Abstract:
The present invention discloses a storefront shopping technique that enhances shopping by presenting information to a shopper about proximate for-sale items. Both the shopper and the for-sale items can be associated with location beacons. The presented information can be specific to the shopper, which requires that an identity of the shopper be determined. In the technique, shopper specific information can be obtained from a data store to determine at least one of the for-sale items likely to be of interest to the shopper. A shopper proximity to the for-sale items can be detected based upon a location of the item location beacon associated with the determined for-sale item and based upon a location of the shopper location beacon. When the shopper is proximate to the for-sale item, information can automatically be presented to the shopper via an electronic device about the determined for-sale item.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of commerce, more particularly, to a shopper and item aware storefront that provides an enhanced shopping experience through automated storefront interactions. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Traditional storefront shopping and online shopping are very similar in some respects but are quite different in others. Both modes of shopping are advantageous in many ways. One of the major advantages of online shopping is the presence of specific information about items that is available to the shopper to review before purchasing. This information can be other shoppers&#39; reviews about the item or a list of recommended items that have been purchased by other shoppers. For example, a customer purchasing a compact disc (CD) of music by Beethoven may read a review of the CD to ascertain if the CD would be to their liking. Another common feature of online shopping is the ability to create comparison based lists of two or more items of interest. For instance, a shopper can compare two or more potential laptops in a side by side comparison table showing the list of available features for each laptop. 
         [0003]    Many online shopping websites take advantage of customized advertising in the form of email based coupons and specials which are generally not available to the public. For example, after purchasing a stereo system, a purchaser may receive special discounts on stereo cables and components. In another example, an online website can track its valued customers and provide special coupons on items in their inventory to entice their customers in an effort to target certain segments of their sales. 
         [0004]    Storefront purchasing has several advantages compared to its online counterpart. One of the major advantages of storefront purchasing is the ability to physically handle and inspect items before purchasing the items. For example, shoe-wear can be very difficult to purchase online, due to the inability to establish the correct size which can vary between manufacturers. Storefront purchases for shoes can remove possible errors in purchasing by allowing the purchaser to find a proper fitting item through some method of trial and error. 
         [0005]    Immediate receipt of an item is another advantage of storefront purchasing which online purchasing cannot duplicate. In some instances purchasers require immediate use of items purchased such as replacing non-functioning items. For example, replacing a non-functioning automotive brake light is an item that would benefit from an immediate substitution. Some packaged electronic items can be defective and the purchaser cannot establish this until unpacking and installing the item. In this case a return of the item in is necessary. Return of the defective item from a storefront is significantly easier than a defective item which is purchased online. For example, a defective computer monitor that is purchased from a storefront site can be easily returned by physically returning the item to the storefront. Whereas a defective computer monitor purchased online would require shipping the monitor back to the online store. This shipping requirement results in a significant loss of time and money on the part of the purchaser. While online shopping is popular, storefront shopping is still a preferred way to purchase most items. It would be advantageous to enhance storefront shopping experiences to provide some of the advantages historically only available through online shopping channels of commerce. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention discloses a technique of providing additional information to shoppers about storefront items. This information can include customer reviews, listings of competing products, and other information. Further, storefront shoppers can be automatically notified of proximate items believed to be of interest to them and/or can be guided to a location of a desired object. This is analogous to showing items/information of interest based upon a set of items appearing within an online shopping Web site. Additionally, using shopper history information, targeted advertisements can be delivered to shoppers while in the storefront. Further still, shopper specific rebates can be automatically filled out for the shopper at a time of purchase and can be electronically submitted to a rebate destination. All of these advantages require an enhanced storefront awareness of shopper locations within a store relative to items contained in the store. Once this awareness has been added, storefronts can provide new interactive options to enhance an overall shopper experience. 
         [0007]    The present invention can be implemented in accordance with numerous aspects consistent with material presented herein. For example, one aspect of the present invention includes a method for storefront shopping that includes a step of associating at least one item location beacon with at least one for-sale item in a store. Different for-sale items can be associated with different item location beacons. A shopper location beacon can be associated with a movable object proximate to a shopper present in the store. An identity of the shopper can be determined. Shopper specific information can be obtained from a data store to determine at least one of the for-sale items likely to be of interest to the shopper. A shopper proximity to the for-sale items can be detected based upon a location of the item location beacon associated with the determined for-sale item and based upon a location of the shopper location beacon. When the shopper is proximate to the for-sale item, information can automatically be presented to the shopper via an electronic device about the determined for-sale item. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention includes an enhanced shopping method, where a computing system automatically determines a proximity between a storefront shopper and a for-sale item. In the method, a shopper data store containing shopper specific information can be accessed. A shopper targeted event relating to both the shopper and the for-sale item can be automatically initiated based upon a proximity between the two. The initiation of the event can be based at least in part upon decisions determined from the shopper specific information. A programmatic action can be executed responsive to the initiated event. Enhanced shopping information resulting from the programmatic action and relating to a unique relationship between the shopper and the for-sale item can be presented upon a shopper accessible interface. 
         [0009]    Still another aspect of the present invention includes an enhanced shopping system that includes a storefront, a shopper data store, an item data store, and a shopper interface device. The storefront can be a building within which shoppers purchase for-sale items. The shopper data store can maintain shopper preferences relevant to the storefront. The item data store can maintain information specific to the for-sale items. The shopper interface device can interactively present information to a shopper specific to the shopper and proximately located for-sale items. The presented information can be customized based upon a relationship between the shopper and the for-sale items as determined from the shopper preferences and the information specific to the for-sale items. 
         [0010]    It should be noted that various aspects of the invention can be implemented as a program for controlling computing equipment to implement the functions described herein, or a program for enabling computing equipment to perform processes corresponding to the steps disclosed herein. This program may be provided by storing the program in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, any other recording medium, or can also be provided as a digitally encoded signal conveyed via a carrier wave. The described program can be a single program or can be implemented as multiple subprograms, each of which interact within a single computing device or interact in a distributed fashion across a network space. 
         [0011]    The method detailed herein can also be a method performed at least in part by a service agent and/or a machine manipulated by a service agent in response to a service request. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]    There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a few scenarios for a shopper and item aware storefront system in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in which shoppers and items have location awareness capabilities that are used to enhance storefront shopping in accordance with the embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating graphical user interface (GUI) associated with a shopper interface device in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates scenarios  110 - 140  for a shopper and item aware storefront system in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In each scenario  110 - 140 , a shopper is provided information related to nearby items via a communication device. The provided information can be based upon shopper preferences and historical purchasing information. 
         [0017]    Scenario  110  illustrates a shopper  114  in a bookstore, who is carrying a mobile phone  116 . Either the shopper  114  or the mobile phone  116  can include a location beacon which is used to determine the shopper&#39;s  116  in-store position. Location beacons can also be placed on various for-sale items, such as item  112 , which in scenario  110  is a book. An in-store computing system can determine that book  112  is likely to be of interest to shopper  114  based upon previously established preferences, purchase history, and other factors. As the shopper  114  moves about in the store, the mobile phone  116  can present information related to different nearby for-sale items. 
         [0018]    For example, the mobile phone  116  can present a shopper rating and shopper comments  118  for item  112 . Shopper recommendations  119  can also be presented to help the shopper  114  identify other items similar in nature to item  112  or enjoyed by past purchasers of item  112 . 
         [0019]    Using a specific instance of scenario  110 , shopper  114  can have a past purchase history of fantasy books. When the shopper  114  approaches item  112 , which is a book “The Hobbit”, a notification concerning the book along with other nearby books can be presented upon the phone  116 . The shopper  114  can select the item  112  using an interface of the phone  116 , which presents user rating information  118  and recommendations  119  related to “The Hobbit”. 
         [0020]    Scenario  120  illustrates a shopper  123  in a grocery store, who is using a location-aware shopping cart  124  having an embedded computing display. The shopping cart  124  can convey a shopper  123  specific shopping list  126 . For-sale items can be tagged with location beacons, such as RFID tags, which the cart  124  can read. When for-sale items are placed in the cart  124  that are contained in the shopping list  126 , the list can be automatically updated. Further, the shopper  123  can be informed by the cart  124  when the shopper  123  is near an item  122  on the list  126 , which has yet to be acquired. Additionally, notices  128  can be presented when an item added to the cart  124  is either different from an item on list  126  or contradicts past purchases. For instance, a notice  128  can inform shopper  123  that he placed BRAND Y in the cart  124  even though his wife prefers BRAND X. 
         [0021]    Scenario  130  illustrates a shopper  131  using a self-service kiosk  132  to purchase items from a home improvement store. The self checkout kiosk  132  can uniquely identify the shopper and for-sale items, which the shopper is purchasing through the kiosk  132 . The kiosk  132  can also be linked to a data store having shopper  131  specific information, which is used during shopper-kiosk interactions. For example, the kiosk  132  can compare check-out items against a shopping list (similar to scenario  120 ). Further, shopper-specific coupons  136  relating to check-out items  134  can be automatically applied to a kiosk transaction. Further, the kiosk  132  can facilitate rebate  138  submissions relating to the check-out items  134 . 
         [0022]    Scenario  140  illustrates a shopper  142  using a mobile phone  148 , which navigates the shopper to in-store items. The items can be specified in interface section  144 . Interface section  146  can then present a map, which guides the shopper  142  to the specified item. In one embodiment, the map of section  146  can be dynamically updated as the shopper  142  moves about the store. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  200  in which shoppers  220  and items  210  have location awareness capabilities that are used to enhance storefront shopping in accordance with the embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. System  200  can be used to perform actions illustrated in scenarios  110 - 140 . 
         [0024]    The location awareness capabilities of system  200  can result from a set of location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  that are attached to items  210 , shoppers  220 , and/or shopping devices  230 . The location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  can determine relative positions using direct peer-to-peer communications. Location awareness can also require a use of location server  240 , which manages positions of the location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  in system  200 . 
         [0025]    In-store interactions can be based upon shopper specific data contained in shopper data store  260 , item specific information contained in item information system  280 , and storefront specific rules contained in storefront management information system  270 . In one embodiment, system  200  can include a modality server  250  which can handle interactions using different input/output modalities, such as a voice modality, a text modality, and a GUI modality. The modality server  250  can permit devices (e.g., shopper carried phones and store provided interface devices  230 ) of differing capabilities to make advantageous use of device specific capabilities. A network  290  can communicatively link the various components of system  200  to each other. 
         [0026]    As used herein, the location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  can be any computing component capable of determining a relative or absolute position. Location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  can include global positioning system (GPS), Long Range Radio Navigation (Loran), LOJAC, or other location detection components. Location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  can also be implemented as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, which actively, semi-actively, or passively communicate with one or more RFID scanners when proximately located. A series of RFID scanners can determine a location of a beacon  212 ,  222 ,  232  based upon whether the beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  are within range of which scanners. Similarly, short range transeivers (e.g., BLUETOOTH, WIFI (any of the 802.11 based family of protocols) mobile telephony transceiver, and the like) can be used as location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  since a location of the transceiver can be determined based upon which broadcasting hub/communicating device is within transmission range of the transceiver. Transmission characteristics, such as signal strength, and triangulation techniques can be used to increase an accuracy of location determinations in situations in which transceivers are used as location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232 . 
         [0027]    The location server  240  can facilitate location determinations. Location server  240  can execute algorithms (triangulation algorithms for example), which determine a location of one or more beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232 . A location table  242  can be continuously updated that includes locations of items  210 , shoppers  220 , and/or devices  230 . Additionally, the location server  240  can trigger events, such as a notification event, based upon a proximity of the various location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  to one another. 
         [0028]    The item  210  can be any for-sale item contained in a store. Item  210  can include grocery store items, books, tools, pictures, furniture, and any other consumer good. Additionally, information specific to an item  210  can be contained within item information system  280  which can be accessible via network  290 . System  280  can be an information system provided by an item manufacturer, a retail store, an independent product evaluation group, a trusted (or untrusted) third party, and other such systems. Information from system  280  can be presented directly to an in-store shopper  220  via interface device  230 . 
         [0029]    Item  210  does not necessarily need to have a location beacon  212  directly associated with it. In one embodiment, a location beacon  212  can be associated with a group of items  210  having a particular category. A category-specific computing device (not shown) equipped with a beacon  212  can be used to provide information for all items  210  of that category. The category specific computing device can be communicatively linked with a storefront management information system  270  which includes an updated inventory of in-store items. Thus inventory can be indexed by category which permits the category specific computing device to maintain a listing of current items. Periodic manual inventories can be used to correct mistakes in an automated inventory process. 
         [0030]    To illustrate, a bookstore can organize books by categories. Each category (or book shelf) can include a category specific computing device which is able to communicate information about books in that category to shoppers  220  and/or shopper interface devices  230 . As shoppers purchase books and as new books are made available for-sale by the bookstore, inventory changes are made to the storefront management information system  270  which can be communicated to the category specific computing device. 
         [0031]    The shopper  220  can be a physical person who shops in a storefront location. Information specific to the shopper  220  can be stored in shopper data store  260 . This information can include shopper personal information (e.g., name, address, phone, birth date), past purchase history, shopper preferences (i.e., either entered by shopper or inferred from data mining past transactions), and the like. In one embodiment, the shopper data store can include a memory space that a shopper  220  or an agent of the shopper  220  is able to access from the Web, which is made available to the shopper  220  when he/she is in the storefront. For example, a shopper  220  or a shopper&#39;s spouse can enter a shopping list in a suitable Web site linked to network  290  which is used for storefront interactions, as shown in scenario  120 . 
         [0032]    The shopper interface device  230  can be any device capable of interacting with the shopper  220 . For example, device  230  can be a mobile telephone, a smart shopping cart, a smart shopping basket, a wearable computing device, a media player, a portable entertainment console, a kiosk, an automated check-out counter, a cashier&#39;s checkout system, and the like. The device  230  can communicate through different modalities, such as using speech input/output, using a graphical user interface (GUI) input/output, using tactile controls to accept shopper  220  input, and the like. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, a modality server  250  can be used to handle the different interactive modalities of devices  230 . In one embodiment, modality server  250  can have device specific interface constraints. For example, different shoppers  220  carry different types of mobile phones, which can serve as devices  230 . Depending on screen size, resolution, speech interaction capabilities, etc., of the mobile telephone, different presentation adjustments will be required by system  200 ,\ which modality server  250  can handle. In another embodiment, interactive modalities can be implemented independent of other computing components of system  200 . For example, a composite services model can be used to implement system  200  applications in a modality independent manner. 
         [0034]    A special situation can occur in system  200  where determinations based on location beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  are unnecessary. That situation is one in which a shopper  220  and/or an item  210  position is inherently near device  230 . For example, when device  230  is a kiosk, a location of a shopper  220  is inherently known, while that shopper is interacting with the kiosk. Similarly, the kiosk can include a bar-code scanner, which identifies items  210 , at which point the item  210  location is known. The kiosk can also include a credit card reader which can be used to scan a credit card that identifies a shopper  220 . Thus, an interactive kiosk (device  230 ) can provide “location-aware” enhancements described herein (e.g., item ratings, reviews, recommendations, etc.) without requiring a use of beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232  or location server  240 , as shown by scenario  130 . 
         [0035]    Network  290  can include any hardware/software/and firmware necessary to convey digital content encoded within carrier waves. Content can be contained within analog or digital signals and conveyed through data or voice channels and can be conveyed over a personal area network (PAN) or a wide area network (WAN). The network  290  can include local components and data pathways necessary for communications to be exchanged among computing device components and between integrated device components and peripheral devices. The network  290  can also include network equipment, such as routers, data lines, hubs, and intermediary servers which together form a packet-based network, such as the Internet or an intranet. The network  290  can further include circuit-based communication components and mobile communication components, such as telephony switches, modems, cellular communication towers, and the like. The network  290  can include line based and/or wireless communication pathways. 
         [0036]    The various computing devices of system  200  (i.e., items  230 - 280  as well as beacons  212 ,  222 ,  232 ) can each have associated data stores. Each data store can be a physical or virtual storage space configured to store digital information. Each data store can be physically implemented within any type of hardware including, but not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a digitally encoded plastic memory, a holographic memory, or any other recording medium. The data stores can be a stand-alone storage unit as well as a storage unit formed from a plurality of physical devices. Additionally, information can be stored within the data stores in a variety of manners. For example, information can be stored within a database structure or can be stored within one or more files of a file storage system, where each file may or may not be indexed for information searching purposes. Further, the data stores can utilize one or more encryption mechanisms to protect stored information from unauthorized access. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating graphical user interface (GUI)  300  associated with a shopper interface device in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The GUI  300  can be an interface of device  230  or can be any interface illustrated in scenarios  110 - 140 . 
         [0038]    The interface  300  can be capable of presenting interactive information to a shopper, who is located in a storefront. The information can include item specific information. Further, different information can be dynamically presented within the interface  300  depending upon positional relationships between a shopper and for-sale items. 
         [0039]    As shown in interface  300 , a set of store  310  specific user-selectable options can be presented in the interface. These options include selectable controls  340  for locating an item, searching for an item in the store inventory, receiving item recommendations, viewing a shopper purchase history, viewing/activating coupons for items, determining a location history, accessing a series of previously viewed items, viewing or posting comments concerning an item, accessing information concerning recently purchased items, handling rebate forms, and the like. The set of controls  340  can be specifically configured for a store  310  and/or can be specifically configured by a user&#39;s preferences. Selecting any of the controls  340  can result in a related interface being presented (i.e., can include interfaces shown in scenarios  110 - 140  for example). 
         [0040]    The GUI  300  can also include a tab for pre-purchase  320  information. Items such as a shopper&#39;s shopping list, preferred brands, running total for selected items, operational item accessories and enhancements (e.g., extended warranty and complementary items), and the like can appear when tab  320  is selected. 
         [0041]    GUI  300  can also permit a user to specify their preferences  330 . These preferences  330  can include item specific preferences, such as brand, cost, color, and the like. The preferences can also include preferences for what interactive prompts the user is to receive, a preferred interface  300  configuration for the shopper, and the like. 
         [0042]    It should be appreciated that the interface  300  is presented for illustrative purposes only and that the invention is not to be construed as limited in this regard. Alternative interface control mechanism, interface modalities, and arrangements are contemplated. For example, the interface  300  can be implemented as a voice-only interface of a voice response system, instead of as a GUI interface. Specific implementation details can depend upon device capabilities, a set of user configurable interface preferences, and interface designer choices. 
         [0043]    The present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. 
         [0044]    The present invention also may be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. 
         [0045]    This invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.