Abstract:
A system and method ( 100 ) for use by consumers for facilitating the grocery shopping experience for providing food and grocery multimedia content that includes a first computer system ( 110 ) for providing an executable software product to a consumer containing program instructions for food recipe selection ( 203 ), displaying multimedia advertising content ( 231 ), and preparing a shopping list ( 251 ). A second computer system ( 107 ) uses the executable software product for coordinating selected food recipes ( 223 ) with the multimedia content ( 231 ) for assisting the consumer in meal preparation.

Description:
[0001]    The present relates generally to web widgets and more particularly to widgets used in connection with content helpful to cooking and grocery consumers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many electronic methods for presenting coupons and other shopping advertising, sale coupons, and other content to consumers have been used for many years. Most recently, with the use of personal computers, consumers can find and print coupons directly from their home computer for use in a retail store. One such system for delivering purchasing incentives to consumers through a computer is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,233,913, which is incorporated herein by reference. This type of system uses a centralized control along with a communication device at a consumer site. A remote consumer logs in using identity data and geographic region data transmitted by the consumer over a communication network. A plurality of incentive offers are transmitted back to the customer such that the offers are exercisable in the consumer&#39;s geographic region. This is followed by the receipt of incentive offer selection data from the consumer over the communication network where the offer selection data includes the designation of a retailer at which selected offer or offers may be exercised. 
         [0003]    In response to the consumer selection data, a purchasing incentive is generated containing in encoded form the identity of the retailer designated by the consumer and the identity of the consumer, and transmitting at least one incentive to the consumer over the communication network for subsequent printing by the consumer. Thus, this type of system permits a consumer to plan their shopping and shopping-related activities more efficiently. However, the invention operates by transmitting a list of products available for purchase, receiving consumer selections from the list of products, and then transmitting a shopping list to the consumer. Thus, the consumer may browse through a list or index of available products, preferably organized by store department, and then make selections by marking appropriate entries on a computer screen, such as by positioning a mouse pointer on the desired items and clicking a mouse button. 
         [0004]    One problem in using this type of coupon distribution and access by the consumer is that it is subject to fraud. Coupons can be scanned and manipulated so express sales terms are incorrect and/or illegitimate. A response to this can center around proprietary printing technologies so the consumer cannot actually view an image on their computer screen. In order to obtain the coupon, the consumer will have to execute the printing process which allows him or her to create a discrete image of the coupon. This process makes it difficult to prevent emailing the coupon and/or manipulating it for preventing fraudulent transactions. 
         [0005]    Still another type of grocery shopping network commonly used involves the use of grocers&#39; retail websites where consumers can browse products and/or plan their shopping experience. Here, the consumers can go online and browse the retail grocery assortment and organize their items into a shopping list that can be delivered to their home or picked up at a retail location. 
         [0006]    Finally, a third type of shopping aid utilizes a standalone program for providing data management for recipes and meal planning. These types of programs allow consumers to create a list of their search recipes and prepare meals and menu plans from these lists. One example of this type of aid is a website such as allrecipes.com that uses a repository of searchable recipes for providing suggestions on meal preparation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The accompanying figures refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing food and multi-media content to consumers using web widgets. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is flowchart diagram of the system and method for providing food and grocery multi-media content to consumers according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  illustrates examples of a screenshot used on a retailer&#39;s website that include a widget tab for obtaining the widget for use by the consumer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of a screenshot that presents recipe ideas for various meals, meal courses, meal venues, or beverages used with the meal according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  illustrates examples of various screenshots where the recipe detail may be presented to the consumer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2D  illustrates an example of a screenshot for a recipe showing the various ingredients that can be printed or sent via email according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2E  illustrates an example of a screenshot for a sample selection screen where the consumer may enter a zip code for determining the nearest store location offering the coupon results presented in a recipe search or coupon search according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2F  illustrates an example of screen showing a typical shopping list generated by the dynamic shopping list feature according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagram illustrating the process used at the start of the web widget as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart diagram of the recipe section process illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a system and method for providing food and grocery multi-media content to consumers. Accordingly, the apparatus, components, and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
         [0020]    In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram for a system according to the present invention for providing content to consumers using an executable software product such as a web widget to a consumer. More recently, applications known as “web widgets” have been used in connection with personal computers and mobile devices having web browsing capability. A web widget operates as a portable chunk of code that can be installed and executed within any separate hyper-text mark-up language (HTML) based web page by an end consumer without requiring additional compilation. Web widgets are derived from the idea of code reuse and are also sometimes analogously referred to as a gadget, badge, module, webjit, capsule, snippet, mini, and flake. Web widgets often, but not always, use DHTML, JavaScript, or Adobe Flash programming language. These widgets offer many attractive features working along multiple vectors allowing mass distribution with the capability of being easily dropped on destination sites or utilized as standard advertising units. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes consumers  101 ,  103 , and  105  that utilize a personal computer  107 , cellular telephone  109 , or other type of portable device with web browsing capability. A consumer  101 ,  103 ,  105  may obtain a widget from a retailer  111  using the Internet and World Wide Web  113 . Once installed by the consumer, a computer  110  and database  115  located at the retailer  111  can provide food and grocery media based content to the consumer related to recipes  117 , coupons  119 , and other media content as well as generating a dynamic shopping list  121  for the consumer to use for shopping either physically or virtually at the retailer&#39;s location. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the term “coupon” is used generically throughout meaning both retailer store specials as well as advertising promotions. Therefore, as will be described in further detail herein, the present invention provides consumers with the ability to browse recipes and create shopping lists so that ingredients and other special products, relevant to the recipe, are presented to the consumer from the specific grocer or retailer. This offers a great advantage to the consumers, allowing them to obtain products that are currently in-stock and available at a store location. This is in contrast to sites that offer generic ingredients to the consumer who has no idea as to products available or where they might be obtained. Accordingly, the present invention allows consumers to also determine items for sale, times of sale, relevant manufacturer coupon discounts for an appropriate time period, as well as the ability to create a shopping list and menu plan with self-printed coupons attached before traveling to the grocery or retail store location. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 2A-2F ,  FIG. 2  illustrates a flowchart diagram of a method for providing shopping information and other content to consumers using an executable software product such as software code used in connection with a computer system like a web widget or the like. As will be evidnet to those skilled in the art, in computing, an executable file causes a computer to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions. The process  200  begins a widget start  201  where the consumer obtains a widget  203  through the Internet. Once the widget is located, an appropriate install code  205  is obtained where the widget can be installed on the consumer&#39;s personal computer  207 . Although a widget can be installed on a personal computer, it is usually installed on personal portals, social networking sites, web blogs, or other locations that reside “in the web.” Thus, the widget code is advantageous to the consumer since it is transportable and can be embedded in various contexts that are directly accessible by shoppers or other consumers. In use, a consumer may access a retailer or store owner&#39;s website, which will provide a location for the web widget to be accessed.  FIG. 2A  illustrates examples of various screens used on a retailer&#39;s website  260 , that includes widget tab  261  for obtaining a widget. The widget tab on the widget screen and the widget&#39;s distribution methods are proved by a third party such as WidgetBox, Inc., Clearspring, Inc. or the like. An initial screen might include any type of notice, welcome, and/or advertisement  263  offering the consumer the ability to access a widget used in combination with the retailer&#39;s business. Once actuating the widget tab  261 , the consumer may be prompted with an install screen  265  as used with a portable device and/or a prompt screen  267  for allowing the consumer to copy the widget code making it easily transportable for use with their personal computer&#39;s web browser. 
         [0023]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , after installation is complete, one feature of the invention after widget start  201  is providing assistance and ideas in selecting a meal recipe  209 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of a screenshot that presents recipe ideas  208  for various meals, meal courses, meal venues, or beverages used with the meal. A screen shot showing recipe details  210  may be further selected by the consumer. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the process for locating a recipe allows the consumer to utilize a recipe search page  211  that may yield the appropriate recipe results  213 . The details of each recipe  215  are then presented and/or displayed to the consumer, where the recipe details can be saved, printed, electronically emailed to other persons  217 , and/or presented to a meal planner  219  where they can later be displayed, printed and/or sent to other persons  221 .  FIG. 2E  illustrates examples of various screenshots where the recipe detail  215  may be presented to the consumer. The consumer may select various preparation instructions or other presentation formats for later use in meal plan and/or preparation. 
         [0024]    The details of each recipe  215  are also presented to a meal planner  219 . The meal planner may be a calendar or other aid in helping the consumer prepare daily, weekly, or monthly meals. 
         [0025]    The meal planner  219  operates by appending the ingredients of the recipe to a dynamic shopping list. For example, if a beef bourguignon recipe were to include a bottle of wine, chuck steak, carrots, celery, and onions, all these ingredients can be added to the meal planner  219  as well as a dynamic shopping list  251 . The recipe results  213  as well as any recipe detail  215  are stored in a memory such as recipe box  223  where they can later be displayed, printed and/or sent to other persons  225 . As seen in  FIG. 2D , this recipe  220  may be printed showing the various ingredients or sent via text message or email to other shoppers  222 ,  224 . 
         [0026]    After the widget start  201 , the consumer may also select any special products offerings or “specials”  227  offered by a particular grocer or retailer. After selecting a special tab  227  in the widget, coupons or other offers can be presented to the consumer  229  that may correspond with the recipe results  213  or may be input to the consumer&#39;s dynamic shopping list  251 . The details on the coupon offer  231  are then presented both to the consumer as well combining it with the recipe results  213  and dynamic shopping list  251 . These coupons can be later be displayed, printed and/or emailed to other consumers  233 .  FIG. 2C  also illustrates a discount coupon  269  shown combined with the results of the dynamic shopping list  251 . 
         [0027]    In situations where the consumer wishes to select a specific store in which to shop, after being presented with the coupon results  229 , the consumer may enter a screen where he or she might select or be recommended a store  235 . This will forward the consumer to a store selection screen  237  where the consumer will be presented with choices where the consumer might input data for selecting a specific store.  FIG. 2E  illustrates an example of a sample selection screen where the consumer may enter their zip code for determining the nearest store location offering the coupon results  229  that were presented. This selection screen can direct the consumer to a store landing page  239 , where the consumer is presented with offers or discounts offered by that specific store  241  as well as store one stop shopping details  243 . These category results are also presented to the dynamic shopping list  251 . Thereafter, additional screens may be used to further specify details about the coupons offered by that specific store. The consumer may then determine they wish to display, save, print and/or send these coupon details via text message or email  245 . 
         [0028]    After widget start  201 , the consumer may also select to move directly to a shopping list  249 . Selection of a shopping list tab will direct the consumer to a dynamic shopping list screen  251  that illustrates ingredients needed for various recipes that are input to the meal planner  219 . The coupon results  229  or coupon details  231  can then be selected for review by the consumer.  FIG. 2F  illustrates an example of a screen showing a typical shopping list  232  generated by the dynamic shopping list  251 . The dynamic shopping list  251  can also be edited by the consumer to add or delete items not associated with recipes or specials. Thereafter, the consumer may elect to either save, print, text message, or email this list on to other shoppers interested in these items  252 . 
         [0029]    Finally, after widget start  201 , the consumer may also select to enter a consumer sign-in section  253 . This directs the consumer to a sign-in screen  257  where he or she may select various preferences  259  to enhance the consumer&#39;s shopping experience. In the preferences section  259 , a consumer profile may be maintained in the application that may be authenticated against a store or retailer&#39;s home customer database. This allows the store or retailer to identify the consumer with a surname/user name and password combination. Consumer data may include such variables as dietary or recipe preferences that are tailored to the consumer&#39;s lifestyle. This section may also facilitate uploading by the consumer of preferred recipes that may be shared with others, a health profile for coordinating various recipes to the consumer&#39;s dietary requirements, and/or other legal terms and conditions that are specified by the grocer or retailer. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagram illustrating the process used at the start of the web widget  300  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Upon startup, the widget  303  may be loaded and/or reloaded  301  and provides both enunciation and functionality to the consumer, such as a logo  305 , search  307 , tab identifiers  309 , main content area  311 , meal planner  313 , a help section  315 , and an ownership notice  317 . The help section  315  includes such items as the ability to browse recipes  319 , plan meals  321 , browse specials  323 , build shopping lists  325 , as well as provide contact information  327 . The contact information may include either email and address information  329  or the ability to offer external surveys  331  for use to improve the consumer&#39;s shopping experience. The ownership notice  317  may include such items as an “about” tab  323  for providing information about the owner of the widget or details regarding the owner&#39;s website  335 . Legal terms and conditions  337  may also be provided at this location. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart diagram of the recipe section  209  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The recipe process begins at widget start  401  where the recipe tab is selected  403 . This, in turn, directs the consumer to a specific recipe search page  405 . The search feature allows the consumer to search by either collection  407 , meal type  409 , cuisine  411 , search tag  413 , or by specific diet  415 . After one or more of these individual searches, the search results  417  are input to a meal planner  443 . In the event searches are made by collection  407 , recipes may also be submitted by the consumer  419  where they can be previewed  421  and sent at some later time to a recipe queue  423 . 
         [0032]    The consumer may also elect to review recipes in detail  425  such as specific details of a recipe review  427 , a recipe rating  429 , submitted recipe reviews by others  431 , recipe links  435  and/or other types of recipe submissions  437 . Any reviews submitted regarding the recipe  431  may be sent to a database or “queue” for a review  433  at some later time. Additionally, any submitted recipes  437  will also be sent to a database location where the recipe can be previewed  421  and forwarded to the recipe queue  423 . The recipe details  425  may also be saved  439 , where the consumer may sign-in  441  and submit details of the recipe to the meal planner  443 . The recipe details may also be printed in a paper copy  447  or saved electronically  449  in an image file format or the like. Finally, the recipe may also be electronically sent  451  using email  453 , by facsimile  455 , or other electronic means. 
         [0033]    The present invention is directed to a web widget for allowing the consumer to easily search and plan recipes, review store coupons, advertisements and specials, as well as to generate a dynamic shopping list that can be used at the grocer or retailer. Thus, the present invention provides a useful tool that not only helps consumers, but also allows manufacturers and retailers to put their brands and content into context depending on consumer needs and requests. Also, the invention allows a replacement for a grocer&#39;s weekly circular reducing the reliance and expense associated with newspaper advertising. 
         [0034]    In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.