CN1726480A - Electronic shopping information system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic shopping information system (100) assists shoppers (162) in a shopping venue (130). The electronic shopping system (100) may give shoppers (162) directions to desired products, tell shoppers (162) about sale items as they pass through the store aisles (167), and provide electronic coupons based on a preference profile. The shopping information system (100) includes portable electronic handsets (160), called electronic shopping cards (ESC) (160), carried by shoppers (162). The ESC (160), a microprocessor (201) controlled unit with an optical transceiver (203), requests and receives pricing directly from electronic price tags (170). In addition, the optical transceiver (203) can receive data from a central computer via artificial light sources throughout the shopping venue (130). The ESC's (160) may also keep a running total of items in a shopper's shopping cart and optically transmit the total to a check-out device (180) which obviates the need to bar-scan the items.

Description

Electronic shopping information system

1. Technical field

The present invention relates generally to shopping information, and more particularly to a computer-based system for assisting shoppers in locating products in a shopping location, providing shoppers with useful product information, and providing a method for enabling checkout Enhanced system for process automation.

2. Background technology

Today's retail stores, especially supermarkets, compete fiercely to attract shoppers to their stores. One mode of attraction is by saving shoppers effort in two areas, which in most cases are: time and money.

Most modern retail stores today use point of sale (POS) systems to provide better and faster service to shoppers. POS systems typically have one or more automated checkout terminals capable of sensing and interpreting a barcode printed on each item of merchandise to be checked out. Included in the barcode is a Stock keeping unit (SKU) code for the item. Each checkout terminal is connected to a computer for processing the SKU information. The computer's database includes a listing of merchandise items in the store, a SKU for each item and various types of information including price and availability information associated with each SKU. When shoppers are ready to make a purchase, store clerks simply use automated terminals to sense the barcodes on each shopper's selected item. The computer interprets the SKUs contained in the barcode, looks up the price of each item, and saves the current total purchased.

It is up to the store to save shoppers money by offering low prices on specific merchandise items. To notify shoppers of such sales, stores advertise by direct mail, radio, television and/or newspapers, and often offer coupons with promotional items. Furthermore, within the store itself, signage on shelves and shopping trolleys, as well as bold pricing indicators on products for sale, are designed to grab the shopper's attention and make him or her buy what is on sale. However, existing systems and programs designed to enable shoppers to save time and money leave much to be desired. For example, despite the improvements in speeding up the checkout process brought about by POS systems, the checkout process remains a bottleneck in the eyes of most shoppers.

Furthermore, although POS systems help shoppers speed up the checkout process, they do not help reduce the time spent during the shopping pass. While in the store, shoppers also spend a significant amount of time trying to locate the desired item to purchase. Although in many supermarkets, signs throughout the store give shoppers general directions as to the location of various products, these signs cannot give shoppers precise location and orientation information for specific products. Thus, many shoppers will walk around the aisles trying to locate the item he or she wants to purchase.

A further shortcoming of the current system is that shoppers often do not get the full benefit of the savings offered by the store. Despite the advertisements and signs within the store, it is difficult for shoppers to walk up to it without knowing that the item for sale is for sale. Even if a shopper attempts to purchase an item advertised as for sale, when the item is scanned during checkout, the price charged to the shopper will sometimes not reflect the selling price and will go unnoticed by the shopper. Therefore, there is a need for a shopping information system that will help shoppers save time and money and provide convenience to shoppers during shopping.

The present invention relates to an electronic shopping information system for use in shopping places such as supermarkets to help shoppers save time and money when shopping. The electronic shopping system can provide shoppers with navigational directions to various products in a shopping location based on the shopper's current location, and can also provide shoppers with store information, such as notifications, as the shopper traverses a store aisle The shopper's information on sale items, and the shopper's electronic discount coupons are provided to the shopper based on the shopper's preference profile.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the shopping information system includes a portable electronic handset carried by shoppers, called electronic shopping card (electronic shopping card-ESC). The ESC is a microprocessor controlled unit and includes an optical transceiver configured to request and receive pricing information directly from electronic price tags associated with store items when requested by a shopper. In addition to requesting and receiving pricing data, the optical transceiver provides the ability to receive the aforementioned location and shopper information data from a central computer via multiple artificial light sources located throughout the shopping location. The light source is adapted to optically transmit location data and store information, in addition to performing conventional lighting functions.

The ESC device also includes an item profile database comprising at least an item profile table configured to include an identification mark, such as a brand name, category name, etc., for each item of merchandise sold in the store, and also includes Location information for each store item. If a shopper requests to locate a particular item, the request is processed by the ESC's control unit whereby the ESC uses the location information component from the item profile database and the location information sent via the light source to calculate the location of the item. and display the calculated directional route and/or navigation map to the shopper in response to the requested item. Alternatively, the ESC may use synthesized speech to provide the shopper with the calculated directional route.

In accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, an automated checkout device for use at a checkout register is configured to wirelessly receive shopper pricing information stored on an ECS for items in a shopper's cart, and thereby No more barcode scanning of cart items. This can save time in particular.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the shopping location includes a shopper profile database including at least a shopper preference table configured to include a shopper's identification indicia and shopper preference data such as Snacks, beverages, condiments and cereal preferences, etc. Shopper preference data is sent from the shopper profile database to the ESC device via the registration device when the shopper enters the store.

The shopping information system provides shoppers with many benefits, including: by recording the price sent by the electronic price tag light mode when the item is selected by the shopper, there is no need for price scanning at the checkout register; items on shelves; and providing shoppers with electronic coupons and supplemental product information based on shopper preference profiles.

In addition, the shopping information system provides a number of benefits for retail chains, including: (1) reduced labor costs by enabling shoppers to facilitate self-checkout; to reduce coupon distribution costs; (2) to reduce checkout time by eliminating scanning at the checkout register to increase shopper satisfaction; to reduce the look-up time shoppers spend trying to locate specific items on shelves and to Effort to expend on products of interest to the shopper is also saved. Further benefits include increased sales from electronic coupons based on shopper preferences.

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more apparent and more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the general layout of a communication scheme using a data link provided by a modulated fluorescence system;

Figure 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a typical ESC device carried by a user of the shopping information system of the present invention according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the shopping information system of the present invention.

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

The present invention will be described for a shopping information system in a shopping place. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be utilized in any data collection environment where portable data collection terminals are used to transfer data from a central host to end users.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the invention and its novel use in a shopping location 130 . Shopping location 130 includes a series of shelves 165 on which store items (ie, products) are stocked. Between the shelves 165 is an entry area or aisle 167 . The aisle 167 allows people to access objects on the shelf 165 . People/shoppers 162 traverse aisles 167 to select objects from shelves 165 . Stores like this are well known. For example, any retail or wholesale type store will store objects on shelves 165 with aisle access, as shown. Objects may include food, canned goods, produce, bags, hardware, lumber, houseware, and any other item that is sold and can be carried on a cart or container.

In addition to the conventional aspects of FIG. 1 , there is shown an information shopping system of the present invention, generally designated 100 . System 100 includes a control center (ie, central host) 110 that includes store computers 120 and a database 122 for storing at least shopper preference data. The store computer 120 will control the data link that can send the optically encoded data to be delivered to (see arrow 52) a mobile handheld unit that is worn by the shopper 162. ESC 160 carried when passing aisle 167 in a shopping location. The data link is implemented by a fluorescent lighting system 140 consisting of a plurality of fluorescent lighting sources or illuminators 141 . One method for transmitting data via a fluorescent ballast is described in US Patent 5,838,116 "Fluorescent Light Ballast with Information Transmission Circuitry" issued November 17, 1998 by Katyl et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The data to be transmitted is generated at the computer 120 and connected to the input data port on the ballast 143 of the fluorescent illuminator 141 . The emitted light (shown by arrow 52) is modulated in the following manner to send data from the lamp in the fluorescent illuminator 141 to the ESC device 160, which preferably carries the shopper walking around the shopping location 130 162 people.

A. Electronic shopping card

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a typical ESC device 160 carried by a user of a shopping information system, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the ESC device 160 includes an ESC control unit 201 . The control unit 201 may comprise any standard processing system such as a CPU. The control unit 201 allows centralized control of other components as described below, as well as general operating conditions of the ESC device 160, data and power checks, compatibility checks, etc., as the case may be.

Shown separate from the controller 201 is a storage unit 211 , although it could be incorporated into the same unit as the control unit 201 . The storage unit 211 allows long or short term storage of data received eg via the optical transponder 203 to be described. Memory control, management and forwarding may be controlled by the control unit 201 . The storage unit 211 may suitably include a small-sized hard disk drive, a PCMCIA programmable memory card, a combination of a large-capacity flexible media cassette tape and a floppy disk drive, a FROM (flash ROM) array, an SRAM or DRAM memory chip, and the like.

ESC device 160 also comprises: voice storage unit 205, is used for storing predetermined voice data; Speech synthesizer 207, is used for converting the store information that sends from described central computer; And speaker 209 (or earphone), is used for outputting voice signal.

The ESC device 160 also includes an optical transponder 203 for performing receiving and transmitting functions for sending/receiving data associated with the shopping experience. The receive (RX) functions performed by the ESC unit 160 include: the ability to receive optically encoded data from a plurality of fluorescent illuminators 141 distributed throughout the shopping location 130; the ability to receive pricing information; and the ability to receive shopper preference data from a registration device 190 located at the entrance of shopping location 130 . The transmit (TX) function performed by ESC device 160 includes the ability to send a pricing request for each store item to any of a plurality of electronic price tags 170 located on each shelf 165 throughout shopping location 130; The checkout device 180 at the store exit sends pricing information for purchased store items as part of the automated checkout process. The checkout process is described below.

The ECS device 160 also includes a display 213 for displaying information to the shopper 162 . For example, display 213 may present navigation data (instructions) for locating store items, navigation maps for the same purpose, electronic coupon information, store specials, and other data in accordance with the present invention, as will be further described below. Display 213 may comprise any unit capable of displaying information, such as a VGA or SVGA liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and LED display screen, or any other suitable display device. Pressure sensitive (touch screen) technology may be incorporated into display 213 so that a user may access ECS device 160 by simply touching certain portions of the screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the ESC device 160 also has a limited number of activation buttons 215, 217, 219 and 221 for performing various user functions, such as a "price-request" key Pricing information is requested in the electronic price tag associated with each item purchased, the "plus" key 217 for "adding" the item selected by the shopper 162 to the list of purchased items, the "minus" key 219 for removing the item from the purchased list "Delete" the previously selected item, which will be returned to the store shelf, and the "equal sign" key 221 for displaying the total cost of the selected purchased item.

Preferably, the ECS 160 includes power management/distributed power management (not shown) for ensuring that the power is used at least as efficiently as possible for the portable components, thereby ensuring that the full life of the power is obtained. In particular, where the terminal is able to use different components to perform different tasks, it is preferable to optimize the power demand by distributing the power usage of each component with respect to each component individually adjusted to meet the necessary power requirements.

Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will readily appreciate that various modifications can be made to the specific embodiments illustrated herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, numeric or alphanumeric buttons or a keypad scheme may be provided in conjunction with the display 213 in order to define input means.

B. System operation

The interactive shopping information system 100 according to the inventive solution is especially useful in the food market, so the supermarket can utilize all the beneficial features of the system 100. Accordingly, the inventive solution is described in such a context. However, this example should not be construed as limiting.

A supermarket application of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, as represented by shopping location 130 of FIG. To use the system 100, a shopper 162 entering the supermarket environment 300 first comes to the check-in counter 190, which is preferably located near the entrance 195 of the supermarket. The supermarket 300 automatically provides a plurality of portable ESC devices 160 stored at convenient access locations near the check-in counter 190 . The shopper 162 selects an ESC device 160 from the check-in counter area 190 for use while shopping. After selecting the ESC device 160 , the shopper will scan a personal identification card with stored identification data, such as a supermarket loyalty card at a check-in device 191 located at or near a check-in counter 190 . The registration device 191 reads the information stored on the supermarket loyalty card and checks it with the central computer 120 to confirm whether the corresponding shopper data file exists and authorizes the shopper to use the system 100 . Once approved by the system, the identification data stored on the shopper loyalty card is uploaded to the central host 120 to obtain shopper preference data from the shopper preference database 122 associated with the central computer (host) 110. Once the shopper preference data is obtained, it is forwarded from the check-in counter 191 to the shopper's ESC device 160 via optical transmission. In addition to shopper preference data, electronic coupons may be forwarded to ESC device 160 for products included in shopper preference database 122 .

As the shopper 162 moves around the shopping location 130, the fluorescent illuminator 141 broadcasts store information to the ESC device 160 about products available for purchase at the location of the ESC device 160, such as store specials and the like. In addition to store information, the fluorescent illuminator 141 optically transmits location data to the ESC device 160 . Use the location data to provide appropriate directions or location markers for selected items based on the shopper's current location, for example, to locate the next item on a particular, shopper's shopping list when requested by the shopper, or to provide Appropriate directional or location markers for featured supplemental items as suggested by the shopper's personal shopping history as defined in the shopper preference database 122 . In this case, shopper 162 may use speaker 209 to request the location of a particular store item via a voice command. The request is processed by the ESC control unit 201, and using a locally stored map of the supermarket 130, the ESC 162 displays on the display device 213 a text string for locating directions to the requested product, and/or describing how to navigate through the store aisles. A map that locates the requested store item.

As a further feature of the present invention, by positioning the ESC device 160 near the electronic price tag 170 associated with each store item, and pressing the "Price Check" button 215 on the ESC device 160, the price from the electronic price tag 170 is initiated. Data transfer request of pricing information to ESC device 160 so that pricing information for any store item can be easily obtained by ESC device 160. In response to a "price check" request, electronic price tag 170 will forward the requested data to ESC device 160 . The "price check" request/response process is enabled by short-distance bi-directional optical transmissions enabled by human intervention by the shopper.

In addition to having the ability to perform a "price check," in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the ESC device 160 also allows the shopper 162 to add to his or her shopping list by selecting the "plus" key 217 located on the ESC keypad. The cart adds items, returns to a previously selected item by selecting the "minus" key 219, or provides the shopper 162 with the current total for the selected product. The shopper can have the current total cost of all selected items, as well as an indication of current savings, displayed as a default or on demand. The current total cost display may be part of the screen display. The current total cost can also be given audibly, for example after each item is selected, or on demand.

A key feature of the present invention is the method for effectuating payment for the purchase of store items at checkout. When shopper 162 finishes shopping, shopper 162 comes to checkout stand 180 , which includes means for transferring the stored price from ESC device 160 to checkout stand 180 . In this way, there is no wait time associated with conventional point-of-sale (POS) systems that require each item to be scanned and recorded. Significant time savings can be achieved in this regard. After the total is shown to the shopper 162, the shopper 162 can be asked if it is time to pay for the object/item carried in the cart. Shopper 162 may pay for purchased items in conventional ways, such as by using a credit card or other bill payment device.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are intended to be presently contemplated by applicants as preferred embodiments of the invention. From the examples described herein, it will be apparent to anyone skilled in the relevant art that various modifications to the described preferred embodiment can be made without departing from the invention. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment has been described in the context of a supermarket application, the system may be used in any type of retail application. For example, in a hardware store (eg, a home depot), an electronic shopping card can be used to provide information regarding the location of various store items and pricing information for a number of items for sale by simply interrogating electronic price tags. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary in nature and are not intended to represent every possible embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. A handheld electronic shopping device (160), comprising: a processor (201) configured to use location data received from the remote store computer (120) and pre-stored item location information to calculate the distance and direction of the store item relative to the shopper's (162) current location; a storage device (211) coupled to the processor (201) operable to store an item database comprising pre-stored item location information; a display (213) controlled by said processor (201) operable to display information; Haptic activated inputs (215, 217, 219, 221); a voice user interface (205, 207, 209), operatively coupled to said processor (201), for receiving spoken queries and commands and providing audible responses; and An optical transceiver (203) coupled to the processor (201) for communicating with a remote store computer (120) and one of a plurality of store electronic price tags (170). 2. The handheld electronic shopping device (160) of claim 1, wherein the voice user interface (205, 207, 209) includes a microphone and speaker (209) built into the device. 3. The handheld electronic shopping device (160) of claim 1, wherein said storage device (211) is further operable to store location data and store information data received from said remote store computer (120) and from Product pricing data received by a plurality of store electronic price tags (170). 4. The handheld electronic shopping device (160) of claim 3, wherein the shopper convenience data includes electronic product coupons, product sales information, and product market information. 5. The mobile electronic shopping device (160) of claim 1, wherein displaying information includes displaying navigational information to guide the shopper (162) from a current location to a desired store item, and/or in combination with all Displayed navigation information to display a store map on the display unit. 6. The mobile electronics shopping device of claim 1, wherein the tactile activation input (215, 217, 219, 221) comprises at least one of a touch display screen and a plurality of buttons. 7. A system (100) for providing shopping information to shoppers (162) in a shopping location (130), said system (100) comprising: (a) a central processing unit (120) associated with said shopping location (130), configured to: 1. Generate location data; 2. Generate store information data; and 3. Maintain a shopper profile database (110); (b) a plurality of data distribution lighting elements (141) coupled to said processor (120) and adapted to optically transmit said location from said processor (120) throughout said shopping location (130) data and shopper convenience data; (c) a plurality of wireless devices (160), each device (160) comprising an optical transceiver (203) configured to receive said optically transmitted location from said plurality of data distribution light emitting elements (141) data and shopper convenience data sent by said optical means; and (d) a plurality of electronic price indicia (170) configured to optically transmit pricing information to said plurality of wireless devices (160) in response to said plurality of wireless devices (160) initiating product pricing requests. 8. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the plurality of wireless devices (160) are further configured to receive pricing data in response to the wireless devices (160) initiating the product pricing request. 9. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the shopper profile database (110) includes at least a shopper preference table configured to include: a shopper's identification token for identifying the shopper when the shopper enters the shopping location; and Shopper preference data relating at least in part to the shopper's previous purchase history includes at least one shopper product preference indicia in each of the plurality of product categories. 10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising registration means (190) for sending a shopper identification token to said central processing unit (120) and for receiving a shopper identification token from said central processing unit (120) ) receives shopper preference data and resends the received shopper preference data to one of the plurality of wireless devices (160) at a shopper check-in time. 11. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the shopping location (130) is associated with a merchant. 12. A method for providing shopping information to a shopper (162) at a shopping location (162), comprising the steps of: (a) issuing a wireless device (160) to the shopper (162) when the shopper (162) enters said shopping location (130); (b) obtaining a shopper identification token from said shopper (160) when said shopper enters said shopping location (160); (c) using the obtained shopper identification token to obtain shopper profile information from a database (110) associated with said shopping location (130); (d) optically transmitting store information and location data to said shopper's wireless device (160); and (e) Initiating by the shopper (162) an interrogation signal to be sent by the wireless device (160), the interrogation signal interrogating the electronic a price tag (170) to obtain pricing data for said store item; and (f) obtaining said pricing data from said electronic price tag (170) in response to said electronic inquiry. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the store information optically transmitted to the shopper (162) in said step (d) is based on said shopper profile information. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step (f) of obtaining said pricing data is performed by said shopper (162) by making appropriate keystrokes (215, 217, 219, 221) and select one of the appropriate keys from the touch screen display to initiate. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: storing pricing data in the wireless device (160) for items the shopper (162) is considering purchasing as the shopper (162) walks around the shopping location (130); processing, in said wireless device (130), stored pricing data for each of said items under consideration for purchase to define a total cost; and The total charge is forwarded from the wireless device (16) to a checkout station (180).

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