Product identification and location notification based on user product specifications

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for associating respective ones of a plurality of beacons with respective ones of a plurality of products, receiving product specifications from a user, identifying ones of the plurality of products that correspond to the product specifications, and notifying the user of locations of respective ones of the plurality of beacons that are associated with the identified ones of the plurality of products.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 551,208, filed on February 8, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for assisting shoppers, specifically, associating beacons with products to help customers locate and identify products. Background Technology

[0003] Large stores have so many products that it can take a long time to find one with the desired specifications, brand, measurement, or quality. Online stores have the disadvantage of not being able to feel or try out products, so people prefer physical stores to avoid the hassle of multiple returns to get a few reserved items. Different stores within the same shopping center may have the same desired products, but with different prices / offers, requiring half a day to look at all of them. Online stores allow users to search for products based on filtering criteria. If the filtered products are not in stock, finding similar options can be tedious.

[0004] Stores reorganize their products to boost sales, but customers often end up frustrated because they can't locate the items they expect to buy. Customers fail to return products to their designated places, leading to products being misplaced throughout the store. Touching products simply to check specifications / sizes, but not limited to that, can result in damage or soiling. Employees need to learn the vast array of products and specifications. While stores organize their products by category—there are still too many options, and these options don't necessarily match the buyer's needs.

[0005] Systems and methods are needed to assist shoppers in locating products that meet their product specifications. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect provides a method comprising: associating a corresponding beacon among a plurality of beacons with a corresponding product among a plurality of products; receiving product specifications from a user; identifying a product among the plurality of products that corresponds to the product specifications; and notifying the user of the location of a corresponding beacon among the plurality of beacons associated with the identified product.

[0007] According to one aspect, a method according to the foregoing paragraph is provided, wherein associating a corresponding beacon among a plurality of beacons with a corresponding product among a plurality of products includes sensing the product approaching the beacon.

[0008] According to one aspect, a method according to one of the preceding two paragraphs is provided, wherein sensing the proximity of the product to the beacon includes at least one of: reading the RFID tag of the product via the beacon, and scanning a readable code of the product via the beacon.

[0009] According to one aspect, a method according to one of the preceding three paragraphs is provided, the method comprising: providing a server that communicates with the plurality of beacons; and providing the user with an application executable on a processor of a mobile computing device, the application being used to receive product specifications from the user and transmit the product specifications to the server, wherein receiving product specifications from the user includes receiving product specifications from the mobile computing device at the server.

[0010] According to one aspect, a method is provided according to one of the preceding four paragraphs, the method comprising identifying a corresponding beacon among the plurality of beacons associated with a product corresponding to the product specification.

[0011] According to one aspect, a method according to one of the preceding five paragraphs is provided, wherein notifying the user of the location of the corresponding beacon associated with the identified product includes at least one of: activating an alarm on a mobile computing device, illuminating a light associated with the beacon, and providing an indication on the display of the mobile computing device.

[0012] According to one aspect, a method according to one of the preceding six paragraphs is provided, the method comprising: providing the user with an application capable of executing on a processor of a mobile computing device to display a map, wherein the user is notified that the location of the corresponding beacon associated with the identified product is indicated on the map.

[0013] One aspect provides a system comprising: a server; a base station for communicating with the server; a plurality of beacons for communicating with the base station, wherein a corresponding beacon among the beacons is associated with a corresponding product among products, wherein the corresponding beacon among the beacons includes a power source, circuitry for controlling the beacon, data storage, and a wireless communication device; and an application program executable on a processor of a mobile computing device for receiving product specifications from a user and transmitting the product specifications to the server; and an application program executable on the server for receiving the transmitted product specifications, identifying a corresponding beacon among the plurality of beacons associated with the corresponding product corresponding to the product specifications, and generating instructions for notifying the user of the location of the identified beacon.

[0014] According to one aspect, a system as described in the preceding paragraph is provided, wherein the corresponding beacon in the beacon includes a sensor of a product approaching the beacon.

[0015] According to one aspect, a system is provided as described in one of the preceding two paragraphs, wherein the sensor includes at least one of: an RFID tag reader and a code reader.

[0016] According to one aspect, a system is provided according to one of the preceding three paragraphs, wherein the instruction for notifying the user of the location of the identified beacon includes instructions for at least one of: activating an alarm on a mobile computing device, illuminating a light associated with the beacon, and providing an indication on the display of the mobile computing device.

[0017] According to one aspect, a system is provided according to one of the preceding three paragraphs, wherein an application capable of executing on a processor of a mobile computing device is used to display a map, wherein the instruction for notifying the user of the location of an identified beacon includes an instruction for indicating the location of the identified beacon on the map.

[0018] One aspect provides an application that can be executed on a processor of a mobile computing device, wherein the application is used to: receive input product specifications from a user; transmit the product specifications to a server; receive beacon location information from the server for a beacon associated with a product corresponding to the product specifications; and notify the user of the beacon's location based on the beacon location information.

[0019] According to one aspect, an application as described in the preceding paragraph is provided, wherein the application is used to notify the user of the location of the beacon by displaying a map and indicating the location of the beacon on the map.

[0020] According to one aspect, an application is provided as described in one of the preceding two paragraphs, wherein the application is used to notify the user of the location of the beacon by providing an indication on the display of a mobile computing device. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying diagram illustrates examples of associating beacons with products, receiving product specifications from users, identifying products corresponding to the product specifications, and notifying users of the location of beacons associated with the identified products.

[0022] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C Three views of a mobile computing device are shown, illustrating the features of a shopping assistant application on the mobile computing device.

[0023] Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe diagram illustrates a base station and product beacon system. Using a clothing store as an example, each beacon is attached to a hanger, where clothing offered for sale can be hung to be displayed to users and customers.

[0024] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C An example of a product notification system is shown, in which aisles within a store provide access to clothing products, with each product hanging on a corresponding hanger.

[0025] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating a product identification system within a store is provided, which includes beacons, mobile computing devices, and server / station systems.

[0026] Figure 5 A block diagram of a product identification system in a store is shown, which includes multiple beacons, base stations, mobile computing devices, and servers.

[0027] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for user identification and product location is shown. 602. Associating multiple products with multiple beacons. 604. Receiving product specifications from the user.

[0028] Reference numerals for any illustrated element appearing in multiple different figures have the same meaning in all figures, and any reference or discussion of any illustrated element in the context of any particular figure also applies to every other figure (if any) in which the same illustrated element is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] According to one aspect, a shopping system is provided that reduces the time spent shopping in-store and increases the likelihood of finding desired products. Users or customers can participate in the system using an application on a mobile computing device. The system provides easily viewable data and allows users to filter large amounts of information in a very short time. The system can maintain a log of purchased products and individual user product preferences. The system allows beacons to be (re)programmed when associated with products, and the beacons can communicate directly with products via product information / notification transmitters, RFID tags, or QR image readers. The beacons can be small in size, so they can be placed on hangers, attached to shelves, or attached to price tags, but are not limited to these.

[0030] Therefore, the system allows consumers to gain time while shopping, eliminates crowds, and helps ensure customer satisfaction.

[0031] The system can keep track of overall customer preferences and can help reduce the number of low-demand products that are sold cheaply or discarded as inferior goods.

[0032] The system and method can be provided for a first customer interaction supported by a mobile application that communicates with a store base station that stores real-time inventory details and in-store product layout. A second customer interaction can provide a map-like depiction of the selected / filtered products, and a final customer guidance interaction can be provided near the products, where visual notification devices can be used to help identify the desired products.

[0033] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C Three views of the mobile computing device 102 are shown, illustrating the features of a shopping assistant application. Figure 1A The page displays information about the product the user is searching for, including the search criteria they type in. Figure 1B The page displays a view of the mall's layout, where stores within the mall are marked on a map as having products that meet the user's search criteria. Figure 1C This is a page displaying the store layout view, which shows the aisles within the store and identifies products that meet the user's search criteria relative to the aisles.

[0034] A shopping assistant application for a mobile computing device helps users compile product preferences and shopping lists. It generates a map for display on the mobile computing device, depicting shops or stores where desired products can be stored in the current inventory. The shopping assistant application can notify the user of any discounts / promotions offered by specific stores for specific products. The application can pinpoint the exact location of the product the user is searching for. If the suggested or filtered products do not satisfy the user, the application can help find similar options from different brands by providing product specifications and location information relative to nearby stores. The application can save the user's purchase history and download tags and specifications of products from that history. The mobile computing device 102 may have a processor and a shopping assistant application capable of being executed by that processor.

[0035] Figure 2A and Figure 2BA base station and product beacon system is illustrated. Using a clothing store as an example, each beacon 212 is attached to a hanger 213, where garments offered for sale can be hung on the hangers 213 for presentation to users and customers. One or more base stations 216 are positioned within the store, for example, in the store's ceiling. The base stations 216 can communicate with the beacons 212 via a local area network (LAN) 214 via wireless signal transmission (such as radio frequency). The garments may also have tags 219, such as RFID tags or tags displaying QR codes, for identification by a scanner on each beacon 212 or by a camera on a mobile computing device 202. When the beacon 212 senses a product approaching the beacon 212 via a scanner or camera on the beacon, the beacon 212 can be associated with the product. The beacon 212 can read readable codes (such as, for example, QR codes) via a scanner or camera on the beacon 212. The beacon 212 can read RFID tags via a scanner or camera on the beacon 212. Beacon 212 may have sensors for products that are close to it. A server (not shown) may communicate with multiple beacons 212. Mobile computing device 202 may have a processor and a shopping assistant application that can be executed by the processor. The shopping assistant application may receive product specifications from the user and may transmit the product specifications to the server (not shown).

[0036] Beacon 212 can be attached to hanger 213, allowing beacon 212 itself or tag 219 to be scanned by mobile computing device 202 or other devices to identify product items and confirm their presence. Beacon 212 can communicate with base station 216 via local area network (LAN) 214. Beacon 212 can also communicate directly or indirectly with mobile computing device 202. Beacon 212 can notify customers near the product and identify the product to the user by illuminating a color-coded indicator 218 (such as a light) for the user to see visually, or by transmitting a signal to the user's mobile computing device 202 to provide an alarm. The location of the corresponding beacon associated with the identified product can be notified to the user by activating an alarm on the mobile computing device. Beacon 212 can be low-power and rechargeable. Beacon 212 can be activated or woken up as needed and can support multiple user notification methods.

[0037] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C An example of a product notification system is provided. Figure 3A The diagram illustrates an aisle within a store where clothing products are accessible, with each product hanging on a corresponding hanger. Each hanger has a beacon attached to it, making the beacon visible to the user even when the clothing product is hanging on the hanger. The beacon displays color-coded indicators 318 (such as lights) to users in the store's aisle. Figure 3BThree mobile computing devices 302 are shown displaying color-coded indicator labels 318, wherein the indicator labels 318 are displayed on the mobile computing devices 302 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 3B The color can be the same as the indicator 318 displayed by beacon 312 in the store's passageway (see...). Figure 3A The same color is used for each indicator, for example, 318R for red indicators, 318G for green indicators, and 318B for blue indicators. Figure 3C A mobile computing device 302 and a beacon 312 attached to a clothing hanger are shown in an aisle of a clothing store. Color-coded indicator marks 318 (such as lights) on the beacon 312 can be matched with color-coded indicator marks 318 on the mobile computing device 302, allowing users to identify and locate products that meet their search criteria. A corresponding beacon 312 among multiple beacons can be identified that corresponds to a product 320 with product specifications provided by the user. Figure 3C As shown, the camera of the mobile computing device 302 can be used to view clothing in a store aisle via the display of the mobile computing device 302. A beacon 312, displaying clothing products on hangers that meet the user's search criteria and are viewed on the display of the mobile computing device 302, can send a signal to the mobile computing device 302, causing it to display an indicator 318 (such as a red box) on the display relative to the clothing product's positioning, thus allowing the user to identify the clothing product. The mobile computing device indicates products that can be viewed on the display, allowing the user to identify products that meet their product specifications.

[0038] Beacon 312 can interact directly with customers via the visible or invisible spectrum, or it can provide audible communication. Beacon 312 can also interact indirectly with customers by sending signals to a user's mobile computing device. Beacon 312 can serve multiple customers or users in a store aisle by using different indicator symbols (e.g., different colors). Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, a red indicator 318R can be provided to the first user on the corresponding mobile computing device 302, and the red light can be illuminated from the beacon indicator 318R to indicate clothing products that meet the first user's search criteria. A green indicator 318G can be provided to the second user on the corresponding mobile computing device 302, and the green light can be illuminated from the beacon indicator 318G to indicate clothing products that meet the second user's search criteria. A blue indicator 318B can be provided to the third user on the corresponding mobile computing device 302, and the blue light indicator 318B can be illuminated from the beacon to indicate clothing products that meet the third user's search criteria.

[0039] Figure 4A block diagram of an in-store product identification system is illustrated, comprising beacons 412, a mobile computing device 402, a server 406, and a base station 416. The server 406 may have an application that can execute on the server 406 to receive product specifications communicated from a user, identify the beacon 412 associated with the product corresponding to the product specification, and generate instructions to notify the user of the location of the identified beacon 412. Each beacon 412 may have a power supply, a main control unit (MCU), an EEPROM, a light (such as a near-infrared lamp (NIL) or a light-emitting diode (LED)), a driver, wireless communication, and a power source (such as a battery). The mobile computing device 402 may have a camera, an artificial intelligence image recognition application, other applications, and a radio transmitter / receiver.

[0040] Multiple beacons 412 can be associated with products within the store. Beacons 412 may have a power source (which may also be photovoltaic), an MCU (microcontroller), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) or RFID (radio frequency identification), NIR (near-infrared) or visible LEDs (light-emitting diodes), a driver, wireless communication, and a battery. Not all beacons 412 are required to be identical, and therefore some beacons may have some of the elements listed above, while others may have all of them. One or more NIR LEDs may encode digital data transmissions to announce product characteristics. One or more LEDs in the visible spectrum may notify users or customers of the location of desired products. Beacons 412 may scan products via a scanner or camera on the beacon 412 and log the products in an inventory list, which is either stored on the beacon 412, transmitted to and stored on the base station 416, or transmitted to and stored on the server 406. Beacon 412 can transmit product information to server 406 via corresponding base station 416, and can receive notification commands from the server. Beacon 412 can operate in low-power mode to increase battery life until it is woken up to provide communication to the user.

[0041] Mobile computing device 402 may have a shopping assistant application. The shopping assistant application may use the mobile computing device's camera (e.g., photo mode or 30+ fps video mode) to capture real-time images of the products and identify them using AI-based image recognition. Additionally, mobile computing device 402 may capture product information using NIR signals transmitted via a corresponding beacon 412. The shopping assistant application may generate data (in text form) that can be filtered by the user. The shopping assistant application may generate a map showing the location of the products. The shopping assistant application may log purchased products for recall purposes related to product details and specifications. Mobile computing devices may include, for example, mobile communication devices, smartphones, tablets, and laptops, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab. ® Google Nexus devices, Amazon Kindle ® Kindle Fire ® Apple iPhone ® Apple iPad ® Microsoft Surface ® Palm Pre ™ Or running Apple iOS ® Android ® OS, Google Chrome ® OS, Symbian OS ® Windows Mobile ® OS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry ® OS, Embedded Linux, Tizen, Saillfish, webOS, Palm OS ® or Palm Web OS ® Any device. Shopping assistant applications may include app marketplaces / stores / download services, such as Google Play or the Apple App Store, but are not limited to these. Shopping assistant applications may include any form of software that accepts and executes commands from servers, such as Google sign-up services, Apple push notification services, but are not limited to these.

[0042] The in-store product identification system may include a server 406 and multiple base stations 416. Base stations 416 may be located within the store to communicate with beacons 412 or mobile computing devices 402. Product specification information may be transmitted from mobile computing devices 402 to base stations 416. Notification information may be transmitted from base stations 416 to mobile computing devices 402. In one example, multiple base stations 416 may be installed in strategic locations in the store ceiling for communication with beacons 412. Base stations 416 may be Internet of Things (IoT) stations. Base stations 416 may communicate with both the server 406 and the beacons 412. The server 406 may communicate with mobile computing devices 402, particularly shopping assistant applications. The server 406 may have programs for managing user product specification information, product inventory information, and other components of the system.

[0043] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating an in-store product identification system is provided, comprising multiple beacons 512, a base station 516, a mobile computing device 502, and a server 506. The multiple beacons communicate with the base station 516 via a local area network (LAN) 514, which may be wireless. The base station 516, server 506, and mobile computing device 502 communicate with each other via the Internet 508. In another example, the base station and server communicate with each other via a portion of the LAN 514.

[0044] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for identifying and locating products for a user is shown. 602. Multiple products are associated with multiple beacons. 603. In one example, a corresponding beacon among the multiple beacons is associated with a corresponding product among the multiple products. 604. Product specifications are received from the user, for example, via an application on a mobile computing device. 606. The product corresponding to the product specifications among the multiple products is identified by a server, base station, or mobile computing device. 608. The location of the corresponding beacon among the multiple beacons associated with the identified product is notified to the user via beacons or the mobile computing device.

[0045] Although examples have been described above, other variations and examples may be made in accordance with this disclosure without departing from the substance and scope of these disclosed examples.

Claims

1. A method, the method comprising: Associate a corresponding beacon among multiple beacons with a corresponding product among multiple products; Receive product specifications from the user; Identify the product among the plurality of products that corresponds to the product specifications; and The user is notified of the location of the corresponding beacon among the multiple beacons associated with the identified product.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein associating a corresponding beacon among a plurality of beacons with a corresponding product among a plurality of products includes sensing the product that approaches the beacon.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein sensing the proximity of the product to the beacon comprises at least one of: reading the RFID tag of the product via the beacon, and scanning a readable code of the product via the beacon.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method comprises: A server is provided to communicate with the plurality of beacons; as well as The system provides the user with an application that can run on the processor of a mobile computing device. This application receives product specifications from the user and transmits those specifications to the server. Receiving product specifications from the user includes receiving product specifications from the mobile computing device at the server.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising identifying a corresponding beacon among the plurality of beacons associated with a product corresponding to the product specification.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein notifying the user of the location of the corresponding beacon associated with the identified product comprises at least one of: activating an alarm on the mobile computing device, illuminating a light associated with the beacon, and providing an indication on the display of the mobile computing device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method comprises: Provide the user with an application that can run on the processor of a mobile computing device to display maps. Notifying the user of the location of the corresponding beacon associated with the identified product includes indicating the location on the map.

8. A system comprising: server; A base station, used to communicate with the server; Multiple beacons for communicating with the base station, wherein a corresponding beacon among the beacons is associated with a corresponding product in the product, wherein a corresponding beacon among the beacons includes a power supply, circuitry for controlling the beacon, a data storage device, and a wireless communication device; and An application that can run on the processor of a mobile computing device, for receiving product specifications from a user and transmitting the product specifications to the server; and An application that can execute on the server is configured to receive the conveyed product specifications, identify the corresponding beacon among the plurality of beacons associated with the corresponding product corresponding to the product specifications, and generate instructions for notifying the user of the location of the identified beacon.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the corresponding beacon in the beacon includes a sensor of the product approaching the beacon.

10. The system according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: an RFID tag reader and a code reader.

11. The system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the instruction for notifying the user of the location of the identified beacon includes instructions for at least one of: activating an alarm on a mobile computing device, illuminating a light associated with the beacon, and providing an indication on a display of the mobile computing device.

12. The system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the application program, executable on a processor of a mobile computing device, is used to display a map. The instruction for notifying the user of the location of the identified beacon includes an instruction for indicating the location of the identified beacon on the map.

13. An application capable of executing on a processor of a mobile computing device, wherein the application is used to: Receive product specifications from the user; The product specifications are transmitted to the server; Receive beacon location information from the server for the beacon associated with the product corresponding to the product specification; as well as The location of the beacon is used to notify the user of its location.

14. The application of claim 13, wherein the application is configured to notify the user of the location of the beacon by displaying a map and indicating the location of the beacon on the map.

15. The application according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the application is used to notify the user of the location of the beacon by providing an indication on the display of a mobile computing device.

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