Location based mobile messaging shopping network

A location-based mobile messaging shopping network is provided that acquires location data from a mobile computing device (MCD), receives the location data at a server, generates a collection of businesses and individual sellers offering goods or services in the location associated with the location data based on the service area of the businesses and individual sellers and user location, and establishes a real-time communication channel between the businesses and MCD. The MCD displays various real-time communication channels to enable the user of the MCD to communicate with the businesses, and enables the user to purchase goods and services directly through the real-time communication channels displayed on the MCD.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to mobile and computer-based shopping and more particularly to mobile and computer-based shopping for goods and services from local businesses and individual sellers.

BACKGROUND

With the widespread use of mobile devices for activities that used to be carried out primarily on computers, such as shopping, mobile web browsers and apps have become a primary communication channel between businesses and individual sellers selling goods and services and purchasers of goods and services.

Local merchants and individual sellers often have great difficulty offering and selling goods and services on mobile devices given technical limitations of posting all their goods and services to websites on mobile devices and the difficulty of attracting local shoppers to their websites. Many local businesses and individual sellers do not have websites, mobile-optimized websites, or mobile apps. If they do, it is difficult for purchasers to know which businesses and individual sellers service the location they are in at any moment. If they do, it is difficult for purchasers to navigate across mobile websites to discover what local businesses and individual sellers have in stock for purchase at a particular time. There is, therefore, a need for local businesses and individual sellers selling items to be able to offer their goods and services effectively to purchasers on mobile devices.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides computer systems and methods configured for providing a location-based mobile shopping computer network connecting local businesses and individual sellers selling items with local shoppers. The analysis and use can entail accessing a location-based mobile shopping computer network, retrieving a network of local businesses and individual sellers selling goods and services in real-time messaging groups via one or more communication channels or options, communicating with local businesses and individual sellers in these groups, communicating with one local business or individual seller in these groups or with multiple local businesses and sellers simultaneously in these groups, and purchasing goods and services from local businesses and individual sellers.

In one embodiment of the present invention, provided is a computer system which: (a) receives a location identifier and identifying information of the requesting user; (b) retrieves a group of local businesses and individual sellers offering goods and services for sale in the location; (c) displays the local businesses and individual sellers in individual real-time chat groups for the purchaser to access.

In some aspects, users communicate through real-time messaging with businesses or individual sellers in real-time chat groups.

In some aspects, goods and services are displayed by the businesses or individual sellers in real-time chat group messages.

In some aspects, a price or availability of a good or service is displayed by the businesses or individual sellers in real-time chat group messages.

In some aspects, the goods or services consist of a service, a tangible good or a digital good.

In some aspects, the system displays the name, stock keeping unit, bar code, identification number, identification code, description, merchandise image, merchandise video, color, vendor, manufacturer, inventory level, internet address and price of the good or service.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to retrieve multiple users into a real-time messaging group and displays the multiple users and local businesses and individual sellers.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to send a user a notification when additional messages or goods or services are delivered into a real-time messaging group.

In some aspects, the notification is a screen instant notification, a text message, a push notification, an electronic instant message, or an email message.

In some aspects, the good or service is displayed on an interface configured to allow a user to purchase the good or service, to retrieve more information about the good or service, or learn more about the business or individual seller offering the good or service.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to initiate a search in a real-time messaging group or groups for a good or service.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to initiate a search in a real-time messaging group for groups for a category of good or service.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to upload an image, photograph or video of, but not limited to, a product or service, in a real-time messaging group.

In some respects, the image, photograph, or video is displayed on an interface configured to allow an individual or business to search for a product or service that is related to the image, photograph or video.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to open and close real-time messaging groups from access, temporarily or permanently.

Also provided, in one embodiment of the present invention, is a computer system which: (a) receives a location identifier and identifying information of the requesting user; (b) retrieves a group of local businesses and individual sellers offering goods and services for sale in the location; (c) allocates the local businesses and individual sellers into real-time chat groups based on an algorithm whose instructions calculate the set of messaging groups to render for the user based on, but not limited to, characteristics of the location, number of available businesses and individual sellers, time of day, time of year; (d) renders the local businesses and individual sellers aggregated in real-time chat groups, displayed on an interface configured to allow a user to communicate with multiple local businesses and individual sellers simultaneously; and (e) make purchases.

In some aspects, the real-time chat groups are aggregated around subject-based categories such as, but not limited to, shopping, dining, shoes, gourmet, holiday shopping, hardware, groceries, and fashion.

In some aspects, the real-time chat groups are aggregated around time-based categories such as, but not limited to, local events, seasons, and festivals.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to initiate a search in a real-time messaging group for a business or individual seller.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to initiate a search in a real-time messaging group for a category of business or individual seller.

In some respects, the code further configures the system to (a) allow a user to create their own real-time messaging group; (b) retrieve a group of local businesses and individual sellers offering goods and services for sale in the location; (c) display the local businesses and individual sellers on an interface configured so they can be selected and invited into the user's own real-time messaging group; and (d) save the real-time messaging group to access later.

In some respects, the code further configures the system to (a) allow a business or individual seller to create their own real-time messaging group; and (b) save the real-time messaging group to access later.

In some aspects, the code further configures the system to display local businesses and individual sellers on an interface configured so they can be selected and invited into the business's or individual seller's own real-time messaging group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An approach is described for a computer system and method configured for providing a location-based mobile shopping computer network connecting local businesses and individual sellers selling goods and services with local shoppers. While the detailed description below discusses connecting local businesses and/or individual sellers selling goods and services to local shoppers, it is recognized that the local shopping network may also, without departing from the scope of the invention, connect local shoppers to the sellers of specific goods or specific branded goods (sold, for example, through local shops) and/or to global retail chains or other sellers of goods and/services within a given area.

InFIG. 1, a block diagram100of a server102executing instructions for a location-based mobile messaging shopping approach is depicted in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. The server102has at least one processor or controller104coupled to a memory108, communication interfaces110(e.g., wireless and/or wired) power module112, human interface114(e.g., mouse, keyboard, microphone, camera), data store116(e.g., cloud storage, external database, internal disk), display118(e.g., graphics/video card, monitor) by a bus106(e.g., data, address, and/or power). The memory may be subdivided into an application memory120and operating system memory122. The memory108may be RAM/ROM/EEPROM/PROM to give but a few examples. The communication interfaces110connect the server102with one or more other networks, such as the internet/cloud124. In other implementations, other networks may be accessed prior to or in addition to the internet cloud124.

Turning toFIG. 2, a block diagram200of a computing device (e.g., desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, electronic book reader, wearable device, any type of portable computing device, or any other type of computer)202executing instructions for communicating with the server102ofFIG. 1is depicted in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. The computer202has at least one processor or controller204coupled to a memory208, communication interfaces210(e.g., wireless and/or wired) power module212, human interface214(e.g., mouse, keyboard, microphone, camera), data store216(e.g., cloud storage, external database, internal disk), display218(e.g., graphics/video card, monitor) by a bus206(e.g., data, address, and/or power). The memory may be subdivided into an application memory220and operating system memory222. The memory208may be RAM/ROM/EEPROM/PROM to give but a few examples. The communication interfaces210connect the computer202with one or more other networks, such as the internet/cloud124. In other implementations, other networks may be accessed prior to or in addition to the internet cloud124.

InFIG. 3, a block diagram300of a mobile computing device (MCD) (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, electronic book reader, wearable device, or any other type of portable computing device)302executing instructions for communication with the server102ofFIG. 1is depicted in accordance with an example implementation. The MCD302has at least one processor or controller304coupled to a memory308, communication interfaces310(e.g., cellular, wireless internet, Bluetooth, GPS), power module312that may also be coupled with the communication interfaces via USB type (A, B, C, etc. . . . ) connector, user interface314(e.g., touch screen, microphone), scanner/camera module316, display318(e.g., graphics/video card, monitor) by a bus306(e.g., data, address, and/or power). The memory may be subdivided into a mobile application memory320and operating system/records memory322. The memory108may be RAM/ROM/EEPROM/PROM to give but a few examples. The communication interfaces110connect the server102with one or more other networks, such as the internet/cloud124and also may connect to a cellular network. In other implementations, other networks may be accessed prior to or in addition to the internet cloud124.

FIG. 4depicts an illustration400of a location-based mobile shopping computer network connecting local businesses404,406selling items with local shoppers via their MCD302ofFIG. 3. The MCD302receives location information from a plurality of GPS satellites (represented by satellite401) and/or cellular network408. The MCD302may also communicate with a data network, such as the internet124via wireless internet or the cellular network408.

A server102hosting and/or accessing data for the location-based mobile shopping computer network is connected to the internet124. Similarly, businesses404and406with computing devices202and402respectively are also connected to the internet124. Depending upon the implementation, the computing devices s202and402may be connected to the cellular network408.

The server102receives a location identifier from the MCD302while a local shopping application is active (e.g., currently executing or “running” via the at least one processor or controller304, executing the application code in memory308) on the MCD302. The location identifier may be generated from GPS satellite410data, location data from the cellular network, or other mapping approaches. The location identifier is used at the server102to identify information of the requesting user of MCD302. The application at the server accesses a database or data store116, and retrieves a group of local businesses and individual sellers offering goods and services for sale in one or more locations in proximity to the location identifier. The proximity may be relative to the location identifier (e.g., within 1 mile of the location identifier, within 100 feet of the location identifier, and so on). The proximity may be, for example, a predetermined range, or a preference specified by the user. The server then transmits data to the MCD302that results in display318displaying local businesses (404,406) and individual sellers in real-time chat groups on the MCD302for the user (purchaser) of the MCD302to access.

The user of the MCD302may then communicate through real-time messaging over either the internet104or cellular network408with the computing devices202,402associated with the respective businesses404,406or individual sellers in real-time chat groups. Goods and services offered by the business404and406are displayed by the sellers in real-time chat group messages received at the MCD302. The price or availability of goods (tangible or digital) or services may be provided by the businesses404,406or individual sellers and displayed in the real-time chat group messages. The MCD302may display the name, stock keeping unit, bar code, identification number, identification code, description, merchandise image, merchandise video, color, vendor, manufacturer, inventory level, internet address, price, and/or other information about the good or service. It is recognized that not all the information is required to be displayed on MDC302, but rather are optionally provided. Further, the description may include an image, photograph, or video of, but not limited to, a product or service. In other implementations, multiple MCDs may be grouped into a real-time messaging group with multiple users' MCDs and local businesses404,406and individual sellers all participating in the messaging group. Real-time messaging groups may be open or closed real-time messaging groups that control access to the real-time messaging group (e.g., who can access, whether access is temporary or permanent, and/or other user permissions). Users, businesses, and individual sellers may communicate through the real-time messaging groups via one or more communication channels or options including but not limited to a text or SMS (short message service) message, a push notification, an electronic instant message, an email message, or any combination thereof.

A user notification via the MCD302may be generated when additional messages or goods or services are delivered into a real-time messaging group. The notification may be an instant notification presented within local shopping application, but in other implementations may be a text or SMS (short message service) message, a push notification, an electronic instant message, an email message, or any combination of an instant notification, a text message, a push notification, an electronic instant message, and an email message.

The good(s) or service(s) are displayed in the display318via a user interface of the local shopping application configured on the MCD302to allow a user to purchase the good(s) or service(s), to retrieve more information about the good(s) or service(s), or learn more about the business or individual seller offering the good(s) or service(s). This additional information may be presented via the existing chat group or in some implementations, by direct individual messaging between computing device202of the business404and the MCD302.

A search in a real-time messaging group or groups for a good or service may also be conducted from the local shopping application executing on the MCD302. The server102may receive a request from the MCD302to initiate a search in a real-time messaging group for a category of a good or service, or for a particular good or service, or similar search requests.

In some respects, an image, photograph, or video may be displayed on a computing device, such as202or402, in an interface configured to allow an individual or business to search for a product or service that is related to goods or service associated with the image, photograph or video.

In another implementation, a server102receives a location identifier from the MCD302and identifying information of the requesting user. The server102retrieves a group of local businesses404,406and individual sellers offering goods and services for sale in the location encompassed by the location identifier using information contained in data store116. The server102allocates the local businesses404,406and individual sellers into real-time chat groups based on similar groupings. A set of messaging groups to render for the MCD302based on, but not limited to, characteristics of the location, number of available businesses and individual sellers, time of day, time of year. It is noted that the real-time chat groups may also be aggregated or generated around time-based categories such as, but not limited to, local events, seasons, and festivals.

In other implementations, the server102may allow an MCD302to create its own real-time messaging group and retrieve a group of local businesses and individual sellers offering goods and services for sale in a particular location. The location may be specified by the user of MCD302, or generated automatically based on a current location, or based on a future location which may be known or otherwise predicted (e.g., based upon a known itinerary which may be specified by the user or determined by another process, such as a calendar application which stores information about the user's future plans of when and where the user will be). The MCD302may save the real-time messaging group for the user to access later, such as when the user is at the location used to generate the real-time messaging group.

FIG. 5illustrates an example user interface502for allowing a user to view and/or manage his or her shopping stations in one example implementation, which may be generated by the local shopping application and presented in the display318of MCD302ofFIG. 3, is shown in accordance with an example implementation. The MCD302executes instructions for the local shopping application from mobile application memory320that generates the interface502. Interface502enables new stations to be defined504, find nearby stations508, and groupings of business such as the arts510, ladies shoes512, gourmet514, and fashion516. Other groupings not shown in interface502may also be possible. The definition of new stations results in a new entry in the database or data store116. The grouping of businesses into categories occurs at server102. The user of the MCD302can select one of the displayed categories for messaging510,512,514, and516, to receive additional information about businesses, sellers, goods, and services.

FIG. 6illustrates an example user interface602for allowing a user to view and/or manage his or her shopping stations in another example implementation, which may be generated by the local shopping application and presented in the display318of MCD302ofFIG. 3. For example, the MCD302executes instructions for the local shopping application from mobile application memory320in order to generate the user interface602. As illustrated, user interface602can enable the user to define new stations504, to find nearby stations508, and to view groupings of businesses or sellers such as the arts610, ladies shoes612, gourmet614, and fashion616. The grouping of businesses into categories can occur, for example, at server102. The user of the MCD302can select one of the displayed categories610,612,614, and616for messaging, for example to receive additional information about businesses, sellers, goods, and services.

FIG. 7illustrates an example user interface702for a user view and send messages as part of a real-time messaging group in one example implementation, which may be generated by the local shopping application and presented in the display318of MCD302ofFIG. 3. In this example, the station title is “London Dining.” Interface702displays the real-time messaging group704with a plurality of messages between business users representing the businesses DTLon Hotels and Nopi Restaurant and at least one shopping user.FIG. 8continues the view of user interface702ofFIG. 7, illustrating a real-time messaging group804with images embedded in the message as shown in accordance with an example implementation.

FIG. 9illustrates an example user interface902for allowing a user to view goods or services offered by a business404in one example implementation, which may be generated by the local shopping application and presented in the display318of MCD302ofFIG. 3. In the example a particular product is displayed with an image, a brief description, and a price. A message may be composed in the message section904so that, for example, the user can ask questions about the product, and a real-time message is sent via a real-time message group to associated a computing device(s)202at business(es)404.

FIG. 10illustrates an example user interface1002for allowing a user to view more product details in one example implementation, which may be generated by the local shopping application and presented in the display318of MCD302ofFIG. 3. User interface1002shows product details1004offered by a business with a price1006and buy button1008. The user interface1002provides product details about a product that is located at a business or seller nearby, which may for example be provided to the user's MCD302by a business404. The user at the MCD302may be presented with an option to purchase the product by selecting the buy button1008. The purchase transaction may then be carried out by the business, such as business404. In other implementations, the transaction may occur at the server102with payment information received via the MCD302and appropriate corresponding credit being generated for the business402.

FIG. 11schematically illustrates a logical flow diagram of a process1100for providing a location-based mobile shopping network according to an exemplary embodiment. The process1100may be executed, for example, by server102ofFIG. 1. In one embodiment, the process1100may also be executed in whole or in part by MCD302, in communication with the server102. In various embodiments, fewer blocks or additional blocks may be included in the process, or various blocks may be performed in an order different from that shown inFIG. 11. For ease of illustration, the process1100will be described as being executed in part by the MCD302and in part by the server102.

The process1100starts at step1102with the mobile application (e.g., the local shopping app) obtaining a location identifier from the MCD302. The MCD302transmits the location identifier to the server102in step1104. The server receives the location identifiers in step1106. In step1108, the server computes a collection (or matrix) of businesses and individual sellers, based at least in part on the received location identifiers and on the bounds of service area associated with businesses and individual sellers. The bounds of service area data may be retrieved from, for example, a data store116. At step1110, the server102filters the list of businesses and individual sellers based on the user's stored preferences, which may also be located in and retrieved from the data store116. At step1112, the server102allocates the businesses and individual sellers into one or more real-time chat messaging groups. At step1114, the server102then transmits the matrix of real-time chat messaging groups to the MCD302. The MCD302running the mobile application displays the matrix of real-time chat messaging groups in the MCD's interface in step1116. At step1118, the user, via the MCD302, can communicate with a business402and individual sellers. At step1120, the user may be offered the opportunity to purchase goods or services.

It will be understood and is appreciated by persons skilled in the art, that one or more processes, sub-processes, or process steps described in connection withFIG. 11may be performed by hardware and/or software (machine-readable instructions). If the approach is performed by software, the software may reside in software memory in a suitable electronic processing component or system such as one or more of the functional components or modules schematically depicted in the figures.

The software in software memory may include an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions (that is, “logic” that may be implemented either in digital forms such as digital circuitry or source code or in analog forms such as analog circuitry or an analog source such an analog electrical, sound or video signal), and may selectively be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor containing system, or other system that may selectively fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” is any tangible means that may contain or store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The tangible computer readable medium may selectively be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples, but nonetheless a non-exhaustive list, of tangible computer-readable media would include the following: a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a RAM (electronic), a read-only memory “ROM” (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic) and a portable compact disc read-only memory “CDROM” (optical). Note that the tangible computer-readable medium may even be paper (punch cards or punch tape) or another suitable medium upon which the instructions may be electronically captured, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and stored in computer memory.

Additional Embodiments

In general, any of the routines, processes, methods, or criteria disclosed herein for providing a location-based mobile shopping computer network can be used individually or in combination with any of the other routines, processes, methods or criteria disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the server102may be configured differently, include different components or modules, and/or omit some components or modules shown inFIG. 1. For example, in one embodiment, server102includes one or more hardware processors in communication with a computer readable medium storing software modules including instructions that are executable by the one or more hardware processors, and one or more software modules. The one or more hardware processors may include, for example, digital logic circuitry. The one or more software modules may instruct a computing system to execute the various methods, approaches, and/or techniques as described herein.

As described above, the server102can be implemented by a computing system that includes one or more physical servers or other computing machines, such as several computing machines interconnected via a network. Thus, each of the components depicted in the server102can include hardware and/or software for performing various features. In one embodiment, the server102is implemented in association with a web site or collection of web sites. Various disclosed features can be incorporated into a mobile device operating system, a mobile application, a sport league administration site or service, a social networking service, or any combination of these.

The server102can include one or more servers for receiving and responding to network requests from the mobile computing device(s)302and/or business computing devices402. The one or more servers can include web servers, application servers, database servers, combinations of the same, or the like. In some embodiments, the Internet/cloud124is a publicly accessible network of linked networks, possibly operated by various distinct parties, such as the Internet. In other embodiments, the Internet/cloud124may be a private network, such as, for example, a corporate or university network that is wholly or partially inaccessible to non-privileged users. In still other embodiments, the Internet/cloud124may include one or more private networks with access to and/or from the Internet.

The processing of the various components of the server102can be distributed across multiple machines, networks, and other computing resources. The various components of the server102can also be implemented in one or more virtual machines, rather than in dedicated servers. Likewise, the data repositories shown can represent physical and/or logical data storage, including, for example, storage area networks or other distributed storage systems. Moreover, in some embodiments the connections between the components shown represent possible paths of data flow, rather than actual connections between hardware. While some examples of possible connections are shown, any of the subset of the components shown can communicate with any other subset of components in various implementations.

In some embodiments, the server102may be configured differently than illustrated in the figures above. For example, various functionalities provided by the illustrated modules can be combined, rearranged, added, or deleted. In some embodiments, additional or different processors or modules may perform some or all of the functionalities described with reference to the example embodiment illustrated in the figures above. Many implementation variations are possible.

In some embodiments, the server102may be implemented on, or in communication with, one or more hosted computing environments. The hosted computing environments may include a collection of rapidly provisioned and released computing resources hosted in connection with the server102. Such computing resources may be referred to, individually, as host computing devices. The computing resources may further include a number of computing, networking, and storage devices in communication with one another. In some embodiments, the computing devices may correspond to physical computing devices. In other embodiments, the computing devices may correspond to virtual machine instances implemented by one or more physical computing devices. In still other embodiments, computing devices may correspond to both virtual computing devices and physical computing devices. A hosted computing environment may also be referred to as a cloud computing environment.