Patent ID: 12248919

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of example methods and systems is not intended to limit the scope of the description to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead the following description is intended to be illustrative so that others may follow its teachings.

A mobile application for connecting sales associates to various service systems is disclosed hereinbelow. In general, the system provides for mobile device connectivity for a sales associate to access various retail systems. In at least one example, the disclosed invention leverages mobile technology, chat functionality, social networking, rewards, electronic catalogs, marketing and/or sales data, retail online shopping technology and/or a consumers' social connections, such as through a social media website, to enable each sales associate to provide a customize and personal shopping experience for multiple customers while maintaining their retail location mobility.

In one example, the mobile application is a hybrid application delivered on mobile devices such as an iPod and/or an iPad. This example application may service multiple store associates in multiple locations across different and/or similar retail umbrellas. Still further the example application may serve as a single point of entry for tasks, applications, information, reports, and/or other suitable programs. Still further, users of the example applications may be provided with immediate access to their daily task lists, lead management, time-clock management, social media, store statistics, store performance, etc.

In another example, the afore-mentioned hybrid application is designed to simplify users' searches for information and media content by consolidating and centralizing same within a single reference application. Such information and media content is typically categorized by business area, with common departments grouped adjacently. For example, apparel, beauty, jewelry and cosmetics products are grouped adjacently, and consumer appliances, lawn and garden products and hand tools are grouped adjacently. The reference applications enables sales associates to find relevant reference materials for such products quickly via a search bar.

With reference to the figures, the following discloses various example systems and methods for providing a system for connectivity of a sales associate to a retail support network. To this end, a processing device20″, illustrated in the exemplary form of a mobile communication device, a processing device20′, illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer system, and a processing device20illustrated in schematic form, are provided with executable instructions to, for example, provide a means for a retail organization to provide standard connectivity to a sales associate for accessing a host system server68and, among other things, for connecting to a hosted online retail environment (e.g. a retail store), a social networking site, a user profile, customer and/or sales support, other sales associates, personal shoppers, etc. Generally, the computer executable instructions reside in program modules which may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processing devices20,20′,20″ illustrated inFIG.1may be embodied in any device having the ability to execute instructions such as, by way of example, a personal computer, a mainframe computer, a personal-digital assistant (“PDA”), a cellular telephone, a mobile device, a tablet, an ereader, or the like. Furthermore, while described and illustrated in the context of a single processing device20,20′,20″ those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the various tasks described hereinafter may be practiced in a distributed environment having multiple processing devices linked via a local or wide-area network whereby the executable instructions may be associated with and/or executed by one or more of multiple processing devices.

For performing the various tasks in accordance with the executable instructions, the example processing device20includes a processing unit22and a system memory24which may be linked via a bus26. Without limitation, the bus26may be a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. As needed for any particular purpose, the system memory24may include read only memory (ROM)28and/or random access memory (RAM)30. Additional memory devices may also be made accessible to the processing device20by means of, for example, a hard disk drive interface32, a magnetic disk drive interface34, and/or an optical disk drive interface36. As will be understood, these devices, which would be linked to the system bus26, respectively allow for reading from and writing to a hard disk38, reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk40, and for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk42, such as a CD/DVD ROM or other optical media. The drive interfaces and their associated computer-readable media allow for the nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the processing device20. Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that other types of non-transitory computer-readable media that can store data and/or instructions may be used for this same purpose. Examples of such media devices include, but are not limited to, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories, nano-drives, memory sticks, and other read/write and/or read-only memories.

A number of program modules may be stored in one or more of the memory/media devices. For example, a basic input/output system (BIOS)44, containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the processing device20, such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM28. Similarly, the RAM30, hard drive38, and/or peripheral memory devices may be used to store computer executable instructions comprising an operating system46, one or more applications programs48(such as a Web browser), other program modules50, and/or program data52. Still further, computer-executable instructions may be downloaded to one or more of the computing devices as needed, for example via a network connection.

To allow a user to enter commands and information into the processing device20, input devices such as a keyboard54and/or a pointing device56are provided. While not illustrated, other input devices may include a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, a camera, touchpad, touch screen, virtual keyboard, etc. These and other input devices would typically be connected to the processing unit22by means of an interface58which, in turn, would be coupled to the bus26. Input devices may be connected to the processor22using interfaces such as, for example, a parallel port, game port, firewire, or a universal serial bus (USB). To view information from the processing device20, a monitor60or other type of display device may also be connected to the bus26via an interface, such as a video adapter62. In addition to the monitor60, the processing device20may also include other peripheral output devices, not shown, such as, for example, speakers, cameras, printers, or other suitable device.

As noted, the processing device20may also utilize logical connections to one or more remote processing devices, such as the host system server68having associated data repository68A. In this regard, while the host system server68has been illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer, it will be appreciated that the host system server68may, like processing device20, be any type of device having processing capabilities. Again, it will be appreciated that the host system server68need not be implemented as a single device but may be implemented in a manner such that the tasks performed by the host system server68are distributed amongst a plurality of processing devices/databases located at different geographical locations and linked through a communication network. Additionally, the host system server68may have logical connections to other third party systems via a network12, such as, for example, the Internet, LAN, MAN, WAN, cellular network, cloud network, enterprise network, virtual private network, wired and/or wireless network, or other suitable network, and via such connections, will be associated with data repositories that are associated with such other third party systems. Such third party systems may include, without limitation, systems of banking, credit, or other financial institutions, systems of third party providers of goods and/or services, systems of shipping/delivery companies, etc.

For performing tasks as needed, the host system server68may include many or all of the elements described above relative to the processing device20. In addition, the host system server68would generally include executable instructions for, among other things, coordinating a personal shopper relationship, providing a social network, storing a user's personal information, facilitating recommendations, providing access to merchandise, searching and identifying reference materials, etc.

Communications between the processing device20and the host system server68may be exchanged via a further processing device, such as a network router (not shown), that is responsible for network routing. Communications with the network router may be performed via a network interface component73. Thus, within such a networked environment, e.g., the Internet, World Wide Web, LAN, cloud, or other like type of wired or wireless network, it will be appreciated that program modules depicted relative to the processing device20, or portions thereof, may be stored in the non-transitory memory storage device(s) of the host system server68.

Referring toFIG.2, there is illustrated an overview of an example system200for providing multiple sales associates with access to multiple application providing connectivity to a retail environment's network in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The system200is well-suited for operation on a distributed network system, such as, for example, a client-server architecture utilizing the Internet, cloud, mobile network, cellular network, or other suitable wired and/or wireless network. The system200may be implemented in various other communication networks and/or mediums as desired including, for example, a localized, non-distributed network.

Generally speaking, the system200is operable to facilitate online connectivity of multiple sale associates to various in-store applications as well as networked and/or non-networked data repositories. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the number of sales associates concurrently using the system200may vary as desired. In the illustrated example, a first associate210may access the system200through any suitable device20, such as a computer system212, a smart phone214, a tablet computer216, or any other suitable known or yet to be developed communication device. In the disclosed example, the communication device20is capable of Internet browsing, textual transmission, and/or video transmission (e.g., video chat, video phone, etc), but it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the communication device may be any suitable communication device including any voice, email, and/or text communication with or without use of other transmission types.

Concurrently, in the illustrated example, a second sales associate220may also access the system200through any suitable device, such as a computer system222, a smart phone224, a tablet computer226, or any other suitable known or yet to be developed communication device. Similar to the first user's devices, the communication devices222,224,226are each capable of Internet browsing, textual transmission, and/or video transmission (e.g., video chat, video phone, etc) as desired.

Each sales associate210,220accesses the host server68through the network(s)12. In this example, each associate210,220accesses the system68through a separate network12, but it will be appreciated that the network access may be architected in any suitable manner. Each of the network(s)12provides network routing utilizing a cloud based network, although any appropriate routing device (software, firmware, hardware, and/or the like) may be utilized. The connection between the user210and the user220may be through the network12, through a social network68′, and/or through the host system68.

The illustrated approach may take advantage of the convergence of mobile devices, IP telephony (e.g., VoIP, SIP, etc) and Internet application such as, for example, Facetime, Skype, etc. The example system200may also enable interactive communications amongst user across varied platforms, (e.g., iOS, Android, Windows, etc.), devices (e.g., Mobile phones, PCs, Macs, Tablets, etc), networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, etc.), and media (e.g., voice, text, video, etc).

For allowing a user to setup and/or manage all of their sales associate tasks, messages, research information, etc. the host server system68may make available to the sales associate one or more tools by which a sales associate can, for example, interact with graphical user interface elements to create, perform, manage and/or receive information such as sales data, point-of-sale interactivity, sales and/or marketing information, rewards information, credit information, manuals, retail store information, employment data and/or records, and/or any other suitable information.

By way of example only,FIG.3illustrates a screen shot of various management tools that may be provided to a sales associate at the user computer device20via the host system server68. As illustrated, a sales associate management application300may include a sales associate area302, by which a use can see information regarding the currently logged in sales associate, a logout selectable interface304, which can be utilized to disconnect and/or deauthorize the device20from the server68, a sales data area306to provide the sales associate with links to authorized sales data trends provided by the server68, a listing area308providing a listing of sales associates logged into the system, an application area310proving a selectable listing and/or iconic view of available applications, and a navigation area312allowing quick navigation of various user interfaces as will be described herein. Additionally, any alerts, such as, for example any news alerts, may be displayed to the sales associate at an area320as illustrated inFIG.4. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that these areas need not be displayed concurrently and/or in the exact manner as shown inFIG.2and that variations may be made as desired.

More particularly, once the user navigates to the sales associate management application300that is hosted in the host server system68, a determination may be made as to whether or not the user is currently logged into the system as illustrated inFIG.3. If the sales associate is not logged into the system and it is not indicated to the system that the user has otherwise previously used the sales associate management application300, which indication may be stored in a cookie stored on the device20, or may be provided as a dedicated device (e.g., permanently logged in as a specific user), the sales associate may be provided with a welcoming message and directed to the area304where the user may access a log-in procedure.

When the user is logged into the sales associate management application300, the system may next determine the authorization level of the user by querying the server68. Upon determination of the authorization level, the system may display different information to the sales associate. For example, as illustrated inFIG.3, the sales associate is determined to be a manager at area302. Accordingly, in this example, the area308may provide a listing of the associates reporting to the manager that are currently logged into the system. For example, login in as a manger may cause the server68to query the data repository68A and/or any other suitable system component to determine the available sales associates currently logged into the system. It will be appreciated, however, that information provided to the user at the area308and/or any other area of the application300may be predetermined and/or otherwise defaulted based upon the authorization level of the user, and/or may be overwritten and/or other determined through user preferences set by the user and associated with the user log-in. In some example, the listing of sales associates may include a listing of all associated sales associates, with a visual indication on some and/or all users who are not currently logged into the system, such as graying-out, etc. As illustrated inFIG.4, if the server68returns that the user of the application300is a sales associate reporting to a manager, the application300may display at the area308a listing of tasks assigned and/or other relevant information to the associate by a user of authority, such as for example the manager.

Referring now toFIG.5, in order to provide various applications to the user, the system provides a menu of applications by selecting the area502in the navigation bar312. By selecting the area502, the server68queries the data repository68A to determine the pre-set and/or customized applications available to the user. Alternatively, the applications may be stored on the device20itself, and the user may have global access and/or, restricted access to the applications based upon their login credentials. In the example ofFIG.5, the applications are listed in the area504as thumbnail icons. It will be appreciated, however, by one of ordinary skill in the art that the method of displaying the applications may vary as desired including listing, etc. Additionally, the example area504includes a page indicator506to visually describe to the user what page the device is displaying in regard to the available applications. As can be appreciated, the applications displayed in the area504may be a inclusive and/or exclusive set of the applications provided for in the application area310shown inFIG.3. While not shown inFIG.5, the subject reference application is among the several “apps” to be displayed in the area504.

Referring now toFIG.6, there is illustrated an example interface600that may be used by the device20to cause the server68to modify the application and/or number of applications displayed to the user in the area310as illustrated inFIG.3. In this way, the application may be truly customized to meet each of the sales associate's individual needs. Sales associates who use the reference application regularly would benefit from designating the reference application as a “common app” for ease of to be displayed in the area310as illustrated inFIG.3.

Turning now toFIGS.7-8, a dashboard view of the reference application is illustrated. From the dashboard, the user can select one of several menu options710in lower pane720by tapping one such option. As shown inFIG.8, the user can also swipe upwards or downwards within the lower pane720to view additional menu options710, or swipe leftwards or rightwards in the upper pane730to view additional options. Swiping up and down within the lower pane enables users to scroll through various departments, such as training, floor planning or news archives. “News” articles within the application may comprise updates to specific store departments or notices of current or upcoming sales, among other relevant information.

FIG.9demonstrates how a user can activate the reference application910from within the connect application. Once the user selects the reference application910, the user can tap search bar920, and a native keyboard930will appear. As the user begins entering text into search bar920, frequently searched terms may appear to prompt the user to select recently or frequently searched reference materials. Search terms can vary broadly to widely access both general reference materials for given products (such as, for example, owner's manuals) as well as specific information about store inventories, sales, etc. Thus, potential search terms can include “footwear,” “cosmetics,” jewelry catalog,” “sales today,” and “stockroom,” among others.

Once the user has entered text into search box920, the host system server68can transmit such data68A through the network12to the network interface73, thereby enabling the application to search through reference materials which are stored in the system memory24. The reference application returns several search results in the form of reference materials940which match the searched term, and also displays thumbnail previews950of such search results940. Reference materials940may take the form of HTML or PDF documents, documents in other formats which may be dynamically converted to PDF format, or links to online videos. Once a user selects a specific reference material945, the application opens and displays that reference material at step960. In the case in which the reference material945is an online video, the application would open and play such online video at step960, using any auxiliary application necessary for playing such online video.

Notably, a user can search for reference materials940using the document's title, text within the document, or through tags or metatags. Document titles are provided according to naming conventions which includes information on the relevant store department, product, and date of posting. By way of example, the file naming convention may take the form of DEPT_DESCRIPTOR_DATE.EXT, where “DEPT” refers to the store department, “DESCRIPTOR” relays descriptive information about the product and/or model number thereof, “DATE” refers to the date the document was uploaded, and “EXT” refers to the file extension. Thus, an example file name for the owner's manual for a riding lawn mower may be entitled LawnGarden_JohnDeere1600_05272012.pdf, where “LawnGarden” refers to the store department, “JohnDeere1600” refers to a make and model of a specific riding lawn mower, and “05272012” corresponds to the date on which the manual was uploaded, in this case, May 27, 2012. Such dates are important because the reference application contains notification processes to ensure that the reference materials and related content are current and relevant. Indeed, the reference materials940may incorporate additional date information within tags or metatags, such as expiration dates, to notify the user when a given reference material may no longer reflect the make or model currently sold in stores.

Turning now toFIGS.10-11, there is illustrated a dashboard within the “Lawn and Garden” department of the reference application. Specifically, upper pane1010shows the “Lawn and Garden” department, though the user can swipe upper pane1010rightward for other departments, such as tools, tool storage, or consumer appliances. In lower pane1020, the user can choose to search for product info, at button1021, can view ongoing sales at button1023or can search for news or reports at buttons1025or1026, respectively. Once the user selects button1021for product info, the user is taken to a Product Info page (not shown), where the user can choose from one of several products within the department listed. Once the user has selected from a list of products, that Product page is shown inFIG.11(in this case, the product is “Mowers”). From the Product page, a search box1110will appear, and the user can search for reference materials1120, which will populate as the user enters text. As shown inFIG.11, the application displays the title of reference materials1120alongside thumbnail previews1130for each such material. The application also contains a path hierarchy1140, which incorporates “breadcrumb” functionality to enable users to return to any of the menus previously viewed within the current search.

FIG.12reflects a flowchart illustrating how a user can identify reference materials to answer questions posted by customers and potentially share such reference materials with the store customer. At step1210, a user has already opened the reference application and can begin by entering a search term into the search box as shown inFIGS.9and11. As the user enters text, at step1220, the application automatically suggests frequently-used search terms, which the user can either select or ignore at step1230. At step1240, the application performs the search, and displays the results of that search at step1250, including the title of each reference material and a thumbnail preview thereof. The user can then select one of the reference materials at step1260, and the application will retrieve and display the content of that reference material at step1270, whether that reference material is a PDF document or an online video, in which case the application will pull up any auxiliary application necessary for displaying online videos. Finally, at step1280and only where appropriate, the user can show the reference material to the store customer, or the user may have the option of sharing such reference material with the store customer via email, Facebook, or other social media.

Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.