Patent Application
20130179306
This disclosure relates to mobile computing devices.
Mobile computing devices provide the benefit of being portable while allowing a user to perform a variety of functions including various forms of communication and computing. For example, some mobile devices are capable of accessing the Internet, executing gaming applications, playing videos and music, as well as a number of other useful functions. One type of mobile device is a portable computer, such as a laptop, netbook, or tablet computer. Another type of mobile device is a mobile phone, such as a smart phone with a touch screen interface. Mobile devices are employed for a number of functions. Recently, visual media has been combined with mobile device technology to improve and enhance the presentation of information to consumers, among other reasons. The types of visual media varies, but may include physical placards or posters that present information but also include tags that are interpretable by mobile devices to, e.g., access additional information related to information presented on the poster.
One example according to this disclosure includes a method of electronically executing a multi-dimensional function presented on a visual media comprising a plurality of tags associated with a plurality of parameters of the multi-dimensional function, in which each of the tags is interpretable by a mobile computing device. The method includes interacting, by the mobile computing device, with two or more of the tags of the visual media to select values for two or more of the parameters of the function, and executing the function according to the selected values for the two or more parameters.
In another example, a mobile computing device includes means for interacting with a plurality of tags associated with a plurality of parameters of a multi-dimensional function presented on a visual media, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive data from the means for interacting indicating interactions with two or more of the tags of the visual media to select values for two or more of the parameters of the function and execute the function according to the selected values for the two or more parameters.
In another example, a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions for causing at least one programmable processor to perform operations including receiving data indicating interactions with two or more tags of a visual media comprising a plurality of tags to select values for two or more parameters of a multi-dimensional function presented on the visual media, and executing the function according to the selected values for the two or more parameters.
The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Examples according to this disclosure are directed to electronically executing a function presented on a placard using a mobile computing device, which requires multiple parameter inputs from a user for execution of the function, e.g. buying a product or service or completing a survey. The placard may be, for example, a physical poster and includes a number of tags interpretable by a mobile computing device to select a number of values of parameters of the function and to initiate execution of the function. The tags may include electronic or optical tags. For example, electonic tags may include near field communication (NFC) tags. Optical tags may be employed as well, including barcodes with parallel spaced lines of varying width, as well as matrix barcodes, such as Quick Response (QR) codes.
A placard including visual media, e.g. a poster may be employed to allow a mobile computing device, e.g. a smartphone to scan QR codes or NFC tags which augment printed media on the poster to perform some function. Such posters including visual media and various tags, e.g. NFC tags, associated therewith are sometimes referred to as “smart posters.” The term “smart poster” as used in this disclosure may refer to, e.g., a poster including visual media some or all of which is associated with a number of tags interpretable by a mobile computing device to select parameters according to which a multi-dimensional function presented on the poster may thereby be executed.
In one example, a smartphone is capable of interpreting the tags on the poster and thereby capable of executing the function presented on the poster. For example, a smartphone may be tapped against or in close proximity to NFC tags embedded in the poster to initiate execution of the function associated with the tag. In an example employing optical tags, like QR codes, a camera on the phone could be used to take a picture of and then read a QR code on the poster to initiate execution of the function associated with the interpreted code. Such phone-to-smart poster interactions may allow, for example, access to additional information associated with links on the poster and viewable on the phone. These links may include access to web services, a “buy product” or “buy service” option, maps, expanded background information etc., and may be in the form of webpages that a user could interact with. However, there are many situations in which a user would like to use this tangible interaction approach (e.g. tapping the poster with the phone) for more complex functions than simply linking to additional information or functions viewed/executed on the user's phone, e.g. functions including a number of different parameters or options that define execution of the function. For example, the user may wish to use the smart poster and phone to select a number of product options before and only then commit to a purchase of the product according to the selected options. An alternative is to continue the interaction on a small phone screen which may be slow, error prone, and may not be easily seen by other members of a group.
In one example, a user may employ a mobile computing device and a smart poster to order a pizza including different kinds of crusts, like thick or thin, the type of pizza, like Margareta or Hawaiian, or different individual toppings, like pepperoni, sausage, and onions, as well as the size, like 10 inch, 12 inch, and 16 inch. Such a transaction could be achieved simply by touching the phone to graphical images of the various options on the poster, where the selected options are each associated with a tag on or behind the poster. The final selection may be a “buy pizza” link which is aware of the previous chain of options selected by the user.
Another example is an interactive shopping poster at a store, e.g. a big box electronics store. In such an example, a user may select “start” on the poster and see a list of a 100 televisions on their phone or tablet. They scan, e.g., NFC tags on the poster for 3D (or 2D), 36-inch (or another size), and each time the list of televisions choices is filtered on their phone, presenting the user with an increasingly smaller list of televisions to look at, investigate specifications and other information before purchasing or just viewing in the store.
However, there is currently no mechanism that allows a user to simply move a phone over a smart poster to construct and execute a multi-command, or multi-option, function, or, in other words, a multi-dimensional function executable according to a plurality of parameters. Thus, one example according to this disclosure includes a method of electronically executing a multi-dimensional function presented on a placard including a plurality of tags associated with a plurality of parameters of the multi-dimensional function. Each of the tags is interpretable by a mobile computing device. The method includes interacting, by the mobile computing device, with two or more of the tags of the placard to select values for two or more of the parameters of the function and executing, by the mobile computing device, the function according to the selected values for the two or more parameters.
As described herein, tags associated with smart poster 10 may be capable of short-range communication. One example of short-range communication is near-field communication (NFC). NFC communication can occur between two devices in different modes. For example, mobile device 12 may operate in at least two different modes to communicate with tags of smart poster 10 using NFC. For example, mobile device 12 and NFC tags on or embedded in poster 10 may be configured to operate in a passive mode and an active mode of operation. In an active mode of operation, mobile device 12 may generate a first alternating magnetic field that is received by one of the NFC tags of smart poster 10 in relatively close proximity to mobile device 12 (e.g. less than approximately 2.5 centimeters). In response, the NFC tag may generate a second alternating magnetic field that is received by mobile device 12. In this way, data may be communicated between mobile device 12 and the NFC tag of smart poster 10 such as using peer-to-peer communication. In the active mode, mobile device 12 may also power or activate a passive device to retrieve data from the passive device, as further described below. In this manner, NFC tags of smart poster 10 may include passive near-field communication hardware.
In a passive mode of operation, load modulation techniques may be employed to facilitate data communication between mobile device 12 and NFC tags of smart poster 10. In a passive mode, an NFC tag does not actively generate an alternating magnetic field in response to the alternating magnetic field of mobile device 12, but only as a result of the induced voltage and applied load by mobile device 12 at the NFC tag's receiver. Instead, the NFC tag of smart poster 10 may include electrical hardware (e.g., an NFC module) that generates a change in impedance in response to the alternating magnetic field generated by mobile device 12. For example, mobile device 12 may generate an alternating magnetic field that is received by the NFC tag when mobile device 12 is brought into proximity with the NFC tag on or embedded in smart poster 10. Electrical hardware in the NFC tag may generate a change in impedance in response to the alternating magnetic field. The change in impedance may be detected by the NFC module of mobile device 12. In this way, load modulation techniques may be used by mobile device 12 to obtain information from the NFC tag of poster 10. In other words, mobile device 12 may obtain information from the NFC tag, but the tag would not receive any data from mobile device 12 in the passive mode. Other well-known modulation techniques including phase modulation may also be employed to facilitate data communication between mobile device 12 and tags associated with smart poster 10 in other examples.
In some examples, each of the NFC tags of smart poster 10 may operate in passive mode. In passive mode, such NFC communication devices may be referred to as tags or targets. In such examples, mobile device 12 may include active NFC hardware, while the NFC tags of smart poster 10 may include passive NFC hardware. Since a passive NFC tag does not need a dedicated power supply, the tags associated with smart poster 10 may be placed in a variety of locations, on any surface, or even as part of smaller items. For example, the NFC tags may be embodied as a sticker or adhesive that is placed on smart poster 10, or, other examples, on the wall of a building or on a mounting surface to which different visual media is attached. With reference to the example of
Although the example of
Mobile device 12 is communicatively connected to product ordering server 18 via network 14 and is in proximity with smart poster 10 such that the device may interact with the poster, e.g. by interpreting one or more of the tags on or embedded in the poster. Mobile device 12 is capable of interpreting the tags on smart poster 10 and thereby capable of electronically executing the multi-dimensional function presented on the poster, in this case electronically ordering a pizza. In one example, mobile device 12 may be tapped against or placed in close proximity to NFC tags on or embedded in smart poster 10 to exchange data with the tag or to execute some function. In an example employing optical tags like QR codes, a camera on mobile device 12 could be used to take a picture of and then read a QR code on smart poster 10 to gather data from the tag or to execute some function associated with the interpreted code.
Mobile device 12 may include a short-range communication module (not shown) capable of initiating wireless communication with, e.g. NFC tags on or in smart poster 10, over a relatively short distance. NFC tags may communicate over distances ranging from, e.g., 100 meters to less than 10 centimeters. In some examples according to this disclosure, mobile device 12 may initiate communication with tags of smart poster 10 when mobile device 12 is within, e.g., approximately 1 meter to approximately 5 centimeters of the poster. In another example, mobile device 12 may initiate communication with tags of smart poster 10 when mobile device 12 is less than 2.5 centimeters from the poster. In one example, a user may place mobile device 12 directly over or even touching smart poster 10 such that mobile device 12 may communicate with the tag at that particular location on the poster. If the user moves mobile device 12 across smart poster 10, mobile device 12 may communicate with different tags as mobile device 12 is moved.
In accordance with the examples described above with reference to near-field communications between mobile device 12 and smart poster 10, in one example, an NFC tag of smart poster 10 may deliver information related to the pizza order to mobile device 12 in response to receiving an alternating magnetic field generated by the NFC module of mobile device 12. In other words, information related to the pizza order, e.g. values of parameters like crust or pizza type, toppings, and size may be stored on the NFC tags of smart poster 10. Upon receiving the alternating magnetic field (e.g., receiving power sufficient to transmit data) mobile device 12 may receive the information related to the pizza order from one of the NFC tags of smart poster 10. In this manner, NFC tags may only be capable of delivering or sending information when mobile device 12 is within close physical proximity to each respective tag of smart poster 10. Although the user may physically touch, bump, or tap mobile device 12 to NFC tags of smart poster 10, mobile device 12 may be capable of receiving information from the tags without physically touching poster 10 and/or the tags of poster 10.
Mobile device 12 and product ordering server 18 are configured to periodically communicate with one another over network 14 to exchange data related to the multi-dimensional function electronically executed by mobile device 12 via interaction with smart poster 10. In the example of
Mobile device 12 may include any number of different portable electronic mobile devices, including, e.g., cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), laptop computers, portable gaming devices, portable media players, e-book readers, watches, as well as non-portable devices such as desktop computers. Additionally, mobile device 12 may be employed in the disclosed examples by different types of users, including, e.g., test users and consumers. Test users may include employees of the mobile device and/or software manufacturer data associated with whom is tracked or exchanged via mobile device and remote devices over a network, while consumers may be the purchasers of the devices. In some examples, the type and amount of data collected from or exchanged with mobile device 12 by and between product ordering server 18 may depend on the type of user associated with a particular device or a number of devices. In any case, regardless of the type, system 8 may be configured such that users may opt-in or opt-out of data collection from or data transmission to mobile device 12.
Network 14 may include one or more terrestrial and/or satellite networks interconnected to provide a means of communicatively connecting mobile device 12 to product ordering server 18. For example, network 14 may be a private or public local area network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WANs). Network 14 may include both wired and wireless communications according to one or more standards and/or via one or more transport mediums. For example, network 14 may include wireless communications according to one of the 802.11 or Bluetooth specification sets, or another standard or proprietary wireless communication protocol. Network 14 may also include communications over a terrestrial cellular network, including, e.g. a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) network. Data transmitted over network 14, e.g., from mobile device 12 to product ordering server 18 may be formatted in accordance with a variety of different communications protocols. For example, all or a portion of network 14 may be a packet-based, Internet Protocol (IP) network that communicates data from mobile device 12 to server 18 in Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) packets, over, e.g., Category 5, Ethernet cables.
Product ordering server 18 may be any of several different types of network devices. For example, server 18 may include a data processing appliance, web server, specialized media server, personal computer operating in a peer-to-peer fashion, or another type of network device. Additionally, although example system 8 of
Product ordering server 18 may include one or more data storage and retrieval mechanisms for storing and retrieving data related to electronic pizza orders. Such data repositories included in server 18 may include, e.g., a standard or proprietary electronic database or other data storage and retrieval mechanism. Data repositories of server 18 may be implemented in software, hardware, and combinations of both. For example, a data repository on server 18 may include proprietary database software stored on one of a variety of storage mediums on a data storage server connected to network 14 and configured to store information associated with electronic pizza orders executed by mobile device users, e.g. a user of mobile device 12. Storage medium included in or employed in cooperation with a data repository on server 18 may include, e.g., any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other digital media. Although such data repositories are described as integrated with product ordering server 18, in other examples, server 18 could be separate from an independent component that functions as a data repository. For example, a separate data repository may include device connected to network 14 that includes an array of storage devices configured to store, categorize, and associate large amounts of data. In another example, a separate data repository may be distributed among a number of separate devices, e.g. a number of database servers, and server 18 may include a number of co-located or distributed servers configured to operate individually and/or in cooperation with one another and with the various devices comprising the data repository.
Regardless of the particular configuration of system 8, or other example systems according to this disclosure, the system may be employed to solve the challenges of executing a multi-dimensional function according to a plurality of parameters with the concept of interactive sessions between mobile device 12 and smart poster 10 containing command-chains. In one example, this is achieved by utilizing information embedded in each tag on smart poster 10 describing its function/option, and providing a “continuation marker” that indicates more information is needed to complete the function. There may also be special markers in some tags, e.g. a marker that starts a chain “begin marker,” and another one that ends the chain “end marker.” The final tag may signal that a completed action command needs to be executed, such as “purchase item,” or, in the example of
Consider the example of electronically ordering a pizza with a mobile device and a smart poster described above and illustrated in
With reference to the example of
In any event, when the order contains the correct information, the user may scan the NFC tag associated with the “order” label on smart poster 10 with mobile device 12 which may function to indicate completion of the command chain, e.g. with an end marker, and then the full command may be sent to a remote computing device, e.g. product ordering server 18 via network 14 to order the pizza. For example, mobile device may concatenate all of the parameter value selections and markers to generate a complete command chain, which is sent to product ordering server 18 to process and procure the pizza order. A command chain in the example of ordering pizza using mobile device 12 and smart poster 10 may thus include, e.g. a concatenated command chain including “start+thin+supreme+cheese+L+order.” Such an example command chain may be communicated to and parsed by product ordering server 18 to procure the pizza ordered by mobile device 12 via smart poster 10.
In some examples, the initiation and execution of a multi-dimensional function in accordance with this disclosure may be implied such that one or both do not require a selection by a user using a mobile device. With reference to the pizza ordering example of
There are a number of implementation options for the design of communication between mobile computing device 12 and the remote service/product provider, e.g. server 18 via network 14. For example, mobile device 12 can accumulate each component of the command chain as it scans each tag, and only send it to server 18 on completion. Alternatively, mobile device 12 may send each fragment of the command chain, e.g., each of a user's choices with respect to options for the pizza to server 18 and let the server decide what prompts, or status, or graphics to show on the display of mobile device 12. In one example, when the end marker is received by server 18, the function command is completed and, in the example of
Storage device 32 stores instructions for applications that may be executed by processor 30 and data used in such applications or collected and stored for use outside of mobile device 12, e.g. smart poster application 46 and data associated therewith. Storage device 32 may be a computer-readable, machine-readable, or processor-readable storage medium that comprises instructions that cause one or more processors, e.g., processor 30, to perform various functions. Storage device 32 may include any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other digital media. Generally speaking, storage device 32 may include instructions that cause processor 30 to perform various functions attributed to the processor 30 in the disclosed examples.
Storage device 32 includes memory that stores software that may be executed by processor 30 to perform various functions for a user of mobile device 12, including, e.g., making and receiving cellular telephone calls or other communications like text or e-mail messages, using various software applications, and browsing the Internet. The software included in mobile device 12 generally includes telemetry and other hardware drivers for the mobile device, operating system software, and applications software, including location tracking application 44 and symptom reporting application 46. The operating system software of mobile device 12 may be, e.g. Linux software or another UNIX based system software. In another example, mobile device 12 may include proprietary operating system software not based on an open source platform like UNIX. Mobile device 12 may also include various applications stored on storage device 32 and executed by processor 30, including, e.g., web browser, calendar, contact management, and e-mail applications, as well as various types of third-party vendor applications bundled with the device. In the example of
Operation of mobile device 12 may require, for various reasons, receiving data from one or more sources including, e.g. product ordering server 18, as well as transmitting data from the mobile device, e.g. data stored on storage device 32 to one or more external sources, which may also include server 18 of system 8. For example, mobile devices 12 may be configured to communicate pizza order data to product ordering server 18 via network 14.
Data communications to and from mobile device 12 may be managed by telemetry module 38. Telemetry module 38 is configured to transmit data/requests to and receive data/responses from one or more external sources via network 14. Telemetry module 38 may support various wireless communication techniques and protocols, and includes appropriate hardware and software to provide such communications. For example, telemetry module 38 may include an antenna, modulators, demodulators, amplifiers, and other circuitry to effectuate communication between mobile device 12 and server 18 via network 14.
In the example of
Mobile device 12 also includes camera 44, which may be or include an optical sensor that mobile device 12 controls. Mobile device 12 may capture images and/or video using camera 44. Camera 44 may be located on any of a number of exterior surfaces of mobile device 12. In some examples, mobile device 12 may include two or more cameras. In some examples, camera 44 may be used to interpret optical tags on a visual media, like QR codes on smart poster 10. For example, camera 44 of mobile device 12 may be used to take a picture of a QR code associated with a parameter of a function presented on a visual media. In the example of
Mobile device 12 includes display 34, which may be, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) display, e-ink, or other display. Display 34 presents content from mobile device 12 to a user, e.g. content related to executing a function presented on a visual media like ordering a pizza via interaction with smart poster 10. In one example, display 34 may present applications executed on device 12 such as a web browser or a video game, as well as information about the mobile device, including, e.g., battery life and/or network signal strength. In some examples, display 34 may provide some or all of the functionality of user interface 36. For example, display 34 may be a touch screen that allows the user to interact with mobile device 12 to change parameters of a function using smart poster application 46. In generally, however, user interface 36 allows a user of mobile device 12 to interact with the device via one or more input mechanisms, including, e.g., an embedded keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, a roller ball, buttons, scroll wheel, touch pad, touch screen, or other devices or mechanisms that allow the user to interact with the device.
In some examples, user interface 36 may include a microphone to allow a user to provide voice commands. Users may interact with user interface 36 and/or display 34 to execute one or more of the applications stored on storage device 32, including smart poster application 46. Some applications may be executed automatically by mobile device 12, such as when the device is turned on or booted up. Processor 30 executes the one or more applications stored on storage device 32, and selected by a user via user interface 36 or automatically executed by mobile device 12.
Mobile device 12 may also include one of more GPS modules 42. GPS module 42 may include one or more satellite radios capable of determining the geographical location of mobile device 12. Mobile device 12 may utilize GPS device 42 to confirm the validity of a visual media with which mobile device 12, for example. Alternatively, mobile device 12 may transmit the GPS coordinates to remote product ordering server 18 to identify the location and the specific visual media with which the device is interacting.
Battery 40 provides power for all if the various components of mobile device 12, and may be rechargeable. Examples of battery 40 include a lithium polymer battery, a lithium ion battery, nickel cadmium battery, and a nickel metal hydride battery.
Although the foregoing examples have been described with reference to mobile device 12 including smart poster application 46 for use in conjunction with, e.g. product ordering server 18 to order pizzas electronically using mobile device 12 and smart poster 10, in other examples such function/processing applications or other mechanisms configured to operate in accordance with the disclosed examples may be physically and/or logically differently arranged. For example, mobile device 12 may only include short-range communication device 48 and/or camera 44 for interpreting various types of tags on a visual media, like smart poster 10 and may not need a particular software application for electronically executing a function presented on a visual media, e.g. ordering a pizza. In one such example, tags included in smart poster 10 may include the information necessary to initiate and terminate communications with product ordering server 18 via network 14, including, e.g. instructions automatically executable by processor 30 of mobile device 12 when the device is brought into close proximity with smart poster 10 or a particular tag thereon or embedded therein.
Additionally, although mobile device 12 of
As noted above with reference to
Two alternative examples according to this disclosure are illustrated in
For example, with reference to smart poster 200 illustrated in
Example smart poster 300 of
As noted above, in some examples, functions such as the sweater ordering function of
In some examples according to this disclosure, multi-dimensional functions electronically executed by a mobile device interacting with a smart poster may include programmatic functions, including, e.g. conditional parameter selections, like “if, then” type functions and looping functions, like “while, do” type functions. With reference to the example of
In another example that includes functions that may be repeated periodically by a user, like ordering the same pizza or sweater, functions may be included for saving the parameter value set for a particular multi-dimensional function such that it can be easily and quickly recalled in the future. For example, an application stored and executed on a user's mobile device, e.g. smart poster application 46 stored on storage device 32 and executed by processor 30 of mobile device 12 may provide a user of mobile device 12 an option to save one or more pizza orders, e.g. by storing them on storage device 32, or on server 18 communicated over network 14. In such an example, the next time the user of mobile device 12 wanted to order a pizza and was close to smart poster 10 or another smart poster from the same provider, smart poster application 46 could be employed to recall the saved orders, which could be saved command chains as described above like “start+thin+supreme+cheese+L+order,” and then execute the pizza ordering function according to the saved pizza parameter value selections.
In another example, the functions for storing parameter value selections for a function could also be executed using labels and tags on the visual media, e.g. smart poster 10, instead of using only smart poster application 46. For example, smart poster 10 may include labels and associated tags like “Memory #1” to “Memory #N,” or, “Order #1” to “Order #N” that a user could select with mobile device 12 to store an order and smart poster 10 could also include a “Recall #N” button to recall stored orders at a future time. The saved pizza order(s) could still be stored on mobile device 12, e.g. on storage device 32 of mobile device 12 or communicated over network 14 and stored on server 18.
The concept of storing command chains and later recalling them, as described above, could also be used to enable more complicated programmatic functions. For example, an “IF,” “THEN,” and “ELSE” structure, e.g. implemented using “IF,” “THEN,” and “ELSE” labels and associated tags on a visual media like smart poster 10 could be used, for example, to accommodate and adjust for unavailability of items in an order. For example, a command chain that included a statement equivalent to “IF” veggie pizza is unavailable, “THEN” substitute marinated tomatoes+extra cheese, “ELSE” add sun dried tomatoes, or “IF” veggie is unavailable, “THEN” substitute margarita, “ELSE” add extra green peppers. In another example, saved orders could be used as part of an “IF, THEN” command chain. For example, “IF” “Order #1” is unavailable, “THEN” substitute “Order #2.” In one example, a “WHILE, DO” type programmatic structure could also be used in a command chain employed to electronically execute a multi-dimensional function presented on visual media using a mobile computing device. For example, a command chain that included a statement equivalent to “WHILE” time of year is summer “OR” autumn, “DO” drink is Coke, “WHILE” time of year is winter “OR” spring, “DO” drink is coffee.
“IF, THEN” and “WHILE, DO” structures could be generated by a user constructing them using their mobile device to pass over command labels on the visual media, e.g. “IF,” “THEN,” “WHILE,” and “DO” labels and associated tags on a smart poster, along with parameter value selections that are included in the programmatic command chains. For example, labels and associated tags could be included in a smart poster for each of “WHILE” “WINTER” “OR” “SPRING” “DO” “DRINK” “COFFEE” for executing a command chain for season dependent drink selections, as illustrated in the foregoing example. Additionally, such command chains could be stored in memory, e.g. on storage device 32 of mobile device 12 and then recalled to execute them alone or as part of a larger order. For example, as part of a pizza order the conditional “WHILE, DO” loop for selecting a drink could be recalled using smart poster application 46 via mobile device 12 such that the user of mobile device 12 would receive the correct drink with their pizza regardless of the time of the year.
Examples according to this disclosure have a number of advantages. Employing a mobile device preconfigured with hardware and/or software, which is generic to a wide variety of functions, to electronically execute a multi-dimensional function via interaction with, e.g. tapping a visual media like a smart poster may provide an attractive and efficient means for product manufacturers and distributers to encourage consumers to execute commercial transactions. The mechanisms for implementing such techniques are, in the case of mobile devices, already in the hands of consumers and, in the case of smart posters or other visual media, inexpensive and simple to produce and distribute. Additionally, the act of executing the function is intuitive and easy for any consumer to understand and practice. For example, walking up to a poster and tapping options on the poster with your mobile phone and then selecting “order” may require no special training in user interfaces, downloading and installing software, or updating such software periodically. Thus, consumers may find executing orders and other functions using a mobile phone and a smart poster easy and even fun. The ease and efficiency of executing orders or other functions in accordance with examples of this disclosure may provide consumers with a number of intangible benefits, as well, including, e.g., relieving them of the aggravation of standing in “check-out” lines to purchase a product.
Product providers may also receive a number of benefits from examples according to this disclosure, including reduced staffing needs and space requirements, as “check-out” lines and staff may not even be required in a store in which all of the products include associated smart posters with which consumers can interact to configured and order products. A limited number of staff members may be on hand, e.g. to answer questions, allow access to dressing rooms, etc. Product providers may well also see an increase in incremental sales by employing systems in accordance with this disclosure, as the ease and efficiency of the purchasing process may lead consumers to buy more goods.
The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented, at least in part, in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. For example, various aspects of the described techniques may be implemented within one or more processors, including one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry, as well as any combinations of such components. The term “processor” or “processing circuitry” may generally refer to any of the foregoing logic circuitry, alone or in combination with other logic circuitry, or any other equivalent circuitry. A control unit including hardware may also perform one or more of the techniques of this disclosure.
Such hardware, software, and firmware may be implemented within the same device or within separate devices to support the various operations and functions described in this disclosure. In addition, any of the described units, modules or components may be implemented together or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. Depiction of different features as modules or units is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules or units must be realized by separate hardware or software components. Rather, functionality associated with one or more modules or units may be performed by separate hardware or software components, or integrated within common or separate hardware or software components.
The techniques described in this disclosure may also be embodied or encoded in a computer-readable medium, such as a computer-readable storage medium, containing instructions. Instructions embedded or encoded in a computer-readable medium may cause a programmable processor, or other processor, to perform the method, e.g., when the instructions are executed. Computer readable storage media may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a cassette, magnetic media, optical media, or other computer readable media.
In some examples, computer-readable storage media may comprise non-transitory media. The term “non-transitory” may indicate that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. In certain examples, a non-transitory storage medium may store data that can, over time, change (e.g., in RAM or cache).
Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/583,975, filed Jan. 6, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/594,148, filed Feb. 2, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61594148 | Feb 2012 | US | |
| 61583975 | Jan 2012 | US |
