U.S. patent application number 15/457984 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-29 for locating products in stores using voice search from a communication device.
The applicant listed for this patent is aisle411, Inc.. Invention is credited to Niarcas Jeffrey, Matthew Kulig, Nathan Pettyjohn, Edward Saunders.
Application Number | 20170186078 15/457984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46796870 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170186078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pettyjohn; Nathan ; et
al. |
June 29, 2017 |
LOCATING PRODUCTS IN STORES USING VOICE SEARCH FROM A COMMUNICATION
DEVICE
Abstract
A user can locate products by dialing a number from any phone
and accessing an automatic voice recognition system. Reply is made
to the user with information locating the product using a store's
product location data converted to automatic voice responses, smart
phone and mobile web access to a product database is enabled using
voice-to-text and text search. A taxonomy enables product search
requests by product descriptions and/or product brand names, and
enable synonyms and phonetic enhancements to the system. Search
results are related to products and product categories with concise
organization. Relevant advertisements, promotional offers and
coupons are delivered based upon search and taxonomy elements.
Search requests generate dynamic interior maps of a products
location inside the shoppers' location, assisting a shopper to
efficiently shop the location for listed items. Business
intelligence of product categories enable rapid scaling across
retail segments.
Inventors: |
Pettyjohn; Nathan; (Saint
Louis, MO) ; Kulig; Matthew; (Millstadt, IL) ;
Jeffrey; Niarcas; (Cincinnati, OH) ; Saunders;
Edward; (Saint Louis, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
aisle411, Inc. |
Saint Louis |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46796870 |
Appl. No.: |
15/457984 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14814113 |
Jul 30, 2015 |
9595063 |
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15457984 |
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13461738 |
May 1, 2012 |
9147212 |
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14814113 |
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12134187 |
Jun 5, 2008 |
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13461738 |
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61481657 |
May 2, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/247 20200101;
G10L 15/22 20130101; H04M 3/42348 20130101; G06F 16/951 20190101;
G06Q 30/0625 20130101; G10L 2015/223 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201;
G10L 15/1822 20130101; G06Q 30/0603 20130101; H04M 2201/40
20130101; H04M 2203/355 20130101; G06Q 10/087 20130101; H04M 3/4936
20130101; H04M 2250/74 20130101; G10L 15/26 20130101; H04M
2203/1058 20130101; G10L 13/08 20130101; G06Q 30/0639 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30; G10L 15/22 20060101
G10L015/22; G10L 13/08 20060101 G10L013/08; G06Q 10/08 20060101
G06Q010/08; G06F 17/27 20060101 G06F017/27 |
Claims
1. A method for product location assistance in a retail location,
said method comprising executing on a processor the method steps
of: receiving retailer inventory data for a plurality of products,
said inventory data comprising a location of said products in a
retail store; formatting said received retailer inventory data to
include a searchable taxonomy for said products, said taxonomy
comprising slang, synonyms, or phonetic data; receiving from a user
device over a data telecommunications network a user search request
comprising an indication of a desired product, said desired product
being a product in said plurality of products; identifying a
location of said desired product in said retail store, said
identification based at least in part on matching said indication
of said desired product to said taxonomy for said desired product;
and sending via said data telecommunications network an indication
of said identified location of said desired product in said retail
store.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said data telecommunications
network is the Internet.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said user device is a mobile
smart phone and said user search request is received via a mobile
smart phone application executing on a processor of said mobile
smart phone.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said mobile smart phone
application is a web browser.
5. The method of claim 3, said method further comprising executing
on said processor of said mobile smart phone the method steps of:
displaying on a display of said mobile smart phone a map of said
retail store; and displaying on said displayed map of said retail
store a visual representation of said identified location at a
location on said displayed map corresponding to said identified
location in said retail store.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said sending step further
comprises sending additional product information for said desired
product.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said additional product
information comprises advertisements, coupons, and promotional
offers for said desired product.
8. A method for mapping a large plurality of product locations to a
smaller number of landmarks in a retail location comprising:
providing a plurality of landmarks in said retail location;
providing a server computer having a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having stored thereon retailer inventory
data for a plurality of products, said inventory data comprising a
location of each of said products in said retail location, the
total number of unique locations in said retailer inventory data
being larger than the total number of landmarks in said plurality
of landmarks, and said retailer inventory data formatted as a
product taxonomy database; mapping each of said locations of each
of said products to at least one of said landmarks; receiving a
user search request comprising an indication of a desired product;
searching said product taxonomy database for at least one product
matching said indication; responding to said user search request
with, for each of said at least one matching product, an indication
of said landmark to which said location of said each of said at
least one matching product is mapped.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said user search request is
received from a user phone.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein said product taxonomy database
is in a plain text format.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein said product taxonomy database
comprises synonyms, slang, and phonetic data for said plurality of
products.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein said indication of said landmark
to which said location of said each of said at least one matching
product is mapped comprises displaying a map having a visual
representation of said indicated landmark thereon.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein said responding step further
comprises responding to said user search request with additional
product information for said at least one matching product.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said additional product
information for said at least one matching product comprises
advertisements, coupons, and promotional offers for said at least
one matching product.
15. The method of claim 8, wherein: said user search request
comprises a search string comprising one or more terms; said
searching said product taxonomy database for at least one product
matching said indication comprises: performing an exact-match
search of said product taxonomy database based on said received
user search request; and if said exact-match search does not result
in any matches, performing a search of said product taxonomy
database for each of said one or more terms of said search
string.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein said mapping each of said
locations of each of said products to at least one of said
landmarks is based on category data associated with said each
product.
17. A system for mapping a large plurality of product locations to
a smaller number of landmarks in a retail location comprising: a
user device of a user; a server computer communicating with said
user device over a telecommunications network, said server
comprising: a microprocessor, a non-transitory computer-readable
medium operating coupled to said microprocessor and having stored
thereon; data for a plurality of landmarks in said retail location;
retailer inventory data for a plurality of products, said inventory
data comprising a location of each of said products in said retail
location, the total number of unique locations in said retailer
inventory data being larger than the total number of landmarks in
said plurality of landmarks, and said retailer inventory data
formatted as a product taxonomy database; and computer-readable
program instructions which, when executed by said microprocessor,
cause said server computer to perform the steps of: mapping each of
said locations of each of said products to at least one of said
landmarks; receiving from said user device a user search request
comprising an indication of a desired product; searching said
product taxonomy database for at least one product matching said
indication; responding to said user search request with, for each
of said at least one matching product, an indication of said
landmark to which said location of said each of said at least one
matching product is mapped.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein said user device is a mobile
smart phone and said search request is received via a mobile smart
phone applications running on said mobile smart phone.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said mobile smart phone
application is a web browser.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein said product taxonomy database
is in a plain text format.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein said product taxonomy database
comprises synonyms, slang, and phonetic data for said plurality of
products.
22. The system of claim 17, wherein said indication of said
landmark to which said location of said each of said at least one
matching product is mapped comprises displaying a map having a
visual representation of said indicated landmark thereon.
23. The system of claim 17, wherein said responding step further
comprises responding to said user search request with additional
product information for said at least one matching product.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein said additional product
information for said at least one matching product comprises
advertisements, coupons, and promotional offers for said at least
one matching product.
25. The method of claim 17, wherein: said user search request
comprises a search string comprising one or more terms; said
searching said product taxonomy database for at least one product
matching said indication comprises: performing an exact-match
search of said product taxonomy database based on said received
user search request; and if said exact-match search does not result
in any matches, performing a search of said product taxonomy
database for each of said one or more terms of said search
string.
26. The system of claim 17, wherein said mapping each of said
locations of each of said products to at least one of said
landmarks is based on category data associated with said each
product.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. Utility patent
application Ser. No. 14/814,113 filed Jul. 30, 2015, which is a
Continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
13/461,738, filed May 1, 2012, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,147,212, which (a) is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Utility
patent application Ser. No. 12/134,187 filed Jun. 5, 2008, and now
abandoned, and (b) claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/481,657, filed May 2, 2011. The entire
disclosures of all the above applications are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This disclosure pertains to embodiments of systems that
create a voice search and product location assistance (PLA) and
methods for locating products in stores, businesses and/or
organizations.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Customers or users can access kiosks, internal phone
systems, mobile text messaging, mobile internet programs and
internet connected computers to access a variety of information
programs using voice or text search methods to locate product
inventory or product pricing from the Internet. There currently
exist many phone dial-in systems that use automatic speech
recognitions for customer service functions such as directory
assistance systems.
SUMMARY
[0006] The following is a summary of the invention which should
provide to the reader a basic understanding of some aspects of the
invention. This summary is not intended to identify critical
components of the invention, nor in any way to delineate the scope
of the invention. The sole purpose of this summary is to present in
simplified language some aspects of the invention as a prelude to
the more detailed description presented below.
[0007] Embodiments of a system and method enable a user to locate
products by dialing a number from any phone and accessing an
automatic voice recognition system that provides product location
information in the store using the store's product location data
which is converted to automatic voice responses. An original
taxonomy enables product searches to be requested by product
descriptions and/or product brand names. Improved taxonomies allow
for synonyms and phonetic enhancements to the system. Improved
search results are now related to products and product categories
and new algorithms that organize results in a concise manner.
Relevant advertisements, promotional offers and coupons are now
delivered based upon search and taxonomy elements. Search requests
also generate dynamic interior maps of a products location inside
the shoppers' location. These maps help a shopper efficiently shop
the location for all their products (items) on their lists.
Business intelligence of product categories allow for rapid scaling
across retail segments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Embodiments of the invention relating to both structure and
method of operation may best be understood by referring to the
following description and accompanying drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an
embodiment of a product location system for accessing a product
database using voice-to-text and text search;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a server
that is suitable for use in the system of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a pictorial block diagram depicting an embodiment
of a method for requesting product location information in a store
using the system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
process performed by a user and/or customer for requesting and
receiving product location and other information in the store
provided by the system of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a method
using automatic speech recognition tools in the system of FIG. 1 to
search, locate, and cause the system to create a real time voice
prompt for the user and/or customer in response to a request for
product location and other information;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a
process for requesting and receiving product location information
and store maps;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
process for requesting and receiving product location information
including additional advertisements, coupons, and promotional
offers;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a process
for matching results based upon input from the user that can be
performed in the system of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a pictorial view depicting examples of maps and
product results displayed on a smart phone that can be generated in
the system of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a process
for searching, locating, and creating a result for the user and/or
customer in answer to a product location request in the system of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a pictorial view depicting an example of a store
layout map in which a large number of unique product items are
mapped to points identified as key landmarks in the store;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example
of product database including product item names, common synonyms
for the product, phonetic spelling, and slang terms for the same
listings to increase the probability of correctly matching a
product; and
[0021] FIG. 13 is a pictorial view showing an example of a
mobile/web store map for visually locating products in store using
the system of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0022] The following detailed description and disclosure
illustrates by way of example and not by way of limitation. This
description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and
use the disclosed systems and methods, and describes several
embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the
disclosed systems and apparatus. As various changes could be made
in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the
disclosures, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0023] Embodiments of a system and method can provide product
location information inside a store while using a personal mobile
phone or any phone connected to a telecommunications or data
communications network such as and including the Internet.
[0024] Embodiments of systems and methods disclosed herein allow
users and/or customers (referred to collectively herein as "users")
to locate products in a store and receive additional requested
information using a user's and/or customer's personal mobile phone
or a phone system connected to an information network such as the
Internet, a commercially-branded toll free or dial-in number, or
other suitable communication system. The system can include a voice
request/voice response system such as an automatic speech
recognition system with interactive voice response tools that use
speech-to-text and text-to-speech technology. The communication
system connects users to the automatic speech recognition system to
receive product location information within a particular site, such
as grocery or hardware store. The system accesses the store
inventory and/or plan-a-gram information through a converted
inventory data standard formatted for integration with a
text-to-speech and speech-to-text program. A server generates a
real-time voice and/or text response to provide the user with the
location of the product within the store. The user can search by
product name, product description, brand name, product category,
and/or other suitable criteria.
[0025] An illustrative voice search and product location assistance
(PLA) system and method locate products in stores, businesses
and/or organizations by dialing a phone number and using an
automatic speech recognition system. The PLA system and method can
also be accessed by using a phone application, internet program,
and mobile internet program to access product location information
either by entering text or using voice recognition to enter the
text. A taxonomy of product classifications is searchable by voice
or text, with results classified by algorithms that apply related
search results and weighted search results. The voice or text
search can generate mobile maps of the stores built into the phone
app. The maps can route the user through the store based upon
multiple search items or items found in a recipe. Relevant
advertisements, coupons, and promotional messages can be inserted
into the responses of the product location system (PLA) based upon
the voice or text search of products. The method of gathering,
interpreting, storing, and accessing the product location data is
designed to enable rapid response to a product request.
[0026] An illustrative product location assistance (PLA) system can
be used to locate products in stores, creating new efficiencies in
customer service for customers, retailers, businesses and
organizations. Embodiments of systems and methods disclosed herein
gather, format, access, store, and interact with product data to
move the assistance system concept to the product level in the
stores, and create a mobile product location assistance (PLA)
system accessible from any phone or other communication device.
[0027] Various technologies exist that enable customers or users to
access kiosks, internal phone systems, mobile text messaging,
mobile internet programs and internet connected computers to access
a variety of information programs using voice or text search
methods to locate product inventory or product pricing from the
Internet. Phone dial-in systems are available that use automatic
speech recognitions for customer service functions such as
directory assistance systems. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/134,187,
parent to the present application, describes an operational system
and method that enable users to access a product location in a
store and additional information from an automated voice based
automatic speech recognition system using the user's and/or
customer's personal phone devices while in the store or elsewhere
when the user and/or customer wants to retrieve the information.
The system and method enable a user or customer to use a personal
phone device to access product information using a
commercially-branded toll-free or dial-in number, and a voice
request and voice response systems to retrieve the product location
and additional information over the phone. The method enables the
user and/or customer to request and receive information via the
automatic speech recognition system to locate the product while in
the store or from any type of phone, using the toll-free or dial-in
number.
[0028] Embodiments disclosed herein can utilize a product taxonomy
of synonyms, slang, and phonetic data terminology equivalents for
products and product brands which, when implemented, enable the
system to correctly identify the product requested. Based upon a
product search, a map of the site can be shown on a display screen
for the user's communication device to provide a visual
representation of the location of the product at the site. The user
can request multiple products and a mapping component of the system
can route the user through the store in the most efficient manner
by a series of taps on the screen to go from one product to next
product. For example, the mapping function can be used to map items
from a single recipe to help the user find all the items needed for
the recipe in the store.
[0029] Product grammars can enable items to be categorized by most
common points in a location. For example, a category management
component can take a set of 100,000 individual product items and
designate them to smaller subset such as 300 location points or
sub-location points in a store, which allows for rapid scaling of
stores within the same retailer segments. Search results can be
presented in a way that provides a multi-layered response based
upon the search terms. The product name or category variables are
presented to the user in a comprehensive manner.
[0030] Based upon product search within the system, relevant
advertisements, promotional offers, and coupons can be matched and
inserted into system responses for delivery to the user's
communication device immediately with the reply to the search or
map of the search item. The product location system provides unique
capability to deliver promotional offers and marketing
messages.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram illustrates
an embodiment of a product location system 90 for accessing a
product database using voice-to-text and text search, including
functions of data formatting, grammar taxonomy. The product
location system 90 includes applications formed to enable access to
a product location database to enable a user to receive requested
product location information or other available information by an
automated response and reply system. The product location system 90
enables users to access and receive product location and other
information while shopping in the store using their mobile phone or
other communication device. System 90 can include computer server
306 with retailer inventory data 100, a data formatting and product
taxonomy module 101, a text-to-speech module 102, a speech-to-text
module 103, and automatic speech recognition system 403 and 404.
Speech-to-text module 103 converts a user's spoken request to
generate input to data formatting and product taxonomy module 101.
Text-to-speech module 102 generates audible responses to the user's
queries and requests. System 90 can also include components (not
shown) that provide text and/or graphical data to a user's
communication device in response to a voice or text request from
the user.
[0032] The text-to-speech 102 and speech-to-text 103 conversion
system generates voice responses of an automatic voice response
system to provide the user the automated voice responses. Smart
phone and mobile web access to the product database is enabled
using voice-to-text and text search.
[0033] Product data in the retailer inventory data 100 can be
formatted and configured to include synonyms, slang, phonetics, and
category grammar terminology. Product data can be updated or
customized for a particular site by taking the retailer inventory
information and plotting the products to landmark locations within
the stores and on in-store maps or by integrating batches of
retailer information with product data to provide more dynamic
information accessible by users.
[0034] Retailer inventory data 100 is typically converted to a data
format that allows text-to-speech module 102 to create automated
voice responses to requests from a user via communication network
301 and/or information network 307 such as the Internet from
dial-in voice module 302, smart phone application 308, or mobile
web browser 309. The output of the speech-to-text module 103 is
used to find the correct match in retailer inventory data 100.
Text-to-speech module 102 receives information from data formatting
and product taxonomy module 101 and creates the voice responses
giving product location information.
[0035] Automatic speech recognition programs 403 and 404 receive
the output of text-to-speech module 102 and provide the requested
product location, store location, and additional information to the
user. The retailer inventory data 100 can be updated when a
retailer updates their internal systems to create up-to-date
inventory information and provides updates to system 90.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram shows an embodiment of
a server 306, for example a workstation or computer, which is
suitable for use in the product location system 90 in FIG. 1. FIG.
2 shows the computer server or workstation and components that
enable an automatic speech recognition system, storage of product
taxonomy grammars, mobile location maps, advertisements, coupons,
promotional offers, an interactive voice response systems, product
inventory information, speech to text and text to speech systems,
and product category searchable database to be accessible by the
user and/or customer.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in combination, one or more
workstations or computers can be used to implement server (or
servers) 306 to load and run logic instructions for performing the
tasks involved in receiving a user's request, locating product
information, responding by sending the product information to the
user, and other tasks performed by a speech and data server 306. A
server 306 is depicted with various components 200 through 245, and
can include a bus 200 for interconnecting subsystems of a computer
such as a central processor 202, a system memory 204 (typically
RAM, but which may also include ROM, flash RAM, or the like), an
input/output controller 206, a network interface 208, wireless
network interface 210, Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association (PCMCIA) interface 212, serial ports 216 coupled to
modem 214, external drive interface 218, display adapter 220
coupled to display screen 222, serial ports 224 coupled to keyboard
226 and mouse 228, USB port 230 configured to interface with
removable media and various peripherals such as printers, external
drives, etc., infrared or Bluetooth interface 234 configured to
communicate with a personal communication device 236, storage
interface 238 coupled to fixed disk drive 240, optical disk drive
242 configured to read and write optical disk 243, and audio
interface 244 configured to interface with speaker system 245.
[0038] Bus 200 enables data communication between central processor
202 and system memory 204, which may include both Read Only Memory
(ROM) or flash memory (neither shown), and Random Access Memory
(RAM) (not shown), as previously noted. The RAM is generally the
main memory into which the operating system and application
programs are loaded and typically affords at least 16 megabytes of
memory space. The ROM or flash memory may contain, among other
code, the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) which controls basic
hardware operation such as the interaction with peripheral
components. Applications resident with computer are generally
stored on and accessed via a computer readable medium, such as a
hard disk drive (e.g., fixed disk 240), an optical drive (e.g.,
CD-ROM drive 242), or other storage medium. Additionally,
applications may be in the form of electronic signals modulated in
accordance with the application and data communication technology
when accessed via network modem 214 or network interface 208.
[0039] Storage interface 238 and other optional storage interfaces
of server 306 may connect to a standard computer readable medium
for storage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed disk
drive 240. Fixed disk drive 240 may be a part of server 306 or may
be separate and accessed through other interface systems. Many
other devices can be connected such as the mouse 228 connected to
bus 200 via serial port 224, a modem 214 connected to bus 200 via
serial port 216 and the network interface 208 connected directly to
bus 200. Modem 214 may provide a direct connection to a remote
server via a telephone link or to the Internet via an Internet
Service Provider (ISP). Network interface 208 may provide a direct
connection to a remote server via a direct network link to the
Internet via a POP (point of presence). Network interface 208 may
provide such connection using various communication links, such as
a dial-up wired connection with a modem, a direct link such as a
TI, ISDN, or cable line, a wireless connection through a cellular
or satellite network, or a local data transport system such as
Ethernet or token ring over a local area network.
[0040] Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be
connected in a similar manner (e.g., bar code readers, document
scanners, digital cameras and so on). Conversely, other
arrangements may include less than all of the devices shown in FIG.
2 while still practicing embodiments of the illustrative system and
methods. Devices and subsystems may be interconnected in different
ways from that shown in FIG. 2. The operation of a computer system
such as that shown in FIG. 2 is readily known in the art and is not
discussed in detail in this application. Code to implement the
present invention may be stored in computer-readable storage media
such as one or more of system memory 204, fixed disk 240, CD-ROM
243, or external disk drive 218. Additionally, server 306 may be
any kind of workstation or computing device, and so includes
personal data assistants (PDAs), network appliance, desktop,
laptop, X-window terminal or other such computing devices. The
operating system provided on computer 190 may be MS-DOS.RTM.,
MS-WINDOWS.RTM., OS/2.RTM., UNIX.RTM., Linux.RTM. or other known
operating system. Server 306 also supports a number of Internet
access tools, including, for example, an HTTP-compliant web browser
having a JavaScript interpreter, such as Netscape Navigator.RTM.,
Microsoft Explorer.RTM. and the like.
[0041] One or more servers 306 can be configured as an
information-handling system comprising a controller, for example
central processor 202 or other control unit or processor,
configured to receive a request originating from a user-phone and
communicated via a telecommunications and/or data communication
network 305. The request can inquire of the location of a product
within a product-housing structure such as a store, warehouse, or
other business or organization building. The controller can further
be configured to identify location of the product in the
product-housing structure according to a taxonomy including
synonyms, slang, and phonetic data.
[0042] The information-handling system can be formed with the
controller configured to receive a product request from a user via
the user-phone, with the product request in various forms, and
interpret the product request according to a product taxonomy
database containing product names, synonyms, phonetic
pronunciations, and slang terms. The product item can be identified
according to the interpreted product request.
[0043] In some embodiments, the controller can be further
configured to offer additional product information to the user
according to the product request and send the user a voice response
prompt or text prompt for requesting the additional product
information. The controller can manage a database of additional
product information by selectively adding, removing, and updating
the additional product information. The controller can be further
configured to access the database of additional product information
according to the product request, and return accessed information
to the user.
[0044] In some embodiments, the controller can be further
configured to create a custom product taxonomy for usage in
matching a variety of terms for a product to increase probability
of a match to a user request.
[0045] In other embodiments of the information-handling system, the
controller can be configured to convert inventory data and product
location information into automated product location prompts
accessible by the user-phone connected to the telecommunications
and/or data communication network.
[0046] Some embodiments of the information-handling system can
include a controller configured to specify a plurality of
sub-location landmarks in a location, map a predetermined larger
number of item locations to the specified sub-location landmarks,
and create a predetermined smaller number of identifiable points
for users to locate items at the item locations.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, a pictorial block diagram depicts an
embodiment of a method for requesting product location information
in a store using the system of FIG. 1. Product location information
is stored on one or more servers 306 using unique grammar taxonomy
(including product category synonyms, slang, phonetics, and
category terminology) to provide a robust searchable product
database, automatic speech recognition systems, interactive voice
response tools that use speech-to-text and text-to-speech methods
to create automated voice responses to inquiries, and indoor maps
that show where a product is located and route the user through the
store locate all the items searched for inside the store.
[0048] FIG. 3 depicts a process for using the system and method to
access product data. A user and/or customer 300, for example
communicating via smart phone, can use an application executing on
the phone or the mobile web to send a text request over the network
301 to access information on servers 306 arranged in a redundant
bank 305 of servers 306. Otherwise, the user 300 can dial a number
(for example, a 1-800 number) of an access system 302 make
available by a service provider which connects the user to a bank
305 of servers 306 using an automatic speech response system 403
and 404, shown in FIG. 1, to receive product location information,
thus providing access for a product request via a dial-in number
which enables ubiquitous access.
[0049] An illustrative information-handling method can comprise
receiving a request originating from a user-phone, for example a
personal mobile phone or any phone connected to a network 310, and
communicated via a telecommunications and/or data communication
network 301 such as and including the Internet. The request can
specify a product location within a product-housing structure such
as a store, business, and/or other organization. The method can
further comprise identifying the product location in the
product-housing structure according to a taxonomy including
synonyms, slang, and phonetic data.
[0050] The method can further comprise responding to the request by
sending the identified product location to the user-phone via the
telecommunications and/or data communication network 301.
[0051] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise
receiving a product request from the user-phone. The product
request can be converted using voice recognition technology
speech-to-text functionality.
[0052] Inventory data and product location information can be
converted into automated product location prompts accessible by the
user-phone connected to the telecommunications and/or data
communication network 301.
[0053] The information-handling method can further comprise
building a mobile/web map of a product-housing structure including
a visual representation of items on the map. The map can further
include visual directions to a product location from a stationary
point from within a store, warehouse, or other product-housing
structure. Maps can be displayed inside the mobile application to
visually represent where a product or item is located. The maps are
dynamic and can route the user from product (item) location to
product (item) location inside a venue.
[0054] The method can also comprise determining a most efficient
shopping route in the product-housing structure using product
location points on the mobile/web map. The efficient route can be
determined by applying destination mapping software to the
mobile/web map.
[0055] In some embodiments and applications, the method can further
comprise specifying a plurality of sub-location landmarks in a
location and mapping a predetermined larger number of item
locations (for example hundreds or thousands) to the specified
sub-location landmarks. A predetermined smaller number of
identifiable points (for example less than one hundred) can be
created for users to locate items at the item locations.
[0056] The illustrative information-handling method can further
comprise receiving a product request from a user via the
user-phone. The product request can be expressed in various forms.
The product request can be interpreted according to a product
taxonomy database containing product names, synonyms, phonetic
pronunciations, and slang terms. A product item can be identified
according to the interpretation of the product request.
[0057] Another functionality that can be performed in the
information-handling method is handling of additional product
information. The method can comprise receiving a product request
from a user via the user-phone and offering additional product
information to the user according to the product request. For
example, the user can be sent a voice response prompt or text
prompt which requests the additional product information. A
database of additional product information can be managed including
selectively adding, removing, and updating the additional product
information. The database of additional product information can be
accessed according to the product request with accessed information
communicated to the user.
[0058] The information-handling method can enable access to product
information using various techniques. For example, product
information can be accessed using a smart phone application or by
using a mobile website. The method can also enable access and
request of voice automated directions to a product location from a
stationary point from within a business or organization.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow diagram illustrates an
embodiment of a process performed by a user and/or customer for
requesting and receiving product location and other information
using a voice-automated process. In the illustrative example, the
access system 302 shown in FIG. 3 enables an automatic speech
recognition (ASR) system 403 executing on the bank 305 of servers
306 to ask a series of questions for routing the user and/or
customer to an appropriate store location to find the product. The
ASR system 403 determine the user's spoken language 401, for
example by requesting specification of language and receiving the
answer 406 or by sampling and analyzing speech of the user, and,
based on the language choice, requests the city and state location
402 of the user. The ASR system 403 proceeds with the series of
questions including, for example, store name 408 and product 410.
Based upon the user and/or customer responses 406, the access
system 302 provides the appropriate data and, using a
text-to-speech tool, creates a voice response for the requested
product location.
[0060] The language question 401 can be requested by the system
only the first time a user accesses the system. The system can
match the language choice of the user and/or customer to the number
from which the user and/or customer is calling and can always use
that language choice when called from that number unless
specifically requested otherwise within the system by the user
and/or customer, eliminating the inconvenience of prompting the
user for language choice after the first use of the system.
[0061] In an example interaction, the system can prompt (401):
"What language?" The user and/or customer 300 responds: "English."
The ASR system 403 chooses a server bank 306 configured for the
English language. English is the language always used when the
caller calls the ASR system 403 and the appropriate server bank 306
is matched to the phone number.
[0062] Next, the ASR system 403 prompts (402): "What City and
State?" If the user and/or customer 300 responds: "Chicago, Ill.,"
the ASR system 403 matches the answer (yes) and chooses the
appropriate server bank 306 for Chicago, Ill. The ASR system 403,
if unable to match the answer (no), prompts (402) the user with the
same question.
[0063] The ASR system 403 can then prompt (408): "What Store?" If
the user and/or customer 300 responds: "Store Name," the system 403
matches the answer (yes), provides more information to select the
particular store location (no), or does not match (no) and repeats
the question 408.
[0064] At the product level, an ASR system 404 can proceed with a
prompt (410): "What Product?" The user and/or customer 300 can
respond, for example: "duct tape or 3M or 3M duct tape." The ASR
system 404 can match the answer (yes) and produce the correct
location and other information made available by the store, or
provides information that the product is not available in the
store. The ASR system 404, if failing to match the answer (no),
repeats the question 410.
[0065] Once the user and/or customer 300 receive the requested
information, the ASR system 404 can request 412 whether the user
and/or customer 300 would like to locate another product or more
information. If yes, the ASR system 404 returns the user and/or
customer 300 to question 410. If no, the call will terminate 414.
If the user and/or customer 300 hang up the phone anytime during
the call, the call will also terminate 414.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, a flow diagram shows an embodiment of a
method using automatic speech recognition tools depicted in the
system of FIG. 1 to search, locate, and cause the system to create
a real time voice prompt for the user and/or customer in response
to a request for product location and other information. The system
operates through user and/or customer 300 interaction with the
automatic speech recognition (ASR) system 403 and 404 via a series
of questions using speech-to-text 103 and text-to-speech 102
modules, enabling routing of the user and/or customer 300 to the
appropriate location and store inventory data 101. In the user-ASR
interaction, the ASR 403 operates as a data filter 408 to identify
the location (city and state) and store according to voice signals
from the user 300. The ASR 404 performs data conversion 410,
converting voice to text data, and sending the text data
corresponding to the product query from the user 300, and performs
a data search 601 to search the retail store inventory database.
The data search 601 is made of a data formatted store inventory
101. Results of the data search 601 are arranged and formatted as
product data results 605 with the results ranked by relevance,
providing information about product availability in the store. The
ASR system 404 performs data results conversion, converting text
data to voice for supplying the customer location data. Thus, the
automatic speech recognition system 404, upon matching the correct
item, creates a voice response using the text-to-speech tool 102
for sending to the user and/or customer 300 based upon the user
and/or customer's requested match.
[0067] The illustrative embodiment of the product location
assistance (PLA) system can be added to existing and/or new
directory assistance systems as an additional level of information
for user access.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram depicts an embodiment of
a process for requesting and receiving product location information
and store maps. Operation of the system can be implemented using a
smart phone application, a mobile web interface, or other suitable
telecommunications device. For example, the user and/or customer
300 can dial a toll free or dial in number from any phone to use
the system, open a smart phone application using voice or text to
search, or a mobile web browser and customer designated domain to
search for products. The user enters a product request via an
access system such as a telephone or mobile phone 308 or mobile
website 309 and, using text or voice-to-text tools, sends the
request to the product location assistance system. The user and/or
customer access the system by opening an application on their phone
308 or going to a mobile website 309. The user requests a product
410 and the access system forwards the request over a network 301
to a bank 305 of servers 306 to search a database 600 of product
taxonomy grammars and receive a result decision 602. The system
responds with an answer, for example returning 605 the answer or
result to the user's phone, and offers to map the product on a
store map. The user has an option to map the product 501, shopping
lists 506, or recipe items 507 using mobile store and routing maps
509 to the map to route the user through the store 508 which maps
items and route lists for as many items are requested. When the
requests are exhausted, the process is terminated 606.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 7, a flow diagram illustrates an
embodiment of a process for requesting and receiving product
location information including additional advertisements, coupons,
and promotional offers. The process inserts the advertisements,
coupons, and promotional offers to users based upon the users'
product requests. The user can enter a product request using text
or voice-to-text tools which send the request to the product
location assistance system, the system responds with an answer and
include related advertisements, coupons, and or promotional offers
on the response page or other related pages. The user and/or
customer access the system by opening an application on their phone
308 or accessing a mobile website 309. The user requests a product
410, forwarding the request over a network 301 to a bank 305 of
servers 306 to search a database 600 of product taxonomy grammars
and receive a result decision 602, and returning 605 the resulting
answer to the user's phone. The system can insert advertisements
502, coupons 503, and/or promotional offer 504 based upon the users
search request. When the requests for advertisements, coupons, and
promotional offers are exhausted, the process is terminated
606.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 8, a flow diagram shows an embodiment of a
process for matching results based upon input from the user that
can be performed in the system of FIG. 1. The system and associated
method create unique search results for related product terms based
upon a product request. The system can perform an exact match
look-up based upon user input. If results are found, the system
displays the results. If no results are found, the system performs
another look-up based upon terms in the request to provide as many
result variables as possible. The user and/or customer access the
system by opening an application on their phone 308 or accessing a
mobile website 309. The user 300 requests an item and the system
uses rules of detachment and WordNet 604 to match all valid forms
of the search term. WordNet is a lexical database for the English
language which groups English words into sets of synonyms called
"synsets", to supply short, general definitions. WordNet records
the various semantic relations between these synonym sets. The
system searches the database 603, for example using a MySQL text
search, to determine an exact match of the search of product
grammar and taxonomy 600. The database search 603 can be performed
via a request over a network 301 to a bank 305 of servers 306 to
search a database 600 of product taxonomy grammars. The database
search 603 provides results 605. If an exact match is not found the
system does another search on 603 for all words in the search
string and matches all variables and displays the results decision
602 to the user.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 9, a pictorial view depicts examples of
maps and product results displayed on a smart phone that can be
generated in the system of FIG. 1. In an example application, a
store map 501 and shopping lists 506 can be displayed on the phone.
The phone can also display advertisements 502, coupons 503,
promotional offers 504, and the like which can be inserted into the
product location system.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 10, a flow diagram shows an embodiment of
a process for searching, locating, and creating a result for the
user and/or customer in answer to a product location request in the
system of FIG. 1. The system and method can be used by a user
and/or customer 300 to locate product information using an
application smart phone 308 and/or mobile website 309 to request
products over a network 301. The user makes a product request over
the network 301 to search a database 600 of product taxonomy
grammars. The product request 600 in the form of text or voice is
converted to text and used to perform a data search 601 to search
the product taxonomy in a data formatted store inventory 101.
Results of the data search 601 are arranged and formatted as
product data results 605 with the results ranked by relevance,
wherein the product request 600 is matched against the product
database and taxonomy 101 and results are displayed 605 to the
user.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 11, a pictorial view depicts an example of
a store layout map in which a large number of unique product items
are mapped to points identified as key landmarks in the store. In
the illustrative example, the system and associated method can map
100,000 unique product terms to a store map of 300 location points
inside the location using category management and business
intelligence 608 for the products, enabling large numbers of
product items in complex arrangements to be reduced to sublocation
landmarks inside venues to enable rapid duplication from same-store
segmentation. The large number of items can be reduced to a smaller
number of location points in the store to quickly map the items to
appropriate locations inside the store.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 12, a data structure diagram illustrates
an example of product database including product item names, common
synonyms for the product, phonetic spelling, and slang terms for
the same listings to increase the probability of correctly matching
a product. The illustrative product taxonomy database 101 includes
product names, common synonyms, phonetic pronunciations, and slang
terms to provide a comprehensive database match for user and or
customer of the system in a unique way to build searchable
databases.
[0075] The illustrative method can further comprise creating a
custom product taxonomy for usage in matching a variety of terms
for a product to increase probability of a match to a user request.
For example, terms can be entered into the database in the
predetermined data structure as new products are placed into
inventory along with generic product names, synonyms and slang
terms used in various cultural groups, and phonetic pronunciations
taking into account various dialects.
[0076] The method can further comprise forming a product taxonomy
database which defines the custom product taxonomy. The product
taxonomy database can contain terms including product names,
synonyms, phonetic pronunciations, and slang terms. The product
taxonomy database can further contain additional product
information including product-related advertisements, coupons, and
promotional offers based on product taxonomy.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 13, a pictorial view shows an example of a
mobile/web store map for visually locating products in store using
the system of FIG. 1. A mobile/web map 607 can be built and used in
the application to provide a visual representation of where a
product can be found using the illustrative system and method
disclosed herein.
[0078] The illustrative system and method provides a variety of
ways to find product locations inside a store including a dial-in
interactive voice response system 403 and 404 which is configured
to use voice signals to locate products and product information in
stores. A smart phone application 308 and mobile website 309 are
configured to access the same product database using text or
voice-to-text tools. The user and/or customer 300 can make product
requests by product description, product synonyms, phonetic terms,
or slang terms to enable access the product. These improvements
enable the user and/or customer 300 to facilitate location of
products in stores themselves using a phone, creating new
efficiencies in customer services.
[0079] Terms "substantially", "essentially", or "approximately",
that may be used herein, relate to an industry-accepted variability
to the corresponding term. Such an industry-accepted variability
ranges from less than one percent to twenty percent and corresponds
to, but is not limited to, materials, shapes, sizes, functionality,
values, process variations, and the like. The term "coupled", as
may be used herein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling
via another component or element where, for indirect coupling, the
intervening component or element does not modify the operation.
Inferred coupling, for example where one element is coupled to
another element by inference, includes direct and indirect coupling
between two elements in the same manner as "coupled".
[0080] The illustrative pictorial diagrams depict structures and
process actions in a usage process. Although the particular
examples illustrate specific structures and process acts, many
alternative implementations are possible and commonly made by
simple design choice. Manufacturing actions may be executed in
different order from the specific description herein, based on
considerations of function, purpose, conformance to standard,
legacy structure, and the like.
[0081] While the present disclosure describes various embodiments,
these embodiments are to be understood as illustrative and do not
limit the claim scope. Many variations, modifications, additions
and improvements of the described embodiments are possible. For
example, those having ordinary skill in the art will readily
implement the steps necessary to provide the structures and methods
disclosed herein, and will understand that the process parameters,
materials, shapes, and dimensions are given by way of example only.
The parameters, materials, and dimensions can be varied to achieve
the desired structure as well as modifications, which are within
the scope of the claims. Variations and modifications of the
embodiments disclosed herein may also be made while remaining
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *