U.S. patent application number 11/612295 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for identification scheme for a communication device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Adam M. Petrovich.
Application Number | 20070084919 11/612295 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32717814 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070084919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Petrovich; Adam M. |
April 19, 2007 |
IDENTIFICATION SCHEME FOR A COMMUNICATION DEVICE
Abstract
Architecture for presenting m-commerce transaction data to a
user. An m-commerce device includes a device reading apparatus
adapted to read a dataform. At least one item for purchase has
associated therewith an item dataform readable by the m-commerce
device, the item dataform linked to item information of the item. A
terminal is provided for interactive presentation of information to
the user. The m-commerce device and terminal are in communication
over a network such that item information input to the m-commerce
device is transmitted to the terminal for interactive presentation
to the user.
Inventors: |
Petrovich; Adam M.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AMIN, TUROCY & CALVIN, LLP
1900 EAST 9TH STREET, NATIONAL CITY CENTER
24TH FLOOR,
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Assignee: |
SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
One Symbol Plaza
Holtsville
NY
11742-1300
|
Family ID: |
32717814 |
Appl. No.: |
11/612295 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10435971 |
May 12, 2003 |
7155405 |
|
|
11612295 |
Dec 18, 2006 |
|
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60437626 |
Dec 31, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/383 ;
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/3276 20130101;
G06Q 30/0623 20130101; G06Q 20/322 20130101; G06Q 20/3278 20130101;
G06Q 20/32 20130101; G06Q 30/0238 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101;
G06Q 30/0222 20130101; G07G 1/145 20130101; G06Q 30/0641 20130101;
G07G 1/0045 20130101; G06Q 30/0268 20130101; G06Q 20/327 20130101;
G06Q 20/04 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 30/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/383 ;
705/027 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20060101
G06K015/00; G07F 7/00 20060101 G07F007/00 |
Claims
1. A system for presenting user transaction data to a user,
comprising: means for reading a terminal dataform of a terminal to
obtain a unique terminal identifier associated with the terminal;
means for transmitting item information and the terminal identifier
to a network server; means for comparing the terminal identifier
with a database of terminal location data of the network server to
obtain the terminal location data associated with the terminal
identifier; and means for transmitting the item information to the
terminal in accordance with the terminal location data for
presentation to the user.
2. The system of claim 1, the dataform being at least one of a bar
code, encoded in association with a transponder system, encoded in
association with an RFID system, and a magnetically encoded
media.
3. The system of claim 1, the item information comprising at least
one of product information and service information.
4. The system of claim 1 presenting the item information to the
user.
5. The system of claim 1, the user causing a device to read the
item dataform associated with the item information, the item
information being stored in the device until transmitted in
response the act of reading.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising presenting at least
one of advertising information and user preferences information to
the user via the m-commerce device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/435,971, filed on May 12, 2003 and entitled:
IDENTIFICATION SCHEME FOR A COMMUNICATION DEVICE, which claims the
benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/437,626, filed on Dec. 31, 2002 and entitled: "IDENTIFICATION
SCHEME FOR A COMMUNICATION DEVICE". The entireties of these
applications are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to portable computing devices, and
more specifically, to architecture for identifying an m-commerce
device with an m-commerce transaction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The emergence of mobile commerce (commonly known as
"m-commerce") on retail sales is impacting the manner in which
business is currently conducted. The m-commerce initiative improves
a shopping experience by employing technology such as hand-held
computers and wireless data networks to enable direct interaction
between retailers and customers as they shop. A customer can now
access information to facilitate a purchase from most any location.
Information will be substantially available for any one, anywhere,
and at any time. Retailers can communicate with customers in a
timely and relevant manner by promoting products in-aisle and at
the point-of-decision. Such technology supports transactions and
personalized promotions based on customer-specific
characteristics-including past purchase history, current market
basket composition or even location within the store. While a
customer shops in a store, targeted marketing messages can be sent
directly to the customer via his or her m-commerce device based
upon contents of their shopping basket, their respective location
in the store, or other triggers. Shopping totals are computed and
savings are automatically calculated. Marketing possibilities are
virtually limitless. Promotions can be delivered in the form of
banners scrolling across mobile-device screens offering deals on
competitive or affiliated products, static bitmaps, or "animated"
bitmaps. Consumers could be reminded to purchase items based on
current and/or past market-basket composition or their location in
the store. New revenue streams and cooperative marketing models for
retailers and their vendors will be generated for retailers who
capitalize on the mobile commerce revolution.
[0004] However, the design of devices adapted for mobile commerce
technology can still make use of the technology cumbersome or
inconvenient. For example, in a shopping environment, the customer
will eventually have to complete the purchase transaction by paying
for the items selected. This typically involves going to a checkout
station to have the contents of the mobile device downloaded or
transferred via a wired or wireless communications network. The
device is than inserted into a cradle or similar equipment to
facilitate download of the customer purchase information.
[0005] What is needed is a scheme and/or mechanism for providing a
more efficient and productive shopping experience when using an
m-commerce device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one
aspect thereof, comprises architecture for presenting to a user
m-commerce transaction data. An m-commerce device includes a device
reading apparatus adapted to read a dataform. At least one item for
purchase has associated therewith an item dataform readable by the
m-commerce device, the item dataform linked to item information of
the item. A terminal is provided for interactive presentation of
information to the user. The m-commerce device and terminal are in
wireless communication over a network such that when the user
causes the m-commerce device to read a terminal dataform associated
with the terminal, item information input to and stored in the
m-commerce device is transmitted wirelessly to the terminal for
interactive presentation to the user via the terminal.
[0007] In another aspect thereof, there is provided architecture
for presenting to a user m-commerce transaction data. An m-commerce
device includes a device reading apparatus adapted to read a
dataform. At least one item for purchase has associated therewith
an item dataform readable by the m-commerce device, the item
dataform linked to item information of the item. A terminal is
provided for interactive presentation of information to the user.
The m-commerce device and terminal are in wireless and/or wired
communication over a network such that when the user causes the
terminal to read a device dataform of the m-commerce device, item
information input to the m-commerce device is transmitted to the
terminal for interactive presentation to the user via the
terminal.
[0008] In another aspect thereof, there are provided one or more
signs that include machine-readable dataforms that the customer can
scan with the m-commerce device. The dataform may be placed next to
generically descriptive text on the sign, which sign may then be
located proximate the product and/or service (or item of commerce)
offered for sale. The sign may also include readable dataforms
associated with products and/or services offered for further
informational inquiry only. The sign further includes a logo or
emblem that provides easy viewing by the customer such that the
logo indicates that the associated product and/or service is being
offered as part of a promotional program. The customer can easily
identify the location of the promotional items by the presence of
the sign and logo in the aisle close to the affiliated items.
[0009] Other notification means include the use of signboards that
include a list of promotional items and associated machine-readable
dataforms. The signboard also includes an easily identifiable logo
or symbol such that when noticed, the customer is made aware that
the item listed on the signboard are of a promotional and/or
discounted nature. The logo or symbol includes the readable
dataform. The signboards need not be placed proximate to the
promoted item, but may be placed in a central location more readily
accessible to a number of customers, for example, at aisle ends, or
more open areas. The customer may then simply scan any number of
the listed items on the signboard, the listed items being those
found in the associated aisle(s), instead of being required to walk
those aisles.
[0010] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein
in connection with the following description and the annexed
drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of
the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be
employed and the present invention is intended to include all such
aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features
of the invention may become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow block diagram of the disclosed
architecture where the dataform is located at a store terminal.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of the process of the system
of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow block diagram of an alternative
system 300 where a device dataform 302 is included with the
portable device.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of the process of the system
of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow block diagram of an alternative
embodiment where a portable device lacks wireless communication
capability.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow block diagram of an alternative
system where one or more stationary signs are located throughout
the store, for example, on shelves or aisle ends with associated
products, for providing a more visual means for attracting customer
attention to certain products and/or services being promoted by the
store.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of the process associated
with FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow block diagram of an alternative
system where one or more stationary signboards are located
throughout the store, for example, on shelves or aisle ends, for
providing a more visual means for attracting customer attention to
lists of certain products and/or services being promoted by the
store.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of the process associated
with FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary database of the remote
m-commerce server for cross-referencing a dataform with the network
location of the POA terminal, according to the system of FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative database for storing
location-based associations of sign dataforms.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of an implementation of the
sign of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a signboard implemented according to the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B illustrate respectively front and rear
views of a portable m-commerce device adapted to operate in
accordance with the disclosed architecture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention is now described with reference to the
drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like
elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may
be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
facilitate describing the present invention.
[0026] As used in this application, the term "computer component"
is intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware,
a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in
execution. For example, a computer component may be, but is not
limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an
object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a
computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a
server and the server can be a computer component. One or more
computer components may reside within a process and/or thread of
execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or
distributed between two or more computers.
[0027] As used herein, the term "inference" refers generally to the
process of reasoning about or inferring states of the system,
environment, and/or user from a set of observations as captured via
events and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a
specific context or action, or can generate a probability
distribution over states, for example. The inference can be
probabilistic--that is, the computation of a probability
distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of
data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques employed
for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or data.
Such inference results in the construction of new events or actions
from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether or
not the events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and
whether the events and data come from one or several event and data
sources.
[0028] The present invention provides a more effective and
productive architecture for an m-commerce customer by associating
and presenting point-of-activity (POA) data to the customer at a
POA location. The customer POA data can include product and/or
service offerings (i.e., items of commerce) of one or more vendors,
as well as personal information related to credit, addresses,
account numbers, past purchases, and customer preference
information. The POA data can be obtained by means of a portable
m-commerce device that has a bar code scanning capability, or some
other type of input, e.g., RFID (radio frequency identification),
either separate from the bar code capability, or in addition to the
bar code scanning capability.
[0029] RFID is an automatic data capture technology that comprises
small data-carrying tokens (or "tags"), and fixed or mobile
scanners ("readers"). Tags are attached to or embedded in objects
to be identified. Readers may be installed at locations where data
capture is required, and may also be in the form of portable
readers. Data captured from tags is transferred between distributed
readers and a host environment via wire or wireless serial
communications links. Readers and tags communicate using low power
RF signals. Tags typically are based on a custom designed silicon
integrated circuit. Data may be read from and written to tags by
readers. Through the application of RFID, items may be tracked
automatically and without human intervention, minimizing time
involved in identification processes, and with high integrity of
data capture.
[0030] Thus the customer roams a store scanning offered products
and/or services, which he or she may ultimately want to purchase.
When ready to complete the purchase transaction, the customer
approaches a transaction terminal (or POA terminal) of the store,
which terminal includes a readable dataform or "license plate"
(e.g., a bar code, graphically printed indicia) that can be
conveniently read by the customer m-commerce device. Once the
device scans the license plate, a logical association is made
between the customer and the POA terminal, and information is
transmitted from the device in the form of a conventional data
protocol (e.g., XML (eXtensible Markup Language)) to facilitate
retrieval of a location address of the POA terminal such that POA
data of the customer stored in the m-commerce device is presented
to the customer at the POA terminal. This information may be based
upon items scanned (in the "shopping cart") or desired product
and/or promotional offers (a "wish list") that provide high value
to the customer. The customer can then peruse a listing of the
items utilizing interactive capabilities provided by the POA
terminal to select one or more items for purchase and/or further
inquiry.
[0031] The license plate includes an encoded identifier that
uniquely identifies or is uniquely associated with the location of
the POA terminal or location of a product or service. The dataform
of the license plate can be any type of conventional readable
dataform or combination of dataforms, including but not limited to,
a bar code that is read optically by an optical scanner of the
device, a magnetically encoded strip that is readable by a magnetic
reader, an attached or embedded active or passive transponder that
can be electronically pulsed to transmit data stored therein, etc.
Alternatively, the license plate can be a product brand logo having
the readable dataform embedded therein.
[0032] It is to be appreciated that any of a number of
probabilistic-based or statistical based approaches to associate
the license plate with an entity or component can be employed. In
particular, classifiers can be employed including, for example,
Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Other classification approaches
include Bayesian networks, decision trees, and probabilistic
classification models providing different patterns of independence
may be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of
statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of
priority.
[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, SVMs that are well
understood are employed as a classifier. It is to be appreciated
that other classifier models may also be utilized such as Naive
Bayes, Bayes Net, decision tree, and other learning models. SVMs
are configured via a learning or training phase within a classifier
constructor and feature selection module, for example. A classifier
is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3,
x4, xn ), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class--that
is, f(x)=confidence(class).
[0034] An aspect of SVMs and other inductive-learning approaches is
to employ a training set of labeled instances to learn a
classification function automatically. The training set is depicted
within a data store associated with the classifier constructor. The
training set may include a subset of groupings G.sub.1 through
G.sub.N that indicate potential and/or actual elements or element
combinations (e.g., bar code indicia, text, images . . . ) that are
associated with a particular category. The data store also includes
a plurality of categories 1 through M, wherein the groupings can be
associated with one or more categories. During learning, a function
that maps input features to a confidence of class is learned. Thus,
after learning a model, categories are represented as a weighted
vector of input features.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a flow block
diagram of the disclosed architecture. A customer 100 enters a
store with a portable device 102 (also denoted as a "mobile
device") suitably adapted with m-commerce capability.
Alternatively, the store may provide to the customer a portable
device for use within the store. After roaming the store and
scanning with the device 102 products and services offered for
purchase, the customer 100 approaches a POA transaction station (or
terminal) 104. The POA terminal 104 is configured with a readable
POA dataform 106 and the customer portable device 102 includes the
capability to read the dataform 106. Thus the customer 100 controls
the device 102 such that the dataform 106 can be read. Once the
dataform 106 is read, the device 102 automatically operates to
format and transmit data therefrom.
[0036] The dataform 106 includes POA location data (or unique
address information) representative of the location of the POA
terminal on a network 108. The device 102 includes device
information that uniquely identifies the device 102. Further, the
device 102 has stored therein POA purchase data that defines those
items of potential purchase scanned by the customer 100 while in
the store. Alternatively, the device 102 can access this data via
the network 108 and local server 124 or remote server 114. Thus
once the dataform 106 has been scanned, the device 102
automatically formats the dataform data and the POA purchase data
for wireless transmission. The combined data set is then
transmitted in bulk from the device 102. Note that the process of
transmitting can be either configured to occur automatically or
manually. When performed automatically, the customer 100 need not
provide any input to facilitate the transmission. If transmission
is configured to be performed manually, the customer 100 must
interact with the device 102 to cause the transmission to occur,
e.g., by selecting a "send" option, or the like.
[0037] Transmission of the dataform data and POA purchase data
occurs over a wireless link 110 to a wireless network access
interface 112, such as an IEEE 802.11 b access point device located
in the store. It is appreciated that many other conventional types
of wireless communication technologies can be utilized, including
but not limited to, infra-red, RF, and Bluetooth, including
wireless wide area networks (WANs) such as cellular and data
networks. The access interface 112 provides network access to the
network 108, which in this embodiment is a global communication
network (e.g., the Internet), but may also be a WAN, LAN, or other
network that provides the disclosed connectivity capabilities. It
is to be appreciated that the network access interface 112 may also
be operatively disposed on a local store network 109 such that the
communication through the network access interface 112 is directly
to services provided on the local network 109.
[0038] Disposed on the network 108 is a remote m-commerce server
114 that hosts a database 116 of relationships between a large
number of the POA location data and the dataforms 106. The POA
location data can include not only the network location of the POA
terminal 104, but also a listing of the products and/or service
selected for purchase or further inquiry. The server 114 is
suitably capable of performing a look-up operation of the database
116 utilizing the dataform 106 to obtain the corresponding network
address of the POA terminal 104. The POA purchase data is then
routed to that network address via the network 108 through a
network interface 118 to the POA transaction terminal 104 over the
local store network 109 for presentation to the customer 100. Note
that the POA terminal 104 may access the LAN/WAN 108 either in a
wired or wireless fashion according to conventional network
architectures. It is to be appreciated that instead of the POA data
being forwarded from the remote server 114 along with the address
of the POA terminal 104, the POA terminal 104 is notified of the
availability of the purchase data at the remote server 114, such
that after being notified, the POA terminal retrieves the purchase
data from the remote server 114 for presentation to the customer
100.
[0039] Disposed on the local network 109 is a products and services
server 120 that contains a database 122 of all products and
services offered by the store(s) for sale or inquiry to the
customer 100 while roaming the store. Of course, the database 122
and server capabilities provided by the products server 120 can
also be incorporated into the POA terminal 104. However, in
practical application, there will be numerous POA terminals 104
located about the store for use by a large number of customers 100
and thus the products server 120 will be separate from the terminal
104. The products and services server 120 may also be tightly
integrated into a point-of-sale (POS) system 107 of the store,
which POS system 107 is typically utilized to perform transaction
support at a checkout counter.
[0040] When the POA purchase data arrives at the POA terminal 104,
the purchase data is then extracted from the data packets, and not
only presented to the customer 100, but used for transmit to the
products and services server 120 to obtain additional related
information for presentation to the customer at the terminal 104.
This additional information may include customer information
uniquely associated with the customer 100, e.g., name, address,
customer personal credit account information, and more. In more
robust implementations, the customer information can include buying
habit information of the customer 100 that is developed over time
as the customer 100 shops at the store, or any store in a network
of stores subscribing to the disclosed architecture. For example,
as a condition for participating in the disclosed architecture of
store, the customer 100 must complete an application that inquires
of the customer preferences or dislikes across a wide variety of
information. These preferences are then used to present information
to the customer 100 when at the terminal 104 or even to the device
102 while the customer roams the store. The preferences information
can be stored in any network location either local or remote to the
store; however, the illustrated location is locally on a customer
preferences server 121 and associated database 123.
[0041] It is appreciated that in an alternative implementation,
instead of the scanned product and/or service information being
transmitted as a bulk transfer from the device 102 after the
customer 100 approaches the POA terminal 104, each purchase scan
results in a single transmission of the scanned product or service
information to a network storage location. As the customer 100
scans a product or service for purchase, the device 102
automatically transmits that product or service information for
that single purchase event along with unique device ID (UDID)
information through the network 108 to be stored in association
with the customer account in a unique storage location, e.g., the
remote m-commerce server 114 (and database 116) or preferences
server 121 (and database 123) on the local store network 109. Thus
purchase events are accumulated on the network server. Once the
customer 100 approaches POA terminal 104, the device 102 scans the
dataform 106, and the association of the customer 100 with the
location of the POA terminal 104 is made so that the accumulated
purchase event data is retrieved from the network server for
presentation to the customer 100 at the POA terminal 104.
[0042] Alternatively, the network 108 is not a remote global
communication network, such as the Internet, but is consolidated
into the single store LAN 109 such that there is provided a local
m-commerce server 124 and local database 126 providing the
capabilities of the remote m-commerce server and database (114 and
116) in a local network setting. Thus the POA purchase data and the
dataform information are transmitted wirelessly through the network
109 to the local m-commerce server 124 in order to obtain the
network address of the POA terminal 104 that corresponds to the
terminal 104 at which the customer 100 is present. Additionally, it
is to be appreciated that the m-commerce server 124, products and
services server 120, and customer preferences server 121 are not
limited to residing on separate network computers, but can all
reside on a single server or combinations of server machines.
Furthermore, the servers 120 and 121 can be disposed on a network
remote from the store, for example, the network 108, or any other
network that is accessible to facilitate the flow of information to
various devices such as the POA terminal 104 and the mobile device
102. As a further example, it is appreciated that the device 102 is
capable of receiving, processing, and presenting web clips
(specially formatted web pages for presentation smaller web-capable
devices) of information to the customer 100 such that if, e.g., a
favorite soap product A is scanned, that soap product information
is used to obtain further information about that soap product or
other soap products currently being promoted by the soap vendor.
This soap information can be hosted locally on the local products
and services server 120, or linked via the products server 120 to
remotely access that soap information from a Vendor A server 128
disposed on the global communication network 108. Alternatively,
the remote m-commerce server 114 can host the vendor information
such that the remote m-commerce server 114 is accessed for the
vendor information.
[0043] In either case, the customer 100 or the store can be charged
for the interaction with the vendor information database, for
example, Vendor A 128 (and other vendors) on a per access basis via
the network 108, or wherever the vendor information servers are
disposed. The access cost, which may be a few cents per access can
then be charged back using an accounting system that forwards the
access cost information to the store to either add to the customer
transaction purchase or to the store account. If charged to the
store account, these access costs can be recouped through, for
example, the inclusion in the costs of other product and/or
service. In order to provide information suitable for presentation
on the device 102, certain device type information would also need
to be transmitted so that the web information can be properly
formatted for either text and/or graphical presentation to the
customer 100. Similarly, if the customer 100 indicated in his or
her preferences that they would want stock information communicated
to the device 102 while they shop, such information can be provided
by accessing a Vendor B server 130 disposed on the network 108 and
transmitting the stock information over the network 108 to the
device 102 via the wireless access interface 112. The type and
amount of information provided to the customer 100 while shopping
in the store is virtually unlimited.
[0044] The POA terminal 104 may be a kiosk suitably configured for
network transactions, such that when the customer 100 is presented
the information at the terminal 104, other web-based features are
provided for accessing further information. A unique feature of
this solution is that the user completes "navigation" prior to
approaching the POA terminal 104. For instance, where the kiosk is
a wine steward that may be networked to an Internet-based wine
content provider, wine could be selected by choosing an item in a
current list or basket, e.g., "Salmon", choosing or touching a
wine-suggestion button or using preferences, past purchase history
(e.g., "$1 off Kendal Jackson wine") information through which
highly relevant wine suggestions are made. This is but one example,
since this could also be used for many other implementations, such
as for accessing nutritional information, recipes, etc., all in the
same manner. The POA terminal 104 can include a touch screen for
interactive capability or any conventional interactive tools. In a
more robust implementation, the terminal 104 can include
voice-activated control such that the customer 100 interacts by
voicing options and selections made available.
[0045] It is appreciated that the while the customer 100 shops the
store, advertising, customer preference information, and/or product
and service information can be transmitted by the store systems
through the network 108 to the portable device 102 such that the
customer 100 can be presented with this information while shopping,
or presented with this information in response to a real-time
customer inquiry while shopping.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a flow chart
of the process of the system of FIG. 1. For purposes of simplicity
of explanation, the methodologies illustrated herein in the form of
flow charts are shown and described as a series of acts. However,
it is to be understood and appreciated that the present invention
is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in
accordance with the present invention, occur in different orders
and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described
herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and
appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as
a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state
diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to
implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.
Flow begins at a Start block and moves to 200 where the customer
100 shops and scans various products and/or services for further
inquiry and potential purchase. At 202, the customer 100 approaches
the POA terminal 104. The portable device 102 than scans the
license plate (LP) dataform 106 of the POA terminal 104, as
indicated at 204. At 206, the device 102 then transmits the LP
dataform data and purchase data to the remote m-commerce server
114. The server 114 performs a lookup operation on a database 116
of dataform and POA terminal associations, as indicated at 208.
Note that the purchase data may be transmitted before the customer
100 approaches the terminal 104. At 210, the location data or
address of the POA terminal 104 is retrieved from the lookup
operation. The POA data is then forwarded to the POA terminal 104
and presented to the customer 100, as indicated at 212. The POA
terminal 104 is suitably configured to allow the customer 100 to
interact therewith such that one or more of the products and
services previously scanned by the customer 100 can now be
confirmed for purchase, deleted from purchase, and/or have further
information provided, as indicated at 214. Other data (e.g.,
preference data) can be presented based upon the identity of the
customer 100.
[0047] As indicated hereinabove with respect to FIG. 1, the
customer 100 can receive information via the device 102 at any
point during the shopping experience. This is indicated at 216,
which extends in parallel from the input of 200 to the output of
214. This can be initiated by the customer 100 providing an
indication to the store system of his or her presence in the store.
The store system will then retrieve and transmit encrypted customer
information to the device 102. The information is addressed to the
specific customer and encrypted so that other customers in the
store using a device in the same frequency range will not be able
to perceive other customer information. This indication can be
facilitated by the dataform 106 being scanned at a store entry
point as the customer 100 enters the store. The transmission is
triggered to cease either after the customer 100 completes the
transaction at the POA terminal 104 or by signaling exit of the
store system as the customer 100 passes through the same activation
or trigger system when he or she entered the store. Flow then
reaches a Stop block.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a flow block
diagram of an alternative system 300 where a device dataform 302 is
included with the portable device 102. In this particular
application, the customer 100 roams the store to scan products
and/or services for purchase, but when approaching the POA terminal
104, the terminal 104 includes sensing architecture that reads the
device dataform 302. The dataform 302 includes device information
that uniquely identifies the device 102 (e.g., the UDID), and can
be utilized further for association with a specific customer 100.
The customer 100 transmits the purchase data along with the
dataform information to the remote server 114 for storage. Note
that the purchase data may be transmitted at anytime, and is not
limited to transmission when the customer 100 is at the terminal
100. The POA terminal 104 operates to use the scanned dataform 302
to retrieve the data associated therewith from the remote server
114 by querying the server 114 over the local network 109 to the
network 108. Additionally, data may be transferred to the POA
terminal 104 via local RF (e.g., Bluetooth), infrared, or by
displaying a data file of information in the form of a
two-dimensional symbology, such as PDF417, on the display of the
mobile device 102, and then reading it into the POA terminal 104.
This information may then be transmitted to the appropriate
server(s) over the LAN/WAN 108.
[0049] PDF stands for "Portable Data File", which is a
two-dimensional symbology that carries up to 1.1 kilobytes of
machine-readable data in a space similar to that of a standard bar
code. Unlike traditional one-dimensional bar codes, which depend on
real-time links to a larger database, PDF417 symbols are the
database. PDF417 symbols are provided in association with paper,
packages, or parts. The symbology can exchange complete data files
(such as text, numerics, or binary) and encode graphics,
fingerprints, shipping manifests, electronic data interchange (EDI)
messages, equipment calibration instructions, and much more. PDF417
provides a powerful communications capability without the need to
access an external database. Moreover, because PDF417 is a
machine-readable method of transporting data, it eliminates
time-consuming and error-prone manual data entry. It functions as a
paper-based computer memory that can be written once and read over
and over again. And, as a universal machine language, it
communicates with all host operating systems. PDF417 encodes full
ASCII, numeric or binary data, and uses sophisticated error
correction algorithms to keep the data intact, even when as much as
half the symbol is damaged.
[0050] If the purchase data has not been transmitted to the remote
server 114 from the device 102, the POA terminal 104 will continue
to transmit a query until the purchase data is accessible. When the
purchase data (or more broadly defined as the item information)
arrives at the remote server 114 from the device 102, it is stored
in a table on the storage unit 1 16. The remote server 114 performs
a lookup operation to match the scanned dataform received from the
POA terminal 104 to corresponding dataform information. When
matched, the purchase data is retrieved to the POA terminal 104 and
presented to the customer 100. The POA terminal 104 than retrieves
the purchase information from the remote server 114, uses the
product and/or service identifiers to further retrieve product and
service information from the product server 120, and presents the
information to the customer 100. This information can also be
retrieved directly from the vendor websites (128 and 130).
[0051] The process of using the device dataform 302 to retrieve the
associated transaction information from the m-commerce server 114
can trigger other events to occur, such as presenting additional
advertising, target information, or promotions to the customer 100
while at the POA terminal 104. Targeted and preference information
can also be presented according to the customer shopping
preferences, or any other information obtained during the
subscription process, e.g., weather, news, store specials in
various classes of merchandise, etc.
[0052] In an alternative application environment, the architecture
of the present invention may be used anywhere to provide
association (and billing) of mobile devices to fixed devices and
services. Another example would include the implementation in an
airport where business services are made available via a service
system having the POA terminal 104 such that a traveling mobile
customer needs to access his or her personal e-mail account, print
the e-mail message and/or attached document, read and approve the
document, and perhaps transmit the approved document. The customer
may then approach the service system that interrogates (e.g., scans
a dataform of the mobile device or activates a transponder to
retrieve an embedded code) the mobile device 102, or the device 102
interrogates the service system. An association is made between the
service system (via the POA terminal 104) and the customer (via the
mobile device 102) such that the document may then be transmitted
to the service system to be printed out in hardcopy for review and
signature, displayed for review and digitally signed, etc. The
capability to print the document(s) may be displayed as a
selectable option on the mobile device 102 via an e-mail
application option and/or the service system. Once the document is
processed by printing or digitally signing, the transaction may be
charged to the customer in a conventional manner such as billing
the service back to the wireless account associated with the mobile
device 102, billing according to customer preferences account
information, or any number of different accounting and billing
methods.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a flow chart
of the process of the system of FIG. 3. Flow begins at a Start
block and moves to 400 where the customer 100 shops and scans
various products and/or services for further inquiry and potential
purchase. At 402, the customer 100 transmits the purchase data and
dataform data to the remote server 114. The customer 100 then
approaches the POA terminal 104, as indicated at 404. As indicted
previously, the purchase data may be transmitted at anytime before
or after the customer approaches the terminal 104. However, it is
preferable that the data be transmitted before such that the data
is made readily available for presentation to the customer 100 when
at the POA terminal 104. The POA terminal 104 than scans the
license plate dataform 302 of the device 102, as indicated at 406.
At 408, the POA terminal 104 accesses the remote server 114 to
determine if any purchase data has arrived associated with the
scanned dataform 302. The server 114 performs a lookup operation on
the database 116 of dataform and purchases data associations using
the received dataform data, as indicated at 410. At 412, the
purchase data is retrieved from the lookup operation. Note that
purchase data may also be extracted from the mobile device 102. The
purchase data is then forwarded to the POA terminal 104 and
presented to the customer 100, as indicated at 414. The POA
terminal 104 is suitably configured to allow the customer 100 to
interact therewith such that one or more of the products and
services previously scanned by the customer 100 can now be
confirmed for purchase, deleted from purchase, and/or have further
information provided, as indicated at 416. Other data (e.g.,
preference data) can be presented based upon the identity of the
customer 100.
[0054] As indicated hereinabove with respect to FIG. 3, the
customer 100 can receive information via the device 102 at any
point during the shopping experience. This is indicated in 418,
which extends in parallel from the input of 400 to the output of
416. This can be initiated by the customer 100 providing an
indication to the store system of his or her presence in the store.
The store system will then retrieve and address the customer
information to the corresponding customer, as well as encrypt the
customer information for transmission to the device 102. The
information is encrypted so that other customers in the store using
a device in the same frequency range will not be able to perceive
other customer information. This indication can be facilitated by
the dataform 302 being scanned at a store entry point as the
customer 100 enters the store. The transmission is triggered to
cease either after the customer 100 completes the transaction at
the POA terminal 104 or by signaling exit of the system store as
the customer 100 passes through the same activation or trigger
system when he or she entered the store. Flow then reaches a Stop
block. Additionally, the output of 418 can terminate at the input
of 416 indicating that additional information of 418 can be
presented to the customer 100 before the interaction at the POA
terminal 104.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a flow block
diagram of an alternative system embodiment 500 where a portable
device 502 lacks wireless communication capability. The license
plate dataform 302 is included with the portable device 502. In
this particular application, the customer 100 roams the store to
scan products and/or services for purchase, but when approaching
the POA terminal 104, the POA terminal 104 includes the sensing
architecture that reads the device dataform 302. The dataform 302
includes device information that uniquely identifies the device
502, and which can be further identified with a particular customer
100, where the device is personal to the customer 100. The POA
terminal 104 operates to retrieve data associated with the device
information by querying a server where the database of purchase
information is stored, e.g., hereinabove, at remote server 114. If
the purchase data has not been transmitted to the remote server
114, the POA terminal 104 will continue to transmit a query until
the purchase data is accessible.
[0056] In order to upload the purchase data from the device 502 to
the system 500, the customer will need to connect the device 502 to
a compatible interface. The interface may be made part of the POA
terminal 104 such that the customer inserts the device 502 into a
compatible interface slot. The interface capability can also
include manually removing a memory card from the device 502, and
inserting the memory card into a memory card interface such that
the terminal 104 reads the contents of the memory card. The
purchase data and associated dataform are then transmitted across
the local network 109 and the remote network 108 to the remote
server 114 for storage. When the purchase information has been
stored therein, and associated with the dataform information, the
remote server 114 can find the purchase information during the
lookup operation via the scanned dataform information. The purchase
information is then transmitted to the POA terminal 104 for
presentation to the customer 100. The purchase data can be used to
further retrieve product and service information from the product
server 120. Of course, the product and service information can also
be retrieved directly from the vendor websites (128 and 130). This
association process can trigger other events to occur, such as
presenting additional advertising or offers to the customer 100
while at the POA terminal 104. Targeted and preference information
can also be presented according to the customer shopping
preferences, or any other information obtained during the
subscription process, e.g., weather, news, store specials in
various classes of merchandise, etc., which may be stored on the
preferences server 121.
[0057] Offers or "electronic coupons" selected on the POA terminal
104 can be electronically downloaded to the mobile device 502.
These coupons can be electronically associated with a purchase
transaction at any point of payment or can be transferred to the
point-of-sale system via a linkage at payment, similar to that of
the POA terminal 104.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated flow block
diagram of an alternative system 600 where one or more stationary
sign(s) 602 are located throughout the store, for example, on
shelves or aisle ends with associated products, for providing a
more visual means for attracting customer attention to certain
products and/or services being promoted by the store. The sign(s)
602 are placed by a store associate 606 in proximity to the
products and/or services being promoted. The sign(s) 602 include
one or more dataforms 604 associated with products and/or services
being promoted. The store associate 606 also utilizes a mobile
device 608 in wireless communication with the store network 109 (or
network 108) via the network access interface 112 to retrieve
information from the products and services server 120 that
indicates where to locate the sign(s) 602. The store associate 606
need only scan one of the promoted dataforms 604 on the sign 602,
and the corresponding location information for that sign 602 will
be returned and presented via the device 608. The location
information may include aisle information and general location of
the item in the aisle. The location of every product in the store
and service promotion information can be stored in a database, for
example, the products and services database 122. The associate 606
then accesses this database of location information wirelessly via
the mobile device 608 for more expedient placement of the
associated sign(s) 602. This placement process can include
placement of multiple signs 602 at a number of shelf and/or aisle
locations throughout the store, in accordance with sign placement
location information retrieved wirelessly from the database
122.
[0059] The sign dataform 604 is readable by the mobile device 102
of the customer 100. When the customer 100 sees the sign and
desires additional information (e.g., offers, product information,
associated product information, recipe information, . . . ), the
customer scans the associated dataform 604. The scanned sign
dataform 604 is transmitted to the local m-commerce server 124 to
retrieve information or offers associated with the product
presented on the sign 602. The purchase data and associated
dataform data are then transmitted to the remote m-commerce server
114 for storage. When the purchase information has been stored
therein, and associated with the dataform data, the remote server
114 can find the purchase information during the lookup operation
when utilizing the scanned dataform information. The purchase
information is then transmitted to the mobile device 102 via the
wireless network interface 112 for presentation to the customer
100. The purchase data can be used to further retrieve product and
service information from the product server 120. Of course, the
product and service information can also be retrieved directly from
the vendor websites (128 and 130).
[0060] This association process can trigger other events to occur,
such as presenting additional advertising or offers to the customer
100 while at the sign 602. Targeted and preference information can
also be presented according to the customer shopping preferences,
or any other information obtained during the subscription process,
e.g., weather, news, store specials in various classes of
merchandise, etc., which may be stored on the preferences server
121.
[0061] It is appreciated that the sign 602 is not limited to a
single sign dataform 604, but can include multiple dataforms for
scanning by the customer, limited only by the size of the sign 602.
For example, since the sign 602 would be located among similar
products of a manufacturer, the sign 602 may include similar
product versions of a same type of product. Using soda as an
example, if Vendor A produces a grape, orange, and berry soda, and
promotes the purchase of soda any combination of flavors, the sign
602 can include multiple dataforms 604, each associated with a
respective soda flavors. The customer can then scan the dataform of
any of the soda flavors, in addition to the flavor promoted, for
purchase and/or further information.
[0062] The scanned sign information can also be stored in
association with the customer account for retrieval during a later
store-shopping trip. The customer can approach the POA terminal 104
to retrieve this previously stored sign information according to
the system operation described hereinabove in FIG. 1.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a flow chart
of the process associated with FIG. 6. Flow begins at 700 where the
customer 100 views the sign and chooses to obtain further
information about the product and/or services presented thereon.
The customer 100 scans one of the sign dataforms 604 using the
mobile device 102. The customer 100 then wirelessly transmits
(automatically or manually) the sign dataform data through the
wireless network interface 112 over the remote network 108 to the
remote server 114, indicated at 702. At 704, the server 114
performs a lookup operation to obtain the product and/or service
information associated with the scanned sign dataform 604. After
this associated information is retrieved by the server 114, at 706,
the information is transmitted from the remote server 114 to the
wireless device 102 for presentation to the customer 100, as
indicated at 708. At 710, the customer 100 can then interact with
the store system(s) based upon the returned data to, for example,
select the product/service for purchase, request further
information, or not purchase the product/service at all. The
remaining features previously mentioned in association with the
system of FIG. 1 are also available, for example, network retrieval
of vendor information from the vendor servers (128 and 130), all of
which have been described in detail hereinabove.
[0064] The store system can keep a record of the customer shopping
habits by storing information related to this recent inquiry. Thus
when the customer 100 returns to the store at a later date, the
store system can broadcast the customer preference information and
previous product/service purchase and/or inquiry information to the
m-commerce device 102 for presentation to the customer 100. This is
indicated at 712, which connects in parallel from the input of 700
to the output of 710. Of course, the output of 712 could also flow
directly to the input of 710 to facilitate purchase of any of the
broadcast product/service information prior to a POA
transaction.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a flow block
diagram of an alternative system 800 where one or more stationary
signboard(s) 802 are located throughout the store, for example, on
shelves or aisle ends, for providing a more visual means for
attracting customer attention to lists of certain products and/or
services being promoted by the store. Each of the listed products,
services, offers, etc., has associated therewith a dataform. For a
product, product dataform 804 has product text and/or graphics
associated therewith, a service dataform 806 has service text
and/or graphics associated with it, and an offer dataform 808 has
offer text and/or graphics associated with it. Alternatively, the
dataforms need not have text associated therewith, in which case,
based on the scan, the customer exhibits intent, and the system
provides text based upon information.
[0066] When the customer 100 sees the signboard 802 and desires
additional information (e.g., offers, recipe information . . . ),
the customer 100 scans the desired dataform (804, 806, and/or 808)
on the signboard 802 associated with the text and/or graphics using
the mobile device 102. The scanned dataform data is sent to the
local server 124 to retrieve information or offers associated with
the dataform. The dataform data is then transmitted over the
network 108 to the remote server 114 for storage. When the purchase
information has been received, and associated with the dataform
information, the remote server 114 can find the purchase
information during the lookup operation via the scanned dataform
information. The purchase information is then transmitted to the
mobile device 102 for presentation to the customer 100. The
purchase data can be used to further retrieve product and/or
service information from the product server 120. Of course, the
product and service information can also be retrieved directly from
the vendor websites (128 and 130). This association process can
trigger other events to occur, such as presenting additional
advertising or offers to the customer 100 while at the signboard
802. Targeted and preference information can also be presented
according to the customer shopping preferences, or any other
information obtained during the subscription process, e.g.,
weather, news, store specials in various classes of merchandise,
etc., which may be stored on the preferences server 121.
[0067] The scanned sign information can also be stored in
association with the customer account for retrieval during a later
store-shopping trip. The customer can approach the POA terminal 104
to retrieve this previously stored sign information (e.g., stored
at any server location) according to the system operation described
hereinabove in FIG. 1. The remaining features previously mentioned
in association with the system of FIG. 1 are also available, for
example, network retrieval of vendor information from the vendor
servers (128 and 130), all of which have been described in detail
hereinabove.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a flow chart
of the process associated with FIG. 8. Flow begins at a Start block
and moves to 900 where the customer 100 scans signboard dataform on
the signboard 802 using the mobile device 102. At 902, the customer
100 transmits the scanned signboard dataform data to the local
server 124 for storage and processing to retrieve information and
offers associated therewith. The dataform data is also transmitted
to the remote server 114 for storage. When the purchase transaction
has been completed, the purchase information is also stored on the
remote server 114 in association with the dataform data. Note that
the dataform data and purchase data can be stored virtually at any
suitable data location and at anytime during the shopping process.
Thus, at a later time, when the customer 100 returns to the store
to shop, the prior purchase information can be retrieved as a
result of a lookup operation at 904, and transmitted to the
customer device 102 for presentation to the customer 100, as
indicated in 906. In addition to, or in lieu of sending the prior
purchase information to the customer device 102, related offers
and/or product/service information can be transmitted to the
customer 100 for review. At 908, the customer 100 can then interact
with the store system(s), e.g., the POA terminal 104, to make
further inquiries or purchases, as well as via the device 102.
[0069] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated an exemplary
database 1000 of the remote m-commerce server 114 for
cross-referencing the dataform 106 with the network location of the
POA terminal 104, according to the system of FIG. 1. The database
1000 includes a table or similar data structure of a plurality of
associations between POA dataforms 1002 (e.g., POA dataform 106)
and corresponding network addresses 1004 of POA terminals of the
store or terminal of any other store affiliated with the program
facilitated by the present invention. The database 1000 is stored
on the storage unit 116 of the remote server 114 to facilitate
locating the POA terminal 104 that the customer 100 has approached
for finalizing the purchase transaction. As indicated hereinabove,
the database 1000 can either be stored remotely on the server 114
or locally on the local m-commerce server 124, or both as a means
of providing a backup database. Thus once the device 102 has sensed
the dataform 106, an association is made between the device 102 and
the POA terminal 104 (that includes the POA dataform 106) and
stored in the database 1000. The remote server 114 temporarily
stores the purchase data while performing the lookup operation on
the plurality of dataform information 1002 using the dataform 106.
When the corresponding network address 1004 of the POA terminal 104
is obtained, the stored purchase data is forwarded to the POA
terminal 104 for presentation to the customer 100, according to the
retrieved network address. It is appreciated that the communication
exchange between the device 102 and the remote server 114 may be
that the dataform information 106 is first transmitted to the
remote server 114 to obtain the corresponding network address,
after which the network address is returned to the device 102. The
device 102 than packetizes the network address and purchase and/or
customer preference information data for transmission through the
network 108 to the POA terminal 104.
[0070] Furthermore, the customer data 1006 may be logically linked
to the POA terminal 104 entry such that customer data 1006
(including the customer preference information and purchase and/or
inquiry information) may be transmitted to the POA terminal 104 for
presentation to the customer 100. Additional data may be linked
during over the course of the shopping process such that specials
may be presented to the customer 100 in substantially real time
while at the POA terminal 104.
[0071] It is to be appreciated that personally owned compatible
m-commerce devices may be utilized with the disclosed system. The
database 1000 may then include an association of unique device IDs
(UDID) 1008 of a plurality of the portable devices 102 with the
names 1010 of device owners such that when the customer 100 enters
the store, the UDID 1008 is communicated to the store system,
either manually by the customer or automatically detected by the
store system, such that while the customer 100 shops, customer
preference data can be retrieved from the preferences server 121
and presented to the customer 100 via the device 102 and/or the POA
terminal 104. Manual communication can include selecting a
combination of numbers of the device 102 for wireless transmission
over the network 108 to the remote server 114. This can also
include the customer 100 approaching a data entry device in the
store to manually enter the customer name to indicate his or her
presence in the store. The UDID 1008 of the device 102, or any
other portable device with similar capabilities that the customer
100 chooses to register, would initially be provided to the store
system when the customer 100 subscribes to the disclosed
architecture. The customer 100 could than have multiple entries in
the database 1000. Other information 1012 may also be included in
the database 1000 to facilitate retrieval of additional
advertising, promotions, and/or preference information for each
customer, e.g., targeted data, prior shopping lists, etc.
[0072] It is appreciated that the POA terminal 104 can also be a
wireless station such that any communication between the POA
terminal 104 and the network 108 is performed wirelessly. Such
wireless communication capability includes, but is not limited to,
infrared, Bluetooth, and other wireless technologies. Nor is the
dataform (106 and 302) limited to being an optically scanable
barcode, but may be a code embedded into a transponder system such
that proximity of the mobile device 102 to the POA terminal 104
triggers automatic activation of the transponder system to expose
the encoded dataform code to the receiving system. It can be
further appreciated that each of the POA terminal 104 and the
mobile device 102 have dataforms associated therewith such that the
dataforms of each could be scanned by the other when the customer
approaches the POA terminal 104. This approach results in an
association created between both dataforms at the remote m-commerce
server 114 (and/or local m-commerce server 124) so that the
purchase data can be retrieved and presented to the customer
104.
[0073] Furthermore, product and/or service data transmitted between
the mobile device 102 and the POA terminal 104 is not limited to a
textual format, but may include PDF, which as indicated
hereinabove, includes text, data, biometrics, and graphics.
[0074] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated an
alternative or supplemental database 1100 to the database 1000 of
FIG. 10 for storing location-based associations of sign and
signboard dataforms. The database 1100 includes a table or similar
data structure of a plurality of associations between dataforms
1102, corresponding identifiers 1104, and items 1106, which items
1106 include products, services, offers, or information identified
by the signs and/or signboards.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a diagram of
an implementation of the sign 602 of the present invention. As
indicated hereinabove in the discussion of FIG. 6, the sign 602 may
include the sign dataform 604 that for the particular instance of
use, uniquely identifies a product/service to which the sign 602 is
proximately placed, although proximate placement is not required.
For example, the sign 602 can include a license plate graphic
(here, a paw print 1200) that is uniquely associated with a
promotional program and readily perceived by the customer 100 as he
or she shops the store aisles. Thus customer attention is drawn to
the license plate graphic and the product/service near to which the
sign 602 is placed. In this implementation, the purchase of a
program product 1202 will provide a benefit to the customer 100 if
a member of the promotional program. The sign 602 may also include
a text area 1204 that further describes the product/service, and
perhaps more details about the promotional program, although this
is not required. The sign 602 may be co-branded with products
and/or services from several different manufactures and providers.
Note that where utilized, the dataform 604 can also be imposed on
the license plate graphic 1200. This would require that the sign
602 is uniquely associated with the item, and is not usable with
other items of the store.
[0076] In application, the store will have numerous signs 602
placed in close proximity with products/services offered for
purchase under the promotional program. The customer 100 need only
to perceive the license plate graphic to quickly ascertain the
location in the store of the promotional item. The customer device
102 is used to scan the license plate dataform 604 in order to
purchase the promotional product and/or service, and/or to inquire
further about the product/service/offering.
[0077] The sign 602 with dataform 604, and possibly without any
other human readable text other then possibly a brand name, slogan,
or generic identifying text, provides a new form of customer
interaction and multimedia advertising where the customer, upon
seeing an identifying brand, logo, or shape of the sign, scans a
dataform--which identifies interest or intent. The system then
provides product information, offers, or other data based on the
relevancy of the scanned and past customer history. The customer
"self targets" himself or herself when he or she scans the sign
dataform 604.
[0078] Since nothing specific such as product name or offer needs
to be printed on the sign 602, it can be reused repeatedly by
merely moving it next to another product and service, and using an
administrative application to reassociate it to a different product
or service on the server database. Customers scan the sign dataform
to signify interest or intent. By interacting with a backend data
system, highly relevant and targeted information and offers can be
provided to the customer in lieu of fixed text normally contained
on a sign.
[0079] A customer's location in the store can also be determined
when the sign dataform 604 is scanned. This location information
may be used for transmitting an offer or information not associated
with the specific product on the sign, but simply by customer's the
location in the store. Thus, by knowing the customer's location,
the product and/or service information can be broadcast to the
device 502 alerting the customer of promotions her or she is about
to pass in the store aisle. In more robust implementations, by
simply knowing which dataforms are scanned in an aisle, the
direction of customer movement in the aisle, and in the store, in
general, can be determined, further facilitating the presentation
of promotions to the customer based upon direction of movement
through the store. Still further, knowing the time at which the
dataforms were scanned offers the capability of determining the
velocity at which the customer moves up an aisle or through various
areas of the store. The velocity information can be used to
expedite the broadcast and presentation of product and/or service
information to the customer via the scanning device 502 prior to
reaching the location of the product and/or service in the aisle or
store.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is illustrated a signboard
802 implemented according to the present invention. The signboard
802 may, although it is not required, provide a listing of items
that are part of the promotional program, whereas the sign 602
typically facilitates the purchase and information retrieval of one
product/service/offering. However, where a rewards program (based
on points or some other accounting method) is implemented, it may
be beneficial to include as many of the top points reward items on
the signboard 802. Continuing with the "paw" example, if the store
were running a GoldPaw Cat Rewards program, each item in the store
associated with the program would have the sign 602 proximate
thereto on the shelf, and alternatively, or in conjunction with,
the signboard 802, which would be placed at a location away from
the items listed thereon to facilitate quick perusal and purchase
of the program items. As illustrated, the signboard 802 includes a
listing of program items, for example, a Pop & Cola product
item 1300, a Cookies product item 1302, a Bread product item 1304,
a Chips product item 1306, and a Catering service item 1308. Each
item has the paw graphic associated therewith and respective
dataform for scanning. Note that the dataform can be imposed on the
graphic or be placed separate therefrom, insofar as the dataform is
clearly associated with the respective item from the perspective of
the customer 100. Thus the customer 100 need not walk the store
aisles in order to perceive the program items offered for sale, but
can perceive the one or more signboards 802 placed strategically
around the store to more quickly choose which, if any, promotional
items he or she wishes to purchase.
[0081] The signboard 802 with dataforms, and when implemented,
without any other human readable text other then possibly a brand
name, slogan, or generic identifying text, provides a new form of
customer interaction and multimedia advertising where the customer,
upon seeing a "high level" description or offer, scans the
dataform, which then identifies interest or intent. The system then
provides product information, offers, or other data based on the
relevancy of the scanned and past customer history. This represents
a new form of in-store multimedia advertising and promotion. The
customer "self targets" himself or herself when he or she scans the
specific dataform next to the relevant text or item on the
signboard 802. Customers scan the specific signboard dataform
simply to signify interest or intent. By interacting with a backend
data system, highly relevant and targeted information and offers
can be provided to the customer 100 in lieu of fixed text normally
contained on the sign. A customer's location in the store can be
determined when any of the sign dataforms are scanned. This might
be used for an offer or information not associated with the
specific product but the location in the store. Thus scanning of
the signboard dataform(s) may also facilitate a reminder function
supported by the system such that as the customer shops throughout
the store, his or her location may be automatically determined
within the shopping environment. As the customer approaches a
scanned product, the mobile device 102 may be activated to "remind"
the customer that this is a product and/or service that was
previously tagged for interest at the signboard. Furthermore, the
location of the customer may be determined as being at a particular
signboard when the customer scans one or more of the dataforms on
the corresponding signboard.
[0082] In all scenarios described hereinabove, when shoppers scan
dataforms throughout the store, the scanning process can be
analyzed to determine where shopper groupings or individuals may
be, such that specials may be broadcast or presented to the
shoppers to facilitate a more focused perusal of the items in that
area. The feedback provided to the store system by customers
scanning dataforms throughout the store facilitates many different
types of programs to enhance the shopping experience and to target
individual shoppers or groups of shoppers.
[0083] As mentioned hereinabove, each item of the sign 602 and the
signboard 802 can be associated with a coupon, such that the coupon
information is electronically and automatically processed at the
close of the purchase transaction. Additionally, when the customer
100 scans a dataform, a coupon notification is presented to the
customer via the device 102, and then transmitted for processing at
the close of the purchase transaction.
[0084] Note that for scenarios described hereinabove, functionality
of the remote m-commerce server 114 can also be performed by the
local m-commerce server 124, and vice versa.
[0085] It is to be further to be appreciated that dataforms may be
consolidated into a catalog of all products and/or services
provided bvy that store, such the customer may simply go to a
catalog location and scan items for purchase, further information,
or reminder for purchase throughout the store. Of course, the
products and/or services may be categorized according to type, in
alphabetical order, in association with images, audio and video
files (e.g., for preparing or working with a product), and
hyperlinks to other products, services, or website locations,
etc.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, there is illustrated
respectively front and rear views of a portable m-commerce device
1400 (similar to portable devices 102 and 502) adapted to operate
in accordance with the disclosed architecture. FIG. 14A is a
pictorial representation the front view thereof, and FIG. 14B is a
pictorial representation of the rear view. In this particular
example, the portable m-commerce 1400 is a hand-held terminal used
in a wireless communication network for tracking inventory,
scanning and storing data, etc. The user may manually interface
with the device 1400 via a keypad 1402, automatically input data by
reading a dataform (not shown) in the format of, e.g., bar code,
image, magnetic media with a dataform reading component 1404, the
dataform reading component 1404, including, e.g., a bar code
scanner/imaging apparatus or magnetic reader, etc., the operation
of all which can occur independent of the device 1400 being in
operative wired/wireless communication with a network, e.g., a LAN,
WAN, or WWAN (Wireless WAN). When the device 1400 does not include
wireless communication capability, e.g., an RF means, to provide
for real time communications of data to the LAN/WAN, the data is
stored in memory within the device 1400. The memory can take the
form non-volatile storage such as a micro-drive disk storage unit,
RAM memory, flash memory, etc. When the device 1400 is connected to
a LAN/WAN, the stored data can be transmitted to a thereacross to a
network storage node, e.g., a network client or server computer
(not shown). It is to be appreciated that the portable device 1400
can also be any other type of device that is portable in nature,
and having electronic circuitry therein in accordance with the
present invention. For example, the portable device could be a
laptop computer, notebook computer, a Personal Data Assistant,
cellular telephone, pager, any of which employs an onboard power
source, such as batteries.
[0087] The device 1400 may include, but is not limited to, the
following components: a housing 1406 for providing a ruggedized
enclosure in which the device hardware and software are contained;
a power button 1407 turning the device on and off; a display 1408
for displaying information to a user, and where the display 1408 is
an interactive interface device such as a touch screen display,
allowing the user to interact manually to input information and/or
operational commands; the keypad 1402 including a set of user
interface keys for facilitating to input of information and/or
operational commands by the user, the keypad 1402 including full
alphanumeric capability, function keys, control keys, etc.; the
dataform reading device 1404, e.g., bar code scanner, imager,
magnetic medium reader, etc.; a microphone 1410 for receiving audio
input; a speaker for providing audio output to the user, whether
rudimentary beeps or modulated verbal signals; and, one or more
communication ports (e.g., USB, IEEE1394, RS-232, IrDA), either
provided separately through the housing 1406, and/or via a mating
connector (not shown). The device 1400 can include a lighting
element such as an LED that is illuminated to signal whether or not
the dataform has been successfully read. The device 1400 may also
include internal circuitry to support all operations of the device
1400, including but not limited to, bar code scanning and
processing capability, RFID capability, data processing and
display, wired and wireless communications, power monitoring,
etc.
[0088] The housing 1406 is an elongated enclosure of a size and
structure that includes contours to fit conveniently into the open
palm of the user. The housing 1406 may be comprised of a number of
mating shell portions such as, for example, a front shell 1416 and
rear shell 1418, as well as a battery pack lid 1420.
[0089] In FIG. 14B, the housing 1406 is illustrated to include a
hand strap 1422 for user comfort, and to aid the user in retaining
the device 1400 in his or her hand. The device 1400 also includes a
window 1424 through which the dataform reader 1404 is able to read
the dataform of a label or object presented for reading. To
facilitate keypad and/or touch screen use by the user, a pen 1426
is provided in a pen holder 1428.
[0090] Of course, other communication interface technologies may be
utilized with the disclosed connector system. Popular serial and
parallel communication technologies may be utilized, e.g., I.sup.2C
(Inter-IC bus), RS-232, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 (also
known as FireWire.TM.).
[0091] What has been described above includes examples of the
present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes
of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in
the art may recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly,
the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term
"includes" is used in either the detailed description or the
claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when
employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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