U.S. patent application number 11/690894 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for pos advertising system, method, and computer program product.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nutricate Corporation. Invention is credited to Jay Ferro, Tariq Mufti.
Application Number | 20080052158 11/690894 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39197815 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080052158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferro; Jay ; et al. |
February 28, 2008 |
POS Advertising System, Method, and Computer Program Product
Abstract
An apparatus, method, system, and computer-program product for
producing valuable POS indicia that provides value to both the
customer and to the establishment. The apparatus includes a
Point-Of-Sale (POS) system for generating a receipt of a commercial
transaction at a location of the commercial transaction; a POS
receipt module, coupled to the POS system, for signaling to a
process that the receipt is to be printed, the module submitting a
set of POS data to the process to request a responsive advertising
content from the process wherein the set of POS data includes a
geographic identifier component of the location; an advertising
system for supporting the process, the advertising system
responsive to the set of POS data, to provide the responsive
advertising content to the POS-resident receipt module wherein the
responsive advertising content includes a time and location
sensitive individualized advertising message responsive to the
geographic identifier component and to a time-of-day of the
commercial transaction; wherein the POS-resident receipt module
incorporates the responsive advertising content into the receipt
provided to a customer associated with the commercial transaction.
The method includes processes for the manufacture, assembly and use
of the disclosed system, with the computer program product
including machine-executable instructions for carrying out the
disclosed methods.
Inventors: |
Ferro; Jay; (Santa Barbara,
CA) ; Mufti; Tariq; (Ojai, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL E. WOODS
3433 WHEELING DRIVE
SANTA CLARA
CA
95051
US
|
Assignee: |
Nutricate Corporation
Santa Barbara
CA
|
Family ID: |
39197815 |
Appl. No.: |
11/690894 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60767407 |
Mar 26, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.51 ;
705/14.61; 705/14.65; 705/14.73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/204 20130101;
G06F 16/9535 20190101; G06Q 30/0253 20130101; G06Q 30/0226
20130101; G06Q 20/209 20130101; G06Q 30/0255 20130101; G06Q 30/0277
20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0259 20130101; G06Q 30/0264
20130101; G06Q 30/0268 20130101; G06Q 50/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/014 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a Point-Of-Sale (POS) system for
generating a receipt of a commercial transaction at a location of
said commercial transaction; a POS receipt module, coupled to said
POS system, for signaling to a process that said receipt is to be
printed, said module submitting a set of POS data to said process
to request a responsive advertising content from said process
wherein said set of POS data includes an identifier component of
said location; an advertising system for supporting said process,
said advertising system responsive to said set of POS data, to
provide said responsive advertising content to said POS receipt
module wherein said responsive advertising content includes a
localized limited individualized advertising message responsive to
said identifier component said commercial transaction; wherein said
POS receipt module incorporates said responsive advertising content
into said receipt provided to a customer associated with said
commercial transaction.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said identifier includes
transaction identification data, wherein said localized limited
individualized advertising message is a transaction sensitive
message responsive to a transaction attribute.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said transaction identification
data includes geographic identification data and wherein said
transaction sensitive message includes a time and location
sensitive message and said transaction attribute includes a time of
day and said geographic identification data.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said time and location
sensitive individualized advertising message identifies a different
commercial entity from a commercial entity completing said
commercial transaction with said customer, said different
commercial entity at a second location remote from said location of
said commercial activity wherein said different commercial entity
offers a second commercial transaction to a bearer of said receipt,
said offer for said second commercial transaction expiring with a
predetermined time limit.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said time limit is less than
twenty-four hours from said time-of-day of said commercial
transaction.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said commercial entity is a
food service establishment and wherein said commercial transaction
includes payment for provision of a set of one or more food items
and wherein said second commercial transaction includes
participation by said customer in a primarily non-food related
activity.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said primarily non-food related
activity sponsored by said second commercial entity includes
attendance at an entertainment venue at said second location.
8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said time and location
sensitive individualized advertising message identifies a
commercial entity completing said commercial transaction with said
customer wherein said commercial entity offers a second commercial
transaction to a bearer of said receipt, said offer for said second
commercial transaction expiring with a predetermined time
limit.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said POS receipt module is
integrated into and resident with said POS system.
10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said transaction
identification data includes a time of day of said commercial
transaction and wherein said transaction sensitive message is a
time sensitive message responsive to said time of day.
11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said transaction
identification data includes a geographic location of said
commercial transaction and wherein said transaction sensitive
message is a geographic sensitive message responsive to said
geographic location.
12. A method, the method comprising: a) initiating a point-of-sale
(POS) receipt for a customer of a commercial entity completing a
commercial transaction including a transaction sensitive datum
memorializing a first commercial activity between said commercial
entity and said customer; b) querying an advertising database using
said transaction sensitive datum to retrieve a particular
advertisement identifying a second commercial activity offer to
said customer wherein said second commercial activity offer is
localized to with said transaction sensitive datum; and c)
generating said POS receipt including said second commercial
activity offer.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said transaction sensitive datum
includes a time of day and a particular geographic location of said
commercial transaction and said localized second commercial
activity offer is limited in geographic extent and time duration
responsive to said time of day and particular geographic
location.
14. A computer program product comprising a computer readable
medium carrying program instructions for producing a point-of-sale
(POS) receipt when executed using a computing system, the executed
program instructions executing a method, the method comprising: a)
initiating a point-of-sale (POS) receipt for a customer of a
commercial entity completing a commercial transaction including a
transaction sensitive datum memorializing a first commercial
activity between said commercial entity and said customer; b)
querying an advertising database using said transaction sensitive
datum to retrieve a particular advertisement identifying a second
commercial activity offer to said customer wherein said second
commercial activity offer is localized to with said transaction
sensitive datum; and c) generating said POS receipt including said
second commercial activity offer.
15. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein said
transaction sensitive datum includes a time of day and a particular
geographic location of said commercial transaction and said
localized second commercial activity offer is limited in geographic
extent and time duration responsive to said time of day and
particular geographic location.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 60/767,408 (Attorney Docket 20052-7002) titled "POS Receipt
Bearing Real-Time Time/Geographic Advertisement" filed 26 Mar. 2006
(and its conversion (Attorney Docket 20052-7004) "POS Receipt
Bearing Real-Time Time/Geographic Advertisement" filed concurrently
herewith and both commonly owned, the disclosures of which are
expressly incorporated in their entireties by reference for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to Point-Of-Sale
(POS) systems, and more particularly to real-time advertisement
generation with POS Systems.
[0003] There are many instances of retail POS systems that generate
some type of token, coupon, or advertisement, particularly in the
food supermarket context. Various systems exist in this context to
provide history-driven discounting, and purchase-driven
discounting. In the history-driven systems, a customer "registers"
with the system and then a customer profile is created. Each time
the customer identifies themselves with the system, such as by
using a shopping card having their registration information, the
profile is processed using a range of possible algorithms including
comparing current purchases to past purchases by quantity, brand,
and, product and generates general or specific coupons or
tokens.
[0004] In a purchase-driven system, a user is not required to
register as the system processes the specific group of products and
generates appropriate coupons and tokens consistent with the then
current advertising algorithm. Still other systems may combine
aspects of these different modalities, such as to use a customer
card to realize a special pricing on a particular brand of product.
A key focus of these systems is that the discount is for a product
or service offered by the food supermarket--that is these systems
promote the supermarket's own inventory.
[0005] There are many other establishments where a POS system is
used that could benefit from a properly implemented advertising
program tied into its receipt system. These establishments include
restaurants (e.g., "fast food" and traditional dining businesses
and the like), entertainment facilities (e.g., theme parks,
sporting events, theatre/movies, and the like), and retail stores
and outlets of all descriptions. In many of these cases, the
history-driven discounting model and the purchase-driven
discounting model are inapplicable or not particularly compelling
to warrant installation and management.
[0006] There is believed to be a tremendous opportunity being
missed by these establishments in generating customer-value and
enhancing revenue by implementing a different advertising model in
these situations. In all of them, a receipt is being generated that
heretofore is generally viewed as worthless to the purchaser.
[0007] What is needed is a system, method, and computer program
product to transform receipts from these establishments into
valuable indicia that provides value to both the customer and to
the establishment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Disclosed is an apparatus, method, system, and
computer-program product for producing valuable POS indicia that
provides value to both the customer and to the establishment. The
apparatus includes a Point-Of-Sale (POS) system for generating a
receipt of a commercial transaction at a location of the commercial
transaction; a POS receipt module, coupled to the POS system, for
signaling to a process that the receipt is to be printed, the
module submitting a set of POS data to the process to request a
responsive advertising content from the process wherein the set of
POS data includes a geographic identifier component of the
location; an advertising system for supporting the process, the
advertising system responsive to the set of POS data, to provide
the responsive advertising content to the POS-resident receipt
module wherein the responsive advertising content includes a time
and location sensitive individualized advertising message
responsive to the geographic identifier component and to a
time-of-day of the commercial transaction; wherein the POS-resident
receipt module incorporates the responsive advertising content into
the receipt provided to a customer associated with the commercial
transaction.
[0009] The method includes processes for the manufacture, assembly
and use of the disclosed system, with the computer program product
including machine-executable instructions for carrying out the
disclosed methods.
[0010] Real-time localized (e.g., time, geography and the like) POS
indicia are realized that enhance both consumer and merchant value.
The disclosed materials enable simple, efficient, and economical
transformation of receipts from these establishments into valuable
indicia that provide value to both the customer and to the
establishment
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a high-level depiction of functionality layout;
and
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a representative
system including an architecture and a provision for a loyalty
program feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The following description is presented to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is
provided in the context of a patent application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and
the generic principles and features described herein will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present
invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but
is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features described herein.
[0014] The Nutricate AdServer (NAdS) is designed to download
advertisements for incorporation into receipts produced on a
restaurant's Point-of-Sale system. The incorporated patent
application describes several examples of exemplary POS indicia
incorporated into a POS real-time localized receipt. (Other
variations are contemplated and are within the scope of the present
invention--the invention is not limited to these examples.)
[0015] Scenario: A foodservice establishment contracts with an
advertiser to publish on their customer receipts commercial
messages personalized for each customer. The contract might
stipulate differing messages for each type of customer as
identified by the location of the particular restaurant, the time
the meal was purchased and the menu items purchased. The contract
may place limits, upper or lower, on impressions in given regions,
or at particular restaurants within regions. The contract might
stipulate the number of impressions that each category of message
can generate. There may be further stipulations of updating the
messages and associated graphics with a particular periodicity. And
lastly, there may be provisions for periodic updating of all above
parameters and syntax.
[0016] Management: This contract is parameterized, and stored in
the NAdS's Contract database. This may be one of several contracts
registered with the NAdS, each uniquely identified, and managed and
executed alongside others. Contracts between more than one chain
and more than one advertiser may coexist on the same server.
[0017] Invocation: As a customer finishes ordering his meal, the
counter clerk keys the POS system for a receipt, generating a query
to the Nutricate AdServer. The POS identifies itself with a unique
identifier; the NAdS queries the POS for location, time-of-service
and Purchase Details. For security purposes, an encoded dialog may
take place between the two systems before the NAdS accepts the
transaction from the POS.
[0018] On authentication, the NAdS searches out the appropriate
contract, determines the nature and status of the transaction to be
executed, and processes the contract parameters with the POS data.
The Content Server then generates the appropriate content, and the
NAdS transmits the content to the POS for printing along with the
receipt. Registers and servers accumulate data on executed
transactions for accounting and billing purposes.
[0019] Caching & Security: To optimize latency in printing
whilst ensuring security, it may be desirable in some cases to
cache some information, parameters and content on the POS itself,
and to replenish and update it only periodically. This would reduce
the number of transactions between the POS and NAdS, and may
require specific modifications to be made to the POS software.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a high-level depiction of functionality layout.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a representative system
including an architecture and a provision for a loyalty program
feature.
[0021] Sequenced Operation within the Nutricate AdServer
[0022] Note that the Query Server (QS) acts as an executive of the
system thus invoking various services in turn. (The following is a
representative, non-exhaustive example) of an operational
sequence.
[0023] 1. QS is invoked by the Query Client (QC) with information
(Transaction Information): [0024] Location and POS information;
[0025] Purchase information; and [0026] Customer information.
[0027] 2. QS calls Transaction Server (TS) for authorization,
providing Transaction Information at 1.
[0028] 3. TS calls Contract Server to determine contract
information (cotan) including contract type and contract limits
[0029] 4. TS invokes Billing Server (BS) to obtain authorization.
When authorization is obtained, TS returns cotan to QS
[0030] 5. QS calls Business Logic Engine (BLE) with cotan and
Transaction Information at 1.
[0031] 6. BLE determines and passes Content Selection Criteria
(cosec) to QS
[0032] 7. QS calls Content Server (CS) with cosec and cotan. CS
returns advertisement content to QS.
[0033] 8. To complete the call from QC, QS does following: [0034]
a. Calls TS to commit the transaction; TS in turns calls BS to
report the transaction; and [0035] b. Returns advertisement content
to QC.
[0036] Sequenced Operation at the Client End
[0037] Operations described here are triggered at the client-end
when a print file is generated by the POS System and sent to the
POS Printer. If the Nutricate option is not selected, the print
file is simply printed by the POS Printer. Otherwise, the following
sequence of operations is followed:
[0038] 1. The Parser parses the print file to retrieve the
following information for passing to the Query Client (QC): [0039]
Customer ID; and [0040] Purchase information.
[0041] 2. Parser passes Purchase Information to Nutricate Receipt
Synthesizer (NRS).
[0042] 3. NRS generates Nutritional Information to append to
receipt (or other consumer interest enhancement information) This
enhancement information may be directly integrated into the receipt
or more loosely appended to the receipt through other association
systems, such as for example a secondary printer).
[0043] 4. QC calls the Loyalty Program Server with Customer ID to
obtain any customer information available.
[0044] 5. QC obtains location and POS information from the Local
Information Store.
[0045] 6. For getting advertisement content, QC calls QS with
following information: [0046] Location and POS information; [0047]
Purchase information; and [0048] customer information.
[0049] 7. The QC passes the advertisement content NRS.
[0050] 8. NRS recreates the Receipt by placing nutritional
information, advertisement content and POS receipt in appropriate
sequence.
[0051] 9. NRS sends the Receipt to the POS printer.
[0052] As described herein, commercial establishment includes
commercial entities individually or collectively, and any or all of
such establishments could be networked together and linked by
cross-selling relationships, with receipts from each establishment
carry advertising messages relating to customer opportunities at
other linked establishments.
[0053] As described above, consumer interest enhancement
information may include other types of information different from
or in addition to nutritional information (as appropriate for the
commercial entity and consumer pool). The embodiments of the
present invention include options to directly or loosely couple one
or more of the consumer interest enhancement information and/or the
advertising content onto the receipt. These optional couplings
include different modes of associating the content to the receipt
such as direct integration into the receipt, production of an
ancilliary receipt or generation of a token or other mechanism to
retrieve the information through some other communication channel
(e.g., download from a computer system or kiosk adapted for this
purpose).
[0054] The additional information (consumer interest enhancement
information and/or the advertising content) is preferably
transaction sensitive information responsive to a transaction
attribute (e.g., time and/or geographic location and/or other
characteristic(s) of the transaction including data regarding the
consumer and/or commercial entity and the commercial
transaction).
[0055] The system, method, computer program product, and propagated
signal described in this application may, of course, be embodied in
hardware; e.g., within or coupled to a Central Processing Unit
("CPU"), microprocessor, microcontroller, System on Chip ("SOC"),
or any other programmable device. Additionally, the system, method,
computer program product, and propagated signal may be embodied in
software (e.g., computer readable code, program code, instructions
and/or data disposed in any form, such as source, object or machine
language) disposed, for example, in a computer usable (e.g.,
readable) medium configured to store the software. Such software
enables the function, fabrication, modeling, simulation,
description and/or testing of the apparatus and processes described
herein. For example, this can be accomplished through the use of
general programming languages (e.g., C, C++), GDSII databases,
hardware description languages (HDL) including Verilog HDL, VHDL,
AHDL (Altera HDL) and so on, or other available programs,
databases, nanoprocessing, and/or circuit (i.e., schematic) capture
tools. Such software can be disposed in any known computer usable
medium including semiconductor, magnetic disk, optical disc (e.g.,
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and the like) and as a computer data signal
embodied in a computer usable (e.g., readable) transmission medium
(e.g., carrier wave or any other medium including digital, optical,
or analog-based medium). As such, the software can be transmitted
over communication networks including the Internet and intranets. A
system, method, computer program product, and propagated signal
embodied in software may be included in a semiconductor
intellectual property core (e.g., embodied in HDL) and transformed
to hardware in the production of integrated circuits. Additionally,
a system, method, computer program product, and propagated signal
as described herein may be embodied as a combination of hardware
and software.
[0056] One of the preferred implementations of the present
invention is as a routine in an operating system made up of
programming steps or instructions resident in a memory of a
computing system, during computer operations. Until required by the
computer system, the program instructions may be stored in another
readable medium, e.g. in a disk drive, or in a removable memory,
such as an optical disk for use in a CD or DVD computer input or in
a floppy disk for use in a floppy disk drive computer input.
Further, the program instructions may be stored in the memory of
another computer prior to use in the system of the present
invention and transmitted over a LAN or a WAN, such as the
Internet, when required by the user of the present invention. One
skilled in the art should appreciate that the processes controlling
the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form
of computer readable media in a variety of forms.
[0057] Any suitable programming language can be used to implement
the routines of the present invention including C, C++, Java,
assembly language, etc. Different programming techniques can be
employed such as procedural or object oriented. The routines can
execute on a single processing device or multiple processors.
Although the steps, operations or computations may be presented in
a specific order, this order may be changed in different
embodiments. In some embodiments, multiple steps shown as
sequential in this specification can be performed at the same time.
The sequence of operations described herein can be interrupted,
suspended, or otherwise controlled by another process, such as an
operating system, kernel, etc. The routines can operate in an
operating system environment or as stand-alone routines occupying
all, or a substantial part, of the system processing.
[0058] In the description herein, numerous specific details are
provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide
a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an
embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of
the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies,
methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
[0059] A "computer-readable medium" for purposes of embodiments of
the present invention may be any medium that can contain, store,
communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in
connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, system
or device. The computer readable medium can be, by way of example
only but not by limitation, an electronic, magnetic, optical,
electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,
system, device, propagation medium, or computer memory.
[0060] A "processor" or "process" includes any human, hardware
and/or software system, mechanism or component that processes data,
signals or other information. A processor can include a system with
a general-purpose central processing unit, multiple processing
units, dedicated circuitry for achieving functionality, or other
systems. Processing need not be limited to a geographic location,
or have temporal limitations. For example, a processor can perform
its functions in "real time," "offline," in a "batch mode," etc.
Portions of processing can be performed at different times and at
different locations, by different (or the same) processing
systems.
[0061] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment",
"an embodiment", or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus,
respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an
embodiment", or "in a specific embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the
same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present
invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more
other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and
modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described
and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings
herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0062] Embodiments of the invention may be implemented by using a
programmed general purpose digital computer, by using application
specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field
programmable gate arrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or
nanoengineered systems, components and mechanisms may be used. In
general, the functions of the present invention can be achieved by
any means as is known in the art. Distributed, or networked
systems, components and circuits can be used. Communication, or
transfer, of data may be wired, wireless, or by any other
means.
[0063] It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements
depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more
separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as
inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a
particular application. It is also within the spirit and scope of
the present invention to implement a program or code that can be
stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to perform
any of the methods described above.
[0064] Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures
should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless
otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term "or" as used
herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise
indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be
considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as
rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.
[0065] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims
that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0066] The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the
present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and
examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative
purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within
the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in
the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these
modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the
foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present
invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0067] Thus, while the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of
modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the
foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some
instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be
employed without a corresponding use of other features without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth.
Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the
present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of
the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be
determined solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *