Virtual Redeemable Offers via RFID Product Tag Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional paper coupons in physical stores lead to negative customer experiences due to inefficiencies in tracking customer preferences and product viewing habits, and infrared tracking systems are invasive and inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mobile devices with RFID or NFC product tag scanners to track customer product viewing habits, allowing for the issuance of virtual redeemable offers (VROs) that can be redeemed at the point of sale, enhancing targeted marketing by analyzing both purchase and viewing data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If infrared tracking systems are used to track customer movements in physical stores, then customer location data can be collected, but the systems cannot accurately pinpoint specific products being viewed and are considered invasive of privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediary objects attached to products and mobile devices as intermediary tools between customers and the tracking system. These intermediaries enable precise product identification without requiring direct observation of customer behavior, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining privacy. The RFID tags serve as mediators that carry product information and enable accurate tracking of product viewing without invasive monitoring.
2Productivity
If paper coupons are distributed to customers, then manufacturers can encourage product purchasing, but customers experience negative effects from having to search for and clip coupons that may be forgotten
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to self-serve by automatically receiving relevant coupons through their mobile devices based on their product viewing behavior. Customers do not need to manually search for or clip coupons; instead, the system autonomously identifies their interests and delivers personalized offers. This transforms the coupon distribution process from a manual, inconvenient task to an automated, convenient service that adapts to customer needs in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying customer interests through product viewing tracking and preparing personalized coupons before customers even request them. By analyzing viewing data in advance and generating relevant offers proactively, the system ensures that coupons are ready and waiting for customers, eliminating the need for last-minute searching or clipping at the point of purchase.
3Loss of information
If online retailers track products viewed but not purchased, then marketing accuracy improves, but physical retailers lack the capability to collect similar data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices universal tools that serve multiple functions: they act as RFID scanners for product identification, databases for storing viewing history, and communication devices for delivering personalized coupons. This multi-functionality allows physical retailers to collect detailed product viewing data using a device customers already carry, eliminating the need for specialized tracking infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
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
This solution improves customer targeting by accurately predicting desires based on viewing habits, increasing marketing effectiveness and customer satisfaction while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a scanner that can read radio frequency identification (RFID) product tags
Implementation Method 2
near field communication (NFC) product tags
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with tracking in store consumer behavior are described. One example method includes receiving a product tag data (PTD) and a personal data (PD) from a portable digital device (PDD). The PTD is associated with a scan of a product tag of a product. The example method may also include storing the PTD and the PD in a database. The example method may also include creating a virtual redeemable offer (VRO) based, at least in part, on an analysis of the PD, the PTD associated with the scan, and a product information (PI) associated with the product tag. The PI may be stored in the database and describes the product. The example method may also include providing the CRVC to the PDD.