Systems and methods for price matching and comparison

US10438228B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Walmart Apollo, LLC · US

Inventors

• Joseph Wang · San Diego, US
• Venkata Syam Prakash Rapaka · Cupertino, US
• Vivek Parekh · Fremont, US
• Paul Kay Hatch · Bentonville, US
• Melisa Rodriguez · Rogers, US
• Ronald G. Benson · Boulder, US
• Srirama M. Bolla · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 30, 2014
• Grant date: Oct 8, 2019
• Expiry date: May 30, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0225
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of a first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item-by-item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.