WO2019229506A1

WO2019229506A1 - A billboard as an e-commerce touch point

Info

Publication number: WO2019229506A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/055027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shreyas JOTHISH
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-28
Filing date: 2018-07-09
Publication date: 2019-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-28

Abstract

The present invention provides a billboard for acting as e-commerce touch point. The billboard comprising of a display screen, an user interface, a geolocation module, a camera, a weather monitoring system, a remote server, an communication network module, a delivering interface, a depositing interface, a storing unit and a dispensing interface. The display screen is configured for displaying dynamic contents. The user interface is configured for facilitating the user interaction with the billboard. The geolocation module is configured for obtaining the location of the billboard. The camera is configured for monitoring the interaction between the user and the billboard. The weather monitoring system configured for obtaining the weather information at the location of the billboard. The remote server configured for delivering the dynamic contents to the display screen and the communication network module configured for allowing communication between an end user device and the billboard.

Description

A BILLBOARD AS AN E-COMMERCE TOUCH POINT

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to the field of e-commerce and digital marketing. More particularly, the invention relates to a bill board for acting as an e-commerce touch point.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

[0002] A billboard is used for displaying static advertisements as well as dynamic advertisements. The bill boards are used in prominent places like bus stands, airports, railway stations, small business centers and shopping malls. Currently, the marketing over billboard is missing out on engaging prospective customers or users by not providing the access to move further into sales funnel. The existing billboards may not be capable of supporting different functionality according to the user needs, wherein the different functionality includes but not limited to browsing products/ services, purchasing products/ services, payment, picking the products and dropping the products.

[0003] Therefore there is a need to develop a billboard for acting as an e- commerce touch point. Further, there is a need to develop a billboard that are capable of displaying dynamic contents, acting as a point of sale/ purchase, acting as a point of service and a dispenser according to user needs.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:

[0005] A main object of the present invention is to provide a billboard for acting as an e-commerce touch point. [0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a billboard that is capable of displaying dynamic contents.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a billboard that is capable of acting as a point of sale/ purchase.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a billboard that is capable of acting as a point of service.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a billboard that is capable of acting as dispenser.

[00010] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00011] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a billboard for acting as an e-commerce touch point. According to an embodiment, the billboard comprises of at least a display screen, at least a user interface, a geolocation module, at least a camera, a weather monitoring system, a remote server and a communication network module.

[00012] According to an embodiment, the display screen is configured for displaying dynamic contents. According to an embodiment, the dynamic contents displayed on the display screen includes but not limited to Quick response codes (QR) or offer codes for providing latest offers/discounts, purchase instructions, contact information of outlets, recent product updates, recent service updates or purchase trends, upcoming offers or sales, subscription information and location information of nearest outlets. The display screen incorporates an augmented reality for allowing users to virtually try on various clothes and accessories displayed on the display screen and also get product demo.

[00013] According to an embodiment, the user interface is configured for facilitating the user interaction with the billboard. According to an embodiment, the geolocation module is configured for obtaining the location of the billboard. According to an embodiment, the camera is configured for monitoring the interaction between the user and the billboard.

[00014] According to an embodiment, the weather monitoring system is configured for obtaining the weather information at the location of the billboard. According to an embodiment, the remote server is configured for delivering the dynamic contents to the display screen. According to an embodiment, at least a communication network module is configured for allowing communication between an end user device and the billboard.

[00015] According to an embodiment, the communication between the end user device or communication network module and the billboard includes but not limited to browsing of the product displayed on the display screen, purchasing of the product, browsing or purchasing of services that includes but not limited to insurance or travel package or home cleaning service and triggering payment for purchasing the product/ service.

[00016] The billboard further includes at least a delivering interface, at least a depositing interface, at least a storing unit and at least a dispenser interface. According to an embodiment, the delivering interface is configured for delivering the product to the user when the user select location of the delivering interface of the billboard as a delivery point during purchasing of the product displayed on the display screen. In short, the delivery person gets the product and delivers it to the billboard and finally the user collects the product through the delivering interface of the billboard.

[00017] According to an embodiment, the depositing interface is configured for allowing the user to deposit the purchased product for exchanging or returning back. According to an embodiment, the storing unit is configured for storing the products. According to an embodiment, at least a dispensing interface is configured for dispensing a product instantly to the user according to the dimension and availability of the product. The dispensing interface includes at least three colour indicators configured for notifying the availability of the product to the users; and wherein a green colour indicates sufficient availability of the products, a yellow colour indicates limited availability of the products and red colour indicates out of stock.

[00018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00019] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit (s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[00020] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary model of a front view of a billboard that is used for displaying dynamic contents, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00021] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary model of a front view of a billboard that acts as a point of sale, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00022] Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary model of a back view of the billboard that displays dynamic contents and acts as the point of sale, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00023] Fig. 4A illustrates an exemplary model of a front view of a billboard that acts as a point of service, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00024] Fig. 4B illustrates an exemplary model of a back view of the billboard that acts as the point of service, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00025] Fig. 4C illustrates an exemplary model of a delivering interface of the billboard acting as a point of service, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00026] Fig. 5A illustrates an exemplary model of the bill board acting as a dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein; [00027] Fig. 5B illustrates an exemplary model of a back view of the billboard that acts as the dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00028] Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary model of a front view of a billboard displaying dynamic contents and acts as a point of service and a dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00029] Fig. 7A illustrates a pictorial representation of a user purchasing a product through the billboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00030] Fig. 7B illustrates a pictorial representation of the user obtaining the purchased product from the billboard , according to an embodiment of the present invention herein;

[00031] Fig. 8 illustrates a pictorial representation of the user purchasing a product and receiving the product instantly through the billboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein; and

[00032] Fig. 9 illustrates different symbols and shaped assigned to the billboard to make users aware about the functionality of the billboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00033] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well- known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[00034] As mentioned above, there is a need to develop a billboard for acting as an e-commerce touch point. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a billboard that are capable of displaying dynamic contents, acting as a point of sale/ purchase, acting as a point of service and a dispenser according to user needs. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig.l through Fig. 9, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

[00035] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary model 100 of a front view of a billboard that is used for displaying dynamic contents, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the billboard for acting as an e- commerce touch point comprises of at least a display screen, at least a user interface, a geolocation module, a camera, a weather monitoring system, a remote server and a communication network module.

[00036] According to an embodiment, the display screen is configured for displaying dynamic contents. According to an embodiment, the dynamic contents displayed on the display screen includes but not limited to Quick response codes (QR) or offer codes for providing latest offers/discounts, purchase instructions, subscription information, top picks or best deals or highlight exclusive offers, contact information of outlets, recent product updates or purchase trends, upcoming offers or sales, subscription information and location information of nearest outlets. The display screen also facilitates localized content delivery including language and area based advertisements.

[00037] The display screen incorporates augmented reality for allowing users to virtually try on various clothes and accessories displayed on the display screen and also get product demo. The display screen are capable of incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning for allowing the users to try on various clothes based on gender/age upcoming trends and anticipating arrival of the user based on previous visit respectively.

[00038] According to an embodiment, the user interface is configured for facilitating the user interaction with the billboard. The user interface is placed either within the display screen or outside the display screen. The user interface includes but not limited to key pad, touch screen and telephonic. The user interface incorporates voice recognition system and gesture recognition system configured for allowing the user to interact with the billboard through voice and gesture respectively. The user interacts through voice by integration with Amazon’s alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Sir! and others. The user interface also allows multiple users to interact with the billboard simultaneously. According to an embodiment, the geolocation module is configured for obtaining the location of the billboard. The geolocation module helps in providing location of the nearest outlets and the location of the nearest outlet gets displayed on the display screen. Further, the geolocation module helps in displaying location based advertisement. According to an embodiment, the camera is configured for monitoring the interaction between the user and the billboard.

[00039] According to an embodiment, the weather monitoring system is configured for obtaining the weather information at the location of the billboard. According to an embodiment, the remote server is configured for delivering the dynamic contents to the display screen. The dynamic contents from the remote server is fetched by a content delivery unit and transferred to the display screen. According to an embodiment, the content delivery unit is Setup box connected to Dish or LAN Cable or Fiber optic connected to server or Wireless Receiver. Finally the remote server host and manage the content to be displayed on Billboard. The data are transmitted over cable or fiber optics or wireless transmitter.

[00040] According to an embodiment, the communication network module is configured for allowing communication between an end user device and the billboard. According to an embodiment, the communication between the end user device or communication network module and the billboard includes but not limited to browsing of the product displayed on the display screen, purchasing of the product, purchasing of services and triggering payment for purchasing the product. The method of payment includes but not limited to card, cash cryptocurrencies and near field communication (NFC). The billboard supports point of sale systems that includes but not limited to debit/ credit card readers.

[00041] The billboard further includes at least a delivering interface, at least a depositing interface, at least a storing unit and at least a dispenser interface. According to an embodiment, the delivering interface is configured for delivering the product to the user when the user select location of the delivering interface of the billboard as a delivery point during purchasing of the product displayed on the display screen.

[00042] According to an embodiment, the depositing interface is configured for allowing the user to deposit the purchased product for exchanging or returning back. According to an embodiment, the storing unit is configured for storing the products. According to an embodiment, at least a dispensing interface is configured for dispensing a product instantly to the user according to the dimension and availability of the product. Dispensing of the product is either immediately based on the purchase or at later point of time based on the purchase. The dispensing interface includes at least three colour indicators configured for notifying the availability of the product to the users; and wherein a green colour indicates sufficient availability of the products, a yellow colour indicates limited availability of the products and red colour indicates out of stock. The billboard is integrated with ERP software to manage stock. The billboard also promotes business support functionalities that includes but not limited to contacting the support, providing feedback on product or service and taking user surveys. The advertisement on the billboard and the product being sold appears to be same or different.

[00043] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary model 200 of a front view of a billboard that acts as a point of sale, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The billboard that acts as the point of sale allows the user to browse and buy products or service that is displayed on the display screen. The user interface allows the user to cancel an order of purchase and track the order of purchase. The user interface incorporates voice recognition system and gesture recognition system configured for allowing the user to interact with the billboard through voice and gesture respectively. Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary model 300 of a back view of the billboard that displays dynamic contents and acts as the point of sale, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, a business operation unit includes but not limited to security mechanisms and software to support ERP (enterprise resource planning) /SCM (supply chain management) /CRM (Customer relationship management).

[00044] Fig. 4 A illustrates an exemplary model 400 (A) of a front view of a billboard that acts as a point of service, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The billboard is used as either delivery or return point based on the dimension of the product. The billboard that acts as the point of service requires necessary interfaces. Fig. 4B illustrates an exemplary model 400 (B) of a back view of the billboard that acts as the point of service, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The delivering interface is placed in the backside of the bill board. The delivering interface includes but not limited to amazons hub, lockers and DHF pack stations. The billboard further includes but not limited to a business operation unit configured for security or safety, maintenance and installation purpose. The necessary safety mechanism required for installation includes but not limited to cameras, tamper proof techniques to avoid theft, secure way to extract or/and deposit of products, the type and dimension of the product handled by billboard. The climatic considerations for product being stored or delivered needs to be considered. Fig. 4C illustrates an exemplary model 400 (C) of a delivering interface of the billboard acting as a point of service, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein. The back side of the billboard is equipped with amazon’s hub or lockers for acting as the delivering interface.

[00045] Fig. 5A illustrates an exemplary model of the bill board acting as a dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The billboard is used as a dispenser to dispense the product instantly based on the dimension of the product. Necessary supporting mechanisms need to be provided at the dispensing interface of the billboard to facilitate product dispensing. For example, providing temperature control for beverages or eatables. Fig. 5B illustrates an exemplary model of a back view of the billboard that acts as the dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The storing unit is placed behind the billboard and the products are stored considering the demand, availability and dimension of the product.

[00046] Fig. 7 A illustrates a pictorial representation 700 (A) of a user purchasing a product through the billboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein. For, example the user is waiting for a bus at the bus terminal. The bus terminal has a billboard displaying the advertisement related to special sale happening example flipkart or Amazon sales. With integrated point of sale, the user is capable of browsing the products displayed on the display screen and purchase based on personal needs. Further, the payment is also triggered by the user. Likewise, the billboard is capable to act as point of sale/ point of purchase.

[00047] Fig. 7B illustrates a pictorial representation 700 (B) of the user obtaining the purchased product from the billboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein. The user while purchasing the product or while ordering the product is allowed to select the same billboard as the delivery point. Ones the billboard is selected as the delivery point, the product ordered or purchased is picked by the delivery person and the delivery person places the purchased product at the delivering interface of the billboard. Finally, the user collects the purchased product from the delivering interface of the billboard ie, the user is capable of collecting the purchased product from the same billboard. Another example, if the product needs to be returned back or exchanged with another product, the user is capable of depositing the product in the depositing interface. Likewise, the billboard is capable to act as a point of service. [00048] Fig. 8 illustrates a pictorial representation 800 of the user purchasing a product and receiving the product instantly through the billboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention herein. The user is capable of choosing a product through the user interface and the product is instantly delivered to the user through the dispensing interface. The dispensing interface includes at least three indicators configured for notifying the availability of the product to the users. The green colour indicates sufficient availability of the products, a yellow colour indicates limited availability of the products and red colour indicates out of stock. The storing unit stores the product based on the dimension and need of the user. According to the user demands products stored can be altered. The product stored in the storing unit includes but not limited to water bottles, juice bottles, soft drinks and basic eatables. The available products are displayed and updated on the display screen.

[00049] Fig. 9 illustrates different symbols and shaped assigned to the billboard to make users aware about the functionality of the billboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The billboard is capable of functioning as combination of all functionalities or with individual functionality according to availability of supporting facility and user needs. In short the billboard is capable/ to display dynamic contents (Type l)/act as point of sale (Type 2)/ point of service (Type 3)/ dispenser (Type 4) and / or capable to function as the combination of all the four (dynamic display, point of sale, point of service and dispenser).

[00050] If the billboard is functioning only as point of sale or point of service or dispenser symbols/ normal shapes/ color coding are used to make user aware of the functionality of the bill board. For example, a square shape on left top most comer of the billboard is used to indicate that the billboard acts as a point of sale. Similarly different shapes are assigned to billboards for indicating the functionality of the billboard. For example, a round shape on left top most corner of the billboard is used to indicate that the billboard is used for displaying dynamic contents. A pentagon shape on left top most corner of the billboard is used to indicate that the billboard acts the point of service and a hexagon shape on left top most corner of the billboard is used to indicate that the billboard acts as the dispenser. If the billboard is the combination any of said dynamic display, point of sale, point of service and dispenser the different symbols assigned to the functionality are displayed together on the display screen. For example, if the billboard is the combination of dynamic display, point of sale and point of service the symbols corresponding to all the three functionality are displayed together on left top most corner of the billboard. Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary model of a front view of a billboard that acts as the point of service and the dispenser and the symbol corresponding to both the functionality is illustrated in the left top most comer of the billboard. So that the user is able to easy understand the functionality of the billboard by looking at the symbols and shapes displayed on the display screen. The billboard with said functionality is also supported on vehicles like mobile unit used for advertisement, pickup and drop off trunks or vehicles.

[00051] A main advantage of the present invention is that the billboard is capable to act as an effective e-commerce touch point.

[00052] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard is capable to display dynamic contents.

[00053] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard is capable to act as a point of sale. [00054] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard is capable to act as a point of service.

[00055] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard is capable to act as a dispenser.

[00056] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboards being kept outside, green technologies like Solar or Wind based energy generation further reduces the maintenance cost.

[00057] Another advantage of the present invention is that monetization for billboard increases.

[00058] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard act as mini or micro fulfillment centers and reduces the last mile cost.

[00059] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard that acts as a point of service reduces delivery and return cost.

[00060] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard that acts as a point of service reduces the stress on delivery personal to find the end customer location.

[00061] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard that acts as a point of service, time of delivery and pickup is independent of end customer availability.

[00062] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard doubles up as kiosk to increase purchases.

[00063] Another advantage of the present invention is that the billboard opens 24/7 unlike Brick and Mortar stores.

[00064] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

I claim:

1. A billboard for acting as an e-commerce touch point, wherein the billboard comprising of:

a display screen configured for displaying dynamic contents;

characterized in that

the billboard further includes at least an user interface configured for facilitating the user interaction with the billboard;

a geolocation module configured for obtaining the location of the billboard;

a camera configured for monitoring the interaction between the user and the billboard;

a weather monitoring system configured for obtaining the weather information at the location of the billboard;

a remote server configured for delivering the dynamic contents to the display screen; and

a communication network module configured for allowing communication between an end user device and the billboard.

2. The billboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dynamic contents displayed on the display screen includes Quick Response (QR) codes or offer codes for providing latest offers/discounts, purchase instructions, contact information of outlets, recent product and / or service updates or purchase trends, upcoming offers or sales, subscription information and location information of nearest outlets.

3. The billboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display screen includes an augmented reality for allowing users to virtually try on various clothes and accessories displayed on the display screen and for obtaining product demo.

4. The billboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication between the end user device or the communication network module and the billboard includes browsing of the product and / or service displayed on the display screen, purchasing of the product and / or service, and triggering payment for purchasing the product and / or service.

5. The billboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the billboard further includes at least a delivering interface configured for delivering the product to the user when the user select location of the delivering interface of the billboard as a delivery point during purchasing of the product.

6. The bill board as claimed in claim 1, wherein the billboard further includes at least a depositing interface configured for allowing the user to deposit the purchased product for exchanging or returning back.

7. The bill board as claimed in claim 1, wherein the billboard further includes at least a storing unit configured for storing the products and at least a dispensing interface configured for dispensing a product instantly to the user according to the dimension and availability of the product.

8. The billboard as claimed in claim 7, wherein the dispensing interface includes at least three colour indicators configured for notifying the availability of the product to the users; and wherein a green colour indicates sufficient availability of the products, a yellow colour indicates limited availability of the products and red colour indicates out of stock.