US20240037632A1 - System and method for impulse purchase prompting - Google Patents

Abstract

A system includes a mobile device, an impulse purchase location, an impulse purchase prompt initiator that detects a position of the mobile device, an impulse purchase prompt, and a fulfillment configuration. The impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the prompt to the mobile device. The fulfillment configuration fulfills an impulse purchase in response to a customer response to the prompt and comprises an automated locker including a storage compartment. The impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sends a signal to the automated locker indicative of the an impulse purchase request so as to automatically cause the storage compartment to open and dispense a product, and is configured to determine that the mobile device is stationary and to only automatically transmit the prompt in response to the mobile device being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before the customer completes an initial transaction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• This application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/208,698, which was filed on Mar. 22, 2021, which was based upon and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/992,848, filed Mar. 20, 2020, for “System and Method for Impulse Purchase Prompting”, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present subject matter relates to retail and online purchases, and more particularly, to prompting of impulse purchases.
BACKGROUND
• Online shopping has become ubiquitous. When a shopper makes predetermined selections online, through a web interface, mobile application interface, or otherwise without visiting a retail establishment, opportunities for retailers to capture revenue from impulse purchases may be negatively impacted. Many retailers may benefit from re-capturing impulse purchasing from customers engaged in online shopping. Similarly, producers of certain goods that particularly benefit from impulse purchase decisions may wish to re-capture impulse purchasing. Often times, online shoppers, especially for groceries or other goods associated with groceries, will still visit a retail establishment in order to pick up an advance grocery/product order.
• Typically, the online shopper will arrive at the retail establishment and either personally pick up their previously selected order, which has been collected (or “shopped”) for them by an employee or contractor of the retail establishment, or allow an employee or contractor associated with the retail establish to load the previously selected order into a vehicle of the online shopper. The pick-up and/or loading activities often take place outside or adjacent the main retail space. These types of transactions are often paid for through the same web and/or mobile application interfaces used for selecting and transmitting the predetermined selections to the retail establishment. As a result, the online shopper is unlikely to traverse a checkout lane or even enter a checkout area during the pick-up/loading. Similarly, in certain other retail formats, such as drive-through windows, fuel pump islands, vending, food service/pick-up, etc., a shopper may not have direct interaction with a checkout area where items subject to impulse purchase decisions may be displayed.
• Impulse purchases are often profitable for both retailers and product manufacturers/suppliers. Furthermore, customers retrieving an online purchase, such as a grocery pick-up, may still be open to impulse purchases. Therefore, a system and method for prompting impulse purchases during pick-up/loading activities, at a drive-through window/lane, or at a fuel pump island, represents an improvement in the art.
• The description provided in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the background section. The background section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology.
SUMMARY
• According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system of fulfilling on-site purchases includes a mobile device, an impulse purchase location, an impulse purchase prompt initiator, an impulse purchase prompt, and a fulfillment configuration. The impulse purchase location includes a pickup location. The impulse purchase prompt initiator includes a processor and is configured to detect a position of the mobile device so as to detect the mobile device being located at the pickup location, the detection of the position of the mobile device executed via at least one of a Bluetooth connection, a geofence detection, a wireless connection, or a camera detection located at the impulse purchase location.
• The impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the impulse purchase prompt to the mobile device in response to interaction between the mobile device and the impulse purchase prompt initiator while the mobile device is proximal to the impulse purchase location and in response to the mobile device being located at a predetermined distance from the pickup location of the impulse purchase location and in advance of the mobile device arriving at the pickup location. The fulfillment configuration fulfills an impulse purchase in response to a customer response to the impulse purchase prompt including an impulse purchase request and comprises an automated locker including at least one storage compartment and a communications module communicatively coupled to the impulse purchase prompt initiator.
• In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sends a signal to the communications module of the automated locker indicative of the an impulse purchase request transmitted in response to the impulse purchase prompt so as to automatically cause the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense a product associated with the impulse purchase request, and is configured to determine that the mobile device is stationary and to only automatically transmit the impulse purchase prompt in response to the mobile device being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before the customer completes an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location. The completion of the initial transaction includes the customer receiving all products associated with the initial transaction.
• In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt presents at least one impulse purchase product based on the fulfillment configuration available, and the impulse purchase prompt comprises a notification on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the impulse purchase request activates the fulfillment configuration for simultaneous fulfillment with the initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location.
• In some embodiments, the signal automatically causes the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense a product associated with the impulse purchase request prior to arrival of the customer or a fulfilment associate at the automated locker. In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt opens a mobile application associated with an impulse purchase location in response to approval of the notification by the customer. In some embodiments, the detection of the customer comprises an interaction with the mobile device that comprises a customer-initiated interaction with an information carrier present at an impulse purchase location. In some embodiments, the customer-initiated interaction comprises scanning a QR code with the mobile device.
• In some embodiments, the at least one storage compartment includes a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, the first storage compartment having a first internal temperature that is lower than a second internal temperature of the second storage compartment, and the system further includes adjusting the first internal temperature and the second internal temperature in response to seasonal changes in impulse purchasing behavior of customers. In some embodiments, the at least one storage compartment includes a single location of interaction which includes a dispensing location at which a product associated with the impulse purchase request is dispensed and a QR code scanning location.
• In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt initiator is further configured to, in response to the impulse purchase request being transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt, automatically transmit a further impulse purchase prompt to the customer that is related to the product associated with the impulse purchase request.
• According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a system of fulfilling on-site purchases includes an impulse purchase location, an impulse purchase prompt initiator, an impulse purchase prompt, and a fulfillment configuration. The impulse purchase location includes a pickup location. The impulse purchase prompt initiator includes a processor and is configured to detect a position of a mobile device so as to detect the mobile device being located at the pickup location. The impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the impulse purchase prompt to the mobile device in response to interaction between the mobile device and the impulse purchase prompt initiator while the mobile device is proximal to the impulse purchase location and in response to the mobile device being located at a predetermined distance from the pickup location of the impulse purchase location. The fulfillment configuration fulfills an impulse purchase in response to a customer response to the impulse purchase prompt including an impulse purchase request.
• In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt initiator is configured to determine that the mobile device is stationary and to only automatically transmit the impulse purchase prompt in response to the mobile device being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the mobile device into the impulse purchase location is completed. The completion of the initial transaction includes a customer associated with the mobile device receiving all products associated with the initial transaction.
• In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the impulse purchase prompt to the mobile device in advance of the mobile device arriving at the pickup location. In some embodiments, the fulfillment configuration comprises an automated locker including at least one storage compartment. The automated locker includes a communications module communicatively coupled to the impulse purchase prompt initiator, and the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sends a signal to the communications module of the automated locker indicative of the an impulse purchase request transmitted in response to the impulse purchase prompt so as to automatically cause the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense a product associated with the impulse purchase request prior to arrival of the customer or a fulfilment associate at the automated locker.
• In some embodiments, the impulse purchase request activates the fulfillment configuration for simultaneous fulfillment with an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location. In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt comprises a notification on the mobile device, and the impulse purchase prompt opens a mobile application associated with an impulse purchase location in response to approval of the notification by the customer.
• In some embodiments, the detection of the customer comprises an interaction with the mobile device, and the interaction comprises a user-initiated interaction with an information carrier present at an impulse purchase location. In some embodiments, the user-initiated interaction comprises scanning a QR code with the mobile device.
• In some embodiments, the at least one storage compartment includes a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, the first storage compartment having a first internal temperature that is lower than a second internal temperature of the second storage compartment, and the method further includes adjusting the first internal temperature and the second internal temperature in response to seasonal changes in impulse purchasing behavior of customers.
• In some embodiments, the impulse purchase prompt initiator is further configured to, in response to the impulse purchase request being transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt, automatically transmit a further impulse purchase prompt to the customer that is related to the product associated with the impulse purchase request.
• According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of prompting impulse purchases includes detecting a position of a customer, automatically transmitting an impulse purchase prompt to the customer, determining that the customer is stationary, fulfilling an impulse purchase request transmitted by the customer, and automatically opening at least one storage compartment of an automated locker. Specifically, the method includes detecting a position of a customer at an impulse purchase location via an impulse purchase prompt initiator including a processor, the impulse purchase location including a pickup location, the detection of the position of the customer executed via at least one of a Bluetooth connection, a geofence detection, a wireless connection, or a camera detection. The method further includes, in response to the position of the customer being located at a predetermined distance away from the pickup location and in advance of the customer arriving at the pickup location, automatically transmitting, via the impulse purchase prompt initiator, an impulse purchase prompt to the customer.
• The method further includes determining, via the impulse purchase prompt initiator, that the customer is stationary and only automatically transmitting the impulse purchase prompt in response to the customer being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before the customer completes an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location. The completion of the initial transaction includes the customer receiving all products associated with the initial transaction. The method further includes fulfilling, in near-real time, an impulse purchase request transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt via the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sending a signal to a communications module of an automated locker including at least one storage compartment, the communications module being communicatively coupled to the impulse purchase prompt initiator. The signal is indicative of the impulse purchase request transmitted in response to the impulse purchase prompt. The method further includes automatically opening the at least one storage compartment and dispensing a product associated with the impulse purchase request. The automatic sending of the signal to the communications module of the automated locker automatically causes the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense the product.
• Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the attached drawings wherein like numerals designate like structures throughout the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:
• FIG.1 depicts an exemplary grocery store pick-up operation;
• FIG.2A illustrates an exemplary grocery store pick-up operation with an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method incorporated therein;
• FIG.2B illustrates an exemplary store front pick-up parking environment suitable for an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method;
• FIG.2C illustrates an exemplary fuel pump island environment suitable for an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method;
• FIG.2D illustrates an exemplary drive-through window environment suitable for an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method;
• FIG.2E illustrates an exemplary drive-through window fulfillment system suitable for an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method;
• FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary semi-automated locker of the impulse purchase prompting system ofFIG.2;
• FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary fully-automated locker of an impulse purchase prompting system;
• FIGS.5 and6 further illustrate features and operation of the exemplary semi-automated locker of an impulse purchase prompting system;
• FIGS.7 and8 further illustrate features and operation of the exemplary fully-automated locker of an impulse purchase prompting system;
• FIG.9 is an illustration of an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system including location detection and exemplary mobile device prompts;
• FIG.10A illustrates operation of a customer mobile device and a mobile device of a fulfillment associate interfacing with an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method;
• FIG.10B illustrates another example of a mobile device interfacing with an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method, including a customer notification; and
• FIG.11 illustrates a network supporting and implementing an exemplary impulse purchase prompting system and method.
• In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized within the scope of the subject disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various implementations and is not intended to represent the only implementations in which the subject technology may be practiced. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described implementations may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
• Generally, the present disclosure details, with reference toFIGS.1-11, a system andmethod100 for prompting impulse purchases from consumers during a grocery store pick-up order and fulfillment of the prompted impulse purchase. InFIG.1, an exemplary online purchase pick-up102 is illustrated as a grocery store pick-up. For ease of description, the described system and method may refer to a grocery store pick-up; however, it is contemplated and one of skill will appreciate that the described system and method will be applicable to any type of retail, such as but not limited to fast food, fuel, clothing, hardware, convenience store sundries, pharmacies, restaurants, liquor, etc.
• Online ordering, often times through a mobile application, has become ubiquitous in the grocery, supermarket, and other retail environments. As shown inFIG.1, in example embodiments, when the online purchase pick-up102 is fulfilled a customer drives a personal vehicle to a pick-up or loading area104 (seeFIGS.2 and9). A fulfillment service provider, e.g., an employee, contractor, or fulfillment associate, loads a pre-determined pick-uporder106 into a personal vehicle of the user. Alternatively, it is contemplated that in all instances where a fulfillment service provider is described, such actions could be taken by the customer. In other words, in appropriate situations, the customer may self-fulfill their online purchase.
• As mentioned previously, impulse purchases are often profitable for both retailers and product manufacturers/suppliers. Furthermore, customers retrieving an online purchase, such as a grocery pick-up, may still be open to impulse purchases. However, even though an impulse purchase may still be appealing to a customer completing an online purchase pick-up, such a customer may still not desire to enter the retail establishment or wait for a period of time that exceeds the duration of the pick-up/loading activity. Also, to spur the consumer to act, it may be desirable to prompt the customer to make an impulse purchase by some trigger causing the impulse purchase reaction. Conventionally, checkout displays of candy, snacks, batteries, toys, gum, beverages, gift cards, stamps, and/or other immediately available products prompt impulse purchases from customers waiting in line or traversing the checkout area. Referring ahead toFIGS.10A and10B, in order to prompt impulse purchases from a customer conducting an online purchase pick-up, an exemplary embodiment of the system for promptingimpulse purchases100 incorporates user detection/identification and presents one or more impulse purchase triggers/prompts122 to amobile device108 of a user/customer (see alsoFIGS.10A and10B).
• Referring now toFIG.2A, a grocery store pick-up operation is shown with an exemplary impulsepurchase prompting system100 incorporated therein. Customers conducting an online purchase pick-up may not be willing to wait for a fulfillment associate to re-enter the proximal retail establishment to retrieve impulse purchase products, even if the customer would otherwise be open to an impulse purchase. Therefore, easy and quick availability of an impulse purchase is an important factor in improving the likelihood that an online purchase pick-up customer will complete an impulse purchase. Additionally, the timely retrieval of a product selected from an impulse purchase prompt may be important logistically for high-throughput pick-up operations and/or those retail establishments with limited space for conducting online purchase pick-up and/or loading, e.g., it is important that customers making an impulse purchase are not delayed such that a line forms or lengthens for the pick-up operation or in the surrounding areas.
• FIG.2B illustrates an exemplary store front pick-up parking impulse prompt location with the impulse purchase prompting system andmethod100 incorporated therein. In this example, a customer may enter one of a plurality ofparking spots130 designated for facilitating pick-up of products, food, and/or other goods. These designated pick-upspots130 may facilitate a customer picking-up goods from a pick-up window, kiosk, or another remote or contactless pick-up fulfillment solution. Alternatively, a fulfillment associate may provide pick-up service to the designated pick-upspots130.
• Referring now toFIG.2C, an exemplary fuel pump island impulse prompt location incorporates an example of the impulse purchase prompting system andmethod100. In this example, customers that intend to complete a transaction at afuel pump island132 may be presented with an impulse purchase prompt. A fulfillment associate may, upon receipt of an impulse purchase request134 (seeFIG.10A), deliver an impulse purchased item to the indicatedfuel pump island132. Alternatively, a customer may select to pick up the impulse purchase selection from a nearby locker, kiosk, or another suitable fulfillment solution.
• To initiate an impulse purchase prompt, one or more QR codes, or anothersuitable information carrier140, may be displayed on or near thefuel pump island132. For example, screens incorporated into fuel pumps may display the customizedQR codes140 and impulse purchase prompt messages to solicit customer interaction with theQR code140. Upon scanning of theQR code140, a customer may be presented with an impulse purchase prompt in the form of a notification on themobile device108 associated with the particular customer. Alternatively, geofencing, Bluetooth™ beacons, and/or another suitablecustomer detection feature138 may be used to identify entry of a customer vehicle within the space proximal thefuel pump island132. Once identified, an impulse purchase prompt122 (seeFIGS.9,10A, and10B) may be delivered to themobile device108 associated with the customer and/or to a computing resource within the vehicle such as an infotainment system. In examples, thecustomer detection feature138 may detect the presence of one or more customers by interacting with themobile device108 associated with each customer. For example, a communications protocol handshake between a wireless network, such as a retailer network, and themobile device108 may serve to identify the presence of a customer. Alternatively, GPS and/or location information, such as may be relevant for triggering a geofence, may be transmitted from a cellular network carrier, or the like, to a retailer network with or without establishing a network connection between a retailer network and themobile device108 of a customer.
• FIG.2D illustrates an exemplary drive-through window impulse prompt location suitable for incorporating the impulse purchase prompting system andmethod100. The drive-throughwindow136 may be configured such that one or more Bluetooth™ beacons or geofence boundaries are present a certain distance ahead of the drive-throughwindow136. Accordingly, an interaction with themobile device108 associated with a customer may be initiated before the customer reaches the drive-through window, e.g., while waiting in a vehicle queue. Before reaching the drive-throughwindow136, theimpulse purchase prompt122 may be transmitted for notification to a customer preferably while the example customer waits in line or at the drive-throughwindow136 for a reasonable period of time for the customer to submit theimpulse purchase request134. A fulfillment associate stationed inside the drive-through window may receive theimpulse purchase request134, as depicted inFIGS.2E and10A. The fulfillment associate, upon receipt of theimpulse purchase request134, may retrieve requested items from a fulfillment solution as configured inFIG.2E. Alternatively, lockers shown inFIGS.3-8 may be accessed by the fulfillment associate or the customer to complete theimpulse purchase request134.
• The impulsepurchase prompting system100 may include one or moresemi-automated lockers110a(seeFIG.3) and/or one or more fullyautomated lockers110b(seeFIG.4). The locker(s) may be at any suitable location and, in some instances, may be located near theloading area104. Thelockers110aand/or110bmay be stocked with a curated selection ofimpulse purchase products112 coordinated to match the one or more impulse purchase triggers122 presented to themobile device108 of the customers passing through or near theloading area104. Referring toFIG.3, thesemi-automated locker110acomprises three compartments, although more or fewer compartments are also contemplated as desired by a retail establishment and depending on space constraints of theloading area104. The three compartments comprise anambient compartment114, alight cooling compartment116, and a full-coolingbeverage compartment118. In the example ofFIGS.2 and3, thesemi-automated locker110ahas a non-consumer facing design and may be mounted outdoors, proximal theloading area104. Of course, it is contemplated that thesemi-automated locker110amay have a consumer facing design. In either instance, thesemi-automated lockers110aare disposed near enough to theloading area110athat the customer or a fulfillment associate assisting with loading and/or monitoring theloading area104, may quickly retrieve theimpulse purchase products112 in response to customer selection (or activation) of the one or more impulse purchase triggers122. In some instances, thesemi-automated lockers110aare located in a manner so that entry into the retail establishment is not required. The design of thesemi-automated lockers110amay provide security and environmental advantages while still facilitating near-real time fulfillment of impulse purchases (e.g., from instantaneous to about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or about 10 minutes).
• For additional convenience, it is contemplated that the customer will be presented with options and the ability to select one or more products other than those presented by the one or more impulse purchase triggers or prompts122. This can be accomplished in several ways, one of which is to present a menu screen142 (seeFIGS.10A and10B) of available products upon interaction by the customer with the one or more impulse purchase triggers122, as shown inFIG.10A. In any event, any manner of presenting the products available for impulse purchasing is contemplated. Still further, the impulse purchase triggers122 may be product specific (e.g., Pepsi™), product line specific (e.g., a cola), generic (e.g., “Anything for the ride home”), and/or customer targeted (e.g., “Your pick-up order contains an electric toothbrush, do you need batteries for that?”). The impulse purchase triggers122 may present any number of quick-purchase virtual buttons. Theimpulse purchase trigger122 may interface with one or more other payment-authorized applications (e.g., Google Wallet™, Apple Pay™, Walmart™ mobile application, or a number of other suitable examples) available on themobile device108 to facilitate quick authorization of payment for the impulse purchase without necessitating an additional transaction at the retail establishment (i.e., without requiring a card swipe or cash payment). Additionally, a payment solution may be integrated with a mobile interface presented to a fulfillment associate when responding to the impulse purchase request134 (see againFIG.10A). In contemplated examples, a fulfillment associate may be able to confirm payment, verify payment, request payment, and/or notify a customer of a price change. Alternatively, a fulfillment associate may be able to otherwise interact with a customer, such as to suggest an item substitution or notify the customer of delivery/pick-up details (e.g., a fulfillment associate may confirm thefuel pump island132 designated for delivery.
• Additionally, the impulse purchase triggers122 may be correlated with the available inventory in thelockers110a,110b, and/or the specific products presented in response to a customer-activated one of the impulse purchase triggers122 may be more directly correlated with the available inventory (i.e., low inventory of one cola may not prevent presentation of a cola or beverage related prompt, but it may mean that only available colas are presented in response to customer engagement with the prompt). This disclosure contemplates that engagement by a customer with a first of the impulse purchase triggers122 may be followed-up by presentation of another impulse purchase trigger. For example, if a customer activates an impulse purchase trigger for a package of Lays™ potato chips, then a follow-up impulse purchase trigger for a beverage may be desirable a short time after (or nearly simultaneously with) activation of the original impulse purchase trigger. In other examples, the impulse purchase triggers122 may be associated with other data collectible from themobile device108, the impulse purchase location, and/or relevant source. The impulse purchase triggers or prompts122 may be initiated or customized as a result of weather information, current temperature, news information, date, time of day, a customer's present order or shopping list, and/or other suitable sources of information. For example, theimpulse purchase trigger122 may prompt a customer to purchase a sports drink when weather information indicates high temperatures. Further, theimpulse purchase trigger122 may suggest a coffee and/or breakfast impulse purchase when, for example, themobile device108 of a customer interacts with a geofence around one of thefuel pump islands132 between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M.
• In an example embodiment utilizing the semi-automated locker(s)110a, selection of one or more products or the activation of one of the impulse purchase triggers122 sends a signal to acommunication module120 of the semi-automated locker(s)110a. Thecommunication module120 may comprise a network connection, an RF receiver/transmitter, and/or other suitable communications equipment capable of receiving a message from a user mobile device and/or a mobile or other communications network (e.g., a Bluetooth connection, 4G or 5G network, Wi-Fi). When a signal is received by the semi-automated locker(s)110a, thelocker110amay open the appropriate one of the threecompartments114,116,118, in anticipation of the customer or a fulfillment associate arriving to retrieve the selected orimpulse purchase products112. Only the correct/necessary compartments114,116,118 open to provide access for the customer or the fulfillment associate when an impulse purchase is being fulfilled.
• Referring ahead toFIGS.5 and6, further features and operation of thesemi-automated lockers110aare illustrated. In some embodiments, thesemi-automated lockers110ainclude a two-column locker with internal shelving. Additionally, the light-cooling compartment116 may include a refrigerator that chills temperature sensitive products. Further, the full-cooling compartment118 may comprise a commercial beverage cooler with a retrofit blind locking door. As shown inFIG.6, the internal storage of thesemi-automated lockers110amay be loaded according to a similar process to the stocking process in current front-end vending locations. One or more alerts may be created to handle out of stock and low stock occurrences and to coordinate same with both re-stocking and curation of the impulse purchase triggers122 on offer to customers at a given time or in the future (e.g., an impulse purchase trigger for Diet Pepsi™ may not be presented to a customer if Diet Pepsi™ is not stocked or has not yet been cooled to a temperature acceptable for individual sale).
• Referring now toFIG.4, an example is shown of the fully-automatedlockers110bfor use as part of the impulsepurchase prompting system100. The fully-automatedlockers110bprovide full automation of the threecompartments114,116,118 in a networked vending machine format. As with thesemi-automated lockers110a, the fully-automatedlockers110bmay be constructed for mounting outdoors proximal aloading area104. The fully-automatedlockers110bmay operate in response to receipt of a message indicating that a customer has selected one or more products other than a product presented by theimpulse purchase trigger122. or has activated or selected one of theimpulse purchase products112 in response to the one or more impulse purchase triggers122. The fully-automatedlockers110bdispense the selected one of theimpulse purchase products112 in anticipation of the customer or a fulfillment associate retrieving the product.
• FIGS.7 and8 further illustrate features and operation of an example of the fully-automatedlockers110b. In some example embodiments, the fully-automatedlockers110bmay leverage existing vending machine technology with a secure outer compartment. In a system utilizing the fully-automatedlockers110b, fulfillment may be more quickly and accurately completed because the customer or a fulfillment associate will not be required to find the impulse purchased product because it will have been dispensed automatically from a compartment indicated by an indicator light for easy identification by the customer or the fulfillment associate. The fully-automatedlockers110bmay also utilize a single point of interaction (e.g., one dispensing location, one bar code scanning location, etc.) to further simplify interaction with the system for the customer or fulfillment associates. Additionally, the fully-automatedlockers110bmay improve inventory control by tying each instance of product dispensing to individual customers or fulfillment associates. The embodiment ofFIG.8 may further facilitate flexing of storage areas between the climate-controlledcompartments116,118 by increasing the refrigerated-to-chilled ratio (e.g., in response to seasonal changes in impulse purchasing behavior).
• The example embodiment ofFIG.9 includes location detection and exemplary mobile device prompts of the system for promptingimpulse purchases100. In this example, geofencing, Bluetooth™ beacons, and/or other suitable location or customer detection equipment may be used to detect when a customer is a suitable target for transmission of one of the impulse purchase prompts or triggers122. For example, after a customer arrives, but before a predetermined purchase is loaded into a vehicle of the customer, the customer is likely to be seated in their vehicle using a mobile device to check-in/confirm arrival so that loading of the predetermined online order may commence. During this period of mobile device engagement, a playful example of the mobile deviceimpulse purchase prompt122 may be delivered to the customer's mobile device. In example embodiments, the mobile device may be a tablet, mobile telephone, on- or in-dash mounted vehicle entertainment system, after-market device for use in a vehicle (such as an Amazon Alexa™ device or Garmin™ navigation device), and/or another suitable device capable of receiving theimpulse purchase prompt122. The impulse purchase prompts122, as shown inFIG.9, may be playful so as to increase the likelihood of customer engagement and completion of an impulse purchase transaction. Similarly, theimpulse purchase prompt122 may be transmitted to themobile device108 of a customer during other periods of mobile device engagement dependent upon a specific impulse purchase location. For example, customers often engage with a mobile device while waiting at the fuel pump island(s)132 shown inFIG.2C or while waiting in the storefront parking spaces130 illustrated inFIG.2B. As a further example, customers often engage with a mobile device during waiting periods at a drive-throughwindow136, such as when waiting for fulfillment of a prescription or preparation of food. Geofences, Bluetooth™ beacons, and/or other suitable customer location detection hardware may be situated to detect when a customer arrives on the premises of the impulse purchase location and/or when a customer enters a period of likely engagement with an associated mobile device. For example, a Bluetooth™ beacon may be placed in bollards along a route of the drive-throughwindow136, that may demarcate the pick-upparking spaces130, or that form the structure of thefuel pump islands132. One customized one of theQR codes140 may similarly be posted along such routes to further attract customer attention and cue transmission of the impulse purchase prompt(s)122. In still other examples, theimpulse purchase prompt122 may prompt a customer to scan theQR code140 and direct the customer to a location whereat theQR code140 may be plainly visible and that also is suitable for a waiting period during which a customer may engage with themobile device108.
• After a customer makes a product selection or activates or selects one of the impulse purchase prompts122, a fulfillment associate may receive on another mobile device theimpulse purchase request134. Theimpulse purchase request134 is a notification that a particular customer has requested to complete an impulse purchase.FIG.10A illustrates operation of amobile device109 interfacing with the system for promptingimpulse purchases100 as utilized by a fulfillment associate. In this example, themobile device109 of a fulfillment associate receives a QR code, bar code, another suitable scannable code, or another suitable electronically transmissible key for accessing a particular compartment of the one ormore lockers110aor authorizing dispensing from thelockers110b. Also, in examples of the system for promptingimpulse purchases100, theimpulse purchase request134 may provide one or more direction to a fulfillment associate, such as location of a product, delivery information, pick-up information, customer preferences, payment information, and/or timing information for the request. In example embodiments, the system for promptingimpulse purchases100 may be linked to retailer grocery picker applications (e.g., PeaPod, InstaCart, Whole Foods, Amazon, Albertson, Giant, etc.). Similarly, the impulse purchase prompts122 may be delivered through already existing mobile applications for online grocery shopping and pick-up. In other examples, themobile device109 of a fulfillment associate may provide for further interaction with a customer, such as selection and transmission of additional instances of the impulse purchase prompts122, dependent upon inventory, wait time, and/or other information readily available to a fulfillment associate. For instance, a fulfillment associate may observe that a certain variety of impulse purchase product has very recently sold out and suggest a similar variety as a replacement without requiring that a customer navigate further into a mobile ordering application. Referring toFIG.10B, an example notification format of theimpulse purchase prompt122 is delivered to themobile device108 of a customer and requests a customer interaction.
• FIG.11 illustrates a network supporting and implementing an example implementation of the impulse purchase prompting system andmethod100. The one ormore lockers110a,110bmay include one or more ethernet ports or Wi-Fi modules for communication with both a customer and a fulfillment associate. API integration may enable transmission of vend commands to thelockers110a,110b. Further, inventory may be tracked by VMS (Vending Management System). Both the API and VMS may provide feedback into a grocery picker or retail mobile application. The network may be implemented and controlled by a retailer. Additionally, the mobile device of a customer and the mobile device of a fulfillment associate may both connect directly to the retailer network or via another connection method. For example, the customer mobile device and the fulfillment associate mobile device may both connect to a cellular network that communicates with a retailer network. Also, in examples, the customer mobile device and the fulfillment associate mobile device may connect with one or more remote servers, instead of or in addition to, connecting to the retailer network. The one or more remote servers may be cloud servers.
• The embodiment(s) described above may be combined in full or in part, with any alternative embodiment(s) described.
Exemplary System Architecture
• Architecturally, the representative technology may be deployed at retail locations where grocery and/or other product pick-up is undertaken. Embodiments of the disclosed system andmethod100 are described with reference toFIGS.1-11. In certain aspects, the system and/ormethod100 may be implemented using hardware or a combination of software and hardware, either by dedicated devices and networks or integrated into other computing resource(s) or distributed across a plurality of computer resources. Computing device(s) and networks implementing the system and/ormethod100 may be, for example, desktop computers, mobile computers, dashboard mounted computers, other in-vehicle computers, voice-controlled or voice activated devices, tablet computers (e.g., including e-book readers), mobile devices (e.g., a smartphone or personal digital assistant), set top boxes (e.g., for a television), video game consoles, smart watches, or any other devices having appropriate processor, memory, and communications capabilities for gathering, storing, processing, and transmitting the data associated with the system andmethod100.
• The disclosed systems and methods can be implemented with a computer system, using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination of both, either in a dedicated server, a cloud server-based platform, or integrated into another entity, or distributed across multiple entities. An exemplary computer system includes a bus or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor coupled with the bus for processing information. The processor may be locally or remotely coupled with the bus. By way of example, the computer system may be implemented with one or more processors. The processor may be a general-purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a controller, a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable entity that can perform calculations or other manipulations of information. The computer system also includes a memory, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or any other suitable storage device, coupled to bus for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor.
• According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the disclosed system can be implemented using a computer system in response to a processor executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in memory. Such instructions may be read into memory from another machine-readable medium, such as data storage device. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory causes the processor to perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in memory. In alternative implementations, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement various implementations of the present disclosure. Thus, implementations of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. According to one aspect of the disclosure, the disclosed system can be implemented using one or many remote elements in a computer system (e.g., cloud computing), such as a processor that is remote from other elements of the exemplary computer system described above.
• The invention extends to methods, systems, kits of parts and apparatus substantially as described herein and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.
• The invention extends to any novel aspects or features described and/or illustrated herein. In addition, apparatus aspects may be applied to method aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.
• It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.
• A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” The term “some” refers to one or more. Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject technology, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.
• Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode presently known carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A system of fulfilling on-site purchases, comprising:

a mobile device;

an impulse purchase location including a pickup location;

an impulse purchase prompt initiator including a processor and configured to detect a position of the mobile device so as to detect the mobile device being located at the pickup location, the detection of the position of the mobile device executed via at least one of a Bluetooth connection, a geofence detection, a wireless connection, or a camera detection located at the impulse purchase location;

an impulse purchase prompt, wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the impulse purchase prompt to the mobile device in response to interaction between the mobile device and the impulse purchase prompt initiator while the mobile device is proximal to the impulse purchase location and in response to the mobile device being located at a predetermined distance from the pickup location of the impulse purchase location and in advance of the mobile device arriving at the pickup location; and

a fulfillment configuration that fulfills an impulse purchase in response to a customer response to the impulse purchase prompt including an impulse purchase request and comprises an automated locker including at least one storage compartment and a communications module communicatively coupled to the impulse purchase prompt initiator,

wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator

automatically sends a signal to the communications module of the automated locker indicative of the an impulse purchase request transmitted in response to the impulse purchase prompt so as to automatically cause the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense a product associated with the impulse purchase request, and

is configured to determine that the mobile device is stationary and to only automatically transmit the impulse purchase prompt in response to the mobile device being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before the customer completes an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location, wherein the completion of the initial transaction includes the customer receiving all products associated with the initial transaction.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the impulse purchase prompt presents at least one impulse purchase product based on the fulfillment configuration available, and wherein the impulse purchase prompt comprises a notification on the mobile device.

3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the impulse purchase request activates the fulfillment configuration for simultaneous fulfillment with the initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location.

4. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the signal automatically causes the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense a product associated with the impulse purchase request prior to arrival of the customer or a fulfilment associate at the automated locker.

5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the impulse purchase prompt opens a mobile application associated with an impulse purchase location in response to approval of the notification by the customer.

6. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the detection of the customer comprises an interaction with the mobile device that comprises a customer-initiated interaction with an information carrier present at an impulse purchase location.

7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the customer-initiated interaction comprises scanning a QR code with the mobile device.

8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one storage compartment includes a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, the first storage compartment having a first internal temperature that is lower than a second internal temperature of the second storage compartment, and wherein the system further includes adjusting the first internal temperature and the second internal temperature in response to seasonal changes in impulse purchasing behavior of customers.

9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one storage compartment includes a single location of interaction which includes a dispensing location at which a product associated with the impulse purchase request is dispensed and a QR code scanning location.

10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator is further configured to, in response to the impulse purchase request being transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt, automatically transmit a further impulse purchase prompt to the customer that is related to the product associated with the impulse purchase request.

11. A system of fulfilling on-site purchases, comprising:

an impulse purchase location including a pickup location;

an impulse purchase prompt initiator including a processor and configured to detect a position of a mobile device so as to detect the mobile device being located at the pickup location;

an impulse purchase prompt, wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the impulse purchase prompt to the mobile device in response to interaction between the mobile device and the impulse purchase prompt initiator while the mobile device is proximal to the impulse purchase location and in response to the mobile device being located at a predetermined distance from the pickup location of the impulse purchase location; and

a fulfillment configuration that fulfills an impulse purchase in response to a customer response to the impulse purchase prompt including an impulse purchase request,

wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator is configured to determine that the mobile device is stationary and to only automatically transmit the impulse purchase prompt in response to the mobile device being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the mobile device into the impulse purchase location is completed, wherein the completion of the initial transaction includes a customer associated with the mobile device receiving all products associated with the initial transaction.

12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically transmits the impulse purchase prompt to the mobile device in advance of the mobile device arriving at the pickup location.

13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the fulfillment configuration comprises an automated locker including at least one storage compartment, wherein the automated locker includes a communications module communicatively coupled to the impulse purchase prompt initiator, and wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sends a signal to the communications module of the automated locker indicative of the an impulse purchase request transmitted in response to the impulse purchase prompt so as to automatically cause the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense a product associated with the impulse purchase request prior to arrival of the customer or a fulfilment associate at the automated locker.

14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the impulse purchase request activates the fulfillment configuration for simultaneous fulfillment with an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location.

15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the impulse purchase prompt comprises a notification on the mobile device, and wherein the impulse purchase prompt opens a mobile application associated with an impulse purchase location in response to approval of the notification by the customer.

16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the detection of the customer comprises an interaction with the mobile device, and wherein the interaction comprises a user-initiated interaction with an information carrier present at an impulse purchase location.

17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the user-initiated interaction comprises scanning a QR code with the mobile device.

18. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one storage compartment includes a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, the first storage compartment having a first internal temperature that is lower than a second internal temperature of the second storage compartment, and wherein the method further includes adjusting the first internal temperature and the second internal temperature in response to seasonal changes in impulse purchasing behavior of customers.

19. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the impulse purchase prompt initiator is further configured to, in response to the impulse purchase request being transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt, automatically transmit a further impulse purchase prompt to the customer that is related to the product associated with the impulse purchase request.

20. A method of prompting impulse purchases, comprising:

detecting a position of a customer at an impulse purchase location via an impulse purchase prompt initiator including a processor, the impulse purchase location including a pickup location, the detection of the position of the customer executed via at least one of a Bluetooth connection, a geofence detection, a wireless connection, or a camera detection;

in response to the position of the customer being located at a predetermined distance away from the pickup location and in advance of the customer arriving at the pickup location, automatically transmitting, via the impulse purchase prompt initiator, an impulse purchase prompt to the customer;

determining, via the impulse purchase prompt initiator, that the customer is stationary and only automatically transmitting the impulse purchase prompt in response to the customer being stationary for a predetermined period of time and before the customer completes an initial transaction that resulted in entry of the customer into the impulse purchase location, wherein the completion of the initial transaction includes the customer receiving all products associated with the initial transaction;

fulfilling, in near-real time, an impulse purchase request transmitted by the customer in response to the impulse purchase prompt via the impulse purchase prompt initiator automatically sending a signal to a communications module of an automated locker including at least one storage compartment, the communications module being communicatively coupled to the impulse purchase prompt initiator, wherein the signal is indicative of the impulse purchase request transmitted in response to the impulse purchase prompt; and

automatically opening the at least one storage compartment and dispensing a product associated with the impulse purchase request, wherein the automatic sending of the signal to the communications module of the automated locker automatically causes the at least one storage compartment to open and dispense the product.

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