Mobile Device Item Detection in Physical Retail Stores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in locating and purchasing items they previously searched for online when visiting physical stores, due to large store sizes, understaffing, and the need to carry or remember information about the item, which can lead to frustration and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system using cookie-type information stored on user devices to identify and notify users of matching items within or near physical facilities, utilizing GPS and close-range positional location systems to alert users and provide location-specific information, allowing for easy navigation to the item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If users search for items online and then visit physical stores to purchase them, then users can get items immediately without waiting for delivery, but users face challenges in locating items within large physical stores and may need to carry or remember item information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the online search and physical store navigation. The mobile device stores cookie-type information from online searches and uses GPS/location services to automatically detect when the user is near the physical store, then provides turn-by-turn navigation to the specific item location within the store, eliminating the need for users to manually carry or remember item information
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing item information and location data in the mobile device before the user visits the physical store. The cookie-type information is saved during online browsing, and the system pre-calculates navigation routes based on the store's layout database, so that when the user arrives, the item location is immediately available without requiring manual information retrieval
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical stores are large in size to provide more variety, then more items are available to customers, but it becomes more difficult for customers to locate specific items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical navigation (users physically searching through store aisles) with an automated electronic navigation system. The mobile device uses GPS coordinates and a database of store layouts to automatically calculate and provide turn-by-turn directions to the specific item location, substituting electronic computation and automated guidance for manual physical search
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the physical store layout and item locations in a database. This virtual representation allows the mobile device to calculate precise navigation routes to any item in the store based on its known location in the digital model, enabling accurate guidance without requiring users to physically explore the large store space
3Loss of information
If users need to carry or remember information about the item they searched for, then users can make informed purchasing decisions, but this creates inconvenience and frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs self-service by automatically storing cookie-type information from online searches and retrieving it when the user is detected near the associated physical store. The system autonomously manages the information lifecycle—storing, protecting, and retrieving item details—without requiring users to manually carry or remember any information
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary that stores and manages item information locally. Instead of users needing to carry physical notes or remember details, the mobile device holds the cookie-type information and automatically presents relevant item details and navigation guidance when the user arrives at the store, transferring the information management burden from the user to the device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein may operate to receive, at a user device corresponding to a user of a web service, information identifying an item, based on the user device being located within a specified range of distance from the item; access a list of items including at least one item of interest to the user, with each item of interest within the list of items having been previously identified by the user at the web service; compare the information against the list of items; identify the item as being an item of interest to the user based at least in part on the information at least partially identifying the at least one item of interest within the list of items; and signal the user device to present a notification alerting the user that the item at least partially matches a previously identified item of interest.