Virtual shopping environment
US7178722B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q20/201
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A shopping environment process includes determining when a shopper is in proximity to an item by detecting a wireless transmission from a shopper device associated with the shopper. A purchase price of the item is determined based in part on the identity of the shopper. A graphical interface of a shelving device associated with the item then displays the purchase price. The interface enables the shopper to purchase the item. The item is then included in a virtual shopping cart associated with the user if the user purchases the item. The shopper device may include a card reader enabling the shopper to associate with the shopper device by swiping a loyalty card. The shelving device can communicate with a customer database server by sending a wireless communication to an intermediate shelving device and transmitting the communication from the intermediate shelving device to a repeater device connected to a wired network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.