SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USER ENGAGEMENT WITH A RETAILER

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for user engagement with a retailer. In some embodiments, a system includes an application including a set of computer program code configured to be executed by a mobile electronic device associated with a customer of the retailer. The application includes a first component and a second component. A first server includes a first control circuit and communicatively coupled to the application and configured to: communicate with the first component. A second server includes a second control circuit and communicatively coupled to the application and configured to: facilitate purchase of products for sale at an ecommerce website; and switch, upon an activation of the second component, control by the first server of a first user interface provided by the first component to control by the second server of the second user interface provided by the second component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to user engagement with a retailer, and more specifically is directed to user engagement with a retailer via a mobile user device.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a customer uses an application to shop in person at a store and a different application to shop online. However, it is quite inconvenient and time consuming for the customer to switch or jump between these applications depending on whether the customer wants to purchase an item at the store/in person or online.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for user engagement with a retailer. In some embodiments, a system for user engagement with a retailer includes an application including a set of computer program code configured to be executed by a mobile electronic device associated with a customer of the retailer. The application includes a first component and a second component. In some embodiments, when executed by the mobile electronic device, the first component activates functionality of the first component responsive to a user input and upon a determination that the mobile electronic device is at a retail store. The first component provides a first user interface for interaction with the customer on the mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, the first component receives product identifying information of one or more products physically located at the retail store and that the customer intends to purchase and take possession thereof when exiting the retail store. The first component may compile a virtual cart of the one or more products based on the product identifying information to purchase at the retail store. The first component may receive data associated with a machine-readable label corresponding to a product for sale in the retail store that the customer is interested in purchasing. In some embodiments, the data corresponds to activation of the second component and corresponds to the product for sale. The machine-readable label is optically read by an image capture device of the mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, when executed by the mobile electronic device, the second component activates functionality of the second component upon the receipt of the data. The second component may provide a second user interface for interaction with the customer on the mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, the system includes a first server including a first control circuit and communicatively coupled to the application. The first server may communicate with the first component, receives data corresponding to the virtual cart of the one or more products, and/or facilitates electronic payment for the one or more products of the virtual cart. In some embodiments, the system includes a second server including a second control circuit and communicatively coupled to the application. The second server may facilitate purchase of products for sale at an ecommerce web site. The second server switches, upon the activation of the second component, control by the first server of the first user interface provided by the first component to control by the second server of the second user interface provided by the second component.

In some embodiments, a method for user engagement with a retailer includes activating, by a first component of an application comprising a set of computer program code configured to be executed by a mobile electronic device associated with a customer of the retailer, functionality of the first component responsive to a user input and upon a determination that the mobile electronic device is at a retail store. The method includes providing, by the first component, a first user interface for interaction with the customer on the mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, by the first component, product identifying information of one or more products physically located at the retail store and that the customer intends to purchase and take possession thereof when exiting the retail store. By one approach, the method may include compiling, by the first component, a virtual cart of the one or more products based on the product identifying information to purchase at the retail store. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, by the first component, data associated with a machine-readable label corresponding to a product for sale in the retail store that the customer is interested in purchasing. For example, the data may correspond to activation of the second component and corresponds to the product for sale. A machine-readable label may be optically read by an image capture device of the mobile electronic device. The method may include activating, by a second component of the application, functionality of the second component upon the receipt of the data. In some embodiments, the method includes providing, by the second component, a second user interface for interaction with the customer on the mobile electronic device. The method includes communicating, by a first server comprising a first control circuit and communicatively coupled to the application, with the first component. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, by the first server, data corresponding to the virtual cart of the one or more products. The method may include facilitating, by the first server, electronic payment for the one or more products of the virtual cart. The method includes facilitating, by a second server including a second control circuit and communicatively coupled to the application, purchase of products for sale at an ecommerce website. In some embodiments, the method includes switching, by the second server and upon the activation of the second component, control by the first server of the first user interface provided by the first component to control by the second server of the second user interface provided by the second component.

To illustrate at least some embodiments,FIGS. 1, 2A-2G, and 3are concurrently described below.FIG. 1illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary system100for user engagement with a retailer in accordance with some embodiments.FIGS. 2A-2Gare illustrations of an exemplary process for user engagement with a retailer in accordance with some embodiments.FIG. 3shows a flow diagram of an exemplary process300for user engagement with a retailer in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the system100includes an application104including a set of computer program code configured to be executed by a mobile electronic device102, e.g., by a control circuit or other local processor, associated with a customer of the retailer. In some embodiments, the set of computer program code is stored in a memory (not shown inFIG. 1). The memory may be integral to the mobile electronic device102, or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from the mobile electronic device102and is configured to non-transitorily store the computer program code that, when executed by the mobile electronic device102, cause the mobile electronic device102to behave as described herein. (As used herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to refer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM)) as well as volatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM))). Accordingly, the memory may be referred to as a non-transitory medium or non-transitory computer readable medium.

The application104can be executed by one or more mobile electronic devices102associated with customers of the retailer in concert with other software modules or applications (computer program code), or groups of applications, such as operating systems, locating applications (e.g., a mapping, GPS, etc. applications), two-factor authentication (TFA) applications, single sign on (S SO) applications, graphics processing/driver applications, security applications, etc. In some embodiments, the application104may be installed in one or more mobile electronic devices102. By one approach, each application104can be locally installed in a memory associated with the mobile electronic device102. In some embodiments, the application104is a dedicated application (e.g., an application specific to a retailer and/or specific to the functions described herein). In some embodiments, the application104is an application that performs the functions as described herein but also perform other functions in the operation of the mobile electronic device102. In some embodiments, the application104is an add-on application installed on the mobile electronic device102and that cooperates with other application/s of the mobile electronic device102, such as the operating system and works with the other application/s to provide the functionality described herein. For example, the application104is an add-on application that performs the functions to cause the display of and receive user inputs such as shown inFIGS. 2A-2G, and in doing so communicates with the operating system application of the mobile electronic device102to control at least a display110and user inputs, and uses communication transceivers and other input/output to communicate with other components in the system100.

In some embodiments, the application104includes a first component106and a second component108. In some embodiments, each component comprises respective computer program code configured to perform its respective functions. In some embodiments, each component can be referred to as a program module. In some embodiments, the first component106and the second component108are separate computer program code portions controlled by separate computer program code that interfaces or bridges the two components as needed. In some embodiments, the first component106and the second component108are part of the same computer program code such that separate interfacing code is not needed.

In some embodiments, each of the first component106and the second component108provide respective functions when executed by mobile electronic device102. In some embodiments, when executed by a mobile electronic device102, the first component106activates, at step302, functionality of the first component106responsive to a user input and upon a determination that the mobile electronic device102is at a retail store128. For example, the mobile electronic device102includes a navigation unit (e.g., Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), GLONASS, and/or the like) capable of determining a current location of the mobile electronic device102. In some embodiments, a user input (e.g., a user/customer of the mobile electronic device102selecting an icon and/or a button on the mobile electronic device102corresponding to the application104, a voice command received by a transceiver of the mobile electronic device102, to name a few) initiating the application104may prompt the mobile electronic device102or a local processor/control circuit of the mobile electronic device102to determine the current location of the mobile electronic device102based on location data provided by the navigation unit. By one approach, the application104may determine that the customer is at a retail store of the retailer based on a comparison of the determined current location of the mobile electronic device102with one or more known (or stored) physical locations of retail stores of the retailer. By another approach, the application104may determine that the customer is at a retail store by determining that it is in range of and/or connected to a wireless network (e.g., a WiFi network) of the retail store.

In some embodiments, in response to the initiation of the application104, the first component106provides, at step304, a first user interface202for interaction with the customer on the mobile electronic device102. In an illustrative non-limiting example, a welcome screen112ainFIG. 2Ais displayed on the display110. In some embodiments, the first component106receives, at step306, product identifying information of one or more products132physically located at a retail store128and that a customer intends to purchase and take possession thereof when exiting the retail store128. For example, the first component106prompts a customer to scan a barcode as shown in a scan a barcode screen112bof the first user interface112as shown inFIG. 2A. In some configurations, an image capturing device118(e.g., a camera) of the mobile electronic device102captures product identifying information of a product132physically located at the retail store128. For example, the customer may decide to scan a barcode of the product shown in the barcode screen112b.In some embodiments, the first component106compiles, at step308, a virtual cart of one or more products based on product identifying information to purchase at the retail store128. For example, a virtual cart screen112cof the first user interface112may show3products that have been scanned by the customer at the retail store which the customer intends to purchase and take possession thereof when exiting the retail store128as shown inFIG. 2A.

In an illustrative non-limiting example, a customer may align a field of view of the image capturing device118with another product at the retail store128. For example, as shown inFIG. 2B, the customer may align the field of view of the image capturing device118with a television as shown in a second scan a barcode screen112d.In response, the first component106may prompt the customer to scan a product identifying information206. For example, the product identifying information206may include one or more types of barcode such as code39, code128, interleaved 2 of 5, Universal Product Codes (UPC), International Article Number (EAN), and/or the like. In an illustrative non-limiting example, the product identifying information206may be located with a price tag202that is associated with a corresponding product as shown inFIG. 2B. In another example, the product identifying information206may be located on the product and/or on a box enclosing the product. In another illustrative non-limiting example, a machine-readable label204is located with the price tag202, proximate the corresponding product and/or a representative illustration of the corresponding product (e.g., in a catalog, coupons, advertisements, flyers, etc.), and/or standalone in an area distinct and separate from a price tag202. In some embodiments, a machine-readable label204includes pdf417, data matrix, quick response (QR) codes, a deep link (e.g., a type of link that sends users directly to an app instead of a website and/or a store, and/or the like. By one approach, the machine-readable label204is distinct and separate from the product identifying information206.

In some embodiments, the first component106receives, at step310, data associated with the machine-readable label204corresponding to a product for sale in the retail store128that the customer is interested in purchasing. In some embodiments, the product for sale in the retail store128that the customer is interested in purchasing is a particular product that the customer intends to not take possession thereof when exiting the retail store128, or intends to not carry the product with the customer through the store such that the product can be picked up once shopping and checkout have been completed, or delivered to the customer's home at a later time.

In some embodiments, the data associated with the machine-readable label204corresponds to activation of a second component108and corresponds to the product for sale. For example, the image capture device128of the mobile electronic device102may optically read the machine-readable label204. In some embodiments, when executed by the mobile electronic device102, the second component108activates, at step312, functionality of the second component108upon the receipt of the data. For example, as shown inFIG. 2C, the second component108causes a second user interface114to be overlayed on the first user interface112. Thus, the activation of the functionality of the second component108may cause the second user interface114to overlay on the first user interface112. The second component108may provide, at step314, the second user interface114for interaction with the customer on the mobile electronic device102. For example, upon the scanning of the machine-readable label204, a product detail screen114aof the second user interface114is displayed on the display110. In some embodiments, in the product detail screen114athe customer is prompted to ship the product, make a selection of desired characteristic of the product (e.g., size, color, dimension, design, among other possible characteristics that the particular product may have), increase quantity of the product to be ordered, open a live chat session, save the product information for later retrieval, and/or request for an in-store associate to meet you at the location of the product, to name a few. In some embodiments, after the customer's selection to ship the product/item, the second component108updates the second user interface114to display a checkout screen114b.For example, at the checkout screen114b,the customer may slide a button208to pay for the product associated with the machine-readable label204. In some embodiments, after sliding the button208, the customer interaction with the second user interface114terminates and/or the first component106takes the control back from the second component108and updates the display110to show a thank you screen112eof the first user interface112. In some embodiments, the thank you screen112eprompts the customer to continue shopping and/or view details of the just completed order. In some embodiments, the customer selects to continue shopping. For example, in response the selection to continue shopping, the first component106updates the display110to show the virtual cart screen112cof the first user interface112. In some embodiments, after the termination of the customer interaction with the second user interface114, the display110again displays the user interface that was previously shown prior to the reading of the machine-readable label204, which, in this illustrative non-limiting example, was the virtual cart screen112cof the first user interface112as shown inFIG. 2G. In some embodiments, in response to the selection to proceed to check out, the first user interface112is updated by the first component106to display a checkout screen112fof the first user interface112. In some embodiments, after the customer selecting and/or sliding the button208to pay for the product associated with the product identifying information206, the first component106deactivates the application104. In such an embodiment, the customer may reactivate the application104as long as the customer is at the retail store128.

In some embodiments, the system100includes a first server118including a first control circuit120and communicatively coupled to the application104via the network116. The first server118may, at step316, communicate with the first component106. For example, execution of and/or operation of the functionality of the first component106is at least in part controlled by the first server118. Thus, the interaction of the customer with the first user interface112may correspond to the customer interacting with the first server118. In some embodiments, the first server118receives, at step318, data corresponding to the virtual cart of the one or more products (e.g., the virtual cart shown in the virtual cart screen112cofFIG. 2A). In some embodiments, the first server118facilitates, at step320, electronic payment for the one or more products of the virtual cart (e.g., the checkout screen112fofFIG. 2G).

In some embodiments, the system100includes a second server122including a second control circuit124and communicatively coupled to the application104via the network116. The second server122may, at step322, facilitate purchase of products for sale at an ecommerce website130. In some embodiments, at step324, the second server122switches, upon activation of the second component108, control by the first server118of the first user interface112provided by the first component106to control by the second server122of the second user interface114provided by the second component108. For example, the scanning and/or the reading of the machine-readable label204triggers the first server118to relinquish control and/or interaction with the customer to the second server122. In some embodiments, the scanning and/or the reading of the machine-readable label204triggers the second component108to activate and/or establish communication with the second server122. For example, execution of and/or operation of the functionality of the second component108is at least in part controlled by the second server122. Thus, the interaction of the customer with the second user interface114may correspond to the customer interacting with the second server122. In some embodiments, the activation of the functionality of the second component108causes the functionality of the first component106to be at least suspended, paused, deactivated, and/or on hold. One of the benefits and/or advantages of overlaying the second user interface114on the first user interface112is the seamless transition of control from the first server118to the second server122. From the perspective of the customer, the customer can choose to seamlessly decide to ship a product to a location while shopping at a retail store128. For example, while browsing and/or shopping at the retail store128, the customer may be prompted about a product and decide, for whatever reason it may be (e.g., the product is too bulky, not enough storage space in a vehicle used by the customer, gifting the product to another person, to name a few) to ship the product without being interrupted in its current shopping activity. Another one of the benefits and/or advantages is the ability to integrate into a single user interface various capabilities and/or services provided by a number of servers used by a retailer to provide services to its customers in a seamless fashion.

In another illustrative non-limiting example, after the scanning and/or reading of the machine-readable label204, the second component108updates the second user interface114to show an out of stock screen114cofFIG. 2Dinstead of the product detail screen114aofFIG. 2C. In the out of stock screen114c,the customer may be prompted by the second component108to save product detail information of the product associated with the machine-readable label204for a later access. In some embodiments, in a determination by the second server122that the customer does not have a default shipping location stored with its profile, the second component108may update the second user interface114to display an add shipping address screen114dshown inFIG. 2Eand prompt the customer to provide a shipping address. In some embodiments, in response to a user input indicating to add the shipping address provided in the add shipping address screen114d,the second component108may update the second user interface114to display the add shipping address screen114din order to complete the shipping of the product associated with the scanned and/or read machine-readable label204.

In another illustrative non-limiting example, instead of scanning the machine-readable label204, the customer scanned the product identifying information206it is interested in purchasing at the retail store128. In response to the scanning of the product identifying information206, the first server118may determine that the customer needs to visit a register station (e.g., the allowed total price amount of products in the virtual cart exceeds the amount allowed, an alcoholic product is being purchased, and/or any one or more reason that an associate may be required to complete the customer's purchase transaction) as shown in a visit a register screen112gofFIG. 2F. In some embodiments, the first server118determines that the corresponding product associated with the scanned product identifying information206can be shipped. In such an embodiment, the first server118causes the first component106to provide a user-clickable link210on the checkout screen112fas shown inFIG. 2F. In some embodiments, a selection of the user-clickable link210triggers the second component108to activate and/or establish communication with the second server122. In some embodiments, the selection of the user-clickable link210corresponds to the scanning and/or reading of the machine-readable label204. For example, the selection of the user-clickable link210causes the second component108to update the display110to show the product detail screen114aof the second user interface114as shown inFIG. 2C.

In some embodiments, a database126is coupled to the second server122and stores second product identifying information associated with products for sale at an ecommerce website130. In some embodiments, one of the functionality of the second component108is to transmit to the second server122via a communication network116the data associated with the machine-readable label204. In some embodiments, the second server122translates the data associated with the machine-readable label204into a corresponding product identifying information associated with the product that the machine-readable label204is associated with. In some embodiments, the second server122determines that the corresponding product identifying information is one of the stored second product identifying information associated with the products for sale at the ecommerce website130based on an access to the database126. In some embodiments, the second server122cause, in response to the determination that the corresponding product identifying information is stored in the database126, the second user interface to indicate that the product is available to ship to a location selected by the customer as shown in an illustrative non-limiting example of the product detail screen114ainFIG. 2C.

In some embodiments, the second server122causes the second component108to maintain the overlay of the second user interface114on the first user interface112until a second user input is received corresponding to at least one of a request to ship the product to the location and a termination of the customer interaction with the second user interface. In an illustrative non-limiting example, the selection and/or the sliding of the button208ofFIG. 2Cto pay for the product associated with the machine-readable label204corresponds to the customer terminating the current customer interaction. In response, the second server122may switch the control to the first server118of the first user interface112provided by the first component106in response to the second user input. In some embodiments, the switching of control is exemplified in an illustrative non-limiting example of the transition from the checkout screen114bof the second user interface114to the thank you screen112eof the first user interface112.

In some embodiments, the second server122determines that the customer has left the retail store128. In such embodiment, the second server122causes the second component108to maintain the overlay of the second user interface114on the first user interface112until a second user input is received corresponding to at least one of a request to ship the product to the location and a termination of the customer interaction with the second user interface114. In some embodiments, the termination of the customer interaction with the second user interface114triggers the second server122to deactivate control by the second server122of the second user interface114. In an illustrative non-limiting example, the customer may decide to leave the retail store128without completing and/or terminating the customer interaction with the second user interface114. In such an example, the customer may select the icon and/or the button on the mobile electronic device102corresponding to the application104at a place away and/or distant from the retail store128. In response, the second component108may recall the second user interface114that was previously displayed on the display110prior to the customer and enable the customer to complete the purchase and/or shipment of the product associated with the machine-readable label204. In some embodiments, after the customer terminates the customer interaction with the second user interface114, the second component108remains active. By one approach, the second user interface114remains overlayed on the first user interface112. By another approach, the second user interface114is no longer overlayed on the first user interface112. In some embodiments, in either approaches, the second server122remains at least in part in control of the interface interacted by the customer and/or the application104.

In some embodiments, the data associated with the machine-readable label204corresponds to a location inside the retail store128. For example, the second server122may transmit a message indicating that the customer is requesting an assistance from an in-store associate upon the receipt of the data and/or a second user input via the second user interface114. For example, the customer may have a question regarding a product and would like to talk and/or request assistance from an in-store associate regarding the product. In such an example, the scanning and/or the reading of the machine-readable label204activates the second component108and places and/or make available in the second user interface114a button and/or a clickable link that when selected, automatically transmits a location inside the retail store128to an electronic device of an in-store associate indicating where to locate the customer at the retail store128. In some embodiments, the location includes a store coordinate location corresponding to a location that the customer may be found inside the retail store128. In some embodiments, the second server122causes the second user interface114to display on the display110a notification viewable by the customer indicating that the in-store associate is on its way to the customer.

In some embodiments, the data associated with the machine-readable label204corresponds to a trigger by the second server122to initiate a chat session with a retailer associate via the second user interface114. In some embodiments, the retailer associate includes an in-store associate, a remote associate, any individual associated with the retailer to respond to customers communication via the chat session, and/or a computer-based platform (e.g., a GURU platform and/or the like) that uses natural language processing to perform queries and commands to return information to the customer. In some embodiments, the second server122automatically provides a corresponding product identifying information associated with the data to the retailer associate such that the retailer associate is automatically provided relevant product data associated with the corresponding product identifying information. For example, the retailer associate may automatically know the product that the customer would like to discuss in the chat session.

In some embodiments, the data associated with the machine-readable label204corresponds to providing data regarding stock and/or inventory status of the corresponding product associated with the machine-readable label204and/or corresponds to data to upsale the corresponding product. In some embodiments, the application104may further include additional components communication with and/or controlled by other servers used and/or operated by the retailer.

In some embodiments, the first server118, the second server122, the database126, the mobile electronic device102, may communicate with one another via the communication network116. In some embodiments, the communication network116includes wired and/or wired communication network, Internet, cloud, and/or any communication networks that enable one electronic device to communication with another electronic device. In some embodiments, the database126includes one or more memories and/or memory devices capable of storing electronic data retrieval by one or more electronic devices. In some embodiments, the one or more memories and/or memory devices include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), solid state devices, hard drives, and/or the like.

Further, the circuits, circuitry, systems, devices, processes, methods, techniques, functionality, services, servers, sources and the like described herein may be utilized, implemented and/or run on many different types of devices and/or systems.FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary system400that may be used for implementing any of the components, circuits, circuitry, systems, functionality, apparatuses, processes, or devices of the system100ofFIG. 1, the method300ofFIG. 3, and/or other above or below mentioned systems or devices, or parts of such circuits, circuitry, functionality, systems, apparatuses, processes, or devices. For example, the system400may be used to implement some or all of the system for user engagement with a retailer, including the first server118, the second server122, and the mobile electronic device102, and/or other such components, circuitry, functionality and/or devices. However, the use of the system400or any portion thereof is certainly not required.

By way of example, the system400may comprise a processor module (or a control circuit)412, memory414, and one or more communication links, paths, buses or the like418. Some embodiments may include one or more user interfaces416, and/or one or more internal and/or external power sources or supplies440. The control circuit412can be implemented through one or more processors, microprocessors, central processing unit, logic, local digital storage, firmware, software, and/or other control hardware and/or software, and may be used to execute or assist in executing the steps of the processes, methods, functionality and techniques described herein, and control various communications, decisions, programs, content, listings, services, interfaces, logging, reporting, etc. Further, in some embodiments, the control circuit412can be part of control circuitry and/or a control system410, which may be implemented through one or more processors with access to one or more memory414that can store instructions, code and the like that is implemented by the control circuit and/or processors to implement intended functionality. In some applications, the control circuit and/or memory may be distributed over a communications network (e.g., LAN, WAN, Internet) providing distributed and/or redundant processing and functionality. Again, the system400may be used to implement one or more of the above or below, or parts of, components, circuits, systems, processes and the like. For example, the system400may implement the system100for user engagement with a retailer with the first control circuit120and/or the second control circuit124and/or the mobile electronic device102being the control circuit412.

The user interface416can allow a user to interact with the system500and receive information through the system. In some instances, the user interface416includes a display422and/or one or more user inputs424, such as buttons, touch screen, track ball, keyboard, mouse, etc., which can be part of or wired or wirelessly coupled with the system400. Typically, the system400further includes one or more communication interfaces, ports, transceivers420and the like allowing the system400to communicate over a communication bus, a distributed computer and/or communication network (e.g., a local area network (LAN), the Internet, wide area network (WAN), etc.), communication link518, other networks or communication channels with other devices and/or other such communications or combination of two or more of such communication methods. Further the transceiver420can be configured for wired, wireless, optical, fiber optical cable, satellite, or other such communication configurations or combinations of two or more of such communications. Some embodiments include one or more input/output (I/O) interface434that allow one or more devices to couple with the system400. The I/O interface can be substantially any relevant port or combinations of ports, such as but not limited to USB, Ethernet, or other such ports. The I/O interface434can be configured to allow wired and/or wireless communication coupling to external components. For example, the I/O interface can provide wired communication and/or wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF, and/or other such wireless communication), and in some instances may include any known wired and/or wireless interfacing device, circuit and/or connecting device, such as but not limited to one or more transmitters, receivers, transceivers, or combination of two or more of such devices.

In some embodiments, the system may include one or more sensors426to provide information to the system and/or sensor information that is communicated to another component, such as the first server118, the first control circuit120, the second server122, the second control circuit124, the database126, the mobile electronic device102, the display110, the camera/s128, etc. The sensors can include substantially any relevant sensor, such as temperature sensors, distance measurement sensors (e.g., optical units, sound/ultrasound units, etc.), optical based scanning sensors to sense and read optical patterns (e.g., bar codes), radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader sensors capable of reading RFID tags in proximity to the sensor, and other such sensors. The foregoing examples are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to convey an exhaustive listing of all possible sensors. Instead, it will be understood that these teachings will accommodate sensing any of a wide variety of circumstances in a given application setting.

The system400comprises an example of a control and/or processor-based system with the control circuit412. Again, the control circuit412can be implemented through one or more processors, controllers, central processing units, logic, software and the like. Further, in some implementations the control circuit412may provide multiprocessor functionality.

The memory414, which can be accessed by the control circuit412, typically includes one or more processor readable and/or computer readable media accessed by at least the control circuit412, and can include volatile and/or nonvolatile media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory and/or other memory technology. Further, the memory414is shown as internal to the control system410; however, the memory414can be internal, external or a combination of internal and external memory. Similarly, some or all of the memory414can be internal, external or a combination of internal and external memory of the control circuit412. The external memory can be substantially any relevant memory such as, but not limited to, solid-state storage devices or drives, hard drive, one or more of universal serial bus (USB) stick or drive, flash memory secure digital (SD) card, other memory cards, and other such memory or combinations of two or more of such memory, and some or all of the memory may be distributed at multiple locations over the computer network. The memory414can store code, software, executables, scripts, data, content, lists, programming, programs, log or history data, user information, customer information, product information, and the like. WhileFIG. 4illustrates the various components being coupled together via a bus, it is understood that the various components may actually be coupled to the control circuit and/or one or more other components directly.

In some embodiments, the system400is implemented as the mobile electronic device102wherein the application104(including the first component106and the second component108) is stored in the memory414. The processor412(control circuit) is configured to execute the application104and use the other components (such as the user interface416) to provide the functions described herein. In embodiments where the application104is an add-on application, the memory414also stores operating system program code that functions together with the application104. In embodiment where the application104is integral with the operating system, the memory stores the application104/operating system program code.