Patent ID: 12248978

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. “Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.

As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material.

As defined herein, “real-time” can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event. A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information. Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event. In a number of embodiments, “real time” can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data. The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc. However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, two seconds, five seconds, or ten seconds.

As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

A number of embodiments can include a system. The system can include one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices storing computing instructions. The computing instructions can be configured to run on the one or more processors and perform receiving, at the one or more processors, an order from a customer electronic device; determining, using employee device data collected from one or more electronic devices of one or more employees of a store in a predictive analysis, an estimated collection time required for an employee of the one or more employees of the store to collect the one or more items of the order; receiving a check-in from an electronic device indicating that a pickup is en-route to pick-up the order; when the electronic device authorizes location tracking, tracking a location of the pickup after receiving the check-in from the electronic device; periodically determining, at one or more time intervals, an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location, as tracked; and when the estimated collection time is approximately equal in duration to the estimated travel time, coordinating displaying instructions for the employee of the store to begin collecting the one or more items of the order

Various embodiments include a method. The method can be implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and configured to be stored at non-transitory computer-readable media The method can comprise receiving, at the one or more processors, an order from a customer electronic device; determining, using employee device data collected from one or more electronic devices of one or more employees of a store in a predictive analysis, an estimated collection time required for an employee of the one or more employees of the store to collect the one or more items of the order; receiving a check-in from an electronic device indicating that a pickup is en-route to pick-up the order; when the electronic device authorizes location tracking, tracking a location of the pickup after receiving the check-in from the electronic device; periodically determining, at one or more time intervals, an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location, as tracked; and when the estimated collection time is approximately equal in duration to the estimated travel time, coordinating displaying instructions for the employee of the store to begin collecting the one or more items of the order.

A number of embodiments can include a system. The system can include one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules. The one or more storage modules can be configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of receiving an order from a customer. The order can comprise one or more items available for purchase at a store. The one or more storage modules can be further configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of determining an estimated collection time required for an employee of the store to collect the one or more items of the order at the store. The one or more storage modules can be further configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of receiving a mobile check-in from an electronic device indicating that a pickup is en-route to pick up the order at the store. The one or more storage modules can be further configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of tracking a location of the electronic device after receiving the mobile check-in from the electronic device. The one or more storage modules can be further configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of periodically determining, at one or more time intervals, an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location as tracked. The one or more storage modules can be further configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of, when the estimated collection time is substantially equal in duration to the estimated travel time, coordinating displaying a collection notification on a store interface of a store electronic device of the employee of the store instructing the employee of the store to begin collecting the one or more items of the order.

Various embodiments include a method. The method can include receiving an order from a customer. The order can comprise one or more items available for purchase at a store. The method also can include determining an estimated collection time required for an employee of the store to collect the one or more items of the order at the store. The method also can include receiving a mobile check-in from an electronic device indicating that a vehicle is en-route to pick up the order at the store. The method also can include tracking a location of the electronic device after receiving the mobile check-in from the electronic device. The method also can include continually determining, at one or more time intervals, an estimated travel time for the vehicle to travel to the store from the location as tracked. The method also can include, when the estimated collection time is substantially equal in duration to the estimated travel time, coordinating displaying a collection notification on a store interface of a store electronic device of the employee of the store instructing the employee of the store to begin collecting the one or more items of the order.

Several embodiments include a system. The system can include one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform certain acts. The acts can include determining, using a predictive analysis, an estimated collection time required for one or more employees of a store to collect one or more items of an order. The acts also can include receiving a mobile check-in from an electronic device indicating that a pickup is en-route to pick-up the order from the store. The acts further can include tracking a location of the pickup after receiving the mobile check-in from the electronic device. The acts additionally can include periodically determining an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location, as tracked. Based on the estimated travel time and the estimated collection time, the acts also can include transmitting instructions for the one or more employees of the store to begin collecting the one or more items of the order on a store interface

A number of embodiments include a method. The method being implemented via execution of computing instructions configured to run at one or more processors and stored at non-transitory computer-readable media. The method can include determining, using a predictive analysis, an estimated collection time required for one or more employees of a store to collect one or more items of an order. The method also can include receiving a mobile check-in from an electronic device indicating that a pickup is en-route to pick-up the order from the store. The method further can include tracking a location of the pickup after receiving the mobile check-in from the electronic device. The method additionally can include periodically determining an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location, as tracked. Based on the estimated travel time and the estimated collection time, the method also can include transmitting instructions for the one or more employees of the store to begin collecting the one or more items of the order on a store interface.

Turning to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a computer system100, all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for (i) implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and systems and/or (ii) implementing and/or operating part or all of one or more embodiments of the memory storage modules described herein. As an example, a different or separate one of a chassis102(and its internal components) can be suitable for implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein. Furthermore, one or more elements of computer system100(e.g., a monitor106, a keyboard104, and/or a mouse110, etc.) also can be appropriate for implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein. Computer system100can comprise chassis102containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port112, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive116, and a hard drive114. A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis102is shown inFIG.2. A central processing unit (CPU)210inFIG.2is coupled to a system bus214inFIG.2. In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU210can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families.

Continuing withFIG.2, system bus214also is coupled to a memory storage unit208, where memory storage unit208can comprise (i) non-volatile memory, such as, for example, read only memory (ROM) and/or (ii) volatile memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM). The non-volatile memory can be removable and/or non-removable non-volatile memory. Meanwhile, RAM can include dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), etc. Further, ROM can include mask-programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), one-time programmable ROM (OTP), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) (e.g., electrically alterable ROM (EAROM) and/or flash memory), etc. In these or other embodiments, memory storage unit208can comprise (i) non-transitory memory and/or (ii) transitory memory.

In various examples, portions of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer system100(FIG.1) to a functional state after a system reset. In addition, portions of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can comprise microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) operable with computer system100(FIG.1). In the same or different examples, portions of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network. The BIOS can initialize and test components of computer system100(FIG.1) and load the operating system. Meanwhile, the operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files. Exemplary operating systems can comprise one of the following: (i) Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS) by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of America, (ii) Mac® OS X by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (iii) UNIX® OS, and (iv) Linux® OS. Further exemplary operating systems can comprise one of the following: (i) the iOS® operating system by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (ii) the Blackberry® operating system by Research In Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) the WebOS operating system by LG Electronics of Seoul, South Korea, (iv) the Android™ operating system developed by Google, of Mountain View, Calif., United States of America, (v) the Windows Mobile™ operating system by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of America, or (vi) the Symbian™ operating system by Accenture PLC of Dublin, Ireland.

As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions. In some examples, the one or more processing modules of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU210.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the systems and procedures described herein can be implemented in hardware, or a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. For example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out one or more of the systems and procedures described herein. For example, one or more of the programs and/or executable program components described herein can be implemented in one or more ASICs.

In many embodiments, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) can comprise one or more processors or microprocessors and/or memory blocks or memory storage.

In the depicted embodiment ofFIG.2, various I/O devices such as a disk controller204, a graphics adapter224, a video controller202, a keyboard adapter226, a mouse adapter206, a network adapter220, and other I/O devices222can be coupled to system bus214. Keyboard adapter226and mouse adapter206are coupled to keyboard104(FIGS.1-2) and mouse110(FIGS.1-2), respectively, of computer system100(FIG.1). While graphics adapter224and video controller202are indicated as distinct units inFIG.2, video controller202can be integrated into graphics adapter224, or vice versa in other embodiments. Video controller202is suitable for monitor106(FIGS.1-2) to display images on a screen108(FIG.1) of computer system100(FIG.1). Disk controller204can control hard drive114(FIGS.1-2), USB port112(FIGS.1-2), and CD-ROM drive116(FIGS.1-2). In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately.

Network adapter220can be suitable to connect computer system100(FIG.1) to a computer network by wired communication (e.g., a wired network adapter) and/or wireless communication (e.g., a wireless network adapter). In some embodiments, network adapter220can be plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system100(FIG.1). In other embodiments, network adapter220can be built into computer system100(FIG.1). For example, network adapter220can be built into computer system100(FIG.1) by being integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system100(FIG.1) or USB port112(FIG.1).

Returning now toFIG.1, although many other components of computer system100are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer system100and the circuit boards inside chassis102are not discussed herein.

Meanwhile, when computer system100is running, program instructions (e.g., computer instructions) stored on one or more of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein can be executed by CPU210(FIG.2). At least a portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out at least part of the techniques and methods described herein.

Further, although computer system100is illustrated as a desktop computer inFIG.1, there can be examples where computer system100may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system100. In some embodiments, computer system100may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers. Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system100exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer. In certain embodiments, computer system100may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer. In certain other embodiments, computer system100may comprise a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone. In certain additional embodiments, computer system100may comprise an embedded system.

Turning ahead in the drawings,FIG.3illustrates a block diagram of a system300that can be employed for determining an order collection start time, as described in greater detail below. System300is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein. System300can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system300can perform various procedures, processes, and/or activities. In these or other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system300.

Generally, therefore, system300can be implemented with hardware and/or software, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can be conventional, while in these or other embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can be customized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part or all of the functionality of system300described herein.

In some embodiments, system300can include an order system310, a web server320, and a display system360. Order system310, web server320, and/or display system360can each be a computer system, such as computer system100(FIG.1), as described above, and can each be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers. In another embodiment, a single computer system can host each of two or more of order system310, web server320, and/or display system360. Additional details regarding order system310, web server320, and/or display system360are described herein.

In many embodiments, system300also can comprise user computers340,341. In some embodiments, user computers340,341can be mobile devices. A mobile electronic device can refer to a portable electronic device (e.g., an electronic device easily conveyable by hand by a person of average size) with the capability to present audio and/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos, music, etc.). For example, a mobile electronic device can comprise at least one of a digital media player, a cellular telephone (e.g., a smartphone), a personal digital assistant, a handheld digital computer device (e.g., a tablet personal computer device), a laptop computer device (e.g., a notebook computer device, a netbook computer device), a wearable user computer device, or another portable computer device with the capability to present audio and/or visual data (e.g., images, videos, music, etc.). Thus, in many examples, a mobile electronic device can comprise a volume and/or weight sufficiently small as to permit the mobile electronic device to be easily conveyable by hand. For examples, in some embodiments, a mobile electronic device can occupy a volume of less than or equal to approximately 1790 cubic centimeters, 2434 cubic centimeters, 2876 cubic centimeters, 4056 cubic centimeters, and/or 5752 cubic centimeters. Further, in these embodiments, a mobile electronic device can weigh less than or equal to 15.6 Newtons, 17.8 Newtons, 22.3 Newtons, 31.2 Newtons, and/or 44.5 Newtons.

Exemplary mobile electronic devices can comprise (i) an iPod®, iPhone®, iTouch®, iPad®, MacBook® or similar product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (ii) a Blackberry® or similar product by Research in Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) a Lumia® or similar product by the Nokia Corporation of Keilaniemi, Espoo, Finland, and/or (iv) a Galaxy™ or similar product by the Samsung Group of Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea. Further, in the same or different embodiments, a mobile electronic device can comprise an electronic device configured to implement one or more of (i) the iPhone® operating system by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (ii) the Blackberry® operating system by Research In Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) the Palm® operating system by Palm, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., United States, (iv) the Android™ operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance, (v) the Windows Mobile™ operating system by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of America, or (vi) the Symbian™ operating system by Nokia Corp. of Keilaniemi, Espoo, Finland.

Further still, the term “wearable user computer device” as used herein can refer to an electronic device with the capability to present audio and/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos, music, etc.) that is configured to be worn by a user and/or mountable (e.g., fixed) on the user of the wearable user computer device (e.g., sometimes under or over clothing; and/or sometimes integrated with and/or as clothing and/or another accessory, such as, for example, a hat, eyeglasses, a wrist watch, shoes, etc.). In many examples, a wearable user computer device can comprise a mobile electronic device, and vice versa. However, a wearable user computer device does not necessarily comprise a mobile electronic device, and vice versa.

In specific examples, a wearable user computer device can comprise a head mountable wearable user computer device (e.g., one or more head mountable displays, one or more eyeglasses, one or more contact lenses, one or more retinal displays, etc.) or a limb mountable wearable user computer device (e.g., a smart watch). In these examples, a head mountable wearable user computer device can be mountable in close proximity to one or both eyes of a user of the head mountable wearable user computer device and/or vectored in alignment with a field of view of the user.

In more specific examples, a head mountable wearable user computer device can comprise (i) Google Glass™ product or a similar product by Google Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif., United States of America; (ii) the Eye Tap™ product, the Laser Eye Tap™ product, or a similar product by ePI Lab of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and/or (iii) the Raptyr™ product, the STAR 1200™ product, the Vuzix Smart Glasses M100™ product, or a similar product by Vuzix Corporation of Rochester, N.Y., United States of America. In other specific examples, a head mountable wearable user computer device can comprise the Virtual Retinal Display™ product, or similar product by the University of Washington of Seattle, Wash., United States of America. Meanwhile, in further specific examples, a limb mountable wearable user computer device can comprise the iWatch™ product, or similar product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, the Galaxy Gear or similar product of Samsung Group of Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea, the Moto360product or similar product of Motorola of Schaumburg, Ill., United States of America, and/or the Zip™ product, One™ product, Flex™ product, Charge™ product, Surge™ product, or similar product by Fitbit Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., United States of America.

In some embodiments, web server320can be in data communication through Internet330with user computers (e.g.,340,341). In certain embodiments, user computers340-341can be desktop computers, laptop computers, smart phones, tablet devices, and/or other endpoint devices. Web server320can host one or more websites. For example, web server320can host an eCommerce website that allows users to browse and/or search for products, to add products to an electronic shopping cart, and/or to purchase products, in addition to other suitable activities.

In many embodiments, order system310, web server320, and/or display system360can each comprise one or more input devices (e.g., one or more keyboards, one or more keypads, one or more pointing devices such as a computer mouse or computer mice, one or more touchscreen displays, a microphone, etc.), and/or can each comprise one or more display devices (e.g., one or more monitors, one or more touch screen displays, projectors, etc.). In these or other embodiments, one or more of the input device(s) can be similar or identical to keyboard104(FIG.1) and/or a mouse110(FIG.1). Further, one or more of the display device(s) can be similar or identical to monitor106(FIG.1) and/or screen108(FIG.1). The input device(s) and the display device(s) can be coupled to the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s) order system310, web server320, and/or display system360in a wired manner and/or a wireless manner, and the coupling can be direct and/or indirect, as well as locally and/or remotely. As an example of an indirect manner (which may or may not also be a remote manner), a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch can be used to couple the input device(s) and the display device(s) to the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s). In some embodiments, the KVM switch also can be part of order system310, web server320, and/or display system360. In a similar manner, the processing module(s) and the memory storage module(s) can be local and/or remote to each other.

In many embodiments, order system310, web server320, and/or display system360can be configured to communicate with one or more user computers340and341. In some embodiments, user computers340and341also can be referred to as customer computers. In some embodiments, order system310, web server320, and/or display system360can communicate or interface (e.g., interact) with one or more customer computers (such as user computers340and341) through a network or internet330. Internet330can be an intranet that is not open to the public. Accordingly, in many embodiments, order system310, web server320, and/or display system360(and/or the software used by such systems) can refer to a back end of system300operated by an operator and/or administrator of system300, and user computers340and341(and/or the software used by such systems) can refer to a front end of system300used by one or more users350and351, respectively. In some embodiments, users350and351also can be referred to as customers, in which case, user computers340and341can be referred to as customer computers. In these or other embodiments, the operator and/or administrator of system300can manage system300, the processing module(s) of system300, and/or the memory storage module(s) of system300using the input device(s) and/or display device(s) of system300.

Meanwhile, in many embodiments, order system310, web server320, and/or display system360also can be configured to communicate with one or more databases. The one or more databases can comprise a product database that contains information about products, items, or SKUs (stock keeping units) sold by a retailer. The one or more databases can be stored on one or more memory storage modules (e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)), which can be similar or identical to the one or more memory storage module(s) (e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)) described above with respect to computer system100(FIG.1). Also, in some embodiments, for any particular database of the one or more databases, that particular database can be stored on a single memory storage module of the memory storage module(s), and/or the non-transitory memory storage module(s) storing the one or more databases or the contents of that particular database can be spread across multiple ones of the memory storage module(s) and/or non-transitory memory storage module(s) storing the one or more databases, depending on the size of the particular database and/or the storage capacity of the memory storage module(s) and/or non-transitory memory storage module(s).

The one or more databases can each comprise a structured (e.g., indexed) collection of data and can be managed by any suitable database management systems configured to define, create, query, organize, update, and manage database(s). Exemplary database management systems can include MySQL (Structured Query Language) Database, PostgreSQL Database, Microsoft SQL Server Database, Oracle Database, SAP (Systems, Applications, & Products) Database, and IBM DB2 Database.

Meanwhile, communication between order system310, web server320, display system360, and/or the one or more databases can be implemented using any suitable manner of wired and/or wireless communication. Accordingly, system300can comprise any software and/or hardware components configured to implement the wired and/or wireless communication. Further, the wired and/or wireless communication can be implemented using any one or any combination of wired and/or wireless communication network topologies (e.g., ring, line, tree, bus, mesh, star, daisy chain, hybrid, etc.) and/or protocols (e.g., personal area network (PAN) protocol(s), local area network (LAN) protocol(s), wide area network (WAN) protocol(s), cellular network protocol(s), powerline network protocol(s), etc.). Exemplary PAN protocol(s) can comprise Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Z-Wave, etc.; exemplary LAN and/or WAN protocol(s) can comprise Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 (also known as Ethernet), IEEE 802.11 (also known as WiFi), etc.; and exemplary wireless cellular network protocol(s) can comprise Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, etc. The specific communication software and/or hardware implemented can depend on the network topologies and/or protocols implemented, and vice versa. In many embodiments, exemplary communication hardware can comprise wired communication hardware including, for example, one or more data buses, such as, for example, universal serial bus(es), one or more networking cables, such as, for example, coaxial cable(s), optical fiber cable(s), and/or twisted pair cable(s), any other suitable data cable, etc. Further exemplary communication hardware can comprise wireless communication hardware including, for example, one or more radio transceivers, one or more infrared transceivers, etc. Additional exemplary communication hardware can comprise one or more networking components (e.g., modulator-demodulator components, gateway components, etc.).

Turning ahead in the drawings,FIG.4illustrates a flow chart for a method400, according to an embodiment. Method400is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method400can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities of method400can be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the activities of method400can be performed in any suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method400can be combined or skipped. In many embodiments, system300(FIG.3) can be suitable to perform method400and/or one or more of the activities of method400. In these or other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method400can be implemented as one or more computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more non-transitory memory storage modules512,514,516and/or562(FIG.5). Such non-transitory memory storage modules can be part of a computer system such as order system310, web server320, and/or display system360(FIGS.3&5). The processing module(s) can be similar or identical to the processing module(s) described above with respect to computer system100(FIG.1).

Conventional methods and related systems of online grocery delivery or pickup orders typically require a store to collect the orders during morning hours and then dispense the orders to customers later in the day. Because collection of the orders typically occurs long before dispensing of the orders, the orders are conventionally required to be stored in a backroom of the store with multiple temperature zones. These conventional methods and systems of online grocery delivery or pickup orders, then, require both inefficient (1) investment of capital by the store, and also (2) application of human labor by employees of the store.

To solve these problems associated with and exclusive to online orders, various embodiments of method400and related systems utilize a mobile check-in feature to track customers or the delivery service on the way to pick up orders. The delivery service can be a third-party delivery service or an in-house delivery service. When the estimated time required to collect the order is substantially equal to an estimated arrival time of the delivery service or customer to pick up the order, system300(FIG.3) can notify the employee of the store to begin collecting the order. This improvement over conventional systems allows a store employee to dispense the order to the customer or delivery service without storing the order in the backroom of the store and/or retrieving the order from the backroom of the store before dispensing the order.

Method400can comprise an activity405of receiving an order from a customer.

The order can comprise a delivery order or a pickup order. In many embodiments, method400can be utilized when customers are placing orders on a website or application of a store. The orders can be placed by the customers using electronic devices, such as but not limited to mobile electronic devices like watches or phones, tablet computer electronic devices, desktop computer electronic devices, and the like. The orders placed by customers can be for one or more items sold by the store or retailer, including but not limited to groceries, electronics, clothing, media, equipment, and so on. In some embodiments, the website of the store can be associated with one or more brick and mortar retail stores within a predetermined proximity to the customer placing the order, one or more fulfillment centers, one or more warehouses, one or more distribution centers, and the like.

In some embodiments, activity405and other activities in method400can comprise using a distributed network comprising distributed memory architecture to perform the associated activity. This distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing data to be accessible from a central location.

In many embodiments, activity405can vary depending upon whether the order is a pickup order or a delivery order. For example, if the order is a pickup order, activity405can comprise receiving the pickup order from a customer electronic device. The pickup order also can comprise one or more items available for purchase at the store, but also can specify that the customer (or anyone assigned by the customer) will pick up the one or more items at the store. In some embodiments, activity405can comprise receiving the pickup order from the customer electronic device for a customer pickup of the pickup order at the store during an assigned or selected window of time.

In contrast, if the order is a delivery order, activity405can comprise receiving a delivery order from a customer electronic device. The delivery order also can comprise one or more items available for purchase at the store, but also can specify that a delivery service will pick up the one or more items from the store and deliver the one or more items to the customer. In some embodiments, activity405can comprise receiving the delivery order from the customer electronic device for a delivery of the delivery order to the customer during an assigned or selected window of time. In many embodiments, as shall be described in greater detail below, the store coordinates requesting a delivery service to deliver the delivery order. Although references are made to deliveries of orders to customers, it is understood that the systems and methods can include a customer placing an order for delivery to another person who may or may not be a customer.

Method400also can comprise an activity410of determining an estimated collection time required for an employee of the store to collect the items of the order at the store. In many embodiments, activity410can comprise determining the estimated collection time required for the employees of the store to collect the items of the order at the store using a regression model that is based on one or more of: (1) one or more locations of the one or more items in the store; (2) a number of commodity switches required to collect the one or more items at the store; (3) a historical performance of the employee of the store assigned to collect the one or more items of the order; and/or (4) a time of day when the order is collected at the store by the employee. The number of commodity switches can include the number of times an associate must switch between different commodities in the store to collect the one or more items. For example, a number of times a user must switch from the refrigerated or frozen section of the store to the room temperature section of the store. In some embodiments, the number commodity switches can comprise a number of aisle switches of how many aisles must be traversed in the store based on the item locations within commodity for an associate to collect the order. The time of day can affect the estimated collection time due to the store being more or less crowded at certain times of the day.

In some embodiments, the estimated collection time can be determined using a regression analysis for estimating the relationships among variables. The regression analysis used can use the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables (or “predictors”). The regression model can determine how picking time (or the dependent variable or “criterion variable”) can be modeled changes when any one of the independent variables is varied for each order. The independent variables can include, for example, a number of: (1) a total number of ambient, chilled, and/or frozen products; and/or (2) a total number of ambient, chilled, and/or frozen products.

In some embodiments, linear regression can be used where the relationships are modeled using linear predictor functions whose unknown model parameters are estimated from data. For example, given a variable y and a number of variables X1, . . . , Xpthat may be related toy, linear regression analysis can be applied to quantify the strength of the relationship between y and the Xj, to assess which Xjmay have no relationship with y at all, and to identify which subsets of the Xjcontain redundant information about y.

In a non-limiting example, the following was used to determine with all values of A based on historical data, and then used to estimate picking time based on order related variables:
Estimated Collection Time=A1X1,A2X2,A3X3,A4X4,A5X5. . . AnXn+Constant+Error

where constant is a required value for each estimation, A are coefficients, and X are order related variables that impact picking. Independent variables or order related variables that impact collection time can be determined through techniques of feature selection, and then reducing the independent variables or order related variables to the features that impacted the collection time the most. Information for feature selections can be used to select features that are most important to collection time and discard irrelevant or redundant features.

Method400also can comprise an activity415of receiving a mobile check-in from an electronic device indicating that a pickup is en-route to pick up the order at the store. The pickup can be a customer or delivery service employee walking to the store, or riding a bike to the store. The pickup also can be customer or delivery service employee taking a bus, a subway, or a train to the store. The pickup further can be a customer or delivery service employee driving a car, or taking a taxi, rideshare, and/or or other transportation method to the store. The pickup also can be a customer or delivery service authorizing an autonomous vehicle, drone, etc. to travel to the store. The electronic device can comprise a mobile electronic device like a watch, a phone, a tablet computer electronic device, and the like. In some embodiments, the electronic device can comprise an electronic device built into the vehicle of the customer or the delivery vehicle picking up the order.

In many embodiments, activity415can vary depending upon whether the order is a pickup order or a delivery order. For example, if the order is a pickup order, activity415can comprise receiving the mobile check-in from the customer electronic device indicating a pickup is en-route to pick up the pickup order at the store. In pickup orders, the customer electronic device can be a same customer electronic device or a different electronic device on which the pickup order was placed. If the order is a delivery order, activity415can comprise receiving the mobile check-in from a delivery electronic device of the delivery service indicating the delivery service is en-route to pick up the delivery order at the store.

Certain aspects of mobile check-ins are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/339,808 to Agarwal, et al., filed Oct. 31, 2016 and titled “Customer Check-In System and Non-Transitory Computer Readable Storage Media for Checking-In a Customer,” the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, activity415can further comprise receiving a type of vehicle and/or mode of transportation during the mobile check-in. For example, the customer or delivery driver, service, or vehicle can select the mode of transportation as a car, a truck, a bicycle, a drone, a driverless vehicle, public transportation such as a bus, subway or other trains, or even a customer walking to the store.

Method400also can comprise an activity420of tracking a location of the electronic device after receiving the mobile check-in from the electronic device. For example, when a customer or delivery service checks-in, the customer electronic device or the delivery electronic device, respectively, can display a prompt inquiring whether or not the interface has permission to use the current location of the customer electronic device or the delivery electronic device. More particularly, the system300(FIG.3) can seek permission or authorization from the customer or the delivery service or vehicle to activate an internal global positioning system (GPS) unit of the customer electronic device or the delivery electronic device to identify the current location of the customer electronic device or the delivery electronic device. With permission, the customer electronic device or the delivery electronic device can obtain and transmit signals to system300(FIG.3), including tracking information with the current location of the customer electronic device or the delivery electronic device.

In many embodiments, activity420can vary depending upon whether the order is a pickup order or a delivery order. For example, if the order is a pickup order, activity420can comprise tracking the location of the customer electronic device after receiving the mobile check-in from the customer electronic device. If the order is a delivery order, activity420can comprise tracking the location of the delivery electronic device after receiving the mobile check-in from the delivery electronic device.

Method400also can comprise an activity425of periodically determining, at one or more time intervals, an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location as tracked. Time intervals can comprise but are not limited to, for example, 15 second intervals, 30 second intervals, 60 second intervals, 90 second intervals, 2 minute intervals, and the like. In many embodiments, activity425can comprise determining, depending upon the mode of transportation, an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location as tracked. For example, if the mode of transportation is a customer, an employee, or a third party driving a car, a motorcycle, or a truck (or an autonomous car, motorcycle, or truck), activity425can comprise periodically determining an estimated travel time for the car, the motorcycle, or the truck to travel to the store from the location as tracked. If the mode of transportation is a bicycle, activity425can comprise periodically determining an estimated travel time for a bicyclist to travel to the store from the location as tracked. If the mode of transportation is a bus, train, taxi, rideshare, or some other mode of public transportation, activity425can comprise periodically determining an estimated travel time for an individual to travel to the store from the location as tracked using such public transportation. If the mode of transportation is walking, activity425can comprise periodically determining an estimated travel time for an individual walking to the store from the location as tracked. If the mode of transportation is a manually-controlled or autonomous vehicle or drone, activity425can comprise periodically determining an estimated travel time for the vehicle or drone to travel to the store from the location as tracked.

In some optional embodiments, activity425comprises determining only once an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location as tracked. For example, in some embodiments, a location of the vehicle and/or electric device of the customer or delivery service is determined only when the customer or delivery service initially checks-in. Transmitting the collection notification to the store employee, as described in greater detail below, can be based off this single determination of the estimated travel time made when the customer or delivery service initially checks-in.

In many embodiments, activity425can vary depending upon whether the order is a pickup order or a delivery order. For example, if the order is a pickup order, activity425can comprise periodically determining, at the one or more time intervals, the estimated travel time for the customer vehicle to travel to the store from the location as tracked. If the order is a delivery order, activity425can comprise periodically determining, at the one or more time intervals, the estimated travel time for the delivery vehicle, whether autonomous or not, to travel to the store from the location as tracked.

Method400also can comprise an activity430of, when the estimated collection time is substantially equal in duration to the estimated travel time, coordinating displaying a collection notification on a store interface of a store electronic device of the employee of the store instructing the employee of the store to begin collecting the items of the order. In some embodiments, the collection notification also can comprise an estimated arrival time of the vehicle for the customer pickup or the delivery pickup. Activity430also can comprise an activity of generating instructions for providing a store interface on the store electronic device that displays, when the estimated collection time is substantially equal in duration to the estimated travel time, the collection notification instructing the employee of the store to begin collecting the items of the order. Activity430is advantageous to conventional systems because it facilitates near simultaneous and/or real-time completion of collecting the one or more items of the order by the employee store and arrival at the store of the customer or the delivery pickup at the store. This near simultaneous and/or real-time completion allows the employee of the store to dispense the order to the customer or the delivery pickup without storing or retrieving the order.

Activity430also can comprise additional optional activities depending on whether the order is a pickup order or a delivery order. For example, if the order is a pickup order, activity430can optionally comprise one or more activities of: coordinating displaying vehicle information for the customer vehicle on the store interface of the store electronic device; coordinating displaying a collected order notification on a customer interface of the customer electronic device, the collected order notification indicating that the order has been collected by the employee of the store and is ready to be picked up at the store; coordinating displaying, on the store interface of the store electronic device, the estimated travel time for the customer vehicle to travel to the store from the location as tracked; and/or coordinating displaying a customer arrival notification on the store interface of the store electronic device, the customer arrival notification indicating that the customer has arrived at the store. Moreover, activity430can optionally comprise one or more activities of generating instructions for providing a store interface on the store electronic device that displays vehicle information for the customer vehicle, the estimated travel time for the customer vehicle to travel to the store from the location as tracked, and/or a customer arrival notification. Activity430also can optionally comprise an activity of generating instructions for providing a customer interface on the customer electronic device that displays the collected order notification.

If, however, the order is a delivery order, activity430can optionally comprise one or more activities of: coordinating displaying vehicle information for the delivery vehicle on the store interface of the store electronic device; coordinating displaying, on the store interface of the store electronic device, the estimated travel time for the delivery service to travel to the store from the location as tracked; coordinating displaying a delivery service arrival notification on the store interface of the store electronic device, the delivery service notification indicating that the delivery service has arrived at the store; and/or coordinating displaying a collected order notification on a delivery interface of the delivery electronic device, the collected order notification indicating that the order has been collected by the employee of the store. Moreover, activity430can optionally comprise one or more activities of generating instructions for providing a store interface on the store electronic device that displays vehicle information for the delivery vehicle, the estimated travel time for the delivery service to travel to the store from the location as tracked, and/or a delivery service arrival notification. Activity430also can optionally comprise an activity of generating instructions for providing a delivery interface on the delivery vehicle electronic device that displays the collected order notification.

FIG.5illustrates a block diagram of a portion of system300comprising order system310, web server320, and display system360, according to the embodiment shown inFIG.3. Each of order system310, web server320, and display system360is merely exemplary and not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Each of order system310, web server320, and/or display system360can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of order system310, web server320, and/or display system360can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts. In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules.

In many embodiments, order system310can comprise non-transitory memory storage module512. Memory storage module512can be referred to as order module512. In many embodiments, order module512can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of method400(FIG.4) (e.g., activity405of receiving an order from a customer, the order comprising items available for purchase at a store (FIG.4)).

In many embodiments, order system310also can comprise non-transitory memory storage module514. Memory storage module514can be referred to as pickup module514. In many embodiments, pickup module514can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of method400(FIG.4) (e.g., activity415of receiving a mobile check-in from an electronic device indicating that a vehicle is en-route to pick up the order at the store, activity420of tracking a location of the electronic device after receiving the mobile check-in from the electronic device, and activity425of periodically determining, at one or more time intervals, an estimated travel time for the pickup to travel to the store from the location as tracked (FIG.4)).

In many embodiments, order system310also can comprise non-transitory memory storage module516. Memory storage module516can be referred to as collection module516. In many embodiments, collection module516can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of method400(FIG.4) (e.g., activity410of determining an estimated collection time required for an employee of the store to collect the items of the order at the store (FIG.4)).

In many embodiments, display system360can comprise non-transitory memory storage module562. Memory storage module562can be referred to as display module562. In many embodiments, display module562can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of method400(FIG.4) (e.g., activity430of coordinating displaying a collection notification on a store interface of a store electronic device of the employee of the store instructing the employee of the store to begin collecting the items of the order (FIG.4)).

Although systems and methods for determining an order collection start time have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that any element ofFIGS.1-5may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. For example, one or more of the procedures, processes, or activities ofFIG.4may include different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.