NFC Tag Mobile System for Retail Product Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In retail shopping environments, consumers face challenges in accessing product information efficiently, especially when unfamiliar with products, leading to a negative buying experience due to limited information availability and cumbersome navigation within stores.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes NFC tags and mobile devices to provide consumers with product information, allowing them to scan tags for detailed data, including customer reviews and pricing, and enabling seamless navigation and purchase through a virtual shopping cart for expedited checkout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If consumers search for product information on the internet via search engine, then product information can be obtained, but it is time consuming and may provide irrelevant or inaccurate information
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures NFC tags at product locations with relevant product information, consumer ratings, and pricing data before consumers arrive. When consumers scan the tag with their mobile devices, the information is instantly retrieved without requiring real-time internet searches, thus eliminating time loss while ensuring accurate product information availability.
2Ease of operation
If consumers use mobile phone map to locate products, then navigation is provided, but consumers must be familiar with the product name to use it
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tags are placed directly at product locations and contain product identification information. Consumers can scan any tag with their mobile devices to receive product information and navigation assistance without needing to know product names in advance. The system enables consumers to independently explore and discover products through scanning, eliminating the requirement for prior product familiarity.
3Productivity
If consumers stand in checkout lines to complete purchases, then transactions are processed, but it is time consuming and may deter consumers from purchasing
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows consumers to scan NFC tags and add items to a virtual shopping cart on their mobile devices while shopping. Consumers can complete the checkout process electronically through the mobile application without physically standing in traditional checkout lines. This preliminary configuration of the shopping cart and electronic checkout capability eliminates wait time while maintaining high purchase completion rates.
4Loss of information
If stores provide mobile phone application with threshold price notifications, then consumers are notified of price drops, but consumers must pre-configure threshold prices which is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tags automatically provide current pricing information and product details when scanned by consumers' mobile devices. The system retrieves and displays real-time pricing data without requiring consumers to pre-configure any threshold prices or settings. This self-service approach eliminates the time-consuming configuration process while ensuring accurate and up-to-date pricing information is always available to consumers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A product information system including a server having an item database that stores at least one item identifier and corresponding item data for at least one item. Also, the item database is associated with a predetermined vendor. The server also includes a receiver that receives a message including tag data captured from a tag by a portable wireless device. The tag data includes an item identifier. Also, the server includes a processor that operates, in response to the received message, to select item data from the item database that corresponds to the received item identifier. The server also includes a transmitter that transmits the selected item data to the portable wireless device.