BE1013925A3 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A PORTABLE DEVICE TO RECEIVE PROMOTIONS AND INFORMATION ON PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Method, system, and computer product for using a portable device to receive promotions and product information. The method includes establishing a wireless telecommunication link between a portable device and a retail store system when the portable device is in a predetermined proximity area of a retail store associated with the retail store system . The retail store system generates a promotion for retail products offered by said retail store and delivers the promotion to the portable device via the wireless communications link. The wireless telecommunication link can be established either automatically or on the basis of a signal initialized by a user of the portable device. The portable device can also transmit a customer identifier and / or a product identifier to said retail store system and receive promotions generated based on the customer identifier and / or the product identifier.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A PORTABLE DEVICE TO RECEIVE PROMOTIONS AND INFORMATION ON

PRODUCTS

REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS This request relates to the request for serial number 09 / 373.625, filed on August 13, 1999; PCT / US99 / 24746, filed October 25, 1999; application for serial number 09 / 323.538, filed on June 1, 1999; PCT / US99 / 26002, filed November 16, 1999, and the United States application entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A PORTABLE PROMOTION MANAGEMENT DEVICE" having mandate register number 7701-0116-25, filed July 11, 2000 , the full content of which is incorporated here for reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method and system for using portable electronic devices, and more particularly to a method and system for using a portable electronic device for receiving promotions and information about retail products. As used herein, the term "promotion" refers to any offer, advertisement, incentive, coupon, commercial, or communication to promote one or more goods and / or services.

History description

As all grocery customers know, many manufacturers typically distribute promotions for their products either by mail, by printing them in newspapers or magazines, by inserting them into packages of similar or related products, or by printing at a point of sale terminal at a checkout, for example, at a grocery store. For many customers, the time between shopping events is spent collecting these promotions. The promotion collection is then brought to the retail store where the customer compares each product purchased to a promotion in the collection to determine if the product is worth buying in consideration of the promotion. However, due to the time-consuming nature of this process, many customers are unable or unwilling to collect and use promotions, making the manufacturer's efforts to reward or introduce new products to the customer in vain. In addition, these customers who collect promotions may not have access to all of the sources where promotions can be found and, therefore, may not obtain promotion for a product that the customer would like to purchase. In addition, these customers have an unnecessarily long shopping event due to the process of comparing each promotion in the collection to a purchased product.

The ubiquitous nature of the cell phone is proof of the attractiveness of customers for the convenience of wireless communications. In addition, as technological improvements increase the bandwidth of wireless data links, wireless networks allow for the establishment of the final connection to the Internet by letting users communicate anywhere, anytime . With such convenience, portable data devices are likely to become as common as the cell phone and customers are likely to use such portable devices for a large number of tasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a method and a system for receiving promotions easily and effectively.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for receiving promotions and retail information to a portable device located near a retail store.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for receiving information about products and promotions based on a signal initialized by the user of a portable device.

These and other objectives are achieved by providing a new method, system, and computer program product for using a portable device to receive promotions and product information.

In one aspect of the invention, a method, a retail store system, and a computer program product for delivering promotions and product information to a portable device are provided. The method on which the retail store system and the computer program product are based includes establishing a wireless telecommunications link with the portable device located in a predetermined proximity area of a retail store, generating a promotion related to the retail products offered by the retail store, and delivering the promotion to the portable device via the wireless telecommunication link. The wireless telecommunication link can be established either automatically or on the basis of a signal initialized by a user of the portable device. The retail store system may also receive a customer identifier and / or a product identifier from the handheld device and generate and transmit promotions based on the customer identifier and / or product identifier.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method, a portable device, and a computer program product for receiving promotions and product information from a retail store system are provided. The method on which the portable device and the computer program product are based includes establishing a wireless telecommunication link with a retail store system relating to a retail store when in a predetermined proximity to the store retail, and receiving a promotion for retail products offered by the retail store via the wireless communications link. The wireless telecommunication link can be established either automatically or on the basis of a signal initialized by a user of the portable device. The handheld device can also transmit a customer identifier and / or a product identifier to the retail store system and receive promotions generated based on the customer identifier and / or the product identifier.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention and many of its associated advantages will be easily obtained, while it will be better understood on reading the following detailed description with reference to the related drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a system for using a portable device to receive promotions and product information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable device used according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3A is a standard promotions table for associating standard promotions of a retail store with a distribution date according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3B is a table of predetermined promotions for associating a predetermined promotion with a CID according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3C is a table of trigger articles for associating trigger articles with targeted promotions according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3D is a store table for associating customer identifiers (CID) of a particular customer with a retail store according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 4A to 4C are examples of promotions which can be displayed on the portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a flowchart describing the process for using a portable device to receive promotions according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 6A and 6B are flow charts describing the process for automatically establishing a wireless telecommunication link between a retail store system and a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6C is a flow chart describing the process for establishing a wireless telecommunication link between a retail store system and a portable device based on a signal initialized by the user; Figure 7 is a flowchart describing a process for determining promotions in the retail store system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a block diagram of a computer system programmed to perform one or more of the special purpose functions of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts in all of the figures, and more particularly in FIG. 1, a computerized system for using a portable device in order to receive promotions and product information according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system of Figure 1 includes a retail store system including a central computer 101, a common shopping database 103, one or more retail stores 105, a shopping data computer 107, a database store 109, a store controller 111, a store database 113, and one or more outlets 115, each comprising a printer 117, a terminal 119, and a scanner 121 The central computer 101 is a any workstation, server, or other device for communicating with the purchasing data computer 107 and for storing information and retrieving information from the common purchasing database 103. The central computer 101 determines also promotions to be transmitted to customers in the retail store 105 according to an embodiment of the invention. The central computer 101 communicates with the purchasing data computer 107 by any suitable protocol and can be implemented using the computer system 801 of FIG. 8, for example.

The common purchasing database 103 is a file which includes records containing information for providing promotions according to the present invention. This information includes information about each purchase made by a customer in retail store 105. Such information can include, but is not limited to, the stock item (SKU), brand, size, weight, price , date and time of purchase, and a customer identifier (CID) of the customer making the purchase, for example. In one embodiment, parts of this information are obtained from bar codes on purchased articles, which are read by the scanner 121 during a transaction. These bar codes can contain UPC, JAN, or EAN information. Records in the common purchasing database 103 contain fields in conjunction with a set of operations for searching, sorting, recombining, and other database functions. The common purchasing database 103 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired. One or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,832,457, 5,649,114, 5,430,644, and 5,592,560 describe techniques for collecting customer purchase history information and for storing such information in databases such as the common shopping database 103 and the store database 113, for example. U.S. Patents 5,832,457, 5,649,114, 5,430,644, and 5,592,560 are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, techniques for collecting purchasing information from customers and for storing such information in databases, such as the common purchasing database 103 and the store database 113, are described in d '' other patents which are the property of Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International. Each patent being the property of Catalina Marketing and / or Catalina Marketing International is incorporated here for reference.

Retail store 105 is generically called a retail storage point and is a location where goods are kept for retail sale to customers. As noted above, many retail stores 105 can be connected to the central computer 101.

The purchasing data computer 107 can be implemented using the computer system 801 of Figure 8, for example, or any other PC, workstation, server, or suitable device for communicating with the central computer 101, for storing and retrieving information in the local purchasing database 109, for controlling the data transmitted between the terminal 119 and the store controller 111 (i.e. the data of transaction) and to control the printer 117 and the wireless telecommunication unit 123. According to one embodiment, the purchasing data computer 107 determines promotions and information on the products and delivers them to the portable device 201 by l via the wireless telecommunication unit 123.

The local shopping database 109 is a file which includes records containing information for delivering promotions and product information according to the present invention. Records in the local purchasing database 109 contain areas for associating bar codes with products in retail store 105 (for example, using UPC, JAN, and / or EAN codes) and associating customer identifiers to promotions. The local purchasing database 109 also includes operations for searching, sorting, recombining, and other database functions. The local purchasing database 109 can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired. Periodically (for example, daily), the sales transaction information stored in the local purchasing database 109 is retrieved by the purchasing data computer 107 and transmitted to the central computer 101 which uses the information to update the purchasing history information stored in the common purchasing database 103.

The store controller 111 is any computer or device for communicating with the terminal 119 and for using information stored in the store database 113 to execute point-of-sale (POS) transactions 115. A description of a store controller 111 is given in US Patent No. 5,173,851, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The store database 113 is a file that includes records containing information for performing point-of-sale transactions 115 by reading bar codes printed on purchased items. The records in the store database 113 contain areas for associating bar codes with products and their corresponding prices. The store database 113 also includes operations for searching, sorting, recombining, and other database functions, and can be implemented as two or more databases, if desired.

The retail store 105 comprises one or more points of sale 115. Each point of sale 115 preferably comprises a corresponding printer 117, a terminal 119, and a scanner 121. The terminal 119 can be implemented as a standard cash register and may include a display, a credit card reader, and a keypad, for example. The terminal 119 communicates with the store controller 111 and the scanner 112. The scanner 121 can be implemented like any conventional scanning device for reading product information such as an article code (for example, UDC, EAN, or JAN) from bar codes or other product references. This information read by the scanner 121 is transmitted to the store controller 111 by the terminal 119. The store controller 111 uses the information read and the information stored in the store database 113 to determine transaction information including the price. product, quantity, and description of the product, for example. Purchase receipts and a hard copy of promotions can be printed on the printer 117 in response to receipt of orders from the purchase data computer 107, if desired.

If there are multiple outlets 115 inside the retail store 105, each terminal 119 is then preferably arranged in a loop with the store controller 111. The purchasing data computer 107 is placed upstream of the store controller 111 in the loop so that the information transmitted from the terminals to the store controller is controlled by the purchasing data computer 107.

The retail store 105 also includes one or more wireless telecommunication units 123 connected to the purchasing data computer 107. Each wireless telecommunication unit 123 provides a bidirectional wireless data transmission link 125 with the portable device 201. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless telecommunication unit 123 is used to exchange data relating to promotions and retail product information with the portable device 201. The information is exchanged between the telecommunication unit without wire 123 and the portable device 201 in response to receiving commands from the purchasing data computer 107 and / or the portable device 201, for example.

The wireless telecommunication unit 123 is a wireless transceiver such as an infrared transmitter and detector, or a WAP (wireless application protocol) terminal. The wireless telecommunication unit 123 can also be a terminal for exploiting the Bluetooth radio link technology or another standard wireless protocol IEEE 802. Bluetooth is a technological specification for short distance radio links, with low form factor and low cost between mobile PCs, mobile phones, and other portable devices. See, for example, "Bluetooth system specification", V.1. 0B, 1, December 1, 1999, basic specification - vol. 1, specification of profiles - vol. 2, the full content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the data transfer unit 123 can be implemented as any combination of suitable devices to provide a two-way wireless data transmission link 125 to ensure compatibility with a variety of portable devices. In one embodiment, the wireless telecommunication unit 123 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic and optical signals which carry streams of digital data representing various types of information regarding promotions and product information.

Depending on the type of wireless technology used and the size and configuration of retail store 105, there may be more than one wireless telecommunication unit 123 in retail store 105. Each wireless telecommunication unit 123 is preferably arranged by relation to other wireless telecommunication units according to the distance of transmission and reception of the wireless units. Each wireless telecommunication unit 123 is connected to a purchasing data computer 107 so that any database in FIG. 1 can exchange information with the portable device 201. The wireless telecommunication unit 123, the purchasing data computer 107, and all the components connected to the purchasing data computer 107 form a retail store system with which the portable device 201 communicates.

It will be understood that the system of Figure 1 is given only by way of example, since many variations of the specific hardware and software used to implement the present invention will readily appear to those having ordinary experience in the art. For example, the functionality of the purchasing data computer 107 and that of the store controller 111 can be combined in a single device. This and other retail computer system applications are described in more detail in one or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,723,212, 4,910,672, 5,173,851, 5,612,868, and 6,026,370, each 'them being incorporated here for reference. To implement these variants as well as other variants, a single computer (for example, the computer system 801 of FIG. 8) can be programmed to execute the specialized functions of two of any or any device numbered from 101 to 123 represented. in Figure 1. In addition, two or more programmed computers can be replaced by any of the devices numbered 101 through 123 shown in Figure 1. The principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy and repetition, can be also implemented as desired to increase the robustness and performance of the system, for example.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an example of a portable device used according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is intended to represent any of various small screen computers such as the laptop sold under the trademark PaimPilot by Corporation of Santa Clara, California, the trademark Palm by Palm, Inc. of Santa Clara, California, or the laptop described in any of the US patents 4,545,023, 5,133,076, and 5,900,875, for example. US Patents 4,545,023, 5,133,076, and 5,900,875 are incorporated herein for reference. In addition, the portable device 201 can be an organizer (PDA), a cell phone, or any other portable device capable of uploading, uploading, storing, and manipulating digital information.

Preferably, the portable device 201 comprises a bus 203 or another communication mechanism for transmitting information, and a processor 205 connected to the bus 203 for processing the information. The portable device 201 also includes a memory unit 207, such as a random access memory (RAM) or another dynamic random access memory (for example, a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a flash RAM)), coupled to the bus 203 to store information and instructions · to be executed by the processor 205. In addition, the memory unit 207 can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions to be executed by the processor 205. The memory unit 207 may further comprise a read-only memory (ROM) or another static random access memory (for example, a programmable ROM (PROM), a Erasable PROM (EPROM), and an electrically erasable and programmable PROM (EEPROM)) for storing static information and instructions for the processor 205. The ROM can be represented as a separate memory unit. An information medium 211, such as a magnetic disk coupled to the bus 203 can be provided for storing information and instructions.

The portable device 201 also includes a display unit 213, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), coupled to the bus 203 to display information for the user of the portable device 201. The portable device 201 includes an input device 215, such as an alphanumeric keyboard and / or a cursor command, for communicating selections of information and commands to processor 205.

A wireless interface 217 coupled to the bus 203 provides a bidirectional wireless data link 125 with the wireless telecommunication unit 123. The wireless interface 217 is a wireless transceiver such as a transmitter and a infrared detector, or a WAP (wireless application protocol) terminal. The wireless interface 217 can also be a device for exploiting the Bluetooth radio link technology or another standard wireless protocol IEEE 802. Alternatively, the interface can be implemented like any combination of devices to realize a bidirectional wireless data link 125 to provide compatibility with a variety of wireless telecommunication units. In any such implementation, the wireless interface 217 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic and optical signals which carry streams of digital data representing various types of information

The present invention stores information relating to customer identifications, retail stores 105, customer purchase histories, and trigger items, for example. This information is stored in one or more memories such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and / or RAM, for example. One or more databases, such as the common database 103 and the store database 113, can store the information used to implement the present invention. Databases are organized using data structures (for example, records, tables, matrices, zones, graphs, trees, and / or lists) contained in one or more memories, such as as memories' designated above or any storage devices designated below in the description of Figure 8, for example.

Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D describe data structures used to implement a system for receiving promotions and product information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Data structures are described in a relational format, using tables, by means of which the information stored in a column (i.e., an area) of a table is mapped or linked to the information stored in the same row (i.e., record) across the other column (s) of the table. These data structures are used by the central computer 101 and / or the purchasing data computer 107 and / or the portable device 201 to deliver promotions and information on products according to the present invention. According to one embodiment, the data structures shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C are stored in the databases of the retail store system such as the store database 113 or the local shopping database 109, while the data structure shown in FIG. 3D is stored in the portable device 201. It will be understood, however, that any other storage device or information medium can be used.

FIG. 3A is a standard promotions table 301 which includes a data area 303 for storing dates and an area 305 for storing standard promotions to be delivered to the portable device 201 of a client according to the present invention. The standard promotions table is preferably stored regularly in the local shopping database 109, for example once a week, and associates standard promotions offered to all customers with a date on which the promotions are offered. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the information in the area 305 is transmitted to any portable device 201 which establishes a transmission link with the wireless telecommunication unit 123 on the date in the corresponding area 303 as described below . The information in the area 305 can be promotional information or any other information which is not specific to a product or to a particular customer, and which it is desired to transmit to each customer who is in an area of predetermined proximity to the retail store 105 associated with the wireless telecommunication unit 123. For example, the first entry in the standard promotions table 301 indicates the date of July 4, 2000 in the date field 303 and the corresponding promotion obtained a gallon of milk for 5 cents if $ 25 is spent, and general information that July 4 items are available at the bakery department. The promotions stored in the standard promotions table 301 may change daily as shown by the second example entry in Figure 3A where the July 4 promotion on half price bakery items is offered to all customers on July 5 .

FIG. 3B is a table of predetermined promotions 307 which includes an area 309 for storing CIDs and an area 311 for storing predetermined promotions associated with the CID. The predetermined promotions table 307 stores CIDs from many different customers and promotions associated with each CID. Thus, as shown in the example entries in FIG. 3B, the first entry in table 307 associates predetermined promotions with the customer having CID 8765, while the second entry in table 307 associates predetermined promotions with a different customer having CID MMM765. The predetermined promotions in area 311 can be defined on the basis of the customer's purchase history obtained by analysis, for example, of purchase data such as the place of purchase, a description of the articles purchased, the price of each item purchased, date and time of transaction, and any other desired information from customer transactions. The table of predetermined promotions is preferably stored in the local purchasing database 109.

Figure 3C is a trigger article table 313 including an area 315 for storing trigger items and an area 317 for storing promotions. The triggering articles in the zone 315 can be bar codes or other information which, when transmitted from the portable device 201 to the purchasing data computer 107, cause the purchasing data computer 107 to deliver the or the corresponding promotions in the zone 317 to the portable device 201 via the wireless telecommunication unit 123. Thus, the table of trigger articles 313 associates trigger articles with promotions to be delivered to a customer who reads or well enters the portable device 201 and transmits to the wireless telecommunication unit 123 one or more of the triggering articles in the zone 315. As shown by the phantom zone 325 in FIG. 3C, the promotions zone 317 can contain a sub -zone 325 to provide product information for the corresponding trigger item in field 315. This product information may include nutrition information or any other product-specific information associated with the triggering item in field 315.

In a preferred embodiment, the retail products relating to promotions stored in area 317 are complements, in competition with, or in some way related to the triggering items stored in area 315. The first entry in Figure 3C shows a example of a promotion for a product competing with a trigger product. In this example, "brand A soft drink" in field 315 is a purchased item that provides a trigger for a promotion of "50 cents off brand B soft drink" in field 317, branded soft drink brand B competes with brand A soft drink. Likewise, the trigger item "brand T tea" in field 315 triggers a promotion for "50 cents off a 5 lb bag of sugar" in the zone 317, sugar being ordinarily. used with tea and therefore is a complementary item to tea. Thus, if a customer reads both brand A soft drink and brand T tea using the portable device 201 and transmits these items to the wireless telecommunication unit 123, the data computer d 'purchases will generate promotions for 50 cents rebate on brand B soft drink and 50 cents rebate on a 5 lb bag of sugar which will be retransmitted to the portable device via wireless communication link 125. The how promotions in area 317 are provided in response to a triggering item in area 315 will be described below.

Figure 3D is a table of retail stores 331 which includes an area 333 for storing customer identifiers (CID) and an area 335 for storing a particular retail store associated with the CID in area 333. A CID is any identifier which is scanned, read, or entered into a computer system at a checkout to identify a customer. Each customer can have multiple CIDs and each retail store can use one of the CIDs to track customer purchases and provide incentives to the customer. Thus, different retail stores may have a different CID for a particular customer. Examples of possible CIDs are credit card numbers, debit card numbers, social security card numbers, driver's license numbers, checking account numbers, street addresses, names, email addresses, phone numbers, frequent customer card numbers, customer card identifications (SCID), or customer loyalty card numbers issued by retail store 105, although any what other appropriate form of identification can be used.

To illustrate the use of the retail store table 331, Figure 3D includes three examples of entries for a hypothetical customer having three customer loyalty accounts stored in the portable device 201. The first entry in Figure 3D shows that the field 333 may contain the number "12345" as the CID associated with the hypothetical customer, and in the same record, field 335 may contain the entry "Grocery ABC" as the corresponding retail store. The retail store table 331 also contains the customer's CID "8765" in field 333 and the corresponding entry (ie entry in the same record) "Market XYZ" in field 335 as shown by the second entry in Figure 3D. Alternatively, instead of the store name, area 335 stores codes or retail store identification data as shown in the third entry in Figure 3. Thus, the retail store table 331 associates each of several CIDs assigned to the hypothetical customer at a corresponding retail store 105 thus allowing the customer to use many different loyalty accounts with the portable device 201 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are examples of promotions which can be delivered to the portable device 201 according to the present invention. As shown in these figures, each purchase incentive includes a reward to be received by the customer, and may or may not include a loyalty condition to be met by the customer in order to receive the reward. The loyalty requirement indicates what a person must do to receive the reward. The reward may be a check, coupon, discount, certificate, refundable medium, and / or other positive benefit to a person who meets the condition. For example, the incentive 401 in Figure 4A includes the reward 403 (50 cents off brand B sparkling water) with which no loyalty condition is associated. A customer who purchases brand B sparkling water from a 105 retail store that accepts the incentive will receive a 50 cent rebate with no further action. Figure 4B shows a purchase incentive 405 with a reward 407 and a loyalty condition 409. The reward of "a gallon of milk for 5 cents" is only given to the customer if the spending condition of $ 25 is satisfied .

The incentive 401 is preferably a remarkable offer intended to encourage a customer to take a particular brand of product or to promote loyalty to a brand of product. In the case of an incentive for a customer to change brands, the purchase incentive measure is preferably initialized by the purchase of a competing brand as described with reference to Figure 3C above. The purchase incentive 405 is a remarkable offer intended to retain customers at store 105. According to one embodiment of the invention, the rewards relating to store loyalty apply to basic items such as milk, eggs , bread, etc., to encourage customers to do all their grocery shopping at store 105 instead of shopping only for specific items. It will be understood, however, that each purchase incentive can be tailored to different objectives, as desired.

FIG. 4C is an example of an advertisement 411 which can be delivered to the portable device 201 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The advertisement includes a 413 message to promote a particular brand and product. Thus, as shown in Figure 4C, the promotion of brand X sweetener to the customer is simply a calorie.

The awards, conditions, and advertisements shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C may include objects other than grocery stores and retail stores. In addition, promotions may include other information not shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C and the other information may include information related or not to customer purchases.

Figure 5 is a flowchart describing the process of receiving promotions for retail products using a handheld device according to the present invention. The description of this figure is made with reference only to the purchasing data computer 107, it being understood that the central computer 101 can be used in combination with or in replacement of the purchasing data computer 107. In in step 501, the wireless telecommunication link 125 is established between the retail store system comprising the shopping data computer 107 and the wireless telecommunication unit 123, and the portable device 201. The communication link Wireless telecommunication 125 is established either automatically or in response to a command initialized by the user as described with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C. To establish the wireless telecommunication link 125, the portable device must be in a predetermined proximity zone of the wireless telecommunication unit 123. The predetermined proximity zone is defined on the basis of either the output power of the the wireless telecommunication unit 123 and the portable device 201, for signal strength detection, or any other detection technology known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

After establishment of the wireless telecommunication link 125, the purchasing data computer 107 of the retail store system generates promotions to be delivered to the portable device 201 in step 505. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the the purchasing data computer 107 automatically generates standard promotions when a portable device 201 establishes a wireless telecommunication link 125 with the retail store system. Generating standard promotions, the purchasing data computer 107 first determines the current date on which the wireless telecommunications link 125 is established with reference to a system clock. The purchasing data computer then accesses the standard promotions table 301 in the local purchasing database 109 and retrieves the standard promotions in the area 305 of the table 301 corresponding to the determined date. According to another embodiment, the promotions generated in step 505 are determined on the basis of a product identifier or a CID transmitted by the portable device 201 to the wireless telecommunication unit 123 of the retail store system. as depicted in Figure 7.

As soon as the promotions are generated, the retail store system transmits the promotions to the wireless telecommunication unit 123 where the promotions are transmitted to the portable device 201 via the wireless telecommunication link 125 as shown in FIG. step 507. The promotions are then received and stored in the memory unit 207 or the information medium 211 of the portable device 201 where the client can display the promotions on the screen 213. The promotions can be displayed individually on the screen 213 as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, for example, or be displayed in a tabular format allowing a user of the portable device 201 to view several promotions at the same time. The input device 215 allows a user of the portable device to communicate command selections to the processor 205 via the bus 203, to select, delete, group or organize the promotions stored in the memory of the portable device 201 as shown in step 509. For example, a client using the portable device 201 can view all of the promotions, group the promotions to keep, and delete the remaining promotions. With the promotions kept stored in the portable device 201, the client searches for the retail items associated with the promotions kept in step 503 and / or registers and / or exchanges the promotions by the retail store as also shown in FIG. 509. Exchangeable promotions can be exchanged by the customer by printing a paper copy of the promotion and presenting the paper copy at the retailer's checkout. As an alternative, promotions can be exchanged electronically at the POS 115 cash desk. Techniques for exchanging promotions using the portable device are described in the request for a mandate register number 7791-0116-25, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A PORTABLE PROMOTION MANAGEMENT DEVICE ", assigned to CATALINA MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, INC. and filed on July 11, 2000, the full content of which is incorporated here for reference.

Figures 6A and 6B describe alternative methods for automatically establishing a wireless telecommunication link 125 between the portable device 201 and the retail store system. As shown in the embodiment of Figure 6A, the retail store system issues a tracking signal within a predetermined proximity area of the retail store 115 in step 601. The tracking signal is a signal radio emitted by the wireless telecommunication unit 123 and can be a simple beacon signal or a signal comprising information to be emitted by the purchasing data computer 107 or by another component of the retail store system. As indicated above, the predetermined proximity zone can be defined based on the output power of the wireless telecommunication unit 123 or any known telemetry technique.

When a client brings a portable device 201 into the predetermined proximity zone, the portable device 201 receives the tracking signal in step 603 via the wireless interface 217. The wireless interface 217 then transmits a warning signal to the processor 205 of the portable device, which causes the wireless interface to transmit a response to the retail store system indicating that a telecommunications link is established as described in step 605. The response transmitted by the portable device 201 can be a simple response signal or can include information to be used by the retail store system to generate promotions as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, it will be understood that the response signal has sufficient power to be received by the retail store system.

Figure 6B shows an alternative method for automatically establishing a wireless telecommunication link 125 between the retail store system and the portable device 201. In step 607 of Figure 6B, the portable device 201 continuously transmits a signal proximity. The proximity signal may be a simple beacon signal or may include information to be used by the retail store system to generate promotions. The continuous emission of the proximity signal is preferably initialized by the user turning on the portable device, or can be initialized by a command from the user. When the customer wearing the portable device enters a predetermined proximity area of the retail store 115, the wireless telecommunication unit 123 receives the proximity signal as shown in step 609. The wireless telecommunication unit 123 transmits then a sufficient power response to the portable device 201 indicating that the wireless telecommunication link 125 has been established as in step 611. It will be understood that if the proximity signal emitted by the portable device includes information to be used by the system store for the generation of promotions, promotions are generated based on this information and are transmitted from the wireless telecommunication unit 123 to the portable device 201 as part of the response transmitted in step 611. In addition , the process described in Figures 6A and 6B are only examples, and any other known method for r automatically establish a wireless telecommunication link 125 between the retail store system and the portable device can be used.

Figure 6C depicts the process by which the wireless telecommunication link 125 is established based on a command initialized by the user. In step 613, the portable device 201 enters a command entered by the user of the portable device 201. The command can be entered by pressing a function key on the portable device or by selecting an option from a menu displayed on the screen. screen 213 of the portable device 201, for example. The command entered causes the portable device to transmit a signal to the wireless telecommunication unit 123 as shown in step 615. If the portable device is within a predetermined proximity area of the telecommunication unit wireless 123, the retail store system receives the signal initialized by the user in step 617 and transmits a response indicating that a wireless link is established as shown in step 619. As with the automatic process described above, the signal initialized by the user may include information used by the retail store system to determine promotions and the response of the retail store system may include the promotion.

Figure 7 depicts a process by which the retail store system generates promotions when the signal transmitted from the device 201 to the retail store system includes information such as a CID or product identifier. As shown in step 701, the wireless telecommunication unit 123 of the retail store system receives the CID and / or the product identifier from the portable device. The customer enters a customer identifier and / or a product identifier in the portable device by reading a card containing the CID, a product containing the product identifier, or by manually entering the CID and / or the product identifier in the portable device 201. When the wireless telecommunication link is to be established automatically as described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the client preferably enters the product identifier and / or the client identifier in the portable device 201 where they are stored in the memory unit 207 or the information medium 211 to be accessed and are transmitted during the automatic establishment process in a wireless telecommunication link.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a wireless telecommunication link is automatically established between the portable device 201 and the wireless telecommunication unit 123, as described in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the retail store table 331 containing the CID information is transferred from the memory unit 207 via the bus 203 and the wireless interface 217 of the portable device 201, then is transmitted. The wireless telecommunication unit 123 receives and transfers the retail store table 331 to the purchasing data computer 107 which obtains a store identifier unique to the retail store 115 or the retail chain to which the store retail 115 is attached, from the local shopping database 109 or the store database 113. The shopping data computer 107 searched in area 331 of the retail store table 301, a store identifier that corresponds to the identifier obtained from database 109 or 113, and the corresponding CID in field 333 of Table 301 is determined to be the customer's CID for the particular retail store 115. For example, a customer shopping at grocery store ABC and having table 331 in Figure 3D stored in the portable device 201 would interface the portable device 201 with a wireless telecommunication unit 123 located in s grocery store ABC in order to transmit table 331 to the purchasing data computer 107 located in grocery store ABC. The purchasing data computer 107 thus obtains the identifier "Grocery ABC" from the local purchasing database 109, for example, and compares this identifier with field 335 in order to determine the customer's CID for the ABC grocery store.

Alternatively, when the wireless telecommunication link 125 is established on the basis of a command initialized by the user as described in Figure 6C above, the product identifier and / or the CID are entered into the device portable 201 as part of the user-initiated command entry. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a customer shopping at retail store 105 uses the portable device 201 to read the product identifier of one of the products on a shelf of the retail store. This reading serves as a command initialized by the user in step 613 and the signal initialized by the user transmitted in step 615 comprises the product identifier. If the portable device is in the predetermined proximity area, the wireless telecommunication unit 123 receives the proximity signal including the product identifier.

If the CID and / or the product identifier are transmitted to the wireless telecommunication unit 123 by an automatic link or initialized by the user, in step 703, the CID and / or the product identifier are transmitted by the wireless telecommunication unit 123 to the purchasing data computer 107. The purchasing data computer then determines the promotions based on the CID and / or product identifier received as shown in step 705. The determined promotions are then transmitted to the wireless telecommunication unit 123 to be transmitted to the portable device 201 via the wireless telecommunication link 125 where the promotions can be organized and exchanged as described with reference to Figure 5.

According to one embodiment, step 703 of FIG. 7 to determine promotions to be delivered to the portable device 201 of the customer is carried out according to predetermined promotions obtained on the basis of the purchase history of the customer. In this embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, the central computer 101 interrogates the computer with purchasing data 107 in each of the retail stores 105 for purchasing history information in order to update the information. purchase history stored in the common purchase database 103. The central computer 101 generates behavior information from the purchase history information stored in the common purchase database 103. This behavioral information can be any information that a market researcher (i.e. an expert) wishes to use to determine whether a targeted promotion should be delivered to a customer. Examples of behavioral information are the purchase by a customer of at least five pounds of dog food per month in the past year, the purchase by the customer of a weekly cold remedy last, and the customer's continued purchase of lactose-free milk.

The central computer 101 compares the behavior information generated with the purchasing criteria stored in the common purchasing database 103 and associated with a particular promotion. If the behavior information of any customer satisfies the purchasing criteria, the customer's CID is stored in area 309 and the corresponding promotion is stored in area 311 of the predetermined promotions table 307. In this way, the predetermined promotions table 307 contains CIDs and associated promotions to be delivered to corresponding customers.

The central computer 101 delivers the predetermined promotions table 307 to the retail stores 105. If desired, the predetermined promotions table 307 is broken down into separate predetermined promotions tables for each retail store 105. If desired, only customer CIDs that frequent the corresponding retail store 105 are supplied to each retail store 105 to reduce the effect of storage and transmission constraints. The predetermined promotions table 307 is received by the shopping data computer 107 and the retail store 105 and is stored in the local shopping database 109.

When a client establishes a wireless telecommunication link 125 between the portable device 201 and the wireless telecommunication unit 123, the client CID table is transmitted by the wireless telecommunication unit 123 to the data computer 107 which determines the CID as described above. As soon as the CID is determined, the purchasing data computer 107 uses the CID to determine whether the same CID exists in area 309 of the predetermined promotions table 307. If the CID is found in area 309, the one or more Corresponding predetermined promotions in area 311 are then delivered to the wireless telecommunication unit 123. The predetermined promotions are then transmitted by a wireless telecommunication link 125 to the wireless interface 217 of the portable device 201. The predetermined promotions are transferred via the bus 203 into the memory unit 207 of the portable device 201 where promotions can be reviewed and organized by the customer. In this way, promotions targeted at the customer whose CID has been entered in the portable device are delivered to the customer at the portable device of the customer.

In another embodiment, step 703 of FIG. 7 for determining the promotions to be delivered to the portable device 201 of the customer is carried out according to trigger articles read and transmitted by the customer during the purchase event. In this embodiment, the purchasing data computer 107 receives trigger articles and promotions, which are stored in the local purchasing database 109. The trigger articles and promotions can be downloaded from the central computer 101 , entered manually, or transferred by any other suitable means to the purchasing data computer 107 (for example, by diskette or through a connection to another computer). Trigger items and promotions are stored in the trigger item table 313 in the respective areas 315 and 317. Trigger items correspond to the information read from the portable device 201 during the current purchase event. For example, the triggers can be information from a bar code or UPC information associated with corresponding promotions 317. Thus, each triggering article can identify one or more products.

As described above, the purchasing data computer 107 controls the information received by the wireless telecommunication unit 123. The transmitted information can be generated by reading a barcode on a product or by any other suitable method for entering the product identifier information into the portable device. The purchasing data computer 107 compares the controlled information with the triggering items stored in area 315. If there is a match between any of the triggering items in area 315 and the information read (for example, if a product identified by the triggering article is read by the customer during a purchase event), the purchase data computer 107 then electronically transmits the corresponding promotion in the area 317 to the portable device 201 by the via the wireless telecommunication unit 123, via the wireless telecommunication link 125 at the interface 217 of the portable device 201. Promotions are transferred via the bus 203 into the memory unit 207 of the portable device 201 where promotions can be reviewed and organized. In this way, promotions corresponding to items triggering a purchase transaction in progress are delivered to the customer at the point of sale 115.

The promotions according to the present invention may be accompanied by additional information concerning the product read by the customer. For example, promotions transmitted electronically by wireless telecommunication unit 123 as described above may be accompanied by product information such as nutritional content, for example, which a customer may consider to be decisive in purchasing the product. associated with the promotion. This embodiment can be implemented by storing the additional information in an additional associated sub-area 325 of the area 317, for example.

Parts of the invention may be practically practiced using conventional universal computers or microprocessors programmed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, as will be appreciated by those familiar with computer technology. Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers with normal qualifications based on the teachings of this discovery, as those familiar with software technique will appreciate.

FIG. 8 represents a computer system 801 on which an embodiment according to the present invention can be implemented. The computer system 801 includes a bus 803 or other communication mechanism for transmitting information, and a processor 805 coupled to the bus 803 for processing information. The computer system 801 also comprises a main memory 807, such as a random access memory (RAM) or another dynamic random access memory (for example, a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM ( SDRAM), a Flash RAM)), coupled to the bus 803 to store information and instructions to be executed by the processor 805. In addition, the main memory 807 can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions to be executed by the processor 805. The computer system 801 also comprises a read-only memory (ROM) 809 or another static random access memory (for example, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), and an electrically erasable and programmable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to the bus 803 to store static information and instructions for the processor 805. An information medium 811, such as a magnetic disk or u n optical disc, is provided and coupled to bus 803 to store information and instructions.

The computer system 801 can also include special purpose logic devices (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC)) or configurable logic devices (for example, a generic logic network (GAL) or reprogrammable gate networks on site (FPGA)). Other removable media devices (for example, compact disc, tape, and removable magneto-optical media) or fixed media, high density media players, can be added to the 801 computer system using a bus appropriate peripheral devices (for example, an interface bus for small computer systems (SCSI), an integrated device electronics bus (IDE), or a direct memory access bus (DMA)). The computer system 801 may further comprise a compact disc player, a compact disc reader / writer, or a compact disc jukebox, each of which can be connected to the same peripheral bus or to another peripheral bus .

The computer system 801 can be coupled via the bus 803 to a screen 813, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), to display information for the user of a computer. The screen 813 can be controlled by a display or graphic card. The computer system includes input devices, such as a keyboard 815 and a cursor command 817, for transmitting information and command selections to processor 805. The cursor command 817, for example, is a mouse, a trackball, or cursor movement keys for transmitting direction information and command selections to processor 805 and for controlling movement of the cursor on screen 813. In addition, a printer can provide printed lists of structures data shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D or any other data stored and / or generated by the computer system 801.

The computer system 801 executes part or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to the processor 805 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory 807. Such instructions can be read in main memory 807 from another computer-readable medium, such as information medium 811. One or more processors in a multiprocessing configuration can also be used to execute the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 807 In alternative embodiments, a wired circuit may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions. Thus, the realizations are not limited to * any specific combination of the hardware circuit and the software.

As indicated above, the system 801 comprises at least one computer-readable medium or a memory programmed according to the teachings of the invention and to contain data structures, tables, records, or other data described here. The present invention, stored on a computer-readable medium or on a combination of such media, comprises software for controlling the computer system 801, for controlling one or more peripherals in order to implement the invention, and for enabling the computer system 801 to interact with a user, for example, a client. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and application software. Such computer readable media further includes the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or part (if the processing is distributed) of the processing performed by implementing the invention.

The machine code peripherals of the present invention can be any interpreted or executable code mechanism, including, but not limited to, scenarios, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes, and full programs executables. In addition, parts of the processing of the present invention can be dispensed to improve performance, reliability and / or cost.

The term '.'s computer-readable medium' as used herein applies to any medium involved in issuing instructions to the 805 processor for execution. A computer-readable medium can take many forms, including, without being limited to this, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs, magnetic discs, and magneto-optical discs, such as 811 The volatile supports include a dynamic memory, such as the main memory 807. The transmission supports include coaxial cables, copper wires and optical fibers, including the wires belonging to bus 803. The transmission supports can also take the form acoustic or light signals, such as those generated during data transmission by radio waves and infrared waves.

Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, EPROM Flash) DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or n any other magnetic medium, compact discs (for example, CD-ROMs), or any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical medium with hole patterns, a wave carrier (described below), or any other medium from which the computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in the transmission of one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 805 for execution. For example, instructions may be initially saved to a magnetic disk on a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions to remotely implement all or part of the present invention in dynamic memory and transmit the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A local modem connected to a computer system 801 can receive data over the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data into an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus 803 can receive the data transported in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 803. The bus 803 transports the data to the main memory 807, from which the processor 805 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the main memory 807 can optionally be stored on the information medium 811 either before or after their execution by the processor 805.

The computer system 801 also includes a communication interface 819 coupled to the bus 803. The communication interface 819 provides a bidirectional data transmission link with a network link 821 which is connected to a local network (for example, LAN 823) . For example, the communication interface 819 can be a network interface card to be connected to any local packet switched network (LAN). As another example, the communication interface 819 can be an asymmetric digital subscriber line card (ADSL), an integrated services digital network card (RNSI) or a modem to make a data transmission connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. Wireless links can also be implemented. In such an implementation, the communication interface 819 transmits and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals which transport streams of digital data representing different types of information.

Network link 821 typically performs data transmission over one or more networks with other data devices. For example, network link 821 may establish a connection via LAN 823 with a central computer 825 or with data equipment operated by a service provider, which provides data transmission services through an IP (Internet Protocol) network 827. LAN 823 and IP network 827 both use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry streams of digital data. The signals flowing in the various networks and the signals on the network link 821 and in the communication interface 819, which carry digital data to and from the computer system 801, are examples of carrier waveforms transporting information. . The computer system 801 can transmit notifications and receive data, including a program code, by the network or networks; the network link 821 and the communication interface 819.

It is obvious that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It will therefore be understood that the invention, in the field of the appended claims, can be put into practice other than what is specifically described here.

Claims (56)

1. Method comprising: establishing a wireless telecommunication link with a portable device located in a predetermined proximity area of a retail store; generating a promotion for retail products offered by said retail store; the delivery of said promotion to said portable device via said wireless telecommunication link. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of establishing a wireless telecommunication link comprises automatically establishing the telecommunication link with said portable device when said portable device is in the predetermined proximity area. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of automatically establishing a telecommunication link comprises: permanently transmitting a tracking signal to said predetermined proximity area; and receiving, when said portable device enters said predetermined proximity zone, a proximity signal transmitted by said portable device in response to said tracking signal. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of automatically establishing a telecommunication link comprises: permanently monitoring in said predetermined proximity zone the presence of a proximity signal permanently transmitted by said portable device; and receiving said proximity signal when said portable device enters said predetermined proximity area. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of generating a promotion comprises: receiving said promotion from a computer associated with said retail store via one of a local area network and a network long distance. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving a client identifier associated with a client from the portable device via said wireless telecommunication link; and generating said promotion based on said customer identifier. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of generating a promotion based on said customer identifier comprises generating a promotion based on a recorded purchase history of said customer associated with said customer identifier . The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving a product identifier from said portable device via said wireless telecommunication link; and generating said promotion based on said product identifier. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of generating a promotion based on said product identifier comprises generating said promotion based on a table which associates a promotion with a trigger item identified by said identifier of product. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of establishing a wireless telecommunication link comprises receiving a wireless signal initialized by the user from said portable device when the portable device is in said area of predetermined proximity of said retail store. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said wireless signal initialized by the user comprises a customer identifier entered into and transmitted by said portable device as long as said portable device is in said predetermined proximity zone of said retail store, and said promotion is generated on the basis of said customer identifier. The method according to claim 7, wherein said wireless signal initialized by the user comprises a product identifier entered into and transmitted by said portable device as long as said portable device is in said predetermined proximity zone of said retail store, and said promotion is generated on the basis of said product identifier. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting product information relating to said product identifier to said portable device in conjunction with said promotion. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating a promotion comprises automatically generating a standard promotion which is transmitted non-selectively to all portable devices for which a wireless telecommunications link is established. 15. Computer readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer system, which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to execute the steps in the method described in any one of claims 1 to 14. 16. A retail store system comprising: a memory containing data relating to promotions; and a processor communicating with said memory, said processor being configured to: establish a wireless telecommunications link with a portable device located in a predetermined proximity area of a retail store; generate a promotion for retail products offered by said retail store; and delivering said promotion to said portable device via said wireless telecommunication link. The retail store system of claim 16, wherein said processor is configured to automatically establish the telecommunication link with said portable device when said portable device is in the predetermined proximity area. The retail store system of claim 17, wherein said processor is configured to: continuously transmit a tracking signal to said predetermined proximity area; and receiving, when said portable device enters said predetermined proximity zone, a proximity signal emitted by said portable device in response to said tracking signal. 19. Retail store system according to claim 17, in which said processor is configured to: permanently check in said predetermined proximity zone the presence of a proximity signal permanently emitted by said portable device; and receiving said proximity signal when said portable device enters said predetermined proximity area. The retail store system of claim 16, wherein said processor is configured to receive said promotion from a computer associated with said retail store via one of a local area network and a long distance network. 21. The retail store system of claim 17, wherein said processor is configured to: receive a customer identifier associated with a customer from the portable device via said wireless communications link; and generating said promotion based on said customer identifier. 22. The retail store system of claim 21, wherein said processor is configured to generate a promotion based on a recorded purchase history of said customer associated with said customer identifier. 23. The retail store system of claim 17, wherein said processor is configured to: receive a product identifier from said portable device via said wireless communications link; and generating said promotion based on said product identifier. 24. The retail store system of claim 23, wherein said processor is configured to generate said promotion based on a table that associates a promotion with a trigger item identified by said product identifier. The retail store system of claim 16, wherein said processor is configured to receive a user-initiated signal from said portable device when the portable device is in said predetermined proximity area of said retail store. The retail store system of claim 25, wherein said user-initiated wireless signal comprises a customer identifier entered into and transmitted by said portable device as long as said portable device is in said predetermined proximity area of said store retail, and said processor is configured to generate said promotion based on said customer identifier. The retail store system of claim 25, wherein said user-initiated wireless signal comprises a product identifier entered into and transmitted by said portable device as long as said portable device is in said predetermined proximity area of said store retail, and said processor is configured to generate said promotion based on said product identifier. 28. The retail store system of claim 27, wherein said processor is configured to transmit product information regarding said product identifier to said portable device in conjunction with said promotion. The retail store system of claim 16, wherein said processor is configured to generate a standard promotion which is non-selectively transmitted to all portable devices for which a wireless telecommunications link is established. A retail store system, comprising: means for establishing a wireless telecommunications link with a portable device located in a predetermined proximity area of a retail store; means for obtaining a promotion for retail products offered by said retail store; means for delivering said promotion to said portable device via said wireless telecommunication link. The retail store system of claim 30, further comprising: means · receiving a customer identifier associated with a customer from said portable device via said wireless telecommunication link; and means for generating said promotion based on said customer identifier. 32. The retail store system of claim 31, further comprising: means for receiving a product identifier from said portable device via said fitless telecommunication link; and means for generating said promotion based on said product identifier. 33. The retail store system of claim 32, further comprising means for transmitting product information relating to said product identifier to said portable device in conjunction with said promotion. 34. A method comprising: establishing a wireless telecommunication link with a retail store system associated with a retail store when in a predetermined proximity area of said retail store; receiving a promotion for retail products offered by said retail store through said wireless communications link. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of establishing a wireless telecommunication link comprises automatically establishing a wireless telecommunication link with said retail store system when in a predetermined proximity area from said retail store. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein said step of automatically establishing a telecommunication link comprises: permanently monitoring a tracking signal transmitted by said retail store system to said predetermined proximity area; and transmitting a proximity signal in response to said tracking signal to said retail store system when in a predetermined proximity area of said retail store. 37. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of automatically establishing a telecommunication link comprises; the permanent emission of a proximity signal; and receiving a response from said retail store system when said proximity signal is transmitted in said predetermined proximity area. 38. The method of claim 34, further comprising: transmitting a customer identifier associated with a customer from the retail store system via said wireless telecommunication link; and receiving a promotion generated based on said customer identifier. 39. The method of claim 34, further comprising: transmitting a product identifier to said retail store system via said wireless telecommunication link; and receiving a promotion generated based on said product identifier. 40. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of establishing a wireless telecommunication link comprises transmitting a user-initialized signal to said retail store system when in said predetermined proximity area of said retail store . 41. The method of claim 39, further comprising receiving product information regarding said product identifier in conjunction with said promotion. 42. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of receiving a promotion comprises automatically receiving a standard promotion when a wireless communications link is established. 43. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a computer system, which, when executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to execute the steps in the method described in any one of claims 34 to 42. 44. A portable device comprising: a memory containing data relating to promotions; and a processor communicating with said memory, said processor being configured to: establish a wireless telecommunications link with a retail store system associated with a retail store when in a predetermined proximity area of the retail store; and receive a promotion for retail products offered by said retail store via said wireless communications link. 45. The portable device according to claim 44, wherein said processor is configured to automatically establish a wireless telecommunication link with said retail store system when in a predetermined proximity area of said retail store. 46. Portable device according to claim 45, in which said processor is configured to: permanently check the presence of a tracking signal transmitted by said retail store system to said predetermined proximity zone; and transmit a proximity signal, in response to said signa! tracking, said retail store system when in a predetermined proximity area of said retail store. The portable device according to claim 45, wherein said processor is configured to: continuously transmit a proximity signal; and receiving a response from said retail store system when said proximity signal is transmitted in the predetermined proximity area. 48. The portable device according to claim 44, wherein said processor is configured to: transmit a customer identifier associated with a customer to said retail store system via said wireless communications link; and receive a promotion generated based on said customer identifier. The portable device according to claim 44, wherein said processor is configured to: transmit a product identifier to said retail store system via said wireless telecommunications link; and receive said promotion generated based on said product identifier. 50. A portable device according to claim 44, wherein said processor is configured to transmit a user-initialized signal to said retail store system when in said predetermined proximity area of said retail store. 51. A portable device according to claim 49, wherein said processor is configured to receive product information regarding said product identifier in conjunction with said promotion. 52. A portable device according to claim 44, wherein said processor is configured to automatically receive a standard promotion when a wireless communication link is established. 53. A portable device comprising: means for establishing a wireless telecommunication link with a retail store system associated with a retail store when in a predetermined proximity area of the retail store; and means for receiving a promotion of retail products offered by said retail store via the wireless communications link. The portable device according to claim 53, further comprising: means for transmitting a customer identifier associated with a customer to said retail store system via said wireless telecommunication link; and means for receiving said promotion generated based on said customer identifier. 55. The portable device of claim 54, further comprising: means for transmitting a product identifier to said retail store system via said wireless telecommunication link; and means for receiving said promotion generated based on said product identifier. 56. The portable device according to claim 54, further comprising means for receiving product information regarding said product identifier in conjunction with said promotion.