Point-of-Recognition Optimizer for Retail Checkout Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Physical stores face competition from online retailers like Amazon and struggle with manual checkout processes, which detract from the shopping experience and hinder data-driven advertising efforts.

Innovation Solution

The point-of-recognition optimizer system uses processors and computer memories to identify purchasable units via unique IDs, allowing consumers to use their own devices to recognize products, receive offers, and facilitate purchases, thereby streamlining the checkout process and enabling data-driven marketing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual checkout procedures are used with store clerks scanning UPC barcodes, then purchase transactions can be finalized, but the process is time-intensive and detracts from the consumer shopping experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecheckout speedVSAvoidtime spent at checkout

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables consumers to perform checkout themselves by using their mobile devices to scan product codes, automatically retrieve pricing and offer information, and complete purchases without store clerk intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the time-intensive manual scanning process while maintaining accurate transaction processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical UPC scanning system with mobile device-based image recognition and code scanning capabilities. Consumers use their own devices to capture product information through cameras or scanners, substituting the dedicated store scanner infrastructure with ubiquitous consumer technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If physical stores use traditional advertising methods through print or electronic media, then advertisements can reach consumers, but the stores lack direct access to consumer data for targeted marketing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer data accessVSAvoidtargeted advertising capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback loop where consumer interactions with products (scanning, viewing offers, purchasing) are automatically captured and stored. This data feeds back into the system to enable personalized offer generation and targeted advertising, allowing physical stores to access and utilize consumer data similarly to online retailers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile application serves multiple functions: it acts as a product scanner, pricing database, offer delivery mechanism, purchase completion interface, and data collection tool. This multi-functional platform enables both the consumer experience enhancement and the data-driven marketing capabilities in a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If physical stores compete directly with online retailers through their own websites, then they can attempt to capture e-commerce sales, but they achieve limited success compared to established online stores

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesales conversionVSAvoidsystem integration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the online and offline shopping experiences by integrating mobile device capabilities with in-store product information and purchase systems. Consumers can research products, compare offers, and complete purchases using their mobile devices while physically present in the store, combining the convenience of online shopping with the immediacy of in-store availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by providing consumers with product information, pricing, and personalized offers before they make purchase decisions in-store. This advance information delivery enables consumers to make informed decisions quickly at the point of purchase, replicating the research-capability of online shopping while maintaining the immediacy of physical retail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9978086B1Systems and methods regarding point-of-recognition optimization of onsite user purchases at a physical location

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 THE BARTLEY J MADDEN FOUND

AI summary

Systems and methods are described for a point-of-recognition optimizer system configured to optimize onsite user purchases at a physical location. In various aspects, a purchasable-unit identifier (ID) may be received via a computer transmission, where the purchasable-unit ID, as identified by an optimizer device, is associated with a recognized purchasable-unit located onsite with the optimizer device. Based on the purchasable-unit ID, a plurality of competing purchasable-units may be identified, where the plurality of competing purchasable-units includes the recognized purchasable-unit and one or more additional purchasable-units, which may be either onsite or offsite purchasable-units. An offer is transmitted via a second computer transmission for an offered purchasable-unit to the optimizer device where the offer originates from an outbidding purchasable-unit distributor, and where the outbidding purchasable-unit distributor outbid other competing purchasable-unit distributors, each distributor corresponding to the plurality of competing purchasable-units, for an opportunity for the optimizer device to receive the offer.