Accelerometer-Based Mobile Device Bumping for Retail Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective interaction between users and retail stores through mobile devices as users approach or browse inside a store, with existing technologies failing to leverage the potential of mobile devices for enhanced engagement and data collection.
Innovation Solution
The method involves users 'bumping' their mobile devices against interactive store displays equipped with sensors to receive coupons, provide feedback, or navigate shopping lists, utilizing accelerometer data for correlation and benefit delivery, allowing for intuitive and personalized interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical advertising displays are used in retail stores, then product promotion is achieved, but store space is saturated and user engagement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical advertising displays with virtual copies delivered to users' mobile devices. Instead of using physical posters and banners that occupy store space, the system creates digital replicas of advertisements and promotional content that are sent to users' phones via text messages, emails, or push notifications, thereby eliminating the need for physical display space while maintaining promotional effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions advertising from the physical two-dimensional space of store walls and shelves to the digital dimension of mobile devices. By delivering advertisements through mobile phones, the system moves the advertising medium from a constrained physical environment to an unconstrained digital space, allowing unlimited promotional content without occupying additional store space
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile devices are used for store interaction, then user engagement is enhanced, but effective interaction mechanisms are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to autonomously interact with store promotions using their own mobile devices without requiring store staff assistance or complex terminal operations. Users simply receive promotional content on their devices and can independently view, save, and redeem coupons, making the interaction system self-service oriented and extremely easy to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universal mobile device that users already possess and are familiar with, rather than requiring them to learn new interaction mechanisms. The mobile phone serves multiple functions: receiving advertisements, storing coupons, providing product information, and enabling redemption, making the interaction mechanism universally accessible and intuitively operable
3Loss of information
If traditional advertising displays are used, then product promotion is achieved, but consumer data collection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where user interactions with promotional content are automatically tracked and reported back to the retailer. When users receive, view, save, or redeem coupons on their mobile devices, this data is captured and analyzed, providing continuous feedback on consumer behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns without requiring complex manual data collection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the retailer's data collection system. The mobile phone automatically captures interaction data and transmits it to the retailer, serving as a mediator that simplifies the data collection process while comprehensively gathering consumer behavior information without requiring direct complex instrumentation in the store
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances user engagement, reduces the need for physical advertising displays, and provides valuable consumer data while offering savings and convenient coupon delivery, thereby improving store interaction and data collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a first message from a mobile device, the first message indicating a bump sensed by an accelerometer coupled to the mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems are described for bumping a mobile device, such as a smart phone, against a fixed poster board display at a store to initiate a download of coupons, advertisements, or other benefits to the mobile device. Products can be rated by a user's up/down bump or other bump patterns. Using accelerometer-based inertial measurements, multiple users can control multiple mouse cursors on a large display with their mobile devices in order to select information to be downloaded to their mobile devices. The multiple users can bump the display in order to select their items simultaneously.