The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The present invention generally relates to a system and method for accessing data using a wireless device. In a retail environment, the data may be associated with one or more advertisements or product promotions. However, those of skill in the art will understand that the system and method described herein may be utilized in any location (e.g., a library, a warehouse, a museum, etc.) which utilizes a wireless communications network to access data from remote locations.
A user of the MU 15 may browse through products while shopping at the retail store. One or more of these products may include a scannable barcode which, when scanned, provides product information about the corresponding product. For example, the MU 15 may scan a product barcode 45 located on a product 40. Barcode data associated with the product 40 is generated and transmitted over the network 10 to the server 25, which queries the database 30 for the product information and returns the product information to the MU 15. In this manner, the user may access information that is not available on the product's packaging. For example, the information may include detailed nutritional information, ingredient information, expiration dates, etc.
When browsing products in the retail store, the user may also encounter one or more advertisement/informational programs, which may be shown on a display 50 (e.g., an LCD, a CRT monitor, a poster, etc.). A plurality of the displays 50 may be located throughout the retail store, including in product aisles, customer service counters, and checkout stations. Display location may depend on factors such as space usage, visibility, customer traffic, ease of access, etc. The programs shown on the display 50 may be displayed in a random fashion, in a repeating loop, or based on an interaction between the user and the display 50. Each display 50 may also have an identifier (e.g., a display ID, an IP address, a hardware address, etc.) associated therewith.
In addition to providing product information, the programs may also include scannable portions, which, when scanned, provide additional information relating to an advertised product or other products related to the advertised product. For example, the MU 15 may scan one or more service barcodes 300, which are shown on the display 50 in conjunction with the advertised product. Barcode data associated with the service barcodes 300 is generated and transmitted over the network 10 to the server 25, which identifies a service request based on the barcode data.
The service barcode 300 differs from the product barcode 45 in that while both barcodes 45, 300 may be used to access product information, the service barcode 300 may also allow the initiation of the service request.
If the user scans the barcode 300B, the server 25 interacts with the MU 15 to enable the user to purchase the ingredients. For example, the server 25 may return an ingredient list for display on the MU 15, allowing the user to toggle through and view the entirety of the list. The user may add and/or remove individual ingredients as well as adding/removing all the ingredients to a shopping list generated by the user. In an exemplary embodiment, the MU 15 may provide an input arrangement (e.g., keypad, phone, walkie-talkie, etc.) allowing the user to provide feedback based on a listing. For example, the user may add comments or notes regarding an ingredient, a particular brand, an item quantity, etc.
If the user scans the barcode 300C, the server 25 transmits a print request to a printer located in the retail store. The server 25 may allow the user to select a printer from a printer list, print to a default printer, or based on selection criteria such as proximity to the user, busyness, etc. For example, the display 50 and/or the MU 15 may include a printer which prints the recipe. The recipe is then printed and made available for pickup. Further service barcodes may be provided for obtaining additional product information (e.g., nutritional information), transmitting the recipe to a home email address/customer account, and checking product availability.
In step 415, the barcode is the product barcode 45 and the MU 15 generates and transmits a data request including the product barcode to the server 25. The data request may include information which identifies a product (e.g., the product 40) associated with the barcode. The identification may be unique to the product or shared among a group of similar products.
In step 420, the server 25 receives the data request and queries the database 30 to retrieve the product information. The server 25 searches the database 30 for an entry corresponding to the product identification and reads the product information if the entry is located.
In step 425, the server 25 generates a data response message based on whether the entry was successfully located in step 420. If the entry is not located, the data response message may be an error message informing the user that the product 40 is not in the database 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the server 25 may also alert an administrator or store manager by, for example, recording the error message into an error log for later viewing. If the entry was located, the data response message may include the product information, preferably in an easily readable format. The data response message may include all of the product information or a particular portion thereof (e.g., nutritional information). Accordingly, in other embodiments the user may specify the particular portion and the server 25 generates a data response message which only includes the particular portion.
In step 430, the server 25 transmits the data response message to the MU 15, which displays the data response message to the user. After viewing the data response message, the user may then choose to continue shopping by browsing and/or scanning additional items.
In step 435, the barcode is the service barcode and the MU 15 generates and transmits a service request to the server 25. The service request may include information which identifies an advertisement (e.g., the advertisement 200) and/or a product (e.g., an ingredient) associated with the scanned barcode. The service request may also identify a type of service (e.g., coupon request, purchase request, print request, etc.) requested by the user. The service request may further identify a display (e.g., the display 50) from which the barcode was scanned by, for example, including the display ID of the display.
In step 440, the server 25 has received the service request and queries the database 30 in order to retrieve a database entry corresponding thereto. The query may be substantially similar to that of step 415, and the server 25 may return an error message if no corresponding entry is located.
In addition, each product may have a preferred brand field 58 which is promoted over other brands of the same product. For example, the database 500 may include a list of ingredients (e.g., bell peppers, ground beef, tomato sauce, etc.) for the lasagna recipe #1. Each of the ingredients may have a preferred brand which is chosen by the advertiser(s) and/or the retailer. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of the database 500, the lasagna recipe #1 is jointly advertised by Brands A and B along with Brand B bell peppers, whereas Brand C bell peppers are not jointly advertised with any other products.
The coupon field 59 lists discounts and promotions associated with the products. For example, a coupon for one dollar off Brand B bell peppers may be offered. The coupon (e.g., coupon barcode 300A) may be displayed with the advertisement, thus offering an incentive to purchase a particular brand of product (e.g., Brand B bell peppers).
In step 445, the server 25 fulfills the service request. For example, if the service request is the coupon request, the server 25 may grant a coupon by creating an entry in the coupon field 66 corresponding to a discounted product (e.g., Brand B bell peppers). When the user later engages in a purchase transaction, the server 25 may then determine whether the coupon is valid and applies the coupon to the purchase transaction.
If the service request is the purchase request, the server 25 may update the shopping list field 64 with one or more products. For example, the user may have previously added Brand C Ground Beef and Brand D tomato sauce to the shopping list field 64. After viewing the advertisement 200, the user may have decided to purchase additional products in order to make the lasagna recipe #1. Accordingly, the user would scan the purchase barcode 300B. The server 25 may then fill in any missing ingredients (e.g., bell peppers, lasagna noodles, salsa, etc.) required by the lasagna recipe #1. In other embodiments, the server 25 may also allow the user to select, via the MU 15, which ingredients to add to the shopping list field 64.
If the service request is the print request, the server 25 instructs a printer located in the retail store and/or coupled to the MU 14, either physically or wirelessly, to print the advertisement. The printer may be a default printer (e.g., a printer associated with the user's customer ID). In other embodiments, the printer may be selected by the user from a list of available printers. In yet further embodiments, the server 25 may automatically choose the printer based on busyness, proximity to the user, origin of the service request, etc.
In step 450, the server 25 generates a service response message based on the service request. For example, if the service request is the coupon request, the service response message may be a message stating that the coupon has been successfully applied to the user's customer record. If the service request is the purchase request, the service response message may be a message indicating that the selected products (e.g., the ingredients) were successfully added to the user's shopping list. And, if the service request is the print request, the service response message may include a print confirmation which tells the user where the print job may be retrieved.
In step 455, the server 25 transmits the service response message to the MU 15. In optional step 460, the server updates the display 50 in order to provide a new program to the user. The display 50 may be updated by transmitting the new program to a display corresponding to the display ID included with the service request. In an exemplary embodiment, the selection of the new program is based on the previous program and/or the barcode scanned in step 405. For example, if the previous program is the advertisement 200, the display 50 may be updated with a similar advertisement (e.g., another recipe). Similarly, if the barcode scanned is the coupon barcode 300A, the display 50 may be updated with a related product (e.g., another ingredient). Thus, the display 50 may be used to provide additional programs which may be of interest to the user.
The present invention may also be utilized to gather marketing data and provide targeted advertising at the displays based on barcode usage. Those skilled in the art will understand that some of the service requests described above (e.g., the purchase request) may require the user to identify himself. For example, prior to scanning the barcode in step 405, the user may enter a unique identifier such as a credit card number, the customer ID, an email address, a customer barcode, etc. The user may also enter data into a customer profile, such as demographic data (e.g., name, address, income, children, marital status, etc.). Thus, information regarding the user's particular interests (e.g. marketing data) may be used to market additional products to the user. For example, as described above, the user may be presented with the similar advertisement based on an expressing of interest (e.g., scanning the barcode). Thus, the display 50 may be utilized to push for a particular branded product or entice the user with further offers/promotions.
The marketing data may also be collected without identifying the user. For example, the marketing data may be collected based on anonymous users scanning barcodes throughout the retail store. If a predetermined number of the anonymous users express interest in a particular product, the interest may be recorded as part of the marketing data.
Those skilled in the art will understand that by allowing the user to initiate the data and service requests, the present invention presents several significant advantages. In addition to providing for interaction between the user and retailer throughout the shopping experience, the present invention also provides significant cost-savings compared to printed media (e.g., circulars, clippable coupons, etc.).
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the structure and the methodology of the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.