WO2006056776A1 - A retailing installation and method of operating it - Google Patents

A retailing installation and method of operating it Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006056776A1
WO2006056776A1 PCT/GB2005/004506 GB2005004506W WO2006056776A1 WO 2006056776 A1 WO2006056776 A1 WO 2006056776A1 GB 2005004506 W GB2005004506 W GB 2005004506W WO 2006056776 A1 WO2006056776 A1 WO 2006056776A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
installation
retailing
customer
information
window
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2005/004506
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles Gerald Stockley
Original Assignee
Marketing Innovation Group Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marketing Innovation Group Limited filed Critical Marketing Innovation Group Limited
Publication of WO2006056776A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006056776A1/en
Priority to GB0709862A priority Critical patent/GB2434906B/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G06Q30/0603—Catalogue ordering

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a retailing installation and method of operating it.
  • goods are displayed for purchase.
  • An object of the present invention is to incorporate advantageous characteristics of both of these systems.
  • a retailing installation comprising display means for displaying information to a customer, sensing means for sensing the presence of a customer, input means for receiving a signal from a customer, storage means for storing information to be displayed and processor means for retrieving information from said storage means and transmitting to the display means in response to a customer input on said input means.
  • the display means comprises a window or screen on which images or other information may be displayed and a projector for projecting the images or the information onto the window or screen.
  • the processor means preferably comprises a microprocessor or microcomputer.
  • the input means preferably comprises a touch sensitive screen.
  • the touch sensitive screen may advantageously be capacitive.
  • the storage means advantageously comprise an electronic memory store and the sensing means advantageously comprise a proximity sensor. All of the above form part of an electronic circuit operative to respond to inputs from a customer via the touch sensitive screen.
  • a method of operating a retailing installation comprising an electronic circuit having input means, including the steps of activating the installation to present information to a customer on display means, and inputting a signal to the input means to enable information about a selected item to be displayed.
  • a decision may be taken to purchase that item or not.
  • a payment routine may then be entered into prior to delivery of a purchased item.
  • Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a front elevational view of a retailing installation according to the invention
  • Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of the retailing installation of Figure 1 and
  • Figure 3 shows a flowchart relating to a typical event carried out on the installation of Figures 1 and 2.
  • the installation comprises display means in the form of a display window 1 .
  • This window comprises a touch sensitive area 2.
  • the touch sensitivity is preferably capacitive although other forms of touch sensitivity may be used.
  • the touch sensitive area is connected with an electrical circuit which comprises a microprocessor 3, an information store 4, a projector 5 and a proximity sensor 6.
  • the proximity sensor 6 In operation, the presence of a customer, indicated diagrammatically at 7, is detected by the proximity sensor 6. This generates a signal which is fed to the microprocessor to activate the installation and to display information which may include both text and images on the window 1 . Text and images are selected from store and fed to the projector which operates to project this information onto the window under the control of the microprocessor 3.
  • the microprocessor 3 in turn responds to signals input to it from the touch sensitive area by the customer, usually in accordance with a predetermined program.
  • a customer arrives at the display window 1 his presence is sensed by the proximity sensor 6 and a signal fed from the sensor to the processor 3 as already explained.
  • a screen saver or other program may be running on the installation and displayed on the screen.
  • the installation displays a greeting and customer instructions on the window 1. This is step 32 on the flowchart.
  • the customer touches the appropriate area to select a particular page of an electrically displayed brochure (step 33).
  • the selected page is turned to under the control of the processor, the selected page being retrieved from store and projected onto the screen (step 34).
  • the customer may then select an item on the page to obtain more information and/or have a magnified version of the item projected onto the window again under the control of the processor, the additional matter again being retrieved from store (Steps 35, 36 and 37). Alternatively, the customer may return to the home screen along feedback path 38. The customer may then decide to purchase the selected item or not (step 39). If the decision is made not to purchase, the customer is returned to the page along feedback path 40. He may select an alternative item from that page or return to the initial screen (Step 33) along feedback path 38. If a decision is made to purchase, the customer enters a payment routine (Step 41 ), again under the control of the processor 2, involving the input of credit or debit card details (Step 42).
  • Step 43 the purchase phase is complete (Step 43) and the purchased item is then selected from store for delivery.
  • the retailing system enables the data capture of the customer, either as a purchaser or an enquirer and allows for the subsequent capture of data protection and privacy permissions allowing subsequent confirmation or provision of product details by e-mail and SMS text to mobile phones automatically from the data entry at the store window.

Abstract

A retailing installation comprises a display window (1) having a touch sensitive area (2) connected to an electrical circuit which comprises a microprocessor (3), information store (4), projector (5) and proximity sensor (6). The presence of a customer at the window (1) is sensed by sensor (6) which results in a signal being fed to processor (3). The installation presents the customer with selectable options enabling articles for sale to be selected, examined, purchased and delivered. In a modification information could be retrieved by the customer from remote storage means linked to the internet.

Description

A RETAILING INSTALLATION AND METHOD OF OPERATING IT
The present invention relates to a retailing installation and method of operating it. In a normal retailing installation goods are displayed for purchase.
When a customer wishes to purchase a selected item, the item is usually taken to a till point for payment. Following payment the customer then usually departs with the purchased item.
In mail order retailing, items are selected from a brochure and payment made usually by credit or debit card prior to dispatch to the customer. An object of the present invention is to incorporate advantageous characteristics of both of these systems.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a retailing installation comprising display means for displaying information to a customer, sensing means for sensing the presence of a customer, input means for receiving a signal from a customer, storage means for storing information to be displayed and processor means for retrieving information from said storage means and transmitting to the display means in response to a customer input on said input means. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display means comprises a window or screen on which images or other information may be displayed and a projector for projecting the images or the information onto the window or screen. The processor means preferably comprises a microprocessor or microcomputer. The input means preferably comprises a touch sensitive screen. The touch sensitive screen may advantageously be capacitive. The storage means advantageously comprise an electronic memory store and the sensing means advantageously comprise a proximity sensor. All of the above form part of an electronic circuit operative to respond to inputs from a customer via the touch sensitive screen.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a retailing installation comprising an electronic circuit having input means, including the steps of activating the installation to present information to a customer on display means, and inputting a signal to the input means to enable information about a selected item to be displayed. Once information about a selected item has been displayed, a decision may be taken to purchase that item or not. Following a purchase decision, a payment routine may then be entered into prior to delivery of a purchased item.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a front elevational view of a retailing installation according to the invention; Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of the retailing installation of Figure 1 and
Figure 3 shows a flowchart relating to a typical event carried out on the installation of Figures 1 and 2.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, which diagrammatically show a retailing installation according to the invention, the installation comprises display means in the form of a display window 1 . This window comprises a touch sensitive area 2. Alternatively the whole of the window may be touch sensitive. The touch sensitivity is preferably capacitive although other forms of touch sensitivity may be used. The touch sensitive area is connected with an electrical circuit which comprises a microprocessor 3, an information store 4, a projector 5 and a proximity sensor 6.
In operation, the presence of a customer, indicated diagrammatically at 7, is detected by the proximity sensor 6. This generates a signal which is fed to the microprocessor to activate the installation and to display information which may include both text and images on the window 1 . Text and images are selected from store and fed to the projector which operates to project this information onto the window under the control of the microprocessor 3. The microprocessor 3 in turn responds to signals input to it from the touch sensitive area by the customer, usually in accordance with a predetermined program.
The actual chain of events in the operation of the retailing installation can vary considerably but one exemplary chain of events will now be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 3.
When a customer arrives at the display window 1 his presence is sensed by the proximity sensor 6 and a signal fed from the sensor to the processor 3 as already explained. Prior to the approach and detection of the customer, a screen saver or other program may be running on the installation and displayed on the screen. On detection of the customer the installation displays a greeting and customer instructions on the window 1. This is step 32 on the flowchart. In response to the instructions displayed, the customer touches the appropriate area to select a particular page of an electrically displayed brochure (step 33). The selected page is turned to under the control of the processor, the selected page being retrieved from store and projected onto the screen (step 34). The customer may then select an item on the page to obtain more information and/or have a magnified version of the item projected onto the window again under the control of the processor, the additional matter again being retrieved from store (Steps 35, 36 and 37). Alternatively, the customer may return to the home screen along feedback path 38. The customer may then decide to purchase the selected item or not (step 39). If the decision is made not to purchase, the customer is returned to the page along feedback path 40. He may select an alternative item from that page or return to the initial screen (Step 33) along feedback path 38. If a decision is made to purchase, the customer enters a payment routine (Step 41 ), again under the control of the processor 2, involving the input of credit or debit card details (Step 42). Once these details are checked and the purchase price deducted, the purchase phase is complete (Step 43) and the purchased item is then selected from store for delivery. The retailing system enables the data capture of the customer, either as a purchaser or an enquirer and allows for the subsequent capture of data protection and privacy permissions allowing subsequent confirmation or provision of product details by e-mail and SMS text to mobile phones automatically from the data entry at the store window. It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although customer accessible information is stored in storage means physically closely associated with the remainder of the installation, information could be retrieved by the customer from remote storage means linked by the internet for example.

Claims

1 . A retailing installation comprising display means (1 ) for displaying information to a customer, sensing means for sensing the presence of a customer, input means
(2) for receiving a signal from a customer, storage means (4) for storing information to be displayed and processor means (3) for retrieving information from said storage means and transmitting to the display means in response to a customer input on said input means.
2. A retailing installation as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the display means ( 1 ) comprises a window or screen ( 1 ) on which images or other information may be displayed.
3. A retailing installation as claimed in Claim 2, in which the display means ( 1 ) comprises a projector (5) for projecting the images or other information onto the window or screen ( 1 ).
4. A retailing installation as claimed in Claim 1 , 2 or 3, in which the processor means comprises a microprocessor or microcomputer (3).
5. A retailing installation as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the input means comprises a touch sensitive screen (2).
6. A retailing installation as claimed in Claim 5, in which the touch sensitive screen is capacitive.
7. A retailing installation as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the storage means comprise an electronic memory store (4).
8. A retailing installation as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sensing means comprises a proximity sensor (6).
9. A retailing installation comprising an electronic circuit having input means (2), including the steps of activating the installation to present information to a customer (7) on display means ( 1 ), and inputting a signal to the input means to enable information about a selected item to be displayed.
1 0. A method of operating a retailing installation, in which a selected item is subsequently chosen for purchase.
1 1 . A method of operating a retailing installation as claimed in Claim 10, in which a payment routine is entered into in respect to a chosen item.
1 2. A method of operating a retailing installation as claimed in any of Claims 9, 1 0 and 1 1 , in which information is retrieved by the customer from remote storage means.
PCT/GB2005/004506 2004-11-24 2005-11-23 A retailing installation and method of operating it WO2006056776A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0709862A GB2434906B (en) 2004-11-24 2007-05-23 A retailing installation and method of operating it

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0425811.7 2004-11-24
GB0425811A GB0425811D0 (en) 2004-11-24 2004-11-24 A retailing installation and method of operating it

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006056776A1 true WO2006056776A1 (en) 2006-06-01

Family

ID=33561270

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2005/004506 WO2006056776A1 (en) 2004-11-24 2005-11-23 A retailing installation and method of operating it

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0425811D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2006056776A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008012716A3 (en) * 2006-07-28 2008-04-24 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Private screens self distributing along the shop window
GB2469653A (en) * 2009-04-21 2010-10-27 Wing Chung Peter Lau Interactive Window Display, e.g. for shop window
AT12920U1 (en) * 2010-11-12 2013-02-15 Haber & Koenig Electronics Gmbh Switching and display device
EP2706498A1 (en) 2012-09-07 2014-03-12 TBWA/Helsinki Oy A mechanism for distributing browsing results from a public electronic retailing system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4760490A (en) * 1984-10-17 1988-07-26 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Proximity switch device
EP0622721A1 (en) * 1993-04-30 1994-11-02 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Power interrupt devices
US6380853B1 (en) * 1998-02-23 2002-04-30 Marconi Commerce Systems Inc. Customer-sensitive dispenser using proximity sensing devices
US6536658B1 (en) * 1999-12-28 2003-03-25 Ncr Corporation Method and apparatus for operating a retail terminal having a proximity detector that is operable to ascertain movement and distance of a consumer relative to the retail terminal

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4760490A (en) * 1984-10-17 1988-07-26 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Proximity switch device
EP0622721A1 (en) * 1993-04-30 1994-11-02 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Power interrupt devices
US6380853B1 (en) * 1998-02-23 2002-04-30 Marconi Commerce Systems Inc. Customer-sensitive dispenser using proximity sensing devices
US6536658B1 (en) * 1999-12-28 2003-03-25 Ncr Corporation Method and apparatus for operating a retail terminal having a proximity detector that is operable to ascertain movement and distance of a consumer relative to the retail terminal

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008012716A3 (en) * 2006-07-28 2008-04-24 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Private screens self distributing along the shop window
CN101496086B (en) * 2006-07-28 2013-11-13 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Private screens self distributing along the shop window
US8599133B2 (en) 2006-07-28 2013-12-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Private screens self distributing along the shop window
GB2469653A (en) * 2009-04-21 2010-10-27 Wing Chung Peter Lau Interactive Window Display, e.g. for shop window
AT12920U1 (en) * 2010-11-12 2013-02-15 Haber & Koenig Electronics Gmbh Switching and display device
EP2706498A1 (en) 2012-09-07 2014-03-12 TBWA/Helsinki Oy A mechanism for distributing browsing results from a public electronic retailing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2434906A (en) 2007-08-08
GB2434906B (en) 2008-08-20
GB0425811D0 (en) 2004-12-29
GB0709862D0 (en) 2007-07-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7971787B2 (en) Commodity-vending system and weight-scale apparatus
US8032667B2 (en) Commodity sales data processor system having camera for picking up user image and USB storage device connector for storing date and time of user transactions
US8689124B2 (en) Method, medium, and system for simplifying user management of products during online shopping
US20120268398A1 (en) Display input apparatus
EP2276003A1 (en) Franchise add-on system, user operating terminal therefor, in-store stock rack, supplement stock rack, and computer program
KR101528394B1 (en) Server device that provides e-commerce site, product inf display method, e-commerce system, terminal device, and recording medium having product information display program recorded thereon
WO2014020948A1 (en) Information processing device, and transaction-detail modification method
WO2014083889A1 (en) Notification control system, notification control device, notification control method, and program
KR101724999B1 (en) Virtual shopping system comprising virtual shopping terminal and virtual shopping server
US20140039998A1 (en) On demand kiosk commerce system and method
US20230043615A1 (en) Self-checkout system and self-checkout method
US8044803B2 (en) Article sales data processing apparatus
US20060235750A1 (en) Point-of-sales terminal
CN113034226A (en) Live broadcast data processing method and device, electronic equipment, medium and product
WO2006056776A1 (en) A retailing installation and method of operating it
KR20100007268A (en) Vending machine and control method of the same
KR20180077828A (en) Vending machine equipped with location service function and information service system using the same
KR101495030B1 (en) Apparatus and system for ordering product using auto response service and method there of
JP6215183B2 (en) Merchandise sales data processing apparatus and control program thereof
US20050033665A1 (en) Method, apparatus, and program for detecting item mismatch at the point of sale
US20210365915A1 (en) Self-serve product dispenser system with associated dynamically modifiable tiered menu
CN115516486A (en) Information providing method
CN111539785A (en) Article intelligent transaction device and method
JP4025771B2 (en) Product sales data processing device
KR20180078643A (en) Vending machine product sales system of linking online and offline

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KM KN KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV LY MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 0709862

Country of ref document: GB

Kind code of ref document: A

Free format text: PCT FILING DATE = 20051123

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 0709862.7

Country of ref document: GB

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 05814096

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 05814096

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 5814096

Country of ref document: EP