At step 1134,
personal shopping device 202 reduces the price by any applicable
amount of discounts. The process then moves to step 1122, which is
described above.
[0060] After step 1122, the process then moves to step 1136, which
depicts personal shopping device 202 determining if the item is WIC
eligible. If the item is not WIC eligible, then the process moves
to step 1138, which depicts the personal shopping device adding the
items to a normal (non-WIC) items list. The process then moves to
step 1148. At step 1148, if the personal shopping device 202
determines that a last item or checkout has not been detected, then
the process moves to step 1146, which is described below.
[0061] Returning to step 1136, if an item is WIC eligible, then the
process moves to step 1140. At step 1140, the value of a WIC
benefit is calculated by personal shopping device 202 for the
selected item. The process then moves to step 1142. At step 1142,
personal shopping device 202 associates the WIC value of the item
with the item code. The process next moves to step 1144, which
depicts personal shopping device 1144 inserting the item code into
a list of WIC-eligible items, such as WIC Items inventory view 700.
The process next moves to step 1148. At step 1148, if the personal
shopping device 202 determines that a last item or checkout has
been detected, then the process moves to step 1146.
[0062] At step 1146, personal shopping device 202 displays a list
of WIC and non-WIC items with subtotals for each list, such as
all-items inventory view 400. The process then moves to step 1150,
which illustrates personal shopping device 202 determining whether
user has moved a `normal` (non-WIC) item to the WIC items list,
such as by actuating reinstatement button 414 to move an item to
WIC cost column 408. If an item has been moved to a `normal`
(non-WIC) item list, then the process moves to step 1154, which
depicts personal shopping device 202 recalculating and displaying
totals for both lists. The process then returns to step 1150.
[0063] At step 1150, if an item has not been moved to a `normal`
(non-WIC) item list, then the process moves to step 1156. At step
1156, personal shopping device 202 determines whether a WIC item
has been moved to the `normal` (non-WIC) items list, such as by
actuating removal button 412 to move an item to out-of-pocket (OOP)
cost item column 410. If a WIC item has been moved to the `normal`
(non-WIC) items list, then the process moves to step 1154, which is
described above. If a WIC item has not been moved to the `normal`
(non-WIC) items list, then the process moves to step 1158. At step
1158, personal shopping device 202 asks a user to approve his total
out of pocket expense. If the user does not approve his out of
pocket expense, then the process returns to step 1146. If the user
does approve his out of pocket expense, then the process next
proceeds to step 1160, which illustrates personal shopping device
202 proceeding to payment. The process then ends at step 1162.
[0064] While the invention has been particularly shown as described
with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. It is also important to note that although the
present invention has been described in the context of a fully
functional computer system, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the mechanisms of the present invention are capable
of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms,
and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the
particular type of signal bearing media utilized to actually carry
out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include,
without limitation, recordable type media such as floppy disks or
CD ROMs and transmission type media such as analog or digital
communication links.
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