Computer-based method and communication system for initiating communication with prospective customers

Abstract

A computer-based method for initiating communication with a potential customer using a beacon (14) installed on a shop floor (12) is disclosed. The following steps are provided: detecting a smart device (22) approaching the beacon (14), sending a chat invitation signal to the smart device (22), receiving a chat acceptance signal, and initiating a chat on the smart device (22), particularly with a chatbot. A communication system and a computer program are also proposed. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-based method for initiating communication with a prospective customer using a beacon installed on a shop floor.

Background Art

[0002] It is known from the prior art that a "beacon" operating using the Bluetooth standard is used, for example, on the shop floor of a supermarket. The signal of the beacon can be received by a smartphone. Thereby, when a prospective customer is near the beacon, it is possible to send a notification to the prospective customer, for example, a notice regarding a special offer of a specific product. In particular, the beacon can be arranged on a product pallet on which the product is placed. When the product pallet is placed on the shop floor, the beacon is installed on the shop floor.

[0003] One drawback of the notification transmission method in the prior art is that the transmission is possible only when the prospective customer has installed a specific app on their smartphone, for example, the customer loyalty app of the supermarket chain where the prospective customer is currently at that branch or a bonus app that covers various supermarket chains.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to make a prospective customer aware of a specific product or service without the need for the prospective customer to install a "suitable" app on their smartphone.

[0005] To achieve this object, the following steps are provided according to the present invention: - Detecting that the smart device is approaching the beacon, - Sending a chat invitation signal to the smart device, - Receiving a chat approval signal, and - Initiating a chat with a chatbot, especially on a smart device.

[0006] The advantage of this method is that it allows for starting a chat not in a special supermarket - dedicated app, but rather in a standard instant messaging app that is installed on almost all smart devices, especially on almost all smartphones. Examples of such instant messaging apps are the Facebook app and WhatsApp.

[0007] A particular advantage of this method is that it does not require potential customers to log in to a website.

[0008] Beacons are preferably placed on product pallets so that they can "talk" to potential customers when correct, i.e., when the potential customer is located near the product, regardless of the position of the product pallet on the shop floor, and are linked to the products placed thereon.

[0009] The notifications displayed on the smartphone can indicate to the user that they can chat with an employee, advisor, or customer service representative to automatically answer any questions from the potential customer, provide additional information, or offer customized offers for them.

[0010] The method according to the present invention may proceed as follows: "Arrange various product pallets equipped with beacons on the shop floor of a supermarket. The beacons transmit product - specific information all at once."

[0011] As long as the smartphone permits Bluetooth - based push notifications and has the location service activated, the signal of the beacon can be received by the potential customer's smartphone.

[0012] When a prospective customer arrives near a specific product pallet with their smartphone, a notification is displayed on their smartphone informing them that they can chat directly with an employee, customer service representative, or customer advisor.

[0013] When the prospective customer clicks on the notification, a connection to a chatbot is initiated in an instant messaging app. This enables the provision of further (sales promotion) information about the product to the prospective customer, the offering of specially customized offers for them, or even the dynamic display of product information according to a specific location, at which time the prospective customer can provide direct feedback.

[0014] According to the present invention, this object is also achieved by a communication system comprising a beacon installed on a shop floor and configured to detect (or "communicate with") nearby smart devices and simultaneously transmit a chat invitation signal to those smart devices, and a control device connected to the beacon for signal transmission and configured to execute the method described above. For the advantages, reference is made to the above description. In other words, the beacon is thus configured to communicate with smart devices.

[0015] For example, a universal unique identifier (UUID) can be simultaneously transmitted to a smart device using a chat invitation signal.

[0016] The beacon is preferably placed on the product pallet.

[0017] The control device may be integrated into the beacon and / or be part of a separate data processing device. The separate data processing device is, for example, a computer, laptop, notebook, smartphone, or another smart device.

[0018] The control device can be connected to a plurality of beacons distributed, for example, over a relatively large shop floor for signal transmission. Then, the various beacons can be centrally controlled by a separate data processing device.

[0019] According to the present invention, this object is also achieved by a computer program comprising program code means for performing the method described above when the computer program is executed on a computer and / or a control device, in particular the control device of the communication system described above.

[0020] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the drawings referred to.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] FIG. 1 schematically shows a communication system 10. This communication system includes a plurality of beacons 14 arranged on a shop floor 12, and each beacon 14 is attached to a product pallet 16.

[0023] The beacons 14 are wirelessly connected to a control device 18 for signal transmission, and the control device is arranged in a separate central computer 20. Alternatively, this control device can also be housed in one of the beacons 14.

[0024] The control device 18 is configured to execute a method for starting communication with potential customers, as described below with reference to FIG. 2. In particular, a computer program including program code means for performing this method is executed on this control device.

[0025] First, at least one beacon 14 is used to detect that the smart device 22 is approaching at least one beacon 14 (step S1). In particular, the smart device 22 is a smartphone.

[0026] Next, the beacon 14 simultaneously transmits a chat invitation notification to the smart device 22 (step S2), and displays the corresponding notification to the user (step S3).

[0027] In particular, it is displayed to the user that it is possible to directly chat with employees, customer service staff, or customer advisors.

[0028] Next, the user can approve or reject this chat invitation (step S4). If the user rejects the chat invitation, the communication with the smart device 22 is terminated (step S5).

[0029] However, if the user accepts the chat invitation, a chat approval signal from the smart device 22 is received using the beacon 14 (step S6), and a chat with a chatbot in particular is started on the smart device 22 (step S7).

[0030] In this case, a chat is started in the instant messaging app already installed on this smart device. This enables providing further (sales promotion) information about the product to potential customers, offering them specially customized offers for them, or even dynamically showing product information to them according to a specific location (i.e., according to which beacon 14 they are near), and at that time, potential customers can give direct feedback.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for initiating communication with a prospective customer using a beacon (14) installed on a shop floor (12), said beacon (14) being disposed on a product pallet (16), the following steps: - Detecting that a smart device (22) is approaching said beacon (14); - Sending a chat invitation signal to said smart device (22); - Receiving a chat approval signal; and - Initiating a chat in an instant messaging app already installed on said smart device (22). A method is provided.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the chat is conducted with a chatbot.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a notification indicating that it is possible to chat with an employee is displayed on said smart device (22).

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a notification indicating that it is possible to chat with an advisor is displayed on said smart device (22).

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a notification indicating that it is possible to chat with a customer service representative is displayed on said smart device (22).

6. A communication system (10) comprising a beacon (14) installed on a shop floor (12) and configured to detect an approaching smart device (22) and send a chat invitation signal to said smart device (22) in a batch, and a control device (18) connected to said beacon (14) for signal transmission and configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said beacon (14) being disposed on a product pallet (16).

7. The communication system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that said control device (18) is incorporated into said beacon (14).

8. The communication system (10) according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that said control device (18) is part of a separate data processing device (20).

9. A computer program comprising program code means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 when the computer program is executed on a control device (18) of a communication system (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

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