CN121263817A

CN121263817A - Device and system for enabling communication with external devices and server systems and providing recommendations to users

Info

Publication number: CN121263817A
Application number: CN202480036694.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: F·布勒克曼; E·舒曼; K·芒罗; M·戈勒
Original assignee: Eli Denison Retail Information Services Ltd
Current assignee: Eli Denison Retail Information Services Ltd
Priority date: 2023-06-01
Filing date: 2024-05-31
Publication date: 2026-01-02
Also published as: WO2024246864A1; EP4695753A1

Abstract

The present subject matter provides a communication device, server system, and system for implementing at least one of querying, intercepting, coordinating, or communicating between a transmit-receive unit and a server system or an external device or both using one or more command signals. The transmit-receive unit is configured to communicate with the server system and the external device using at least one of a Radio Frequency (RF) communication protocol, or a communication network, or a combination thereof. The transmitting-receiving unit includes a transmitter and a receiver. The server system generates recommendations in real-time using a recommendation engine based on the extracted information and digital signatures received from the communication devices over the communication network. The server system is configured to transmit the generated recommendation to the communication device. The system includes a communication device and a server system.

Description

Device and system for enabling communication with external devices and server systems and providing recommendations to users

Technical Field

The present subject matter relates to the field of handheld mobile devices and recommendation systems based on consumer or consumer use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system designed to enable communication with external devices and server systems and to provide recommendations to users.

Background

Typically, recommendations are primarily associated with online platforms, such as e-commerce platforms, on which a recommendation engine analyzes user data and provides personalized product suggestions. Or off-line platforms such as retail stores are provided by various methods on a large screen or display. These displays are strategically placed within the store to draw the attention of the customer and provide product recommendations. However, offline shopping experiences, such as physical stores, have not fully utilized the potential of recommendation systems to provide personalized recommendations to in-store customers/shoppers to enhance customer experience and facilitate decision making. In addition, the off-line shopping configuration requires more hardware configurations, such as installing a large number of fixed read points around the facility to read digital triggers (e.g., RFID tags) to collect digital inventory at the item level.

There is a need for an improved low cost reading point that is carried with each consumer.

There is a need for consumer-use or consumer-based devices that can read one or more digital triggers on a product to obtain a product electronic code (EPC) or other product data and provide personalized recommendations to a user to improve user engagement and satisfaction.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. However, the present subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are not drawn to scale. Wherever possible, like elements are designated by like numerals.

Embodiments of the present subject matter will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating components of a system according to an embodiment;

3A-3C illustrate an exemplary User Interface (UI) depicting consumer engagement items (engagement) of a consumer while shopping, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary UI depicting recommendations to a user, according to an embodiment, and

Fig. 5A-5D illustrate example environments for enabling communication with external devices and server systems and providing recommendations to users according to embodiments.

In the drawings, an underlined number is used to denote an item located above or adjacent to the underlined number. The no underline number is associated with an item identified by a line linking the no underline number to the item. When a number is not underlined and is accompanied by an associated arrow, the underlined number is used to identify the overall item to which the arrow refers.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a general summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview nor is it intended to identify or limit critical/important elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a generic form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In some embodiments, a communication device includes a transmit-receive unit, a software controller, and an application installed in the communication device. The transmit-receive unit is configured to communicate with the server system and the external device using at least one of a Radio Frequency (RF) communication protocol, or a communication network, or a combination thereof. The transmitting-receiving unit includes a transmitter and a receiver. The software controller is configured to perform at least one of querying, intercepting (interception), coordinating, or communicating between the transmit-receive unit and the server system or the external device or the server system and the external device using one or more command signals. The external device includes at least one digital trigger and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader.

In some embodiments, a server system is communicatively coupled with the communication device to provide recommendations to a user on the communication device. In some embodiments, a server system includes an input/output (I/O) interface, a recommendation engine, a processor, and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The I/O interface is configured to communicate with a communication device over a communication network. The processor is configured to receive, from the software controller, via an application installed in the communication device, the extracted information and the digital signature data associated with each of the one or more products over the communication network. The processor is configured to identify each of the one or more products associated with the received extracted information by accessing a database associated with the server system. The processor is configured to generate recommendations to the user in real-time using the recommendation engine. The processor is configured to transmit the generated recommendation to the communication device.

In some embodiments, a system includes a communication device and a server system. In some embodiments, the communication device, the RFID reader, and the at least one digital trigger (e.g., RFID tag) are operably coupled to each other and configured to operate within a particular RF threshold frequency range.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description illustrates various embodiments of the present subject matter and the manner in which they may be implemented. While some modes of carrying out the subject matter have been disclosed, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the subject matter are also possible. Some disclosed embodiments include a communication device, a server system, and/or a system for enabling communication with external devices and server systems and providing recommendations to a user.

I. Definition of the definition

As used herein, "modulated signal frequency" refers to the frequency at which a modulated signal is generated and applied to a carrier signal such that information can be encoded onto the carrier signal for transmission in a communication system.

As used herein, "RFID" refers to radio frequency identification devices.

As used herein, "software controller" refers to a component or program that controls and manages the operation of a communication device and also manages/controls the operation between the communication device and other devices (e.g., a server system, an RFID reader, and at least one digital trigger).

These and other features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the present subject matter will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. These definitions are intended to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. These definitions are not intended to identify key features or essential features or keywords of the claimed or disclosed subject matter, nor is they intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The communication devices, server systems and systems disclosed herein are described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in all drawings represent the same, similar or corresponding elements. It is to be understood that the examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, devices, methods, materials, and so forth disclosed and described may be modified as may be desired for a particular application.

Overview II

In some embodiments, the present subject matter relates to a communication device, server system, and system for implementing at least one of querying, intercepting, coordinating, or communicating between a transmit-receive unit and a server system or an external device or a server system and an external device using one or more command signals. The transmit-receive unit is configured to communicate with the server system and the external device using a Radio Frequency (RF) communication protocol, a communication network, or a combination thereof. The transmitting-receiving unit includes a transmitter and a receiver.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment 100 in accordance with an embodiment, the environment 100 being capable of at least one of querying, intercepting, coordinating, or communicating between a communication device 106 and an external device (e.g., an RFID reader 114 and at least one digital trigger 105) or server system 118 or external device and server system 118, and providing recommendations to a user 104. The exemplary environment 100 includes one or more components including, but not limited to, a communication device 106, an external device, a server system 118, a communication network 116, and a database 128. For example, exemplary environment 100 may be a retail store 102, medical facility, home environment, etc., as shown in FIG. 1. The retail store 102 may include, for example, a product 110, an external device, one or more surveillance cameras 111, a user 104, and a communication device 104. The at least one digital trigger 105 comprises an RFID tag. RFID reader 114 may be, for example, an Electronic Product Code (EPC) exciter, an overhead reader, a tunnel reader, or a handheld reader. At least one digital trigger 105 is associated with, adhered to, or attached to the product 110 to enable detection by the communication device 106. The product 110 may be any type of product that can be sold at a retail store (e.g., electronic products, clothing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, beverages, and other consumer products, etc.).

Further, the communication device 106 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a notebook, a handheld computer, a computer, or a smart watch. The communication device 106, the RFID reader 114, and the at least one digital trigger 105 (e.g., RFID tag) are operably coupled to one another and configured to operate within a particular frequency range. The one or more surveillance cameras 111 are configured to capture and track store operating conditions. For example, one or more surveillance cameras 111 may capture a planogram image of a store, a shelf image with locations, and an image of a store floor.

The communication device 106 is configured to communicate with external devices using at least one Radio Frequency (RF) communication protocol. For example, the RF communication protocol may be a second generation (Gen 2) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communication protocol. The communication device 106 is configured to communicate with a server system 118 via a communication network 116 through application programs that use one or more Application Program Interfaces (APIs). The communication network 116 may include, but is not limited to, a direct interconnect, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a cellular network, a wireless network (e.g., using a wireless application protocol), the internet, ultra-wideband, and the like.

The server system 118 is configured to communicate with the communication device 106 over the communication network 116 to provide recommendations to the user 104. The user 104 may be, for example, a customer or employee, consumer, shopper, buyer, client, or purchaser.

Fig. 2 illustrates components of a system 200 according to an embodiment. The system 200 includes a communication device 106, an external device such as an RFID exciter 114 and at least one digital trigger 105, a server system 118. The communication device 106 includes, for example, a transmit-receive unit 206 and a software controller 204, the software controller 204 running the application 108.

Transmission-reception unit:

In one embodiment, the transmit-receive unit 206 is configured to communicate with the server system 118 and external devices using an RF communication protocol, the communication network 116, or a combination thereof via an antenna (not shown in fig. 2). The transmitting-receiving unit 206 further includes a transmitter 207 and a receiver 208. Receiver 208 is configured to intercept one or more RF signals from external devices 105 and 114 via the Gen2 UHF communication protocol.

The one or more RF signals include a query signal and a response signal. The receiver 208 intercepts interrogation signals generated by the RFID exciter 114, and the receiver 208 also intercepts response signals generated by the at least one digital trigger 105 in response to the interrogation signals when the RFID exciter 114 interrogates the at least one digital trigger 105. In addition, the receiver 208 receives recommendations from the server system 118 over the communication network 116, as will be discussed below.

In an alternative embodiment, when transmitter 207 transmits/transmits RF signals using a Gen2 UHF communication protocol to query or access at least one digital trigger 105, receiver 208 intercepts response signals generated by at least one digital trigger 105 in response to the query signals. In addition, the transmitter 207 transmits the extracted information and digital signature data to the server system 118 via the communication network 116.

IV software controller

The communication device 106 described herein also includes a software controller 204, shown in fig. 3, configured to utilize the application 108 to perform querying, intercepting, coordinating, and communicating between the transmit-receive unit 206 and the server system 118 or an external device or server system 118 and an external device via one or more command signals. In an example embodiment, the software controller 204 may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the software controller 204 is integrated with the application 108 to establish communication with the server system 118 through the communication device 106 using one or more command signals. In another embodiment, the software controller 204 is a stand-alone entity that operates with the server system 118 through the application 108 using one or more command signals. The software controller 204 is further configured to operatively couple with the RFID reader 114 and the at least one digital trigger 105 by modifying or adjusting the functions of the receiver 208 and/or the transmitter 207 to operate within a particular RF threshold frequency range using one or more software algorithms. The communication device 106, the RFID reader 114, and the at least one digital trigger 105 are operably coupled to one another and configured to operate within a particular RF threshold frequency range. In some embodiments, the particular RF threshold frequency is within a defined RF threshold frequency range of the antenna. In one embodiment, the software controller 204 is configured to identify the modulated signal frequency between the communication device 106 and the at least one digital trigger 105 and the exciter/reader 114. Based on the identified modulated signal frequency, the software controller 204 is configured to tune a particular RF threshold frequency of the antenna to operate according to the identified modulated signal frequency. For example, if the defined threshold frequency range is 902-928 MHz, the software controller will search for the modulated signal frequency within that range. When the software controller identifies the modulated signal frequency as 915 MHz, for example, the software controller 204 then tunes the antenna to 915 MHz to operate according to the identified modulated signal frequency. The defined threshold frequencies are examples only and should not be considered limiting in the range 902-928 MHz.

The software controller 204 is configured to intercept one or more RF signals, such as a query signal and a response signal from the RFID reader 114 and the at least one digital trigger 105, respectively, via the receiver 208 when the RFID exciter 114 queries the at least one digital trigger 105. The software controller 204 is configured to demodulate the intercepted one or more RF signals by utilizing one or more software algorithms to extract information and digital signature data associated with each of the one or more RF signals. The extracted information includes, for example, an Electronic Product Code (EPC), an RFID reader name, a command sent to at least one digital trigger 105, a signal strength of the RFID reader 114, a TID (trade identification number), a product name, a product type, a product price, a date of manufacture, item level information, other product specific information, or brand authentication information. In an embodiment, the product information will be related to the product 110 to which the at least one digital trigger 105 is attached or mounted. The digital signature data includes a read rate count and signal strength associated with at least one digital trigger 105, the digital trigger 105 being attached to or attached to the product 110. The software controller 204 is configured to generate digital signature data by determining a read rate count and a signal strength. The read rate count of the at least one digital trigger 105 is determined by measuring the number of times the receiver 208 of the communication device 106 reads the at least one digital trigger 105 at a particular RF threshold frequency.

The signal strength is determined by measuring the power or amplitude of the RF signal of at least one digital trigger 105 received by the receiver 208 over a particular period of time. For example, as the read count and signal strength increase, the consumer interest score increases. For example, the communication device 106 may continuously measure the power or amplitude of one or more RF signals of the RFID tag over a particular period of time. As the number of read counts increases, the read rate count also increases. Consider, for example, a specific time period of 5 microseconds. In one example, the communication device 106 may measure a higher power or higher amplitude (e.g., 64 dBm) from the RF signal of the RFID tag when the communication device 106 is proximate to the RFID tag 105 over a period of 5 microseconds. In another 5 microsecond period, when the communication device 106 is away from the RFID tag, the communication device 106 may measure low power or low amplitude (e.g., 20 dBm) from the RF signal of the RFID tag. If the RF signal of the RFID tag has a high power or amplitude, it will provide a higher signal strength and vice versa. The higher power 64dBm and the lower power 20dBm are examples only and should not be considered limiting.

The software controller 204 is configured to transmit the extracted information and the digital signature data to the server system 118 over the communication network 116 using the application 108. The software controller 204 is configured to receive recommendations from the server system 118 over the communication network 116 using the application 108. The software controller 204 is configured to display the recommendation to the user 104 on a user interface associated with the communication device 106. The recommendation may include, for example, a price discount for the product 110, a style option, an in-store inventory of the product, a product picture, a promotion related to the product, a list of products based on recently viewed products online, a notification, a product color, a coupon, or other promotional offer, or the same or similar product option when the product is out of stock.

Further, the one or more command signals may include a) a signal for converting each of the one or more RF signals between analog and digital, b) a signal for tuning the receiver to receive each of the one or more RF signals in the one or more target radio frequency bands generated by the interrogated RFID tag, c) a signal for intercepting each of the one or more RF signals in the one or more target Radio Frequency (RF) bands of the interrogated RFID tag, d) a signal for demodulating each of the received one or more RF signals to extract information and digital signature data, e) a signal for transmitting the extracted information and digital signature data to the server system 118 over the communication network 116, f) a signal for receiving the recommended signal from the server system 118 over the communication network 116, and g) a signal for processing, storing, transmitting, receiving, displaying or inputting data, or performing specific functions between the communication device 106 and any one or both of the external device and the server system 118. In one embodiment, the specific functions include, for example, modifying the RF threshold frequency of the receiver and/or transmitter, RF filtering and signal conditioning at a specific frequency at a selected RF threshold frequency, equalizing and correcting for multipath effects, or any combination thereof.

V. server system

In an embodiment, the server system 118 is communicatively coupled with the communication device 106 through the communication network 116 to provide recommendations to the user 104 on a user interface associated with the communication device 106. The server system 118 includes, but is not limited to, at least one central processing unit (also referred to as a "CPU" or "processor") 120, an input/output (I/O) interface 122, a recommendation engine 126, a database 128, and a memory 124, the memory 124 for storing instructions executable by the processor 120. Memory 124 is communicatively coupled to processor 120. Memory 124 stores instructions executable by processor 120 that, when executed, may cause server system 118 to generate recommendations to user 104 in real-time, as disclosed in the present subject matter. I/O interface 122 is coupled to processor 120, through which data is sent and received. Processor 120 is configured to receive the extracted information and digital signature data from communication device 106 via I/O interface 122. The processor 120 is further configured to identify a product associated with the received extracted information by accessing a database 128 associated with the server system 118.

The database 128 stores information related to the store and its contents, including, for example, planogram information for the store, shelf images with location information, geospatial information, user history, store floor images, location of communication devices, electronic Product Code (EPC) look-up tables, information about products sold in the store, and information about products located on the store shelves. The EPC look-up table is made up of a plurality of EPCs. Each of the plurality of EPCs corresponds to, for example, a particular product name, description, price, category, size, color, weight, or combination thereof. The processor 120 is configured to access an EPC lookup table stored in the database 128 based on the EPC code extracted from the received extraction information. The processor 120 is configured to identify each of the one or more products by identifying each of the extracted EPC codes in a lookup table. The EPC look-up table may be updated in real time, either periodically or as needed.

The processor 120 also instructs the application 108 to add one or more products to the digital shopping cart associated with the application based on identifying each of the one or more products using the database, the extracted information, and the digital signature data. In an embodiment, the processor 120 is configured to generate an interest score for each of the one or more products based on analyzing the received digital signature data using one or more algorithms. The interest score may be expressed in terms of a number or percentage. For example, if the reading rate count and signal strength are high, the interest score may be high because the interest score is directly dependent on the reading rate count and signal strength. In one example, if the read rate count is 40 and the signal strength is 64 dBm, the interest score may be 80%. In another example, if the read rate count is 10 and the signal strength is 24 dBm, the interest score may be 30%. The values provided in these examples are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting. The processor uses the interest score for each of the one or more products to determine what the customer or user 104 desires to have in the digital shopping cart during the self-checkout process. For example, higher interest score products remain in the digital shopping cart from one or more products, while lower interest score items are removed from the digital shopping cart.

Further, the processor 120 is configured to generate one or more recommendations to the user 104 in real-time using the recommendation engine 126. The processor 120 is in operative communication with a recommendation engine 126. The processor 102 collects data from either or both of the input requests and the database 128. The data includes extracted information, digital signature data, identified product data, and user history (e.g., user preferences, user history purchases, online browsing data, recently viewed items online, or purchasing behavior). The processor 120 sends the collected data to the recommendation engine 126 for analysis.

Recommendation engine 126 receives data from processor 120 and applies its recommendation algorithm or rules to analyze the data. The data analysis includes processing the user profile, item representations, and any other relevant data to generate personalized recommendations. Any other relevant data may include, but is not limited to, the location of the communication device 106, shelf location, store floor location, user historical purchases, online browsing data of the user, recently viewed items online, or purchasing behavior of the user 104. In one embodiment, recommendation engine 126 is a rule-based engine or a machine learning engine. Recommendation engine 126 employs rule-based or machine learning techniques to continually learn from user interactions and improve recommendation quality. As more data is collected, the recommendation engine adjusts, optimizes, and generates its recommendations to better adapt to the preferences of the individual user 104.

VI application program

In an embodiment, the application 108 is stored in the communication device 106 or may be downloaded from an application store. The consumer or user 104 may use the application 108 to register with the server system 118. For registration, the user 104 may need to provide their detailed information such as name, date of birth (DoB), phone number, password, email, etc. Upon successful registration, a profile is created for user 104. The user 104 may access the server system 118 by, for example, providing a user name and password or by using other authentication methods known in the art. The server system 118 provides one or more services to the user 104 based on the received extracted information and the digital signature data. For example, the one or more services include, but are not limited to, personalized recommendations, payment transaction functions, self-checkout functions, and user location-based product recommendations.

Fig. 3A-3C illustrate an exemplary User Interface (UI) depicting consumer engagement items of a consumer while shopping, according to an embodiment. The UI shown in fig. 3A includes a plurality of icons, such as an email icon, a map icon, an image icon, a video play icon, and a search bar. In an example embodiment, when a consumer or user 104 searches the search bar for his/her selected product (e.g., an X brand of shoe) by accessing the application 108, the application 108 directs the user to the UI shown in FIG. 3A. The email icon allows the user 104 to send direct information about the searched products to their email ID. As shown in fig. 3B, the map icon allows the user 104 to find a nearby physical store location where the searched product can be purchased. In addition, the UI shown in FIG. 3B helps display where the searched products may be purchased. For example, physical stores are screened based on the location of the user. The location of the user is determined based on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology or any technology known in the art. As shown in fig. 3A, the image icons include at least two functions (not shown in fig. 3A). The first function allows the user 104 to view a product image or visual effect associated with the searched product. For example, when the user 104 clicks on an image icon, the user 104 can view an image of the searched product or other visual effect associated with the searched product. This feature enables the user 104 to better understand the appearance, characteristics, or variations of the product. The second function allows the user 104 to capture images of a product, such as shoes, during online shopping. For example, when the user clicks on an image icon having a second function, it may trigger a camera (as shown in fig. 1) associated with the communication device 106 to capture an image of a product (e.g., a shoe). When the user 104 captures an image of a product, other products may be included in the image. The communication device 106 may intercept other products in the image and extract EPCs associated with the other products. The server system 118 receives the extracted EPC from the communication device 106 and identifies other products using the database 128 and the location of the communication device 106. The identified other products received by the application 108 are presented to the user 104 as shown in fig. 3C. In addition, the video play icon may direct the user 104 to a presentation video of the searched product. The presentation video may present the user 104 with features, benefits, or usage of the searched products.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary UI depicting recommendations to the user 104, according to an embodiment. Referring back to fig. 1 and 2, the communication device 106 is configured to receive recommendations from the server system 118. The processor 120 may be configured to display the recommendation to the user 104 over the communication network 116 on a UI associated with the communication device 106. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the UI may be configured to display recommendations in the form of discounts, style options, notices, product prices, product images, product colors, in-store inventory status of selected items, coupons or other promotional offers, and the same or similar product options.

Example

Example 1 fig. 5A illustrates an exemplary home environment for implementing querying, intercepting, coordinating, or communicating between the transmit-receive unit 206 and the server system 118 or an external device or server system 118 and an external device, and providing recommendations to the user 104 (as shown in fig. 1 and 2). The home environment includes a refrigerator, a communication network 116, a server system 118, and a database 128. In an example embodiment, the refrigerator is equipped with an RFID reader 114. The refrigerator includes one or more vegetables. At least one digital trigger 105 is associated with, adhered to, or attached to each of the one or more vegetables. The at least one digital trigger 105 includes an RFID tag or RFID label. The at least one digital trigger 105 may include information about each of the one or more vegetables, such as its product code, vegetable type, date of harvest, shelf life, etc. The communication device 106 receives/intercepts RF signals from at least one digital trigger 105 associated with each of one or more vegetables. The communication device 106 extracts the information embedded in the at least one digital trigger 105. The extracted information is transmitted to the server system 118. The server system 118 generates recommendations using a recommendation engine 126 and a database 128. Database 128 includes information related to each of the one or more vegetables. The recommendation is displayed on a UI associated with the communication device 104. The recommendations may include, but are not limited to, notifications regarding health benefits of each vegetable, nutritional information, and shelf life reminders.

Example 2 fig. 5B illustrates an exemplary retail store environment for enabling interception of external devices (as shown in fig. 1 and 2) and providing recommendations to user 104 on an electronic shelf display. In an example embodiment, the retail store includes a plurality of shelves, and each shelf includes one or more electronic shelf displays. Application 108 is stored in communication device 106. The electronic shelf may include a receiver and circuitry and be connected to a replaceable tag, which may be a variable/dynamic information display. The communication device 104 sends the recommendation data to the shelf edge receiver, which modifies the variable information display accordingly. The application 108 receives the recommendation from the server system 118. The server system 118 provides recommendations to the application 108 (as shown in fig. 1) over the communication network 116 based on identifying the extracted information received from the communication device 106. Circuitry on the electronic shelf display device cooperates with the application 108 of the communication device 106 to control and manage/modify the variable information display. For example, the variable information display may provide recommendations based on information received from at least one digital trigger, or using either or both of the recommendation engine 126 and database. The recommendation may include price discounts, product details, product origin, etc.

Example 3 fig. 5C illustrates an exemplary retail store environment that facilitates self-checkout. Referring back to fig. 1 and 2, consider an exemplary environment of retail store 102. The user 104 may use an application 108 installed in the communication device 106 to perform self-checkout. The communication device 106 and the server system 118 communicate with each other via a communication network 116. The communication device 106 intercepts at least one digital trigger 105, such as an RFID tag or label, via an RF communication protocol. Consider an example scenario in which a user 104 selects a product 110 from a shelf based on his/her interests while browsing in a retail store 102. The communication device 106 is configured to continuously intercept RF signals generated by the at least one digital trigger 105, the digital trigger 105 being attached to the product 110. The communication device 106 is configured to extract information and digital signature data based on the interception of the RF signal. The extracted information and digital signature data are transmitted to the server system 118. The server system 118 is configured to generate an interest score for each of the one or more products based on the received extracted information and the analysis of the database 128.

The server system 118 uses the interest score for each of the one or more products to determine what the customer or user 104 desires to have in the digital shopping cart to implement the self-checkout process. In one example, if the interest score is high, e.g., 95%, the server system 118 sends instructions to the application 108 to add the corresponding product to a digital shopping cart associated with the application 108. In another example, if the interest score is low, e.g., 35%, then the corresponding product is not added to the digital shopping cart. The values provided in these examples are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting. For example, when the consumer clicks on a checkout options icon (not shown in FIG. 5C) during checkout, the application 108 implements a checkout page e-wallet service, leading to an e-wallet application. For example, the e-wallet application may support credit cards, debit cards, or any form of payment.

Example 4 fig. 5D illustrates an exemplary medication monitoring system for implementing at least one of querying, intercepting, coordinating, or communicating between the transmit-receive unit 206 and the server system 118 or an external device (e.g., RFID reader 114, at least one RFID tag 105), or server system 118 and an external device (as shown in fig. 1 and 2). The communication may enable recommendations to be provided to the user 104. RFID reader 114 may be installed in any suitable location, such as a medical facility, hospital room, home environment, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, a digital trigger 105, such as an RFID tag, is attached to a vial or other form of drug package. The digital trigger 105 includes information about the medicament contained in the bottle or package. This information may include, but is not limited to, drug name, dosage instructions, expiration date, and any other relevant details. The RF signal of at least one digital trigger attached to the vial or package is intercepted by the communication device 106, and the communication device 106 demodulates the received RF signal to extract the information. In addition, the extracted information is transmitted to a server system 118 (shown in fig. 1 and 2). The server system 118 provides recommendations to the communication device 106 through the application 108. The user 104, healthcare provider, caregiver, etc. may review the recommendation to monitor medication compliance. Recommendations may include, for example, sending notifications or reminders to individuals to cause them to take medications on time.

Modifications may be made to the embodiments of the subject matter described above without departing from the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. Expressions such as "comprising," "including," "containing," "having," "being" and the like used to describe and claim the subject matter are intended to be interpreted in a non-exclusive manner, i.e., to allow for items, components, or elements not expressly described to exist as well. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

A transmit-receive unit configured to communicate with a server system and external devices using at least one of a radio frequency (RF) communication protocol, a communication network, or a combination thereof, wherein the transmit-receive unit includes a transmitter and a receiver; and

Software controller,

The software controller is configured to perform at least one of the following: querying, intercepting, coordinating, or communicating between the transmit-receive unit and the server system, or an external device, or between the server system and the external device, by using one or more command signals.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the software controller is integrated with an application program to establish communication with the server system via a communication network using the one or more command signals.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the external device includes at least one digital trigger.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the external device further includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader.

5. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the RFID reader is selected from the group consisting of an Electronic Product Code (EPC) exciter, a handheld reader, and an overhead reader.

6. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one digital trigger comprises at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

7. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the software controller uses the one or more command signals, and the software controller is configured to:

The receiver intercepts one or more radio frequency (RF) signals from the external device.

Demodulate the one or more RF signals to extract information and digital signature data associated with each of the one or more RF signals;

The application uses a communication network to transmit the extracted information related to the external device to the server system.

The application uses a communication network to transmit digital signature data associated with at least one digital trigger to the server system.

The application receives recommendations from the server system via a communication network; and

The received recommendations are displayed on the user interface associated with the communication device.

8. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the one or more RF signals include a query signal and a response signal.

9. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the query signal is generated by an RFID reader, and the response signal is generated by at least one digital trigger in response to the query signal when the RFID reader queries at least one digital trigger.

10. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the software controller is configured as follows:

The read rate count of the at least one digital trigger is determined by measuring the number of times the at least one digital trigger is read by the receiver of the communication device at a specific RF threshold frequency;

Signal strength is determined by measuring the power or amplitude of the RF signal from the at least one digital trigger received by the receiver within a specific time period; and

The digital signature data is generated based on the determined read rate count and signal strength.

11. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the digital signature data includes a read rate count and signal strength associated with the at least one digital trigger, the at least one digital trigger being attached to or attached to the product.

12. The communication device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more command signals include one of the following:

A signal used to convert each of the one or more RF signals between analog and digital.

Used to tune the receiver to receive signals from each of one or more RF signals in one or more target radio frequency bands generated by the queried RFID tag.

Used to capture the signal of each of one or more RF signals in one or more target radio frequency (RF) bands of the queried RFID tag.

The signal used to demodulate each of one or more received RF signals to extract information and digital signature data.

Signals used to transmit extracted information and digital signature data to the server system via a communication network.

Used to receive recommended signals from the server system via a communication network, and

A signal used to perform one of the following: data processing, data storage, data transmission, data reception, data display, and data input, performing a specific function between the communication device and any one or both of the external device and the server system.

13. The communication device according to claim 13, wherein the specific function includes one of the following: modifying the RF threshold frequency of the receiver, performing RF filtering and signal conditioning at a specific frequency under the selected threshold frequency, equalizing and correcting multipath effects, or any combination thereof.

14. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a consumer device, or a user device, or a client device.

15. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, handheld computers, computers, and wearable devices.

16. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the extracted information is associated with a product having at least one digital trigger attached to or installed thereon.

17. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the extracted information includes one of the following: Electronic Product Code (EPC), RFID reader name, command sent to the at least one digital trigger 105, signal strength of the RFID reader, TID (Trade Identifier), product name, product type, product price, production date, item level information, other product-specific information or brand certification information.

18. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the product includes one of the following: electronic products, clothing, pharmaceutical packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceutical containers, food and beverage products or consumer products.

19. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the recommendation includes product price discounts, style options, in-store product inventory, product images, product-related promotions, a product list based on recently viewed online products, notifications, product colors, coupons or other promotional offers, and providing the user with the same or similar product options when the searched product is out of stock.

20. A server system communicatively coupled to a communication device to provide recommendations to a user on the communication device, the server system comprising:

An input/output (I/O) interface configured to communicate with the communication device via a communication network;

Recommendation engine;

processor; and

Memory that is communicatively coupled to the processor

The processor is configured as follows:

Extraction information and digital signature data associated with each of one or more products are received from the software controller via the communication network through an application installed in the communication device.

By accessing the database associated with the server system, each of the one or more products associated with the received extracted information is identified;

The recommendation engine is used to generate recommendations for users in real time; and

The generated recommendations are transmitted to the communication device.

21. The server system of claim 20, wherein each of the one or more products has at least one digital trigger that can be detected by the communication device.

22. The server system of claim 20, wherein the processor is configured to instruct the application to add the one or more products to a digital shopping cart associated with the application based on identifying each of the one or more products using the database, received extraction information, and digital signature data.

23. The server system of claim 20, wherein the database stores at least one of the following: store shelf map information, shelf images with location, geospatial information, user history, store floor images, location of communication devices, electronic product code (EPC) lookup table, information about products sold in the store, and products stored on the shelves.

24. The server system of claim 20, wherein the processor is configured to generate an interest score for each of the one or more products based on analysis of the received digital signature data.

25. The server system of claim 24, wherein the interest score of each of the one or more products is used by the processor to determine what a customer or user expects to have in a digital shopping cart to enable a self-checkout process.

26. The server system of claim 25, wherein the interest score is expressed in numerical or percentage form.

27. The server system of claim 23, wherein the Electronic Product Code (EPC) lookup table includes a plurality of electronic product codes, wherein each of the plurality of electronic product codes corresponds to one of a specific product name, description, price, category, product size, product color, product weight, or a combination thereof.

28. The server system according to claim 20, wherein the database is updated in real time.

29. The server of claim 23, wherein the user history includes one of the following: user purchase history, online browsing data, user preferences, purchase behavior, or items recently viewed online.

30. A system comprising:

The communication device according to any one of claims 1-20; and

The server system according to any one of claims 22-30.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the communication device, the RFID reader and at least one digital trigger are operatively coupled to each other and configured to operate within a specific RF threshold frequency range.