Patent ID: 7882043

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for facilitating shopping collaboration in a store, said method comprising: a server computer of a service bureau spontaneously initiating collaboration between a shopper and consultants concerning a shopping goal upon activation of a trigger; obtaining information regarding the shopper without shopper input, said information being relevant to a selection of a consultant for a shopping experience; determining a location of a shopping cart being used by the shopper; performing a categorization operation in which the shopper's location is correlated with a map of the store so as to identify the category of products to which the shopper is currently proximate; analyzing current contents of the shopper's shopping cart and comparing said current contents to proximate products in the store so as to determine a characterization of the shopper's shopping goal; determining at least one suitable consultant to collaborate with the shopper regarding the shopping experience based on previously stored data on a consultant's experience and knowledge with the characterization of the shopper's shopping goal; determining a coincidence of interest between said shopper and said at least one suitable consultant; indicating to said shopper and to said at least one suitable consultant the coincidence of interest via an interactive device; and using the server computer of the service bureau to perform functions of: metering usage; determining fees; setting fees based on usage; setting fees based on a number of connections made between shoppers; and collecting fees.