US-12620011-B1 - Systems and methods for improving a shopping experience within a retail store

US12620011B1US 12620011 B1US12620011 B1US 12620011B1US-12620011-B1

Abstract

Embodiments are provided for enhancing an in-store retail experience for a customer by facilitating search queries for products and services available for sale in a retail store. According to certain aspects, an electronic device may receive a search string associated with the retail store and transmit the search string to a server that may execute a corresponding search query. The server may send results from the search query to the electronic device, which may dynamically update an interface accessible by a user. The user may view the information and make appropriate selections.

Inventors

Joseph M. Rago
Nicholas L. Eby

Assignees

WALGREEN CO.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20250106

Claims (20)

1 . A computer-implemented method in an electronic device of managing a shopping experience within a retail store having a plurality of products available for sale, the retail store configured with a plurality of hardware transmitters respectively disposed at a plurality of sections within the retail store, the method comprising: connecting, by a processor, to a hardware transmitter, of the plurality of hardware transmitters, disposed at a section, of the plurality of sections, within the retail store; based on connecting to the hardware transmitter disposed at the section, automatically determining, by the processor, a subset of the plurality of products located in the section at which the hardware transmitter is disposed; dynamically generating a search term based on information indicating which of the subset of the plurality of products are the most popular products located in the section; facilitating a search query using the search term to identify (i) a product, of the subset of the plurality of products, available for sale within the retail store, and (ii) a coupon associated with the product; displaying, in an interface associated with the electronic device, (i) an indication of the product, and (ii) the coupon associated with the product; receiving, via the interface associated with the electronic device, a selection of the coupon; and in response to receiving the selection of the coupon: displaying, in the interface, a confirmation that the coupon was selected.
2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying a location of the electronic device; sending, to a server, the location of the electronic device; and receiving, from the server, an indication of the retail store based on the location of the electronic device.
3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: displaying, in the interface, an indication of the retail store.
4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein facilitating the search query using the search term comprises: sending the search term to a server to execute the search query according to the search term; and receiving, from the server, the indication of the product.
5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , further comprising: receiving, from the server, an indication of an additional product and additional information associated with an availability of the additional product within the retail store; and dynamically updating the interface to reflect the additional product and at least a portion of the additional information associated with the availability of the additional product within the retail store.
6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining, based at least in part on a location of the electronic device, an additional retail store that has the product available; and displaying, in the interface, an indication of the additional retail store.
7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the coupon is specific to the retail store.
8 . An electronic device comprising: a transceiver configured to connect to a server associated with a retail store having a plurality of products available for sale, the retail store configured with a plurality of hardware transmitters respectively disposed at a plurality of sections within the retail store; a user interface configured to display content; a memory storing computer-executable instructions; and a processor interfacing with the transceiver, the user interface, and the memory, and configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to: connect to a hardware transmitter, of the plurality of hardware transmitters, disposed at a section, of the plurality of sections, within the retail store, based on connecting to the hardware transmitter disposed at the section, automatically determine a subset of the plurality of products located in the section at which the hardware transmitter is disposed, dynamically generate a search term based on information indicating which of the subset of the plurality of products are the most popular products located in the section; facilitate, via the transceiver, a search query using the search term to identify (i) a product, of the subset of the plurality of products, available for sale within the retail store, and (ii) a coupon associated with the product, cause the user interface to display (i) an indication of the product, and (ii) the coupon associated with the product, receive, via the user interface, a selection of the coupon, and in response to receiving the selection of the coupon, cause the user interface to display a confirmation that the coupon was selected.
9 . The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to further cause the processor to: identify a location of the electronic device, send, to the server via the transceiver, the location of the electronic device, and receive, from the server via the transceiver, an indication of the retail store based on the location of the electronic device.
10 . The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to further cause the processor to: cause the user interface to display an indication of the retail store.
11 . The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein to facilitate the search query using the search term, the processor is configured to: send, via the transceiver, the search term to the server to execute the search query according to the search term, and receive, from the server via the transceiver, the indication of the product.
12 . The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to further cause the processor to: receive, from the server via the transceiver, an indication of an additional product and additional information associated with an availability of the additional product within the retail store; and dynamically updating the interface to reflect the additional product and at least a portion of the additional information associated with the availability of the additional product within the retail store.
13 . The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to further cause the processor to: determine, based at least in part on a location of the electronic device, an additional retail store that has the product available, and cause the user interface to display an indication of the additional retail store.
14 . The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the coupon is specific to the retail store.
15 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store instructions executable by a computer processor, the instructions comprising: instructions for connecting to a hardware transmitter, of a plurality of hardware transmitters, disposed at a section, of a plurality of sections, within a retail store having a plurality of products for sale; instructions for, based on connecting to the hardware transmitter disposed at the section, automatically determining a subset of a plurality of products located in the section at which the hardware transmitter is disposed; instructions for dynamically generating a search term based on information indicating which of the subset of the plurality of products are the most popular products located in the section; instructions for facilitating a search query using the search term to identify (i) a product, of the subset of the plurality of products, available for sale within the retail store, and (ii) a coupon associated with the product; instructions for displaying, in an interface, (i) an indication of the product, and (ii) the coupon associated with the product; instructions for receiving, via the interface, a selection of the coupon; and instructions for, in response to receiving the selection of the coupon, displaying, in the interface, a confirmation that the coupon was selected.
16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions for identifying a location of the electronic device; instructions for sending, to a server, the location of the electronic device; and instructions for receiving, from the server, an indication of the retail store based on the location of the electronic device.
17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions for displaying, in the interface, an indication of the retail store.
18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions for facilitating the search query using the search term comprise: instructions for sending the search term to a server to execute the search query according to the search term; and instructions for receiving, from the server, the indication of the product.
19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18 , wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions for receiving, from the server, an indication of an additional product and additional information associated with an availability of the additional product within the retail store; and instructions for dynamically updating the interface to reflect the additional product and at least a portion of the additional information associated with the availability of the additional product within the retail store.
20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions for determining, based at least in part on a location of the electronic device, an additional retail store that has the product available; and instructions for displaying, in the interface, an indication of the additional retail store.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/098,004, filed Jan. 17, 2023, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/930,380, filed Nov. 2, 2015. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. FIELD This application generally relates to enhancing an in-store retail experience for a customer. In particular, this application relates to dynamically determining information relevant to products available for sale within a retail store. BACKGROUND Portable electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet devices are becoming more ubiquitous as underlying technology and device capability improves. These devices incorporate numerous components that support various device functions and applications. For example, current smart phones include components that enable network connections as well as location modules capable of detecting device location. Certain technologies exist to assist individuals during a retail shopping experience. For example, individuals may maintain account information using device applications, and complete point of sale transactions using device hardware (e.g., near field communication technology). However, existing technologies do not support certain situations that would improve the shopping experience for these individuals. There is therefore an opportunity to offer an improved and enhanced shopping experience for individuals within a retail store. In particular, there is an opportunity to enable effective and efficient product location, comparison shopping, and other beneficial functionalities. SUMMARY In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method in an electronic device of improving a shopping experience within a retail store is provided. The method may include initiating, by a processor, an application associated with the retail store on the electronic device; receiving a search term from a user of the electronic device; and facilitating a search query using the search term to identify (i) at least one product available for sale within the retail store, and (ii) information associated with an availability of the at least one product within the retail store. The method may further include displaying, in an interface associated with the electronic device, (i) an indication of the at least one product, and (ii) at least a portion of the information associated with the availability of the at least one product within the retail store. In another embodiment, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a transceiver configured to connect to a server associated with a retail store; a user interface configured to display content; a memory storing an application associated with the retail store; and a processor interfacing with the transceiver, the user interface, and the memory. The processor may be configured to initiate the application associated with the retail store, receive a search term from a user of the electronic device, facilitate, with the server via the transceiver, a search query using the search term to identify (i) at least one product available for sale within the retail store, and (ii) information associated with an availability of the at least one product within the retail store, and cause the user interface to display (i) an indication of the at least one product, and (ii) at least a portion of the information associated with the availability of the at least one product within the retail store. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate various front end and back end devices and components, and connections therebetween, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary layout of a retail and supported connections, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3 is a signal diagram associated with improving a shopping experience within a retail store, in accordance with some embodiments. FIGS. 4-7 depict exemplary user interfaces associated with an application that supports search queries, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method for improving a shopping experience within a retail store, in accordance with some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The systems and methods disclosed here relate generally to improving a retail shopping experience for customers. According to certain aspects, the systems and methods may leverage communications and other hardware and software capabilities of electronic devices to facilitate search queries, and automatically and