RU2534826C2 - Methods of influencing customers in first decision-making moment in retail trade enterprise - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: radio engineering, communication.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to customer influencing method during decision making in a retail trade enterprise. The method uses multinetwork communication structure, controlled by logical device connected to wireless end device. The latter is in immediate vicinity to the customer during his or her movement within the store. The method involves associating the said wireless device to the communication structure, tracking the customer position, identification of goods in the showcase close to the customer, and generation of recommendation message based on this data. The message is then sent to the wireless end device via communication structure.

EFFECT: functionality expansion due to generation of customer position tracking data, as well as information about the goods.

19 cl, 8 dwg

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority for provisional application for US patent No. 61/110202, filed October 31, 2008, for application for US patent No. 12353817, filed January 14, 2009, for patent application US No. 12353760, filed January 14, 2009, and in the application for US patent No. 12408581, filed March 20, 2009, a link to which means that their contents are fully incorporated into the text of this description. This application includes, by reference, the entirety of the following US patent applications: No. 12/058705, filed March 29, 2008, No. 12/172326, filed July 14, 2008, and No. 11/859703, filed September 21, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to influencing a customer while he is shopping within or near a retailer. In particular, influencing a customer’s behavior involves influencing a customer’s decision-making at the first decision point by transmitting an influencing message over a wireless multi-network communication network to a wireless end device held in close proximity to the specified customer while traveling through a retail outlet .

BACKGROUND

[0003] Retailers are very cramped. They are greatly constrained by the high cost of goods, high transportation costs, high labor costs, high cost of advertising inside and outside their shopping centers. At present, more than ever before, retailers' profit margins can be reduced by more than ten times due to circumstances beyond their control. Essentially, retailers who control the space of their own store need optimized use of this space in ways that include a deep understanding of the customer. Getting such a buyer's understanding is expensive, and often not enough. For example, it is known that at the point of sale you can get data on the buying habits of the buyer. Such data collection is widespread, but it does not provide an accurate understanding of the buyer’s behavior, namely, understanding the reasons why the buyer chooses a particular product to buy. Currently, there is little opportunity to understand the buyer at the time of the decision, when accompanying customers in the store with at least one specialist who is qualified and trained in conducting focus group testing.

[0004] This most severely affects grocery stores, as their profit is not more than 1-2% of the store’s total sales. Currently, stores are increasing their profit margins by selling shelf space inside the store as real estate. In order to increase the price of shelf space in stores and maintain a wide range of products in stores, stores need to offer suppliers of bulk lots a more efficient and influential way of selling their goods to store customers. Stores are required to offer suppliers effective systems and methods that influence customers at the first moment of decision-making, providing suppliers and retailers with large sales of goods. Suppliers will pay bonuses to stores using such systems and methods.

[0005] In addition, customers feel a squeeze from each price increase for products such as vegetable oil, corn, etc. As a result, customers are becoming more aware of the cost of their monthly food expenses. In addition, the modern lifestyle does not allow customers to spend time searching and cutting off coupons or other savings mechanisms, usually offered by retailers. Consequently, buyers need a way to shop at the store easier, faster, and cheaper.

[0006] Currently, retailers are trying to influence buyers before, during and after the goods are considered by the buyer by advertising the goods inside the store through built-in speakers, thoughtful visual media, print ads attached to shopping carts, a weekly advertising newspaper that customers receive when they enter the store, and electronic labels located on the shelves on which the goods are displayed. These methods are not effective and often lead to increased store costs that go to the buyers.

[0007] Therefore, an inexpensive, highly efficient, and highly reliable system inside the store is required to track, analyze, and respond to the decision to buy a product by a customer. It is essential that such systems and methods serve to improve, simplify and accelerate the customer’s impression, with very little, if any, cost-transfer to customers and very little, if any, negative impact on store profits. This is achieved by using the at least one embodiment of the invention described below, which will be presented below with a more detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of a system for influencing a customer’s choice of goods during a visit to a retailer, in order to purchase goods, the following are presented: (1) a multi-network communication network is located near the specified retailer; (2) a logical device operatively connected to said multi-network communication network and configured to control said multi-network communication network; and (3) a wireless end device located in close proximity to the customer. The wireless end device is configured to collect product information from the specified customer and interact with tracking with the logical device through the specified multi-network communication network. The logic device is configured to send an influencing message intended to influence the choice of goods by the buyer, on the wireless end device of the buyer.

[0009] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system is proposed for influencing a customer’s choice of goods at the first decision point in a retailer that contains items that will each be accessed sequentially.

[0010] The first element, in this embodiment, includes a multi-network communication network located near the specified retail outlet. The second element includes a logical device, operatively connected to the specified multi-network communication network in order to organize the transmission of data over the multi-network communication network and manage it. The third element includes goods located in the area of the specified enterprise for purchase by the buyer, which are located in special places known to the retailer. The fourth element of this embodiment includes a map of the specified company, on top of which a two-dimensional coordinate grid with X and Y coordinates is superimposed in order to provide each element on the specified map of the specified company with a set of X and Y position coordinates. The fifth element includes a map of the location of the goods, the logic device has information on the majority of locations of goods located in the area of the specified enterprise. The sixth element includes a wireless end device located in close proximity to the customer.

[0011] In the indicated embodiment, the wireless end device is operatively connected to a tracking device monitored by a logical device on the specified multi-network communication network in order to create data on the location of the buyer. In addition, the wireless end device is operatively connected to the product scanning device. The buyer scans each item to be purchased using the item scan device in order to create item selection data. Further, the wireless end device transmits the product selection data to a logical device that compares the product selection data for one product selected by the specified buyer with the location data of the specified buyer collected at the time when the specified product selection data was collected. Thus, determine the relationship of the location of the buyer in relation to the location of the goods.

[0012] The logic device considers the location of the buyer with respect to the location of the goods, data on the location of the goods to select, and data on the selection of goods of the specified buyer in order to determine whether the specified buyer is experiencing the first decision point. The logical device then creates the influencing message and transmits it over the specified multi-network communication network to the wireless end device located in close proximity to the specified customer. As a result, the influencing message influences the specified buyer before the first moment of making a decision, at the first moment of making a decision or close to the specified first moment of making a decision.

[0013] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for influencing a customer’s choice of goods while visiting a retailer to purchase goods therein. According to this method, at the first stage, a multi-network communication network in the field of retail enterprises is located. This multi-network communication network comprises a mesh communication network and a star-shaped communication network. Further, provide a logical connection of the logical device with the specified multi-network communication network. The specified buyer is provided with a wireless end device, with the location of this device in close proximity to the specified buyer during his visit to a retail outlet in order to purchase goods in it. The wireless end device is in communication with snooping with a mesh communications network of said multi-network communications network. Further, the wireless end device is electronically associated with said multi-network communication network. Further, the logic device identifies the goods in the window of the specified retailer, which is approximately 15.24 cm-0.48 m (six inches to ten feet) from the customer. Further, the logical device determines the influencing message for transmission to the wireless end device, held in close proximity to the specified customer, and transmits it to this device. In an exemplary embodiment, the customer may additionally choose that he is not willing to receive influencing messages sent to his wireless end device.

[0014] The following is a detailed description of other embodiments of the present invention, as well as a description of the structure and operation of these options, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] While the description of the application for the invention contains a claims specifically indicating and clearly indicating the scope of the invention, embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the following description, which provides links to the accompanying drawings, in which the same elements are denoted by the same numbers.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a store comprising a preferred store-based multi-network communication network.

[0017] FIGS. 2A and 2B are a schematic view of an exemplary mesh communications network suitable for use in a store.

[0018] FIGS. 3A and 3B are a schematic view of an exemplary star-shaped communication network suitable for use in a store.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a store equipped with an exemplary multi-network communication network with one star-shaped communication network and with one mesh communication network suitable for use in a store.

[0020] Figure 5 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a system and method for calculating, storing, and tracking an expected customer location in a store.

[0021] Figure 6 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a system and method for calculating, storing, and tracking the expected location of a customer in a store.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a wireless end device of a manager, store employee, or customer.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an intelligent shopping trolley used by a customer in a store.

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION NUMBERS

[0024] In all the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same numbers. The following is a list of notation.

[0025] 5 Shop

[0026] 6 Line multi-network communication network

[0027] 7 Buyer

[0028] 8 store employee

[0029] 9 Manager

[0030] 10 multi-network communication network

[0031] 11 a multi-network communication router

[0032] 14 mesh communication network

[0033] 16 Star-shaped communication network

[0034] 19 System communication line

[0035] 20 Radio data transmitter

[0036] 21 multi-network organizer

[0037] 23 Logic device

[0038] 25 switch

[0039] 27 Gateway server

[0040] 29 Store server

[0041] 31 Location Tracking Server

[0042] 40 Wireless end device

[0043] 42 Interface keys

[0044] 44 Shopping trolley key

[0045] 50 Intelligent shopping trolley

[0046] 52 Handle

[0047] 54 Basket

[0048] 55 Inner surface of a shopping trolley

[0049] 56 Trolley Pallet

[0050] 58 Weighing Device

[0051] 60 Hook

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The term “first decision moment” means a decision time at which the buyer considers the product to be purchased for the first time by selecting or not selecting the product in question. In addition, the key components of the first decision-making moment include: 1) consideration of the product for selection, 2) if the product is selected for purchase, then selection of the product, 3) time spent by the buyer on considering a specific product for selection, 4) the expected location of the buyer in the store at in relation to the location of the goods considered for selection (for example, in production, on a display case, on a cover, etc.), or any one, two, three or four of the four key points mentioned above. Typically, the first decision moment lasts approximately 2 to 7 seconds. Those skilled in the art can easily determine that the “first decision moment” may go beyond a typical range and that such an exit is a part defined for the “first decision moment” in the present description.

[0053] The terms “intended acquisition” and “intention to acquire” as used herein mean the removal by the buyer of a product from a store shelf, kiosk, or display case to consider a potential purchase or as a product that the buyer has included in his shopping list.

[0054] The term “tracking interaction,” as used herein, means the ability of a multi-network communication network to monitor wireless end devices when they are located in close proximity to a customer.

[0055] The term “gateway server” as used herein means a server that receives data from a store’s multi-network communication network through a switch that is redirected by the gateway server to other servers in the store, such as a store employee’s management server, a system computer for generating orders by computer, server at the point of sale (pos-terminal), server monitoring the location, server of the Internet service provider (ISP) or another computer in the store.

[0056] The term “computing functions” as used herein means that any microprocessor or microcontroller and all microprocessors or microcontrollers are based on computing tasks and programs generally known in the art and used in a computer or computer-like device containing software, memory and processor.

[0057] The term “computing work” as used herein means those types of conventional computing operations associated with known computer and / or server devices containing complex microcontrollers and / or central processing units (CPUs). Such computing work devices typically have memory for storing a large program and executing various types of programs and routines.

[0058] The terms “influencing” or “influencing” a product’s choice means the system’s ability to create a buyer's understanding of the following: (1) potential health risks, (2) a less expensive other product or products, (3) better rated by another product or goods, (4) complementary goods that can be supplemented with an almost selected or selected product or goods, and / or (5) product information. In the present description, it should be noted that the preferred influence forces the buyer to act or not act in the best interests of the buyer.

[0059] The term “wireless end device,” as used herein, means an electronic device, and ideally a hand-held electronic device that operates wirelessly on a multi-network communication network and is used in close proximity to the customer while traveling around the store to purchase goods at a retailer. Each wireless end device acts as a blind node in a multi-network communication network.

[0060] The term “blind node” as used herein means those nodes in a multi-network communication network that are unknown to the system but are intended for a location tracking subsystem.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless terminal device is combined with a “scanning device”. The term “scanning device” as used herein means an electronic scanning device suitable for reading information from a medium. The scanning device, among other things, contains image forming devices configured to take pictures. A readable medium is a unique identifier for a product or class of goods within a retailer that is readable and recognizable by an electronic device, and in some cases by a person. A barcode is an example of a readable medium. Barcodes, among other things, include the international code for labeling and accounting of logistic units (GTIN), the full universal product code (UPC-A), the abbreviated universal product code (UPC-E), the full European product number (EAN13), and the abbreviated European product number (EAN8), Databar (various versions), GSI-128 and any product identification codes known to specialists.

[0062] In some typical embodiments of the invention, the wireless end device is temporarily connected to the smart shopping trolley and held in close proximity to the customer. In this embodiment, both the wireless end device and the smart shopping cart are associated and commutatively connected to the multi-network communication network. In other exemplary embodiments, the wireless end device is permanently connected to the smart shopping cart. An intelligent shopping trolley is a shopping trolley that is configured to receive and weigh goods inside the trolley. The smart shopping trolley interacts with tracking with a mesh communication network of a multi-network communication network.

[0063] The systems and methods proposed in the present description are designed to provide many types of influence on the choice of goods by the buyer when said buyer passes through the space of a retail outlet with a wireless end device. In an exemplary embodiment, the retailer receives actual, real-time data on customer behavior, a complete set of customer location data, product selection data, and product selection time data that should be used to create at least one influencing message. These various data types will be determined sequentially.

[0064] The term “customer location data” as used herein means the expected location of the customer with respect to the known location of the goods, the expected location of the customer being tracked by a tracking device associated with the wireless end device. The customer’s whereabouts data is collected as a result of the location tracking subsystem, in which the logical device monitors the expected customer’s locations when it passes through the retail outlet with the wireless end device. Since the retailer, through the location tracking subsystem, actually tracks the location of the tracking device associated with the wireless end device, which is held in close proximity to the customer and does not actually track people, the location of the customers is assumed. From time to time, customers move away from their designated wireless end devices, which are connected to a tracking device. In these cases, the location of the buyer is inaccurate. More precisely, the location of the buyer is accurate with an error within the predefined tolerance.

[0065] The term “product selection data” as used herein means information collected when a scanning device scans a readable storage medium of goods selected by a customer for purchase. The indicated product selection data includes, but is not limited to, the identification of each product (name and / or internal code) and price. In some cases, product selection data includes the identification of the manufacturer or supplier. In some cases, product selection data includes a weight or similar unit of measurement (volume) of the product selected by the buyer for purchase. In addition, in exemplary embodiments of the invention, product selection data includes a date and time stamp for each product selected by the scanning device.

[0066] The term "product selection time data" used in the present description means the time that the buyer spends each time in the process of product selection, and the indicated product selection time is tracked by a logical device. The logic device creates data about the time of choosing the goods by starting to record the time that elapses from the moment when the buyer begins to reduce the speed of movement around the store at the same time that his location matches the location of the goods to the moment when the buyer scans readable carrier of at least one product. Data on the time of the selection of goods is determined and tracked by a timer physically located inside the wireless end device, or by a time measurement programmable on the wireless end device, or by electronic equipment or a program in connection with a logical device. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, data about the time of the selection of goods is deleted when an erroneous determination of the first decision moment is detected. A more detailed description of the erroneous determination of the first decision point will be presented below. For the system, data on the time of choosing the goods are known, since approximate positions are known when the buyer passes the store, and this location tracking data can be connected at the moment corresponding to the moment based on the real-time moment.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in particular by means of a logic device, the retailer is notified of the location of each product or each group of goods, in the present description known as the location of the goods, since store employees have data on the location of each groups of goods, as they laid out the goods in the store. Locations of groups of goods are set by coordinates on the map of the location of goods, just as for almost all other physical elements in a store, coordinates are set on a two-dimensional coordinate grid with X and Y coordinates superimposed on top of the store map. In an exemplary embodiment, the retailer, through a logical device, is aware of the exact location of approximately 80% of the goods exhibited in the specified store. In other embodiments, the retailer is aware of most of the locations of the goods, according to the exact location of the goods in the store window. Thus, knowing the expected location of each wireless end device in a retailer by means of real-time data on the location of the buyer and knowing the location of the product, the company can compare the location of the buyer with the location of the product to determine when the buyer is in immediate proximity to specific products in a retail window.

[0068] In practice, the system according to the present invention detects a buyer’s interest in choosing a product when the system detects that the speed of the buyer is significantly lower than average and when the expected location of the buyer in the store is in front of the product in the store window. Part of this discovery involves comparing the two relative speeds between the time the product was examined for a possible purchase and the usual speed of the customer moving around the store. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the store has a detailed profile of an individual customer, the detailed profile containing the average value of the speed of the customer in the store, so that the detection of the first decision point by the logical device is highly accurate.

[0069] The term “real-time customer behavior data” as used herein means the total amount of customer identification data, location tracking data, product scan data, and product selection time data. Ideally, real-time customer behavior data includes a customer’s personal and demographic profile.

[0070] The specified logical device, using the specified real-time customer behavior data, creates and transmits an influencing message to the wireless end device, which is in close proximity to the specified customer when he moves to buy goods at a retail outlet or close to him. In other embodiments, the entity only uses the time of the selection of goods and the tracking data of the location of the buyer to create influencing messages that are then transmitted to the wireless end device, which is in close proximity to the specified buyer, when he moves to buy goods in retailer or in its vicinity.

[0071] The logic device generates “store time data for the purchase of goods”, which in the present description means the total time that each customer spends on a full store visit to purchase goods. If the buyer has not completed his shopping visit in order to purchase goods, then the data on the time spent in shopping for the purchase of goods will not be complete, but will reflect the amount of time that the specified buyer has so far spent on the current shopping visit in order to purchase goods. To create the specified data on the time of visiting the store in order to purchase goods, the logical device records the total amount of time that the buyer spends in the store from the first moment when the wireless terminal device communicates with the store’s multi-network communication network until the time the buyer pays at the checkout counter at the exit from the store.

[0072] More specifically, the term “logical device” as used herein means at least one electronic device comprising a switch and a server. The logic device contains equipment, such as at least one server-type computer, and also includes the ability to perform certain computing functions using software. Mechanisms other than the software known from the prior art can be used, so that the mechanism allows the logic device, through logical functions, to perform location calculations, evaluate, measure time, etc. Additionally, the logical device has the ability to perform the functions of a switch, a gateway server, and store computers, such as a store employee management server, a system computer for generating orders using a computer, a store processor (ISP server), a location tracking server, a commercial server, or another computer in the shop. In addition, the logical device serves as the main database of the enterprise, contains, but is not limited to, a database of goods and a database of customer profiles. Functionally, a logical device directs, systematizes, manages and stores data received from other elements of a multi-network communication network. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the logic device comprises means for generating beam tracing calculations and computing the location of the blind node. Although the embodiments described herein are referred to as a “logical device”, it is understood that more than one logical device can be used to perform the same function within a multi-network communication network.

[0073] In the systems and methods disclosed herein, most, if not absolutely, wireless electronic communications between customers and a retailer occurring over a multi-network communications network when said wireless electronic communications occur within the enterprise itself, on adjacent plots of land , which may include boundaries controlled by the enterprise (for example, a car park). In embodiments in which a multi-network communication network is provided, at least two communication networks work together, although not necessarily depending on each other, in order to track the location of the wireless end devices used by customers, track the location of goods, trace the first points of a decision, and Identify goods and customers at or near a retailer. A multi-network communication network comprises: (1) at least two mesh communication networks, (2) at least two star-shaped communication networks, (3) at least one star-shaped communication network, and at least one mesh communication network through which the snooping network operates a device, or (4) at least two types of communication networks known to one skilled in the art. In the selected embodiments, the multi-network communication network is by architecture a single communication network, but functionally functions as at least two different communication networks. For example, there may be a single network that simultaneously functions as a star-shaped communication network and a mesh communication network.

[0074] An exemplary mesh communications network is the ZIGBEE communications network, which operates over the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) communications protocol 802.15.4, but other communications protocols are known to those skilled in the art that may be used in place of the 802.15.4 communications protocol. There are several advantages of using the ZIGBEE communication network as a mesh communication network. The ZIGBEE communication network is known for its low power consumption, low implementation cost, high component density (for example, the use of dozens, if not hundreds, of multi-network communication routers and / or wireless end devices for one mesh communication network) and the fact that it is a simple protocol communication. ZIGBEE communication protocols are designed for use in wireless communication networks that require low data rates and low power consumption. In addition, the ZIGBEE communication network provides an inexpensive multi-network communication network that can be used to control the production process, integrated reading, medical data collection, smoke and intruder warning, building automation, home automation, etc. The resulting communication network consumes very little electricity , which can then ensure the operation of individual devices for at least one year on the originally installed batteries.

[0075] ZIGBEE communication protocol operates on industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio frequencies, i.e. 868 MHz in Europe, 915 MHz in the USA and 2.4 GHz in most other jurisdictions worldwide. ZIGBEE technology is designed to be simple, inexpensive, and easy to maintain. In one embodiment, the most powerful network router in a ZIGBEE communication network requires only about 10% of the software relative to a conventional BLUETOOTH or other wireless Internet site, although the use of BLUETOOTH is also provided in the present description. In yet another embodiment, a multi-network communication router contains approximately 2% of the software from a conventional BLUETOOTH or other wireless Internet node on a ZIGBEE communication network 15, thereby greatly reducing technical complexity and potential maintenance costs.

[0076] In addition, the star-shaped communication network of a multi-network communication network also operates on the IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol, although it can operate on different protocols, depending on the particular application. Moreover, each mesh communication network comprises an organizer of the mesh communication network. In specific embodiments of a multi-network communication network, the organizer of the mesh communication network is located in one housing with a radio transmitter for transmitting data in a device called the organizer of the multi-network communication network and at least one information router.

[0077] The organizer of the mesh network, the radio transmitter for the mesh network determines the addresses of all elements of the mesh network. The organizer of the mesh network is the only entry point to the mesh network from the gateway server. The organizer of the mesh network sends information, also known as data packets, to the information routers and the central computer in the store and from them. In one embodiment of the invention, the mesh organizer forwards the location tracking data to and from the information router and logical device. In one embodiment of the invention, the organizer of the mesh communication network is connected to the logical device via an Ethernet cable, while at the same time being connected wirelessly via the mesh communication network to other devices connected to the mesh communication network. Other devices connected to the mesh network may include information routers, wireless end devices, smart shopping carts, control and monitoring devices for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, security systems, traffic meters, and other electronic devices depending on the specific application of the system. Both the connection inside the information routers and the connection between the information routers and the organizer of the mesh communication network can be wired or wireless. Functionally, the organizer of the mesh communication network sends data on the location of the wireless end devices of both store employees and customers to managers. Due to the fact that the organizer of the mesh communication network transmits data by radio, it transmits radio waves to other elements of the mesh communication network.

[0078] Information routers, also known as stationary reference nodes, are end nodes and fixed elements of a mesh communication network. Each stationary reference node operates through a cellular communication network to receive information from smart shopping carts, wireless end devices, the organizer of the cellular communication network, other information routers and other network devices that are commutatively connected to the cellular communication network, as well as transmitting information to them same. Each information router transmits a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), the X and Y coordinates of the position of the information router, and the address of the nearest data transmitter to any requesting wireless end device. Each information router contains at least one radio data transmitter. Examples include the following: Texas Instruments 2430 and 2431, but are not limited to this.

[0079] In these embodiments using at least one star-shaped communication network, the star-shaped communication network comprises data transmitters that operate as hubs or central nodes of each star-shaped communication network. A data transmitter transmits information, also known as data packets, to and from wireless end devices and a logical device to wireless end devices. In one embodiment, a radio data transmitter transmits data over a wire, such as an Ethernet cable, when it is connected to a logic device while wirelessly connecting via a star-shaped communication network to wireless end devices, smart shopping carts and / or other blind nodes and electrical devices connected to a star-shaped communication network. Functionally, a data transmitter transmits data, such as influencing messages, from a logical device to wireless end devices. A radio data transmitter transmits radio waves to other elements of a star-shaped communication network instead of directly connecting directly.

[0080] In exemplary embodiments of a multi-network communications network comprising a mesh communications network and a star-shaped communications network, the mesh communications information router and a star-shaped communications network data transmitter are located in a single package in a device referred to as a multi-network communications network router. Each specified multi-network communication network router contains at least three microcontroller radio transmitters (MCUs): one operating as an information router for a mesh communication network, and at least two operating as data transmitting radio transmitters for a star-shaped communication network. Two of the three transmitters are low-power transmitters, including but not limited to Texas Instruments Models 2430 and 2431, while the third transmitter is a higher power controller, such as Models above the Texas Instruments 243 series. Functionally, multi-network routers connect wirelessly or wired to other multi-network routers. Ideally, multi-network routers connect wirelessly to wireless end devices, smart shopping carts, and other electrical devices used by shoppers, store employees, and in-store managers. Routers of a multi-network communication network are connected to a central computer or logical device by means of an organizer of a multi-network communication network.

[0081] In exemplary embodiments, customer location is monitored over a multi-network communication network, although this tracking function can be performed on a star-shaped communication network. The wireless end devices are connected to the fixed radio transmitters of the multi-network communication network data (mesh information network routers, star-shaped data network radio transmitters or multi-network communication router). Stationary radio transmitters transmit data sets with the coordinates X and Y of their position to the wireless end device located in close proximity to the buyer during his movement around the retail outlet. In addition, the signal level of each stationary radio transmitter is measured using a wireless end device, a logic device, or another server in the store, such as a location tracking server. The set of X and Y coordinates of the position of the wireless end device is calculated based on the measured signal level and the set of X and Y coordinates of the position of the nearest fixed routers. The subsystem for tracking the location of customers in specific embodiments of the invention is described in detail in applications for US patent No. 12353817, filed January 14, 2009, and No. 12353760, filed January 14, 2009, a link to which means that their contents are fully incorporated in the text of the present description.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the logic device stores data about the location of goods and customers within the store. In an exemplary subsystem for tracking the location of customers, a logical device creates a historical progression, which is a map of the path that a buyer walks while shopping at to buy goods. The logical device reconciles the historical progression taken for a particular store visit with a list of products purchased by the buyer during the specified specific store visit.

[0083] More specifically, any calculation or storage performed by the logic device in selected embodiments may be performed by a special server called a location tracking server. Thus, whenever a logical device is used in this context in the present description, the use of a location tracking server is implied. The wireless end device continuously transmits its unique identifying address to the logical device, enabling the logical device to create customer location data. As stated above, the term “continuously” in the present description means a predetermined period of time, for example, every five seconds or every ten seconds, as specified by the program engineer. Moreover, when the specified wireless end device remains stationary for a predetermined period of time programmed in the program of the wireless end device, it automatically turns off and stops transmitting its unique identifying address. As a predetermined period of time, any period of time before the wireless terminal device is turned off, for example, ten minutes or thirty minutes, can be set. The benefit of automatic shutdown is reduced power consumption. In addition, in exemplary embodiments, when the wireless terminal device returns to a moving state from a stationary state, it automatically turns on to restore transmission and tracking capabilities.

[0084] In typical embodiments of the systems and methods of the present invention, a retailer, in particular a logical device, detects a first decision point for each customer before sending an affected message to the specified wireless end device of the specified customer. In some embodiments, the retailer assumes that the buyer experiences the first decision point when the tracking device for tracking the location of the buyer pauses for a predetermined period of time, for example, three seconds, in front of the location of the goods. In other embodiments, the retailer assumes that the customer is experiencing the first decision moment when the tracking device of the customer is decelerated to a predetermined step length within the store within a predetermined distance from the goods on the display window. In some other options, the retailer assumes that the buyer is experiencing the first moment of making a decision, based on a comparison of the speed of the specified buyer and the location inside the specified store (or data on the location of the buyer) with the list of purchases of the specified buyer and the proximity of the specified goods in the window of the specified store, which is on the shopping list of the specified buyer.

[0085] In some implementations, a proof method is used to determine that the alleged first decision moment is actually the wrong decision moment. More precisely, the logical device may detect an incorrect first decision moment when it seems that the specified buyer is considering the goods for purchase, but in reality does not consider the goods for selection. For example, knowing the customer location tracking data that notifies the specified logical device that the specified customer is in the meat department and is slowing down, the logical device program starts a possible first decision moment, which signals that an influencing message should be sent. However, with additional information, such as information about the "cleaning" at the location of the buyer (in this example, the meat department), the logic device determines that the buyer is probably not experiencing the first moment of the decision. When the logical device determines that the alleged first decision point is incorrect, the logical device does not send the indicated influencing message to the specified customer.

[0086] Supporting evidence of the first decision point can be made in a number of ways. In some implementations, the logic device program evaluates customer location data with respect to the specified product selection data to reduce or even eliminate incompatible information and prevent the transmission of impacting messages at the wrong first decision moment. In other implementations, the specified logical device evaluates the data on the whereabouts of the buyer in relation to the specified data on the time of shopping in order to purchase goods in order to recognize the wrong first decision point. In another embodiment, the specified logical device evaluates the data on the whereabouts of the buyer in relation to the specified data on the time of shopping in order to purchase goods in order to determine the incorrect first time decision. In another embodiment, the specified logical device evaluates the data on the whereabouts of the buyer in relation to the specified data on the time of shopping to buy goods and in relation to the speed of the buyer to determine if there is an incorrect first decision point. After the first decision point has been discovered and, in particular embodiments, supported by proof, the logic device software is programmed to automatically send at least one influencing message, which is often a detailed description of the product and its location to influence behavior the buyer.

[0087] Before the influencing message is transmitted, it is created by the logical device. When a unique identity is known, the influencing message can be changed in accordance with the interests and behavior of a particular customer during a previous shopping visit in order to purchase goods. Since each time the wireless end device is in close proximity to the store, the wireless end device is associated with the store’s multi-network communications network by transmitting a signal to the logical device, the retailer is aware of the unique identity every time a customer purchases with his wireless end device device.

[0088] Buyer identification takes place in a variety of ways, usually at the beginning of each specified shopping visit to purchase goods when the buyer begins to use the wireless end device. In some implementations, if the specified wireless end device is temporarily assigned to the specified buyer at the beginning of the specified shopping visit in order to purchase goods, the unique identification of the buyer becomes known to the retailer when the buyer scans a readable storage medium on an example buyer’s card on a scanning card. device associated with the customer’s wireless end device.

[0089] In other embodiments, if the specified customer enters the specified store with a wireless end device previously assigned to him on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, or even if the wireless end device was purchased by him, the unique identification of the buyer becomes known to the retailer in the moment when the wireless end device is associated with the specified multi-network communication network of the specified retailers. When the wireless end device was previously assigned to the specified buyer on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, the buyer previously scanned the readable media of his customer card on a scanning device associated with the wireless end device of the customer, thereby making this unique identification of the customer’s identity upon initial connection to the retail outlet trade.

[0090] In order to uniquely identify a customer, a real physical customer card is not necessarily required. If the buyer’s cards are not used by the specified store, then the specified unique identification of the buyer’s identity becomes known to the retailer at the time when the specified buyer voluntarily provides the specified retailer with his own information to uniquely identify the customer’s identity, and this information is entered into the specified logical device. The logical device then opens an electronic file for the specified customer, which is associated with a unique identifying address for the wireless end device intended for use by the specified customer. The input of unique personal identification information into a logical device can occur directly or indirectly. With indirect input, the specified store employee or the specified manager enters the specified information for the unique identification of the customer’s identity into a computer that is commutatively connected to the specified multi-network communication network, which then transfers this information via the specified multi-network communication network to the specified logical device.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the smart shopping cart is associated with a multi-network communication network by transmitting a signal to a logic device when it is in motion. Then, the smart shopping cart automatically disconnects the connection to the elements of the multi-network communication network when it is left in one place for a certain time, for example, ten or fifteen minutes. Thus, the smart shopping cart is not associated with the specified logical device and is not in interaction with tracking with the specified logical device when it is not in motion for a given period of time. As with the wireless end device, automatic shutdown saves energy when the smart shopping cart is not in use. The program, loaded either into the smart shopping trolley or the logical device, allows you to set the allowable range, which allows the store to specify the time during which the smart shopping trolley can be stationary until the power is reduced. In another embodiment, the smart shopping trolley is in continuous or near-continuous connection with a multi-network communication network as long as it remains in close proximity to the specified multi-network communication network.

[0092] Knowing the main customer preferences based on the preferences of the customer category that the individual customer belongs to, and knowing the exact location of the customer in real time, the logic device transmits at least one influencing message, modified in accordance with: (1) expected or the main preferences of the buyer, (2) the exact location of the buyer in the store in real time. For example, Maria, a 29-year-old African-American woman with a profession, is a brand-conscious customer who begins to shop at the store using the wireless end device that she assigned to the store two years ago. Maria scanned the readable media of her preferred customer card two years ago when she received the wireless end device. When Maria starts shopping with her wireless end device, the device associates with the store’s multi-network communications network, letting the store know about her presence in the store. The retailer places Mary in the category of customers who share a common shopping behavior, such as brand loyalty. In some embodiments, the retailer, through the logic devices, transmits at least one influencing message, which is changed in accordance with the category of customers, to all members of the specified customer category when they enter the store, respectively. In typical embodiments, the logic device transmits the impacting messages, modified in accordance with the customer category, to all members of the specified customer category when the first decision moment is detected.

[0093] In other embodiments, the retailer distributes customers into groups based on demographics, and not according to behavior during a previous shopping visit to purchase goods. In other exemplary embodiments, the specified retailer distributes customers into groups based on the behavior during the last visit to the store to purchase goods, and based on demographic indicators. In this scenario, the retailer changes the influencing message for all African-American women between the ages of 25 and 35 who have the profession and are committed to the brand. In this case, Maria will receive the same influential messages as all other members of the category of buyers, including African-American women aged 25 to 35, with a profession and committed to the brand.

[0094] For example, the influencing messages contain offers, so that the buyer buys a different size or quantity of laundry detergent of a particular brand on which the store makes a higher profit. Other potential messages designed to influence buyers contain offers to buy other products that are often bought by other members of a specified category of buyers. For example, while Maria is in the aisle where the detergents are displayed, a retailer aware of her unique identity and whereabouts in the store sends influential messages to her wireless end device offering to buy fabric softener , or wrinkle smoothing agent.

[0095] In other embodiments, the customer receives influencing messages that have been specifically modified in accordance with his unique identity information at the first decision point. Such an influencing message may be transmitted in addition to the influencing messages, modified in accordance with the category of customers of which the customer is a member, or instead. For example, in a store, it’s known that Steve, a 59-year-old Caucasian man, spends $ 100 each week in a store, and when he buys laundry detergent, he only buys laundry detergent known under the brand name TIDE® (3389568; The Procter and Gamble Company; washing powder). Knowing this, the store may make Steve a special offer, such as providing a $ 5 discount on the purchase price, offering to buy washing powder known under the brand name CHEER® (2825038, The Procter and Gamble Company; washing powder), to switch it to other trade marks. Steve benefits as he gets a discount on his laundry detergent. A retailer also benefits in a number of ways, including achieving success in specific sales by retaining or attracting specific suppliers, and potentially higher profits. For example, a retailer can make higher profits from CHEER® brand detergent sales than it does from TIDE® brand detergent sales. Thus, when Steve buys CHEER® brand detergents and potentially changes brands, the retailer makes higher profits.

[0096] The retailer learns about the personal preferences of customers in many ways. For example, a retailer may receive customer-filled questionnaires with questions about the state of the store, preferred products, and suggestions on how to improve the shopping experience to buy goods. Application forms can be filled out in paper form or electronically in a store or at home. In addition, the retailer can learn about personal preferences of customers from a review of shopping history with the aim of buying goods from each customer. In addition, retailers have access to shopping lists created by customers, since the system enables the creation of shopping lists and their joint use with retailers in different ways. Customers can scan readable media on goods when customers use the goods at home, using scanning devices associated with the wireless end devices that they take home. In another embodiment, the indicated shopping list can be created electronically by the specified buyer on a website owned or viewed by the retailer, which then connects the specified shopping list to the logical device of the retailer in which the specified buyer makes purchases.

[0097] In exemplary embodiments, the logic device knows a variety of information containing the following, but is not limited to: (1) demographic information collected from customers when they receive preferred customer cards; (2) purchase history associated with typical customer cards; (3) historical progression; (4) information collected from customer profiles, and (5) shopping lists and / or stock lists of the home, compiled by customers not in the store (for example, at home) on their personal computers or on the wireless terminal device. A significant amount of information about well-known retailers is created by off-store customers. Most of this customer information is generated by the home buyer through a wireless end device assigned to the customer on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, or via the Internet. Retailers with access to a wealth of customer information created outside the store use the customer information specified by changing the affected messages accordingly or by selecting the appropriate pre-created influenced messages to send to customers on their next shopping visit to purchase goods.

[0098] It is preferable for both retailers and customers to have access to customer shopping lists because stores can offer additional products for purchase that (1) supplement the customer’s shopping list to provide a complete menu or (2) complete the recipe . For example, if a customer has hot dogs and buns on his shopping list, the retailer sends an influential message asking the customer to consider purchasing ketchup, mustard and seasoning to the wireless end device used by the customer when the customer is in the aisle seasoning department. Alternatively, the retailer may offer the customer a recipe that can be created by purchasing a small amount of additional ingredients. For example, when a retailer is aware that a customer has included chips and salsa in his shopping list, the store sends an influential message asking them to buy additional cheese to make nachos.

[0099] Knowing the customer’s shopping list and the fact that the customer is located in a specific department of the retailer, it sends the customer an affected message immediately before the customer intends to leave the department. For example, it can send a reminder to the buyer so that he does not forget about the sale of specific goods in this department that are not in the specified shopping list of the buyer.

[0100] Just as customers change from one to another, the content of influencing messages is changing. Contents of influencing messages include, but are not limited to: suggestions for recipes; proposal for inclusion in the buyer's shopping list; electronic coupons; the price of the target product, which, like a coupon, can better reflect the supply-demand relationship between the retailer and the buyer; warnings when a buyer misses an item from his shopping list; discounts; product overview; offers of competitive products; Improved savings opportunities (for example, a potential system warning might be as follows: “We see that you have chosen five two-liter bottles of soft drinks, buy five more and get a discount of $ 2); offers from other brands (for example, “We see that you have chosen COCA COLA®, Coca-cola's registered brand for soft drinks, why not try LAY'S® brand products, registered brand of Recot, Inc, for potato chips, together with your Coke? ”); answers to the historical progression of product selection; general product warnings (for example, “This product contains iron” or “This is a dairy product”); product warnings modified according to the customer’s profile (for example, the customer’s profile includes allergen data that a family member is allergic to peanuts, therefore, the message that may affect may be: “The product you have selected is manufactured on peanut processing factory ”); a combination of warnings (for example, “We see that last week you bought a prescription drug that may conflict with the medicine you ordered to purchase today, please consult your doctor before purchasing the two prescribed medicines”); health warning information that provides specific product information, such as sodium or fat; product and store reviews; internal maps of how to find goods in a retailer; and other well-known influencing messages. In addition, influencing messages can be modified by the type of storage media used, such as text messages, electronic photographs, illustrations, video materials, audio materials, hyperlinks and interactive messages.

[0101] In addition to these methods of modifying the relevant messages for the consideration of the goods by the buyer, the logic device changes them using information that contains the following, but is not limited to: (1) the date and time when the buyer is in the retail outlet; (2) the general preferences of the buyer already known to the retailer; (3) the personal preferences of the buyer already known to the retailer; (4) previous purchases by the buyer; (5) the buyer's intentions for real-time purchase, known to the store by organizing scanned product data and customer location data with a logical device; (6) buyer's shopping list; (7) stock list of buyer's home; (8) the actual time that the buyer spends considering the purchase of a particular product or class of goods; (9) the amount of money that the buyer intends to spend on the purchase of at least one product in accordance with its income; (10) incentive prices in force at the retailer (advertised or otherwise announced); (11) pre-phased electronic coupons or previously scanned paper coupons; (12) a buyer's request for “health warning information” (for example, allergens) in his profile; and (13) a buyer's request for markdown discounts for individual packages due to approaching expiration dates for categories of products that buyers intend to buy. The above list is not exhaustive, and additions to the list can be made.

[0102] Ideally, the system creates influencing messages that then influence the choice of the goods by the buyer, and the buyer follows them by purchasing goods. Such influencing includes, but is not limited to, adding other products to the selected or reviewed, replacing the selected or reviewed product with a product offered by the system and / or removing the selected product due to some knowledge of the allergic or chemical reaction of the buyer or his family members. Each reaction can be measured by logic devices when actual data on customer behavior in real time is known. However, even if the influencing messages do not affect the choice of the product by the buyer, the retailer is aware of the decision of the buyer not to follow the offer of the retailer and can save this specific information about the buyer in order to analyze later and find out the reasons why the product was not selected. A retailer can analyze which types of influencing messages are most effective and even analyze which storefront in a retailer influences or does not influence a customer’s choice of goods. The information provided allows the retailer to modify future influencing messages that will outperform all other types of influencing messages.

[0103] On the contrary, there are implementation options in which the influencing messages are not changed by the logic device in accordance with the individual parameters, but instead they are selected from the plurality of already prepared influencing messages. In this case, the system selects the most influential of the already prepared influencing messages based on actual data on the behavior of the buyer in real time. In other embodiments, a mixture of both specially modified and pre-harvested influencing messages is used.

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, customers “participate” in all types of influencing messages that they wish to receive. For example, some buyers want health warnings, while others want more information on product pricing, savings opportunities, promotions, etc. Examples of types of influencing messages will be sequentially described below.

[0105] As briefly discussed above, in some embodiments, the retailer influences the behavior of the buyer by the proposal to prepare specific recipes. When a store offers to buy specific products for a completed recipe, the store knows specific customer information, such as a customer’s shopping list, home inventory, or information about products already scanned by the customer that were selected for purchase during a store visit to purchase goods. The term "recipe", as used in this description, means projects for which you want to buy and collect in some way products to obtain the desired result, such as preparing a recipe. For example, in typical cases, when the store’s equipment is aware that the buyer is buying paint and brushes for the home, it in the influential messages suggests the buyer to buy sponges and glazes so that the buyer can finish painting.

[0106] In another embodiment, in an influencing message, buyers are offered the best routes when visiting a retailer to purchase goods, knowing the buyer’s shopping list. The retailer offers either cards or directions to find all the products from the buyer’s shopping list. In exemplary embodiments, shoppers are offered routes at a retailer when purchasing goods in real time.

[0107] These implementation options allow the store to use data about the location of the buyer, time measurement data and personal information about each buyer, in order to change the affected messages to the goods that the buyer is considering for purchase. Moreover, the influencing messages are transmitted over the multi-network communication network to the wireless end device at the moment when the buyer is actually considering the choice of goods for purchase. This may occur during or immediately after the first decision moment.

[0108] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a retailer 5. In particular, a top view of the section of the enterprise 5 is shown, in which the buyer 7, the employee 8 of the enterprise, and the manager 9 are associated with the multi-network communication network 10 for wireless communication with the elements of the network 10. A multi-network communication network 10 is located in and near the enterprise 5 and in the territories adjacent to it (for example, on the parking lot of the store and other territories - not shown).

[0109] The multi-network communication network 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a mesh communication network 14 and a star-shaped communication network 16. However, the composition of a multi-network communication network varies depending on the specific application. Preferably, the multi-network communication network 10 comprises at least one mesh communication network and at least one star-shaped communication network. By means of the wireless end device, the buyer 7 transmits, via a multi-network communication network, data containing machine-readable messages and location information to a logical device. In typical embodiments, human-readable messages and computer-readable information, such as barcodes, are transmitted over the star-shaped communication network 16 of the multi-network communication network 10, while the coordinates X and Y of the position of the operator are traced on the mesh network 14 of the multi-network communication network 10.

[0110] Buyer 7, employee 8, and manager 9 are connected via communication links 6 of the multi-network communication network and via routers 11 of the multi-network communication network to both the mesh communication network 14 and the star-shaped communication network 16 of the multi-network communication network 10. Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network operate for both the mesh communication network 14 and the star-shaped communication network 16. Each router 11 of the multi-network communication network contains components for transmitting data over the mesh communication network 14 and the star-shaped communication network 16, which allows it to operate as a radio transmitter for the mesh communication network 14 or the star-shaped communication network 16.

[0111] In selected embodiments, each multi-network router 11 is located in a location that is not within the reach of customers or employees of enterprise 5. For example, in FIG. 1, each multi-network router 11 is in close proximity to the ceiling or ceiling Enterprise 5. Preferably, but not necessarily, each multi-network communication router 11 accommodates at least three radio transmitters: one radio transmitter operating as a mesh information router 1 4 communications, and at least two others, operating as radio transmitters of data transmission of a star-shaped communication network 16. In exemplary embodiments, in addition to three radio transmitters, each multi-network communication router 11 contains a computer component with its IEEE address, which provides information collected by any radio transmitter via cable wires, depicted in the present description as system communication lines 19, to a logical device 23.

[0112] In embodiments using a multi-network communication network 10, each multi-network communication network router 11 contains all the necessary components to operate for both the mesh communication network 14 and the star-shaped communication network 16. A multi-network communication network router 11 comprises at least three microcontrollers (MCUs). One microcontroller is used for the mesh communication network 14, and at least two are used for the star-shaped communication network 16. Preferably, each microcontroller is a system on a chip and contains a control node, at least one register, a certain amount of read-only memory (ROM), a certain amount of random access memory (RAM), an arithmetic logic device (ALU).

[0113] The Texas Instruments CC2431 model microcontroller is an example of a microcontroller for use as one of the radio transmitters for a mesh communications network 14 and for one of at least two radio transmitters used for a star-shaped communications network 16, due to their ability to easily transmit data over the mesh network 14 communications and a star-shaped communications network 16 at predetermined data rates. In addition, the Texas Instruments CC2431 microcontroller may perform location detection functions within the multi-network communication network 10. In another embodiment, the Texas Instruments CC2430 model microcontroller is an example of a microcontroller for use as one of the radio transmitters for a mesh communications network 14 and for one of the radio transmitters used for a star-shaped communications network 16. The third radio transmitter of at least three radio transmitters of the router 11 of the multi-network communication network should be more powerful than the Texas Instruments CC243x series transmitters.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 1, an organizer 21 of a multi-network communication network operates both as a hub for a star-shaped communication network 16 and as an organizer of a mesh network for a mesh communication network 14. Despite the fact that the radio transmitters for the mesh communication network 14 and the star-shaped communication network 16 are shown in the present description placed in one device, they can be placed in separate nodes depending on the specific application. For each mesh network 14 communication requires the organizer of the mesh network. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mesh organizer is referred to as the organizer 21 of the multi-network communication network, because it is located in one housing with a radio transmitter for transmitting data. In other embodiments, the mesh organizer may be located in a standalone installation without a radio data transmitter.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 1, system communication lines 19 are shown connecting each router 11 of a multi-network communication network to a logical device 23. System communication lines 19 can be either wireless or wired and are shown as solid lines to show that they are wired, 1, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4. An Ethernet cable is an exemplary wired device between each multi-network router 11 and a logical device 23. The system communication lines 19 shown in the drawings are only examples, since performed by each router 11 multinetwork communication network organizer 21 and multihomed network connection to the logical device 23. In exemplary embodiments, system communication lines 19 connect the multihomed network routers 11 communicate with each other.

[0116] In addition, FIG. 1 shows communication links 6 of a multi-network communication network corresponding to transmission areas between routers 11 of a multi-network communication network within a mesh communication network 14. In fact, communication lines 6 of a multi-network communication network, being represented as straight lines for illustrative purposes, are not necessarily straight lines, but more precisely, circular transmission zones emitted from each router 11 of the multi-network communication network. Through such zones of each router 11 of the multi-network communication network, data is transmitted and received.

[0117] In fact, the data rate within the mesh communications network 14 is preferably configured to be at least 125 kilobytes per second. The data rate within the star-shaped communication network 16 is preferably configured to be at least 250 kilobytes per second. The interaction between the customer 7 and the multi-network communication network 10 is wireless, and the customer 7 is accessed by the following devices, or one or both: the wireless end device 40 (shown in FIG. 7) and the smart shopping cart 50 (shown in FIG. 8) , on communication lines 6 of a multi-network communication network.

[0118] FIG. 2A schematically depicts an exemplary mesh communications network 14. The routers 11 of the multi-network communication network are in wireless connection with the elements of the mesh network 14 of the communication lines 6 of the multi-network communication network. Elements of a mesh communications network 14 may include wireless end devices 40, smart shopping carts 50, and a multi-network communications network organizer 21 that operates as a mesh communications network organizer (depicted in a single housing with a radio data transmitter). The communication lines 6 of the multi-network communication network are dotted in order to indicate the direction and availability of wireless communication lines between the information routers forming the mesh communication network 14 and other network elements (for example, wireless end devices 40 and the organizer 21 of the multi-network communication network). The mesh communication network 14 provides many advantages, including low power consumption, low cost of operation, efficient communication within a specific space, and low maintenance cost.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 2A, each multi-network communication network router 11 is able to connect to at least some other multi-network communication network routers 11 in the mesh communication network 14. In some implementations, each multi-network communication router 11 has connectivity to all other routers 11, multi-network communication organizer 21, or wireless end devices 40 associated with mesh communication network 14.

[0120] The mesh communication network 14 is a local area network (LAN) using one of two connecting devices. One location is the complete topology of the mesh network, according to which all the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network are wirelessly connected to each other and can receive and transmit information to all other routers 11 of the multi-network communication network inside the mesh network. Another exemplary arrangement is a partial topology of a mesh network, according to which each router 11 of the multi-network communication network is wirelessly connected to some, but not all, routers 11 of the multi-network communication network within the mesh communication network. On figa shows a mesh network 14 connection with the topology of the full type.

[0121] In some embodiments, the data transmitted over the mesh communication network 14 is limited to small data packets, such as the X and Y coordinates of the position between customers 7, employees 8, and managers 9. Preferably, the location tracking subsystem is controlled over mesh communications network 14 . In this embodiment, when the location tracking subsystem is operating, a multi-network communication network information router 11 is used. In this embodiment, the information routers are not necessarily connected to each other, but instead provide the X and Y coordinates of the position of each blind node, which may be a wireless end device 40 or an intelligent shopping cart 50. In selected exemplary embodiments, the wireless end device 40 calculates its own X and Y position coordinates using the triangulation program loaded therein. Wireless end devices 40 receive signals from at least three information routers shown in FIG. 2A contained within a multi-network communication network router 11 to triangulate the position of the wireless end device 40 or smart shopping cart 50. Each router 11 multi-network communication network knows its coordinates X and Y position, because the logical device provides them with each router. The routers 11 of the multi-network communication network are connected to the organizer of the mesh communication network depicted as the organizer 21 of the multi-network communication network, which is connected to the logical device 23 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2B and 3A) via an Ethernet cable (communication system line 19 of FIG. 1, 2B, 3A, 3B and 4).

[0122] In some embodiments, the mesh communications network 14 is a ZIGBEE communications network. ZIGBEE is the name of the specification for a high-level protocol suite that uses small, low-power digital radio transmitters based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPAN). The ZIGBEE communications network is designed for RF applications where a low data rate is possible, long battery life and reliable data transmission over the network are required.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 2A, in its simplest form, a mesh communication network 14 includes at least one multi-network communication network router 11, at least one multi-network communication network organizer 21 and wireless end devices 40. A multi-network communication network organizer 21 is a device that routes data through at least one router 11 of a multi-network communication network within a mesh communication network 14. The organizer 21 of the multi-network communication network is connected to the logical device 23 through the system line 19 of the communication. The mesh communications network 14 is a communications network of either a beacon type or a non-beacon type. In beacon communication networks, power consumption is further minimized, since the router 11 of the multi-network communication network needs to be active only when transmitting the beacon. The energy consumption in non-beacon communication networks may be higher since at least a portion of the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network 10 are always in an active state, while others may be inactive. However, it is possible that all or almost all of the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network 10 are continuously active.

[0124] In embodiments where the mesh communications network 14 is a beacon communications network, multi-network communications routers 11 (more specifically, radio transmitters for a mesh communications network, called information routers) automatically transmit their X and Y position coordinates to blind nodes. Blind nodes are selected from the group consisting of wireless end devices 40 and smart shopping carts 50. In this embodiment, the blind nodes do not have to transmit signals to the multi-network communication network routers requesting their coordinates.

[0125] In other implementations, a non-beacon communication network 14 is used. In a non-beacon type network (i.e., one with a beacon number 15), the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network contain information receivers that are preferably continuously active. In these embodiments, the organizer requested by the wireless end devices 40 transmits a signal through at least one router 11 of the multi-network communication network back to the blind nodes. The organizer 21 of the multi-network communication network manages the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network, associates the wireless end devices 40 with the mesh network 14, stores the information received from the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network, and routes messages between the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network and the wireless end devices 40 or smart 50 shopping trolleys. The use of a non-beacon type mesh communication network 14 further provides for the use of heterogeneous networks of devices of various types in which some devices can continuously receive, while other devices can only transmit when an external signal is detected. One example of an element located in a heterogeneous network is a lamp having a wireless light switch. The assembly in the lamp is continuously receiving since it is connected to the lamp power source, while the battery-powered lamp power source remains “dormant” or inactive until the light switch is turned off. Then the light switch is activated, sends a command to the lamp, receives confirmation and returns to the inactive state. In a beacon-type communication network, routers 11 of a multi-network communication network in a mesh communication network 14 periodically transmit beacons to confirm their presence to other network nodes. Such nodes sleep between the beacons, thereby reducing their duty cycle and increasing battery life.

[0126] A logical device 23 or, in other embodiments, a location tracking server 31 performs several important functions within the communications mesh network 14. The important functions performed by the logical device 23 are the functions of computing, storing information, organizing, responding, network notification, prioritizing data, prioritizing events, calculating ray tracing, creating historical progressions, creating heating maps, etc. The logical device organizes the data of product selection with data location of the buyer, collected within a predefined time interval from the wireless end device to create location data Where the goods are for selection. In addition, the logical device organizes all the data on the location of the goods for selection from one visit to the store in order to purchase goods in order to create group data on the whereabouts of the goods for selection, storing them in the electronic profile of the buyer. This electronic customer profile gives the store trends for subsequent analysis using a logical device to create historical progressions for the customer, either individually or through a category. At least one server-type computer or server is preferred. The server is particularly useful in a multi-network communication network 10 due to its great capabilities for computing and storage.

[0127] FIG. 2B schematically depicts the operation of an exemplary mesh communications network 14. The mesh communication network 14 transmits data between its elements, such as routers 11 of the multi-network communication network and wireless end devices 40, to the logical device 23 via lines 6 of the mesh communication network. FIG. 2B illustrates a data flow between a logic device 23 and wireless end devices 40 and between a logic device 23 and smart shopping carts 50.

[0128] FIG. 3A shows a typical star-shaped communication network 16. In Fig. 3A, data transmitters located in the same housing as the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network in Figs. 3A and 3B are directly connected to the logical device 23 via system communication lines 19. Preferably, the system communication lines 19 are wired, which connect the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network to the logical device 23. In order to explain the operation of the star-shaped communication network 16, the lines 6 of the multi-network communication network are wireless lines between the routers 11 of the multi-network communication network and the wireless end devices 40 and therefore depicted in dashed lines. Preferred system communication lines 19 are capable of providing high-quality and high-speed digital voice transmission and large volumes of information.

[0129] The star-shaped communication network 16 is particularly useful and important for the multi-network communication network 10. A star-shaped communication network 16 with a data rate of at least 250 kilobytes per second transmits data streams that require a higher data rate for speed and efficiency. For example, voice data, drawings, videos, and financial data are the types of data that are most suitable for transmission at a higher transfer rate (for example, 250 kilobytes per second or more). Although these types of information or data can be transmitted over the mesh communication network 14, the star-shaped communications network 16, instead of or in addition to the mesh communications network 14, is preferred.

[0130] An exemplary star-shaped communication network 16 in the present description operates on the IEEE 802 communication protocol. The IEEE 802 communication protocol relates to a family of IEEE standards that work with local area networks and regional networks. More specifically, IEEE standards are limited to communication networks transmitting variable-size data packets. Conversely, in cellular communication networks, data is transmitted in short fragments of a constant size, called cells, for use, for example, by cell phones. Although preferred, it is known that the star-shaped communication network 16 operates over communication protocols, which include, but are not limited to, BLUETOOTH® (a communication device operating on the IEEE 802.15.1 and 802.15.2 communication protocols registered to Bluetooth Sig, Inc. ), WIMEDIA® (specifications for connecting wireless multimedia devices, known as the IEEE 802.15.3 communication protocol registered for the WiMedia Alliance Corporation), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.1 Ib communication protocol), Wi-Fi5 (IEEE 802.1 Ia communication protocol /HL.2) and other wireless communication protocols like prefer nomu protocol 802.15.4 as above indicated herein.

[0131] In an exemplary embodiment, the star-shaped communication network 16 transmits data via the IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol. The IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol controls the transmission of data sent over wireless personal area networks (WPAN). Wireless personal area networks may include the use of BLUETOOTH technology. The IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol has a low data transfer rate (approximately 125 kilobytes per second) and also provides long battery life (for example, months or even years) in routers 11 of a multi-network communication network and is known for its very low technical complexity and low power consumption .

[0132] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary star-shaped communication network 16. In this embodiment, all significant interaction with wireless end devices 40 and smart shopping carts 50 is carried out along the lines of a star-shaped communication network (shown here as communication lines 6 of a multi-network communication network), the radio transmitters for data transmission are located in the same housing as the router 11 of the multi-network communication network , switch 25, gateway server 27, and a corresponding server in the store, such as location tracking server 31. The interaction between the router 11 of the multi-network communication network and the switch 25 occurs on the system communication lines 19, which can be wired or wireless, depending on the specific application. In some embodiments of the system, the system communication lines 19 are wired, while the lines 6 of the multi-network communication network are wireless. In other embodiments, a switch 25, a gateway server 27, a store server 29, and a location tracking server 31 are replaced by a logical device 23 (not shown in FIG. 3B).

[0133] Figure 4 shows a typical multi-network communication network 10. In FIG. 4, multi-network routers 11 transmit a signal to wireless end device 40. In an example embodiment, multi-network routers 11 transmit a signal to wireless end device 40. In an example embodiment, multi-network routers 11 transmit their wireless terminal device 40 X and Y coordinates of the position. The wireless end device 40 or the smart shopping cart 50 either performs the calculations necessary to transmit its position X and Y coordinates, or transmits a signal via a star-shaped communication network 16 to a location tracking server 31. The location tracking server 31 performs beam tracing and location tracking calculations in some implementations. In typical embodiments, the logic device 23 performs location tracking calculations. In any of the above embodiments, the location of each wireless end device 40 and each smart shopping cart 50 is known to the store through the exchange of data between the wireless end device 40 and the radio transmitter of the information router, which belongs to the router 11 of the multi-network communication network of the mesh communication network 14.

[0134] In embodiments in which the wireless end device 40 is a reduced functionality device and either the logic device 23 or the location tracking server 31 performs location tracking calculations, the information router radio transmitter in the nearest multi-network information router 11 transmits its coordinates X and Y positions to the wireless end device 40. The information router radio transmitter in the router 11 of the multi-network communication network closest to wireless to the water end device 40, receives the X and Y coordinates of the position of the wireless end device 40 from the organizer 21 of the multi-network communication network, which receives the X and Y coordinates of the position from the location tracking server 31. In any case, the location of the wireless end device 40 on the map of the retailer 5 (shown in FIG. 1) is known to the wireless end device 40 and the location tracking server 31 or logical device 23 via the mesh network 14 of the multi-network communication network 10.

[0135] In an exemplary embodiment, knowing the location of each wireless end device 40 held by a customer 7, the wireless end device 40 sends information to store employees 8 and managers 9 and receives information from store employees 8 and managers 9 via a star-shaped communication network 16. In specific embodiments, the location of each smart shopping cart 50 is known, and the smart shopping cart 50 used by customer 7 sends information to store employees 8 and managers 9 or logic device 23 and receives information from store employees 8 and managers 9 or logical device 23 via star network 16 communications. In some embodiments, all interaction between a customer 7 and at least one of a group of store employees 8, managers 9, and an intelligent shopping cart 50 should be conducted through a multi-network communication router 11, switch 25, gateway server 27, and the corresponding server in a store, such as location tracking server 31.

[0136] Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a typical embodiment of a system and method for influencing a customer 7 at the first decision point. Basically, the buyer 7 is influenced by sending messages to his wireless end device 40 over the multi-network communication network 10 in the retail enterprise 5. As shown in FIG. 5, at step 100, the buyer 7 starts shopping with the purpose of purchasing goods with the wireless end device 40. In most embodiments, when the buyer 7 starts shopping with the purpose of purchasing goods with the wireless end device 40, he scans his preferred the customer’s card, and the wireless end device 40 is assigned to the buyer 7, allowing the enterprise 5 to immediately identify the buyer 7. At step 105, the wireless end device 40 held directly the proximity to the buyer during his movement to the store to buy goods, continuously calculates and transmits location data to the logical device 23. The logical device 23 receives the location data from the wireless end device 40 of the buyer 7. In embodiments where the wireless end device 40 is a device with reduced functionality, the coordinates of the nearest routers 11 of the multi-network communication network will be transferred from the wireless end device 40 to the logical troystvu 23, which will calculate the location of the data.

[0137] It is depicted that at step 110, the logic device 23 continuously tracks the location of the wireless end device 40 held in close proximity to the customer 7. Using the term “continuously” as used in the present description means a step specified by the program operator. For example, a time interval may be set, but is not limited to, every 3 seconds, every 5 seconds, or every 10 seconds. The interval varies depending on the specific application.

[0138] Then, as shown in step 115, the buyer 7 slows down or stops moving around the store in front of the goods and experiences the first decision point. The logic device 23 is programmed in such a way that the program recognizes when the buyer 7 experiences the first decision moment, when the buyer reduces the speed to a certain value or when the buyer 7 stops for a while in front of the window, for example, for three seconds. At step 120, when the buyer 7 slows down or stops moving around the enterprise 5 in front of the goods, the logic device 23 traces the amount of time for which the buyer 7 slows down or stops, its location during a speed reduction or stop and identifies the goods selected by the buyer (if any (selected) during a speed reduction or termination of movement within the enterprise 5. At step 125, the logic device 23 evaluates the information collected at step 120 to determine if the purchase is experiencing spruce 7 the first time of the decision. In order to determine the first decision point, the logic device 23 compares the tracked location of the buyer 7 (also known as the location of the buyer) with a map of the location of the goods in order to assess the location of the buyer in relation to the location of the goods. When approximately 152.4 cm (5 ft) remains at the location of the product, the logic device 23 begins to measure the amount of time that the customer 7 is in close proximity to the product. When the buyer 7 selects the product and scans it using its scanning device, the product selection data is created, the logic device 23 stops measuring time using the difference between the time of the day when the buyer 7 selected the product and the first decision moment when he stopped in front of the location of the product approximately 152.4 cm (5 ft) from the product. The logic device 23 evaluates the product selected by the buyer for purchase, the location of the buyer in relation to the location of the goods and the time of the selection of goods to create the estimated data. The logic device determines if the estimates indicate the first decision point.

[0139] In step 130, if the logic device 23 determines that the customer 7 is experiencing a first decision moment based on the estimated data, then it transmits to the customer 7, its wireless end device 40, which is influencing the message based on the evaluation of the first decision moment . In step 135, the buyer 7 receives the influencing message on his wireless end device 40. Ideally, when the buyer 7 experiences the first decision moment, he reads the influencing message on his wireless end device 40, as shown in step 140. B imperfectly, the buyer 7 can read at least one influencing message on his wireless end device 40 when he is not experiencing the first decision moment.

[0140] At this point in time, at step 145, the buyer 7 decides whether to follow or not follow the advice of the influencing message. For example, when a product is recommended in the message that replaces the product scanned by the buyer, at step 145, the buyer 7 decides to buy the product recommended in the message. In other embodiments, the influencing message has an effect on the buyer 7 so that he decides to buy a quantity of goods different from that which the buyer originally intended to buy at the first moment of the decision. In other embodiments, the buyer 7 decides to buy a product that is different from the selected and scanned, returning the original product to the shelf and scanning the proposed product. After the decision is made at step 145, the buyer 7 either continues to shop for the purchase of goods (returns to step 100), or is sent to pay at the cash register for the selected goods (at step 150).

[0141] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a system and method for influencing a customer 7 at the first decision point by sending messages to his smart shopping cart 50 through a multi-network communication network 10 of a retailer 5. As shown in FIG. 6, at step 200, the buyer 7 begins shopping with the goal of purchasing goods with the smart shopping cart 50. In most implementations, when a customer 7 starts shopping to purchase goods with the smart shopping cart 50, he scans his preferred customer card when the smart shopping cart 50 (and the integrated wireless end device) is assigned to customer 7, right away to enterprise 5 customer identification is provided 7. At step 205, the smart shopping trolley 50 located in close proximity to the customer 7 while traveling around the store does not discontinuously calculates and transmits the location data to the logical device 23. The logical device 23 receives the location data from the smart shopping cart 50 for the customer 7. In embodiments where the smart shopping cart 50 includes a wireless end device, which is a device with reduced functionality , the coordinates of the nearest routers 11 of the multi-network communication network will be transmitted from the smart shopping cart 50 to the logical device 23, which calculates location data.

[0142] At step 210, it is shown that the logic device 23 continuously traces the location of the smart shopping trolley 50 located in close proximity to the customer 7. The use of the term “continuously” as used in the present description means a step specified by the program operator. For example, a time interval may be set for every 3 seconds, every 5 seconds, or every 10 seconds, but it is not limited to this. The interval varies depending on the specific application.

[0143] Then, as shown in step 215, the buyer 7 slows down or stops moving around the store in front of the goods and experiences the first decision moment. The logic device 23 is programmed in such a way that the program recognizes when the buyer 7 experiences the first decision moment, when the buyer reduces the speed to a certain value or when the buyer 7 stops for a while in front of the window, for example, for three seconds. At step 220, when the buyer 7 slows down or stops in front of the goods, the logic device 23 traces the amount of time for which the buyer 7 slows down or stops, its location during a speed reduction or stop, and identifies the goods selected by the buyer (if any at all) during a reduction in speed or cessation of movement within the enterprise 5. At step 225, the logic device 23 evaluates the data collected at step 220 to determine if the customer 7 is experiencing the first moment ment solutions. In order to determine the first decision point, the logic device 23 compares the location of the buyer 7 with a map of the location of the goods in order to assess the location of the buyer in relation to the location of the goods. When less than approximately 152.4 cm (5 ft) remains to the location of the product, the logic device 23 begins to measure the amount of time that the customer 7 is in close proximity to the product. When the buyer 7 selects the product and scans it using his wireless scanning device, data is created for the selection of goods. The logic device 23 stops measuring time using the difference between the time of day when the customer 7 selected the product and the first decision moment when he stopped at the location of the product approximately 152.4 cm (5 ft) from the product. The logic device 23 evaluates the intended customer goods to purchase, the location of the buyer in relation to the location of the goods and the time of the selection of goods to create the estimated data. The logic device determines whether the estimates indicate the first decision point.

[0144] At step 230, if it is determined that the buyer 7 is experiencing the first decision moment based on the estimated data, the logic device 23 transmits to the buyer 7, his smart shopping cart 50, an influencing message based on the evaluation of the first decision moment. At step 235, the buyer 7 receives an influencing message on his smart shopping trolley 50. Ideally, when the customer experiences the first decision point, he reads the influencing message on his smart shopping cart 50, as shown in step 240. In an imperfect case, the customer 7 reads at least one influencing message on this smart cart 50 for purchases when he is not experiencing the first moment of decision making.

[0145] At this point in time, at step 245, the buyer 7 decides whether to follow or not follow the advice of the influencing message. For example, when a product is recommended in the message that replaces the product scanned by the buyer, at step 245, the buyer 7 decides to buy the product recommended in the message. In other embodiments, the influencing message has an effect on the buyer 7 so that he decides to buy a quantity of goods different from that which the buyer originally intended to buy at the first moment of the decision. In other embodiments, the buyer 7 decides to buy a product that is different from the selected and scanned, returning the original product to the shelf and scanning the proposed product. After the decision is made at step 245, the buyer 7 either continues to shop for the purchase of goods (returns to step 200), or goes to the cashier to pay for the selected goods (at step 250).

[0146] FIG. 7 is a front view of a wireless end device 40 with multiple interface buttons 42. Wireless end devices 40 are used by at least one of a manager, a store employee, and a customer. In some embodiments, a tracking device is located within each wireless end device 40. The wireless end device 40 is battery operated and preferably rechargeable. It has the ability to search and associate itself (i.e. connect wirelessly) with the existing multi-network communication network 10. The wireless end device 40 in the present description is a device with either reduced functionality or full functionality, but a device with reduced functionality is preferable due to low power consumption. In some implementations, the wireless end device 40 includes a scanning device (not shown) and an imager used to scan goods by the buyer 7, placed in the shopping cart 50 (intellectual or non-intellectual) (not shown), and for photographing.

[0147] The wireless end device 40 is essentially a device receiving information from a multi-network communication network 10 and transmitting information to a multi-network communication network 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the wireless end device 40 includes interface buttons 42. While each interface button 42 indicates a function, most of the interface buttons 42 actually perform a request to transmit information from other devices connected to a multi-network communication network 10 (not shown ) or to them, which is preferable than the requirement of the wireless end device 40 to perform computing functions. In some embodiments, the wireless end device 40 transmits information to other devices connected to the multi-network communication network 10, such as a logic device 23 or other devices capable of performing computing functions, for calculation. Computing functions include, but are not limited to, ray tracing calculations, price calculations, and budget calculations. Therefore, the interface buttons 42 shown in FIG. 7 on the wireless end device 40 are not a means of activating another function within the wireless end device 40 than receiving or transmitting information to the multi-network communication network 10, and any type of button will be used on the wireless end device 40, the calculation will be very small, or even no calculation at all, since the logic device 23 or the location tracking server 31 performs ray tracing calculations. With this use of the interface buttons 42, equipment is required to facilitate computational functions like calculating the X and Y coordinates of a position on a store grid.

[0148] For example, the wireless end device 40 itself does not substantially compute or store the total value of goods previously scanned and stacked in the smart shopping cart 50. Instead, the trolley button 44, when depressed, sends a signal to the multi-network communication network 10 that the wireless end device 40 is ready to scan the goods, which should be put into the smart shopping trolley 50 after scanning. The scanned information is transmitted wirelessly over a multi-network communication network 10 and finally sent to a logical device 23 or a location tracking server 31 for storage and / or further processing.

[0149] It should be noted that FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment, and the types, configurations, and orientation of buttons shown do not form part of the invention. It is possible to create an infinite number of button types, sizes, shapes, configurations, characters, images, etc., without departing from the scope of the invention, and with the purpose of the wireless end device 40, depending on the specific application.

[0150] When the wireless end device 40 is configured to perform small calculations or not perform calculations, it becomes extremely cost effective to manufacture and commission. Since lower cost components (i.e., high-speed processor and memory) are used, it is less prone to theft. In addition, even if the theft of the wireless end device 40 occurs, the cost of replacing it is much less than the cost per unit of more complex devices. When the wireless end device 40 lacks a high processor and memory speed, it also lacks a significant amount of software from other devices that are dependent on high speed processors and large complex memory types. In addition, due to the low cost of one wireless end device 40, a larger number of them can be used for more customers in the enterprise 5. In addition, one wireless end device 40 can be used in various grocery stores, if the store has a multi-network 10 communication compatible with the used wireless end device 40.

[0151] In other embodiments, the wireless terminal device 40 performs specific complex computing operations at least partially within its circuit, i.e. in microcontrollers. For example, it performs ray tracing calculations to determine its own location on a two-dimensional grid superimposed on a store map. In this embodiment, it is preferable, but not necessary, that the logical device 23 or the corresponding storage server, such as the location tracking server 31, operates as a standby wireless end device 40 with full functionality in the event of a computing or other type of failure of the wireless end device 40.

[0152] The wireless end device 40, regardless of whether it has the ability to perform calculations or not, contains at least one microcontroller. In the present description, the type of microcontroller is preferably an on-chip system. In the present description, the microcontroller comprises a control unit, at least one register, a certain amount of read-only memory (ROM), a certain amount of random access memory (RAM), and an arithmetic logic device (ALU). In embodiments in which the wireless end device 40 does not do all the computing work, arithmetic logic will be accessed very rarely, if at all, for any calculations in the wireless end device 40. In embodiments of the wireless end device 40, which the device itself performs most of the computing work, therefore, the arithmetic logic device will be available for calculations.

[0153] In some embodiments, the wireless end device 40 comprises at least two microcontrollers. One microcontroller receives and transmits information from the wireless end device 40 to the mesh communication network 14. Another microcontroller receives and transmits information from the wireless end device 40 to the star-shaped communication network 16. The Texas Instruments CC2431 microcontroller is then preferred because of its ability to transmit data to both the mesh communications network 14 and the star-shaped communications network 16. In addition, the CC2431 microcontroller provides location tracking functions within the multi-network communication network 10. Such location detection is an important, preferred feature, since it allows any device so equipped (or wireless end devices 40, smart shopping carts 50, or multi-network routers 11) to be found, or their location can be determined anywhere- anything inside the multi-network communication network 10.

[0154] The technical specification for the CC2431 microcontroller is as follows: 32 MHz single-watt low-power microcontroller 8051; 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 compatible radio frequency transceiver; 128 kilobytes built-in programmable flash memory; extremely low nutritional requirements; ZIGBEE working protocol stack (Z-STACK); 8 kilobytes of static memory (SRAM); 4 kilobytes with data storage in all power modes. The CC2431 microcontroller is a true microchip system for ZIGBEE / IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensor network solutions. The microcontroller CC2431 contains a module for location detection equipment that can be used to detect either the wireless end device 40 or the smart shopping cart 50 within the multi-network communication network 10. Based on this, the logic device estimates the location of an unknown wireless end device 40 or smart shopping cart 50 within the multi-network communication network 10.

[0155] In addition to the microcontrollers used to control the flow of information in the mesh communication network 14 and the star-shaped communication network 16, at least one control microcontroller is used in the wireless end device 40. This control microcontroller controls the other microcontrollers, evaluates them, sends messages to them receives information from them and controls them, and these other microcontrollers are configured to send and receive information over the mesh network 14 of communication and star heat network 16 communication. The Texas Instruments MSP430 microcontroller is the preferred model for the control microcontroller. Microcontroller MSP430 is a microcontroller built on the basis of a 16-bit processor, which is designed for low-cost embedded applications with low power consumption. This is especially suitable for wireless RF applications or battery powered applications. The consumed electric current in idle mode can be less than 1 microampere. The microprocessor's top speed is 16 MHz. It can be reduced for lower power consumption. The MSP430 microcontroller does not have an external memory bus. Therefore, it is limited by microprocessor memory and preferably contains up to 128 kilobytes of flash memory and 10 kilobytes of RAM.

[0156] In embodiments in which the multi-network communication network 10 comprises star-shaped communication networks 16, an exemplary configuration of the internal electronic equipment of the wireless end device 40 includes two microcontrollers responsible for connecting to the multi-network communication network 10, and a control microcontroller that controls all other necessary functions in the wireless end device 40. In this configuration, one of the two microcontrollers is always associated and wirelessly connected to the multi-network with 10 communication. Another microcontroller, when it is not wirelessly connected to the multi-network communication network 10, searches for the strongest radio signal transmitted by the multi-network communication network 10 to connect to it. If the signal recognized by the non-associated microcontroller becomes stronger than the signal transmitted by the currently associated star-shaped communication network 16, the non-associated microcontroller will change the status to the associated state, and the previously associated microcontroller will change the status to the non-associated state and then begin to search for the strongest radio signal available from multi-network communication network 10. Such a process of associating and not associating between microcontrollers occurs continuously while the buyer 7 moves around the store from one star-shaped communication network 16 to another star-shaped communication network 16 located in the retail outlet 5.

[0157] In other implementations in which the multi-network communication network 10 comprises star-shaped communication networks 16 and not a single mesh communication network 14, two microcontrollers (preferably Texas Instruments CC2431) responsible for simultaneously receiving and transmitting information from the wireless terminal device 40, both are associated with multi-network communication network 10. This dual association enables the transfer of larger data packets from or to the wireless end device 40. These larger data packets may contain voice data, video, and other types of data for which the best wireless transmission (i.e., between wireless end device 40 and multi-network communication network 10) occurs at a data rate of at least 256 kilobytes per second .

[0158] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary smart shopping trolley 50 used by a customer 7 in a retailer 5. Externally, the smart shopping trolley 50 looks like most of the famous shopping trolleys. The smart shopping trolley 50 has a handle 52, a basket 54 attached to the handle 52, and a trolley pallet 56 located below the basket 54. However, the smart shopping trolley 50 is called “smart” because it is connected to a retail outlet 5 through multi-network communication network 10. When the smart shopping cart 50 is equipped with microcontrollers (preferably Texas Instruments CC2431), it solves the problem of receiving and transmitting information to the logical device 23 over the multi-network communication network 10. In addition, when the smart shopping cart 50 includes an imaging device and a screen or is paired with a wireless end device 40 that includes an imaging device and a screen, the customer 7 is able to read the messages received from the logical device 23. In some embodiments, the smart shopping trolley 50 comprises a tracking device so that enterprise 5 can track the location of the smart shopping trolley 50 throughout the enterprise 5.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 8, the smart shopping cart 50 also includes weighing devices 58 located on the inner surface 55 of the basket 54. In some embodiments, the weighing devices 58 are in the form of hooks 60. Each weighing device 58, or the hook 60 is connected to a strain gauge (not shown) that measures the deformation or tension of the object on which it is located. A strain gauge measures the deformation of hook 60 when a product is placed on it, which causes a measurable deformation. A measurable deformation is a measurement of at least a portion of the weight of the product attached to the hook 60.

[0160] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example and not limitation. Various changes in form and in detail that can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be limited to any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but are defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (19)

1. The method of influencing the choice of goods by the buyer during a visit to the store by the buyer in order to purchase goods at a retail outlet, according to which:
i) a multi-network communication network is provided for customer interaction with a retailer, the multi-network communication network comprising at least one mesh communication network and at least one star-shaped communication network, and said mesh communication network and said star-shaped communication network are operating in said multi-network network connection with the creation of tracking data and product selection data;
ii) take a logical device, operatively connected to the specified multi-network communication network, which controls the specified multi-network communication network;
iii) monitor the wireless end device held in close proximity to the specified buyer while visiting the store to purchase goods at a retail outlet, the wireless end device interacting with tracking the logical device through the specified mesh communication network of the specified multi-network communication network ;
iv) electronically associating said wireless end device with said multi-network communication network;
v) identify the goods in the window in the specified retail outlet, and the specified goods are in close proximity to the specified buyer;
vi) determine the appropriate influencing message for transmission from the logical device to the wireless end device, held in close proximity to the specified buyer; and
vii) transmit from the logical device a suitable influencing message on the indicated star-shaped communication network to the wireless terminal device held in close proximity to the specified customer while visiting the store for the purpose of purchasing goods at the specified retail outlet. 2. The method according to claim 1, according to which additionally: take a multi-network communication network router located in the specified retail outlet and connected to the interaction with a multi-network communication network. 3. The method according to claim 1, whereby the specified multi-network communication network comprises a first mesh communication network and a second mesh communication network. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said multi-network communication network comprises a first star-shaped communication network and a second star-shaped communication network. 5. The method according to claim 1, whereby a suitable influencing message is selected from the group consisting of: a competitive opportunity for savings; the ability to select other brands; product warnings; product compatibility warnings; product overview; response to historical progression; alternative choice of goods for purchase; directions to the location of the goods in the store; electronic coupon; price reduction warnings; warnings about price increases; and budget constraint warnings. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless end device is associated with an intelligent shopping cart. 7. The method according to claim 1, according to which:
i) connect the scanning device to the wireless end device;
ii) scan the goods for purchase using the specified scanning device, and the specified goods for purchase contains the identification of the goods;
iii) create scan data of the goods by recording the identification of the specified goods for purchase;
iv) transmit the specified data scan of the goods to the specified logical device; and
v) evaluate the specified data scan of the goods, and the logical device evaluates this data. 8. The method according to claim 7, in which the specified wireless end device contains a tracking device that is in interaction with tracking with the specified logical device, and the step of tracking the specified wireless end device further comprises the step of producing a traceable location of the specified customer in the enterprise retail, with a traceable location producing a logical device. 9. The method according to claim 8, according to which additionally: compare the indicated traceable location with a map of the location of the goods to obtain the location of the buyer in relation to the location of the goods, and the logical device compares the specified traceable location with the map of the location of the goods. 10. The method according to claim 9, according to which additionally:
i) record the time when the distance between the location of the buyer and the location of the goods becomes no more than approximately 152.4 cm (5 feet);
ii) calculating the product selection time data by calculating the difference between the time when the specified product selection time data was generated and the time when the distance between the customer’s location and the product’s location became no more than approximately 152.4 cm (5 ft); moreover, the steps of recording time and computing data about the time of the selection of goods performs a logical device. 11. The method according to claim 10, according to which additionally: create the estimated data, which is the result of the calculation by the specified logical device that evaluates the intention to purchase the goods, the location of the specified buyer in relation to the location of the goods and data on the time of selection of goods. 12. The method according to claim 11, according to which additionally: determine the first moment of decision-making, and the estimated data indicate the logical device at the specified first moment of decision-making. 13. The method according to p. 12, according to which additionally: change the specified suitable influencing message in accordance with the specified evaluation data, when determining the specified first moment of decision. 14. The method according to claim 1, in which the said influence on the choice of goods by the buyer occurs before the selection of goods by the buyer. 15. The method according to 14, in which the said influence on the choice of goods by the buyer causes a change in the choice of goods by the buyer. 16. The method according to claim 1, in which the said influence on the choice of goods by the buyer occurs during the selection of goods by the buyer. 17. The method according to clause 16, in which the said influence on the choice of goods by the buyer causes a change in the choice of goods by the buyer. 18. The method according to claim 1, in which the said influence on the choice of goods by the buyer occurs after the selection of goods by the buyer. 19. The method according to p. 18, in which the said influence on the choice of goods by the buyer causes a change in the choice of goods by the buyer.

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