IT202100014936A1 - METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT OF COMMERCIAL PROMOTIONS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of application of the invention

[001] The present invention finds its place in the technical sector of numerical data management and relates to a method for the automated management of commercial promotions.

State of the art

[002] As known, the commercial promotions associated with one or more? points of sale are often considered essential actions for retaining established customers or acquiring new ones. In particular, commercial promotions are often made with paper flyers and/or dedicated sections published on the portals of the various large-scale retail chains.

[003] Indeed, door-to-door leafleting makes it possible to inform the population in a capillary manner with respect to the various promotion strategies implemented by large-scale retail chains as well as how does online publication make it possible to reach a large number of possible consumers, mostly? of age? rather low average.

[004] However, these commercial techniques have the notable drawback of not being completely devoid of ?selectivity? or to reach a large number of potential customers without for? know in advance which and how many of them are really interested in the offers proposed.

[005] Therefore, the management of commercial promotions known up to now turns out to be costly at an organizational (and economic) level since it does not allow for an a priori estimate of the possible yield that the same can generate on the population.

[006] In addition, door-to-door leafleting? more and more subjected to a psychological action of refusal by the possible consumer who receives a multitude of paper flyers on a weekly basis which increase the production of waste and must then be disposed of through separate collection.

[007] Finally, leafleting (as well as the publication of standard promotions on the various online portals) have a low level of appeal on the part of the user and are totally devoid of a "surprise effect", which translates into often in considering the commercial action a refusal (or a web page that does not deserve consultation) even before viewing its content.

Presentation of the invention

[008] The present invention intends to overcome the technical drawbacks mentioned above by making available a method for the automated management of commercial promotions which is particularly efficient and performing

[009] In particular, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for the automated management of commercial promotions able to provide one or more? users the only commercial offers that meet the interest of the latter.

[0010] A further object of the present invention? that of providing a method capable of managing the commercial promotions managed by one or more companies in a completely automatic way. stores.

[0011] Another object of the present invention? that of providing a method for the automated management of commercial promotions promoted by points of sale of any size, whether they belong to large-scale distribution or individual retail stores.

[0012] A further object of the present invention? that of making available a method for the automated management of commercial promotions that is particularly easy to use and which completely eliminates the use of potentially polluting materials that need to be disposed of as waste (for example paper)

[0013] Another object of the present invention? that of making available a method for the automated management of commercial promotions that is particularly attractive and whose implementation is stimulating for the user.

[0014] Again, not the last aim of the present invention ? that of providing a method for the automated management of commercial promotions which requires an active role on the part of the user.

[0015] These aims, together with others which will be better clarified below, are achieved by a method for the automated management of commercial promotions of the type in accordance with claim 1.

[0016] Other objects which will be better described hereinafter are achieved by an in accordance with the dependent claims.

Detailed description of the invention

[0017] The present invention relates to a method for the automated management of commercial promotions.

[0018] This method can be used to manage commercial promotions intended for a user and issued by shops and/or points of sale in relation to the services and/or products they offer at particularly advantageous conditions.

[0019] The present method also allows the automated management of commercial promotions of various kinds or associated i) with large distribution chains (for example supermarkets, franchised shops, etc.) or ii) from small-sized points of sale (whether they are single shops or including a particularly small number of shops).

[0020] In particular, the method object of the present invention first of all comprises a step a) of preparing at least one database DB able to promote the saving of digital data.

[0021] During phase a) it will be possible be prepared a single database DB (with one or more? tables/views related to each other) or a plurality? of distinct and separate DB databases connected to each other for example remotely and each provided with a plurality? of views/tables.

[0022] Conveniently, the method also includes a step b) of preparing interface means I provided with at least one screen S for displaying images and/or videos.

[0023] The interface means I can be contained within electronic devices owned by a user.

[0024] For example, these devices can be represented by a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch and any other fixed or mobile apparatus provided with a screen S configured to be connected to the Internet via cellular or WiFi communication.

[0025] And? also provided is a phase c) of setting up a CPU operatively connected to the database DB and/or to the interface means I.

[0026] And? by itself known that this CPU ? generally contained within the electronic device associated with the user (smartphone, tablet, etc.).

[0027] The method then comprises a step d) of preparing the first digital data D1 associated with the profile of at least one user.

[0028] Conveniently, the first digital data D1 can be saved in the database DB and can contain information of various types, all attributable to the user.

[0029] For example, the first data D1 may present personal data associated with the user, such as, for example:

- Name and surname;

- Date of birth;

- Address;

- Type;

- Telephone and email,

- Etc.

[0030] Can the first digital data D1 conveniently contain a subset of first data D1? associated with a list of topics, each of which is of interest to users.

[0031] For example, upon registration, the user will be able to indicate what are the main types of promotions to which ? concerned, possibly providing an order of importance to each of these.

[0032] For example, a user who practices three types of sport (swimming, running and cycling) according to decreasing interest will be able to be associated with a subset of the first digital data D1? which expresses the following information:

- Commercial promotions related to swimming: high interest / priority? maximum; - Commercial promotions related to travel: high interest / priority? average; - Commercial promotions related to cycling: high interest / priority? low.

[0033] Conveniently, all the activities for which the user has not indicated a preference can be associated with a low level of interest so that? the CPU is able to operate a filtering on? object of the promotions cos? to avoid proposing to the user those initiatives which refer to commercial actions concerning topics not reported by the user (in this case: cooking, gardening, etc.).

[0034] Does the method include a phase e) of preparing second digital data D2 for the reality? augmented and/or reality? virtual associated with a plurality? of predetermined geographical areas.

[0035] How will it be? better clarified hereinafter, the second data D2 will allow to visualize on the screen S of the interface means I a reality? augmented and/or virtual associated with a predefined geographical area.

[0036] By way of example , the second data D2 could be configured to promote the display, on the screen S of the device, of a reality augmented and/or virtual associated with the city? from Milan.

[0037] In the present context the expressions ?reality? increased? or ?reality? virtual? they refer to a completely digital environment displayed on the interface means I. This environment, however, reproduces the topography of the selected geographical area in an exact and particularly accurate manner.

[0038] Returning to the example cited above, the second data D2 could be able to allow the reproduction (through the interface means I) of a virtual environment completely devoid of buildings (for example a forest, some meadows, an imaginative scenario, etc.) which however presents the exact topography (and possibly the exact toponymy) of Milan.

[0039] Conveniently, the second data D2 could be such as to reproduce a reality augmented and/or virtual accessible by the user through the interface means I (ie through the use of the electronic device).

[0040] During the execution of phase f) are third digital data D3 associated with a plurality? of commercial promotions.

[0041] The third digital data D3 may be associated with sales or purchase offers, or with services offered by a given structure or point of sale.

[0042] For example, the third digital data D3 could be associated with promotions linked to the purchase of products displayed in a certain point of sale (or in several points of sale of the same chain).

[0043] Alternatively, the third data D3 can be associated with services offered by a structure (for example subscription services, consumption services, etc.).

[0044] Conveniently, the third digital data D3 will be able to contain a plurality? of unique ID identification codes, each of which is associated, respectively:

- the particular commercial promotion offered to the user;

- to? one or more? point of sale where that promotion? active, or the points of sale where the? user can? physically bear to obtain a benefit on the purchase of the proposed good and/or service.

[0045] And? a phase g) of processing of the first digital data D1 is also envisaged in order to detect the information associated with the commercial promotions of interest from the users.

[0046] This step g) of processing the first digital data D1 ? performed by the CPU and its purpose ? to detect all the information associated with the subset of the first data D1? in order to identify the categories of interest of the user for which the same wishes to receive commercial promotions.

[0047] Following phase g) ? foreseen a phase h) for processing the second digital data D2 so as to promote the display on the screen S of the interface means I a reality? augmented and/or virtual associated with a certain geographical area.

[0048] Thanks to the execution of phase g) it will be actually possible to view on the device associated with the user the reality? augmented and/or virtual of the geographical area of interest.

[0049] Furthermore, the latter can correspond to the geographical area (in the physical sense) in which the user is physically located at the time this method is performed.

[0050] In other words, if the user activates his device and executes the current method when he is in Milan, interface means I associated with the same device will be displayed on screen S? visualized a reality? augmented and / or virtual related to the city? from Milan.

[0051] Processing step h) too? performed by the CPU.

[0052] During the execution of phase i) the processing of the third digital data D3 is carried out so as to obtain one or more? IM images displayable on the screen S of the interface means I.

[0053] These IM images are therefore of an exclusively digital nature and are placed within reality? augmented and/or virtual (displayed in the user?s device during the execution of phase h) in correspondence with some predetermined reference points PR.

[0054] In general, the PR reference points placed within the reality? augmented and/or virtual can identify a predetermined topographic point.

- in a first configuration of the invention the reference point could? be associated with any point on the map of the geographical area represented in mode? augmented and/or virtual;

- in a second configuration, the reference point could? be associated with the point of sale that participates in that particular commercial promotion and within which the user can? purchase the products or services.

[0055] Conveniently, the IM image reproduced following the execution of phase i) can also be associated with the univocal data identifying the promotion and/or the point of sale in which the user can purchase goods/services related to commercial promotion.

[0056] The user can display the IM images generated during the processing performed by the CPU in phase i) when the same is found, within the augmented and/or virtual representation of reality, near? of the PR landmark.

[0057] For example, if the image will be mail at a point of sale located in Piazza Cadorna in Milan, the user will be able to view that IM image on your electronic device only when you are away? in a (virtual) position such as to ?glimpse? Piazza Cadorna.

[0058] Conveniently, the images IM can present a particular graphic able to clearly indicate the achievement of the reference point PR.

[0059] Besides that? the IM images will be able to display on the screen S of the interface means I the extended information with respect to the product/service object of the promotion as well as? indicate the point of sale (or points of sale) where ? possible to purchase such services/products.

[0060] In some cases, the reference points are placed at the points of sale which allow the user to benefit from the commercial promotion.

[0061] In the following method ? therefore a phase j) is foreseen during which the user ?moves? within the reality? augmented and/or virtual.

[0062] In particular, the physical movement of the user can match a virtual movement within the reality? displayed in the interface means I belonging to its electronic device.

[0063] In other words, when the user moves forward or backward, for example along a real street in the city? where it is, on the screen of your device you will find? to advance or retreat along a path proposed by reality? augmented and/or virtual (this route, as previously mentioned, reproduces the physical street in which the user is located in the virtual environment).

[0064] To obtain this effect, the present method could use the GPS data associated with the instantaneous position assumed by the user in his current location.

[0065] Furthermore, in order to better interpolate the second digital data D2 with the third digital data D3, the method could provide for the saving in the DB database of the GPS coordinates associated, respectively, with the PR reference points in which the IM images connected to the commercial promotion and associated with the points of sale that actively participate in these promotions are visible.

[0066] Conveniently, the method provides for a step k) of digital association of the commercial information contained in the IM images viewable in step i) with the user profiles.

[0067] Furthermore, ? also foreseen is a phase l) of storage in the DB database of the digital association obtained during the execution of phase k).

[0068] Both phases k) and l) are performed by the CPU, and these phases are performed when the user, during the execution of said phase j), reaches the reference points PR in which ? can you view the? one or more? IM images prepared in phase i).

[0069] During his virtual journey (which, as mentioned, often corresponds to a physical movement), the user can? position itself at one or more? PR reference points at which you find displayed in your device one or more? IM images.

[0070] In this case, therefore, the graphic effect that occurs consists of ?capturing? the IM image, this activity? allows establishing a direct association between the profile of the user who captured the IM image and the information contained in the third party data to which this IM image was associated.

[0071] This association is then saved in the DB database and therefore a digital trace is maintained of the fact that a given user profile corresponds to a given commercial promotion.

[0072] Following the execution of steps k) and l) ? It is therefore possible to correlate the benefit associated with the promotion in progress just ?captured? to the user.

[0073] Conveniently, the third data D3 associated with the commercial offer may present a further sub-series D3?? designed to define the time duration of the offer itself.

[0074] In this way the user, within the time defined by the sub-series of third data-D3?, will be able to physically go to the point of sale envisaged by the promotion by showing the latter the unique identification code ID whose association in the DB database? been promoted during the execution of phase l).

[0075] Conveniently, the method can include a further phase m) of exchange of the ID reference codes between two or more? users with a profile.

[0076] In particular, this exchange phase m) can be by the CPU through the removal of the correlation between the unique ID code stored in the DB database of the profile of a specific user and the creation of a new correlation between this ID code and a new user profile that is the recipient of the promotion.

[0077] In this way a user who has just ?captured? a commercial promotion pu? give the same to another user provided by the profile.

[0078] In this case, therefore, the first data D1 could contain information associated with the links that exist between the users so? to allow the exchange of promotions exclusively between users among whom there is an association created beforehand.

[0079] According to a further aspect of the present invention ? a computer product that can be installed on a computer is envisaged.

[0080] This computer product ? made up of a plurality of instructions which can be installed in the CPU of a computer and able to be executed by the latter so as to implement the automated management method of a commercial promotion of the type described above.

[0081] Furthermore, the CPU of the computer will be operatively connected to interface means I provided with at least one screen S to promote the display of the information associated with the first digital data D1, with the second digital data D2 and with the third digital data D3 according to the modalities? described above.

[0082] The present invention ? feasible in other variants, all falling within the scope of the claimed and described inventive characteristics; these technical characteristics can be replaced by various technically equivalent elements and the materials used; the shapes and dimensions of the invention can be any as long as? compatible with its use.

[0083] The reference numbers and signs inserted in the claims and in the description have the sole purpose of increasing the clarity of the text and must not be considered as elements that limit the technical interpretation of the objects or processes identified by them.

Claims (10)

1. A method for the automated management of commercial promotions, comprising the following stages: a) preparation of at least one database (DB) to promote the saving of digital data; b) provision of interface means (I) provided with at least one screen (S) for displaying images and/or videos; c) setting up a CPU operatively connected to said at least one database (DB) and/or to said interface means (I); d) preparation of the first digital data (D1) associated with a profile of at least one user; e) preparation of second digital data (D2) associated with reality? augmented and/or reality? virtual relating to a plurality? of predetermined geographical areas, said reality? augmented and / or virtual being viable by said one or more? user through said interface means (I); f) preparation of third party digital data (D3) associated with a plurality? commercial promotions; g) processing of said first digital data (D1) in order to detect the information associated with the commercial promotions of interest by said one or more users, this step of processing the first digital data (D1) being performed by said CPU; h) processing of said second digital data (D2) so as to promote display on the screen (S) of said interface means (I) of a reality? augmented and/or virtual associated with a given geographical area, this step of processing the second digital data (D2) being performed by said CPU; i) processing of said third party digital data (D3) in order to obtain one or more images (IM) viewable on the screen (S) of said interface means (I) at reference points (PR) located within the geographical area reproduced in an augmented and/or virtual manner during execution of said phase h ), said images (IM) being associated with commercial promotions of interest to one or more users; j) movement of? one or more? user within the geographical areas displayed on the screen (S) of said interface means (I) and represented in an augmented and/or virtual manner during the execution of said phase h); k) digital association of the commercial information contained in the images (IM) displayed in said phase i) with said first data (D1) associated with the profile of one or more? users, this association step being performed by said CPU; l) storage in said database (DB) of the digital association obtained during the execution of said step k), said storage step being performed by said CPU; wherein said association phase k) and said storage phase l) are performed when the user, during the execution of said phase j), reaches the reference points (PR) in correspondence with which one or more images (IM) prepared during the execution of said phase i). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said third digital data (D3) contain a plurality? of unique identification codes (ID) associated with specific points of sale located within the geographical area represented in an augmented and/or digital way during the execution of said phase h). 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that during the execution of said step k) ? promoted the association of said unique identification code (ID) with the first digital data (D1) associated with the user who has reached a specific reference point contained in the geographical area represented in an augmented and/or virtual way during the execution of said phase h). 4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the reference points (PR) located within the geographical area displayed by a reality? augmented and/or digital during the execution of phase h) substantially correspond to the GPS coordinates of the points of sale to which the unique reference codes (ID) contained in the third digital data (D3) are associated. 5. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that during said step 1) said identification code (ID) ? memorized in said database (DB) in order to associate it to the profile of the user who is positioned on one or more? points of reference (PR) located within the reality? increased and/or virtual displayed in said interface means (I) during execution of said phase h). 6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said first digital data (D1) contain a first sub-series of data (D1?) associated with topics of interest to each user. 7. Method according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third digital data (D3) comprise one or more? sub-series of data (D3?) each of which contains information relating to commercial promotions referring to subjects of interest to the user contained in the sub-series of first data (D1?). 8. Method according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step m) of exchanging said reference codes (ID) between two user profiles associated with said first digital data (D1), this exchanging step being performed by said CPU. 9. Method according to one or more? of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that during the execution of said exchange phase m) the unique identification code (ID) originally associated with the profile of the user who has gone through one or more? reference points (PR) within the augmented and/or virtual representation displayed on the interface means (I) ? associated with a profile of a recipient user different from the previous one. 10. Method according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third data (D3) associated with a commercial offer have a further sub-series (D3??) able to define the time duration of the offer itself.