In-Store Shopping Assistant Using Mobile Location Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-store shopping lacks the convenience of online shopping, as navigating items and obtaining information requires physical movement and reliance on sales associates, which is not efficiently supported by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a mobile device to locate shoppers within a store and provide filtered data, such as item locations or product information, based on their position, using wireless access points and GPS, to enhance the shopping experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If online shopping virtualizes the store experience through web browsers, then convenience and information accessibility are improved, but physical store navigation and real-time item location become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile device acts as an intermediary between the shopper and the store environment. The device receives location data from wireless access points, determines the shopper's position, and provides relevant item information and navigation guidance, bridging the gap between physical presence and information accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual navigation and information-seeking mechanisms (physical movement through store, asking sales associates) with an automated electronic system that uses wireless communication, location triangulation, and mobile computing to provide real-time guidance and information
2Loss of information
If sales associates are deployed throughout the store to provide real-time assistance, then information accessibility is improved, but operational cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables shoppers to obtain product information and navigation assistance independently through their mobile devices. The automated system processes location data, queries product databases, and delivers relevant information without requiring human sales associates, allowing customers to serve themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the information-providing function from human sales associates and transfers it to an automated mobile device system. The mobile device and backend system assume the role of providing product information, eliminating the need for physical human presence throughout the store
3Productivity
If shoppers physically navigate through the store to locate items, then item acquisition is achieved, but time consumption and shopping efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating item locations, organizing product data by store section, and preparing navigation routes before the shopper even requests information. When a shopper queries for an item, the system has already determined the optimal path and can immediately provide directions
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the shopper's location through wireless access point triangulation and provides real-time feedback about item locations relative to current position. As the shopper moves through the store, the system updates information about nearby items and adjusts navigation guidance dynamically
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
Enables convenient in-store shopping by providing shoppers with relevant information and navigation assistance, reducing the need for physical searching and reliance on sales associates, thereby improving the shopping efficiency and experience.
Implementation Method 1
locating an in-store shopper in a portion of a store by locating a mobile device registered in a database in association with the in-store shopper... detecting a hardware address of the mobile device in a wireless network request presented by the mobile device to one of three wireless access points disposed in the store
Implementation Method 2
subsequently by triangulating the position according to the three wireless access points
Implementation Method 3
receiving from the mobile device global positioning system (GPS) data
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for an on-line shopping assistant for in-store shopping. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for managing an on-line shopping assistant for in-store shopping is provided. The method includes locating an in-store shopper in a portion of a store by locating a mobile device registered in a database in association with the in-store shopper. The method also includes receiving a request for data through the mobile device pertaining to at least one item in the store and filtering the requested data based upon the location of the in-store shopper in the portion of the store. Finally, the method includes presenting the filtered data in a display of the mobile device.