Patent Application
20200357035
Online shopping has become increasingly ubiquitous. However, certain items, such as large ticket items, are not as conducive to online shopping. Shoppers or customers may desire to have a real life demonstration of the item before purchasing. Customers can also desire to view the item via an online portal before deciding to follow through with a real life demonstration. Further, large ticket items are usually high in cost. Suppliers or stores may want to confirm a customer can afford the large ticket item before devoting time and staff resources to demonstrate item to the customer.
The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the innovation or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The innovation disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises systems and methods of omnichannel shopping of large ticket items. A method can include providing a product portal through which a customer can shop for items digitally over an internet. Availability information can be provided regarding the item to the customer. Customer information can be received from the customer. The customer information can include financial data. A customer financial capability can be determined based on the financial data to determine whether the customer can purchase the item.
A system of the innovation can include a product portal that facilitates a customer to shop for items digitally over an internet. An inventory component provides availability information regarding the item to the customer. A customer database provides customer information from the customer, the customer information including at least financial data. A credit component determines a customer financial capability based on the financial data to determine whether the customer can purchase the item.
In aspects, the subject innovation provides substantial benefits in terms of shopping for large ticket items. One advantage resides in facilitating larger purchases for customers that usually require an in person demonstration. Another advantage resides in a more efficient use of salesman or demonstrators to know the customer's financial capability before spending resources on a demonstration.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovation is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparent from the following detailed description of the innovation when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
Aspects of the disclosure are understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that elements, structures, etc. of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the same may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion, for example.
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the innovation.
As used in this application, the terms “component”, “module,” “system”, “interface”, and the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a controller and the controller can be a component. One or more components residing within a process or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer or distributed between two or more computers.
Furthermore, the claimed subject matter can be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media. Of course, many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.
While certain ways of displaying information to users are shown and described with respect to certain figures as screenshots, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that various other alternatives can be employed. The terms “screen,” “web page,” “screenshot,” and “page” are generally used interchangeably herein. The pages or screens are stored and/or transmitted as display descriptions, as graphical user interfaces, or by other methods of depicting information on a screen (whether personal computer, PDA, mobile telephone, or other suitable device, for example) where the layout and information or content to be displayed on the page is stored in memory, database, or another storage facility.
The customer can access the product portal 110 from a customer device 120. The customer device 120 can be a computer, mobile phone, tablet, and/or the like. The customer device 120 renders the items for the customer such that the customer can view pictures, information, item specifications, price, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the customer may utilize multiple devices associated with the customer to interact with the product portal 110. For example, the system 100 can receive a reservation request from a customer device 110 that is a computer and send notifications to another customer device 110 such as is a mobile phone.
In some embodiments, the product portal 120 can complete transactions for the items. In other embodiments, the product portal 120 can facilitate scheduling demonstrations of the items. The product portal 120 can receive a reservation request from the customer device 120 indicating a time, location, item, and/or the like.
The system 100 includes an inventory component 130 that provides availability information regarding the item to the customer via the product portal 110. The inventory component 130 can track item stocks of a plurality of stores and provide the availability information via the product portal 110. The inventory component 130 can update an inventory in real time or near-real time such that the product portal 110 can relay up to date availability information to the customer and the system 100.
The system 100 includes a credit component 140. Upon the system 100 and/or the product portal 110 receives a reservation request, the credit component 130 determines a customer financial capability based on financial data of the customer. The financial capability factors into whether the customer can purchase the item. The credit component 140 receives customer financial data and/or identifying data to determine the customer's financial capability to purchase the item.
In some embodiments, the credit component 140 determines a customer credit score based on the financial data. From the credit score, the credit component 140 determines an amount of financing for which the customer qualifies. In other embodiments, the credit component 140 determines a risk score and/or the like that presents a likelihood that the customer may default on an amount of credit equal to the price of the item. In other embodiments, the credit component 140 determines whether the customer qualifies for a financing amount for the large ticket item based on a cost of the item and the customer financial capability before the system schedules a demonstration of the large ticket item with the customer.
In some embodiments, the credit component 140 can determine that the customer qualifies for a financing amount less than a cost of the item and therefore cannot purchase the item. In this embodiment, the inventory component 130 can determine an alternative item having a cost less than or equal to the determined financing amount. The product portal 110 can communicate the alternative item to the customer via the product portal 110.
In other embodiments, the credit component 140 can determine the customer qualifies for a financing amount that is greater than the cost of the item. In this embodiments, the inventory component 130 can determine an ancillary item having a cost less than or equal to a surplus amount between the financing amount and the cost of the item. For example, the item is a television and the customer qualifies for a financing amount more than the cost of the television. The inventory component 130 can determine peripherals for the television such as a stereo system, cables, extended warranties, and/or the like. The product portal 110 can communicate the ancillary items to the customer via the product portal 110.
The system 100 includes a demonstration management component 150. The demonstration management component 150 receives a reservation request of the item from the customer via that product portal 110. In some embodiments, the reservation request includes a customer availability such as a location, a date, a time, and/or the like. From the reservation request, the demonstration management component 150 determines a demonstration availability for a store or demonstrator location associated with the product portal 110. The demonstration availability includes factors such as demonstrators (e.g. staff) availability, store hours, proximity to customer, and/or the like. The demonstration management component 150 schedules a demonstration based on the demonstration availability and the customer availability. The demonstration management component 150 coordinates matching locations, times, and dates between the customer availability and the demonstration availability.
In some embodiments, the demonstration management component 150 tracks the location of the customer device 120 near a time associated with the scheduled demonstration. The demonstration management component 150 notifies an agent of the store (e.g. a demonstrator, salesman, and/or the like) upon determining the customer is within a predetermined radius of the store. This allows the demonstrator to begin preparing the demonstration for the customer.
In other embodiments, the demonstration management component 150 determines the customer is inside the store. The demonstration management component 150 can generate an augmented reality user interface on the customer device 120. In some embodiments, the augmented reality user interface provides real time directions within the store for the customer to the demonstrator and large ticket item for the demonstration through a screen on the customer device. For example, the augmented reality user interface can overlay route guidance through the store to direct the customer to a demonstration area. In another embodiment, the augmented reality user interface can overlay a virtual demonstration of the item when viewing the item through the customer device.
In some embodiments, the score component 210 can determine a customer credit score based on the financial data. In other embodiments, the score component 210 receives a customer credit score from a credit bureau, financial institution, and/or the like. In other embodiments, the score component 210 determines a risk score and/or the like that presents a likelihood that the customer may default on an amount of credit equal to the price of the item.
The credit component 140 includes an offer component 230. From the customer financial capability determined by the score component 210, the offer component 230 determines an amount of financing for which the customer qualifies. In some embodiments, the offer component 230 determines whether the customer qualifies for a financing amount for the large ticket item based on a cost of the item and the customer financial capability before the system schedules a demonstration of the large ticket item with the customer.
In some embodiments, the offer component 230 can determine that the customer qualifies for a financing amount less than a cost of the item and therefore cannot purchase the item. In this embodiment, the inventory component 130 can determine an alternative item having a cost less than or equal to the determined financing amount. The product portal 110 can communicate the alternative item to the customer via the product portal 110.
In other embodiments, the offer component 230 can determine the customer qualifies for a financing amount that is greater than the cost of the item. In this embodiment, the inventory component 130 can determine an ancillary item having a cost less than or equal to a surplus amount between the financing amount and the cost of the item. For example, the item is a television and the customer qualifies for a financing amount more than the cost of the television. The inventory component 130 can determine peripherals for the television such as a stereo system, cables, extended warranties, and/or the like. The product portal 110 can communicate the ancillary items to the customer via the product portal 110.
In some embodiments, the offer component 210 considers multiple factors in addition to the cost of the item to determine the amount of financing. The factors may include travel costs, transportation costs, warranty costs, tax implications, and/or the like. For example, the offer component 210 can include the cost of the customer to travel to the store for the demonstration and transport the item in determining the amount of financing to be extended to the customer and whether the customer qualifies for the amount. The offer component 210 can use location data of the customer and store and likely routes between to predict travel costs.
In some embodiments, the demonstration management component 150 includes a tracking component 320 that determines the location of the customer device 120. In some embodiments, the tracking component 320 can be triggered to begin tracking the location of a customer when in a predetermined proximity of a time associated with the scheduled demonstration received from the scheduling component.
The tracking component 320 can interface with the customer device 120 to begin tracking location of the customer. In some embodiments, the customer device 120 can include a global positioning service (GPS) 330 to determine GPS coordinates of the customer device 120. The tracking component 320 can retrieve the GPS coordinates from the GPS 330 to compare in relation to the store and/or demonstration location for tracking.
The demonstration management component 150 can include a communication component 340. In some embodiments, the communication component 340 notifies an agent of the store (e.g. a demonstrator, salesman, and/or the like) upon determining the customer is within a predetermined radius of the store. The communication component 340 notifies the agent on an agent device 350. In other embodiments, the communication component 340 notifies the agent device 350 and/or the customer device 120 within a predetermined time of the scheduled demonstration. The communication component 350 can send multiple notifications at predetermined intervals or times to the agent device 350 and/or the customer device 120.
In other embodiments, the tracking component 320 determines that the customer is inside the store or demonstration area using the GPS 330. The demonstration management component 150 includes an augmented reality component 360 that generates an augmented reality user interface on the customer device 120. In some embodiments, the augmented reality component 360 provides real time directions within the store for the customer to the demonstrator and large ticket item for the demonstration through a screen on the customer device. For example, the augmented reality component 360 can overlay route guidance through the store to direct the customer to a demonstration area. In another embodiment, the augmented reality component 360 can overlay a virtual demonstration of the item when viewing the item through the customer device.
With reference to
At 410, a reservation request is received by the product portal. In the example, the customer can determine they want a live demonstration of a particular large ticket item. The customer can input a reservation request including a location, date, time, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the reservation request can be automatically scheduled after accessing/assessing the customer's digital calendar or availability. In some embodiments, the reservation request can factor in travel times, customer preferences, and/or the like.
At 415, a customer financial capability is determined. The customer financial capability is an objective rubric to determine whether the customer can afford the large ticket item. In some embodiments, the customer financial capability is based on financial data of the customer such as credit score, risk probabilities, current loans/credit, previous credit requests, and/or the like. In the example, the customer's credit score is obtained during a credit check obtained when the customer sends a reservation request. The credit score is factored into determining an amount of credit that can be offered to the customer for financing the large ticket item.
At 420, a demonstration is scheduled for the customer. The demonstration scheduling can be coordinated between store availabilities and the customer submitted reservation request. At 425, coordinate and facilitate demonstration. Notifications can be sent to the demonstrators (store agent, salesman, etc.), and/or the customers based on predetermined settings such as time in relation to the scheduled demonstration. In the example, the demonstrator and the customer can each receive a notification at a time before the demonstration. In some embodiments, the timing is based on a travel time factor for the customer to the location. In other embodiments, the timing is based on a predetermined interval before the scheduled time such as one hour. In some embodiments, an augmented reality user interface can be employed for the customer to direct the customer to the demonstration within the store or facilitate the demonstrator in performing the demonstration.
Still another embodiment can involve a computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to implement one or more embodiments of the techniques presented herein. An embodiment of a computer-readable medium or a computer-readable device that is devised in these ways is illustrated in
With reference to
Generally, embodiments are described in the general context of “computer readable instructions” being executed by one or more computing devices. Computer readable instructions are distributed via computer readable media as will be discussed below. Computer readable instructions can be implemented as program modules, such as functions, objects, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the computer readable instructions can be combined or distributed as desired in various environments.
In these or other embodiments, device 602 can include additional features or functionality. For example, device 602 can also include additional storage such as removable storage or non-removable storage, including, but not limited to, magnetic storage, optical storage, and the like. Such additional storage is illustrated in
The term “computer readable media” as used herein includes computer storage media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, non-transitory, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions or other data. Memory 608 and storage 610 are examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by device 602. Any such computer storage media can be part of device 602.
The term “computer readable media” includes communication media. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions or other data in a “modulated data signal” such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” includes a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.
Device 602 can include one or more input devices 614 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, infrared cameras, video input devices, or any other input device. One or more output devices 612 such as one or more displays, speakers, printers, or any other output device can also be included in device 602. The one or more input devices 614 and/or one or more output devices 612 can be connected to device 602 via a wired connection, wireless connection, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more input devices or output devices from another computing device can be used as input device(s) 614 or output device(s) 612 for computing device 602. Device 602 can also include one or more communication connections 616 that can facilitate communications with one or more other devices 620 by means of a communications network 618, which can be wired, wireless, or any combination thereof, and can include ad hoc networks, intranets, the Internet, or substantially any other communications network that can allow device 602 to communicate with at least one other computing device 620.
What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject innovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible. Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
