U.S. patent application number 17/320048 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-28 for systems and methods for allocating and distributing inventory.
The applicant listed for this patent is MERCATO, INC.. Invention is credited to Matthew Alarie, David Bateman, Robert Brannigan, Michael Mason.
Application Number | 20210334881 17/320048 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005705585 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210334881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brannigan; Robert ; et
al. |
October 28, 2021 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING AND DISTRIBUTING INVENTORY
Abstract
Presented herein is an online marketplace for the selling and
delivering of items for sale. The online marketplace includes
devices and systems as well as their methods of use for the online
purchase of goods as well as for the efficient and expedient
delivery of the goods purchased. In particular embodiments, the
system may include a cloud based database that stores images of the
items for purchase, and may further include an associated computing
device that is configured for receiving data corresponding with the
one or more physical items represented by the images of the goods
for sale that are stored in the database. The computing device is
further configured for displaying the data corresponding with the
one or more physical items for sale, e.g., to a client via a web
portal; obtaining order data for an online order for the one or
more physical items for sale; assessing geolocation data for the
online order for delivery within a defined delivery area, and
notifies a client that the online order should be delivered as well
as indicates the most efficient manner in which to make the
delivery.
Inventors: |
Brannigan; Robert; (New
York, NY) ; Bateman; David; (Batavia, NY) ;
Mason; Michael; (Spencerville, MD) ; Alarie;
Matthew; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MERCATO, INC. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005705585 |
Appl. No.: |
17/320048 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15987861 |
May 23, 2018 |
11100565 |
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17320048 |
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62510092 |
May 23, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0635 20130101;
G06Q 10/087 20130101; G06Q 30/0643 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06; G06Q 10/08 20060101 G06Q010/08 |
Claims
1. An online marketplace system for allowing community based goods
producers to sell their goods, the online marketplace system
comprising: a structured database, the structured database storing
goods data corresponding with a plurality of locally sourced
physical items for sale from a collective of small, local goods
producers, the collective of small, local goods producers including
a plurality of community based goods producers, the goods data
including information regarding availability of the one or more
locally sourced physical items for sale and information about each
of the community based goods producers who are offering those
locally sourced physical items for sale; a server coupled to the
database and configured for communicating with a plurality of
client computing devices over a network interface, the server
further being configured for generating a graphical user interface
at a display of at least one of the one or more first client
computing devices, the graphical user interface for producing at
the display a shopping dashboard for presenting the one or more
goods for sale and the one or more community based goods producers
offering those goods for sale, the server comprising: a first
processing engine for receiving at least first order data
corresponding to a user selection from a user, the user selection
comprising a selection of at least one of the one or more goods for
sale presented at the shopping dashboard, and a community based
goods producer preference for each of the one or more goods
selected by the one or more users; a second processing engine for
comparing the first order data with the goods data in the database
so as to ensure that each user selected good from each preferred
community based goods producer has not been allocated for another
order; a third processing engine for generating and transmitting
merchant purchase data for each selected community based goods
producer of each selected good to be purchased by the user, the
merchant purchase data indicating that the user has selected a good
to be purchased and has selected a community based goods producer
from whom to purchase the good; a fourth processing engine for
receiving packaged good data from each client computing device of
each selected community based goods producer, the packaged good
data notifying the server that each selected good purchased from
each selected community based goods producer is ready for delivery;
a fifth processing engine for receiving a notification that each
purchased good has been picked up for delivery a sixth processing
engine for receiving a notification that the one or more user
selected goods was delivered to the user.
2. The online marketplace system in accordance with claim 1,
wherein the user comprises a plurality of users, and the at least
first order data includes at least first and second order data from
the plurality of different users.
3. The online marketplace system in accordance with claim 2,
wherein the plurality of different users have different
geographical locations, and the server further includes an
additional processing engine for receiving geolocation data
pertaining to the geographical location of each of the plurality of
different users and for determining geolocation data containing the
geographic location for each selected community based goods
producer.
4. The online marketplace system in accordance with claim 3,
wherein the additional processing engine is further configured for
assessing the geolocation and determining a delivery route, the
delivery route including directions to the geographic location for
each selected community based goods producer, for pickup of each
selected good that was purchased from each respective different
user, and from each selected community based goods producer to the
geographic location for each respective different user.
5. The online marketplace system in accordance with claim 4,
wherein the server includes a further processing engine for
tracking progress of delivery along the delivery route and/or for
predicting an estimated time of arrival at each geographic
location, and for communicating one or more of the progress and
estimated time of arrival to one or more recipients.
6. The online marketplace system in accordance with claim 5,
wherein the server includes another processing engine configured
for receiving merchant package data from each selected community
based goods producer, the merchant package data indicated that a
purchased good has been packaged and is ready for delivery.
7. The online marketplace system in accordance with claim 6,
wherein the selected community based goods producer comprises a
plurality of different community based goods producers having
different geographical locations, and the delivery route data
includes each of the geographical locations of each of the
different community based goods producers.
8. A method for delivering goods ordered by a consumer via an
online marketplace, the goods including one or more goods for sale
by a community based goods producer, the method comprising:
providing, from a server computer, at a display of a first client
computing device, a graphical user interface, the graphical user
interface for producing, at the display, a shopping dashboard for
presenting one or more goods for sale and one or more community
based goods producers offering those goods for sale; receiving, at
the server computer, from the first client computing device over a
network interface, first digital order data for an online order of
goods, the first digital order data including a selection from a
consumer of at least one good to be purchased from at least one
selected community based goods producer, and storing the first
digital order data in a database in communication with the server
computer; transmitting, from the server computer to a second client
computing device of the at least one selected community based goods
producer, via the network interface, at least a portion of the
first digital order data, the second client computing device for
receiving the first digital order data and determining availability
of the consumer selected at least one good to be purchased, and for
generating and transmitting one or more of order receipt data,
availability of the selected good data, and order complete and
ready for pick up data back to the server computer; receiving, at
the server computer, from the at least one selected community based
goods producer client computing device, a notification, the
notification including one or more of order receipt data,
availability of the selected good data, and order complete and
ready for pick up data, the order complete and ready for pick up
data corresponding with the first digital order data of the first
online order of goods, and indicating when the consumer selected at
least one good to be purchased is ready for pickup; determining, by
the server computer, in response to receipt of the indication that
the consumer selected at least one good to be purchased is ready
for pickup, a geolocation for each the at least one selected
community based goods producer as well as a geolocation for the
consumer so as to produce determined location data; generating, by
the server computer, using the determined location data, delivery
route data, the delivery route data setting forth a route by which
to pick up and deliver the consumer selected at least one good to
be purchased from a location of the at least one selected community
based goods producer to a location of the consumer, the delivery
route data including delivery data comprising the geolocation of
the at least one selected community based goods producer and the
consumer; transmitting, from the server computer to a third client
computer of the consumer via the network interface, a first and
second notification, the first notification indicating when the
consumer selected at least one good to be purchased has been picked
up for delivery, and further transmitting a second notification
indicating an estimation of when the consumer selected at least one
good to be purchased will be delivered to the first consumer.
9. The method for delivering goods according to claim 8, wherein
the at least one good to be purchased comprises a plurality of
goods, and the at least one selected community based goods
producers comprises a plurality of selected community based goods
producers, each having distinct geolocations.
10. The method for delivering goods according to claim 9, wherein
the method further comprises transmitting to the server computer
delivery data, the delivery data including a confirmation that at
least one of the plurality of goods from at least one of the
plurality of selected community based goods producers has been
delivered, and further including an actual time of delivery.
11. The method for delivering goods according to claim 10, wherein
the method further comprises comparing the estimation of when the
consumer selected at least one good to be purchased will be
delivered with the actual time of delivery.
12. The method for delivering goods according to claim 11, wherein
when there is a difference between the estimation of when the
consumer selected at least one good to be purchased will be
delivered and the actual time of delivery, then the method further
comprises determining a reason for the difference so as to produce
first analysis result data.
13. The method for delivering goods according to claim 12, wherein
producing the first analysis data further comprises analyzing one
or more weighted factors employed in making the estimation of when
the consumer selected at least one good to be purchased will be
delivered.
14. The method for delivering goods according to claim 13, wherein
the method further comprises employing the first analysis result
data to re-weight at least one of the one or more weighted
factors.
15. A method of offering goods for sale to a consumer via an online
community based goods marketplace, the method comprising:
providing, from a server computer, at a display of a first client
computing device, a graphical user interface, the graphical user
interface for producing, at the display, a shopping dashboard, the
shopping dashboard being configured for receiving a search query
pertaining to type of one or more goods for sale and/or one or more
types of community based goods producers offering the goods for
sale at the community based goods marketplace; receiving, at the
server computer, a choice of one or more types of goods for sale
and/or one or more types of community based goods producers, and a
geographical locator of the consumer; accessing, by the server
computer in response to the choice by the consumer, a database
associated with the server computer, the database for storing data
on the one or more types of goods for sale and data on the
community based goods producers associated with the online
community based goods marketplace; retrieving from the database, by
the server computer, in response to the choice of the consumer and
the geographic locator, one or more images from the database, the
one or more images corresponding to the choice of one or more types
of goods for sale and/or selected one or more types of community
based goods producers, the retrieving of the images being limited
by the geographical locator; transmitting, by the server computer,
for display via the shopping dashboard presented at the graphical
user interface of the first client computing device, the one or
more retrieved images, the one or more retrieved images being
presented in a streaming loop at the shopping dashboard.
16. The method for offering goods for sale according to claim 15,
wherein the method comprises retrieving the one or more images
and/or a description pertaining to the one or more images from a
website of one or more community based producers, and uploading
retrieved images and/or description to the database.
17. The method for offering goods for sale according to claim 15,
further comprising receiving at the server computer, from at least
one consumer, a selection of at least one good for sale and one
community based goods producer offering the at least one selected
good for sale, and in response to receiving the selection of the at
least one good for sale and the one community based goods producer,
transmitting an order to the selected community based good
producer, the order including order data pertaining to the
selection of the at least one good.
18. The method for offering goods for sale according to claim 17,
further comprising receiving at the server computer, from the one
community based goods producer selected, in response to receiving
the order data, selected good availability data, the selected good
availability data including an indication of the selected good
being available for purchase or not available for purchase.
19. The method for offering goods for sale according to claim 18,
wherein if the selected good is available for purchase, the method
further comprises generating delivery route data, the delivery
route data including a delivery route between a geolocation for the
selected community based good producer and the geographical
location for the consumer, and based on the delivery route data,
further generating an estimated time by which the consumer will
receive the selected good once purchased.
20. The method for offering goods for sale according to claim 19,
further comprising transmitting to the display of the first client
computing device of the at least one consumer, the good
availability data and the estimated by which the consumer will
receive the selected good once purchased.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/987,861 filed May 23, 2018 and claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/510,092,
filed May 23, 2017 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING AND
DISTRIBUTING INVENTORY", the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description of the background of the invention
is provided simply as an aid in understanding the invention and is
not admitted to describe or constitute prior art to the
invention.
[0003] The craft/small-batch goods movement is a fast-growing
business trend with a focus on independently-owned and operated
businesses producing smaller quantities of hand-crafted goods, such
as beverages, food, farm produce/meats, baked goods, clothing,
etc., with a focus on higher-quality goods than what may be
produced in much larger quantities by the bigger industrial-scale
producers. The rapid increase in craft and artisanal goods
businesses reflects a clear demand in the marketplace by consumers
who desire higher-quality, better cultivated products, in a wider
variety of selections than may be available from the large scale,
nation-wide vendors, and are willing to pay a premium for these
hand-craftsman products. In addition, the demand for small-batch
products may also reflect a desire by consumer to re-invest their
money with local businesses.
[0004] Despite the increased demand for craft goods across many
industries, small batch producers still face several problems in
keeping the business profitable and growing, and thus experience
challenges in being able to compete in the market place. For
example, small business may have a storefront where their product
is sold; however, only selling their craft product via the physical
storefront relies entirely on foot traffic for sales. In many
cases, the production facility and storefront are part of the same
space, making it hard to expand, difficult to showcase items, and
forcing customers to physically come to that storefront in order to
make their purchases. To better compete in the market place, these
craft good producers need to increase the volume of products sold
over time and also increase the geographic reach to potential
customers. However, due to the localized nature of the small-batch
business, it is extremely difficult for them to distribute their
products outside of their production facility and local
environment. Hence, the ability to deliver and/or distribute their
artisanal products presents several problems for the craft business
owner.
[0005] Small businesses have limited resources to divert towards
distribution or delivery of their products. Additional resources
are needed to plan for and implement a far-ranging distribution or
delivery system, the logistics of which differ drastically from
their local market, and may differ greatly depending on the
particular craft products being made and brought to market.
Particularly, the manpower and resources of small businesses are
often focused on the production of the products themselves, and
cannot be allocated to the additional tasks of building and
developing a delivery system, and/or then matching the production
rate to accommodate the increased demand of having a delivery
system. In addition, their monetary resources may be highly
constrained due to the size of the business, saturation of the
local market, and limited ability to grow, making it difficult to
outsource delivery so as to cultivate and develop a larger
following for their goods. Along with the manpower and monetary
resource constraints, the time available to the owner and employees
of the artisanal business for inventory tracking, delivery, and/or
distribution of products may also be limited. The amount of time
required to create and maintain a system that can track and
allocate inventory as well as handle the logistics of delivering
their products often far outstrips what little non-production time
may be available to growing the small-batch business outside of its
local market.
[0006] In various instances, craft producers may also lack the
technical know-how to set up and run complex inventory management
systems efficiently, the difficulty of which is increased
exponentially when run alongside a delivery/distribution system.
Many craft business owners are running the business as a second or
parallel career, and simply lack the experience and knowledge of
the problems and pitfalls that such businesses typically face when
growing their customer base. This lack of expertise may result in
the craft producer squandering valuable time and money in trying to
set up such systems on their own, and jeopardizing the basic
production capabilities of the business, while increasing the risk
of failure due to a poorly executed expansion initiative.
[0007] Accordingly, the challenges faced by craft-product
businesses in expanding their size and geographic reach, especially
when competing against much larger corporate entities, result in
several negative consequences. For example, the ability of small
craft-product business to expand is severely hampered, as they are
competing against large corporate businesses with superior money,
manpower, national advertising, and brand recognition that allow
them better access and bargaining power for producing,
distributing, and/or offering goods for sale in both large-scale
and local markets. This increases a market tendency towards
integration, with only a few large businesses dominating the
market, and squeezing out the ability of small businesses to
compete. This domination by only a few large businesses greatly
affects the local community, which effects may be felt in a lack of
choice in products, an inability to access higher-quality goods
when desired, as well as a lack of freshness of the products
produced. For example, large grocery stores may provide access to
only a limited number of large farm suppliers in order to reduce
costs in favor of increased volume, resulting in lower quality meat
and produce that takes longer to get to the grocery store and is
less fresh. Additionally, the dominance of larger corporate
businesses results in a focus on cutting costs, and not on
developing newer, cutting edge technologies, which would be useful
for enhancing competition in the market place.
[0008] Hence, small-batch businesses also face a number of
technological challenges that need to be overcome in order to
successfully compete with the large corporate producers. For
example, small-batch businesses do not typically have the resources
to invest in technology, such as to efficiently grow the business,
track inventory, and/or provide feedback as to whether production
needs to be increased or quality enhanced. Small-batch businesses
also often lack the resources for quickly and efficiently
estimating when delivery or distribution of products will occur. A
useful resource, as provided herein, would be a system, mechanism,
and a manner of its use that would allow small batch businesses to
develop and reach a larger consumer base than is presently possible
in today's market, which would, in turn, allow them to better
compete in the marketplace while increasing the consumer's
opportunity to purchase a wider variety of goods from a larger
selection of producers and/or manufacturers.
[0009] The goal of the technologies described herein is to solve
these and other problems faced by craft products businesses,
allowing such businesses and their products to reach a wider
consumer base and thereby to compete more effectively with large
corporate producers, manufacturers, distributors, and sellers.
SUMMARY
[0010] Hence, in various instances, implementations of various
aspects of the disclosure may include, but are not limited to:
apparatuses, systems, and methods including one or more features as
described in detail herein, as well as articles that comprise a
tangibly embodied machine-readable medium operable to cause one or
more machines (e.g., computers, etc.) to result in operations
described herein. Similarly, computer systems are also described
that may include one or more processors and/or one or more memories
coupled to the one or more processors. Accordingly, computer
implemented methods consistent with one or more implementations of
the current subject matter can be implemented by one or more data
processors residing in a single computing system or multiple
computing systems containing multiple computers, such as in a
computing or supercomputing bank.
[0011] Such multiple computing systems can be connected and can
exchange data and/or commands or other instructions or the like via
one or more connections, including but not limited to a connection
over a network (e.g. the Internet, a wireless wide area network, a
local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, a
physical electrical interconnect, or the like), via a direct
connection between one or more of the multiple computing systems,
etc. A memory, which can include a computer-readable storage
medium, may include, encode, store, or the like one or more
programs that cause one or more processors to perform one or more
of the operations associated with one or more of the algorithms
described herein.
[0012] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter
described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the
description below. Other features and advantages of the subject
matter described herein will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and from the claims. While certain features of the
currently disclosed subject matter are described for illustrative
purposes in relation to an enterprise resource software system or
other business software solution or architecture, it should be
readily understood that such features are not intended to be
limiting. The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to
define the scope of the protected subject matter.
[0013] Accordingly, in one aspect, presented herein are systems,
apparatuses, and methods for implementing online marketplace
protocols, such as for performing one or more functions for
generating an online inventory, allowing access and ordering for
online sale, allocating inventory for in-store vs. online sale,
packaging and/or delivering inventory, via one or more optimized
algorithms and/or on one or more optimized integrated circuits,
such as on one or more hardware processing platforms. Hence, in one
instance, methods are provided for implementing logic or one or
more algorithms for performing one or more steps for identifying,
allocating, and tracking the packaging and/or delivery of inventory
items in a inventory allocation protocol, such as where one or more
of the steps are to be implemented within the framework of computer
readable media or implemented via one or more of firmware and/or
hardware.
[0014] In one aspect, the disclosure provides an online marketplace
system for selling and delivering items. The online marketplace
includes a database stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium of the at least one computing device, such as a server or a
bank of servers. The database stores data corresponding with one or
more physical items for sale, such as prices, amounts, identifying
numbers, and/or image files. The database is in communication with
a computing device that is configured to execute logic in
machine-executable instructions to receive data corresponding with
one or more physical items for sale (e.g. inventory data) and store
the data in the database. The computer device may display the data
to a client via a web portal. The system may obtain order data from
an online order placed by a user for one or more corresponding
physical items. Logic in the system may then compare the order data
for the online order with the data in the database and ensure that
the corresponding physical item has not been allocated for another
order. The system may then identify the order data as ready for
packaging and notify a client (such as a tablet or laptop at the
fulfillment center or store) that is networked to the computing
device that the online order is ready to be packaged.
[0015] The system may also assess geolocation data associated with
the order data to determine whether the order is within a defined
delivery area and assigns an identifier to the online order for
delivery within the delivery area. Logic in the system may then
notify the networked client that the online order should be
delivered with other online orders also identified for delivery
within the defined delivery area. The system may receive a
notification from the client that the physical items in the online
order were picked up for delivery. The system may also be in
communication with a delivery client (such as a smartphone or
tablet), and be able to receive a notification that the physical
items associated with the online order were delivered.
[0016] In another aspect, the disclosure herein provides a method
of offering goods for sale via an online marketplace. The method
includes the step of accessing a database that is embodied on a
non-transitory computer readable medium on a computing device (such
as server or bank of servers). The database is configured for
storing data on physical items for purchase, such as items in a
shop's inventory. Item data regarding each of the physical items
may be uploaded via a second computing device that communicates
with the first computing device via a network. One or more images
from the database may be selected and associated with item data for
a particular type of item that has been uploaded to the database.
Each of the one or more items and at least some of the associated
item data may then be displayed in a streaming loop via a web
portal, when the web portal is accessed by a client (such as a
smartphone, tablet, or laptop).
[0017] In another aspect, the instant disclosure provides a method
of delivering goods ordered by a consumer via an online
marketplace. The method includes the step of receiving digital
order data for a first online order of goods in a first computing
device (such as a server). The digital order data may be stored in
a database on a non-transitory computer readable medium in data
communication with the first computing device. A second computing
device (such as a tablet or laptop at a fulfillment center) is
notified that the digital order data for the first online order has
been received by the first computing device. The first computing
device allows the second computing device to access to the digital
order data for the first online order. The second computing device
may then notify the first computing device that physical items
corresponding with the digital order data are packaged.
[0018] The method further includes a step of assessing geolocation
data associated with the digital order data and grouping the
digital order data with digital order data for a second online
order of goods. Both the first and second online orders are within
a defined area for delivery. The second computing device may then
be notified that the physical items corresponding with the first
digital order should be grouped with the physical items
corresponding with the second digital order for delivery. The
method further includes a step of receiving a notification that the
physical items associated with the first online order were picked
up for delivery, as well as a step of receiving a notification that
the physical items associated with the first online order were
delivered.
[0019] The summary of the disclosure described above is
non-limiting and other features and advantages of the disclosed
apparatus and methods will be apparent from the following detailed
description of the disclosure, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of goods being produced and sold by
a craft goods store.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system for online
sales of craft goods.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of information flow in
systems of the instant disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 4A shows a flowchart of method for a merchant setting
up an online store.
[0024] FIG. 4B shows a flowchart of a method for a consumer
ordering from an online store.
[0025] FIG. 5A shows a schematic diagram of relationships between a
shop, a fulfillment center, and a deliverer.
[0026] FIG. 5B shows a flowchart for receiving, packaging, and
delivering an online order.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment
of a system for online ordering and delivery.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0028] The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods
for allocating and distributing inventory, such as perishable
products.
[0029] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the singular forms
"a," "an," and "the" include plural reference.
[0030] Craft and/or artisanal product businesses may include small,
locally owned and operated producers, manufacturers, and suppliers
that produce and/or supply unprocessed, handmade goods that are of
a higher quality than typically available through the
mass-production manufacturing and nationwide distribution networks
that are dominating the today's marketplace. Such craft and/or
artisanal producers and/or manufacturers may include small farms
that raise organic produce and free-range and/or grass-fed
livestock, without genetic and/or chemical modifications. In some
instances, such small farms may raise produce and/or livestock of a
particular species or type that is known for being particularly
desirable by consumers in the local community due to preferred
flavor or quality. Suppliers may also manufacture perishable foods
such as jams and jellies, creams, cheeses, and other dairy
products, that are made from non-genetically modified or enhanced
organisms, using all-natural product precursors, but in small
quantities. While suppliers such as small farms can sell their
inventory to grocery stores in a defined geographic region, the
limited resources, manpower, and technical expertise needed to
compete in a wider market may limit the geographic reach of their
delivery and distribution. In addition, their resources, manpower,
and expertise may be limited with respect to selling directly to
consumers. This can deprive consumers of access to their natural,
high-quality, organic goods, and at the very least force consumers
to seek them out in a limited number of physical stores and
vendors.
[0031] In addition to suppliers, smaller local vendors and shops
may purchase and resell craft or small-batch products from
artisanal suppliers on a limited basis. In some instances, such
local vendors may purchase high-quality raw materials, such as from
small batch producers, e.g., farmers, so as to produce their own
craft/small-batch products that they may then offer for sale. Such
shops and vendors employ a limited number of skilled craftspeople
with a focus on making and/or selling high-quality goods; because
of the time and/or skill it takes to produce and/or manufacture the
goods are produced in small quantities. However, such
craft/small-batch shops and vendors have a limited ability to
provide their goods to consumers away from the shop's location,
even if they could ramp up production without sacrificing quality.
Exemplary craft/small-batch shops and vendors may include, without
limitation, bakeries, delicatessens, butcher shops, fish markets,
grocery stores, family owned and operated restaurants, and the
like.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of goods
moving through a craft or small-batch shop, such as a brick and
mortar storefront. For instance, craft and small-batch shops and
vendors may receive inventory 100, if their focus is on selling
produced or otherwise finished goods from others, such as a grocery
store that receives produce and dairy products from one or more
farms. In other instances, craft and small-batch shops may receive
raw materials 110 from a supplier and create their own finished
goods 112, such as a bakery, brewery, or delicatessen. These shops
and vendors may then display all or a portion of their inventory of
goods 114 in their shop, and then sell the craft goods 116 to local
customers that visit the shop's location. However, such a brick and
mortar based offering severely limits the ability of the store
owner to reach a greater number of customers, thereby limiting the
ability to get the produced goods into the hands of the consumer,
thereby limiting the store owner's ability to increase sales, which
would allow the owner to expand the business so as to better reach
a greater number of customers. Hence, the limited ability for small
batch store owners to get their high-quality goods in the hands of
a greater amount of consumers is stifling the ability of such
artisan craftsmen to efficiently compete in the market place. A
delivery system, mechanism, and its method of use, as herein
provided, solves this problem.
[0033] Craft and small-batch shops do not typically include a
mechanism for delivering their goods to customers, and this may at
least in part be due to the difficulty inherent to setting up and
managing an efficient delivery scheme on top of their craft
production focus. Hence, if a shop wants to deliver the high
quality products they produce or otherwise manufacture, so as to
increase sales and reach a larger potential customer base, then
they must either create a delivery system themselves, or use an
outside contractor to move the products, such as a larger
corporately controlled delivery service. However, because of the
immensities of such organizations, their focus on cost-cutting as a
means to increase shareholder profits, as well as lack of
sufficient oversight, such delivery systems are less than ideal
when it comes to the delivery of fragile, small batch goods, that
need to be carefully delivered in a timely fashion.
[0034] Consequently, even if the small-batch shops use an outside
contractor for delivery, there is no assurance that the goods to be
delivered will be delivered to the right address, in the right
amount of time, and in a manner coincident with the care and
quality with which the good was produced in the first instance.
Additionally, because of the corporate nature of such delivery
services, the cost charged for such inferior deliveries is often
exorbitant, making their use economically non-viable. Further, the
use of outside delivery services is less than ideal in that there
is typically no integration with any inventory tracking and/or
payment systems that may be used by the small-concern business, if
there are any at all. This makes the offering, managing, acquiring,
selling, and/or tracking of sold inventory to customers outside of
the local brick and mortar community difficult if not impossible to
implement.
[0035] For instance, many nationwide producers and/or sellers of
goods have vast resources they can use to develop on online, e.g.,
cloud-based, sales organization. Particularly, retailers often have
a dedicated website where a consumer may access a series of
displays offering goods for sale. However, these goods are usually
mass produced, non-hand made, and stored in bulk in a variety of
large distribution facilities. Because of their mass production and
fungible nature, these goods are ideal for shipment by the large
corporate-run delivery services, if something is lost or damaged in
the delivery process it is easily replaced. Such is not the case
for small batch manufacturers and retailers. Since the goods are
produced in small quantities, and are often handmade or crafted,
their loss is not easily replaced nor its value recouped, such as
through mass production. To further complicate matters, in order to
receive, track, manage, and deliver products ordered via a webpage,
a small-batch shop would need to integrate and automate several
functions with the shop's currently existing payment systems, as
well as any inventory or production systems, which in turn would
require a level of specialization and technical expertise that may
be beyond the scope and/or reach of many small batch craftspeople.
Without a well-integrated system to allow ordering and delivery,
craft vendors must expend time, money and effort to link different
systems together, wasting valuable resources required to produce
the goods and run the business.
[0036] The systems, mechanisms, and methods described herein solve
these problems by allowing a small-batch producer, shop and/or
vendor to easily and quickly create an ordering web-based interface
that may be configured so as to offer their goods for sale and/or
delivery to a larger consumer base than would otherwise be possible
by simply tending to their known customer base and/or brick and
mortar retail shop. For instance, in one aspect, an online
marketplace is provided, which market place will allow local
producers, sellers, distributors, and/or buyers to offer their
goods for sale and/or for the purchase of such goods in a simple to
use, intuitive, and easy to manage interface. Additionally, in
another aspect, an efficient, timely, and safe delivery system is
provided which will allow for the quick and economical delivery of
the goods to the supplier, distributor, or customer pursuant to
such purchases.
[0037] Accordingly, in one instance, a web-portal is provided. The
web-portal is configured as an online marketplace that is easy to
access and navigate so as to swiftly list and/or display goods for
sale as well as to easily select goods for purchase and/or
delivery. Hence, in certain instances, a system is provided. The
system includes a cloud-based processing platform and database for
the listing of goods for sale, and further includes a display by
which the goods listed for sale may be displayed. The system
additionally includes an interface, such as an input interface, for
connecting with the cloud-based processing platform and/or
associated database so as to upload images of goods for sale,
indicate a given uploaded good is for sale, and for selecting a
good to be purchased. In various instances, the system may also
include a local processing unit and/or data store, such as may be
used for uploading the images of goods to be offered for sale,
and/or for selecting goods to be purchased, and/or delivered.
Accordingly, the system is further configured for arranging the
selected and purchased good(s) to be delivered to the purchaser,
such as in a timely and efficient manner.
[0038] Hence, in a first instance, as can be seen with respect to
FIG. 2, a web-portal 200 is provided that is communicably or
otherwise operably connected to a cloud-based data server 205 that
is in turn communicably connected to a database 210, such as where
the database 210 is configured for storing a representation of
goods 116 to be sold. Web-portal 200 may include an interface 220a
that allows a store 150, such as a small batch producer 151,
manufacturer 152, or retailer 155 (see FIG. 3) to upload an image
of goods, e.g., raw materials 110 or finished goods 112, such as
from an inventory of goods 100, that are to be offered for sale
114. For instance, a producer 151, manufacturer 152, or retailer
155 may acquire one or more images of one or more goods 114 from an
inventory of goods 100, which images may be stored on a local
database 245a and/or uploaded, e.g., via a local processing unit
240a, to the web portal 200, such as via the web interface 220a.
Likewise, a consumer 300 of goods may access the web portal 220b so
as to view the goods 114 uploaded by one or more of the producers
and/or retailers 150, such as via display 230a. For instance, the
consumer 300 may engage a local processing unit 240b connected to a
display 230b, so as to access the web interface 220b, and thereby
connect with the web portal 200, so as to view, review, compare,
and ultimately purchase the goods 116.
[0039] Accordingly, in such a manner as this, the web-portal 200
allows for various producers 150, such as small batch, artisan
producers 151, e.g., farmers, ranchers, gardeners, fisherman, or
manufacturers 152, and the like, such as serving a local community,
to connect with retailers 155, such as small batch, artisan
retailers, e.g., local markets, butchers, flower shops, and the
like, within the local community or broader. Web-portal 200 allows
producers 150 to finish and list their inventory for sale 114
and/or to purchase the listed inventory 100, such as raw materials
110 that are to be used by the retailer to produce their finished
goods for sale 112. Likewise, the web-portal 200 allows for such
small batch retailers 155 to connect with consumers 300, such as
outside their local brick and mortar establishment, so as to offer
their goods for sale 114 to a larger customer base than would
otherwise be possible. Additionally, in various instances, the
web-portal 200 may be accessed or otherwise configured to push
data, such as order data, to a processing unit 240c of a delivery
service and/or mechanism 400 so as to effectuate the delivery of
purchased good 116 to the purchasing entity, e.g., retailer 155 or
consumer 300, thereby making them delivered goods 118.
[0040] In view of the above, in one aspect of the disclosure, a
cloud-based marketplace system 2 is provided. (See FIG. 6.) The
cloud-based marketplace 2 may be configured as a computing
platform, such as a computer chip, e.g., microprocessor, integrated
circuit, such as a field gated programmable array (FPGA) or
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), computer system,
and/or server system 205 that is configured for carrying out the
functions necessary for operating the online market system 2.
Exemplary functions may include allowing producers 151,
manufacturers 152, and/or retailers 155 to list their goods, e.g.,
raw materials 110 or finished goods 112, for sale, e.g., via a
search engine application programming interface (API), and further
allowing retailers 155 and/or consumers 300 to purchase those
goods, such as via a suitably configured ecommerce purchasing
platform. Additionally, such uploaded content may be managed by a
content management system 207.
[0041] Any suitable computing system 205 may be employed in this
manner so long as it is capable of accessing one or more databases
210, running one or more algorithms with respect thereto, so as to
effectuate one or more actions, such as for the listing and/or
purchasing of goods 116. For instance, the computer system 205 may
be implemented in a simple processor running software that allows a
user, such as a producer 151, manufacturer 152, retailer 155,
and/or consumer 300 to list goods for sale 114 and/or to effectuate
the sale of such goods 116, and/or may even function to effectuate
the delivery of such goods 118, once purchased. For such purposes,
the computer system may be an integrated circuit 205, such as a
processor, that is configured for fetching instructions and making
commands with respect thereto, or may be a dedicated hardware
system that is hardwired for doing the same, such as in a wired
configuration, such as for accessing a database and/or associated
memory 210 so as to store and/or retrieve information therefrom. As
explained herein below, in some instances, the system may also
include an artificial intelligence module for analyzing one or more
aspects of the system, to determine trends with respect thereto, to
make predictions based on such trends, and/or to suggest or
implement various configurational changes to the system in
response.
[0042] Accordingly, a part of the system 2 may be a database 210
such as for storing data, such as data pertaining to inventory 100,
such as raw materials 110 or finished goods 112, that may be
offered for sale 114 and/or purchased 116, and/or delivered 118
(e.g. see FIG. 1). Such a database may be any suitable memory such
as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), single in-line memory
(SIMM), dual inline memory (DIMM), e.g., that is accessible over a
DDR interface, PCIe bus, and the like. Particularly, the memory 210
may be configured so as to be written to, so as to store a digital
representation of various classes of goods to be sold, and may
further be read from so as to display the offered goods for sale.
It is also to be noted that while the database may be held in a
memory, e.g., a solid state memory, the database may also be stored
on disk, thereby securing against system outage.
[0043] Hence, a user of the system, such as a retailer 150 and/or
consumer 300, may access the memory 210 via the cloud-based web
portal 200, e.g., via processor 205, so as to upload, review,
analyze, compare, and/or ultimately sell and purchase the goods
118. For instance, a producer and/or retailer 150 may engage the
processing unit 240a, such as a personal or laptop computer, mobile
computing device, PDA, or the like, so as to access the web portal
200 and upload one or more images of goods to be sold, such as
images of the goods stored in the database 245a representing the
inventory of the producer or retailer 150. Likewise, the consumer
300 may engage his or her processing unit 240b, such as a personal
or laptop computer, mobile computing device, PDA, or the like, so
as to access the web portal 200, so as to review one or more images
of goods to be purchased. The consumer may then also use the system
2, so as to have the purchased goods delivered to the consumer's
identified location, thereby making them delivered goods. In
various instances, the system 2 may be configured for tracking the
goods throughout the various steps of the process from becoming
inventory for purchase to purchased goods and/or delivered
goods.
[0044] Particularly, as can be seen with respect to FIG. 3, in
various instances, the system 2 may be configured so as to provide
the necessary interconnectivity and the flow of information to the
database 210, and its users 150/300, regarding the various products
at their various stages of production, and their availability for
purchase, e.g., at each stage of the purchasing and/or acquisition
process. The flow of information provided by system 2 allows the
producer, manufacturer, and/or retailer 150 as well as the consumer
300 to track the goods through the purchasing process. In such an
instance, the producer 151 may log onto the system 2 so as to
upload raw materials into the system for purchase, which raw
materials may be purchased by the manufacturer 152 and/or retailer
155 and converted or processed into finished goods. For example, a
baker may receive farm fresh products that are then used to produce
a baked good such as a cake, or a florist may receive flowers that
they combine and arrange into a bouquet. Once received and
finished, the finished goods may then be re-uploaded into the
system 2 and offered for sale.
[0045] A consumer 150/300 may then log on to the system 2, may
browse the various vendors 150 offering goods for sale, and may
review and select the desired goods for purchase. Hence, the system
2 may be configured so as to allow the consumer 300 to view various
different vendors 150 offering products for sale, to select the
products desired, to purchase the products, and/or have them
delivered. As can be seen with respect to FIG. 3, the system 2 may
be configured so as to allow various market participants to
interact with one another in a variety of ways. As indicated,
producers 151 and/or manufacturers 152 can engage the system 2 to
sell products, e.g., inventory 100 (see FIG. 1), to other retailers
155 or directly to the consumers 300. Likewise, the retailers 155
may use the system 2 to purchase goods, e.g., raw materials 110,
from the producer or manufacturer, and/or to sell finished goods
114 to the consumer 300 (see FIG. 1). Additionally, the consumer
300 may engage the system 2 to purchase goods 100 from either the
producers/manufacturers 150 and/or the retailers 155.
[0046] In some embodiments, a user other than the consumer can
browse the inventory, place an order for the consumer, and have the
craft items delivered to the consumer. For example, a health care
provider (such as a doctor or nurse) or nutritionist may be able to
browse the inventory of a shop offering unprepared and prepared
foods utilizing produce and other ingredients considered organic
and/or non-GMO. This can be useful for a consumer who desires
and/or requires monitoring of the food quality being purchased over
time. In some embodiments, a user other than the consumer, e.g. a
health care provider or nutritionist, can assess the content of
past orders via a client having access to the account of the
consumer. In some embodiments, a user other than the consumer, e.g.
a health care provider or nutritionist, can view and/or approve
delivery of an order created and placed by the consumer.
[0047] In various instances, the system 2 may also be configured to
provide feedback to the producer, manufacturer, and/or shop or
vendor 150 regarding the sales of goods and/or the need to increase
or decrease production of items in inventory 100 that are being
sold or to be offered for sale. The feedback may be based on the
purchasing trends of the various retailers 155 and consumers 300.
For instance, if various items are being sold at a more rapid rate
than in the past, the system may be configured so as to instruct
the seller 150 to purchase more inventory or raw goods, so as to
meet the increased consumer demand. Likewise, if an item is selling
at a less rapid rate than in the past, the system 2 may be
configured so as to instruct the seller 150 to forestall the
purchase of more inventory, e.g., craft goods 100 or raw goods 110
(see FIG. 1), until current inventory has begun to move more
rapidly. Further, as described herein in greater detail below, the
system may be configured to effectuate or otherwise allow the
delivery of the raw products/finished goods/purchased goods from
the inventory to the retailer 155 and/or consumer 300. Hence, shops
and vendors using the systems 2, apparatuses, and methods herein
disclosed will be able to quickly and easily offer various goods in
various conditions of production and/or manufacture for sale to a
larger consumer base, while also being able to manage the inventory
they are selling via the web-based portal 200 (and/or in the shop),
track inventory sold online and/or within the shop, as well as
receive customer orders for products via the web page, manage
payment by customers via the web page, and coordinate delivery of
the products to the customer 300 who placed the order.
[0048] Returning to FIG. 2, the systems 2 described herein may
include at least one web portal 200 having a database 245a, such as
configured for operating as an online marketplace, which database
245a includes data, e.g., inventory data stored in a memory 210
that is accessible by one or more suitably configured processors,
e.g., 240. For instance, one or more applications, e.g., to be run
by the one or more of the processors of the system 2, provide
access to the data in the memory 215. For example, while the
processor 205 may be engaged, e.g., via the web portal 200, so as
to effectuate the display of items for sale 114, various
applications of the system 2 may be employed to allow a user, e.g.,
155 and 300, to scroll through various pages of displayed data
regarding those items for sale, to review information about the
items, and to effectuate an online purchase and delivery of those
items.
[0049] Consequently, the system 2 may be used to store inventory
data, order data, fulfillment data or inventory storage facility
data, payment data, delivery data, and/or other data. The system 2,
therefore, functions to track and manage the data related to
inventory (e.g., number of items for sale, types of items, age of
item, allocation for sale and/or delivery, raw materials used to
make the items, quantities of raw materials in storage, as well as
time to receive raw materials, make, and deliver the items; see
below) in order to enable the shop or vendor 150 to quickly assess
various aspects of the inventory 100 in relation to the rate of
sales and/or delivery of the items to the end purchaser, e.g.,
consumer 300.
[0050] However, the shop or vendor 150 may be selling items both
within the brick and mortar store itself, as well as via one or
more webpages of the system 2. Hence, to truly keep track of
inventory 100 for sale 114, the vendor 150 must keep track of
inventory 100 that is sold or to be sold both through its brick and
mortar stores as well as the online store 200, which allows a
consumer 300 to browse for and purchase items online. In such an
instance, the system 2 should be configured so that the data store
200 allows inventory tracking, such as by communicating with both
webpage ordering (either part of or outside of the web portal 200)
and point-of-service selling technology, such as at the brick and
mortar store. The system 2, therefore, provides various software
applications that both functions for the purpose of transferring
inventory-related data and allowing a consumer to order items for
delivery 400 and/or pickup at the store, while assessing and
adjusting inventory data accordingly.
[0051] In various instances, the system 2 may also include
applications and data that not only allows a consumer 300 to view
available items, prices, descriptions, pictures, videos, and other
information about a selected item, and then order the item for
delivery 400, such as within a given time period, while at the same
time tracking what the consumer 300 views and for how long. The
ordering data may then be assessed with the inventory data to
ensure that the items 100 are available. The system may also take
and process payment by a consumer that orders items 114 from the
inventory 100. The system 2 may also include data and applications
that assess orders received from consumers 300, and determine an
optimal delivery route and time, given delivery locations, number
of vehicles providing delivery services, etc.
[0052] Accordingly, the system 2 may include a database 210 that
stores data regarding individual items in an inventory 100 of the
craft/small-batch merchant, such as title, description, picture of
the item, price, weight, available quantities at the fulfillment
center or materials handling facility (such as the craft goods
shop), delivery availability, and/or other data. The system 2
allows the shop or merchant 155 to actively and/or automatically
track the existing inventory of items and determine whether items
are available or unavailable for sale to a consumer 300. The
inventory data may be initially entered by the craft goods shop
manually, and then as items 116 are sold and/or delivered 118, the
system 2 may automatically adjust the inventory data, and in some
instances, as new inventory 100 is acquired the system may track
and adjust for that as well. In some instances, inventory data may
include a picture of the item 114 to be sold, which picture may be
taken of the actual item being sold. However, in various instances,
the picture or image to be displayed may be selected from a
pre-populated list of stock images provided by the associated
database 210 of the web portal 200, allowing the shop user to more
quickly and easily add inventory data.
[0053] In order for a consumer to view items available for purchase
from a craft store, a streaming loop of inventory data, such as
images and text may be made available through the web portal 200 to
a consumer 300 (see FIG. 2). This inventory data may be loaded via
a content input device 250 by a user. Content input device 250 may
be a device used by store 150 to supply text, as well as still
and/or moving images (e.g. movie files, .GIF files), and the like,
to database 210. Exemplary content input devices may include
desktop or laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, and the like.
The content input device 250 may also include a communications
module 252 having a transmitter and a receiver that communicates
with cloud data server 205 via a network. The communications module
252 may use wired communication (e.g. Ethernet cable) and/or
wireless communication (e.g. WIFI, BLUETOOTH, Low-Energy BLUETOOTH,
etc.).
[0054] Content input device 250 may include or connect with a media
database 254 that contains still and/or moving images of items
available for purchase from store 150. A media engine 256 can
access the media database 254 and provide images stored in the
media database 254 to a media display loop 260. An editor 258 may
also be associated with media engine 256 that allows a user to edit
and modify characteristics of the images in the media database
(e.g. size, color, contrast, etc.). A user can input images from
media database 254 into media display loop 260 via media engine
256. The images and text presented by media display loop 260 are
streamed through web portal 200 to a consumer for browsing and
ordering the corresponding items in inventory. The streaming
display of images may include specific text or other data
associated with each image; such associated text or other data may
be obtained from database 210 or may be obtained from a database
associated with the content input device 250.
[0055] In some embodiments, content input device 250 may also
include an advertising module 262 that can display virtual coupons
to a user based on their order history, input or determined
preferences, on geographical data, and/or other data obtained from
the user. The advertising module 262 catalogs a user's order
history, may access publically or entered data about the user, and
may then compare items in the historic order to a database of
coupons to identify any relevant coupons for identical or analogous
items that the user has ordered in the past. In some embodiments,
the coupon may be for an item that is not the same item type, but
is for an item that is used with the ordered item. For example, if
a user has ordered a cake in the past, then the advertising module
262 may find coupons for ordering smaller pastries in the coupon
database. If a coupon and/or discount code is found by advertising
module 262, the coupon may be pushed to a user, such as a banner or
box on the user display, an email, an SMS text message, or other
mode of communication. In various instances, the advertising module
262 may be configured for real-time generating and distributing a
user specific advertisement to the user, e.g., based on determined
or predicted user data, where the advertisement may include
selectable components, such as an advertisement template and one or
more media assets, e.g., stored in an associated database, the
advertising module may be configured for real-time compiling and
formatting of the advertisement, e.g., based on user specific data
(and/or metadata obtained from their user of the system and/or
internet generally), and for the broadcasting of the generated
advertisement to the user, such as based on their usage of the
system.
[0056] In some embodiments, content input device 250 may itself be
cloud data server 205, and include media database 254, media engine
256, editor (e.g., project builder, compiler, builder, and the
like) 258, media display loop (rendering engine) 260, and/or
advertising module 262. In such instances, store 150 may access
content input device 250 via web portal 200 to select stock images
from media database 254 and load them into media display loop
260.
[0057] FIG. 4A shows a flow chart of a merchant or user from a shop
setting up an online store and using the system. At step 450, a
store wishing to utilize the web portal and systems described
herein accesses the web portal via a graphical user interface on a
display. The web portal offers the option of registering the store
in the system at step 454, or logging into the system at step 52
using credentials already chosen by the user (e.g. store
owner/manager/employee). Various types of registration information
may be received by the web interface, such as user name, user email
address, password, store or business name, business address or
geographic area, types of goods sold, estimated sales volume,
payment information, etc. Confirmation of the registration may be
accomplished by sending a confirmation email containing a link or
code that is affirmatively used to verify the user and/or shop. In
some instances, the system may alert a person that calls or emails
the user trying to register to confirm their identity.
[0058] Once a shop user has successfully registered and logged in
to the system, at step 456 the web display prompts the shop user to
enter various settings to be used by the system for online sales.
In step 458, the shop user manually enters or uploads inventory
data to the database. If the user decides not to upload or enter
inventory data, they are returned to the settings at step 459. In
step 460, the shop user then uploads and/or manually enters
inventory data into the system. Media, such as still or moving
images, may be associated with data associated with a given
inventory item at step 462. If no media are to be used, or will be
entered at another time, step 463 allows the shop user to return to
settings. If the shop user wants to associate media with inventory
data, the shop user is presented with the choice of using one or
more stock images stored in a database at step 464, or uploading an
image of their own at step 466. In some embodiments, the stock
image database may be browsed by the shop user to find a suitable
image, or one or more stock images may be suggested by the system
given a product name or description entered at step 460.
[0059] At step 468, the system may check whether a loop exists that
is associated with the shop. If no loop is found to be associated
with the shop, at step 471 the server creates a new loop with a
unique merchant identifier and displays the empty loop. However, if
a loop is found to be associated with the shop, then at step 470,
the server obtains the loop with the matching unique merchant
identifier and displays it to the shop user. Images may be added to
the loop at step 472, such as by drag-and-drop of a user's own
image(s), or by clicking and selecting image(s) from the stock
database of the system. At step 474, the system may automatically
present the loop of item images and/or associated text to a
consumer, or the system may present the loop of item images to a
user when the user requests the loop for the shop.
[0060] After inventory data and associated images have been loaded
into the system, at step 478, a shop user may set sales parameters
for individual types of items in inventory, or for groups of item
types in inventory. Exemplary sales parameters may include a
maximum number of orders to take in given time period, specified
days and time periods for taking orders (e.g. take orders up to 30
minutes prior to shop closing), maximal delivery area (e.g. zip
codes), delivery fee, and the like. Once a consumer has placed an
order, at step 480 the shop receives the consumer order, and the
shop fulfills the order at step 482.
[0061] Consumers using the online system described herein may order
items from an inventory of a craft goods shop. FIG. 4B provides an
exemplary flow chart of steps that a consumer may take when
interacting with the instant system. The consumer accesses a web
portal at step 500 via a client, such as a smartphone, tablet, or
computer. The web portal displays options available to the
consumer. For example, if the consumer has not registered with the
system and would like to have their address, delivery, and/or
payment information saved, at step 502 the consumer may register in
the system, saving information such as their name, delivery
address, email address, credit card information, etc. in a system
database. At step 504, a consumer may also place an order as a
guest by entering information such as name, delivery address, and
payment information. The guest information is used to execute
payment and delivery of the ordered items, but is not saved in the
system. It is to be noted that this form of information may be
saved in the system, and may be stored both with respect to the
order and/or separately, such as on a `customer` record. In one use
model, such information may not be retrievable by the user until
they register an account. Accordingly, at step 506 allows a
consumer that has previously registered with the system (e.g., at
step 502) to login to the system. The login step 506 allows a
consumer to order items without having to re-enter delivery address
and/or payment information on successive visits to the web
portal.
[0062] The system may utilize a location of the consumer to
determine whether the shop may be able to deliver one or more items
to the consumer, and/or to generate and distribute an advertisement
to the consumer based on that location and/or user determined data.
For example, at step 508, the consumer may enter delivery location
information, either at the registration step 502 or from entering
the system as a guest. Exemplary location information may include
an address, postal code, city, state, geographic coordinates,
and/or some other form of location. In some embodiments, the system
may automatically detect the location of the consumer at step 510
using the IP address being used by the consumer to access the web
portal. The IP address may be compared with one or more databases
to determine an approximate location of the IP address being used
by the consumer.
[0063] At step 512, the system ascertains whether the consumer is
within a delivery area specified by the shop by comparing the
location of the consumer or the consumer's delivery address to the
shop-specific delivery area. If the delivery location specified by
the consumer and/or detected by the system is not within the
delivery area specified by the shop, then at step 514 the system
alerts the consumer that ordering for delivery is disabled, and
disables ordering. In some instances, the system may allow ordering
for pick-up only. Additionally, it is noted that some stores may
offer national shipping, e.g., on a state-by-state basis, as an
alternative to delivery and pickup. Once the consumer has been
alerted that they are outside of the delivery and ordering has been
disabled, at step 515, the system may access a streaming list or
loop using an identifier specific to the shop and display the
streaming list or loop to the consumer, allowing the consumer to
browse the items in inventory. If the system determines that the
consumer and/or the consumer's delivery address is within the
delivery area for the shop, then at step 516 the system may access
a streaming list or loop using an identifier specific to the shop
and display it to the consumer via the web portal.
[0064] In some embodiments, at step 518 the system may determine
whether the shop is available to fulfill the order. The system
compares the day and/or time at which the consumer is accessing the
web portal and compare the day and/or time to days and times the
shop has set up as being available to receive and fulfill orders
(e.g., see FIG. 4A). If the shop is not available for fulfilling
orders, at step 520 the system alerts the consumer that ordering is
disabled and that the shop is not available to fulfill orders. In
some instances, once the consumer has been alerted that they are
outside of the delivery area and ordering has been disabled, at
step 521, the system may access a streaming list or loop using an
identifier specific to the shop and display the items in the
streaming list or loop to the consumer, thereby permitting the
consumer to browse the items in inventory. If the system determines
that the shop is available to fulfill orders, then at step 522, the
system accesses a streaming list or loop using an identifier
specific to the shop, and allows the consumer to browse the shop's
inventory and mark one or more items for order, pick-up and/or
delivery and/or shipping. The streaming list or loop may include
text and images (including rendered or video content) describing
each item in the inventory and selected by the shop for display. At
step 523, the system may allow the consumer to search for items
having specific characteristics, such as type, name, price,
etc.
[0065] At step 524, the system determines whether an item selected
by the consumer is available for purchase and/or delivery, or can
be made-to-order for delivery. If the item selected by the consumer
is not available for delivery or cannot be made-to-order within a
timeframe pre-determined by the craft shop, then at step 525 the
system alerts the consumer that the item is unavailable. In some
embodiments, if the product or item requires a certain amount of
lead-time to be made, the system may inform the consumer as to the
amount of lead-time required. If the system determines that product
or item is available or may be made-to-order with a predetermined
timeframe by the craft shop, then at step 526 the selected product
or item may placed in a virtual shopping cart for later review and
ordering by the consumer. The virtual shopping cart data may be
stored by the system, by a device used by the system, or both.
[0066] At step 528, the consumer can review a list of items in the
virtual shopping cart, removing items that are no longer desired by
the consumer, changing quantities of items. Additionally, special
instructions with respect to individual items may also be included.
In some embodiments, the consumer may return to browsing and/or
searching for additional items to order. Delivery fees may be
estimated by the system and listed along with the prices of the
selected items in the virtual cart. The consumer then pays for the
item and the listed delivery fees, such as by entering a credit
card or debit card information, or by interfacing with a third
party payment service which bypasses the need to manually enter
credit/debit card information for every order, or provides credit
for a fee. Exemplary third-party e-commerce payment companies
include PAYPAL, AMAZON PAYMENTS, STRIPE, and BRAINTREE.
Additionally, as discussed herein below, in various instances, the
system may be configured for conducting transactions via a suitably
configured cryptocurrency protocol.
[0067] At step 530, the system may then determines a time estimate
for delivery of the items ordered by the consumer, based on
inventory information and/or time to produce or finish the items.
In some embodiments, a time estimate for the ordered items'
availability for pickup may be displayed. In some embodiments,
fulfillment of the order may be indicated to the consumer, as well
as data and/or time the order is sent out for delivery. At step
532, the order is delivered to the customer at the location
requested by the consumer.
[0068] In various instances, the system may be configured, e.g.,
via software or in a hardwired configuration, for tracking raw
materials and/or inventory data. Referring to FIG. 2, this allows
the merchant or vendor 150 to easily keep account of or otherwise
track inventory 100, in the case of a simple re-seller or retailer,
or raw materials 112 received from a supplier (or created by the
merchant or vendor), in the case of a manufacturer 152. Inventory
100 or raw materials 110 may be tracked through receipt or
production through ordering by a consumer. Likewise, the system 2
may be configured so as to allocate the selected items that are in
the shop's physical inventory as available for sale, and/or to
allocate selected items to a specific customer, such as during a
remote purchasing transaction. Such tracking of raw material and/or
inventory data allows the shop or vendor 150 to easily assess
whether the inventory stock is low for a particular type of item,
or if the item is sold out, fully allocated, or otherwise no longer
in the shop's inventory. Further, in various instances, as
described in detail herein below the system may be configured for
implementing a blockchain protocol by which to track the various
products and/or tracking the transactions of the system.
[0069] In particular instances, if the shop or vendor 150 is a
producer or manufacturer 152, and thus manufacturers or otherwise
produces or makes the items in inventory 100, the system 2 may be
configured so as to alert the shop as to a low level of a
particular type of item that is rapidly being depleted in the
inventory so that the shop can then increase production of those
item. Likewise, if raw materials are needed to make the particular
item, then an application in the system 2 may automatically contact
an ordering system for the supplier 151 of the raw materials so as
to effectuate an order of those raw materials.
[0070] Additionally, if the shop or vendor makes items in the
inventory (such as a bakery or sandwich delicatessen), the system 2
may be configured so as to determine one or more initial production
rates for one or more particular items in the inventory. The
initial production rate may be an estimate entered into the system
2 by a user, such as by an employee of the store or vendor 150. The
system 2 may also be configured to assess changes in the size of
the inventory one or more times on a daily, weekly, or monthly
basis and provide alerts and/or recommendations to a shop or vendor
150 on increasing or decreasing the shop's rate of production to
maintain an optimal inventory 100 level and/or amount of raw
materials 110. For example, such alerts and/or recommendations may
be based on a comparison of production rates vs. sales rates.
Hence, the system allows the craft goods shop 150 to more easily
minimize waste that may occur due to overpurchasing raw materials
110 and/or finished/partially finished goods 114, as well as
alerting the craft goods shop of the need to purchase additional
raw materials 110 and/or finished/partially finished goods 112 and
maximize sales of goods by the shop, both in its physical location
and/or online.
[0071] Accordingly, with respect to sales at a physical location,
the system 2 may be configured to interact with one or more
point-of-sale devices or clients running one or more point-of-sale
applications that the shop 150 uses to sell items from within its
physical location. In such an instance, the system is configured so
as to be able to receive sales data regarding in-shop sales from
the one or more point-of-service clients, and allocate available
item(s) in the inventory data as being available for sale, e.g.,
prior to purchase, or unavailable for sale, such as after purchase.
Likewise, the system 2 may be configured for allocating and
tracking online purchases, and may further be configured to
effectuate delivery such as from the shop 150 or a centralized
storage facility. Adjustment of the inventory data by the
point-of-service client and/or via the online interface 220a,b then
affects the production estimate created by the system 2, so that
the shop can more accurately streamline its inventory 100 and
ensure that inventory is available for sale and/or delivery, e.g.,
to customers outside of the shop.
[0072] In some embodiments, the systems described herein may
include packaging and/or delivery functions to assist the shop in
fulfilling orders and having those orders delivered to a consumer.
FIG. 5A shows the relationships between web portal 200, shop 150, a
fulfillment center 550 and a deliverer 570. As described above
(see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 4B), a consumer 300 communicates with web
portal 200 to place an order of one or more items. Data regarding
the order is communicated to cloud data server 205 and database 210
to update the shop inventory. Cloud data server 205 pushes data
regarding the order through the web interface 220c of a fulfillment
center 550 that accesses the information via display 230c and
processing unit 240c. Fulfillment center 550 may be a separate
location from shop 150, however in certain embodiments, fulfillment
center may be located within shop 150. Users and/or machines at
fulfillment center 550 then make and/or select items within the
order, and package the one or more items in the order into discrete
units (e.g. using containers such as bag or box) for pick-up and
delivery by a deliverer 570. After the order has been packaged by
fulfillment center 550, fulfillment center 550 notifies cloud data
server 205 via web interface 220c and web portal 200.
[0073] As multiple orders for delivery are communicated to cloud
data server 205, the cloud data server may identify and mark orders
for delivery within similar delivery areas. These order delivery
groups may be communicated back to fulfillment center 550, so that
users and/or machines in fulfillment center 550 can group orders
for delivery within similar delivery areas together for pickup and
delivery by a deliverer 570. In some embodiments, the grouping
application to group orders for delivery may be executed by
processing unit 240c of fulfillment center 550. Users and/or
machines at the fulfillment center 550 can then group orders
together in preparation for pick-up by a deliverer 570.
[0074] Deliverer 570 may then pick up an order group for delivery
within a certain delivery area. Deliverer 570 may be a driver in a
vehicle employed directly by the craft goods shop, or it may be a
third party delivery service. Deliverer 570 has a computing device,
such as a smartphone, tablet, or other device that is in wireless
communication with cloud data server 205; the computing device
includes a processor 240d, a display 230d that displays a web
interface 220d for interfacing with web portal 200. The route that
deliverer 570 uses to deliver a group of orders within a delivery
area may be created by a delivery route application executed by
cloud data server 205. In some embodiments, the delivery route
application may be executed by the processing unit 240c for
fulfillment center 550. The delivery route data may be transmitted
to processing unit 240d of deliverer 570 and shown by display 230d.
Deliverer 570 follows the delivery route to deliver the order to
consumer 300.
[0075] After a group of orders has been loaded with a deliverer 570
at the fulfillment center 550 for delivery, the fulfillment center
may notify cloud data server 205 that each order in the delivery
group has gone out for delivery. A consumer 300 can thus access web
portal 200 via web interface 220b and determine whether and/or when
an order left fulfillment center 550 for delivery.
[0076] FIG. 5B shows a flowchart for receiving, packaging, and
delivering an order using the system as described herein. In the
steps depicted, the craft goods shop physically includes the
fulfillment center; however as described above, the fulfillment
center may be in a separate physical location. At step 580, the
system notifies the shop of an order that needs to be assembled and
completed, either for pick-up by the consumer or for delivery to
the consumer. The order item(s) may then be created by the shop
and/or packaged at step 582. Once the order has been packaged, at
step 584 the shop notifies the system that the packaged order is
ready for pick-up by the consumer or delivery to the consumer. If
the item is to be delivered to the consumer, at step 586 a delivery
application marks and groups the order data with other orders
slated for delivery within a defined delivery area. As described
above, the grouping application may be executed by the cloud data
server or by a computing device that is local with the shop. At
step 587, the shop may then group physical orders that are marked
for delivery in a defined delivery area.
[0077] The system, e.g., via the artificial intelligence engine,
may then determine a delivery route for an order group at step 588.
The delivery route may be determined to optimize the speed of
delivery. In some embodiments, the delivery route may be calculated
by the cloud data server, for example using a delivery application.
In certain embodiments, the delivery route may be calculated by a
delivery application executed by the computing device at the
fulfillment center. At step 590, a deliverer may pick-up an order
group for physical delivery to consumers. The delivery route data
may then be transmitted via wired or wireless communication to a
delivery route device associated with deliverer at step 591. The
delivery route device may then display route directions to a
delivery driver, thereby providing route guidance to the delivery
driver or to an automatically piloted delivery vehicle. Once the
group of orders is loaded into a deliverer's delivery vehicle for
delivery, at step 592a the shop may then notify the cloud data
server that each order in the group has gone out for delivery. At
step 592b, the consumer may then be able to access the cloud data
server for the notification that the consumer's order is out for
delivery. In some embodiments, at step 592c the system may
automatically notify the consumer by email, SMS, or other
communication method that the order is out for delivery. At step
594, the deliverer delivers the order to the consumer according to
the delivery route data.
[0078] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary system that
is networked with one or more consumer client apparatus and a
delivery client. The system 2 includes a server 205 that has a
database 210, which server 250 may also include or be associated
with an artificial intelligence module. Database 210 may include
(but is not limited to) a variety of data types, including
inventory data 213, fulfillment data 212, and order data 211.
Inventory data 213 may include various data related to specific
types of items 159 in inventory 158 made and sold by a craft goods
shop. Server 205 executes an electronic commerce application 215
that is accessed through web portal 200 by client(s) 310 that are
controlled by one or more consumers. Client(s) 310 each have a
browser 311 that interfaces with server 205 via web portal 200.
Exemplary clients may include smartphones, tablet computers, laptop
computers, and other computing devices. The consumer(s) are able
browse a catalog of items 312, such as a streaming view as
disclosed above, that is obtained from inventory 158. A consumer
browses and selects the items 159 desired via client 310, or
products are brought to the consumer's attention, e.g., suggested,
for purchase by the system, and/or a relevant advertisement may be
generated and delivered to the consumer, and then the consumer
places an order through the electronic commerce application 215. In
various instances, the electronic commerce application 215 may also
be configured to receive geographic location data 314 from the
consumer's client device 310. Such geographic location data 314 may
be obtained from information entered by the consumer via the
browser or via geolocation. In such instances, the location data
may include one or more of a delivery address, city, state, postal
code, geographic coordinates, and/or some other data that
identifies a location. In some instances, the location of the user
may be determined using geolocation technology using an identifier
associated with the browser or client of the consumer. The location
data of the consumer may be compared with delivery area data in the
database 210 by electronic commerce application 215 so as to
determine whether any portion of the inventory may be delivered to
the consumer.
[0079] Additionally, in some instances, the delivery area data may
be the same for all items in the purchased inventory; in other
instances, more than one set of inventory data may be associated
with different groups of items that have been purchased in the
inventory data, such as where a consumer purchases two or more
items to be delivered to two or more separate locations. Further,
inventory data associated with purchased items that fall outside of
the parameters for location delivery data may be indicated to
browser 311 as unavailable for delivery, but as available to be
picked up in a specified time window from the store location. In
some instances, inventory data for items that do not match the
consumer's location data may not be presented to browser 311 at
all.
[0080] Once the consumer has selected the desired inventory item(s)
for ordering, they may enter payment information into the
electronic commerce application 215 via the browser or client, and
indicate completion of the order. Payment by the consumer for the
ordered items may occur by entering credit card/debit card
information, or by use of a third-party application which bypasses
the need to manually enter credit/debit card information for every
order, or provides credit for a fee. Exemplary third-party
e-commerce payment companies include PAYPAL, AMAZON PAYMENTS,
STRIPE, BRAINTREE, and/or a suitably configured cryptocurrency. The
electronic commerce application then updates inventory data for the
item(s) ordered by the consumer, in order to ensure that existing
inventory is properly allocated. Server 205 may then execute
packaging application 217 to notify the shop that an order of items
needs to be packaged for pick-up or delivery.
[0081] Server 205 may also include inventory management application
216 that tracks and allocates items 159 in the inventory database,
as items are ordered by client 310 as well as purchased by
consumers within shop 150. Point-of-sale client 152 is used by shop
150 to sell items 159 in inventory 158, using a point-of-sale
application 154 executed by point-of-sale client 152. Point-of-sale
client 152 communicates with inventory management application 216
via network 219, via a wired and/or wireless connection.
[0082] Electronic commerce application 215 may then trigger
execution of packaging application 217, which communicates with
fulfillment client 156 (e.g. smartphone, tablet, or other computing
device) at shop 150. Packaging application 217 may communicate
fulfillment data via network 219 to fulfillment client 156, thereby
displaying an order that requires fulfillment by employees and/or
machines of shop 150. Once the order has been fulfilled, a user may
use the fulfillment client to notify packaging application 217 that
the order has been fulfilled. In various embodiments, the packaging
may be performed autonomously by a server of the system interfacing
with a suitably configured autonomous packaging machine, such as a
specifically configured packaging robotic mechanism.
[0083] Delivery application 218 may be executed by server 205 and
receive fulfillment data, include geographic location of individual
orders, as well as identify and group orders together that may
delivered within a specified delivery area. The delivery
application, and/or artificial intelligence module, then assesses
the orders that need to go out in a given window of time, such as
hours or portions of a day (e.g. morning, afternoon). The delivery
application then groups orders together for delivery by a given
delivery vehicle or service, with a route calculated for an
efficient and optimal delivery time. In some instances,
predetermined and/or optional stops for the route may be inserted
into the route. Exemplary stops may include mandated driver breaks,
stops for fueling, etc. Once an order grouping is determined,
delivery application 218 notifies fulfillment client 156 as to
which orders should be grouped together for delivery (once the
individual orders are fulfilled).
[0084] Delivery route data 573 may be transmitted via network 219
to a delivery client 572 (e.g. smartphone, tablet) that is carried
by a deliverer, such as a delivery person carrying orders in a
vehicle. Delivery client 572 may display the delivery route data
573, indicating both the preferred route for delivery, delivery
stops, and the specific orders to be delivered at a given delivery
stop. The deliverer then uses the delivery client to complete the
delivery to a consumer. In certain embodiments, such delivery may
be implemented by autonomous delivery vehicles that may interface
directly with the server for receipt and implementations of
instructions thereby. Such autonomous delivery vehicles may include
self-driving cars and/or drones.
[0085] In certain embodiments, consumer orders sent for delivery
may be tracked by the system and/or consumer. Fulfillment data 212
may be updated throughout the fulfillment and delivery process.
Data regarding the fulfillment of an order. When an order has been
sent out for delivery, delivery application 218 may access delivery
data including distance from the shop or fulfillment center to the
consumer, time that the delivery vehicle departed, and estimated
time of delivery. The consumer can then access the delivery
information specific to the order via their client 310. In some
instances, periodic or real-time geolocation data may be
transmitted from the delivery client 310 to the fulfillment
database, and then accessed by client 310 to update the delivery
data. Once the order has been delivered to the consumer, this
information can be transmitted from a delivery client 572 to the
fulfillment database 210, to confirm that the order was
successfully delivered.
[0086] Accordingly, in view of the above, an aspect of the
disclosure is directed to tracking and accommodating the vastly
changing commercial trends of society in the new millennia.
Particularly, the later half of the 20.sup.th Century saw the rise
of big box retailers, as well as the commoditization of products
being sold en masse to a large crowd of consumers visiting those
big box retailers. More particularly, with the advent of the
internet, shopping trends in the new millennia are changing from a
centralized brick and mortar retail location to a virtual presence
on the internet where shoppers can visit a virtual market
place.
[0087] However, another growing trend is a growing health concern
in the products of commerce, especially with respect to groceries,
such as produce. Consumers are tending to purchase more locally
grown produce and manufactured products, e.g., craft goods, where
the products being purchased are grown, sourced, manufactured,
and/or assembled from the local community. Such producers,
manufacturers, assemblers, and/or retailers are usually small,
craft shops that are designed to service a local community with
high quality, healthy, sustainable goods that are produced in a
manner to minimize the carbon footprint of production, and the
humane treatment of animals, as well as the growing of food in a
healthy, more natural manner. Because these producers and retailers
are typically small shops serving a local environment, they are
often not equipped to provide larger markets, and hence, their
growth and ability to provide their high quality products outside
of their local presence in the community. Thus, others located
outside of the community, or for those who like to complete their
shopping online, are denied the access and ability to purchase
these goods form these retailers. Specifically, this trend in
local, craft-based sourcing often runs counter to the more global
trend in internet shopping.
[0088] In some instances, the market has adapted to overcome the
contrary nature of these two trends, such as by communities
supporting local farmer's markets, and by large anchor stores
creating a market place or bazaar for other smaller more local
retailers joining together to form a centralized market space
comprising a collection of smaller shops. In essence, in some
instances, a larger store may form the hub for a spoke of smaller
producers that joint together to form a larger market place,
whereby a consumer can go to the centralized market place and shop
from a variety of retailers. Nevertheless, this solution still
suffers from the problem of requiring a shopper to actually travel
to the marketplace in order to perform their shopping.
[0089] The present technology described herein are configured for
overcoming these deficiencies in the market and to combine these
two divergent trends so as to more particularly meet the needs of
the consumer. Specifically, through the computer systems described
herein, the present technology allows for a spoke and hub physical
market place to be brought online, in such a manner that an anchor
store, serving as the hub, as well as the other smaller stores,
serving as spokes to the hub, may be presented virtually online by
one or a series of webpages, and their separate inventories may be
entered into the system, presented in one or more webpages, and be
offered for sale as a single entity for tracking purposes, but as
separate entities for accounting purposes. In a manner such as
this, the technology herein provides an easy to use, intuitive
interface, for creating a virtual market place that more closely
models the actual physical presence of brick and mortar shopping.
Hence, the present technology opens up these local, craft-good
market places to consumers outside of the local community, and
provides for the efficient delivery of goods purchased.
[0090] Further, another aspect of the present technology, is the
collecting, boxing, and delivery of the goods purchased at such
local hub and spoke market places, where a consumer can purchase
goods, e.g., online, and have them delivered straight to their
door, in an efficient, swift manner. In this manner the anchor
store may serve as the hub for online sales, e.g., via a parent
product page, where goods are presented in a series of categories,
and the technology presented herein can track, organize, account
for, and effectuate the delivery of the purchasers using the
system, or each shop may have its one virtual presence, e.g., web
page, which may be individually presented online or presented as
part of the collective shopping network, whereby each small shop
presents its own goods, and is responsible, or more specifically
the system network is responsible, for supplying the ordered goods
to the consumers who have purchased them.
[0091] The organization of such goods may be in any suitable
manner, such as by products, such as by sources of those products,
and/or by identification of regions where the goods are produced,
and the like. For instance, in one instance, all merchants selling
a specific product may be listed, e.g., by merchant name and/or
region, or all products of a type may be listed, irrespective of
where or who produced by, or goods may be listed based on prices
for products presented for sale, or by dietary or ingredient
features, and/or by how produced, and the like. In this manner, the
present technology allows consumers, located remotely from the
marketplace, to compare merchants, prices among all merchants and
producers, such as on a product by product, or regional basis.
Further, as presented herein, the system, e.g., an artificial
intelligence module, can run analytics on who is shopping where,
what they are buying, and can make suggestions based on increasing
sales and/or promoting efficiency so as to allow any given shop to
be more competitive in the market, or for the market place itself
to be more efficient and easier for consumers to access, taking
into account the changing trends in shopping.
[0092] Particularly, in one configuration, the system may include a
remote server, such as a cloud based server, as described herein,
which server may be connectable via a network to one or more client
apparatuses, e.g., client computers and/or one or more client
computing devices, such as a mobile telephone, tablet, or laptop
computer. Such client devices may be positioned at a local producer
of goods, e.g., a craftsman, such as a farm or site of manufacture
or warehouse or centralized distribution location, at a retailer of
goods, at a house or office of a consumer of the goods, or may be a
device being transported by a distributor, e.g., a delivery
vehicle, of the goods. Therefore, as explained above, the system
may be configured for wired or wireless network connection and
communication, whereby communication and/or transaction may be
performed via one or more devices located remotely from one another
may take place throughout the system. In particular instances,
wired communication may take place or wireless communication may be
conducted via a cellular, WIFI, or other network interface that is
configured for effectuating the transfer of data from a transmitter
to a receiver of a computing device of the system. In various
instances the system may include a data processing module, for
processing data prior to or after transmission.
[0093] Accordingly, communication throughout the system may be
conducted via one or more communications modules employing one or
more communications protocols over one or more networks. For
instance, the various devices of the system may be configured for
wired or wireless communication, and thus, may include a wireless
transmitter, a typical transmitter may be a radio frequency (RF)
transmitter, a cellular transmitter, WIFI, and/or a Bluetooth.RTM.,
such as a low energy Bluetooth.RTM. transmitter unit. In some
instances, a typical receiver may include a satellite based
geolocation system or other mechanism for determining the position
of an object in three-dimensional space. For example, the
geolocation system may include one or more technologies such as a
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Exemplary GNSS systems
that enable accurate geolocation can include GPS in the United
States, Globalnaya navigatsionnaya sputnikovaya sistema (GLONASS)
in Russia, Galileo in the European Union, and/or BeiDou System
(BDS) in China.
[0094] Specifically, as discussed herein, a feature of the
disclosure is the delivery of purchased products to a remote
consumer. As such, in various embodiments, the system, e.g., an
artificial intelligence module thereof, may be configured for
determining the fastest and most efficient delivery route while
taking into account a number of producers from which to pick up
goods for delivery and a number of consumers having deliveries
being made to them. In such instances, the deliveries may be made
by a vehicle, such as a bicycle, motorcycle, car, and the like. And
in some instances, the vehicle may be autonomous, like a
self-driving car, remotely or autonomously flown drone, and the
like. In these regards, each of these instruments of delivery may
be connected to a server of the system, their location may be
determined, such as by a location mechanism, e.g., GPS, of the
disclosure, and the system may be configured for determining their
position automatically as well as determining the fastest and/or
most efficient route for the delivery of goods and/or services to
them.
[0095] Likewise, where a consumer of the system is using a
computing device to perform an order, the system may automatically
determine the location of the consumer so as to best determine the
manner and route by which to deliver their purchases to them. For
instance, as disclosed herein below, an aspect of the disclosure is
a mobile application or "APP", which app is downloadable onto a
mobile computing device, such as a mobile telephone, and configured
to allow a user to rapidly connect to a server of the system, pull
up a shopping dashboard at a graphical user interface of the device
with which to browse the virtual marketplace so as to perform
shopping, and to purchase goods, such as groceries, and to have
them delivered to them. In such an instance, the system may be
configured for automatically determining their location, such as
via location data entered into the app or by the unique RFID of the
device they are using in conjunction with the application, and the
like, and once determined the system may then determine the best
route for delivery of purchased product to them.
[0096] Additionally, in some instances, once the consumer's
location is determined, the system may include an automatic add
generator, as described herein, so as to produce and electronically
deliver advertisements to the user of the system with respect to
local producers and/or retailers that have a presence in the
consumers' local region. These advertisements may be generated on
the fly, based on data received by the computing device of the
user, such as metadata, which data may include location data,
preference data, search data, keyword data, and the like.
Accordingly, in various embodiments, the system may be configured
to track and/or monitor the transport and delivery of goods through
the system, and in doing so may be configured for tracking the
movement of one or more delivery vehicles, e.g., autonomous car or
drone, and/or for tracking one or more individual good being
delivered, e.g., to a consumer. Hence, in such instances the server
of the system may include a receiver that is suitably configured
for receiving a transmission, for instance, a signal, such as a
digital signal, from the transmitter of a device and/or vehicle or
drone of the system, so as to receive up to the moment position
data of the vehicle.
[0097] Likewise, each good or quantity of goods travelling
throughout the system, such as for delivery, may be electronically
or digitally tagged and/or verified throughout one or more stages
of the delivery process, so as to also allow for up to the moment
tracking of the individual goods. Such tracking, therefore, may be
conducted through one or more client apparatuses communicating with
one or more servers of the system. In various instances, the client
devices may be one or more desktop computers of one or more
participants in the system, such as a producer, retailer, or
consumer, or the device may be a handheld mobile computing device
or other mobile device. In various instances, the goods and/or
their delivery may be tracked via an application of the system,
such as a downloadable application running on one or more of the
client devices. For instance, in various instances, an integral
part of the system may be a client application program, e.g.,
"App," which may be provided and distributed to one or more desktop
or mobile devices of the system, where each of the devices has an
interactive display, such as a capacitive sensing touch screen
display.
[0098] For example, the various processes of the system, such as
for the accounting, transacting, transporting, ordering, and
stocking of the goods may be implemented by a computing system that
includes a back-end component, e.g., a cloud based data server,
being communicably associated with a database, e.g., of goods in
the system, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., a local
application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., a
client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser
through which a user can interact with an implementation of the
methods of the system, or any combination of such back end,
middleware, or front end components.
[0099] Particularly, as discussed above, in various embodiments, a
computer system may be provided where the computer system includes
a remote server system, e.g., which may include a server and/or a
client apparatus, such as a desktop or laptop computer, and/or a
client computer, such as a mobile telephone device running the
client application. Typically, the server and client are remote
from each other and generally interact through a communication
network. For instance, a server of the system may be a cloud based
server that is in communication of a plurality of local servers
and/or client computers that are located throughout a geographical
region being serviced. Likewise, a delivery vehicle of the system,
including a self-driving car or drone, may include a mobile
communications device having a wireless communications module that
is in communication with one or more of the servers and/or client
computers of the system, such as via a wireless interne or cellular
connection. Hence, the components of the system can be
interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication,
e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks
include a local area network ("LAN") and a wide area network
("WAN"), e.g., the Internet. Particularly, the relationship of
server and client arises by virtue of computer programs or
firmware, e.g., software programs and applications, or hardware
configurations, running on the respective computers and having a
client-server relationship to each other. In this instance, the
client application may be an application program including machine
instructions that, when executed by a processor cause the processor
to perform certain programed functions, as herein described.
[0100] Accordingly, in various embodiments, the tracking of goods,
e.g., inventory, throughout the system may be conducted through a
client application, e.g., "APP", of the system running on one or
more client devices communicating with one or more remote servers
of the system. Particularly, the client application may be a
downloadable software application that is adapted for being
downloaded onto a client device, and configured for directing a
host processor(s) of that device to perform one or more
predetermined functions, including the presentation of a client
interface, which client interface may present a dashboard through
which interface data, such as ordering, stocking, producing, and/or
inventory data, may be inputted, transmitted, and received, such as
by a central server of the system. For instance, the client
application may be configured for directing data transmission,
through the endogenous communications module of the client device,
back and forth e.g., between the device and the host server over a
network connection via the application. In certain embodiments, the
system is configured for receiving and transmitting data to and
from a plurality of client devices, such as a multiplicity of
communication devices, e.g., desktop computers and/or handheld
cellular phones, running the same or similar programming. In
particular embodiments, one or more of the delivery vehicles,
including drones, and/or operators thereof may have a mobile
communications device for communicating data, such as location,
inventory, and/or delivery data, on a moment by moment basis, to a
central server of the system.
[0101] Hence, in such embodiments, one or more, e.g., each, of the
software implementations, e.g., client application programs, which
may be run on a mobile communication device, may be configured with
a device, e.g., mobile device, identifier (ID), for providing a
unique device identifier for the device. In particular instances,
the client application program of the mobile device further
includes one or more of a user ID of a user associated with the
mobile device, information about the user, and/or location data
representing a location of the user and/or mobile device, so as to
facilitate ease of tracking. Specifically, in various instances, a
user of the system may engage with a server of the system, such as
for uploading inventory, ordering goods, and/or tracking delivery
and the like, through a downloadable client application program
where each client application program may be configured to generate
an interactive user interface that may be configured for being
displayed on the interactive display of the client device, e.g., a
mobile computing device.
[0102] Particularly, in certain instances, the interactive user
interface may display one or more screens, where each screen is
directed to a different aspect of the system. More specifically,
the client user interface may be a graphical display for presenting
a real-time list of product classes available, producers and
retailers of those product classes, one or more inventory of goods
for ordering, as well as methods for delivery, and the like. Each
participant of the system, therefore, may engage with a server of
the system through a desktop and/or mobile client computer, and the
like, for the purpose of uploading and updating inventory, tracking
the flow of goods, and making purposes, via the user interacting
with the graphic user interface, and thereby allowing for real-time
updating and tracking being performed by one or more servers of the
system.
[0103] Accordingly, a central feature of the system is one or more
servers, such as a remote and/or centralized server that is capable
of being accessed remotely, such as via a cloud based interface.
Particularly, as indicated above, in various instances, a server of
the system is connectable to one or more of the associated client,
e.g., desktop, mobile, devices via the client application program,
such as over a communication network. The connection with the
server may be such that the server automatically synchronizes the
activities being performed within the system and across all
devices, e.g., client computers and mobile device(s), real-time, so
as to allow a user to see the flow of goods throughout the system
and to track the state of inventory as well as the state of the
different producers and retailers, e.g., with respect to the goods
they are offering for sale, at any time. In such an instance, the
server system may be configured for receiving one or more of the
mobile device ID(s), the user ID(s), a vehicle or drone's ID, the
user(s) information, and/or the location data for each user and/of
each product and/of each delivery vehicle of the system, such as
through one more client programs.
[0104] Particularly, in certain instances, the server may be
configured for collecting, collating, and/or generating an
aggregated state of orders made, state of orders pending, state of
orders fulfilled, state of inventory, state of delivery, as well as
provide data related to who is doing the ordering, from where, and
at what time, and from which locations so as to track trends across
the system. This data may then be aggregated, compiled, and one or
more predictions pertaining thereto may be made such as via an
artificial intelligence model of the system, which data may be then
prepared for transmission to one or more of the client application
programs and/or for display in the interactive displays of the
system, or to a third party device for analysis thereof. In view of
the above, an important aspect of the system is the provision of an
interactive, real-time updating, commercial platform that allows
for the offering, selling, purchasing, and delivery of products
from a plurality of shops and vendors via a single, cloud based
virtual market place that is accessible via an intuitive, easy to
use client application, such as via a downloadable APP running on a
mobile device or client computer.
[0105] Specifically, in one aspect, a server system is provided,
wherein the server is connectable to one or more associated client
devices, such as one or more mobile communication devices, such as
a cellular phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, smart-watch,
and the like. The one or more client devices may be configured so
as to include the client application program, which may be a
downloadable application, as described herein. More specifically,
in particular instances, the server may be connectable to the
client device and/or to one or more delivery vehicles, such as an
automobile, driverless automobile, drone, etc., collectively client
apparatuses, over a suitably configured network, such as via a
wireless communications protocol, such as via a cellular, RF, Wi-Fi
interface, over the cloud. Particularly, each of the
client-apparatuses may include at least one processor, a
transceiver to communicate with a communications network, and an
interactive display.
[0106] In various instances, the apparatus may be communicably
coupled to the server system, such as over the communications
network. The connection may be such that it synchronizes the client
apparatuses with the server, and at a time during which one or more
activities of the stocking, offering, ordering, selling, and/or
delivery processes are taking place. In such an instance, the
server system may be configured for receiving one or more of the
mobile device ID(s), the user ID(s), the delivery vehicle ID, the
user(s) information, and/or the location data for each user of the
system, such as through one more client programs. Further, the
server system may also be configured to authorize one or more users
of the system, such as a producer, retailer, consumer, and/or
deliverer of the system, so as to allow them to participate in the
commercial process; receive the orders/products inputted from the
authorized users; and for delivering the ordered products, as
described above.
[0107] Particularly, the system may be configured such that a
multiplicity of such client apparatuses are capable of viewing
goods offered for sale and/or delivery, displaying the goods, the
delivery region and/or route, and/or commenting on and/or
evaluating the goods and/or associated services, such as the
delivery service, all of which may be viewable real-time by a
plurality of users of a client apparatus of the system via the
client application. More particularly, in certain instances, the
server may be configured for collecting, collating, and/or
generating aggregated inventory, order, and/or delivery data for
one or more, e.g., all, of the goods in the system, from a number
of users, and for the automatic transmission of real time updates
to the plurality of client application devices, and/or for display
thereby with respect to one or more products of the system.
Accordingly, the server system may be configured for receiving user
data, input data or otherwise, and processing that data so as to
determine the real-time inventory and/or the activities of various
of the users of the system.
[0108] Consequently, in various instances, the server may be
configured for receiving and processing user and/or client
apparatus data, and especially for receiving product offering,
ordering, and/or delivery data. For instance, as indicated, the
system may include a mobile ordering device that includes a client
application together which may be configured for directing data
transmission, e.g., offering and/or ordering, through the
endogenous communications module of the client device, back and
forth e.g., between the device and the host server, e.g., via the
application. Specifically, in various embodiments, the system may
be configured for receiving and transmitting selling, ordering,
delivery, etc. data to and from a plurality of client apparatuses,
such as a multiplicity of communication devices, e.g., desktop
computers and/or handheld cellular phones and/or smart watches,
delivery vehicles, etc. running the same or similar programming.
Hence, in such embodiments, one or more, e.g., each, of the
software implementations, e.g., client application programs, which
may be run on a desktop computer, handheld communication device,
and/or delivery vehicle, may be configured with a device identifier
(ID), for providing a unique device identifier for the device, such
as for identification, authentication, and/or tracking of the user.
Additionally, as indicated, the client application program of the
mobile device may further include one or more of a user ID of a
user associated with the mobile device, information about the user,
and/or location data representing a location of the user and/or
mobile device, which may also be communicated to the server system,
such as for authenticating the user and/or the user's location.
[0109] In certain instances, the system may be configured such that
products for offer and orders may be entered and transmitted to the
central server such as by engaging with a displayed graphical user
interface generated at a client apparatus of the system. However,
in other instances, the system may be configured such that the data
to be input, e.g., product offering and/or orders made, may be
entered such as through a voice command. In such an instance, the
system may be configured such that a user may engage an activation
switch or button, either physically or via voice command, and once
activated may speak into a microphone of the device, so as to
verbally enter data, e.g., product offering/ordering data, into the
system.
[0110] Specifically, as explained below, in various instances, the
system may include an artificial intelligence (A/I) module that may
include a learning or training platform that is configured for
learning the voice and words or phrases of a user, and may further
include an inference engine that is configured for predicting the
meaning behind the words and/or phrases employed by users,
especially with respect to their use of the system to engage in,
e.g., score, an event. As such, the system is capable of receiving
voice commands from a user in their offering and or selecting of
goods for sale and/or purchase. Particularly, as indicated above,
the system may include a downloadable app that is capable of being
downloaded and/or otherwise installed on a user device, e.g., a
desktop, laptop, or other mobile computing device that may be a
mobile phone or computing watch. For example, a computing device
configured as a mobile phone, or a wrist-worn watch or bracelet may
be provided, where the mobile device, watch, or bracelet includes a
display screen upon which a user interface of the system may be
presented.
[0111] The interface may include a screen or viewer upon which one
or more products or services offered for sale may be viewed, and/or
a user dashboard may be presented, which dashboard, as disclosed
herein, may display information about different retailers,
different products, different geographical regions, serviced by the
virtual marketplace within a designated geographical region,
thereby allowing a user to shop virtually, and may include a
mechanism by which the user may engage with the virtual
marketplace, such as for the offering and purchasing of goods and
services. More particularly, in various embodiments, the dashboard,
displayable on a display screen of the client apparatus, tablet,
phone or watch, may include a user engagement interface that allows
the user to activate the microphone of the device, such as through
tapping or otherwise activating the system, so as to receive a
voice command from the user.
[0112] The voice command may be in natural language, and may be
with reference to describing a product for sale or purchase in the
virtual marketplace. Upon receiving a voice command, such as an
order, the system, via the mobile computing device, may then
transmit the voice command to a central server, such as to the A/I
module of the system. The A/I module may be configured to include a
voice recognition and/or modulation module that is capable of
receiving and determining the meaning behind a user's voice
commands, and may then initiate one or more routines within the
system to effectuate the users command, such as with respect to
effectuating and order and/or delivery thereof. The voice data may
be received and/or entered into the system via a suitably
configured application programming interface, API. Once received by
the system, the command may be interpreted by the system, e.g., a
speech recognition application, whereby the language will be
parsed, and relevant data, e.g., product offering, ordering and/or
delivery data, may be entered into the system. The system may then
forward a confirmatory message back to the device of the user so as
to allow the user to confirm that the system has correctly
interpreted the voice command.
[0113] Where the user device is a phone, watch, bracelet, or the
like, e.g., smart glasses, the device may be configured for
communicating directly with the system, or may be configured for
communicating with the system through an intermediary device, such
as a mobile phone. For instance, the device, e.g., for ordering,
may be "online" or "offline," and when the device is offline, a
user may record and/or otherwise store data entries that may be
transmitted or entered into the system when the device is online,
such as when the device, e.g., watch, glasses, etc., is paired or
synced with another device of the system, such as a mobile
telephone, whereby the data, such as a verbal message, may then be
transmitted to a server of the system.
[0114] Once received by the system, e.g., an A/I module thereof,
the entered data may then be analyzed and evaluated, inventory may
be uploaded and/or selected for fulfillment, a delivery means and a
delivery route may be determined, and an order fulfilled. The
results of the analysis may then be transmitted back to the
recording device, which may be accompanied with one or more other
system generated messages, which message may be an evaluation of
the users use of the system, such as with respect to the goods they
ordered and/or frequency of ordering, as well as delivery
parameters, and/or merchants interacted with.
[0115] In various instances, additional user input may be received,
analyzed, and may be transmitted directly to one or more social
media platforms. For instance, the system, e.g., a client
application thereof may allow for a user of the system to
communicate, e.g., directly or indirectly, for instance, through a
social media platform, with another user of the system, such as for
evaluation, recommendation, advertising, etc. In particular
instances, the user may authorize data to be input into the system
for a variety of purposes, which data may be text data, email data,
photo or other image data, metadata, and the like. In further
instances, the data may be communicated by the user and/or their
engagement with a social media platform, such as FACEBOOK.RTM.,
TWITTER.RTM., INSTAGRAM.RTM., SNAPCHAT.RTM., WHATSAPP.RTM., and the
like.
[0116] In some instances, the users engagement with the system,
and/or each other as well as their performance with respect thereto
may be monitored, tracked, and analyzed. As indicated the system
can be configured for allowing various users of the system to
communicate with each other. For instance, along with a commercial
marketplace, providing a platform for users to buy and sell goods
and/or services, the system may additionally be configured for
providing a social market place, such as for allowing users to
communicate with one another in a more social manner. Likewise, in
various instances, the system can be configured for following users
patterns of selling and/or buying and/or communicating with and
through the system so as to recognize and/or identify trends, such
as in a manner to make the commercial and social interactions more
intuitive, easy, and useful.
[0117] For instance, in certain instances, the system may be
configured for connecting various users of the system with growers,
suppliers, deliverers, consumers, and those related and/or friends
of the same, and for suggesting common relational attributes and/or
suggestions of potential relational connections, so as to better
make determinations of suggested purchases, e.g. products or
services, suggested producers or retailers from whom to purchase,
and/or potential shopping companions. Additionally, in certain
instances, connections between those using the system, and family
or friends not using the system may be made so as to provide
suggestions to those not using the system so as to better cater to
their consuming needs.
[0118] For example, the system may automatically determine the
relationships between different users and their preferences and
habits, e.g., with respect to their shopping and/or producing
manners, and in turn the system can determine the same for each
connection in the users social network to better determine patterns
of behavior, such as with respect to a web-crawler, spider, robot,
bot, or skimmer of the Artificial Intelligence Module, that is used
to gather and/or harvest online information about users, which
information may be employed by the system to make predictions,
suggestions, and/or weight, and/or adjust potential usages of the
system by the user with respect to the products they supply and/or
purchase. This information may be gathered based on what physical
or virtual, e.g., web, sites various users of the system visit, how
they comment and/or interact with those sites and/or other users on
those sites, messages they send, texts or images or other data they
post, as well as the types of products they purchase and/or
relationships they form thereon. This data may be collected by the
system and may be fed into the A/I module, e.g., a machine learning
platform, and may then be used as data points to form and/or
structure a searchable database of the system.
[0119] In various instances, the user may allow the system to
notify them when particular events occur, such as sales being
posted or otherwise advertised, products being limited or offered
in abundance, products that have expired, been consumed, and/or
otherwise need to be re-ordered, and/or other pertinent information
to their usage of the system. The user may also be notified when
other users, e.g., those they follow, attend events with, and/or
otherwise engage with, such as by shopping at their physical or
virtual shop, e.g., a marketplace of the system, in which case, the
user may be notified when other users posts about their shopping
and/or producing activities. More particularly, once access to a
user's social media platform(s) has been granted, the system may
then be configured to automatically access these platforms, and
mine them for data that may be useful to the system and its users,
such as for determining products to supply, stock, and/or
purchase.
[0120] For example, the system may analyze the various social media
of the participants, with respect to their followers so as to
determine relationships between the various users, such as from
identifying common friends and connections, and/or the commentary
thereof, posted on social media. Once set up and authorized the
user may then select from the available merchants to purchase from.
In this manner, when a user, such as a consumer posts about
products used, needed, producers, or retailers, the system can flag
these posts and use them to better configure the system, it's A/I
module, and to provide for the needs and/or desires of the users of
the system. Positive or negative posts may be propagated through
the system, especially to users purchasing the same or similar
goods, from the same or similar producers and/or retailers, so as
to better evaluate system and/or user parameters, such messaging
can be directed to authorized users of the system and/or to those
in their social network, such as potential users of the system, in
a manner such as this the system allows for leveraging each users
social network.
[0121] Particularly, the more involved a user is in the system, the
more likely they will be to post about their experiences on one or
more social media platforms, thereby peaking the interest of others
that may not presently be a user of the system, thus, motivating
them to become a participant of the system. Hence, a useful
implementation of the system, is promoting a social collaboration
between users of the system, e.g., those producing products or
rendering services, those purchasing products and/or services, as
well as those delivering the products and/or rendering the
services. For instance, accessible information may include various
modes of social media, including FACEBOOK.RTM., TWITTER.RTM.,
INSTAGRAM.RTM., FLICKER.RTM., PINTEREST.RTM., SNAPCHAT.RTM.,
WHATSAPP.RTM., and the like. Such media databases may be searched
and mined for data that may then be fed into a separate database,
such as a database associated with the system, which database may
be populated with data from each of the users of the system, as
described herein.
[0122] In this manner, all of the goods, e.g., products, and
services provided for by a user of the system, as well as all of
the producers, retailers, and consumers of the system, and their
usage patterns may be collected and analyzed by the system so as to
determine useful patterns to better assist the producing and
consuming needs and/or patterns of its users. Once collected, the
data may then be structured into a table or graph, or other
relational infrastructure, such as a hash table or data tree or
knowledge graph, which may then be used to identify correlations
and/or relationships between the data, e.g., the producers,
retailers, products, consumers, and/or deliverers of the system,
such as with respect to the consuming needs of society.
[0123] Such relationships may then be weighted and mined to
determine correlations between those shopping at a particular
outlet, the products they are consuming, how they are rating those
products, how often they are consuming those products, the
frequency of purchase, as well as the brands purchased, from whom,
and the like. This data may then be fed into an artificial
intelligence engine of the system to determine and/or predict usage
stocking and/or usage patterns. Additional information may also be
collected and used to understand, evaluate, and characterize usage
patterns, make predictions and suggestions, as well as determine
trends on a larger market and regional basis, where this data may
include an analysis of various social media, e.g., FACEBOOK.RTM.,
postings of photos, comments, and/or likes or dislikes, what they
post on the internet, and/or on another users or third party's
webpage. This analysis allows for a great quantity of data to be
collected and analyzed so as to derive one or more conclusions,
such as a conclusion as related to producing and/or consuming.
[0124] For instance, as explained below, the A/I component may
include an analytics engine that may be configured for performing
both a learning function, such as through review of historic data,
and to generate rules by which to determine supply and usage
parameters and/or predict future production and/or consumption
needs. For example, personal or public supply and usage data may be
collected, monitored, and/or tracked, with respect to patterns of
commerce, by a server and/or client computing device of the system,
e.g., which may be a mobile phone. As indicated above, once
collected, the data may be searched, and may be run through a
suitably configured analytics module, such as an artificial
intelligence engine, to identify producer and/or consumer
information from various different sources that may be in some way
correlated with one another, and therefore, may be used to predict
patterns in producing and consuming on a regional and/or global
basis.
[0125] Particularly, the data from all various sources may be
collected and organized in a structure that is specifically
designed to pinpoint correlations between otherwise unknown
relationships. Such a relational architecture may take many forms,
such as in the form of a Structured Query Language (SQL),
Hierarchical Tree, or Knowledge Graph database. Collected
information, for example, may be run through one or more
computational and/or analytics regimes, as herein described, so as
to identify pertinent known or inferred data points from which
various relationships between producers, consumers, and delivery
agents engaged with the system may be determined, and motifs in
their usage may be explored, and future patterns predicted.
[0126] More particularly, typical data to be collected and analyzed
may include products and/or crops to be produced, when to be
produced to meet demand, price points, retailers producing goods or
offering services, product characterizations, consumers purchasing
the goods, characterizations of consumers, other products
purchased, frequency of use, purchase, delivery times, delivery
routes, and the like. Such data may be collected, pooled, weighted,
and tallied, such as by undergoing one or more analytic protocols
and/or processing by the artificial intelligence engine disclosed
herein. From these analyses, corrected data, such as mean weighted
or average supply, purchasing, and delivery data may be generated
for the various users of the system, which data may then be fed
back into the system and/or displayed on the various different
client devices thereof.
[0127] Accordingly, in one aspect, presented herein is a system
including an interactive, communication platform that is adaptable
so as to provide for real-time producing and/or consuming needs
that is constantly kept up to date, moment by moment, by a server
network of the system. In particular embodiments, the platform may
include one or more, e.g., a plurality, of client application
programs, e.g., running on one or more client apparatuses, such as
a client computer and/or mobile device, and a server system through
which the client applications of the mobile devices may communicate
with one another and/or the system. The system may also include one
or more of an analytics module, for performing data analysis; and
an artificial intelligence module, for generating a searchable data
structure, e.g., a knowledge graph, through which data may be
correlated, relationships determined or inferred, and future
behaviors, e.g., consumption, may be predicted. Additionally, in
certain instances, a targeted advertisement module may also be
associated with and/or otherwise coupled to the analytics module,
e.g., an inference and/or A/I engine, and associated media
containing database, so as together to form a real-time
advertisement generation mechanism, whereby one or more
advertisements may be generated and transmitted to one or more
users of the system, e.g., based on a user profile determined for
them by the A/I system.
[0128] Accordingly, an important aspect of the system is an
Artificial Intelligence (A/I) module having one or more of a
learning or training platform, including a learning engine, and an
analytics or inference platform, including an inference engine. In
one instance, the learning platform includes a processing engine
that is configured for taking known data, running a learning and/or
training protocol on the data, and developing one or more
organizing rules therefrom. Likewise, the analytics processing
platform includes a processing, e.g., inference, engine that is
configured for applying the rules developed by or for the learning
platform and applying them to newly or previously acquired data to
generate one or more outcomes thereby, such as where the outcome
may be a known or inferred relationship, a known or predicted
result, and/or a probability of one or more outcomes, and the like.
In various instances, the inference engine is configured for
continuously running analytics on received data on a daily basis
and/or with regard to one or more special or promotional events,
such as prior to, during, and/or after the event, e.g., a shopping
event, and functions with the purpose of improving the efficacy of
the event results, e.g., sales results, such as for the event
itself and/or for one or more participants thereof, such as by
improving the usefulness of producing, consuming, and/or delivery,
of goods and services, being sold and purchased through the
system.
[0129] As indicated above, in one particular embodiment, the A/I
module is configured for determining correlations between the
various data collected by the system. For instance, in various
instances, the A/I module may be configured for generating a data
structure, e.g., a knowledge graph, wherein the various data
collected by the system, e.g., suppliers, retailers, products for
sales, etc., are uploaded into the graph as a constellation of data
points. In such an instance, the learning engine may be configured
for taking known rules to determine known relationships between the
known data points, and from these known data, the learning engine
may be configured for inferring unknown relationships between data
points to determine heretofore unknown relationships between the
data points, which in turn may be used to determine new rules by
which to determine other unknown data points, relationships between
the two, and/or to make one or more predictive outcomes, e.g.,
projected sales or trends, based on the known and/or learned data,
such as in response to one or more queries.
[0130] For example, the data, the relationships between the data,
and the determined and/or inferred rules may be employed to
generate a data structure, such as a knowledge graph, and/or to
mine the various data within the system to generate an answer to a
query. Accordingly, a unique feature of the A/I module is its
predictive functionality, which functionality may be implemented by
a predictive analytics platform that is configured for performing
one or more predictive analyses on the obtained and/or generated
data, such as by generating one or more predictive outcomes. For
instance, a predictive outcome may be in response to a query as to
sales and/or shopping trends within the system, users of the
system, and/or with respect to one or more inter-relations
therein.
[0131] Accordingly, in one aspect of the disclosure, an artificial
intelligence module (A/I) may be included in the system. For
instance, the various devices and systems, as well as their methods
of use, as disclosed herein may be employed so as to evaluate
different elements of commerce, selling, purchasing, and the like.
More particularly, the system may be configured for determining
patterns in the behaviors of the various people using the system,
e.g., producers and shoppers, from which patterns various
relationships may be determined, and one or more actions may be
taken by the system in view of the identified relationships and/or
determined patterns. For example, once a relationship between the
various producers and/or consumers acting upon the system is
identified, such as with respect to how certain producers interact
with certain products they offer for sale, and a pattern with
respect to how the consumer is behaving with respect to their
relationship to the producers is determined, the system may take
one or more actions, e.g., suggestive measures, to account for that
relationship and/or activities of the users.
[0132] Specifically, the user's engagement with the system may form
regular interactions and/or patterns that may be recorded and
tracked within the system, from which patterns the machine learning
and/or analytics module of the system may be employed to learn each
user's particular pattern(s) of behavior, and determine a range of
freedom behind those actions and/or predict future courses of
action and outcomes. This is useful when by the user's pattern of
engagement with the system appears to coincide or conflict with the
patterns of usage of other users of the system. More specifically,
determining patterns of usage of the system is useful when
determining products to be promoted, prices to be charged for those
products, sales to be run, and the like, as well as to predict
future trends with respect thereto. Particularly, the system may be
configured for not only determining the presence of various factors
influencing behavior, such as the presence of collective sales
and/or bargaining, but as well for determining which factors, e.g.,
social, environmental, supply, and demand factors, which may be
leading to that influencing, and to what degree.
[0133] Further, once determined, the system, e.g., via the suitably
configured learning platform, may then be adapted to correct for
such influences, such as by the artificial intelligence module
increasing or decreasing a weighting scale used to weight the
connections between various influencing factors and user actions
and/or outcomes of those actions. For instance, in such instances,
when various patterns are formed, the system may learn these
patterns, determine the presence of one or more trends, or other
factors of import, and/or predict a likely manner in which the user
will behave, and the level of confidence may be given to the
predicted outcome, such as from 0.0, not very likely to 1.0 almost
completely certain. Accordingly, when the system makes a correct
prediction, the connection between the initiating action and the
presence of a trend in that action, as well as the connection
between the action and a predicted outcome of that action, may be
strengthened, such as by giving an estimation of the presence of a
trend and/or a predicted outcome in the future, for the same or
substantially similar circumstances, more weight.
[0134] Likewise, when a pattern is broken, less weight may be given
to the connection between the initiating action and the presence of
a trend and/or predicted outcome, until the old pattern is
re-established and/or until a new pattern is formed. These changes
in patterns can also be aggregated along various dimensions to
group a plurality of users together, and/or in the contrary, a
group of people interacting with the system together, such as in a
coalition, may be used to more precisely define and weight patterns
of engagement. In a manner such as this, the system may be
configured to keep track of the various users of the system as well
as their individual and/or group patterns of behavior, so that the
various identified factors that may be influencing the emergence
and/or maintenance of such patterns may be identified, predicted,
and employed for a plurality of different uses, such as for
determining the presence and/or degree of trends behind one or more
user's engagement with the system, and/or for taking responsive
actions, such as to predict future needs and/or usages.
[0135] Specifically, the system may generate and employ one or more
data structures that may be queried so as to predict the answer to
one or more questions. For instance, as described in detail herein,
the system may be configured for receiving information with regard
to a plurality of users, which information may include purchasing
data, identifying information, social circle information, as well
as social media engagement information. Likewise, the system may
present one or more users to a series of questions, such as via an
automated interview process, the responses to which may be used to
characterize the user. Additionally, the system may track how the
user engages with the system, as well as the attendant data
pertaining thereto, such as time, place, preferred retailers,
number and types of product purchased, preferred delivery methods
and times of day, length of time of delivery, who he or she
messages or otherwise interacts with through the system platform,
who they follow, what events they engage in, and the like. All of
this information may form data points that characterize any given
user and/or their selling and/or purchasing through use of the
system. These data points may then be employed as branches or nodes
within a data structure, which data structure may take any suitable
form, such as a data tree and/or a knowledge graph. From these
various data points relationships between users of the system may
be identified, and the connections between them may be weighted
based on the number and form of the interactions between them.
Hence, the more users interact with one another in a positive
manner, the greater the weighting will be between the various nodes
that may be employed to define their interaction. Likewise, the
more negatively the users interact with one another, the less (or
more negative) weight will be given to define their interactions.
In similar manner, the more the user's interactions with the system
comport with one or more groups of the system, e.g., model groups,
the more weight those various connections will be given, and the
more the user's interactions do not comport with one or more model
groups, the less weight those connections will be given.
[0136] Likewise, in various instances, a user may make a prediction
as to an outcome that actually occurs, and in other instances, the
predicted outcome does not occur, in such instances, more or less
weight will be given to the user when predicting outcomes for
future events, based on this successful prediction of outcomes of
past events. Hence, where it is determined that various, e.g.,
external, factors are in some way influencing a user's interaction
with the system, such as with respect to the buying and selling of
goods, the system may be configured for identifying and recognizing
trends in behavior, such as with respect to producing and
purchasing goods. Where identified factors are determined to be
affecting a one or more users' engagement with the system, such
users may be grouped together by the system, such as based on the
type of factors by which their use of the system is being
influenced, and in such instances, their engagement in the system
may be treated as a block and/or corrected for as a block, such as
by giving the block's engagement with the system less weight.
Likewise, those whose use of the system are determined to be free
of influencing factors, e.g., model users, may also be grouped by
the system, and their engagement of the system may be given more
weight.
[0137] Accordingly, in a manner such as this, data points between
the various branches or nodes in the data structure of the system
may be used to generate correlations between the nodes and to
weight those correlations so as to build a data structure thereby,
such as a knowledge tree or graph, which may then be queried to
determine other relationships not previously known and/or to
predict the influence of external factors affecting the usage of
the system, and/or to predict and weight potential outcomes based
on a collective of usage patterns of how users are engaging with
the system. For instance, a data structure, such as a relational or
hierarchical or knowledge graph structure, may be generated by the
system receiving known data about the various users of the system,
e.g., producers or sellers, purchasers of goods, promotional event
organizers, or other users of the system, and, via a suitably
configured data management system, building a structure, e.g., a
tree or constellation, of data points and drawing connections
between the data points.
[0138] As indicated above, this data may be collected in a variety
of ways, such as by the system tracking products produced, offered
for sale, and by who, prices at which offered and sold, products
purchased, and by who, delivery routes and times, experiences
recorded by users in the commerce process, and the like. Such
information may be tracked by actual usage of the system, as well
as commentary related to the system and/or its users, with respect
to their postings online, such as via social media engagement.
Hence, in some instances, system usage and/or user preferences
and/or experiences may be determined by generated interviews of the
users, system instigated accessing and review of user online or
social media usage, e.g., web-crawling and/or mining social media
data with respect to products sold or purchased, as well as other
user usage of the system and/or internet, such as through postings
of texts, photos, blogs, comments, searches performed, time spent
on producer or retailer web-pages, and other associated metadata
through which a user produces a presence on the global internet,
all of which data may then form various branches or nodes of the
data structure, e.g., graph.
[0139] For example, the data to be entered into the database, may
be used to structure and populate an inference engine, e.g., based
on the graph, which engine may be employed for searching and/or
otherwise performing queries, and may further be utilized by an
artificial intelligence analytics engine, as explained below, for
predicting outcomes. Consequently, user and/or performer data may
be obtained and entered into the system in a variety of different
manners, and may include the storing of information in hierarchical
or relational models, as well as in a resource description
framework (RDF) file or graph, and the like, as described below.
Such a procedure may be performed for a number of different
users.
[0140] Once the system users have been identified, characterized,
and entered into the system, the users, as discussed above, may be
grouped in accordance with one or more system usage parameters, and
known relationships may be determined between the various users in
the group. In particular, once the database is set up, the data
collected and entered into the system, the database may then be
structured, such as for being queried or otherwise searched, such
as with respect to the existence of various relationships between
data points. For instance, the number of relationships between the
various users as well as the strength of those correlations may
then be determined and used to weight the known or fact based
relationships. Likewise, from these known fact based relationships,
previously unknown, inferred relationships may be determined, and
weighted. In a manner such as this, a data structure, such as a
knowledge graph, or other data structure may be generated so as to
include both known and unknown, inferred, relationships.
[0141] Accordingly, once generated, the data structure, e.g.,
knowledge graph, may then be queried along a number of lines so as
to make one or more determinations with respect to the various
relationships between the various branches or nodes of the graph.
For instance, the system may be configured to automatically be
queried to determine if there is a pattern by which one or more
users are interacting with the system. For example, if one or more
otherwise unrelated users appear to be engaging with the system in
a like manner, e.g., their selling or purchasing activities appears
to be relatively the same, the system may flag their behavior for
further analysis, a deeper dive into any possible relationship
between the two users may be initiated, a source of their possible
correlation may be determined, and from the strength of that
relationship between the two users, a score may be given so as to
weight the possibility the users may be acting in a collective
manner. Hence, in various embodiments, the system may be configured
so as to be queried along a number of different parameters to
determine and weight a number of different answers, and thereby
make a variety of different predictions. These predictions may then
be given a weighted score, such as to the probability of being
correct, and based on that score, the system can self-correct so as
to properly account and/or correct for the predicted behavior of
its users, such as with respect to commercial interactions being
engaged in.
[0142] In a typical architecture for performing such functions,
such as for performing a structured search query, for instance, the
system may include a database. The database may include information
pertaining to the various producers, suppliers, retailers, products
being offered, prices, and purchasers of the products, and/or
delivery mechanisms of the system. The database may also include
characteristic data pertaining to the user themselves, relational
data pertaining to one group of users in relation to other users of
the system, e.g., with respect to characteristic data pertaining to
how the users have interacted with the system in the past, e.g.,
including any pattern data, as well as predictive outcome data of
the past, present, and/or future, and may include other
characteristic data the system determines is relevant to the
particular question being queried. In such an instance, the
relevant data points may be identified and pulled from the general
database, and a localized or global data structure may be
built.
[0143] Any data structure may be employed for performing the search
in question, in various instances, however, the data structure may
be a relational data structure, such as a Structured Query Language
(SQL) database, which may be implemented via a relational database
management system, or the data structure may be a hierarchical, or
graph based data structure. For instance, in one implementation, a
SQL database is presented, which database may be a table based data
structure, such as where one or more tables form the base structure
wherein data may be organized and stored, such as in a variety of
columns and rows, searched, relations determined, and queries
answered in a structured manner. Particularly, in such an instance,
SQL statements may be used to structure, update, and search the
database.
[0144] In various embodiments, a table-based database may be
presented, e.g., a relational database structure, which data
structure may be searched, and used to determine relationships from
which answers to one or more queries may be determined. Typically,
in such a data structure, identifiers, such as keys, are used to
relate data in one table to that in another table. Accordingly,
provided herein is a database that may be built and structured as a
structured query language (SQL) database that has a relational
architecture, and may be managed by a data management system, such
as a relational database management system (RDBMS). In particular
instances, a series of tables, for instance, may be employed by
which correlations may be made in an iterative fashion.
[0145] Specifically, with respect to whether a certain user of the
system is engaging with the system, such as with respect to a
particular product being offered and sold and/or by whom, a first
correlation may be made with respect to the subject's normal
interactions with the system, as determined over a series of
events, such as how well the user's interactions correspond with
the median, mean or average of users overall, and a first table may
be formed to record this data as a first use model sample set.
Then, a second table may be built whereby the user's current use of
the system with respect to a current present event and/or
participant in the event is tracked and compared against the
collective of current users, and the two tables can be compared
with one another so as to determine if the user's present
interactions comport with their past use of the system, such as
with respect to how their present use comports against the
collective, and predictions about future usage and/or relationships
may be predicted and/or inferred.
[0146] Where it is determined that a user's present use is outside
of what would be their historical or predicted usage average, the
system could flag the interaction as worthy of a deeper dive, and
if necessary can begin to look for other correlations between this
user and their activity so as to determine possible explanations as
to why this user's present interactions our outside of their
predicted behavior. Specifically, where the data structure is a
series of tables, the user's identifier or key may be searched and
compared through a number of tables for a wide variety of
correlations that may be determinative in explaining their present,
aberrant interactions, and the system may suggest corrective
measures to re-engage the system and its other users, such as for
the purpose of one retailer to regain a prior customer, such as by
the system automatically generating a special sale for that user,
based on their determined user preferences.
[0147] Accordingly, a key may be used to correlate the tables,
which key may be accessed in response to a question, prompt, or
command, such as why the user's present use does not comport with
their past use of the system, or the use of the system by the
average user. The key may be any common identifier, such as a name,
a number, e.g., a RFID number, cellular identification number, a
phone number, and the like, by which one or more of the tables may
be accessed, correlated, and/or a question answered. Accordingly,
without the key it becomes more difficult to build correlations
between the information in one table with that of another. In
certain instances, the table may be a hash table and a hash
function may be employed in search the table for correlations with
other data structures.
[0148] As indicated, a further architecture that may be used to
structure a database is a hierarchical data structure. For
instance, in various instances, the database may be structured as a
data tree, e.g., a suffix or prefix tree, where various data
elements may be stored in a compressed, but in correlated fashion,
where the various roots and branches form divergent data points
with respect to potential correlations. Specifically, in such an
instance, the data may be stored within the data structure in such
a manner that the stored records are connected with one another
through relational links, such as where the various records are a
collection of fields that store data files in a chain of superior
and subordinate levels of organization, such as in a pyramidal or
other hierarchical configuration.
[0149] In other instances, a graph-based architecture may be
structured and used to determine the results for one or more
queries. Particularly, a knowledge graph architecture may be
employed to structure the database; so as to enhance the
performance of computational analyses executed using that database.
Such analyses may be employed so as to determine whether a given
user's present use of the system comports with their past use
and/or comports with how other users in general, e.g. the average
user, have or are presently interacting with the system, such as
with respect to the present user's scoring of a given event and/or
performer in the event, and/or with respect to their regular
pattern of usage.
[0150] Accordingly, the sophisticated algorithms employed herein,
are adapted for structuring the infrastructure of a relational
database so as to enable more efficient and accurate searching of
that database such as via performing graph based analyses, as well
as for performing table or tree based analyses. For instance, where
a user of the system, e.g., a consumer, is purchasing a product
from another user of the system, e.g., a producer or retailer, a
data structure may be generated where the first user's
characteristic data are used as a first collection of data points,
and the characteristic data of a second user, e.g. the retailer,
may be used as a second collection of data points, and
relationships between the first and second users may be determined
through use of one of more data structures, e.g., knowledge graphs,
tables, e.g., hash tables, pre-/suffix-tress, etc. as described
herein. Additionally, a third collection of data points may include
how the collective of present or past users are engaging with the
system, e.g., with respect to one or more of these users, such as
with respect to the users use of the system.
[0151] Hence, in view of the above, the present system allows
decentralized user to access and shop at, and therefore, gain the
benefits of a centralized marketplace. Specifically, in one
embodiment, the system herein provides a centralized database that
allows for collective database and inventory mapping. In such an
instance, all producers, all stores, all products and inventory,
all prices, and all methods of delivery may be mapped to a central
source database, whereby all the commercial activities taking place
within the system may be presented, monitored, tracked, and
accounted for. For instance, all merchants and their inventory may
be resented, and their point of sale interactions may be mapped,
e.g., to centralized database, and the transactions they transact
can be followed, and the delivery of those products to the
purchasing consumer can be effectuated.
[0152] In a manner such as this all inventory and purchased goods
can be monitored and tracked throughout the system. Specifically,
in various instances, the goods being tracked within the system, as
well as all the various data associated with the goods may be
tracked by any suitable tracking system, but in some instances, may
be tracked by a suitably configured block-chain mechanism. An
additional feature of the system is that it provides a more
personalized shopping experience for the consumer and retailer. For
instance, the system may track purchasing habits of a consumer, may
track their health and/or dietary needs, and/or may track prices
throughout the system and make suggestions to the consumer based on
products that better fit their dietary habits, health needs, and/or
price budget. For example, the system may analyze all relevant
information regarding the consumer and his or her needs, and can
make purchasing suggestions and/or advertising, e.g., discount
coupons, such as for products, frequently purchased, or as
substitutes for products that the consumer cannot consume, for any
of a number of reasons, such as based on food allergies, medical
conditions, or selected diets, such as Atkins, Keto, Paleo,
etc.
[0153] Additionally, as discussed above the system may interface
with one or more mobile apps on the users phone, and use that data
to better discern the consumers dietary and/or purchasing needs,
and provide suggestions based on the collected and analyzed data.
Such recommendations may be made to consumers based on intensity
and degree of working out, type of work outs, frequency of
workouts, and may automatically determine where the consumer is and
provide them with suggestions of where to shop based on needs,
pricing, geographical region, and the like.
[0154] A further feature of the system is that it may interact with
smart appliances to determine shopping needs, e.g., a smart
refrigerator may connect and communicate directly to the system
and/or to a system app running on the consumers phone and notify
the user of products running out, products needed, and/or of
potential food allergies or contraindications with respect to
products purchased. For instance, the system may track contents of
refrigerator, or other smart appliance, and alert to dietary
instructions, track usage, order new/replacement items, and the
like. The system can also provide reminders, suggestions, a dietary
evaluation, and/or may provide for automatic ordering and delivery
of products, based on entered or determined needs, and further
based on entered and/or determined parameters for such. A
determined timing for all of this may also be provided and tracked
by the system, such as based on the predicted usage or need of the
consumer.
[0155] In a manner such as this, a more personalized shopping
experience may be provided for the consumer, whereby the system may
automatically generate a shopping list for the consumer,
automatically determine the best prices and suppliers or retailers
from which the purchase the products, using the credit card or
electronic currency of the user purchase the goods, and arrange for
the delivery of the goods purchased all automatically without the
intervention of the consumer. Alternatively, the system may
generate recommendations that can be presented at the user
interface and allow the consumer to approve or disapprove of the
recommendations of the system, before implementing its automatic
shopping protocols. Hence, in this manner, the system may
automatically map out the consumer needs taking into account their
particular sensitivities and/or preferences, so as to provide a
customized shopping experience and to facilitate shopping/delivery
to a user based on their individual needs.
[0156] Additionally, for the delivery facility, the system can
provide for the best route, best timing, best gas prices,
management, and overall ensure the most efficient delivery process,
such as accounting for all consumers making purchases and needing
delivery at similar timing. Further, as indicated, the system
provides for the easy integration of smart delivery mechanisms that
includes automated, e.g., robotic, assembly and/or packaging,
automated car and/or drone delivery, and the like, so as to provide
a substantially autonomous and automated producing, retailing,
purchasing, and/or delivery system. Of course, all of this can also
be provided to the various producers and retailers of the system so
as to give them a better understanding of what products to produce
and/or stock for sale, and/or for pricing of the same, so as to be
more competitive within the market place. Specifically, the system
can track retailer or producer products being offered for sale,
track purchasing trends over the system, and provide pricing or
marketing suggestions as well as growing recommendations for
producers based on local and/or global demand, costs of goods,
and/or environmental data received or mined by the system, which
may include a database search of the farmers or historical climate
almanac, as well as current commodities or resource pricing on a
relevant stock exchange.
[0157] Another advantage of the system allows for a more social
market place whereby consumers and retailers can more easily
communicate directly with each other, using the system, or
indirectly, such as automatically posting via one or more social
media platforms, thereby providing a more immediate commercial
and/or social feedback loop. Particularly, after an order is made
and the product is delivered to the user, an immediate feedback
loop is initiated, whereby the consumer is invited to directly
respond to and evaluate the shop, producer, and delivery provider,
which evaluation may be sent directly to the shop, and/or may be
posted directly to a social media outlet, and then the merchant is
given the opportunity to respond, thereby opening up a direct
dialogue between consumer and shop. In a manner such as this, the
system provides for a social environment tying the consumer more
tightly to the retailers and/or other consumers in a more social
environment, such as via an app of the system.
[0158] With respect to monitoring and tracking inventory, goods in
transit, and transactions taking place within a system, such as a
system of commerce, or other record keeping, such as with respect
to a person's shopping records, data (e.g., inventory and/or
shopping data) may be grouped and/or stored within a plurality of
formats. One such format is termed blockchain, Block chain is a
manner of securely storing data in blocks, which blocks are
unalterable and secured using cryptography, such as where each
block typically includes a cryptographic hash of the previous
block, a time stamp, and a characterization of the transaction and
data pertinent thereto. In essence, blockchain is an open,
distributed ledger for the recording of transactions between
parties, which ledger is both verifiable and permanent.
Specifically, once recorded, the data in any given block cannot be
altered retroactively, or at least without the alteration of all
subsequent blocks, which is impractical at best.
[0159] A unique feature of blockchain is that it is typically
managed autonomously by a peer-to-peer network that is adhering to
a protocol for inter-node communication, such as with respect to
the validation of new blocks being disposed within the chain. In a
manner such as this, blockchain-based exchange can be transacted
safely, cheaply, and more securely than other traditional storing
and/or securing systems, allowing the transaction to be completed
more efficiently. Specifically, blcokchain sets up transactional,
title rights that are detailed in the block thereby providing a
secure record of the exchange. In essence, every block in the chain
forms a node in a decentralized system, where every node has a copy
of the blockchain. The quality of the data and its security are
maintained by massive database replication and computational,
collective trust.
[0160] More specifically, each block stores a batch of transactions
that are hashed, encoded, and stored in one or more formats, such
as in a hash table or tree or knowledge, as set forth above. Hence,
whenever a new block is to be added to the chain, a designated
peer, e.g., designated via cryptomining, receives a high-scoring
version of the chain, e.g., an old version of the chain with a
single new block added, the peer extends or overwrites their own
database and retransmit the improvement to their peers in the
chain. Particularly, mining nodes validate transactions, add them
to the block they are building, and then broadcast the completed
block to other relevant nodes in the system. Consequently,
blockchains are typically built one on top of the other in a manner
so that new blocks are scored as the new blocks are added onto old
blocks, where incentives are offered to work only on extending the
chain with new blocks rather than overwriting old blocks, and in
this manner the probability of an entry becoming superseded goes
down exponentially as more blocks are built on top of it.
[0161] Another feature of the blockchain system as implemented
herein is a timestamp setting forth the various times of
transactions taking place and being recorded in the block, as well
as the time during reach the block will be open until a new block
is added to the chain. For instance, in various instances, the
block time is recorded and constitutes the average time it takes
for the network to generate one extra block in the blockchain. The
blocktime can be set or determined by the system, but typically a
new block may be created every few, e.g., five, seconds, where by
the time of block completion, the included data becomes verifiable.
A shorter block completion time means a faster transaction
time.
[0162] A further feature of the blockchain system herein is its
decentralization. For instance, by storing data across its
peer-to-peer network, the blockchain eliminates a number of risks
that come with data being held centrally. For instance, the
decentralized blockchain uses ad-hoc message passing and/or
distributed networking. Particularly, because of the decentralized
nature of the peer-to-peer blockchain network, it lacks centralized
points of vulnerability that hackers can exploit. Likewise, it has
no central point of failure. Additionally, blockchain security
methods include the use of public-key cryptography. For example, a
public key having a long, random string of numbers, forms an
address on the blockchain, which can only be accessed by the key.
Value tokens, therefore will then be sent across the network and be
recorded as belonging to that address. Alternatively, a private key
may be used to secure the chain. A private key is similar to a
password that gives its owner access to their digital assets or the
means to otherwise interact with the various capabilities that the
blockchain support. Hence, such data stored on the blockchain is
virtually incorruptible.
[0163] Specifically, as indicated, every node in the decentralized
system has a copy of the blockchain where the quality and the
security are maintained by being replicated throughout the peers in
the chain. Hence, because of the decentralized, replicable nature
of the blockchain storage, there is no centralized or "official"
copy of the ledger that exists, thus, no single user's copy is
"trusted" more than any other, and transactions are broadcast to
all relevant nodes in the network, such as by the system
programming. Accordingly, blockchain is a consensus system of
performing transactions and record keeping of the same, which
follow certain given rules as to how the blockchain is supposed to
operate so as to secure the authenticity of the transactions they
record. These rules are propagated within every block in the
growing chain, where the rules of one block are continued in the
second block, so as to ensure the consistency of the chain.
[0164] These rules determine how and when a new block will be
generated in the chain, and how the records are to be recorded
therein. Hence, these transactions are recorded in historic blocks
of records that are stored in a chain by following the same rules,
where the chain is stored on a chain of peer-to-peer servers. One
or more of data being stored in the block, as well as the structure
of the chain, especially with respect to the rules to be followed
by the system in creating blocks in the chain, may all be
determined and secured via an appropriately structured hash
function, such as where blocks and records are accessed via a
randomly generated string of numbers having a good proportion of
bits that are dedicated to the requirements for accessing data
and/or generating a new block in the chain. Hence, it is the
accordance with the determined rules that provides validation for
any given transaction and/or any given block in the chain, such as
where the authenticity of validation is agreed upon by consensus of
the historic peer block records. This, therefore, prevents
counterfeits from being instigated without changing all the records
within the block.
[0165] Accordingly access to a given block and/or the generation of
a new block is determined by the performance of a hash function
where the leading series of bits may all be zeros making the chance
of breaking the code infinitely difficult without the designated
key. Another security feature is the way the next peer in the chain
is added to the block chain so as to propagate the next block in
the chain. Specifically, providing processing power so as to
generate the next key is presently used for generating the next
block, where it is unknown as to which peer based computer will be
the one to derive the next key, and thus become the one that
generates the next block in the chain. This is a process currently
termed cryptomining, where the peer computer generating the next
block in the chain gets paid for doing so.
[0166] Hence, there are a lot of copies of portions of the block
chain, stored on distributed computers in a peer network. As such
no particular peer computer would typically have a complete copy of
the entire block, especially, in view that a block is only open for
the recording of transactions for a limited time, and once that
time has elapsed, the block is closed, and a new block mined and
opened. Further, as the system itself determines the time period
during which a block is open, there is no way to predict how many
transactions any given block will encode, which can be seconds,
minutes, days, and the like, dependent on the parameters set by the
organizing rules, basically based on the velocity of transactions
being performed. Also to be noted, in certain instances, where the
records being processed require a huge amount of processing power,
several different peer computers can be performing the processing
for the block.
[0167] A further feature of various different blockchain systems is
the ability to perform various different blockchain interactions
through which different applications can be performed with respect
thereto. In various instances, for a given system, a new, unique
blockchain may be formed, or a new use of an existing blockchain
may be formulated as a subset of the existing blockchain. In
particular instances, the block chain may be associated with a
cryptocurrency, an existing or new cryptocurrency, for the purpose
of effectuating monetary transactions. Hence, for the purposes of
the present disclosure, a new blockchain may be formed with a new
or existing cryptocurrency, or an already existing blockchain may
be accessed by the generation of a blockchain application for
accessing a new block in the chain wherein new transactions, such
as those disclosed herein above, may be imitated, recorded, and
transmitted, so as to become a part of the block chain. In such an
instance where the blockchain being utilized with a cryptocurrency,
crypto-transactions may also be implemented within the system.
[0168] Consequently, in various embodiments, certain blockchain
iterations allow for the incorporation of future programming into
the existing rules so as to add new features to the existent
blockchain. In a manner such as this the present system may be
associated with an already existent blockchain and/or utilize an
already existent cryptocurrency where by transaction records of the
system may be stored and cryptocurrency transactions carried out,
which new rules and records will then be propagated in all other
newly generated blocks in the chain. In manners such as these, the
transactions and records thereof, as recited in the present
disclosure, may be implemented in conjunction with one or more of a
blockchain and/or cryptocurrency.
[0169] For instance, in various embodiments, the system may be
associated with a BITCOIN.RTM. type cryptocurrency, or
ETHERIUM.RTM., or any other form of blockchain and/or
cryptocurrency. ETHERIUM.RTM., in some instances, may be a
particularly good type of blockchain architecture, protocol, and
cryptocurrency for association with the present devices and systems
as well as their methods of use. Specifically, an application to
track and record the interactions herein can be set as one or more
rules within the ETHERIUM.RTM. protocol and, thus, may become part
of that blockchain architecture and its rules. More specifically,
in various embodiments, machine language, e.g., programming, in
accordance with the present disclosures may be provided to the
ETHERIUM.RTM. blockchain space, which code can be associated with
the endogenous programming therein, and become part of the
ETHERIUM.RTM. protocol and rules.
[0170] Particularly, the programming can be configured as an
automated account or sub-account so as to track the activities of
an authorized subset of users, such as with respect to the
performance of commercial transactions as disclosed herein above.
More particularly, within such an automated account, the rules of
the subsystem may be structured, which rules can be defined to
control the various operations of the system, and they may be
carried out as sub-routines. Hence, in this manner, accounts and
sub-accounts may be formed, control may be given to the account
holders, transactions performed, and their records stored and
maintained, e.g., in ledger format, in accordance with the methods
discloses herein, such as in a blockchain architecture run, in
part, on a server of the disclosure. Of course, in various
instances, the cryptocurrency, such as ETHER.RTM., can be used to
provide the currency of various transactions of the system,
including for paying the cost for setting up the accounts in the
first place.
[0171] The contents of the articles, patents, and patent
applications, and all other documents and electronically available
information mentioned or cited herein, are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each
individual publication was specifically and individually indicated
to be incorporated by reference. Applicants reserve the right to
physically incorporate into this application any and all materials
and information from any such articles, patents, patent
applications, or other physical and electronic documents.
[0172] The methods illustratively described herein may suitably be
practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or
limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example,
the terms "comprising", "including," containing", etc. shall be
read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms
and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of
description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the
use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of
the features shown and described or portions thereof. It is
recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope
of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that
although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by
preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and
variation of the invention embodied therein herein disclosed may be
resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such
modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope
of this invention.
[0173] The invention has been described broadly and generically
herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings
falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the
methods. This includes the generic description of the methods with
a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from
the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is
specifically recited herein.
[0174] Other embodiments are within the following claims. In
addition, where features or aspects of the methods are described in
terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any
individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
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