Abstract:
A scan and link system prompts salespersons or cashiers to recommend a certain product to a customer which is associated with, or complimentary to, a product that the customer wants to buy. The scan and link system and method improves customer attention and commercial profitability. Each time a product is scanned by a salesperson, scan and link software loaded on the cash register checks a database of associated or complimentary products and displays information on the cash register display via one or more advice pop-ups. The salesperson or cashier can suggest that the customer purchase the associated or complimentary products. The database of associated or complimentary products can be generated by the store owner, and/or by experts working in the specific industry of the user. Administration tools allow the user to change the position of the advice pop-up on the display, to hide it, or adjust its display frequency.

Description:
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT 
     Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.71(e), applicants note that a portion of this disclosure contains material that is subject to and for which is claimed copyright protection, such as, but not limited to, source code listings, screen shots, user interfaces, or user instructions, or any other aspects of this submission for which copyright protection is or may be available in any jurisdiction. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records. All other rights are reserved, and all other reproduction, distribution, creation of derivative works based on the contents, public display, and public performance of the application or any part thereof are prohibited by applicable copyright law. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is quite common to have tools for cross-selling when shopping online. An online shopper selects an item to purchase, and based upon the selection, the online shopper is presented with suggestions of additional products that the online shopper could also purchase. What is needed in the art are systems and methods for cross-selling in-store at the point-of-sale, where cashiers are prompted, based upon the items purchased, to suggest complementary or associated products to the in-store customer. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The detailed description below describes a system and method for cross-selling recommendations for given products. Sometimes products sold in certain stores are of a technical nature and their sale requires specific knowledge of the product. For such products, it is easy for salespersons or cashiers to forget to recommend an associated or complimentary product. Or, where a store sells a large number of different types of products, it may be impossible for the salespersons or cashiers to remember all of the complimentary and associated products to recommend to the customer. In seasonal periods, where a large number of temporary employees are hired, it may not be possible to train these temporary employees on all the products and their complimentary and associated items. To meet these needs, a system and method, referred to as scan and link, prompts the salespersons or cashiers to recommend a certain product to the customer which is associated with, or complimentary to, the product just sold to the customer. The scan and link system and method improves customer attention and commercial profitability. The scan and link solution will be described in greater detail below. 
     Each time a product is scanned by the salesperson or cashier, scan and link software loaded on the cash register checks a database of associated or complimentary products and displays information on the cash register via one or more advice pop-ups. The salesperson or cashier can suggest that the customer may want to purchase the associated or complimentary products. The cash register&#39;s computer has a high-speed Internet connection, such as asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL). The data retrieved by the scan and link software application is hosted on a secure server located in a specific site which complies with the required data protection protocols. The scan and link software application uses web services for remote access to the data and there is never a direct connection to the “main” database hosted in the server. The database of associated or complimentary products can be generated by the store owner, referred to herein as the user, and/or by experts working in the specific industry of the user. Examples of industries include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical, nautical equipment, sporting goods, clothing, etc. 
     If the cashier or salesperson determines that a certain association with a purchased product is inadequate or could be improved, the cashier or salesperson may request its analysis or modification by clicking directly on the pop-up. The program will send a notice to the technical service department for the scan and link developer to verify if the associated advice is suitable, and if not, it can be corrected or cancelled. Scan and link offers an administration tool which allows the user to change the position of the pop-up on the display, to hide it, or adjust its display frequency, etc. 
     As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X1-Xm, Y1-Yn, and Z1-Zo, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X1 and X2) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y1 and Z3). 
     It is to be noted that the term “a entity” or “an entity” refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
     The term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof, shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic/block diagram of an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a screen capture of an advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial screen capture of the user interface top menu ribbon in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a screen capture of the My Account-Edit page in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 5  shows a screen capture of the options page for defining an advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 6  shows a series of screen captures showing how an advice pop-up can be modified in embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show screen captures showing the effect of associating all categories on advice pop-ups in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 8  shows a screen capture of the stats page for analyzing the cross-selling performed in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 9  shows a screen capture of the implements pop-ups page for implementing advice pop-ups in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 10  shows a screen capture of the graphs page for analyzing the cross-selling performed in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 11  shows a screen capture of the sales x supplier page for analyzing the cross-selling performed by specific suppliers in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 12  shows a screen capture of the configuration page for personalizing the scan and link system in an embodiment of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 13  shows a screen capture of an advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 14  shows a screen capture of an additional advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 15  shows a tablet device displaying the additional advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 16  shows a monitor device displaying the additional advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 17  shows a monitor device displaying the additional advice pop-up and a branded product in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 18  shows a cash register displaying the additional advice pop-up and a branded product in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. 
         FIG. 19  shows a screen capture of the configuration page for parameterization of a tablet or monitor in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention may be implemented as a computer, a computing system or as an article of manufacture such as a computer program product. The computer program product may be a computer storage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computer program of instructions for executing a computer process. 
     With the computing environment in mind, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to logical operations being performed to implement processes embodying various embodiments of the present invention. These logical operations are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented steps or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of the computing system implementing the invention. Accordingly, the logical operations making up the embodiments of the present invention described herein are referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts, applications, or modules. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that these operations, structural devices, acts, applications, and modules may be implemented in software, firmware, special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention as recited within the claims attached hereto. 
     Referring now to the figures, like reference numerals and names refer to structurally and/or functionally similar elements thereof, and if objects depicted in the figures that are covered by another object, as well as the tag line for the element number thereto, may be shown in dashed lines. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic/block diagram of an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , scan and link system  100  comprises a plurality of cash registers  102  to  102   n , each having a display  104  to  104   n  and a built-in scanner and/or a handheld scanner  103  to  103   n  for scanning the barcodes on products purchased by a customer. The cash registers  102  to  102   n  are each operated by cashiers  106  to  106   n . Some or all cash registers  102  to  102   n  may also have a connected computer screen or tablet  105  that can be turned or directed towards the customer so that the customer can see the advice pop-up that the cashiers  106  to  106   n  are seeing on displays  104  to  104   n . Or, the cash register may have a dual screen, one facing the cashiers  106  to  106   n  and the other facing the customer. In addition, some cash registers have a credit card reader with a screen for receiving touch input from the customer than can also display information to the customer. Each cash register  102  to  102   n  is connected to the Internet  110  through a communications channel  108  and ultimately to secure server  114  through communications channel  112 . In various embodiments, the cash registers  102  to  102   n  communicate collected data to, and receive data or instructions from, secure server  114  via any appropriate communications network  120 , such as the Internet  110  employing communications channels  108  and  112 . Secure server  114  accesses database  118  through communications channel  116 . 
     The communication network  120  may be any combination of circuit switched, packet switched, analog, digital, wired, and wireless communication equipment and infrastructure suitable for transmitting signals from the cash registers  102  to  102   n  to the secure server  114 . The communication network  120  therefore may include one or more of the following: intranet, the Internet, a cellular communication system, a wireless data system, a public switched telephone network, a private telephone network, a satellite communication system or point-to-point microwave system. Depending on the particular communication network utilized, cash registers  102  to  102   n  may send signals in accordance with a wireless application protocol, FCC 802.11 standards, a proprietary protocol, a high-speed Internet connection, such as asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), or other types of communication protocols. 
     The scan and link system  100  is simple to use. Once a customer presents an item to cashier  106  for purchase, cashier  106  scans the barcode on the product with the built-in scanner or handheld scanner  103 . The scan and link system  100  processes the barcode and returns an advice pop-up on the display  104 . The advice pop-up appears quickly. In one embodiment, up to three advice pop-ups may be displayed at one time. The frequency, duration, and position of the display may be adjusted. The display of the advice pop-up may be suspended by the cashier  106  for a short period of time by simply pressing a key on the cash register  102 . The advice pop-up includes an initial question that may help cashier  106  to open up a dialogue with the customer that is customer focused. The Cashier  106  may recommend an associated or complimentary product to the customer that is related to the product the customer is purchasing. 
       FIG. 2  shows a screen capture of an advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and link system and method. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in this illustrative example, a customer desires to purchase a bottle of lotion. Cashier  106  scans the barcode from the lotion and advice pop-up  200  is displayed on display  104  of cash register  102 . The name  202  of this advice pop-up  200  is “Vitamins and minerals hair.” The content of colored window  204  is not an image but is in fact editable text, which appears very fast. The color and text settings may be modified by the user. Clicking on warning symbol  206  allows cashier  106  to notify the scan and link system  100  of any unsuitable association for analysis and correction. The scan and link system  100  sends a notification to the technical service department of the scan and link system  100  developer in order to check the association and correct or delete it if necessary. By clicking on Edit  208  cashier  106  can modify advice pop-up  200  either for a specific recommendation, or for all the recommendations in which advice pop-up  200  is linked. Price  210  lets the cashier  106  know the approximate price for the associated or complimentary product, which in this example, is vitamins. Question  212  presents cashier  106  with a key question that encourages cashier  106  to follow the recommendation displayed. Providing question  212  helps cashier  106  to lose their “fear” in making the recommendation by giving cashier  106  the words to say, and also be able to recommend the associated or complimentary product more accurately and with more self-confidence. Cashier  106  can close out advice pop-up  200  by clicking on close symbol  214 . Alternatively, instead of closing the window with close symbol  214 , advice pop-up  200  can be closed by pressing the control key on the key pad of cash register  102 . Advice pop-up  200  can be suspended for a period of time, fifteen minutes for example, by pressing the control key for three seconds. Advice pop-up  200  can be reactivated by pressing the control key again for three seconds. Advice pop-up  200  does not interfere with the other programs running on cash register  102 . 
     In order to use the scan and link system  100  the user requests an activation code from the developer&#39;s website and receives an email that contains the access code and a link to the developer&#39;s website. From the computer of the cash register  102  the user wishes to install the scan and link software, the user accesses the developer&#39;s web site and chooses the option for program set-up. The user inputs their email address provided to the developer, and the activation code received in the email to allow the user to download the scan and link software onto the computer of the cash register  102 . This installation procedure must be repeated for each of the computers at the cashier lines at the user&#39;s store(s) that the user wants to run the scan and link system  100 . 
     The developer updates database  118  on a daily basis with barcodes for new products. However, there may be some barcodes which are not reflected in database  118 . The user can select an option that allows the user to upload new barcodes for new products into database  118  that are missing. The user may also with this option create a new country and upload the barcodes corresponding to that country so that the scan and link system  100  may generate advice pop-ups for that specific country and industry sector. In one embodiment, the format of the uploaded file is a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet with the following structure by columns: Sector (e.g.: pharmacy, perfumes, clothing, etc.); Country; Barcode; Product Name and Brand, Category (e.g.: dental, eau-de-cologne, shirts, etc.), or ATC class (in the case of drugs), Name of the Manufacturer, etc. Once uploaded, the developer indexes the information and adds it to database  118 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a partial screen capture of the user interface top menu and  FIG. 4  shows a screen capture of the My Account—Edit page in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , once the scan and link software has been installed on the cash register, by clicking on the Manual tab  314 , a user&#39;s manual page (not shown) is returned to the user. By clicking on the My Account tab  302 , the My Account—Edit page  400  (see  FIG. 4 ) is returned to the user, which displays information about the user&#39;s account, and allows the user to change their password if desired and update or change other items as shown. 
       FIG. 5  shows a screen capture of the options page for defining an advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the user has navigated to Options page  500  where activation code box  502  displays the activation code. The user can select between none, one, two, or three advice pop-ups to display at a time by clicking on the arrow in the pop-ups amount drop-down list  504 . Frequency slider  506  allows the user to select from between few to lot. Frequency is directly linked to the relevance and importance of the advice. Less relevant sell advice pop-ups will not be shown if the frequency is set to “Few.” Similarly, transparency slider  508  allows the user to select the advice pop-up from less to more important. Duration slider  510  allows the user to select how long the advice pop-ups last on the display, from a low of about three seconds to a high of about fifteen to twenty seconds. The user can select between right, left, low, and high for the display position of the advice pop-ups by clicking on the arrow in the pop-up drop-down list  512 . The user can select the language of the pop-ups by clicking on the arrow in the language drop-down list  514 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a series of screen captures showing how an advice pop-up can be modified in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is a bottle of shampoo  602 , and its barcode  604 . After scanning the barcode, advice pop-up  606  is displayed on the display  104  of cash register  102 . Should the cashier  106  desire to modify advice pop-up  606 , the cashier can click on Edit  608  and the associations window  610  will be displayed. By clicking in Comment text box  612 , cashier  106  can delete the existing text and type in new text as shown in the updated association window  610   a  and in Comment text box  612   a . Instead of reading “Need vitamins for your hair?,” modified advice pop-up  606   a  now reads “Do you know the new lotion for hair?” as shown in modified advice pop-up  606   a.    
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  show screen captures showing the effect of associating all categories of advice pop-ups in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 7A , in associations window  710  the All the categories check box  702  is unchecked. When changes are made to the advice pop-up, the changes will only have affect for items in the same subcategory that originated the advice pop-up. In this example this means that only shampoos  704  that are scanned will generate the advice pop-up  706 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7B , All the categories check box  702  is now checked. When changes are made to the advice pop-up, the changes will have affect for all items from all subcategories that originated the advice pop-up (which in this example is hair in general). In this example this means that all hair products  708  that are scanned will generate the advice pop-up  706 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a screen capture of the Stats page for analyzing the cross-selling performed in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , clicking on the Stats tab  304  returns Stats page  800  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Stats page  800  presents an analysis of the cross-selling recommendations realized by the customer over a given period of time, such as daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. Monthly results are shown in  FIG. 8 . Column  802  indicates the category of product. Column  804  shows the total number of scans of items  1  shown in column  810  and items  2  shown in column  812 . Column  806  shows the total times that items  1  and  2  have been sold together. Column  808  shows the ration percentage of cross-sales to scans. Column  814  indicates whether the advice pop-up already exists, indicated by “System,” or whether an advice pop-up is suggested and could be deployed, indicated by “Suggested.” The scan and link system “learns” from the customer&#39;s actual sales, and proposes new advice pop-ups for cross-selling. For example, if cross-selling is detected between vitamins and minerals for hair and lotion for hair loss (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), to implement this “Suggested” advice pop-up, the user can click on the Implements Popups tab  308  (see  FIG. 3 ) which returns the Implements pop-ups page  900  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , multiple buttons  818  are shown under the action column  816 . For a given line entry, if item  1  is sold, item  2  would be the proposed advice pop-up, and vice versa. The implementation can be manual or automatic. Clicking on an individual button  818  invokes the manual implementation. Clicking on Implement All button  820  invokes the automatic implementation. After invoking the automatic implementation option, the new advice pop-up created can be modified as described above. It is possible to also remove all implemented advice pop-ups by clicking on Delete all implementations button  822 . The data displayed in Stats page  800  or Implements pop-ups page  900  can also be exported to a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet by clicking on the Export to excel button  824 . Once a suggested advice pop-up has been implemented, the Action column  816  displays a Delete implementation button  826  in place of the Implement pop-up button  818 . By clicking on button  826  the user can delete the advice pop-up that was created. The implemented advice pop-up will hide the first advice pop-up proposed by the scan and link system. By selecting that at least two advice pop-ups be displayed in the program options, the advice pop-up proposed by the system appears as well as the advice pop-up automatically implemented. 
       FIG. 10  shows a screen capture of the graphs page for analyzing the cross-selling performed in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 10 , clicking on the Graphs tab  306  returns Graphs page  1000  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Graphs page  1000  presents a graphical summary of the cross-selling operations performed by the user over a given period of time, such as daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. Monthly results are shown in  FIG. 10  for the total percent of cross-selling realized and the total number of scans. 
       FIG. 11  shows a screen capture of the sales x supplier page for analyzing the cross-selling performed by specific suppliers in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 311 , clicking on the Sales x supplier tab  308  returns Sales x supplier page  1100  as shown in  FIG. 11 . It is possible to follow cross-sales performed by specific suppliers by clicking on the arrow in the supplier drop-down list  1102  and entering the code  1104  for the particular supplier of interest, Sales x supplier page  1100  displays the cross-selling performance for this particular supplier. 
       FIG. 12  shows a screen capture of the configuration page for personalizing the scan and link system in an embodiment of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , clicking on the Configuration tab  312  returns Configuration page  1200  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The scan and link system can be personalized with additional settings. Selecting the drop-down list in dialogue box  1202  the user can choose to show an emoticon that congratulates the cashier  106  when there is a successful cross-sale. Other options include only showing the emoticon with cross-selling of products suggested in the advice pop-ups, or also with cross-selling of items similar to those proposed in the advice pop-ups. Selecting the drop-down list in dialogue box  1204  the user can choose to return to the original advice pop-up from the scan and link system, or use those that the user has modified. Selecting the drop-down list in dialogue box  1206  the user can choose to show advice pop-ups with easy advice only or also with complex advice. 
       FIGS. 13 through 19  show a scan and view feature in an embodiment of the scan and link system.  FIG. 13  shows a screen capture of an advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 13 , for those cash registers  102  to  102   n  having a connected computer screen or tablet  105 , advice pop-up  1300  is displayed. By clicking on magnifying glass button  1302 , an additional advice pop-up is displayed as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 14  shows a screen capture of an additional advice pop-up in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 14 , additional advice pop-up  1400  is displayed on connected tablet  1505  as shown in  FIG. 15 , or connected monitor  1605  as shown in  FIG. 16  as the case may be. Additional advice pop-up  1400  is also shown on display  104  of cash register  102  (see  FIG. 18 ). 
       FIG. 17  shows a monitor device displaying the additional advice pop-up and a branded product in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 17 , instead of displaying a generic image of the complementary or associated product, a branded product  1702  can be designated for displayed through utilization by the user of the configuration page (see  FIG. 19 ). 
       FIG. 18  shows a cash register displaying the additional advice pop-up and a branded product in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 18 , additional advice pop-up  1400  is displayed on display  104  of cash register  102  along with the branded product  1702 . This ensures that cashier  106  is seeing the same information that is being displayed to the customer on connected tablet  1505  or connected monitor  1605 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a screen capture of the configuration page for parameterization of a tablet or monitor in an embodiment of the scan and view feature of the scan and link system. Referring now to  FIG. 19 , for cash registers  102  to  102   n  equipped with either a connected tablet  1505  or connected monitor  1605  that can be directed to the customer, the user can check the appropriate boxes displayed in the parameters section  1902 , carousel store section  1904 , and the content of store popups section  1906 , to configure the scan and view feature as desired. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.