Mobile Device Order System for Brick-and-Mortar Retail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional retail methods require customers to physically visit brick-and-mortar stores, wait in lines, and use cashiers or self-checkout stations for each product, limiting convenience and leading to lost sales due to showrooming, where customers compare prices and purchase online instead. Additionally, brick-and-mortar stores face challenges in stocking diverse products due to size and logistical constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing local devices to retrieve product identification information, which is then communicated to a remote server for order creation and fulfillment, allowing customers to place orders with various payment and delivery options, including electronic payments and in-store pickup or delivery, enhancing convenience and selection comparable to online retail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cashier or self-checkout stations are used, then products can be scanned and paid for, but customers have to wait in line and spend more time completing purchases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to autonomously scan products using their mobile devices, automatically add items to a virtual shopping cart, select fulfillment options, and complete payment without assistance from cashiers or interaction with self-checkout stations. The mobile device serves as both the scanning tool and the point-of-sale terminal, eliminating the need for traditional checkout infrastructure and reducing customer waiting time to near zero.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning process at fixed checkout stations with optical scanning using mobile device cameras to read barcodes or QR codes. The physical interaction of placing items on conveyor belts or scanning stations is eliminated, replaced by digital capture and wireless communication of product data directly to the fulfillment system.
2Ease of operation
If customers use brick-and-mortar stores, then they can physically examine products, but they may still purchase online after comparing prices (showrooming), leading to lost sales
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the advantages of brick-and-mortar retail (physical product examination, immediate fulfillment) with the convenience of online retail (price comparison, multiple fulfillment options) into a single unified purchasing process. Customers can scan products in-store, access detailed information and pricing online through their mobile devices, and complete purchases with various fulfillment options including same-day delivery, curbside pickup, or in-store collection, thereby capturing sales that would otherwise be lost to online competitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing product information, pricing, and fulfillment options before the customer completes their purchase decision. The mobile application pre-loads product details, compares prices across channels, and presents all available fulfillment methods in advance, enabling customers to make informed decisions while still in the store and preventing them from leaving to complete purchases online elsewhere.
3Adaptability or versatility
If brick-and-mortar stores stock diverse products, then customer selection increases, but store size and logistical constraints limit the variety of products that can be physically stocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions the product assortment from a two-dimensional physical constraint (store floor space) to a multi-dimensional digital solution. The mobile application provides access to an extensive online catalog that is not limited by physical store dimensions, allowing customers to browse and purchase products across multiple categories and price points. The system seamlessly integrates in-store scanning capabilities with online inventory data, enabling access to a virtually unlimited product assortment while maintaining the tactile experience of in-store shopping for items that are physically available.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for purchasing one or more products is provided. The system includes a local device for retrieving identification information and a remote server connected with the local device, an order management system connected with the remote server, and an order fulfillment system connected with the order management system to fulfill the order by obtaining and delivering the product to the user. Upon receiving the identification information at the local device, the local device automatically forwards the identification information along with a unique identifier to a remote server. The remote server generates and delivers the website containing information about the product to the local device. The local device is in communication with an order creation application. The product is automatically placed in a virtual shopping cart of the order creation application for purchase by the user.