HK1104640A - A shopping system and method - Google Patents

Description

Shopping system and method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for stimulating shoppers to purchase products. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with providing a shopping list or coupon with different product promotion activities to directly advertise those products and to stimulate shopper purchases.

Background

Generally, there are 15000 to 50000 kinds of products sold in retail locations such as supermarkets. It is difficult and expensive to make sales promotions for such a large number of items. Conventional advertising methods include in-store advertising, delivery of coupons at the checkout, media broadcasts, and the like. However, a certain class of people is usually interested in only one product, and thus these advertising means are not necessarily effective.

In-store advertising becomes a store's "wallpaper" over time and is ignored by consumers.

The traditional coupon advertising method is wasteful and expensive, and because it is dispensed at the checkout, it does not immediately stimulate the purchase, and it is likely that the consumer will forget the next time he or she makes a purchase.

A coupon is typically an offer that can be redeemed at a particular location. Most commonly, the price of the product is reduced, for example, 1 yuan is subtracted from the purchase price of a certain product, and another product is given after one product is purchased.

Typically, a user presents a printed coupon personally at a particular location, such as a checkout counter at which customers of a supermarket or other store pay for products purchased.

One problem associated with issuing coupons is deciding which consumers to issue. Sometimes, coupons are delivered to consumers who are not interested in the product on the coupon, and thus the coupon is wasted and does not receive the advertising effect expected by providing the coupon.

Another problem is the handling and management of coupons. Since physical coupons are presented at the checkout of the store, they need to be collected in order to redeem the coupon value with the advertiser. This typically requires that the coupon be sent to a designated coupon clearing house that collects administrative coupons and charges the products involved in the event.

Coupons are typically printed on paper, however, in this specification the term "coupon" refers to any instrument that provides a certain benefit to the consumer. The coupon may thus be paper or may be a virtual coupon, like a display on a video screen, such as a computer display, or a mobile phone, or others.

The advertising method of the conventional media broadcasting also has problems of high cost and time difference between the viewing of the promotional offer and the actual purchase.

Modern segment media has a lower coverage, fewer numbers, and a higher area factor than mainstream media. Today, it is necessary to cover a wide range of shoppers with multimedia strategies. Furthermore, as modern society becomes an overly communicative environment, the challenges of attention have led to stimulus overload and shutdown or selective hold. Traditional media also addresses the challenges of other modern interference such as internet, mobile phone, text messaging, etc., and thus traditional media advertising is less effective.

Modern people are time-stressed. It is not sufficient to provide only a variety of goods or products in a shopping environment. In a typical modern supermarket, a typical shopper walks through 300 products every 10 seconds. The problem today is no longer to offer more options, but how the retailer in this case helps the shopper decide what products to buy and win their loyalty.

Disclosure of Invention

The shopping system of the present invention comprises:

(a) an input device for receiving input to identify a shopper;

(b) a shopper database for storing data regarding shopper shopping characteristics;

(c) a processor for generating a shopping guide for the shopper, the shopping guide containing items deemed to be of interest to the shopper based on relevant information in a shopper database, the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation and regional demographic characteristics;

(d) an output device for outputting a shopping inducement for the shopper.

Thus, the present invention enables the generation of specific shopping inducements for each shopper, including the products that he is believed to be interested in. Thus, a particular product may be advertised by shopping inducement in the manner described above, or by a particular promotional means, including discounts, or additional offers associated with purchasing a particular product.

The invention is more targeted to consumers, based on attitude segmentation not only shopping history, but also the possibility of judging the products which are not bought before, and regional demographic characteristics. In this way, future consumers may be selected and targeted to represent market opportunities based on their perspective, such as how they see the attributes and benefits of different brands.

Moreover, shopping inducements may be generated when shoppers begin shopping, and thus, this approach is more relevant to shoppers about to begin shopping than if the playout of the large-scale media advertisement was a significant period of time before the shopping campaign began.

In one implementation example, the shopper database is contained in a processor. But in other instances the database may be separate from the processor or comprise a completely separate processor.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor comprises a first processor located at the central station and a second processor located at the retail terminal. Thus, the retail terminal operating the shopping system has its own processor, and the system also includes a communication link connecting the first and second processors.

Preferably, the shopper database comprises a customer database in the first processor and a store database in the second processor.

Preferably, the first processor comprises a retail EPOS server.

Preferably, the first processor comprises a retail centre server.

In one embodiment, the first processor is used to generate and manage offers applicable to all shoppers and offers applicable to a particular shopper, and may also be used to generate shoppers applicable to a particular offer.

Preferably, the input device comprises a card reader for reading a card owned by the shopper to thereby identify the shopper.

Preferably, the card reader is connected to a store database to provide data relating to shoppers to the store database.

In one embodiment, the output device is a printer coupled to the second processor for providing the printed form of shopping inducement.

Preferably, the store database is connected to the retail EPOS server to provide it with data identifying shoppers and items on the shopping inducements made for them.

Preferably, the second input device is connected to the retail EPOS server for receiving input identifying the shopper so that items purchased on the preferential shopping inducement are provided to the shopper as the shopping inducement passes through the checkout station.

Preferably, the retail centre server is adapted to receive information on the shopping characteristics of the shoppers, and is connected to a customer database in which the shopping characteristics of each shopper are stored.

The shopping inducements may be printed lists of purchased items or may be coupons.

The invention relates to a shopping method, which comprises the following steps:

(a) receiving an input to identify a shopper;

(b) providing a shopper database storing data regarding shopper shopping characteristics;

(c) generating a shopping guide for the shopper, the shopping guide containing items deemed to be of interest to the shopper based on relevant information in a shopper database, the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation and demographic characteristics; and

(d) outputting the shopping inducement to the shopper.

In one embodiment, the present invention also encompasses generating offers applicable to all shoppers and offers applicable to a particular shopper, as well as generating shoppers applicable to a particular offer.

Preferably, the method further comprises providing data identifying the customer and providing a shopping incentive to the checkout station such that items purchased by the shopper in association with the shopping list may be provided in accordance with the shopping list as the shopper passes through the checkout station.

In one embodiment, the shopping inducement includes a printed shopping list.

In another embodiment the shopping inducements include coupons.

The invention may relate to a system for providing coupons to consumers comprising:

an input device for receiving input to identify a consumer;

a shopper database for storing characteristics about consumer purchases, the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation and demographic characteristics;

a processor that determines which consumers will receive the coupons;

an output device for outputting the coupon for the consumer.

Thus, with the system according to the invention, it is possible to decide which consumers get coupons based on the characteristics of the consumers and the characteristics of the offers, so that the offers are relevant to the persons who get the coupons. The result is a more targeted offer, a greater likelihood of benefit from the coupon being accepted by the person who obtains the offer, and an advertising awareness to the party who provides the offer.

Preferably, the system further comprises a second processor for electronically providing details of the offer on the coupon provided to the consumer, such that when the consumer makes a payment at the checkout, the product on the coupon purchased by the consumer is provided in accordance with the coupon.

In this way, the consumer may receive a price discount on the associated item, receive other benefits, and offer a product at the checkout, or otherwise.

In one embodiment of the invention, the input device includes a card reader for reading a card owned by the consumer and identifying the consumer. There may be data on the card that identifies the consumer by a personal code or other data.

The card may be a smart card or a common card with a magnetic stripe.

In one embodiment of the invention, the database is located within a central station and the processor is the first processor of the central station. The first processor receives the information from the database and processes the data to generate a targeted coupon list.

Preferably, the second processor is located at a retail terminal that receives the list of coupons and is coupled to an output device to enable the consumer to be provided with the coupons.

In one embodiment, the output device may include a printer for printing the coupon based on the consumer entering information into the input device to determine the identity of the consumer.

In another embodiment, the output device includes an EPOS at a checkout in the store for providing coupons to be redeemed by the consumer the next time they come to the store.

In one embodiment of the invention, a retail terminal has a plurality of said input devices and a plurality of said output devices. In this way, a consumer may obtain a coupon containing all of the products customized for him or her at various locations in the store, or a coupon containing only products in the vicinity of the input-output device, to provide more interaction for those products and the issuance of the coupon.

In other embodiments, the output device may include other devices, such as providing coupons to consumers by sending text messages or by calling a cell phone.

Preferably, the database further stores information identifying stores frequented by the consumer, the first processor transmitting the coupon manifest to a second processor at the frequented store.

Most preferably, the database is provided in the first processor, the processor determines which products are to be included in the coupon, those consumers will receive the coupon, and the application server generates a list of coupons to be delivered to the second processor.

Preferably, the second server is located in each store where the system is enabled and includes a database that receives the list of coupons from the first server and controls the output device to provide the coupons to the consumer.

The invention also relates to a method of providing a coupon to a consumer, the method comprising:

identifying a consumer;

generating a coupon for the identified consumer based on data in the database (the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation and demographic characteristics); and

the coupon is output to the consumer.

In one embodiment of the invention, a card reader is used to read a card owned by a consumer and identify the consumer. The card may include data identifying the consumer by a personal code or other data.

In one embodiment of the invention, a database of consumer characteristics is maintained at the central location, and the method further comprises processing the data in the database to generate a coupon list including desired products based on information about the shopping characteristics stored in the database.

Preferably, the method further comprises receiving a coupon list at the retail terminal, processing the list and information identifying the consumer, and providing an indication that the consumer received the coupon.

In another embodiment, instructions are provided at the EPOS checkout of the store for the consumer to receive the sample.

In other embodiments, this indication may include other methods, such as sending text messages to a cell phone or making a phone call to provide a coupon to the consumer.

Preferably, the method further comprises identifying stores that the consumer frequently shops and passing the sample list through.

Most preferably, the processing at the central station is performed by a first processor, which includes the database, a server that determines which products the coupon advertises and consumers receive free samples, and an application server that generates and passes to a second processor a coupon list.

Preferably, the processing at the retail terminal is performed by a second server, which includes receiving the coupon list from the first server and controlling a database of output devices to provide the coupons to the consumers.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to coupon issuance management to reduce the workload on coupon collection and to charge fees to parties associated with the promotional measures offered to consumers on coupons.

This aspect of the invention relates to a system for providing coupons to consumers comprising:

a processor to:

generating a coupon and providing the coupon to the consumer;

details of the offers are electronically provided to the redemption station on the coupon such that when the consumer accepts the offers on the coupon at the redemption station, the consumer receives the offers, and

details of accepted offers are provided electronically on the coupon so that merchants promoting on the coupon may be charged a fee in terms of the amount used by the consumer.

Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, it is not necessary to collect coupons for settlement at a clearing house or to charge advertisers or the like for promotions on the coupons. Thus, at least the cost of shipping the coupon is saved, and infrastructure at the coupon clearing house is reduced, if not eliminated.

In one embodiment, the processor comprises a store server that generates coupons for delivery to consumers, an EPOS checkout terminal that receives from the server the coupon details of a particular consumer's coupon (the terminal forming a redemption station and processing the coupon's offer on the basis of the product purchased by the consumer at the checkout terminal), and another processor that electronically receives the coupon details provided to the consumer for charging the merchant for the offer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises an input device for identifying the consumer.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises an output device for providing the coupon to the consumer.

Preferably the processor comprises a first processor having a database storing consumer characteristics such that a coupon with an offer directed to a consumer can be generated from information in the database for that consumer.

In this way, the consumer may enjoy a price discount on the associated item, receive a benefit or product at a checkout or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, the input device is a card reader for reading a card owned by the consumer and identifying the consumer. There may be data on the card that identifies the consumer by a personal code or other data.

The card may be a smart card or a common card with a magnetic stripe.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first processor is located within the central station. The first processor receives the information from the database and processes the data to generate a targeted coupon list.

Preferably, the processor further comprises a second processor located at the retail terminal for receiving the coupon list, which is coupled to the output device to enable it to provide the coupon to the consumer.

In one embodiment, the output device may include a printer for printing the coupon based on the consumer identity known from the input device.

In another embodiment, the output device may include an EPOS checkout in the store for providing coupons to be redeemed by the consumer the next time they come to the store.

In other embodiments, the output device may include other devices, such as devices that provide coupons to consumers by sending text messages or by calling a cell phone.

Preferably, the database also stores information identifying stores frequented by consumers, and preferably, the first processor transmits the coupon manifest to a second processor at the frequented store.

A second aspect of the invention also relates to a method of providing coupons to consumers comprising:

generating and providing coupons to consumers;

details of the offers are electronically provided to the redemption station on the coupon such that the consumer receives the offers on the coupon at the redemption station.

Details of accepted offers are provided electronically on the coupon so that merchants promoting on the coupon may be charged a fee in terms of the amount used by the consumer.

Preferably, the coupon is provided to the consumer by a server which also electronically provides coupon details to an EPOS checkout terminal, which includes a redemption station that processes the sale of one consumer according to the details on the coupon and electronically provides details of the accepted offer to another processor so that it can charge the participant according to the amount spent by the consumer.

Preferably, coupons are generated and provided according to data in a database storing consumer characteristics, the offers on such coupons being targeted selections in the database regarding his data.

Preferably, the method further comprises identifying the consumer in order to generate a coupon associated with the particular consumer.

Preferably, the method comprises receiving data from a database and processing the data to generate a targeted coupon list, transmitting it to a retail outlet, and printing it in accordance with consumer information identified therein.

Preferably, the method further comprises identifying stores that the consumer frequently visits for purchase, so as to communicate the targeted list to the store associated with the particular consumer.

The present invention also provides a shopping system comprising:

a plurality of shopping terminals;

an input device for receiving input identifying a shopper;

a store database at each shopping terminal;

an output device that outputs the shopping inducements to the shopper;

a central processing section connected to each store database via a communication link remote from the shopping terminal, the central database containing customer data regarding shopping characteristics;

a processor at the central processing portion for processing the information in the databases, generating a shopping inducement, and transmitting it to the respective databases of the respective stores through the communication link; and

wherein the identity of the shopper is recognized via the input device and a shopping incentive associated therewith is generated via the output device to induce the shopper to purchase the item thereon.

Preferably, a store processor is located at each shopping terminal for managing the store database, providing data to the center of items purchased by the shopper, stored in the customer database.

Preferably, the processor of the central portion comprises a server with a retailer inventory system and its database.

Preferably, the store retail outlet is a physical store, the input device and the output device being located at each store.

The invention also provides a shopping method, which comprises the following steps:

receiving data from an input device for identifying a shopper;

providing a store database located at each of a plurality of shopping terminals;

outputting a shopping inducement to the shopper;

providing a central processing portion remotely located from the shopping terminal and connected to each store database by a communication link, the central database containing customer data relating to shopping characteristics;

processing the information in the databases at the central processing portion to generate a shopping guide and transmitting it to the databases of the stores via the communication link; and

wherein the identity of the shopper is recognized via the input device and a shopping incentive associated therewith is generated via the output device to induce the shopper to purchase the item thereon.

Preferably, the method further comprises providing a store processor at each shopping terminal for managing a store database, providing data to the center of items purchased by the shopper for storage in the customer database.

Preferably, the processor of the central portion comprises a server with a retailer inventory system and its database.

Preferably, the shopping terminal is a physical store, and the input and output device is located in each store.

Drawings

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system architecture according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating inputting shopper data to the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the generation of a promotional program according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a user interface of the system of FIG. 1; and

fig. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a shopping system, as will be apparent with reference to a shopping method according to a preferred embodiment.

The system of FIG. 1 includes a processor P1 at a central station that is connected via a communication link 111 to store processors P2 (only one shown) at the retailer's premises.

The processor P1 is programmed with a promotion application, schematically indicated at 101 and a target application, schematically indicated at 103 in fig. 1. The processor P1 may also be comprised of the customer database 102 and the retailer hub server 108.

Software 101 is used for promotions for both general and targeted consumers. The full promotion is applicable to all shoppers using the system, and the targeted promotion is applicable to a particular group of shoppers using the system. For example, a targeted promotion may be targeted for women with children aged 0 to 5 years.

In this way, the promotion software 101 generates a variety of promotions that are offered at a particular retail terminal to shoppers using the system. To generate these promotions, a set of promotions is entered into the software 101 by the central authority running the system, which generates the required promotion files. The promotion files in XML format are uploaded from the software 101 to the store database 104 over a suitable communication link, which may be a dedicated line, the internet, a wide area network 120, or the like. Preferably using file transfer protocols over wide area networks. The promotional offers generated by software 101 may be the same for each store using the system, and may vary depending on the characteristics of the store, the location, the type of crowd shopping there from, etc.

Customer database 102 contains data regarding the identity of each shopper, such as a personal identification number, account number, or any other suitable identification data, as well as data regarding the characteristics of his shopping. These characteristics include personal data such as whether the shopper is male, female, age group, and also specific characteristics about what type of product the shopper is interested in.

Thus, the database contains data regarding past shopping behavior of the consumer, including attitude segmentation, regional demographics, and other categories for classifying the consumer. The benefit of including attitude separation is that data can be provided for the general attitude of the consumer. This makes it possible to select and target future customers based on their viewpoints, such as how they see brand advertisements and the attitude and benefits of how these representatives have a marketing opportunity. In this way, products that would otherwise not be purchased or entirely new products can be targeted to certain consumers based on consumer point-of-view analysis and analysis of what they might purchase in terms of their attitudes. Similarly, consumers can also be separated by different attitudes, interests, opinions and lifestyles, which is somewhat more targeted than simply relying on past shopping history. Regional demographics also distinguish consumers by family size, education, where people work and live, etc., and are more targeted than simply relying on past shopping history. Thus, the present embodiment has better flexibility due to the utilization of data such as shopping behavior, attitude, lifestyle, psychographic, regional demographic characteristics, or the like, or a combination thereof, and is more targeted with the development of the selection category, because the more appropriate the selection criteria, the more stringent and more accurate the targeting is. In addition, the scope of target selection is known and compliance criteria are predetermined so that the cost, opportunity, and competitive opportunity for promotion is more clearly understood. Therefore, the target pair can be increased or decreased according to the expansion or reduction of the target range. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, data mining, business analytics intelligence tools, and strategic policy development are much more expensive, and the data obtained to generate targeted populations and to reach stores that identify shoppers conforms to the targeted consumer population's shopping list or shopping coupon. Moreover, the integrated shopping list and coupon system may provide a combination of situations. For example, if a coupon is issued at a shopping mall or shelf-side kiosk, it may be a conditional issue, the condition being that a shopping list is enabled. For example, the shopper may be required to engage both shopping lists and coupons to obtain greater discounts or offers, maximizing the sales promotion of the merchant. For example, if a product is purchased, it is provided with a shopping list of specific offers and coupons for further offers, such as a product that is reduced by a dollar amount. The subject system also supports cash back, i.e., the shopper receives cash with a cash back ticket the next time he purchases an item, at which time the purchase is induced to be a cash back ticket. The coupon advance determination may be provided as part of a shopping list or coupon so that the shopper may redeem the coupon and shopping list at the store entrance or kiosk after accumulating a certain amount.

Data about a shopper is provided to customer database 102 from a retail center server 108 that receives the data as the user joins. Central server 108 manages retailer database 121, which contains customer data originally provided from input 110 and from telephone center 109. The central server 108 also manages a retailer inventory system 111 that provides product data to the customer database 102.

Retailers can provide protection and security to their databases 104. The customer database 102 receives information from the retailer inventory system 111 and the store database 104 and reassembles the information into a data structure that can be used for analysis and targeting for the operating system. To protect privacy, the data from the retailer does not contain the customer's name and address. Retailer inventory system 111 contains product description, EAN barcode for the store, and long-term sales records since several years. The customer database 102 is matched and merged with the product data of the retailer inventory system 111 by customer identity and recent shopping. The distribution data is periodically updated and loaded.

Software 101 supports a number of different sales promotion approaches including simple discount, buying product X and saving Y dollars. Conditional discounts, such as buying product X for Y dollars, with an upper limit of Z per customer. Reward bundles such as buying product X for a second X. Association bindings such as purchase of product X, gift of product Y. Sample promotions such as receiving a free sample of product X at a checkout. Spending promotions, such as spending X dollars today to get Y dollars. Lottery promotions such as purchasing product X5 times this month free a movie ticket.

Software 101 typically generates promotional offers that are applicable to all shoppers and targeted offers for a particular shopper.

Software 103 selects shoppers for targeted offers. Once the targeted offer is determined, such as a woman with a child of 0 to 5 years old, software 103 retrieves all shoppers that meet the criteria from customer database 102 and generates a list that is transmitted to software 101. This particular consumer list and promotional offer is provided to the store database 104 of each retail store operating the system.

If the retail store is a physical store where shoppers physically travel to the store, an input device 105 is provided at the store.

In one embodiment, the input device is a card reader 105 which forms part of a wide area network, and a shopper using the system is provided with a card 403 which contains data identifying the shopper, such that when the card reader 105 reads the card, the data is provided to the processor P2. In other embodiments, instead of a card reader, a keypad, biometric sensor, or other input device is used to enter a code identifying the identity of the shopper or a personal identification code.

If the retail store is a virtual store that purchases online over the Internet, the processor P2 connects to a personal computer over the Internet, and the input may be a keyboard of the personal computer for entering a user code and password for identifying the shopper.

After identifying a shopper by swiping a card, entering a personal identification number, or otherwise, data regarding his characteristics is extracted from the customer database 102, which in turn generates specific promotional offers via software 101 and 103.

Thus, a shopping list is generated for the shopper, the list including all or a portion of the plurality of promotional offers generated by software 101 and 103 in accordance with information about the shopper's characteristics in database 102. The shopping list may be generated at processor P1 or processor P2 or a combination of both. In the preferred embodiment, however, the list is only generated in processor P2 and sent to printer 112 for printing to the shopper. The printer 112 may be located next to the input device 105, conveniently located, and the shopper may take the list that is being played and begin shopping.

The store database 104 is connected to an EPOS server 106 for shopping collection at a collection point 107. Thus, the data from the store database 104 containing the shopping list generated specifically for that shopper, along with data identifying that shopper, is assembled into a file that is passed to the retail EPOS server 106, and the checkout station 107, where the shopper's presence at the checkout station 107 is compared to the items actually purchased by the customer. The checkout station 107 is equipped with a second input device for entering data identifying the identity of the shopper. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the second card reader is mounted at the checkout station 107. The card reader may comprise a conventional card reader for paying for purchases using debit and credit cards. Upon receipt, the customer swipes his card at the checkout station 107 using a card reader, which identifies his identity and the shopping list generated for him. The items purchased by the customer are compared to the shopping list and the consignee checks out in accordance with the promotional offer. Thus, as discussed above, the customer may receive discounts, gifts, and the like.

As previously described, the retail center server 108 communicates with the shopping characteristic data input 110 and the call center input 109 located at the retail store to input the shopping characteristics of a shopper into the server 108. The server 108 is in turn connected to the customer database 102 to provide the shopper's shopping characteristics to the customer database 102 at the central location.

Store database 104 also returns to database 102 an activity file including data regarding the personal shopping list generated in processor P2 and printed out for a shopper. It is in this way that offers are made up of actual promotional offers and those actually taken by the shopper.

Typically, shoppers can join the shopping system by filling out a membership application form. The application form enables the shopper to provide their shopping characteristics, such as personal details, characteristics of the product of interest. And then issued a card containing information on his identity. In other embodiments, a shopper is identified without a card, but rather by a personal identification number, account number, or other form of identifying the shopper. The data in the application form may be provided via a shopping characteristic input 110 located at the retail store. The data in the input 110 may be organized into text files stored on disk for loading into the retail center server 108. The data is verified and provided to the customer database 102 by the server 108. Input 109 allows the purchaser to call a customer service hotline to change his or her personal information, if desired.

Thus, a customer database 102 is established containing information identifying the customer and its shopping characteristics provided on the card provided to the customer. In another embodiment, the card used by the customer may be a smart card as previously described. Unlike magnetic stripe cards, which store only shopper identification information, smart cards have a smart chip with shopping characteristics such as purchased items, lifestyle, regional demographic characteristics, and other shopping behavior data. Thus, the smart card can be used to update consumer data on the card, such as updating transaction levels on the card to track compliance with qualifying criteria for promotional offers, such as a threshold level of one purchase (worth in dollars), "a week is 100 dollars spent and awarded". Similarly, updates to the shopping rate during the day may also be written to the card so that shoppers who go shopping several times a day may receive a new shopping list and targeted offers. In addition, the smart card may capture other data from multiple retailers.

As shown in FIG. 1, the retail EPOS server 106 also communicates with the hub server 108 so that the shopper's shopping profile can be provided to the retail server via a communication link 116 to join the shopper's shopping characteristics. For example, if a customer always purchases certain products, this information may be added to the customer shopping feature.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing how data is provided to the customer database 102. As previously described, the application form, designated 201 in FIG. 2, provides information about the shopper that can be entered via input 110. Data in server 106 may also be provided to identify products purchased by the shopper. The retailer inventory system 202 and the store server 108 also provide information, which is stored in the database 102.

Fig. 3 explains the operation of the software 101 and 103. As previously described, software 103 generates and provides a targeted promotion-related shopper list to software 101. Software 101 generates specific promotional offers and collective promotional offers that apply to all shoppers. This information is transmitted to a database 104 associated with each store operating the system.

When a shopper appears in the store and begins shopping, his identity is identified, which may be done by swiping his card through the card reader 105, or by entering his personal identification number into a keypad, or by biometric data entry into a sensor, or otherwise. Processor P2 then extracts information from store database 104 that stores a list of targeted shoppers and the overall promotional offer. The customer shopping characteristics are identified in the customer database 102 and items matching the shopper characteristics are selected from the promotional offer population at processor P2. In addition, if the shopper is in a targeted shopper list generated by software 103, all items are identified and a shopping list containing promotional offers in aggregate and offers on a targeted list is generated for the shopper. The shopping list is printed at a printer 112 connected to the card reader 105 so that the shopper can obtain the shopping list when he starts shopping. However, in other embodiments, the shopping list may be provided in other ways, such as by providing a web page if shopping at a virtual store. Other media may also be utilized to allow shoppers to get some form of listing when they begin shopping. The shopper then views the list and may choose to purchase some, all, or none of the products on the list during the shopping trip at the store.

The shopper is presented at the checkout counter after shopping is complete for payment of the items he has purchased. As previously described, when a shopping list is generated for a shopper, the list is also sent to server 106 so that the shopping offer is identified when the collection is made. When the shopper pays for his purchases, he again enters his own identity information into the second input device at the checkout 107. Again, this may be by swiping a card, entering a pin, providing biometric data to the sensor, etc. Thus, the items purchased at checkout are compared to the list and if one of them matches the promotional offer on the list, the shopper is committed to receive the corresponding offer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a shopper interacting with the system. As previously described, the shopper provides his card, indicated at 401 in FIG. 4, to the card reader 105 to generate a shopping list, indicated at 402 in FIG. 4. Items on the shopping list 402 are provided to the store server 108 and the store EPOS server 106. At the checkout station 107, the shopper again swipes the card to verify identity and ensure that the promotional offers customized for him on the list are in fact. The checkout station 107 may generate a receipt for the item purchased by the shopper.

As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention generates a personalized shopping list for a shopper before the shopper begins shopping after entering a store. The shopper swipes his card to generate a special personal-preferential shopping list customized to his or her individual. The offers are connected to the checkout so that the shopper can actually receive the offers.

The products purchased by the shopper from the store may be used to establish a shopping history and regional demographic data of lifestyle for analysis to determine future shopping and promotional offers, along with the lifestyle and preference data provided by the shopper initially when joining the item. Thus, the personalized shopping list provides direct promotional offers to those shoppers who are deemed to be attracted to and use these offers. And offers are provided at the start of the purchase. The system may change the promotion strategy from time to time and develop different criteria for different promotion strategies.

Processor P1 may also generate management report 403 using targeted business information application software 103 based on data stored in database 102.

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment relating to providing coupons. The first processor P1 is located at a central station and the second processor P2 is located at retail terminals R (only one retail terminal R and one processor P2 are shown). The processor P1 is connected to the processor P2 via a hardwired, network connection, Internet connection, or other connection for transferring data.

Processor P1 includes a database 503 containing a database of consumers and their shopping characteristics. Features include demographic information, product preferences ascertained from the consumer's shopping history, and personal information such as the consumer's presence or absence of children, pets, or other persons to determine whether they would be interested in a certain type of product. The information can be obtained through the shopping habit of the consumer, and can also be obtained through filling out an application form when the consumer joins the system to provide some information.

As shown in fig. 5, database 503 is connected to retailer server 500. The retail server 500 may be connected to a plurality of retail terminals R (only one shown for ease of illustration) operated by the same organization. Thus, a series of retail terminals R may comprise, for example, ten different retail stores. A single server 500 is associated with all stores in the same cluster and these stores may be located, for example, in a management office of a chain of stores. Another chain locker would have their own server 500. The retail server 500 includes a retailer inventory system 502 that maintains all product information held by the retail terminals, and a consumer database 501 that compiles information about consumers who shop at the store, characteristics of the products purchased, and store identification data. Database 501 collects information about products purchased by a particular consumer from the store EPOS checkout system 520. Database 501 also contains data regarding the types of attitudes and demographics in fig. 1 and 4. System 520 includes an EPOS checkout 513 and a store database server 513. In this manner, product details purchased by a particular consumer may be provided from the EPOS checkout 513 to the database 512 and from the database 512 to the retailer server 500 over the private, wide area, or other form of communication link 540. Thus, at each retail terminal R, a database is available of the identity of a certain consumer and its products purchased. The products purchased by the consumer are identified by scanning their bar codes upon receipt, which creates a database of products of interest to the particular consumer. Data collected at each store of the chain is provided to a server 500 associated with the chain. The information may be provided to the server 500 from the stores via a communication link or the information collected at the various stores may be loaded into the server 500. The data in the server 500 is transmitted to a database 503 at the central station for compiling data on the customers and their characteristics from all the stores running the system.

The data in retail server 500 is provided to database 503 via a communication link of some kind as described above.

Thus, database 503 contains information identifying specific consumers, products of interest to those consumers, attitudes, demographics, and other personal information about the consumers.

Processor P1 also includes a server 504 that includes software that processes information about the coupons that are provided, and the data in database 503 to identify consumers who may be interested in a product. Server 504 generates a list of targeted coupons and orders the list and catalog according to the parameters of the advertiser's coupon advertisement. I.e., those people that the product provider wants to attract, be interested in purchasing the product, and be induced to purchase by another offer. In this way, the coupon may be used to directly advertise certain products, by price discounts and gifts. Or may cause the customer to purchase an item that has not been purchased before because of a related offer, such as "purchasing this product would obtain two movie tickets for free". The list of servers 504 is provided to an application server 505 which generates a sample file to reclassify eligible consumers and then generates a list of targeted coupons for the stores frequented by the targeted consumer. These lists are sent to different retail stores R by communication link 514. Thus, the list is forwarded for each frequented store, and then received at the store database 506 of the associated retail store R.

Thus, the system collects shopping data from past purchases by consumers, identifies the consumer who made the purchase, and matches the shopper with the store to which the shopper frequently made the purchase. By further matching with the advertiser's market targeting parameters (i.e., the supplier of the product being advertised in the form of a coupon), a coupon file is generated on the server 505, which typically includes information for a specific number of consumers per participating frequented store. The relevance of the received coupons depends on the advertiser's parameters, such as demographic data, purchasing behavior, and the like. The coupon file generated by the server 505 further identifies the targeted consumers one by one, generates a list of targeted coupons and transmits them electronically to the server 506 of each associated frequented store R.

The listings received by the database 506 of each retail store R are loaded into computers 507 and 508 which are connected to an input device, such as a card reader for receiving a customer card 511a identifying the customer. Computers 507 and 508 also have a printer 516 that prints coupons 509 and/or coupons 510, respectively, for a particular consumer. Thus, when a consumer is present at the store, he inserts the card 511a into the card reader 515, and if there is a coupon applicable to that particular consumer, the coupon 509, 510 is printed by one of the printers 516. This provides the consumer with a coupon that he is likely to redeem.

If the retail terminal is a virtual retail terminal accessed via the internet, the data input for identifying the identity of the user may be provided by means of a personal identification number keyed in by means of a keypad, and the coupons 509, 510 may be provided in the form of web pages. It is clear that the product is not in the home of the person making the virtual purchase and therefore he must go to a particular retail terminal or other location to receive a free sample.

The computer 507 and its software, along with the card reader 515 and printer 516, are located short of the store entrance so that the consumer can access the system as soon as he enters the store. Thus, a personal coupon with an offer relating to the consumer is printed by the printer 516 by the user presenting his card 511 a.

Computer 508 and its software are located elsewhere in the store, such as on a shopping mall or shelf where certain products are placed, to interact with the consumer when the consumer selects those products. The computer 508 may also have a television screen (not shown) that displays advertisements for the television and products surrounding the computer 508. The consumer inserts his card 511a into the card reader 515 associated with the computer 508 and obtains a personal coupon for the computer 508 and its screen advertised product, which may or may not be related to the consumer's characteristics stored in the database. This creates some desire to purchase nearby products by interacting with the computer 508, and advertisers can attract consumers to pay attention to products that they are otherwise not familiar with or will not use. In this way, the offer on the individual selection coupon 510 may be different from what it gets at the portal, such as cross-catalog coupon offers, e.g., bread and butter, meat and cooking sauces, and the like.

The list generated by computer 508 may also include a full targeting list if not provided by computer 507.

The server 506 is connected to a retail store server 512, which in turn controls the store's EPOS checkout 513. Thus, the offers provided to the consumer on coupons 509 and 510 are electronically transmitted by server 506 to server 512 and provided to EPOS checkout computer 513. When the consumer is present at the checkout station, he swipes the card at the card reader 517 of the computer 513. The card reader 517 may be a conventional card reader that reads a debit, credit, or other card to complete a payment transaction to pay for the goods, or may be a separate card reader. Thus, the consumer purchases the item on the coupon in accordance with the coupon offer.

Processor P2 also processes offers redeemed by the consumer to charge advertisers seeking promotions on coupons based on the offers. P2 calculates the charge demand and the units to be charged by adding the total value of the charges of the marketer or advertiser who provides the benefit on the coupon. Thus, the advertiser is charged for the redemption provided at the store. Since these can be matched electronically to sales data, redemption is very simple and quick.

This eliminates the need to collect these coupons and physically send them to a clearinghouse for inventory and to determine which coupons have been redeemed by the consumer, thereby charging those marketers or advertisers who participate in the promotion.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the EPOS checkout terminal 513 automatically determines the discount or other benefit because the coupon details provided to the consumer are all provided to the terminal 513 and the consumer verifies the identity by inserting the card 511b into the card reader 517. Thus, as long as the checkout terminal processes any product related to the coupon offer, the consumer can obtain a corresponding offer, such as a price discount. The EPOS terminal determines all discounts associated with a product and forwards them to the retail server 512, which retail server 512 in turn passes the data to another processor P3. The other processor P3 may be the retailer warehouse server 500 or may be an entirely separate processor or server. Thus, all stores in the chain pass discount data determined by the respective EPOS checkout terminals 513 to, for example, the server 500, and the server 500 then compiles the appropriate discount for each product and for each advertiser participating in the promotion on the coupon. Advertisers participating in the campaign are charged based on discounts or offers provided by electronic invoices or other means, and the participating advertisers simply remit to the chain of stores, which in turn remit to them by the stores based on the specific amount of discount at each retail store.

Thus, the system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention manages the entire coupon execution system, including issuing coupons by computers 507, 508, and 513, redemption of offers on coupons, and calculating and charging the marketer or advertiser of the campaign. This approach eliminates the need for expensive handling of physical coupons, not only reduces the cost of printing coupons individually, but also reduces collection processing time and improves efficiency by eliminating the need to process physical coupons, and eliminates the need for returned coupon disposal structures. Thus, the queue at the checkout is shortened and operational and safety measures are minimized. All transactions are electronic and more accurate than actual inventorying of printed coupons.

Additional coupons 514 may also be generated when the checkout station 513 pays for the product. Alternatively, the coupon generated by the computers 507 and 508 may be eliminated and only the coupon may be used. In this case, the coupon 514 may be redeemed the next time the consumer makes a purchase at the store, and thus the coupon also provides incentives to encourage the consumer to make a purchase again, as the consumer is provided with a new coupon when he is about to leave after the purchase is completed.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language and necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (64)

1. A shopping system comprising:

(a) an input device for receiving input to identify a shopper;

(b) a shopper database for storing shopping characteristics for the shopper;

(c) a processor that generates a shopping inducement for the shopper, the shopping inducement including items deemed to be of interest to the shopper based on data stored in the shopper database relating to the shopper, the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation, and regional demographic characteristics; and

(d) an output device for outputting the shopping inducements for the shopper.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the shopper database is contained in the processor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processors comprise a first processor located at a central station and a second processor located at a retail terminal.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the shopper database comprises a customer database located in the first processor and a store database located in the second processor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first processor further comprises a retailer EPOS server.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first processor further comprises a retailer central server.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the first processor is for generating and managing promotional offers for all shoppers and targeted offers for a particular shopper, and for selecting a particular shopper for the targeted promotion.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the input device comprises a card reader that reads a card owned by a shopper and identifies the shopper as such.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the card reader is connected to the store database to provide data about the shopper to the store database.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device is a printer connected to the second processor to provide the shopping inducement in printed form.

11. The system of claim 5 wherein said store database is connected to said retail EPOS server for providing said retail EPOS server with data identifying said shopper and the items on the shopping inducement generated therefor.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein a second input device is connected to said retail EPOS server for receiving input identifying said shopper so that items on said shopping list are billed in accordance with promotional offers provided on said shopping inducements as items purchased by said shopper pass through a checkout station.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein said retail center server is for receiving information about shopper shopping characteristics, said retail center server connected to said shopper database for storing said shopping characteristics of said individual shopper in said customer database.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the shopping inducement is in the form of a printed shopping list or provided in the form of a coupon.

15. A method of shopping comprising:

(a) receiving input to identify a consumer;

(b) providing a shopper database storing data regarding shopper shopping characteristics;

(c) generating a shopping inducement for the shopper, the shopping inducement including being based on the

Data stored in a shopper database relating to the shopper regarding items of interest to the shopper, the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation and regional demographic characteristics; and

(d) outputting the shopping inducement for the shopper.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises generating promotional offers for all shoppers and targeted offers for specific shoppers, and selecting specific shoppers from the database for the targeted promotions.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises providing data identifying a customer and the shopping inducement to a checkout station such that items purchased by the shopper in association with the shopping list may be provided in accordance with the shopping list as the shopper passes through the checkout station.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the shopping inducement comprises a printed shopping list.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the shopping inducement comprises a coupon.

20. A system for providing coupons to consumers comprising:

an input device for receiving input to identify a consumer;

a database for storing data about consumer shopping characteristics, the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation, and regional demographic characteristics;

a processor for determining a consumer who will receive the coupon; and

an output device for outputting the coupon for the consumer.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the system further comprises a second processor for electronically providing details of an offer on a coupon provided to said consumer, such that any purchased product on said coupon is provided to said consumer in accordance with said coupon when said consumer commits to merchandise at a checkout.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the input device comprises a card reader to read a card owned by the consumer to identify the consumer.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the card may be a smart card or a simple card with a magnetic stripe.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the database is maintained at a central station, the processor comprising a first processor at the central station. The first processor receives data from the database and processes the data to produce a targeted coupon list.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the second processor is located at a retail terminal for receiving the coupon list, the second processor being connected to the output device to cause the output device to provide the coupon to the consumer.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the output device comprises a printer that prints the coupon in response to a consumer inputting information to the input device to identify the consumer.

27. The system of claim 20 wherein said output device comprises an EPOS checkout in a store for providing said coupon redeemed by said consumer the next time they come.

28. A system as set forth in claim 20, wherein the retail terminal is provided with a plurality of said input devices and a plurality of said output devices, such that the consumer can obtain coupons containing all product related coupons tailored to the consumer, or only products in the vicinity of the input output devices, at different locations in the store to provide more interaction with the issuance of those particular products and coupons.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the database further stores information identifying stores frequented by consumers, the first processor forwarding the coupon list to the second processor located at the frequented stores.

30. The system of claim 20 wherein said first processor comprises said database, a server for determining products to be included in said coupons and which consumers will receive coupons, and an application server for generating said coupon list for transmission to said second processor.

31. The system of claim 21, wherein the second server is located in each store operating the system, the second processor comprising a database that receives the coupon list transmitted from the first processor and controls the output device to provide the coupon to the consumer.

32. A method of providing coupons to consumers comprising:

identifying a consumer;

responsive to the identified consumer identity, generating a coupon including an offer associated with the shopper based on data included in a database, the data including past shopping history, attitude segmentation, and regional demographic characteristics;

outputting the coupon for the consumer.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the identifying the consumer uses a card reader to read a card owned by the consumer to identify the consumer.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein a database of consumer characteristics is maintained at a central location, the method further comprising processing data in the database to generate a coupon list to be provided to a particular consumer based on the characteristics stored in the database and a product desired to be advertised by providing a coupon.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the method further comprises receiving the coupon list at a retail terminal, processing the coupon list and information identifying a consumer, providing an indication that the consumer received the coupon.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the indication that the consumer received the sample is provided at an EPOS checkout of the store.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the method further comprises identifying stores that the consumer frequently shops and forwarding the sample list to the stores that frequently shop.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the processing at a central location is performed by a first processor comprising the database, a server that determines which products are advertised on the coupon and the target consumer that receives a free sample, and an application server that generates and transmits the coupon list to the second processor.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the processing at the retail terminal is performed by a second processor located at a retail store operating the system, comprising receiving the coupon list transmitted from the first processor and controlling the output device to provide a database of coupons to the consumer.

40. A system for providing coupons to consumers comprising:

a processor to:

generating a coupon and providing the coupon to the consumer;

electronically providing details of the offers to a redemption station on a coupon such that the consumer receives the offers on the coupon when the consumer accepts the offers at the redemption station; and

details of accepted offers are provided electronically on the coupon so that merchants promoting on the coupon may be charged a fee in terms of the amount used by the consumer.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the processor comprises a store server that generates and provides the coupons to consumers; an EPOS checkout terminal receiving from the server coupon details of the coupon associated with a particular consumer, the EPOS checkout terminal constituting the redemption station and processing the coupons on the coupon owned by the particular consumer for the products purchased by the consumer at the checkout terminal; and another processor for electronically receiving details of the offer provided to the consumer, for charging a fee to a party providing the offer on the coupon.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the system further comprises an input device for identifying a consumer.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the system further comprises an output device for providing the coupon to the consumer.

44. The system of claim 40 wherein the processor comprises a first processor having a database storing consumer characteristics such that coupons including offers associated with the consumers are generated for the consumers based on information associated with particular consumers included in the database.

45. The system as recited in claim 42, wherein the input device includes a card reader to read a card owned by the consumer to identify the consumer.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the first processor is located at a central station, the first processor receiving data from the database and processing the data to produce a targeted coupon list.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the processor further comprises a second processor at a retail terminal for receiving the coupon list, the second processor coupled to the output device to provide the coupon to the consumer.

48. A system as recited in claim 43, wherein the output device includes a printer that prints the coupon in response to a consumer inputting information to an input device to identify the consumer.

49. The system of claim 43 wherein the output device comprises an EPOS checkout in a store for providing the coupon redeemed by the consumer the next time the store comes.

50. The system of claim 40 wherein the database further stores information associated with a consumer identifying a store frequented by the consumer, and preferably the first processor forwards the coupon list to the second processor at the frequented store.

51. A method of providing coupons to consumers comprising:

generating a coupon for a consumer and providing the coupon thereto;

electronically providing details of the offers to a redemption station on the coupon such that the consumer receives the offers on the coupon when the consumer accepts the offers at the redemption station; and

details of accepted offers are provided electronically on the coupon so that parties providing offers on the coupon can be charged a fee in terms of the amount used by the consumer.

52. The method of claim 51, the coupon being provided to the consumer by a server, the server further providing the coupon details electronically to an EPOS checkout terminal; the checkout terminal includes the redemption station, processes sales associated with the consumer in accordance with details on the coupon provided to the consumer, and electronically provides details of accepted offers to another processor, which may charge participants in accordance with the amount spent by the consumer.

53. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein said coupon is generated and provided according to data in a database storing consumer characteristics such that said coupon is generated for a particular consumer, said coupon including an offer that is related to said consumer according to data in the database about said consumer.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the method further comprises identifying a consumer in order to generate a coupon associated with the consumer.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the method includes receiving data from the database and processing the data to produce a targeted coupon list and forwarding the targeted coupon list to a retail store for printing in response to identifying a consumer at the retail store.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein the method further comprises identifying stores frequented for purchase by the consumer, such that the targeted listing is forwarded to the frequented store associated with the particular consumer.

57. A shopping system comprising:

a plurality of shopping terminals;

an input device for receiving input identifying a shopper;

a store database located at each shopping terminal;

an output device that outputs a shopping inducement to the shopper;

a central processing section remotely located from the shopping terminal connected by a communication link to respective store databases containing customer data regarding shopping characteristics of the shopper;

a processor in the central processing portion for processing the information in the databases, generating shopping inducers, and forwarding the shopping inducers to respective store databases via the communication links; and

wherein any of the shopping inducements associated with a shopper generates at the output device for collection by the shopper when the shopper identifies himself by input at the input device to induce the shopper to purchase items on the shopping inducements.

58. The system as recited in claim 57, wherein a store processor is located at each of said shopping terminals for managing said store database and providing data relating to purchases made by shoppers to said central portion for storage in said customer database.

59. The system of claim 57 wherein the processor of the central portion comprises a server with a retailer inventory system and a retailer database.

60. The system of claim 57, wherein the shopping terminal is a physical store and the input device and the output device are located at each store.

61. A method of shopping comprising:

receiving data from an input device for identifying a shopper;

providing a store database located at each of a plurality of shopping terminals;

generating a shopping incentive for the shopper;

providing a hub processing section remotely located from said shopping terminal connected by a communications link to respective store databases containing customer data relating to shopping characteristics of the shopper;

processing information in the databases at the central processing portion to generate shopping inducers, and forwarding the shopping inducers to respective store databases through the communication links; and

wherein any of the shopping inducements associated with a shopper generates at the output device for collection by the shopper when the shopper identifies himself by input at the input device to induce the shopper to purchase items on the shopping inducements.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising a store processor located at each of said shopping terminals for managing said store database and providing data relating to purchases made by shoppers to said central portion for storage in said customer database.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein the processor of the central portion comprises a server with a retailer inventory system and a retailer database.

64. The system of claim 57, wherein the shopping terminal is a physical store and the input device and the output device are located at each store.