WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`and updates items, item and store level pricing and promotional offers every month, every 3
`
`weeks, every 2 weeks, every week, every day, or “Live” updates throughout the day.
`
`[0344]
`
`[0345]
`
`[0346]
`
`incentives,
`
`[0347]
`
`[0348]
`
`[0349]
`
`[0350]
`
`Accountsfor all, or nearly all, temporary price reductions,
`
`Accounts forall, or nearly all, pricing discounts of any kind,
`
`Accounts forall, or nearly all; retailer shopper loyalty card programs or
`
`Accounts for all Coupon incentives.
`
`Allowsfor capturing FSI coupon incentives delivered in newspapers.
`
`Allows for completely electronic coupon incentives to be included by Marketers.
`
`Prevents mis-redemption or simultaneous usage of both electronic and FSI
`
`versions of the same coupon delivered on a specific item by a Marketer.
`[0351]
`Helps prevent fraud or various forms of mal-redemption for coupons and other
`
`incentives.
`
`[0352]
`
`[0353]
`
`Allow for linkage or integration with retailer shopper-card and loyalty programs
`
`Allowsfor post-trip and shopper preference analytics and reporting and other data
`
`mining analysis to support fourth technologyplatform.
`
`[0354]
`
`Allows for rate card and bid-based (e.g., Adwords) pricing, billing and tracking
`
`on all advertising/awarenessvehicles.
`
`[0355]
`
`Allows for bid-based pricing on all incentive vehicles including Mls, RIs and any
`
`20
`
`coupons.
`[0356]
`[0357]
`
`[0358]
`
`Allows for a level or category exclusivity for specific Marketers and items.
`Allows for a level or category exclusivity for specific retailers or stores.
`
`Allows for delivery of short still, video, or interactive advertising messages
`
`sponsored byretailers or Manufactures or other delivered on select pages of the shopper App or
`
`25
`
`webportal.
`
`[0359]
`
`Allowsfor scalability from as small as one chain and onestore to aslarge asall
`
`chains andstores in a target geography. For example in the U.S.the system may cover
`
`approximately 25,000 retail outlets, 150,000 unique SKUsand 100 million shoppers.
`[0360]
`Allowsfor billing retailersand Marketers Feesfor incentives, ads, and/or
`
`30
`
`messagesof any kind.
`
`62
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`[0361]
`
`Allowsforbilling of retailers and Marketers for system setup and Portal access or
`
`subsystem.
`[0362]
`
`usage.
`
`Allowsfor optional billing of shoppers for shopper App and web-site portal
`
`Allowsforinstitution ofa pricing hierarchy with incentives based on degree of
`[0363]
`targeting, incentive amounts andapricing algorithm maytake into account market demand,
`exclusivity, category size, competitive substitutes, elasticity(s) and cross-price elasticity(s) and
`other factors relevant to maximizing revenue; allows pay-per-click or pay for performance
`pricing.
`|
`|
`[0364]
`Allowsfor the incorporation of store schematics, aisle —plans or floor plans, shelf
`
`plans into the app. In some embodiments,the system sorts thefinallist for the user by aisle
`
`whenthe user enters one of the stores (based on the layout of each individualstore), letting
`
`shoppers know in whichaisle to find their list items. FIG. 19A is an example showing the
`
`shoppinglist sorted by aisle. Each item also has a checkbox the user can use to check off items
`
`as they are added to the shopper's physical shopping cart. The screen hasan "aisle" button,
`
`selection of which causes the mobile device to display a popup menuforselecting either sorting
`
`by aisle or by category.
`
`[0365]
`
`In some embodiments, the system allows the use of auto sort on the shoppinglist,
`
`matching shopping items with the ideal route through the store. That is, not only are the items
`
`20
`
`sorted by aisle; but the aisles in thelist are sorted in the sameorderasthe store layout.
`
`[0366]
`
`In other embodiments, the items are sorted by category. FIG. 19B shows an
`
`example ofa list sorted by category.
`
`[0367]
`
`Allowsreal-time feedback on perishable food quality, such as produce, meat and
`
`fish — e.g. “The steaks are great at Store XYZ today.”
`
`25
`
`[0368]
`
`Incorporates virtual payment capabilities — scan at the endoftrip, get all offers
`
`and instantly charge to a credit/debit card.
`
`[0369]
`Provides advance notification by retailers to shoppers whenitems ofinterest are
`being delivered toa store — e.g., fresh autumn apples, cranberries, fresh baked bread etc.
`[0370]
`.
`Enables a feedback mechanism in which shoppercan tell the retailer if they would
`
`30
`
`like to see a specific item stocked in a particular store, or provide shopping experience feedback
`
`63
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`[0371]
`
`Segmentation capabilities -marketers and retailers can segment and target
`
`shoppers based on information captured in the system.
`
`;
`
`[0372]
`
`Allows the phone’s LEDlight/flash to be used as an optical signal generator that
`
`communicates with the store’s POS scanners directly (rather than via reflected light from the
`
`scanner’s lasers and the UPC code). The Phones LEDflash/light provides a modulated signal
`
`that simulates the reflected light from a UPC bar being scanned by a POSsystem’s laser. The
`
`communication between the phone and the POS scanner allows for promotional offers and
`digital/mobile couponsto be “redeemed”within the stores standard paper coupon redemption |
`
`systems.
`
`,
`
`10
`
`(0373]
`
`A system is provided for automating and streamlining consumer grocery shopping
`
`purchase processes and enabling targeted, immediately pre-purchase decision direct-marketing
`
`capability.
`
`[0374]
`
`A system is provided for developing individual shopper preferences and matching
`
`with lowest available priced product basket that reflects preferences.
`
`15
`
`A system is provided for delivering highly targeted and situation-ally
`[0375]
`relevant/aware conditional promotional offers and advertising to a consumer shopping for
`
`groceries based on consumerbasket, preferences, behavior, or demographics.
`[0376]
`The system provides behavioral insight driven promotionaltargeting in a mobile
`system.
`[0377]
`
`A system is provided for delivering location based promotional.and advertising
`
`20
`
`messagingin retail environment automated decision making mechanism for shoppers.
`[0378]
`The system can find equivalent products and recommendbetter priced alternatives
`
`from within the set of equivalents. The system enables the user to simply select items they
`
`intend to purchase by category and the search function identifies the items that would be
`
`25
`
`acceptable to that shopper based on past behavior and the actions of similar shoppers.
`[0379]__The system operates by analyzingall possible combinationsof store specific
`productprices, store specials, and coupons and automatically recommendingthe best store to
`
`shop andthe best items to buy to maximize savings from within an acceptable set of product
`
`alternatives.
`
`30
`
`[0380]
`
`The system enables users to compete and track their savings progress from within
`
`a network ofself-identified peers.
`
`64
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`[0381]
`
`The system is provided for identifying the lowest priced basket of goods, within a
`
`system ofretail outlets, that best meets shopper preferences.
`
`[0382]
`
`The system provides both database system and architecture for rapid, mobile, in-
`
`process delivery of the above capabilities.
`
`[0383]
`
`The methods and system described herein maybeatleast partially embodied in
`
`the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatus for practicing those processes. The
`disclosed methods mayalso beat least partially embodied in the form oftangible, non-transient
`machine readable storage media encoded with computer program code. The media mayinclude,
`
`for example, RAMs, ROMs, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, BD-ROMs,hard disk drives,flash
`
`10
`
`memories, or any other non-transient machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the
`
`computer program codeis loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an
`
`apparatus for practicing the method. The methods mayalso be atleast partially embodied in the
`
`form of a computer into which computer program code is loaded and/or executed, suchthat, the
`
`computer becomesa special purpose computerfor practicing the methods. When implemented
`
`on a general-purposeprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the processor to
`create specific logic circuits. The methods may alternatively be at least partially embodied in a
`digital signal processor formed ofapplication specific integrated circuits for performing the
`
`methods,
`
`Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary
`[0384]
`embodiments,it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly,
`to include other variants and embodiments, which may be madebythoseskilled in theart.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`65
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1,
`
`A method comprising:
`
`a.
`
`receiving from a mobile device (MD)a first list identifying at least one item and a
`
`store list identifying at least one store; wherein the itemsofthefirst list range in
`specificity from at least a category level descriptor to a specific stock keeping unit
`(SKU), wherein the respectivefirst list of items at each of the at least one store
`
`represents a respective basket;
`
`for each of the at least one store, performing in a computer remote from the MD at
`
`least one comparison calculation among the baskets, the comparison calculation being
`
`10
`
`performedat the category level or a lowerlevel, identifying a combination of SKU's,
`
`correspondingto the itemsin the basket, that best satisfies the comparison calculation
`
`for each basket;
`
`after step (b), receiving from at least one computer implemented direct marketing
`
`campaign managementsystem,at least one additional retail promotional incentive
`
`15
`
`offer (RI);
`
`after step (c), transmitting to the MD an identification of a recommendedstore, the
`
`recommendation comprised of one of the at least one store, and a secondlist
`containing a set of respective SKU level item descriptors that best satisfy the
`comparison calculation for the basket having incorporated the RI, and results of the
`
`20
`
`comparison calculation correspondingto the other Baskets for the other at least one
`
`store.
`
`-
`
`2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the comparison calculations comprise selecting a specific
`
`SKUbased onrelative price and a specified quantity criteria from among a group of
`
`products identified as commercial substitutes for each other..
`
`25
`
`The method of claim 2, wherein the group of products are evaluated as commercial
`
`substitutes based on an MDuserinput and preferences associated with the user of the MD.
`
`The method of claim 3, wherein the group of products are evaluated as commercial
`
`substitutes based on an MD userprofile and a dynamically updated model of user behavior.
`
`66
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the recommendedstore before step (1.c),
`and changingthe selection of the recommended store between steps (1.c) and (1.d)._
`
`The method of claim 1, wherein the RI includes a change to the at least one combination of
`
`SKUsat the recommendedstore;
`
`The method of claim 1, wherein the RI is determined based onthefirstlist;
`
`The method of claim 1, wherein the RI is based onat least one of a group consisting of
`
`demographic information ofthe user, user preferences, user behavior, user psychographics,
`
`user location, user domicile, historical and modeled user responsivity, user or group price
`
`elasticity, user or group cross-priceelasticity.
`
`10
`
`The method of claim 1, wherein the RI is based on past behavior or purchases atthe
`recommendedstore
`
`10.
`
`The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`
`transmitting along with the secondlist, at least one marketer promotional
`
`incentive (MI) to the MD from a direct-marketing management system.
`
`15
`
`11.
`
`The method of claim 10 further comprising
`
`.
`
`receiving from the MDtheacceptanceofat least one MI and
`
`performing additional calculations and comparison calculations to update the
`
`baskets, based on the at least one accepted MI,to define a third list comprising the revised
`baskets, and
`|
`transmitting said thirdlist, to the MD.
`
`20
`
`12.
`
`The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving from at least one direct marketing
`
`campaign managementsystem atleast one additional in-store promotional incentive ISI)
`
`triggered by a detection of proximity of the MD to the recommendedstore.
`
`13.
`
`The method of claim 11, further comprising:
`
`25
`
`receiving from the MD the acceptanceofsaid at least one ISI and adjusting the
`
`third list to include the at least one ISI; and
`
`67
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`transmitting to the MDrevised baskettotals including reflecting the addition of
`accepted ISI offers and a revised Third List.
`
`14.
`
`The methodof claim 11, further comprising
`receiving from the MDa signal indicating that the user is about to begin shopping
`
`at the recommendedstore and
`
`transmitting to the MDa revised display ofthe third list that is modified to allow
`
`shopperto input an indication of whether an item has been addedto a physicalorvirtual
`
`shoppingcart.
`
`10
`
`15.
`
`The method of claim 14 wherein the revised display of the third list is sorted alphabetically,
`by location within a store, or by store aisle in whichthe items are located,to facilitate a
`collection and purchase ofthe items onthethird list at each individual one of thestores.
`
`. The method of claim 14, wherein the variable includessorting the list by at least oneof in-
`store location, aisle, shelf position, store section, alphabetically, categorically, and
`department.
`
`15
`
`17.
`
`The method of claim 14, wherein oncethe userhas input indications that every item on the
`modified third list has been addedto the physical or virtual shopping cart or is done
`shopping, the MD displaysor transmits a store frequent shopper card information of the user
`
`at a checkoutstation.
`
`-
`
`18.
`
`20
`
`The method of claim 17, wherein the MD communicates to a point-of-sale (POS) system of
`the store frequent shoppercard information, the method further comprising:
`using the frequent shopper card information to facilitate fulfillment ofthe RI, MI
`or an in-store promotionalincentive (ISI) and reduction of a final invoice charged to the user
`for the items of the modified third list.
`
`19.
`
`The method of claim 17, wherein the fulfillment of the RI, MI and ISI is handled separately
`
`25
`
`for the POS system, and fulfillment is executed by sending a direct cash paymentto the user.
`
`20.
`
`The method of claim 17, wherein the MD receives information and displays said information
`
`once the shoppingtrip is complete, the information representing savings achieved by
`purchasingthe itemsin the modifiedthird list at the recommendedstore and a subtotal or
`
`68
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`runningtotal of savings by the userat the samestoreorat all locations during performance
`of the method.
`
`21. The method of claim 13 wherein the completedlist is transmitted to a store or third party for
`selection, packing and shippingto the user or pickupbytheuser.
`
`22. A Methodincluding:
`a.
`
`receiving from a userat least one string descriptor entered via a keyboard of a device,
`
`b.
`
`searching using the string descriptor amongst a database ofitems, said database of
`items comprised of items available for sale in at least one store pre-selected by the
`user, said database of items categorized using a series of descriptive classifications,
`said classifications defining levels, wherein each level has a respective plurality of
`
`sub-set descriptors, wherein the sub-set descriptors of one of the levels are mutually
`
`exclusive;
`
`5
`
`10
`
`matchingthe string descriptor against the series of classifications describing the
`
`items in the database and the sub-set descriptors by matching from the highest level
`
`15
`
`of classification to the lowest level of classification for a matchto the at least one
`
`string descriptor;
`
`transmitting, for display on the device, the sub-set descriptors ofthe highest one of
`
`the classifications that matchesthe at least one string descriptor;
`
`receiving from the device a signal indicating that the user has selected one ofthe
`
`20
`
`displayed sub-set descriptors;
`
`transmitting signals to cause the device to display, for user selection, the next lower
`
`level includingits respective sub-set descriptors for the classification associated with
`
`the selected one of the displayed sub-set descriptors; and
`
`repeating steps (e) and (f) until the sub-set descriptors associated with a respective
`
`25
`
`classification at each of the levels have been displayed or a sub-set selected
`
`corresponding to a specific SKU,
`
`69
`
`

`

`WO 2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`23.
`
`The method of claim 22, wherein step (d) includes transmitting an input icon to be displayed
`
`on a screen or graphical userinterface of the device, the input icon allowing the userto select
`one of the items while the device is displaying descriptive classifications or sub-set
`descriptors at a level other than the lowest one ofthe levels.
`
`24,
`
`The method ofclaim 23, wherein the highest level at which the inputicon is displayed
`represents the level corresponding to products that are classified as commercial substitutes.
`
`25.
`
`The method of claim 23, further comprising adding the classification corresponding to a
`
`selected input icon to an electronic shoppinglist in response to the selection of a descriptor
`
`for that level using the input icon.
`
`10
`
`26.
`
`The method of claim 22, wherein the user can search onat least one string descriptor and find
`any product from theat least one preselected stores in less than a predetermined numberof -
`inputs
`
`27.
`
`The methodof claim 22, further comprising providing an interface through whichthe user
`
`15
`
`can transmit to at least one additional user through a social network information about what
`the user is buying, a deal available at the store, an opinion on store quality, a product or store
`review, a measure of savings performance of the method,a value of actual savings produced
`
`by the methodforthe user, or a rating by the user of an app that performsthe method.
`
`28,
`
`A system including:
`
`20
`
`a.
`
`a programmedprocessorandat least one database accessible by the programmed
`
`processor,
`
`b.
`
`the programmedprocessor configured to communicate with a mobile device (MD),
`
`the MD configured with a shopper module that provides an interface to be used by a
`user for creating a shoppinglist to facilitate shopping in a retail store; and
`
`25
`
`c,
`
`the programmedprocessor configured to communicate with at least one direct
`marketing campaign managementsystem, wherein the programmedprocessoris
`
`70
`
`

`

`WO2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`configured to receive promotional offers and advertisements for transmission to the
`
`MDwhile the shopper moduleis running, for presentation to the user on the MD.
`
`29. The system of claim 28, wherein at least one of the promotionaloffers is a predetermined
`
`promotional offer, and the programmedprocessoris configured to transmit the predetermined
`
`5
`
`promotional offer to the MD whenthe user exhibits a specified behavior.
`
`30. The system of claim 28, wherein the promotional offers are based on one of the group
`
`consisting of user demographics and user behavior, psychographics, past purchases, past
`retail preferences, preferences, responsivity, location, basket contents, list contents, related or
`
`complementary itemsforlist items or a offers business or competitive strategy
`
`10
`
`71
`
`

`

`WO2013/052081
`
`PCT/US2012/000426
`
`1/30
`
`Figure #1
`
`ai]-~a o“4 pe4~
`Retailer Pricing /Product
`Database Server
`
`ec wee me ue wets eres ec on
`
`.
`Product
`Manufacturer
`
`.
`
`ye:
`a
`(ft
`ft ;
`fii
`/
`re |
`fii
`\
`?
`i
`Server
`
`
`
`Product
`Manufacturer
`
`|
`i
`Sore TT}
`ceaI
`
`ih
`
`
`6
`\
`j
`ae
`i Store 1.N '
`\
`hs
`a se .
`
`jt
`
`i
`
`Retailer #2
`
`
`
`Sources
`
`Product
`
`. Manufacturer
`
`
`
`
`
`;
` SKU/item fevel i
`fir fF
`coupon offers |
`
`database Server
`
` 7
`
`Featuresand el *
`
`technical Specs / o
`database Servgy Fd
`reece, CF nie
`“ess
`rn?
`
`Data
`
`