KR20160022474A

KR20160022474A - Sales transcation at a duty free strore and delivery of sold itmes using mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: KR20160022474A
Application number: KR1020140107959A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김종명; 데이비드 윤수 김
Original assignee: 김종명
Priority date: 2014-08-19
Filing date: 2014-08-19
Publication date: 2016-03-02

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of selling and delivering duty-free items using a mobile terminal. The airport includes security zones and non-security zones separated by a security check station. A duty free shop is located in the non-security area of the airport, and a sample of the goods is displayed in the duty free shop. In the storage area, items related to the sample displayed in the duty-free shop are additionally stored. The customer can use the mobile terminal to scan the QR code of the sample displayed at the duty free shop and request the purchase of the product. When the payment for the purchase request is completed, the product is withdrawn from the storage area and transferred to the designated duty-free goods delivery center. The customer can take over the goods that have been paid for at the duty-free point of delivery.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method of delivering duty-free goods using a mobile terminal,

The present invention relates to a method of selling a duty-free product using a mobile terminal and delivering the sold duty-free product to a buyer at a duty-free goods place.

There are duty free shops in many airports operated by international flights. These duty - free shops have space for merchandise display, which is limited to pay for the rental fee of the expensive fee. Also, since airport users often have limited shopping hours, it is necessary to provide a convenient duty-free shopping method.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a convenient duty-free shopping method for airport users having limited shopping hours in a limited display space.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of selling duty free goods at an airport and delivering the sold duty free goods to the buyer. The airport may include security zones and non-security zones separated by the security checkpoints for the passengers. Duty-free goods are sold and delivered in a secure duty-free area within the security area of the airport, which is separated into security zones and non-security zones by the security screening area. In duty- A first unique identification code assigned to the first product is displayed together with the first product, a second unique identification code assigned to the second product is displayed together with the second product, The duty-free shop can be implemented in an environment in which products displayed on the duty-free shop are stored in a product storage area where access to customers is limited.

The method of selling and delivering a duty-free product according to one aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computing system associated with a duty-free shop, and may include receiving a first purchase request for duty-free purchase from a customer's mobile terminal (mobile terminal) have. The first purchase request is generated as the mobile terminal of the customer recognizes (or captures) the first unique identification code. The first purchase request includes first product information generated using a first unique identification code recognized by the mobile terminal. In response to the first purchase request, a first database entry associated with the first purchase request and corresponding to the first product information is generated. The computing system associated with the duty-free shop may send information to the mobile terminal in response to the first purchase request, in order to proceed with the settlement associated with the sale of the first product.

The method for selling and delivering a duty-free product according to an aspect of the present invention includes a step of performing settlement for selling a first commodity by using information necessary for settlement received from a customer's mobile terminal and referencing a first database entry do. Upon completion of the settlement, the customer can be informed of the information required to receive the settlement of goods at the duty free delivery center. In addition, upon completion of payment, an instruction to withdraw the paid-up merchandise from the merchandise storage area and deliver it to the duty-free goods delivery point can be delivered.

The information required for payment to be sent to the mobile terminal may include a unique identifier associated with the first database entry and the unique identifier is the same or different from the first unique identification code. (Device information) capable of identifying the mobile terminal of the first customer to the first database entry, so that the unique identifier included in the information required for payment can be used to identify the mobile terminal of the first customer Or < / RTI >

The first purchase request may include the number of purchase requests for the first product and may be added to the first database entry so that the unique identifier delivered to the mobile terminal may be used to verify information about the number of purchase requests. . In addition, when payment for purchasing a first product is performed through a sales terminal of a duty-free shop, a unique identifier transmitted to the mobile terminal can be input through the sales terminal. The unique identifier may include a QR code, and the settlement process of the first product through the sales terminal may be started as the QR code is recognized in the sales terminal of the duty-free shop.

In the above-described methods, the first purchase request may additionally include second goods information generated using the second unique identification code input through the mobile terminal. In this case, the first purchase request may be generated by using the unique identification codes input through the mobile terminal and the first customer identifying the number of purchase requests of the first product and the second goods, respectively.

A duty-free sales and delivery method is provided in which a second purchase request, which is generated as a second unique identification code is recognized by the mobile terminal, and which includes second merchandise information generated using a second unique identification code, From the base station. In this case, in response to the second purchase request, a second database entry corresponding to the second product information is generated, and the information corresponding to the second database entry and necessary for performing the payment is sent to the mobile terminal of the user who requested the purchase It can be done.

A duty-free sales and delivery method is provided in which a second purchase request, which is generated as a second unique identification code is recognized by the mobile terminal, and which includes second merchandise information generated using a second unique identification code, From the base station. In this case, in response to the second purchase request, the second goods information may be added to the first database entry.

In the above-described methods, the information required for payment sent to the mobile terminal may include a web page for electronic payment, and the payment may be made on the mobile terminal using the web page. The information required for payment sent to the mobile terminal may include information about an applet that can be installed in the mobile terminal. And an interface for performing an electronic settlement in the mobile terminal.

In the above-described methods, when the first unique identification code comprises a QR code, a first unique identification code input at the mobile terminal may be accomplished by scanning the QR code using the mobile terminal. Also, when providing information necessary for receipt of a commodity to be provided to a first customer, the information may include information on an expected time for receipt of the commodity. Information indicating that the withdrawal of the first commodity from the commodity storage area has been started, information indicating that the first commodity has been withdrawn from the commodity storage area, and information indicating that the copy of the first commodity is ready to be delivered from the duty- Is provided to the customer who purchased the first product.

Goods withdrawal and instructions from the merchandise storage area may be communicated to the employee of the duty-free shop or to an automated merchandise withdrawal system. The duty-free goods dispatch location may be a pre-defined location prior to payment and may be designated as a location adjacent to the airport gate to be used by the customer. The above-described duty-free sales and delivery methods may further include verifying the customer's identity or flight information using the customer's boarding pass information.

In the above-described methods, the merchandise storage area may be located within the secure area, or may be located at a location accessible to the secure area without passing through the security search area. Further, the duty-free goods delivery point may be attached to the goods storage area.

In the above-described methods, the merchandise storage area can store alternative or variations of the first merchandise, and when the first unique identification code is recognized in the mobile terminal of the first customer, The first replacement product information corresponding to the replacement product may be provided. When the customer confirms the purchase request for the replacement product, the first purchase request includes the first replacement product information.

In the methods described above, the merchandise storage area may be located away from the duty free shop, or may be attached to the duty free shop or accessible from the duty free shop.

In the above-described methods, only one sample per item may be displayed in the duty-free shop, or a plurality of samples per item may be displayed in the duty-free shop. These samples may refer to goods that are used for the purpose of display to assist the customer in making purchasing decisions, rather than being immediately delivered to the customer at duty-free shops sold.

In the process of performing settlement for sales of the first product, when receiving a second purchase request including the second product information from the mobile terminal, the first database entry including the first product information 2 < / RTI > purchase request.

Through the duty-free sales and delivery method disclosed in this application, the advantages of online sales and offline sales can be provided in an appropriate combination. Specifically, embodiments of the invention provide customers with an opportunity to physically observe the goods (duty-free) prior to purchase, yet more merchandise may be displayed within a limited duty-free space.

The duty free shop according to an aspect of the invention may include a merchandise display space and a merchandise storage space separate from the merchandise display space. The merchandise display space (customer shopping area) is opened to customers for shopping, and the product storage space (non-customer warehouse area) stores products for sale (duty-free goods)

Duty-free sales and delivery methods can be implemented using a computer system associated with the duty free shop and a database connected to the computer system. The database stores information about alternative products associated with the first product (heterogeneous products that differ only in limited features, or heterogeneous products that can replace the product). The computer system and the database may be located within a duty-free shop or at a remote location.

Another aspect of the invention provides a mobile application that mediates information exchange between a customer's mobile terminal and a computer system associated with the store. When the unique identification code of the product is recognized (input) through the mobile application, the information of the goods related to the unique identification code can be provided through the mobile application in response thereto.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of selling and delivering goods. The merchandise including the first merchandise and the second merchandise is displayed in the customer shopping area of the store and at least one sample for each of the first merchandise and the second merchandise is displayed in the customer shopping area. A unique product identification code (unique identification code) corresponding to each product is displayed in association with the displayed product. In addition to the displayed samples, additional inventories for sale are kept in the non-customer warehousing area (goods storage area), and alternate merchandise (compatible or replaceable) related to the additionally displayed merchandise are also kept in the non-customer warehousing area .

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of selling and delivering a commodity (e.g., a duty-free article) having all or part of the above-described features and additional features defined below. The method includes: receiving a request for information of replacement products of a first product (first replacement product information request) from a customer's mobile device (terminal), the unique product identification code of the first product; Providing, in response to a request for the replacement product, information of a replacement product associated with the first product to a mobile device; Receiving a withdrawal request (purchase request) for an alternative merchandise associated with the first merchandise from the mobile device; Upon receipt of the first substitute goods withdrawal request, the substitute merchandise of the first merchandise is withdrawn from the non-customer warehousing area and delivered to a predetermined location in the duty-free shop for confirmation of the customer, ; And proceeding with settlement of the withdrawn substitute goods based on the identification of the customer.

The above-described method may be used to request a request for information of alternate products of a second commodity (second alternate commodity information request) (the request may include a second unique commodity identification code) Receiving from an application; In response to receiving the second alternative product information request, information of one or more predetermined replacement products of the second product (which is sometimes identified based on the unique identification code of the second product included in the request) And may further include a step for providing the information for display.

The one or more predetermined replacement products of the second product may include a first predetermined replacement product of the second product and a second predetermined replacement product of the second product and the first predetermined replacement product and the predetermined second replacement A commodity may mean the same type of commodity as each other, except that they are different from each other in at least one feature selected from the group consisting of size, color, sex specificity, left / right orientation, and presence / absence of additions. In a broader sense, an alternate product can be interpreted to mean a heterogeneous product that is interchangeable with a particular product.

The above-described methods comprise: receiving a withdrawal request (purchase requisition) of an alternative merchandise of a second merchandise from a mobile application of the mobile device; Following the receipt of the second alternative merchandise withdrawal request, withdrawing one or more predetermined substitute merchandise of the second merchandise from the non-customer warehouse area and preparing the fetched substitute merchandise in a predetermined area of the store; And proceeding the settlement of the substitute commodity based on the confirmation of the commodity in the predetermined area where the substitute commodity is prepared.

In the above-described methods, the information of the one or more predetermined substitute goods may include information on the first substitute merchandise of the second merchandise not in stock at the store. A mobile application installed on a customer's mobile terminal (or provided via a web browser), comprises: reserving a first replacement product of the second product; Proceeding to settle the future commodity receipt for the first predetermined replacement image of the second commodity; Conducting a purchase request or settlement of a first predetermined replacement product of the second product to prepare the product at a predetermined position designated by the customer; Requesting a reservation or settlement of a first predetermined replacement product of the second product for purchase of the goods at another shop associated with the shop; And reserving or purchasing a first predetermined replacement product of the second product for retrieval of goods at another store associated with the store, so as to provide an environment in which at least one step is performed Lt; / RTI >

In the above-described methods, the one or more predetermined replacement products may include a predetermined first replacement product of the first product and a second predetermined replacement product of the first product, and the predetermined first replacement product and the predetermined product 2 replacement products are identical to one another, except that they are different in one or more features selected from the group consisting of size, color, sex specificity, left / right orientation, and presence / absence of additions. The information of the one or more predetermined replacement products may include that a predetermined first replacement product is stored in the non-customer storage area and that the predetermined second replacement product is stored in the customer shopping area, The substitute merchandise withdrawal request includes information capable of identifying the first predetermined substitute merchandise, and based on the information, the withdrawal system related to the non-customer warehouse area and the manager can start the process for withdrawing the merchandise have. Alternate merchandise information may further include information regarding a substitute merchandise location in a customer shopping area or a non-customer warehouse area.

In the above-described method, if the information of the second alternative product means that the second alternative product is out of stock at the store, the mobile application may provide a user environment for reserving a second predetermined replacement product on the mobile device have. In such a case, the performed merchandise sales and delivery method of the computer system associated with the store may include receiving a request to reserve a second predetermined replacement product, confirming a requested reservation of a given second replacement product, Providing a customer with information about the second replacement product when the second replacement product is obtained at the store; And / or providing the customer with information for receiving the second replacement product based on the reservation.

In the above-described methods, the response information for the withdrawal request of the substitute merchandise may include information about whether the substitute merchandise can be withdrawn from the non-customer warehouse area. If the availability information includes information that the second replacement product is out of stock at the store, the response information transmitted to the mobile terminal of the customer may include information about the reservation of the second alternative product. Based on such reservation-related information, the mobile application installed on the customer's mobile terminal (or provided via a web page or the like) provides a user environment (reservation request environment) for reserving a second predetermined replacement product on the mobile device can do. The settlement for reservation of the second alternative goods can be proceeded to the user environment provided as described above. During the reservation process, information regarding information on a future place for receiving a commodity may be exchanged on the mobile computing terminal of the store and the customer's mobile terminal.

On the other hand, if the second replacement product is not available at a particular store, information may be returned to the customer's terminal that the second replacement product may be obtained at another store (of the same franchise) associated with the store. In this case, the reservation process for accepting the goods at the other store may proceed as described above.

The method may further include generating a unique withdrawal request identification code identifying the first alternate withdrawal request in response to the first alternate withdrawal request and sending the unique withdrawal request identification code to the mobile application have. The unique withdrawal request identification code may include information that can identify the information from which device or from which customer the first alternate withdrawal request was requested. That is, the unique withdrawal request identification code is associated with or includes the information identifying a particular mobile device, a particular mobile application and / or a particular customer on any database accessible by the computing system associated with the store, in a complete or modified form can do.

The method of selling and delivering goods according to an embodiment of the present invention may include storing a unique withdrawal request identification code in a computer system (a computing system, server) associated with a store in connection with a first substitute goods withdrawal request have. The substitute merchandise is withdrawn to a predetermined area of the store according to the withdrawal request and is prepared for the customer's confirmation. The settlement process, which is performed after the confirmation of the customer in the area, is performed by using the unique withdrawal request identification code, Request) of the merchandise. For example, the customer's product identification can be stored in the store's computer system using a unique withdrawal request identification code. In the above-described method, the step of paying out the withdrawn merchandise comprises the step of receiving information (for example, a mobile device, a specific mobile application, and / or a specific customer (E.g., identification information of the user).

In the above-described methods, information on the progress status of the goods withdrawal process performed in response to the customer's goods (duty-free) withdrawal request (purchase request) may be provided to the customer. Such goods withdrawal status information may include estimation information on a time required for the merchandise to be set at a predetermined place for confirming the merchandise or at the duty-free goods delivery point. The computer system of the store may estimate the expected product preparation time based on the ability to retrieve the products in the non-customer warehouse area (product storage area), information on request for retrieving pending or pending products, The location of the item in the warehouse area, the size of the item of interest, and the like.

Information on how a customer can access information about a predetermined location (a specific location in a store or a duty-free goods place) for confirming a product (or delivering goods) in response to a purchase request (in response to a purchase request) Substitutes of the first commodity are the same as the first commodity but only in the one or more commodity features selected from the group consisting of size, color, sex specificity, left / right orientation, and presence / absence of additions, And other products.

In the above-described method, a computer system that implements a method of selling and delivering a product may include one or more computing devices that may include one or more local or cloud storage (or memory). The user receives a request for information about the product and provides information about the product (information about the product itself or information about the replacement product of the product) in response to the request, The receiving may be performed or controlled by the computing system by executing code stored in the local or cloud storage of the computing devices.

The unique product identification code may be selected from the group consisting of a QR code, a bar code, a number, an alphanumeric code, and a combination of numbers, characters, and symbols. The first unique product identification code may include a QR code previously assigned to the first product.

Stores and duty-free stores may be provided with identification information related to the first merchandise together with a sample of the first merchandise, and when the identification information related to the first merchandise is received through the mobile terminal of the customer, the computer system uses the identification information To perform a database search. This identification information may be assigned by the manufacturer or store of the first good. The identification information of the first product may be a UPC (Universal Product Code) of the corresponding product itself, or may be a code generated according to a separate scheme.

In the above-described method, the information request for the first product or the replacement product can be generated by inputting the first unique product identification code to the mobile application. This first merchandise information request may essentially consist of inputting a first unique merchandise identification code to the mobile application. Upon receiving the first merchandise information request, the method may further comprise causing the search to search the database for one or more predetermined substitute merchandise of the first merchandise. The information of the first merchandise or one or more predetermined substitute merchandise displayed on the mobile device may include information about each of the first merchandise or any of the predetermined substitute merchandise that can be purchased at the store or from the same franchise of the store .

The information about the goods provided according to the request from the mobile terminal may include an image of the goods; Availability at the store; The location of the goods within the customer shopping area; Information about where the merchandise is located in the customer shopping area and the non-customer warehousing area; Information on the availability of an alternative product; And a possibility of withdrawal from the goods confirmation area of the goods located in the non-customer shopping area to the goods receipt place (duty free goods delivery area). Such merchandise information may be displayed on the mobile device together with an interface for creating or dispatching a withdrawal request (purchase requisition) of the merchandise.

In the above-described methods, the first substitute goods withdrawal request may comprise a selection of one of the one or more predetermined substitute goods of the first goods on the mobile application. In response to the first alternate withdrawal request, the method may further comprise performing a database search to see if the selected alternate item of the first commodity can be delivered to the store. The first alternative goods withdrawal request may include a selection of one of the one or more predetermined replacement products of the first product and the method further comprises selecting one of the one or more predetermined replacement products of the first product at the current store To perform a database search in order to know whether or not the database can be retrieved. The first substitute goods withdrawal request may include the number of withdrawal requests of the selected predetermined substitute goods of the first goods. In response to the first alternate withdrawal request from the mobile application, the correct number of selected selected alternate items of the first item is retrieved and placed in a predetermined location.

In the above-described method, a first alternative withdrawal request from the mobile application is sent to an employee of the store or an automated merchandise withdrawal system to withdraw a selected replacement product of the first merchandise from the non-customer warehouse area. The method may further include sending additional information of the selected predefined replacement article of the first article to the employee or automated article withdrawal system and the additional information may further include storing the selected replacement article in the non- Information indicating the position of the selected substitute item, information indicating the size of the selected substitute item, information indicating the color of the selected substitute item, information indicating the shape of the package of the selected substitute item Information indicating the size of the package of the selected substitute product, and information indicating the color of the package of the selected substitute product.

In the above-described method, following the reception of the first substitute goods withdrawal request, the method may further include the step of formatting the goods withdrawal instruction and sending it to the employee or the automated goods withdrawal system, Information identifying a predetermined replacement product, and information indicating a stored position of a selected replacement product of the first product. The information identifying the selected selected substitute item is a unique identification code assigned specifically to the selected substitute item and is selected from a group consisting of a QR code, a bar code, a number, an alphanumeric code, and a combination of numbers, letters, And may include at least one selected. The item retrieval instruction includes information indicating the shape of the selected substitute item, information indicating the size of the selected substitute item, information indicating the color of the selected substitute item, information indicating the shape of the package of the selected substitute item, Information indicating the size of the selected package of the substitute product, information indicating the size of the package of the selected substitute product, and information indicating the color of the package of the selected selected substitute product. have.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of selling and delivering goods. The method of selling and delivering goods includes providing a shop including a non-customer warehouse area attached to a customer shopping area and a customer shopping area, the customer shopping area being open to customers for shopping, the non- For customers, access is limited, especially in environments where merchandise is kept for sale in stores.

The method of selling and delivering a product includes providing at least one first product (or a sample thereof) and at least one second product (or a sample thereof) as an environment for displaying products or samples for sale in a customer shopping area , Unique product identification codes are presented in relation to the products (samples) displayed in the customer shopping area, a first unique product identification code is presented in relation to the first product, and a second unique product identification code is provided in the second Presented in relation to the goods; Storing additional items for sale in a non-customer warehouse area, in particular according to a predetermined configuration for storing goods, wherein the additional items are implemented in an environment comprising one or more predetermined replacement products of the first product .

The method of selling and delivering a product includes providing a database containing information of the first product, the second product, and the replacement product. The method may further include providing a mobile application running on the mobile device for interfacing between a customer carrying the mobile device and a computer system associated with the store, wherein the mobile application is responsive to entering the unique product identification code into the mobile device And may be configured to generate and send a product information request.

The method of selling and delivering a product may be performed by a computer system associated with the store; Receiving from the mobile application of the mobile device a request for information of replacement products of a first product comprising a first unique product identification code; In response to receiving the first alternate merchandise information request, refers to a database associated with the computer system to obtain information of the one or more predetermined alternate merchandise of the first merchandise, and displays the obtained substitute merchandise information on the mobile device Wherein the obtained transmitted information includes availability of an alternate product; Receiving a first purchase request (first alternate product retrieval request) for retrieval of an alternate product of a first product from a mobile application of the mobile device, the first alternate product retrieval request comprising the steps of: Selecting one of the predetermined replacement products; Following the receipt of the first alternative merchandise withdrawal request, retrieving one or more predetermined substitute merchandise of the first merchandise from the non-customer warehouse area and preparing it at a predetermined location associated with the store; And processing payment and receipt of the prepared goods.

In the method described above, the product information request may be a request for information of replacement products of the goods associated with the entered unique product identification code. The mobile application may be configured to automatically generate a request for information of alternate products without further input from a customer carrying the mobile device when a unique product identification code is entered into the mobile device. The mobile application can be configured to generate the request and then automatically send the request without further input from the customer. With this arrangement, it is possible to simplify the customer's input for requesting information or requesting a product.

On the other hand, the information (availability information) about the availability of the goods returned from the information request or the purchase request from the mobile terminal includes expected or estimated time required for the object product to be prepared after the purchase request . The availability information of the one or more predetermined replacement products of the first product may further comprise that the one or more predetermined replacement products of the first product are available in the non-customer warehouse area of the duty free shop. The availability information transmitted to the mobile terminal of the customer may include information on whether or not the product can be purchased or acquired in the future if the purchase of the product is temporarily impossible. The availability information transmitted to the mobile terminal of the customer may include information on the possibility of purchasing at a shop other than the shop where the purchase of the product is recognized (input) through the mobile terminal.

The product information request may include a request for information on replacement products of a product associated with the input unique product identification code, a request for information on related products of the product associated with the input unique product identification code, A request for information on both the replacement product and the related products of the product. The mobile application may be configured to generate a selection inquiry when a unique product identification code is entered into the mobile device. The selection inquiry may be made by a customer carrying the mobile device with an alternate product of a commodity associated with the entered unique commodity identification code A request for information of related products of a commodity associated with the entered unique commodity identification code, and a request for information of both an alternate commodity and related commodities of the commodity associated with the entered unique commodity identification code (In the paragraph, an alternate commodity is interpreted as a meaning of negotiation which can be distinguished from a related commodity, but will be described in other parts of this specification as being interpreted in a broader sense.)

Some aspects of the method of selling and delivering goods described above have been described with reference to the steps of processing information request or purchase request for a substitute product of a product whose related identification information is recognized through a mobile terminal, Quot; is related to the sale of the pertinent product itself, and can be understood by changing the meaning of the description to the extent necessary.

Various aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention are described herein. It is not necessary that a particular embodiment of the invention achieve all of the various advantages illustrated. Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention may be practiced or carried out in order to achieve one or more of the advantages, without necessarily achieving all of the advantages disclosed in the present application.

According to the present invention described above, airport users can perform convenient duty-free shopping within a limited shopping time.

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are not to be construed as limiting the invention, but are described in detail below with reference to the drawings of the various embodiments to be illustrated. The drawings include the following figures.
1 is a flowchart of a method of selling and delivering goods according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a store having a customer shopping area separated from a non-customer warehousing area according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is a flow diagram in which functions provided based on the location of a user or a customer are diverted, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates samples of displayed goods or merchandise displayed on shelves in a store according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a customer entering code associated with a product on a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a screen of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the invention.
7 is a product purchase flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart for requesting confirmation of a product in a predetermined area and purchasing the confirmed product according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a product reservation order flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 shows an airport with one or more duty-free shops, a merchandise warehouse area, and one or more duty-free warehouses in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of selling and delivering a duty-free product according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12A and 12B are flowcharts for operating a method of selling and delivering a duty-free product according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of merchandise sales and delivery methods in shops or duty free shops that are disclosed through this application combine traditional merchandise selling methods through stores and the advantages of online retailers that are cost competitive by reducing the cost of securing stores. In particular, embodiments of the method of operating a store or a duty-free shop disclosed in the present application provide a way to physically identify merchandise prior to purchasing a wide variety of merchandise together. At the same time, embodiments of the method of operating duty free shops disclosed herein also provide a way to increase the ease of shopping while at the same time saving space used for product display.

In the embodiments described herein, when a customer accesses a particular store, a mobile application installed on the customer's mobile device can recognize the location of the customer. Once the mobile application determines the customer's location with respect to a particular store, the mobile application can notify the customer or user that the store is in the immediate vicinity. The terms "customer" and "user" are used interchangeably in this application. The mobile application displays general information about the store, allows the user to browse available items available at the store, and allows the user to browse / search for items available at the store on his / her mobile device .

After the customer enters the store, the customer browses the products or samples displayed on the customer's shopping area of the store. Once the customer identifies a product of interest, the customer can use the customer's mobile device to scan the unique product identification code provided in the form of a QR code associated with the product. Once the unique product identification code is scanned, the mobile application sends a request to the remote computer system for information about the merchandise associated with the unique merchandise identification code or about the replacement merchandise of the merchandise. Upon receiving the merchandise information request, the store's computer system initiates a search of the store's database for the requested information.

Once the search is complete, the mobile application in communication with the store's computer system receives this information from the store's computer system and then receives and displays the merchandise information associated with the merchandise identification code. In addition, the mobile application displays information of products that are alternative products of the product associated with the product identification code. The user browses these products displayed on the user's mobile device and identifies the products of interest to the user. The mobile application can also inform the user that the selected merchandise is not displayed in the customer shopping area but is stored in a non-customer warehouse area. Then, the user requests delivery of the selected commodity from the non-customer warehousing area to the commodity checking area in the shop (pick-up area, in the case of duty-free shops, the duty-free shop separate from the duty free shop).

In order to request such a goods withdrawal, the user selects an interface for requesting goods withdrawal (pickup request) provided with the goods information in the mobile application. Lt; / RTI > Accordingly, the mobile application sends the pickup request wirelessly to the store's computer system. The store's computer system receives the merchandise withdrawal request. In embodiments, the product retrieval request includes the requested product number information. Upon receipt of the merchandise withdrawal request, the store's computer system electronically sends a pick-up request to the store employee (s) or automated merchandise withdrawal system responsible for merchandise withdrawal in the non-customer warehouse area. An employee may receive a pickup request through a computer system or a terminal of the mobile device. The employee then accesses the store database for the location of the requested merchandise and initiates the merchandise withdrawal. Alternatively, the computer system may generate electronic withdrawal indication information, including information identifying the requested merchandise, the number of copies requested, and the location of the requested merchandise within the non-customer warehouse area, ) Or to a separate product retrieval system.

In other embodiments, the computer system may allow the automated goods retrieval system to locate the requested goods within the non-customer warehousing area and to place the requested goods in the goods confirmation area (pickup area) with or without human interaction Get ready. On the other hand, after sending the goods retrieval request to the computer system, a pick-up request confirmation code (unique request confirmation code) may be generated in the form of a QR code based on the computer system of the mobile application or the store, or their cooperation. Check these pickup requests

In some embodiments, upon receiving a merchandise retrieval request, the computer system also estimates the time required to locate the merchandise and deliver it to the pick-up area and sends the estimated time to the mobile application.

The user walks to the pickup area and scans the computer system of the pickup area for a pickup request confirmation code displayed on the user's mobile device. Scanning identifies the goods requested by the user and the user. After researching the item, the user purchases the item at the pick-up area or at a separate checkout counter.

Alternative products and related products

In this invention, a variation refers to the same product having differences in at least one of sizes, colors, left-handed or right-handed orientation, left-handed or right-handed orientation, presence of adducts, and gender specificity. Terms such as "related goods" refer to different goods that are complementary or alternative to the goods. In this invention, "related products" of a product can be understood in a distinct sense, not overlapping "alternative products" of a particular product. However, substitute goods may be excluded from the broader sense, including both alternative products and related goods. An alternative product for a particular product may be defined as an association on the database entry of the particular product and the database entry of the replacement product on a database associated with the store and duty free shop. The substitute product may be defined according to the specification of the product itself, but it may be determined based on the purchase history information of the users, for example, when a product can not be purchased, information about the product purchased by the customer, May be defined based on information about the product.

Mobile applications and mobile devices

In an embodiment, the mobile application may allow customers and users to access and view store merchandise databases. In some embodiments, the mobile application may be downloaded, installed and operated on the mobile device. The mobile device can be a smartphone, such as iPhone, Android mobile phone, and BlackBerry, or any other mobile phone. In addition, the mobile device may be a tablet personal computer such as an iPad, an Android operating tablet, or any other tablet personal computer. In some embodiments, the mobile application may be installed and operated from a device that is specifically designed and built for mobile applications. In an embodiment, all operations of the mobile application may involve interaction with the computer system and database associated with the store. On the other hand, a mobile application does not necessarily have to be installed in a mobile terminal in an independent form. A set of code that is provided on a web page and executed using the computing power of the mobile terminal may also be referred to as a mobile application in a broad sense.

An overview of customer shopping experience using the disclosed method

1 is a flowchart of a method of selling and delivering goods according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, at block 102, the customer enters duty free shops. In some embodiments, the store is divided into two separate areas, including a customer shopping area and a non-customer warehousing area. The customer shopping area holds commodities that are open to customers and can be sold to customers. The non-customer warehouse area is not open to customers but stores goods intensively. The terms "customer shopping area" and "non-customer warehousing area" are defined in more detail below.

Next, at block 104, the customer browses the displayed goods in the customer shopping area. When a customer views items displayed in a store, the level of interest of the customers in each product may vary widely. Most customers will find products that they like to some extent but are not completely satisfied. Or customers approach the store with vague thoughts of their needs, such as brand name, color combination, and / or price range. So, in many cases, customers often buy alternatives rather than the ones they initially thought about. Therefore, from the retailer's perspective, it is necessary to maximize the opportunity for the customer to be exposed to information about the product or the substitute product of the product for the first time.

In the depicted embodiment, the store may use the mobile application installed on the mobile device at block 106 to enable the customer to quickly and easily navigate a store's database of goods displayed, or any alternative merchandise associated therewith do. The mobile device may be a customer's own cell phone, smart phone, tablet computer, or the like. In some embodiments, the store provides or lends mobile devices to customers. In some embodiments, the customer scans the unique product identification code of the desired product at block 106 or inputs it to the mobile device or mobile application.

In some embodiments, each merchandise displayed in the customer shopping area is associated with a unique merchandise identification code displayed on or near the merchandise. The product identification code may be a QR code, a bar code, a text, a numeric code, and the like. In some embodiments, if the customer wants to know what alternative products of the displayed goods or related goods are available at duty free shops, the customer may use his mobile device to scan the product identification bar code or QR code . In other embodiments, the customer may enter a merchandise identification code by typing a numeric or text code associated with a particular merchandise.

When the product identification code is scanned or otherwise entered, the mobile device or the mobile application displays a list of related products of the goods associated with the product identification code entered in block 108 and a database Search is started. In some embodiments, the mobile application sends an alternate merchandise information request to the store's computer system to initiate a search. After the search, the computer system of the store provides the search results, i.e., the information of the goods, to the mobile device or application. The mobile device or application then displays the search results to the customer at block 110 so that the customer can view the results.

In the illustrated embodiment, the customer may select a particular merchandise on the mobile device at block 112. In some embodiments, the selection of a particular item will cause more detailed information about the item to be displayed. In some embodiments, such detailed information may include, among other things, commodity prices, availability, specifications, reviews, popularity, intended use, safety precautions, related products, and replacement products of commodities.

In one embodiment, the merchandise selected by the customer may be located somewhere within the customer shopping area of the store, or may be stored only in the non-customer warehousing area, not in the customer shopping area of the store. In some cases, the selected item may not be currently available for sale in a store, but may be available for pre-ordering for purchase at the same store or at another store.

In an embodiment where the selected item is located within the customer's shopping area of the store, as indicated by block 114, the customer can locate and purchase the item directly at block 116. [ In some embodiments, the mobile device or application may indicate to the customer the location of the selected item within the store and / or how to access the location of the item from the customer's current location.

If, as indicated by block 118, the selected item can be sold at the store but is only stored within the non-customer warehouse area, then the mobile device or application can, at block 120, Provides a means for requesting confirmation, possibly in a given area. In some embodiments, if the customer requests a withdrawal (pick-up) of goods from the non-customer warehouse area, the mobile application sends a replacement product withdrawal request to the store's computer system. Then, through the mobile device or application, an information exchange (information necessary for code generation, delivery of the generated code, etc.) allowing the customer to present the pick-up request confirmation code in the goods confirmation area is transmitted to the computer system of the shop and the mobile device / It happens in the liver.

In an embodiment where the selected item is currently out of stock or can not be marketed at this particular store, as indicated by block 122, the mobile device or application may provide the customer with a selectable option and associated information at block 124, Based on the information stored in the system of FIG. For example, in some embodiments, the mobile device or application provides information to the customer through the store's computing system about when the selected merchandise can be sold or from which store the inventory can be secured .

Outline of a shop adopting the disclosed method

Figure 2 illustrates a store configured in accordance with one embodiment. The depicted stores include separate customer shopping areas 202 and non-customer warehousing areas 204.

In the illustrated embodiment, the customer shopping area 202 has a general entrance 206 and a general exit 208 for customers to enter and exit the store. In embodiments, merchandise that may be sold are displayed throughout the customer shopping area 202 on merchandise shelves 210 or any other means currently known or later developed to display merchandise.

In the illustrated embodiment, the store has a goods confirmation area, i.e., a pickup area 212. The pick-up area is where the customer checks for items that are not displayed in the customer's shopping area. In one embodiment, the pick-up area 212 is located adjacent to or attached to the non-customer warehousing area 204. In another embodiment, the pick-up area 212 is provided adjacent to or in one of the checkout counters 214 in the customer's shopping area. In some embodiments, the pick-up area 212 includes at least one check-out counter 214 or allows customers to pay for and purchase items in the pick-up area 212. In another embodiment, the store does not have a separate area for merchandise identification, and one or more checkout counters function as a pickup area.

In some embodiments, the pick-up area 212 has a kiosk, a bar code reader, a scanner, a keyboard, a mouse, or some other input method for entering a pick-up request confirmation code or page. In an embodiment, upon entry of a pick-up request confirmation code or page, the computer system in the pick-up area 212 may identify the merchandise the user requested to confirm. In another embodiment, in the pick-up area 212, the computer system displays the information used to identify the customer and the requested merchandise, and on the basis thereof, the employee of the shop locates the requested merchandise and displays the merchandise Prepare. In yet another embodiment, as the pick-up confirmation code or page is entered, the automated system finds the goods and prepares the goods in the pick-up area.

In the illustrated embodiment, the non-customer warehouse area 204 is physically separated from the customer shopping area 202 by a wall or some sort of separating means. In some embodiments, only the employees of the store or certain employees are allowed to enter the non-customer warehousing area 204. In some embodiments, customers are not allowed to enter the non-customer warehousing area 204. The non-customer warehouse area refers to non-customer areas designed specifically to store bulk items for sale, rather than to unrestricted open areas to customers. In embodiments, the non-customer warehouse area does not include merchandise loading / unloading areas, hallways, and offices that are not designed to store goods in bulk. Also, in some embodiments, the non-customer warehouse area does not include checkout counters, an entrance / exit for customers, or a pickup area.

In some embodiments, the non-customer warehousing area 204 stores products in shelves or other warehousing means 216 in a space-efficient manner, such as to maximize the number of items that may be stored. In other embodiments, the merchandise stored in the non-customer warehouse area 204 is systematically organized so that the location of a particular merchandise or commodity substitute merchandise can be easily discovered by store employees or automated systems. In some embodiments, the location of goods stored in the non-customer warehousing area 204 is stored within the store's computing system.

Location determination and related applications

Figure 3 is a flow diagram in which functions provided based on the location of a user or a customer are diverted, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile device includes an application associated with a particular store. In some embodiments, the mobile application allows a user to select a particular store. Referring to FIG. 3, when a user or a customer activates a mobile application associated with a particular store or franchise at block 302, the mobile application, computer system at the store, .

In some embodiments, the mobile device or application utilizes available GPS capabilities on the mobile device to determine the location of the user. In other embodiments, the mobile device or application uses nearby Wi-Fi connections to determine the location of the user. In other embodiments, the mobile device, the mobile application, and the computing system of the store utilize the service provider network of the mobile device to determine the location of the user. In some embodiments, the mobile device or application communicates with a sensor or some sort of tracking device located within the store to determine the location of the user when the user is close enough to the particular store.

In some embodiments, when the customer is near a particular store in the franchise, the mobile application is automatically activated to determine the user's location as pertaining to a particular store. For example, the mobile application is automatically activated when the user is within a predetermined distance preset from the location of the particular store, and can determine the location of the user as being related to that particular store. In some embodiments, the mobile device or application notifies the user at block 304 when the user is substantially near the store of the franchise. In some embodiments, the automatic alarm system may be activated / deactivated by the user.

In order to determine the location of the user with respect to a particular store as opposed to other stores, the mobile device or application, in some embodiments, first employs any one or more of the methods described above to determine the location of the user. Then, in some embodiments, the mobile device or application determines the distance of the user from a particular store. In some embodiments, a particular store is predetermined and stored on a mobile device or application. In other embodiments, the particular store is selected by the user. In other embodiments, the mobile device or application automatically selects a particular store closest to the user's current location. In some embodiments, the mobile device or application automatically selects a particular store within which the user is currently located.

Once the mobile application is activated automatically or manually, the mobile device or application begins communicating with the computer system associated with the store to provide information to the mobile device or application.

If the user's location is determined to be related to a particular store, the mobile application displays general information about that particular store at block 306. [ This general information includes, among other things, opening and closing times of shops, categories or types of goods that can be sold in stores, and above all product delivery options, ordering options, payment options, bulk purchase options May include categories or types of services available to the store, including < RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI >

In yet another embodiment, the mobile application may display the location and information of different stores other than the particular store predetermined or selected by the user. This information may, among other things, include opening and closing times of shops, categories or types of goods that may be sold in other stores, and most of all merchandise delivery options, order options, payment options, bulk purchase options And may include categories or types of services available to other stores, including < RTI ID = 0.0 > < / RTI >

In an embodiment, upon determining the location of the user with respect to a particular store, the mobile application automatically displays information about the merchandise being sold at a particular store at block 308. In an embodiment, the mobile application enables the user to search for information about items sold at a particular store at block 310.

In some embodiments, once a user selects or searches for a particular item, the mobile application or device provides the customer with information related to where the particular item is located within the store. For example, the information may, among other things, include the location of the merchandise represented on the map, a description of the location, and directions to reach the merchandise from the current location of the mobile device. In other embodiments, the mobile application or devices provide the customer with information related to where the commodity replacement products and related commodities of a particular commodity are located within the store. In some embodiments, the mobile application or device may display to the customer whether a particular item, its substitute items, or its associated items are located in the customer shopping area 202 or the non-customer storage area 204. In other embodiments, the mobile application or device will display the correct location to the customer within the customer shopping area 202 of a particular product, its replacement products, or its associated products.

Access to the store's merchandise database

In an embodiment, the mobile application may automatically access a database of merchandise that is depleted with a particular store if it is determined that the customer is within or substantially close to a particular store. In another embodiment, the customer may activate the mobile application on the mobile device and instruct the mobile device to connect to or connect to the merchandise database of the particular store.

In some embodiments, the merchandise database of a particular store may allow access to the mobile application only if it is determined that the mobile device is associated with a particular store location. In other embodiments, the merchandise database of a particular store allows access only by the mobile application, only if the mobile device is located substantially near that particular store or within some predefined distance of that particular store.

In other embodiments, the store merchandise database is limited in general access and may only allow access through a particular mobile application. In other embodiments, the store merchandise database may be accessed via a web site. In some embodiments, the store merchandise database is only accessible through a web site, but only when a credential or credential is entered. In another embodiment, the merchandise merchandise database may allow only customers or potential customers who meet certain criteria or who are identified with some credentials or authentication information to be accessed. In another embodiment, the store merchandise database can only be accessed by employees of a particular store or other stores of the same franchise.

Mobile application download notification

In one embodiment, the mobile device includes a general mobile application that can initiate certain subsequent processes when the mobile device is located within or close enough to a particular store. For example, a typical mobile application may include any of the location determination methods described above, including but not limited to GPS, Wi-Fi, a service provider network of mobile devices, or sensors or tracking devices within a particular store The position of the user with respect to the shop can be determined. Then, in one embodiment, a typical mobile application may perform a search to determine if a particular store has a particular mobile application associated with the store. If so, a typical mobile application can alert or notify the user to download and install a mobile application specifically associated with that particular store. In one embodiment, a mobile device or a general mobile application may alert or notify a user that once a user has used the mobile device to search for or enter an item identification code to download and install a mobile application specifically associated with a particular store .

Store Item Database

In an embodiment, the store merchandise database contains information of products that can be sold in this particular store. In one embodiment, the store merchandise database may also include information on merchandise that could be previously sold or may be sold in future in a particular store. In one embodiment, the store merchandise database may further include merchandise that can not currently be sold at the store but may be picked up or delivered later. In one embodiment, the store merchandise database includes merchandise that is temporarily or permanently out of stock at a particular store. The store merchandise database may be comprehensive or include all merchandise and may include only some sub-group merchandise provided for sale in a store. This sub-group may be for a particular type (s) of commodity, by the date the database is updated, or it may be any random selection.

In an embodiment, the store merchandise database is updated periodically. Almost every minute, almost every 10 minutes, almost every half hour, almost every hour, almost every two hours, twice a day, once a day, two times a week Once per week, once every two weeks, once a month, or between two of the above mentioned periods.

The store merchandise database may contain various information. In an embodiment, the store merchandise database contains information as to whether a particular merchandise is in stock or not. In embodiments, the store merchandise database may, among other things, store information about merchandise associated with a particular merchandise. The merchandise database may contain information about available or unavailable specifications, such as available or unavailable sizes, available or unavailable colors, in relation to a certain type of merchandise. In some embodiments, the store merchandise database includes information about the exact location of a particular merchandise within a customer's shopping area within the store. In other embodiments, the store merchandise database includes information as to whether a particular merchandise is located within a customer shopping area or a non-customer warehousing area. In some embodiments, the merchandise merchandise database may also include any of the above-mentioned information regarding merchandise that may or may not be available at franchise stores other than its own.

Product Identification Codes

Figure 4 illustrates samples of displayed goods or merchandise displayed on shelves in a store according to an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the merchandise identification code 400 is located on or near merchandise (402). In yet another embodiment, the merchandise identification codes 400 may be provided in association with only some of the merchandise. In other embodiments, only one or several product identification codes 400 are placed near the same item in each group. In some embodiments, an indication may be placed on or near merchandise identification code 400 informing the customer that there is an alternative merchandise and / or related merchandise.

In some embodiments, the product identification code 400 is a QR code 404, a bar code, a two-dimensional bar code 406, a product number, a product code, or any code capable of identifying a product. In one embodiment, a particular merchandise identification code 400 is assigned for each merchandise. In one embodiment, a particular merchandise identification code 400 is assigned for each type of merchandise. The product identification code 400 may be in any form that is presently present or will be developed in the future. In some embodiments, the product identification code 400 is assigned by a manufacturer, a store, or a third party provider.

In some embodiments, the merchandise identification codes 400 associated with certain groups of items may have a common element, such as a common numbering code, a text code, or a pattern in a bar code or QR code. For example, in some embodiments, all replacement products of the same product may have a common element. In other embodiments, articles of the same class or type may have a common element.

Figure 5 shows the input of an information code 400 associated with a goods to a mobile device 500 by a customer. In some embodiments, the customer may scan the product identification code 400 or input it to the mobile application of the mobile device 500 to identify the merchandise associated with the merchandise identification code 400. In some embodiments, the customer may use the camera on the customer's mobile device 500 to photograph or scan the product information code 400. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the customer may type the merchandise identification code 400.

Once the merchandise information code 400 is entered, the mobile device or application wirelessly communicates with the duty-free shop's computer system to initiate a search of the duty-free shop database. In some embodiments, the store's computer system or the customer's mobile application may identify the merchandise associated with the merchandise identification code 400 based on the merchandise identification code 400 entered. In other embodiments, the merchandise identification code 400, when entered, may also identify information about merchandise other than merchandise directly associated with the merchandise identification code 400, as well as by the store's computer system or the customer's mobile application have. For example, other products are substitute products or related products of a product associated with a product identification code 400 available for sale at a specific duty free shop or from the same merchant. In other embodiments, the merchandise identification code 400 may display additional information relating to merchandise, merchandise replacement products, and / or merchandise related to the merchandise associated with the merchandise identification code 400, when entered into the mobile application. To trigger a mobile application. In some embodiments, this information displayed by the mobile application may include, among other things, price, availability of inventory and information, description of the product, availability of related products and information.

In some embodiments, a merchandise identification code 400 may be scanned or entered into the computer system of duty-free shops to identify the merchandise associated with merchandise identification code 400. The duty-free computer system is accessible (available) by a computer system that is capable of connecting to a pickup area, a check-out area, or an internal computer database of a duty-free shop. In some embodiments, the store's computer system may identify the merchandise associated with the merchandise identification code 400 and the information associated therewith. In other embodiments, the merchandise identification code 400 may be used to display the merchandise associated with the merchandise identification code 400 available for sale at a specific duty-free shop or from the same merchant, or alternative merchandise of the merchandise associated therewith, Tasks can be performed. In other embodiments, the merchandise identification code 400 may be used to perform operations to display information relating to merchandise, substitute merchandise, and / or related merchandise that are directly identified in the code when entered into a computer system have. In some embodiments, such information displayed by the computer system may, among other things, include price, availability of inventory and information, description of the product, availability of related products and information.

Browse products on mobile applications

Figure 6 illustrates a screen of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile application 600 displays product images 602, 604, and 606. The mobile application can display only one item on its screen. In embodiments, merchandise images may take various forms, designs, and configurations.

In some embodiments, the mobile application 600 displays a specific product associated with the entered product identification code. In other embodiments, the mobile application 600 displays goods of a particular merchandise identified by the merchandise identification code and / or alternative merchandise associated therewith.

In some embodiments, the mobile application 600 displays goods that are currently available for sale at a particular store as opposed to others. In other embodiments, the mobile application 600 displays merchandise that can not be sold at a particular store but can be picked up or delivered later from a merchant associated with the store, as opposed to others. From the mobile application 600, a user or a customer can easily and quickly browse various merchandise.

In some embodiments, the user or customer may request more detailed information about the displayed goods 602, 604, 606 through the mobile application 600. [ In some embodiments, the detailed information includes, among other things, price, availability at a store, location of an item in a store, availability at other stores of the same franchise (same merchant), merchandise specification, merchandise usage, customer reviews, Expert Reviews can be included.

In other embodiments, the user or customer may request via the mobile application 600 for information about possible choices for purchase or information inquiry of a particular displayed item 602, 604, 606. In some embodiments, these choices include, among other things, finding merchandise within a customer's shopping area of a store, requesting a pick-up of available items in a non-customer warehouse area, purchasing online, purchasing on a mobile application , Requesting delivery of the item, and requesting a reservation for future purchases.

In some embodiments, the mobile application 600 may display the location and availability of a selected item, e.g., in-stock and out-of-stock. In the illustrated embodiment, the merchandise 602 is in stock and is located within the non-customer warehouse area in the warehouse. Item 602 may be picked up in the product pickup area. If the pick-up button 603 is selected, a pick-up request for the goods can be sent or an interface for sending the pick-up request can be provided. This will be discussed in more detail below. The item 604 is in stock and is located within the customer shopping area on the display. When the location button 605 is selected, the location of the item 604 on the mobile application is guided so that the customer can locate the item within the customer shopping area. Item (606) is currently out of stock at the store. When selecting the order button 607, an interface for purchasing at another store or for making a reservation at the same store can be provided.

In some embodiments, the mobile application can be configured to display only merchandise replacement products or related merchandise that can be sold at a store where the customer is currently located. In other embodiments, the mobile application may be configured to provide information, including merchandise replacement products or related merchandise, that may be sold at a store where the customer is currently located or at other stores in the same franchise. In other embodiments, the mobile application may provide information about merchandise replacement products or merchandise that may be sold at any store, even if the merchant is not currently available at the store where the customer is present or at other stores in the same franchise .

Products available in customer shopping areas

In some embodiments, the product selected by the customer after browsing on the mobile application may be sold and located within the customer shopping area 202 of the store. 7 is a product purchase flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, where the selected merchandise is available within the customer shopping area 202 of the store as shown in block 702, the mobile application displays the location of the merchandise within the store to the customer at block 704. In some embodiments, the location of the merchandise displayed by the mobile application may include a section number, an aisle number, a shelf number, or some other parameter that is required to locate the article. In another embodiment, the location is represented on the map of the store.

In other embodiments, the mobile application may be further configured to provide specific directions (or access paths) within the store to the correct location of the replacement product or associated goods of the selected product at block 706. [ In some embodiments, these directions are updated in real time to provide updated directions to the customer. Accordingly, the customer can easily find the desired product at block 708 by using the mobile application.

Then, in some embodiments, the user or customer may optionally use the mobile device or application to scan or otherwise input a product identification code located on or near the desired merchandise at block 710. Although the customer has already found the item to buy, the customer may still scan the item identification code to obtain a transaction identification code 716 that may be scanned in checkout as opposed to the item itself. Another customer may scan the item identification code to add the item to the shopping cart code, which is discussed in detail below.

In some embodiments, after scanning, the user confirms the request to purchase at block 712 and the mobile application generates a transaction identification code 716 (unique transaction identification code). In some embodiments, the transaction identification code 716 is, among other things, a QR code, a bar code, a number, or text. In some embodiments, the customer may choose to scan the transaction identification code 716 displayed on the mobile application at checkout, instead of scanning the item itself. This can be useful when the item is heavy or difficult to scan.

Once the customer has found a desired item in the customer shopping area 202, the customer can physically observe the item and make a purchase decision. If the customer wants to purchase the item, in some embodiments the customer can take the item directly to the checkout counter. The customer can scan or otherwise enter the item identification code 716 displayed on the product itself or on the mobile application. The customer may then purchase the item at block 714.

In some embodiments, the plurality of order identification codes is one or more orders that the customer desires to purchase, such that the customer simply scans or enters a single shopping cart code at the checkout counter instead of scanning each item or every order identification code. Or may be combined to generate a single shopping cart code associated with the items or items. For example, in an embodiment, when a customer finds a first item to purchase in the customer shopping area 202, the customer uses the mobile device 500 to scan the first item identification code associated with the first item can do. The customer can then scan the second merchandise identification code associated with the second merchandise when the customer finds a second merchandise to purchase, either in the customer shopping area through the pickup area or in the non-customer warehouse area. Then, upon selection of an option on the mobile application, the mobile application may generate a single shopping cart code associated with both the first and second goods.

Further, in other embodiments, the mobile application may provide an interface for confirmation or pre-ordering in the merchandise confirmation area, even if the merchandise can be sold in the customer shopping area 202. [

Products that can be obtained within the non-customer warehouse area

Alternatively, in embodiments, the desired product may be sold in a store, but may be located in a non-customer warehouse area instead of a customer shopping area. 8 is a flowchart for requesting confirmation of a product in a predetermined area and purchasing the confirmed product according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment, if the selected merchandise can be sold in a store but is located in the non-customer warehouse area 204, upon selection of such merchandise, the mobile application locates the desired merchandise at block 804, 0.0 > 204 < / RTI > to the pick-up area and provides it to the customer. The customer may then request a withdrawal (pick-up) of the goods via the mobile application at block 806. In other embodiments, the mobile application only provides the estimated time it will take for the merchandise withdrawal process to be ready to prepare for merchandise identification, after the user or customer requests the merchandise to be picked up.

In some embodiments, once a user or customer requests a pick up (withdrawal) of goods stored in the non-customer warehouse area 204, a pick-up request (or retrieval request) is sent from the mobile application to the store computing system . Once the pick-up request is received by the store computing system, in an embodiment, the store computing system displays a pick-up request on the display for review by store employees. In another embodiment, the store computing system may send an item dispatch command to one or more store employees or an automated system to fetch the requested goods. The command can be sent via e-mail, SMS, text message, pager, telephone call, voice message, etc. In embodiments, the instructions may include, among other things, a location in a non-customer warehouse area, a unique product identification code, a shape of a product replacement product, a size of a product replacement product, a color of a product replacement product, The size of the package of the commodity replacement product, and the color of the package of the commodity replacement product. In some embodiments, the goods pickup request (or retrieval request) includes the number of copies of goods selected by the customer. In these embodiments, the employee, automated system, or both finds the exact number of copies of the requested goods replacement product and directs them to the pickup area. In some embodiments, the commodity withdrawal instruction includes the number of requested commodity substitute commodities. The employee or automated system then finds the requested merchandise in the non-customer warehousing area 204 and delivers it to the pick-up area 212.

In some embodiments, the merchandise stored in the non-customer warehouse area 204 has merchandise identification codes located on or near the merchandise itself. In some embodiments, duty-free shoppers may use the device to scan or enter a merchandise identification code of the merchandise stored in the non-customer warehousing area 204 to identify the merchandise. In some embodiments, these devices are portable devices. In other embodiments, the automated merchandise retrieval system scans or inputs the merchandise identification code located on or near the merchandise to locate the merchandise within the non-merchant store 204 and verify the identity of the merchandise. In some embodiments, the automated merchandise location system may also deliver the found merchandise to the in-store pick-up area 212.

In some embodiments, the commodity retrieval instruction sent to the employee, automated system, or both, enters a unique commodity retrieval instruction identification code that is specifically assigned to the commodity retrieval instruction for the selected commodity replacement product. In such embodiments, the goods retrieval order identification code may be one or more of a QR code, a bar code, a number, an alphanumeric code, and a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. In these embodiments, the employee or automated system may use a unique goods retrieval order identification code and / or a goods retrieval order to access information about the goods requested to be picked up. The unique commodity retrieval instruction identification code can be linked to the commodity information request.

In some embodiments, once the user or customer requests a pick up of the goods stored in the non-customer warehousing area 204, the mobile application or device 500 sends a unique pick-up request confirmation code (820). In some embodiments, the pick-up confirmation page includes at least one of QR code 828, bar code, number, text, or some other type of identification. The customer can use this pick-up request confirmation code 820 to identify the requested item in the pick-up area 212 and the customer himself who sent the specific pick-up request.

In some embodiments, the mobile application also displays to the customer the location of the pick-up area and / or directions from the customer's current location to the pick-up area. In some embodiments, the location and / or directions to the pick-up area are displayed on the same page as the pick-up request confirmation code.

In other embodiments, the store includes a plurality of merchandise confirmation areas 212. In some embodiments, the mobile application may then also provide the customer with information on which of the plurality of merchandise confirmation areas 212 the place where the requested merchandise is to be prepared for confirmation and when the merchandise check preparation is to be completed, Based on information exchange with the system. In some embodiments, the mobile application may also provide information about the location of a particular merchandise confirmation area to be prepared for the requested article and / or the access path to that area at the customer's current location.

The customer can then go to the pickup area 212 at block 812 to pick up the requested merchandise. In some embodiments, the customer may scan or input a unique request confirmation code 820 to the input device of the store computing system in the pick-up area 212. The store computing system then identifies the customer and the requested item at block 814. In other embodiments, the employee in the pick-up area 212 scans or inputs a unique request confirmation code 820 using an input device. In some embodiments, the input device may be a portable device or a mobile device, although it is not limited to the following. In an embodiment, the employee of the store provides the goods identified in the pick-up area 212 to the customer. In another embodiment, the automated system provides the identified goods to the customer in the pickup area 212. In another embodiment, the requested goods are stored in the pick-up area 212 to be picked up by the customer. In another embodiment, the employee places the requested item (s) on the shelves, etc. in the pickup area to pick up. The customer then identifies the requested item from the shelves without identifying the customer. In some such embodiments, a text message or other such communication is sent from the store computing system to the mobile device when the requested item is available on shelves within the pick-up area.

After picking up the requested item at block 816, in one embodiment, the customer may physically observe the item to make a purchase decision. If the customer desires to purchase the item, in some embodiments the customer may go to the checkout counter and scan or enter the item itself or the pick-up request confirmation code displayed on the mobile device 500 if available. In some embodiments, the pick-up area 212 includes one or more check-out counters 214 or other means that allow customers to make purchases in the pick- Meanwhile, the order of the above-described processes may be rearranged in such a manner that a request for withdrawal / call is made to an object in which a settlement process is performed first, and a settlement is canceled if the customer does not desire to purchase the goods.

In some embodiments, a unique request confirmation code may be associated with a plurality of items requested for pickup. For example, if a customer scans or enters a plurality of product identification codes into a customer's mobile device, the mobile application may, in some embodiments, identify all the input products instead of generating a plurality of request verification codes A pickup request will result in a confirmation code. Then, in these embodiments, the customer may scan or enter a single pickup request confirmation code in the pickup area 212 to pick up all of the items requested to pick up. In addition, in some embodiments, if the single pick-up request confirmation code is associated with a plurality of items, the customer simply sends a single pick-up request 214 from the check-out counter 214 to identify all associated items, You can scan or enter verification code.

Further, in other embodiments, the mobile application may display an option of delivery or later pick up to the customer, even though the goods may be available in the non-customer warehousing area 204. In some embodiments, after physically observing the item after pick-up in the pick-up area 212, the customer may select the delivery or late pick option.

Items not available in stores

In some embodiments, the desired merchandise may not be in stock or sold at present in the store, but may be delivered or picked up later. 9 is a product reservation order flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the customer may still find information about the merchandise replacement product or related merchandise displayed on the mobile application, even though the merchandise replacement product or related merchandise can not currently be sold in the store. Then, in some embodiments, at block 904, the customer may request the product to be prepared at another store or may reserve it at a later time. In some embodiments, the mobile application may display to the user or customer the interfaces that enable these requests.

In some embodiments, the mobile application sends a request to the store computing system if the customer requests to take over the currently unavailable item on the mobile application at a later time. Then, in some embodiments, the duty-free shop computing system estimates time-to-live information for providing the requested goods. In some embodiments, this estimated time information can then be sent to the mobile application, which can display it to the user. In other embodiments, this estimated time information may be provided prior to the customer's purchase decision.

In estimating the time taken to acquire a product at a particular store, some embodiments may include, among other things, availability of goods at other stores of the same franchise, availability of goods at other non-franchise stores, Factors such as the availability of the article on the side, the time required to transport and receive the article at each location, the weather forecast, and the distance from the article's location to the pick-up location can be considered. In some embodiments, the available pickup locations are pre-stored and the user is asked to select one of them. In some embodiments, the pick-up locations may include any store in the franchise or any other pick-up center operated by the franchise.

Then, in embodiments associated with pre-ordering, the customer selects a time and location to take over the desired product. The mobile application displays fields in which the customer can enter the time and place to pick up the desired product. In some embodiments, the display may, among other things, include pick-up locations, pick-up times, people authorized to pick up, and input fields for special packaging options. In some embodiments, the pick-up of the goods at a later time may be possible at the same store, at other stores in the same franchise as the original store, at stores or any other separate pick-up posts operated by a third party. In some embodiments in which a late pick up of a currently unavailable item is selected, the customer may reserve a goods replacement product and the merchandise replacement product may be available at the same duty free shop, another duty free shop of the same franchise, You can pay when you are there. In other embodiments, the customer can reserve a commodity replacement product and pay using any of the payment methods described below.

In other embodiments, such details for later pickup may be pre-stored on the mobile application so that the customer does not have to re-enter the information when attempting the transaction. In some embodiments, the user has the option of choosing whether to store the pickup information for later use on the mobile application.

Alternatively, the customer may decide to choose the delivery option. If the customer selects the delivery option, in some embodiments, the mobile application displays a delivery time and location entry field where the customer can enter when and where the customer desires the selected items to be delivered. In some embodiments, it may, among other things, include input fields for delivery address, delivery time, delivery person, special packaging options, and special delivery orders.

In some embodiments, such delivery information may be pre-stored on the mobile application so that the customer does not need to re-enter the information in subsequent other purchasing processes. In some embodiments, the user has the option of choosing whether to store delivery information on the mobile application for later use.

In other embodiments, a mobile application or a store computing system may determine the earliest possible delivery time based on a number of factors. In some embodiments, these factors include, among other things, the availability of the article at other stores of the same franchise, the availability of the article at other non-franchise stores, the availability of the article at the manufacturer's site, And the time required to take over, the weather forecast, and the distance from the location of the article to the pick-up location.

In some embodiments, the mobile application displays payment options to the customer, regardless of whether a later pick up or delivery option is selected. In some embodiments, the customer may decide to pay at the checkout counter at block 906 or pay using a mobile application or device. In some embodiments, if the customer decides to pay on the mobile device or application, the mobile application facilitates settlement for the user in block 914. [

In some embodiments, the customer may enter or enter financial information directly into the fields displayed on the mobile application. In other embodiments, some of the required financial information may be pre-stored on the mobile application so that the customer does not have to re-enter the information once for each transaction. In some embodiments, the user has the option of choosing whether to store financial information on the mobile application. In other embodiments, even though such financial information is stored on the mobile application, the customer may choose to use such stored information only on demand. In some embodiments, such financial information includes, among other things, credit card type, credit card numbers, credit card expiration dates, credit card security codes, billing address, billing telephone number, check account routing number, check account number, An account routing number, and a savings account number.

In some cases, the customer may decide to pay for himself at the checkout counter without paying on the mobile device. The customer may want to pay for the goods at the checkout counter because the customer does not want to store or type financial information on the mobile device. Alternatively, the customer may want to pay for the goods at the checkout counter because the customer wants to make a single payment for the plurality of items. Or in some cases the customer may want to pay for the goods at the checkout counter because the customer wants to pay for the goods to be delivered with other goods physically picked up at the same store. If so, then in some embodiments, the mobile application or device 500 generates and displays a unique order identification code 920 in block 908. The unique order identification code 920 may include a QR code 930, a bar code, a number, or text for identifying the selected item (s) and price (s) And the information is configured to be used in a later payment process.

Then, in some embodiments, the customer may scan the unique order identification code 920 displayed on the mobile device 500 or enter it into the terminal or input device of the store computing system at the checkout counter 214. Or in other embodiments, the employee can scan or enter the unique order identification code 920 in the checkout counter 214. [ In some embodiments, when entering a payment page, the store computing system or checkout counter recognizes the item (s) and price (s) the customer wants to purchase. The customer may purchase the item at block 912 using any acceptable payment method.

In some embodiments, a single order identification code 920 may be associated with one or more goods. For example, if a customer later selects a plurality of items via a mobile application for pickup or delivery, in some embodiments, the mobile application may identify all purchased items instead of generating one order identification code for each item A single order identification code 920 that can be made. Then, in these embodiments, the customer can simply scan or enter a single order identification code 920 at the checkout counter to identify all items.

Similarly, in some embodiments, the mobile application may determine whether some of the items are available in the customer shopping area, in the non-customer warehouse area, or in the store, Generates and displays a single code associated with all the items the customer wishes to purchase, whether or not they can be obtained only for pickup.

The mobile application, in block 916, displays the unique payment confirmation code 922 in some embodiments, regardless of whether the customer has paid for the merchandise via the mobile device or the customer paid at the checkout counter. The payment confirmation code may be a QR code 932, a bar code, a number, or text to identify purchased goods and customers. The payment confirmation code may be issued by the computer system of the store, or the payment system associated therewith, as information that can be used to prove that payment for the order has been completed. In some embodiments where the customer pays himself, the payment confirmation code 922 may be the same as or different from the order identification code 920. If the order identification code is the same as the payment confirmation code, that is, if one order identification code is used for the purposes of payment confirmation, the payment confirmation request is verified by the computer system of the store, or the payment system associated therewith, The results may be provided to the system of the delivery location.

Then, in some embodiments, the customer uses payment confirmation code 922 to identify the customer and purchased goods at delivery or pick-up at block 918. In some embodiments where the delivery option is selected, the Indian employee scans or enters the payment confirmation code 922 displayed on the customer ' s mobile device at the time of delivery to identify the customer ' s identity and purchased merchandise. Similarly, in other embodiments where a later pick-up option is selected, the pick-up staff or automated system may scan or enter the payment confirmation code 922 displayed on the customer ' s mobile device when the customer goes to pick up the item, And identifies the purchased goods.

In some embodiments, a single payment confirmation code 922 is associated with one or more goods. For example, if a customer orders multiple items through a mobile application for later pickup or delivery, in some embodiments, the mobile application may identify all purchased items instead of generating one payment confirmation code per item A single payment confirmation code 922 will be generated. At this time, in these embodiments, the customer can simply scan or enter a single payment confirmation code 922 upon delivery or pickup to identify all purchased goods.

Control system

In an embodiment, the control system or computer controller associated with the store controls the entire method or portions thereof described herein. The terms "control system" and "controller" are used interchangeably herein. In some embodiments, the control system is located in a store. In other embodiments, the control system is located away from the store. In some embodiments, the control system is a dedicated system configured to perform the functions described below. In other embodiments, the control system may be understood to include a general computer system and software or computer programs configured to perform the functions described herein.

The controller controls communication between the mobile device and the merchant computing system at various times throughout the purchase process of the merchandise. For example, in some embodiments, once the user is determined to be close enough to the store by either the mobile device, the application, or the controller, the controller can control the transmission of store information common to the mobile device. Further, in some embodiments, the mobile device controls the user at a particular store to view merchandise for sale and / or allow the user to browse merchandise for sale at a particular store.

When a user or a customer scans a unique product identification code with a mobile device or application, the control system controls the electronic transmission of data scanned from the mobile device to the duty-free computing system or is involved in its transmission

Adjustment or facilitation. In addition, the controller coordinates or facilitates the transmission of search results and related data back to the mobile device in a duty-free computing system. The controller also controls and engages in the generation of unique order identification codes and transmission thereof to the mobile device.

When the customer has selected a product available in the customer shopping area, the controller may include information on the location of a certain item within the customer shopping area in the mobile device, in some embodiments, directions, maps, or general location information - < / RTI >

When the customer selects or requests a pickup of a product available in the non-customer warehouse area, the controller facilitates or adjusts the transmission of the estimated time until the pick is available. In addition, the controller controls the transmission of the pickup request to the duty-free computing system. In addition, the controller controls or engages in the generation of a unique (pickup) request confirmation code and / or a code transfer to the mobile device.

When a customer later tries to acquire or reserve an item that is not available in the current store, the controller controls or engages in the transmission of such a request to pick up or deliver to the store computing system at a later time. When the customer selects to check out via the mobile device, the control system controls communication between the mobile device and the merchant computing system for the checkout process, including transmission of payment information and generation and transmission of unique order confirmation codes . When the customer chooses to proceed with the payment at the checkout counter, the controller facilitates the generation and transmission of a unique order identification code (or payment confirmation code) to the mobile device.

As such, the control system associated with the store (duty-free shop) functions as a direct subject in each procedure described in this specification or controls the subject performing the procedure. Even in the case of the functions and operations described in the mobile terminal or the application installed in the mobile terminal, some or all of the functions may be directly performed by the control system related to the shop (duty free shop) And can be controlled or adjusted in tandem.

Airport duty free

Airports often include duty - free shops in international terminals, where customers can purchase goods without paying taxes. Duty-free shops can provide unique identification codes such as QR codes for goods displayed in duty-free shops. Similar to Figs. 4 and 5, customers can initiate a purchase procedure of displayed goods in a duty-free shop by scanning unique identification codes associated with goods with a mobile terminal (cell phone, etc.). As the unique identification codes are scanned or recognized at the mobile terminal, when a purchase request for goods corresponding to the unique identification code is delivered to the computing system associated with the duty free shop, Information can be provided to the mobile terminal. When payment of the goods requested by the customer is completed, the duty-free shop's computing system can provide information to the customer about the procedure for receiving the paid goods.

Apart from the duty free shop, the airport may have a store area for storing goods and a duty-free goods delivery area where the completed goods are delivered to the customer. The goods storage area and / or the pickup area may be in contact with the duty free shop or may be separated from the duty free shop. The goods that have been paid out are withdrawn from the storage area and prepared at the duty-free goods delivery station, where they are delivered to the customer. Customers can receive paid-for-goods at a duty-free point of sale located within the secure area that they pass through before boarding the plane.

All of the features, embodiments, and techniques described in connection with Figs. 1 to 9 are intended to cover the sale and delivery of duty-free goods at duty free shops operated at airports, without specific reference to these features, embodiments and techniques. . In some ways, the context of how to sell and deliver duty-free goods can have a different way of selling goods in the shop and some other technical configurations. However, with respect to any of the common features, the problem solving methods and technical arrangements described with reference to Figs. 1-9 may be applied in the same or similar manner in merchandise sales at duty free shops. Also, the techniques described with reference to Figs. 1-9 can be applied and applied for implementation of merchandise sales and delivery methods at duty free shops, in terms of any of the different features.

Security and non-security areas at the airport

10 illustrates an airport terminal building 200 having one or more duty-free shops 220, one or more merchandise storage areas 222, and one or more duty-free goods distributors 224, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 10, an airport terminal building or airport 200 may include a security zone 206 and an insecure zone 204. The "security zone" refers to an area that a passenger can enter after passing through the security search zone 210. The "non-security zone" refers to an area that a passenger can enter or passengers can access before passing through the security check zone 210. The security zone 206 and the non-security zone 204 are separated by at least one security search zone 210.

The "security search band" refers to a location in the airport 200 where the identity of the passenger is verified and the passenger confirms that the passenger has possession of prohibited goods. For example, a passenger shows his / her ID card and boarding pass and passes through an X-ray scanner. If the passenger passes through the security search box 210 without any abnormality, it is allowed to enter the security zone 206 of the airport 200.

The airport 200 may include one or more inlets and / or outlets 208 that allow passengers to enter and exit the airport 200. The passengers may enter the non-secured zone 204 of the airport 200 or exit the non-secured zone 204 of the airport 200 via one or more inlets and / or outlets 208. The airport 200 may also include one or more check-in counters 212 in an insecure zone 204 where the passengers can check in for their flights. In addition, the airport 20 may include one or more gates 214, which are where passengers can board the airplanes.

Duty Free Shop

The airport 200 may include one or more duty-free shops 220 within the non-secured zone 204 of the airport 200. The duty-free shop 220 can sell goods without paying local taxes or national taxes or taxes. When the duty free shop 220 is located in the non-secured area 204, the passenger may purchase goods at the duty free shop 220 before passing through the security search bar 210. Duty-free shop 220 displays unique merchandise identification codes associated with merchandise for sale and displayed merchandise. A customer who purchases merchandise from duty free shops 220 may be referred to as a "customer ". In some embodiments, duty-free shops 220 may be located within the secure area 206. In such embodiments, the passenger may purchase goods at duty free shop 220 after passing through the security search counter 210.

Item storage area

In addition, the airport 200 may include one or more merchandise storage areas 222. The merchandise storage area 222 may store additional inventory of merchandise displayed in the duty-free shops 220. In some embodiments, merchandise storage area 222 may be separate from duty-free shops 220. For example, the merchandise storage area 222 may be physically separated from the duty-free shops 220. In other embodiments, the merchandise storage area 222 may be in contact with, adjacent to, or attached to the duty-free shop 220. The merchandise storage area 222 may be located within the secure area 206, in the non-secure area 204, or outside the airport terminal building 200. However, customers' access to the merchandise storage area 222 is limited. In one embodiment, some merchandise storage area 222 is accessible in secure area 206 without passing through secure search area 210. For example, a certain merchandise storage area 222 may be located at the boundary between the unsecured area 204 and the secure area 206, in which case the employee or person in duty free shop in the secure area 206 already has the non- The user can access the goods storage area 222 without having to go to the goods storage area 222.

The goods that are requested to be purchased by the customer and the settlement of which has been completed are withdrawn from the goods storage area 222, prepared at the duty free goods delivery counter 224, and delivered to the customer. The term "copy" of the article may be used to distinguish the actual article delivered to the customer from the duty-free article store 224 from the article displayed within the duty-free shop. For example, the customer can view information about the camera displayed within the duty-free shop 220 by scanning a unique identification code for the camera, and also send out a purchase request for the camera. The camera delivered to the customer at the duty free goods forwarding point 224 is not the item that was displayed at the duty free shop 220 to assist the customer's selection, but another "copy" of the same item, Lt; / RTI >

In some embodiments, the merchandise store area 222 may also store variations or alternatives of the merchandise displayed in the duty-free shops 220. The substitute product itself may not be displayed in the duty-free shop 220, but information on the substitute merchandise may be provided in conjunction with or in conjunction with information on the displayed merchandise, so that it may be displayed in the limited physical space in the duty- More diverse products will be available for sale.

The merchandise storage area 222 may be operated by an entity different from the entity operating the duty-free shop 220. For example, the merchandise storage area 222 may be operated by the airport under a contract between the owner of the duty-free shop 220 and the airport.

Duty-free goods delivery center

Within the security zone 206 of the airport 200 there is one or more duty free goods transfer points 224. The goods withdrawn from the goods storage area 222 are delivered to the duty free goods delivery counter 224 so as to be able to receive the goods the customer has paid for and are prepared. The duty-free goods delivery point 224 is a predetermined space in the airport allocated separately from the duty free shop. For example, the duty-free goods delivery point 224 may be a booth from which customers can receive goods purchased. The duty free goods delivering area 224 may be attached to the merchandise storage area 222, which can facilitate withdrawal and delivery of goods. In other embodiments, the duty free goods port 224 may be located adjacent to the flight gate 214 of the passenger. In yet other embodiments, the duty free goods ship 224 may not be a predetermined area in the airport or may not have a specifically assigned physical space.

In some embodiments, the duty-free goods transport 224 may be located within the non-secure zone 204. The duty-free goods forwarder 224 may be away from the duty free shop 220 or attached to the duty free shop 220, according to the embodiment. The customer may receive the purchased goods prior to passing through the security search counter 210. [ If the duty free goods forwarding point 224 is located in the duty free shop 220, the user can receive the purchased goods in the duty free shop 220 without any movement.

In some embodiments, duty free shops 220 may be located within secure area 206. The merchandise storage area 222 and / or the duty-free goods warehouse 224 may be separate from the duty free shop 220 or attached to duty free shop 220, depending on the embodiment.

Outline of duty free operation at airport

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of a process 1100 for operating a duty free shop 220 in an airport terminal building 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.

In the purchase request step 1101, when the customer desires to purchase the displayed goods in the duty-free shop 220, the customer uses the mobile terminal to send a purchase request for the goods to the system associated with the duty-free shop. For example, if a customer scans the mobile terminal with unique identification codes for products displayed in the duty-free shop 220, a purchase request may be generated at the mobile terminal and transmitted wirelessly. The purchase request may be received by a wireless terminal capable of communicating with the computing system associated with duty free shop 220. [ The wireless terminal may be located in duty free shop 220 or another location within non-secure area 204.

In the purchase request acknowledgment step 1102, the customer receives an acknowledgment of the purchase request from the duty-free shop 220. In response to receiving the request, the computing system associated with duty-free shop 220 may send an acknowledgment for the purchase request to the customer's mobile terminal. The acknowledgment may include information that can be used to process the payment of a product using the mobile terminal. Such information may include a QR code for the purchased polygonal product, a QR code related to the settlement process, and the like.

In the settlement proceeding step 1103, the settlement for the purchase of the goods proceeds. The customer can advance the settlement procedure through the mobile terminal, for example, based on the information (settlement request information) necessary for payment provided together with or in connection with the receipt confirmation. The customer receives information on the receipt procedure of the goods after the settlement is completed.

At the merchandise delivery step 1104, the paid merchandise is delivered to the customer. The customer can receive the purchased merchandise at the designated duty-free goods delivery station (224). Delivery and / or receipt may occur, for example, in the duty-free goods warehouse 224 within the secure area 206. In this case, the customer can only receive the goods after passing through the security search band 210.

In some embodiments, all of the steps in FIG. 11 may occur within secure zone 204. For example, duty free shop 220 may be located in secure area 204 instead of non-secure area 206. Certain aspects of FIG. 11 may be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B.

Operate duty free shops at the airport

12A and 12B illustrate a flow chart of operating the duty free shop 220 at the airport 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 1200 is primarily described in the context of purchasing a commodity, but a customer may purchase multiple commodities at a time. Details relating to purchasing a plurality of goods are provided later in the description.

At block 1201, the customer enters duty free shop 220 at airport 200. As shown in FIG. 10, the airport 200 may include a security zone 206 and a non-security zone 204 separated by at least a security search zone 210 from the viewpoint of the passengers. The duty-free shop 220 may be located within the secure area 206. The passenger may be referred to as a potential "customer" shopping at duty free shop 220.

At block 1202, the customer browses and discovers the merchandise of interest at duty free shop 220. Duty-free shop 220 displays one or more items, and their additional "copies" may be stored in merchandise storage area 222. In some embodiments, the merchandise store area 222 also keeps "copies" of substitute merchandise of merchandise, as will be described in more detail below. Alternative products of the goods may be purchased even if they are not displayed in the duty free shop, and may be withdrawn from the goods storage area 222.

The customer can browse and discover the goods, for example, as shown in Fig. Duty-free shop 220 displays a unique merchandise identification code (or simply "unique identification code") associated with the displayed merchandise. In one embodiment, the unique identification codes are QR codes. In other embodiments, the unique product identification codes may be bar codes, texts, numeric codes, and the like. The unique product identification codes can be captured or scanned by the customer's mobile terminal using the camera function. In some embodiments, scanning is accomplished using a separate application for scanning unique product identification codes. The mobile terminal may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone. Mobile devices have been described in further detail as examples.

Purchase request

At block 1203, the customer scans using the mobile terminal a unique product identification code associated with the product. When a customer finds a product they want to purchase, the customer can use the mobile terminal to capture a unique product identification code associated with the product. For example, the customer can take a picture of the unique product identification code of the product. In some embodiments, the customer may sequentially capture unique product identification codes for a plurality of products, as described in detail below.

At block 1204, the mobile terminal generates and sends a request to initiate the purchase procedure. The mobile terminal can generate a request to initiate a purchase procedure in connection with capturing a unique product identification code of the merchandise and send the request to a computing system associated with duty free shop 220. [ In one embodiment, scanning the unique product identification code provides instructions and / or information to the mobile terminal to communicate with the computing system. The scanned information may provide information about the computing system, establishing a connection to the computing system, generating a request, and so on. For example, the scanned information may indicate the IP address of the computing system and the format in which the request is made. The mobile terminal may initiate communication with the computing system and may make a request based on the scanned information or instructions. For example, the mobile terminal may establish a connection to the computing system using the IP address of the computing system, generate the request in a format preferred by the computing system, and send the request to the computing system. In some embodiments, scanning a unique product identification code automatically launches an applet, a mobile application, or a mobile web page for initiating a purchase procedure.

In some embodiments, the mobile terminal may generate and send a request without displaying any information on the mobile terminal prior to sending the request. In other embodiments, the mobile terminal may display a user interface, such as a web page or an applet page, where the customer can view the merchandise information and / or enter the number of copies of merchandise the customer wants to purchase .

The request may include product information indicating the product. The request may also include the number of copies the customer desires to purchase for the item. The request may include any information that can be used to purchase the product. In embodiments in which the customer captures unique product identification codes for a plurality of products, the request may include product information representative of each product associated with the captured unique product identification codes. The request may also include the number of copies the customer wants to purchase for each item. The request may include an identifier for the mobile terminal.

Receive purchase requisition

At block 1205, the computing system associated with duty-free shop 220 receives a purchase request. In some embodiments, the computing system may be shared among duty free shops 220 within the airport 200. Meanwhile, the airport operator can provide a computing system that the duty-free shops 220 can use under a separate contract.

Create the database entry associated with the request

At block 1206, the computing system creates a database entry associated with the request. In response to receiving the request, the computing system generates a database entry for the request. The database entry may include product information received in the request. The database entry may also include a number of copies of the goods received in the request. The database entry may also include mobile device information related to the customer ' s mobile terminal. The database entry may contain any other information used to process the request. In embodiments where a plurality of items are purchased, the database entry may include product information for each of the plurality of items and / or a number of copies of the item.

Acknowledgment (Ack) and Billing Procedure

At block 1207, in response to receiving the purchase request, the computing system in duty free shop sends the information (payment request information) required to proceed with the payment procedure to the mobile terminal. Such payment request information is associated with a database entry that has been created for a purchase request received from the mobile terminal and is associated with a unique identifier identifying the database entry and / or information contained in a purchase request from the mobile terminal of the customer Some may be included. The unique identifier may be used to refer to information in the database entry that may be used to initiate and / or perform payment. The unique identifier may be the same as or different from the unique product identification code associated with the product.

The unique identifier may be implemented in the form of a QR code, a bar code, or any code capable of identifying a database entry. Even when a unique identifier is input through a sales terminal in a duty-free shop, a payment procedure can be started. In embodiments where the unique identifier is a QR code, the QR code may be scanned at the merchant terminal and the scanning may refer to the initiation of a payment procedure for the sale of the merchandise. For example, the optical reader of the sales terminal in the duty-free shop reads the QR code, and in response to the read information, the computing system transmits information for processing the payment to the database in association with the unique identifier read by the corresponding QR code You can read from the entry. As described, the information available for payment read from the iterative base entry may include merchandise information, the number of purchase requests for the merchandise, a price, an identifier for the mobile terminal, and so on. Hereinafter, several examples related to the progress of settlement will be described in detail.

payment

At block 1208, a settlement for the sale of the goods is performed (e.g., by the computing system). The settlement can be performed by referring to the database entry related to the purchase request, using the information (settlement request information) necessary for settlement provided by the computing system of the duty-free shop to the mobile terminal of the customer. The customer can use the mobile terminal to use the information necessary for payment provided to the mobile terminal. The information that may (or may) be used for payment may include a unique identifier associated with the database entry corresponding to the purchase request. For example, purchase requisitions and associated database entries may be used to refer to product information, number of purchase requests, identifiers for mobile terminals, and the like. When the customer confirms the information related to the settlement, the computing system performs the settlement based on the confirmation.

Receive your order

At block 1209, after a payment for the sale of the goods is performed, pick-up information is provided to the customer (e.g., by the computing system) to receive the goods. When the payment is completed, the computing system may provide pickup information for the goods. As described above, the purchase request is made at the duty free shop 220, and the payment completed later is withdrawn from the goods storage area 222 and delivered to the duty free goods delivery point 224. The goods receipt information includes the location of the designated duty free goods port 224. In addition, the article receipt information may include information on a time when the article is expected to be receivable. The item receipt information may also include goods receipt ready status tracking information, which is generated as the computing system of the duty-free shop tracks status information regarding withdrawal and / or delivery of goods.

In some embodiments, the duty free goods port 224 may be a predefined location prior to settlement. In other embodiments, the duty free goods port 224 may be selected to be adjacent to the gate specified by the customer during settlement. In embodiments where a customer purchases a plurality of goods, the ternary receipt information (pickup information) may include a series of information for receiving a plurality of goods.

Delivery of goods

At block 1210, the withdrawal of the paid goods from the merchandise storage area 222 is initiated (e.g., by the computing system). For example, the computing system may deliver the fetch instruction to the merchandise storage area 222. With respect to the withdrawal of goods, the techniques described above with reference to Fig. 8 can be used. An employee or airport employee at duty free shop 220 may process the withdrawal request and obtain a copy of the merchandise from merchandise storage area 222.

At the block 1211, the paid-up merchandise (the stored copy of the merchandise) is withdrawn from the merchandise storage area 222. An employee or an official of the duty free shop 220 can fetch the completed goods based on the information in the delivered instruction, for example. The information in such a pull-out instruction may include a unique product identification code, a number of purchase requests, a color, a size, and the like.

At block 1212, the withdrawn merchandise is delivered to the duty free goods port 224. In order to allow the customer to receive the purchased product before boarding the airplane, the settlement product is transferred to the duty free product delivery point 224 in consideration of the time margin. The duty-free goods delivery area 224 may be attached to the merchandise storage area 222 so that the withdrawal and delivery process may be more efficient and streamlined.

At block 1213, the customer goes to the duty free shop 224 and receives the purchased merchandise. The customer can check the progress of the product delivery procedure and receive the goods at the duty free goods delivery point 224 considering the predicted time according to the progress status. In some embodiments, the computing system may provide an identification code for receipt of the goods, and the presentation / verification procedure of the identification code may be performed prior to receipt of the goods. Such an identification code may be provided to the customer as part of the goods receipt procedure information.

In some embodiments, tracking information regarding withdrawal and / or delivery of goods is provided to a customer, e.g., a customer's mobile terminal. This tracking information is described in further detail separately.

Various methods of trading (payment)

In connection with blocks 1207 and 1208 in Figure 12A, various methods may be used to proceed with the payment of the goods requested for purchase. In one embodiment, sending payment request information (information that may or may not be used in the payment progress) to the mobile terminal may include providing a web page or link from which the customer can proceed with the payment. For example, information related to the item (s) to be purchased, such as the number of purchase requisitions, color, size, etc., may be provided in a web page where payment can proceed. In another embodiment, sending information information that may be used for payment to the mobile terminal includes sending information associated with the applet or mobile application available for payment. A code for installing such an applet or a mobile application or a code for activating may be provided to the mobile terminal of the customer who has requested the purchase. Such an applet or mobile application may provide an electronic payment interface through which a customer can enter payment means information. In other embodiments, the information used for payment may include a unique identifier associated with the purchase of the item, such as a QR code. As described above, for example, a payment procedure for a product may be advanced by inputting a unique identifier related to purchase of goods through a sales terminal in the duty free shop 220.

Payment can be made using a mobile network. For example, the mobile terminal may make a payment through a mobile network associated with the mobile terminal. In some embodiments, the mobile terminal may not have a separate mobile network associated therewith, and may use a wireless network, such as Wi-Fi, for purchase.

Meanwhile, in various embodiments of the present invention, the proceeding of the payment requested for purchase does not necessarily have to be a necessary condition for withdrawing the goods from the goods storage area. An instruction for withdrawing the duty-free goods requested for purchase can be delivered to the goods storage area even if the payment guarantee information satisfying the predetermined requirements or the receipt of the purchase request is received even if the payment is not finally completed . In this case, the settlement process can be performed for the product after the goods are confirmed in the duty-free goods delivery area. For this, the configuration of the application provided to the terminal of the computing system (server)

Sequentially scan a plurality of unique identification codes

In some cases, a customer may capture a unique identification code (unique product identification code) for one or more goods. The mobile terminal may generate one purchase request for a plurality of goods recognized in the terminal or may generate a separate request for each goods, according to an embodiment. For example, the mobile terminal may queue the scanned unique identification codes and make a purchase request for queued items after a certain period of time.

In one example, a customer used a mobile terminal to capture unique identification codes for two goods. For the purpose of discussion, a product whose unique identification code scanned first is referred to as a " first product "and a product whose second unique identification code is scanned is referred to as a" second product ". The unique identification code for the first product is referred to as a " first unique identification code "and the unique identification code for the second product is referred to as a" second unique identification code ".

In some embodiments, the purchase request is further generated based on the customer capturing the second unique identification code using the mobile terminal. For example, a purchase request corresponding to both capture of the first unique identification code and capture of the second unique identification code may be generated. In addition, the purchase request may include product information for the second product, and may include the number of purchase requests for the second product. In these embodiments, a purchase request can be generated for one or more unique identification codes (which are recognized at the mobile terminal) and the purchase request includes information such as merchandise information, the number of merchandise requested, and the like .

After receiving the request, the computing system associated with the duty-free shop can create a database entry associated with the purchase request. The computing system may add to the database entry information associated with the first and second goods based on the purchase request (e.g., product information, number of copies of the goods, other relevant information about the first or second goods) .

In other embodiments, one purchase request may be generated in response to capturing a first unique identification code, and another purchase request may be generated in response to capturing a second unique identification code. The request associated with the first product may be referred to as a "first purchase request" and the request associated with the second product may be referred to as a "second purchase request. &Quot; The first purchase request may include information related to the first product, the number of purchase requests for the first product, price information, and / or other first goods. The second request may include product information for the second product, the number of copies for the second product, price information, and / or other information related to the second product. The first purchase request may be generated and sent immediately after the first unique identification code is scanned, and the second request may be generated and sent immediately after the second unique identification code is scanned.

After receiving the first purchase request, the computing system may generate a database entry for the first purchase request. The database entry may include product information for the first product, a number of purchase requests for the first product, and / or other information related to the first product. After receiving the second request, the computing system may generate another database entry for the second request. Additional database entries may include product information for the second product, the number of copies for the second product, and / or other information related to the second product.

In some embodiments, instead of creating another database entry for the second request, the computing system may add information associated with the second purchase request to the database entry generated in response to the first purchase request. In such embodiments, the database entry for the first product may include product information for both the first product and the second product, the number of purchase requests, and other information related to the first product and the second product.

In the case where a customer scans a plurality of goods identification codes, the information necessary for payment may be sent together for a plurality of goods, or may be sent separately for each goods, according to an embodiment. In connection with the concrete example of the two goods, the information necessary for settlement for completing the purchase of the first goods and the second goods may be sent together with the customer's mobile terminal. Further, the information necessary for payment for requesting the progress of settlement may be sent separately for the first commodity and the second commodity. For example, if a purchase request for a first commodity and a second commodity are individually received, the computing system of the duty-free shop can individually send information necessary for settlement to the customer's mobile terminal for the first and second commodities .

In some embodiments, information required for payment for a plurality of goods may be sent separately for each merchandise, or displayed together on a mobile terminal.

The information required for payment may include a unique identifier associated with one or more database entries. The unique identifier may be associated with any one item of product information, or may be associated with a plurality of item information, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the unique identifier is associated with a database entry. The database entry may include product information on a certain commodity that is requested to be purchased, and may include commodity information on a plurality of commodities that are requested to be purchased. In other embodiments, the unique identifier is associated with a plurality of database entries.

If the unique identifier indicates one or more goods, by entering a unique identifier in the sales terminal, the payment procedure for all the goods identified by the unique identifier can be initiated. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may relate to a commodity, and for an order (transaction) that includes a plurality of commodities, a new unique identifier may be generated.

Replacement products displayed on duty-free shops

In some embodiments, the merchandise storage area 222 may store replacement merchandise of merchandise. A commodity may have one or more alternate commodities (e.g., available in different colors, sizes, etc.). For example, a silver camera is displayed for sale at duty free shop 220, but the same camera may be available in black and white. In addition to the silver color, the merchandise storage area 222 may store one or more black and white cameras. The merchandise storage area 222 may also store substitute merchandise that is not displayed in the duty-free shops 220. In this way, duty free shop 220 can sell a variety of merchandise than can be physically displayed in a duty free shop.

If alternative products of the product are available, information on alternative products of the product may be provided to the mobile terminal when the customer has scanned the unique product identification code for the product. For example, if a unique product identification code for a silver camera is scanned, the mobile terminal can display that the camera is available in white and black. The customer can select one or more replacement products for purchase instead of the displayed goods. The customer may also choose the number of alternative products to purchase. If the customer does not select one or more replacement products, the displayed goods may be selected as default.

The information on the substitute goods provided to the mobile terminal may be limited to substitute goods available in the goods store area 222. [ It is important that customers who are scheduled to board a flight usually want to pick up their items before boarding, so that the goods requested for purchase can be delivered before boarding the plane. For this confirmation, information about the customer's flight and inventory information for the goods storage area 222 may be used to determine whether to deliver the product before boarding the plane.

In some embodiments, when a unique identification code (unique identification code) of a product is scanned at the mobile terminal, information about the associated products of the product that the code identifies may be provided to the mobile terminal. Related products may not be products that replace the same product but may be products that customers may be interested in in light of the selected product. For example, if a customer scans a unique item identification code for a baseball, the related items may include a baseball bat, a baseball glove, and the like. In some embodiments, the related merchandise may include the same type of merchandise from other brands.

Display single or multiple items in duty-free shops

Generally, duty free shops can display a large number of copies per sale item. For example, a duty-free shop can simultaneously display a plurality of cameras of the same model so that a plurality of customers can purchase each camera. Once all of the displayed cameras have been sold, duty-free shops must bring in more cameras to display them for sale.

In one duty-free shop according to one embodiment, only one sample of the merchandise may be displayed within the duty-free shop 220. It is not necessary to deliver the goods to the customer in the duty free shop 220 because the goods requested for purchase can be picked up within the duty free goods delivery area 224 and even if there are more purchase requests than the displayed number, . The customer can purchase the product by scanning the mobile terminal with a unique identification code associated with the product.

In other embodiments, the duty-free shop 220 may display a plurality of samples for duty-free shops for the same merchandise. If the goods requested for purchase can be conveniently received inside or near the duty-free shop 220, various types of duty-free items will be sold to more customers through limited display space.

Verify passenger identification and / or flight information

With respect to block 1213 in Figure 12B, the identity information of the customer may be verified upon delivery of the goods. In some embodiments, the customer's identity information may be verified in duty-free goods warehouse 224 by identifying the customer's ID boarding pass. In other embodiments, verification of the customer's identity or boarding information may be used to limit the scope of the product purchasable customer. For example, information about the type of flight or information about the time of flight can be used to determine whether a duty-free purchase is available. The verification of identity information or boarding information may be performed at various times, such as when a purchase request is received or when payment is requested.

Provide tracking / status information

With respect to blocks 1209 to 1213 in Figure 12B, in some embodiments, tracking information about a product is provided to a customer. The tracking information includes the progress status information of the processes for delivering the completed goods. The customer can determine when to visit the duty-free goods delivery point 224 to receive the merchandise by referring to the tracking information. Some examples of tracking information include: information that a withdrawal of a commodity has been initiated in the commodity storage area 222; Information that the first product has been withdrawn within the product storage area 222; And information that a copy of the first merchandise is ready at duty free shop 224 may be provided to the customer through a mobile terminal or other means. In addition to being illustrated, the tracking information may include any information relating to the retrieval and / or delivery of the goods.

Provide wireless connectivity and / or mobile devices within duty free shops

In many cases, passengers purchasing goods from duty free shops 220 may not reside in the country where the airport 200 is located. For example, passengers may be returning to their home country from abroad. Thus, many passenger customers may not have mobile phone plans that they can use to purchase from their mobile terminals.

In some embodiments, duty free shops 220 may provide a wireless network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi) that customers may use to purchase from duty free shops 220. Each duty free shop 220 may provide wireless connectivity to the area near duty free shop 220. Or the airport 200 may provide a wireless network connection that the duty-free shops 220 may use.

In some embodiments, the customer can begin duty-free shopping without any special procedure by accessing the wireless network provided by duty-free shop 220. By scanning the unique identification code of the goods, purchase requests can be provided to the mobile terminal with information about the destination (e.g., the IP address of the computing system). In other embodiments, the process of obtaining a connection authorization for a wireless network to proceed with a duty free purchase can be initiated through a unique identification code recognition of the merchandise. For example, upon recognizing a unique identification code at the mobile terminal, a web page requesting confirmation of whether to use the wireless connection provided by duty free shop 220 may be transmitted to the mobile terminal. When the customer confirms the wireless connection use through the web page, a communication connection for purchasing duty free goods is provided, and the customer's mobile terminal can exchange information with the computing system of the duty-free shop 220 through the connection.

In some embodiments, duty free shops 220 may provide mobile terminals that customers may use to make purchases. For example, a customer may borrow a mobile terminal while the customer is within duty free shop 220, to scan for a unique identification code and purchase an associated merchandise. The use of mobile terminals makes the purchasing and / or payment process faster and more efficient. For example, a customer may not need to line up for payment. The customer can simply make a payment on the mobile terminal, for example, via a web page or an applet page.

Purchase additional items after passing security check

In some cases, the customer may wish to purchase one or more merchandise from duty free shop 220 after passing through the security search bar 210. If a customer purchases goods outside the duty-free shop 220, it may not be possible to recognize the unique identification codes displayed in association with the goods within the duty-free shop. In this case, the customer can use the mobile terminal, for example, to purchase goods through a mobile web page. If the customer has already purchased the item at duty free shop 220, the customer can purchase one or more additional items and add the items to the current purchase request or payment request. For example, a customer may purchase additional merchandise using a mobile web page, or at duty free shop 224.

In some embodiments, the customer's mobile terminal may further send a payment fulfillment request for the items requested for purchase to the computing system associated with duty free shop 220. [ In response to this additional request, the computing system may update the database associated with the previous request to reflect additional product information, the number of copies of additional items, and so on. The computing system may send the order (transaction) information to the mobile terminal associated with the database entry for use in initiating the settlement for the sale of additional goods.

After the settlement for the sale of additional goods is performed, the customer can receive information for picking up additional goods. For example, the pickup information may include tracking information on additional items, pickup location, estimated delivery time, and so on. In addition, the unique identifier for the order may be updated to reflect information about additional items.

As described above, a customer may purchase goods outside duty free shop 220 using a mobile web page. Or the customer may also purchase the merchandise at the duty-free goods counter 224. For example, the customer proceeds the settlement using the customer's mobile terminal in the duty free goods delivery area 224 attached to the goods storage area 222, and when the completed goods are withdrawn from the goods storage area 222, And can receive the merchandise at the counter 224.

In various embodiments relating to the sale and delivery of the merchandise (duty-free) described above, it is to be understood that any information being associated with any other informational linkage means that access to the information from the computing system or mobile terminal involved in the implementation of the various embodiments of the present invention May mean that there is an association between the two pieces of information on any possible database and in another way may mean that one piece of information may include other information associated therewith in complete or modified form .

In various embodiments relating to the sale and delivery of goods (duty-free goods) as described above, the fact that a particular step or task is performed using specific information or on a particular basis means that, for the proceeding of that step or task, Information can be utilized in various forms such as a computer system of a store intervening in the sale of merchandise, a mobile terminal, being compared with other information, or utilized to generate new information. However, the implementation of the specific information processing process itself that deals with the information on the database will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the field to which the present invention belongs, but a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

Although the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, the invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments or alternatives and / or uses of the invention and their obvious modifications It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may extend beyond the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. In addition, while many variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications that are within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure. Also, it is contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments are made and fall within one or more inventions of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined or substituted with one another to form the various modes of the disclosed inventions. Accordingly, the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not intended to be limited by the specifically disclosed embodiments described above.

400: product identification code 500: mobile device
600: Mobile application

Claims

In a method of selling and delivering a duty-free product using a mobile terminal,
There is a duty-free point of sale within the security area of the airport, which is separated into security zones and non-security zones by the security checkpoint,
Duty-free goods such as first and second goods are displayed in duty-free shops located in the airport's non-security area or outside the airport,
The first unique identification code assigned to the first product is displayed together with the first product,
The second unique identification code assigned to the second product is displayed together with the second product,
Duty-Free Shops In an environment where items displayed on the above-mentioned duty-free shops are stored in a product storage area where access to customers is limited,
The method comprising: receiving a first purchase request from the mobile terminal, the first purchase request including first product information generated using a first unique identification code input to the mobile terminal of the first customer;
Generating, in response to the first purchase request, a first database entry corresponding to the first product information;
In response to the first purchase request, sending payment request information to the mobile terminal corresponding to the first database entry;
Receiving settlement means information from the mobile terminal and completing settlement for sale of a first commodity with reference to a first database entry;
Providing the first customer with the goods receipt information related to the receipt of the first goods at the duty free goods delivery point when payment is completed; And
And instructing, when the settlement is completed, to withdraw the first commodity from the commodity storage area and transfer the first commodity to the duty free goods store.

The method of claim 1, wherein the information required for payment sent to the mobile terminal comprises a unique identifier associated with the first database entry, the unique identifier being the same as or different from the first unique identification code, .

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising adding to the first database entry terminal information capable of identifying the mobile terminal of the first customer.

The method of claim 2, wherein the first purchase request includes a number of purchase requests of the first product,
The method further includes adding to the first database entry the number of purchase requests for the first product so that the unique identifier delivered to the mobile terminal can represent the number of purchase requests. .

The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving the unique identifier through a point of sale (POS) of the duty-free shop.

The method according to claim 2, wherein the unique identifier includes a QR code, and the method further comprises, when the QR code is input at the sales terminal of the duty free shop, proceeding to settle the purchase request through the sales terminal How to sell and deliver.

The method of claim 1, wherein the first purchase request further comprises second product information generated using a second unique identification code entered through the mobile terminal.

The method of claim 7, wherein the first purchase request is generated when a first customer confirms the number of purchase requests for each of the first product and the second product.

The method according to claim 1,
Receiving from the mobile terminal a second purchase request generated as the second unique identification code is recognized by the mobile terminal and including second merchandise information generated using a second unique identification code;
Generating, in response to the second purchase request, a second database entry corresponding to the second product information; And
And in response to the second purchase request, sending payment request information corresponding to the second database entry to the mobile terminal.

The method according to claim 1,
Receiving from the mobile terminal a second purchase request generated as the second unique identification code is recognized by the mobile terminal and including second merchandise information generated using a second unique identification code; And
And adding the second merchandise information to the first database entry in response to the second purchase request.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the payment request information transmitted to the mobile terminal includes information on a web page capable of electronic payment, and electronic payment is made on the web page on the mobile terminal.

The method of claim 1, wherein the payment request information transmitted to the mobile terminal includes information on an applet that can be installed in the mobile terminal, and electronic payment is performed through the applet installed in the mobile terminal. .

The method of claim 1, wherein the first unique identification code comprises a QR code, and wherein inputting a first unique identification code at the mobile terminal is performed by scanning the QR code using the mobile terminal .

The method of claim 1, wherein the information necessary for receipt of the merchandise provided to the first customer includes the location of the duty-free goods forward.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the information necessary for receipt of a commodity to be provided to a first customer includes information on an expected time at which the commodity can be received.

The method according to claim 1,
Information indicating that the withdrawal of the first commodity from the commodity storage area has been started, information indicating that the first commodity has been withdrawn from the commodity storage area, information indicating that the copy of the first commodity is ready to be delivered from the duty-free goods place And providing the at least one of the at least one of the first customer and the second customer to the first customer.

The method of claim 1, wherein the goods withdrawal and instructions from the merchandise storage area are delivered to an employee of the duty free shop or an automated merchandise withdrawal system.

The method of claim 1, wherein the duty free goods forwarding location is a predefined location prior to settlement.

The method of claim 1, wherein said duty-free goods forwarding point is designated as a location adjacent to an airport gate for use by said first customer.

The method of claim 19, further comprising verifying the identity or flight information of the first customer using boarding pass information of the first customer, A method of selling and delivering a duty-free product, the method comprising: selecting, from among a plurality of duty-free goods delivery points, boarding-pass information of the first customer.

The method of claim 1, wherein the merchandise storage area is located within the secure area or is accessible to the secure area without passing through the security screen.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the duty free goods transfer point is attached to the goods storage area.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the goods storage area stores an alternative product of the first product,
And providing the mobile terminal with information about the replacement product when a first unique identification code is recognized in the mobile terminal.

The method of claim 1, wherein the merchandise storage area is located away from the duty free shop.

The method of claim 1, wherein the merchandise storage area is attached to the duty free shop or is accessible from the duty free shop.

The method of claim 1, wherein the duty free goods dispenser is located away from the duty free shop.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the duty-free goods point is attached to the duty-free shop or can be accessed from the duty-free shop.

The method according to claim 1, wherein only one sample is displayed in the duty-free shop for each of the first and second goods.

The method of claim 1, wherein for each of the first and second merchandise, a plurality of samples are displayed within the duty free shop.

The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising updating the first database entry when receiving a second purchase request including second product information from the mobile terminal following payment of the first purchase request, How to deliver.