RELATED APPLICATIONS

Benefit is claimed to India Provisional Application No. 3989/CHE/2011, titled " SYSTEM AND METHOD TO OPTIMALLY SHARE AND VIEW RECOMMENDATION" by RIJHWANI, Mukesh, et al. filed on 21st November 2011, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general relates to sharing and viewing recommendations about articles optimally in a non-intrusive method. Particularly, the present invention relates to a device and method which enables sharing and viewing of recommendations associated with a product/service leveraging online communities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and method to optimally share and view objective feedback from a person in non-online (physical) world to members of online social networking community and vice versa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently there exist various methods to share recommendations (positive or negative) about a product or service online, with the online community. In one of the existing methods, a user can share his recommendations online using one of the social networking portals used for sharing recommendations. However, at present there is no method available which enables to capture the recommendations that happen in non-online world i.e. in the real world (example: a departmental store). Further, there exists no device or method to share the real world recommendation with online community. Also there exists no device or method to view these recommendations in real world instantly. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method to seamlessly share and view the recommendations from the real wodd about the articles using online portals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides system and method for seamlessly sharing and receiving objective feedback associated with articles between a user in real world for example a departmental store and members of online world for example social networking environment.

In one aspect, a device including an information reading module for reading user credentials from a privilege card associated with a user, an article recognition module for capturing article identification information associated with at least one article, and a micro-processor unit for posting objective feedback associated with the at least one article in a social networking environment.

In another aspect, the device further includes a recommendation module for fetching recommendations associated with the at least one article provided by associated members of the social networking environment using the user credentials and the article identification information, and an alerting module for alerting the user that the article is recommended by the associated members of the social networking environment.

In another aspect, the device further includes a communication module for communicating the user credentials, the article identification information, device identifier and the objective feedback associated with the at least one article to a remote server so that the remote server publishes the objective feedback associated with the at least one article in the social networking environment.

In yet another aspect, the device further includes an objective feedback module for receiving the objective feedback associated with the at least one article from the user via an input means.

In a further aspect, a method including steps of reading user credentials from a privilege card associated with a user, capturing article identification information associated with at least one article, and posting objective feedback associated with the at least one article in a social networking environment.

In another aspect, the method further includes steps of fetching recommendations associated with the at least one article provided by associated members of the social networking environment using the user credentials and the article identification information, and alerting the user that the article is recommended by the associated members of the social networking environment.

In another aspect, the method further includes steps of communicating the user credentials, the article identification information, device identifier and the objective feedback associated with the at least one article to a remote server, and publishing the objective feedback associated with the at least one article in the social networking environment by the remote server.

In yet another aspect, the method further includes steps of receiving the objective feedback associated with the at least one article from the user via an input means.
Other features of the embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is block diagram illustrating a device for seamlessly sharing and receiving objective feedback associated with articles between a user in real world and members of online social networking environment, according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a system for seamlessly sharing objective feedback associated with articles from a user in real world to members of online social networking environment, according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a system for seamlessly sharing and receiving objective feedback associated with articles between a user in real world and members of online social networking environment, according to one embodiment.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in seamlessly sharing and receiving objective feedback associated with articles between a user in real world and members of online social networking environment, according to one embodiment.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device and system to seamlessly share and receive objective feedback associated with articles between a user in real world for example a departmental store and members of online social networking environment. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a device 100, according to one embodiment. In Figure 1, the device 100 includes an information reading module 102, an article recognition module 104, an objective feedback module 108, a micro-processor unit 110, a recommendation module 114, an alerting module 116, a communication module 112, and ROM 106.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 is small enough to be given shape of a wearable gadget or a handheld gadget or any shape and size which can be easily carried by the user.

As illustrated, the information reading module 102 is connected to the microprocessor unit 110. The information reading module 102 is configured to read user credentials from a privilege card 202 associated with a user. The information reading module 102 may use means of short range communication such as, but not limited to, NFC, RFID, etc. for reading the user credentials from the privilege card 202. For example, retail stores, departmental stores or shopping malls may provide the privilege card 202 or loyalty card to their users or customers having credentials of the user stored in it. The user credentials may include details associated with the user such as, including but not limited, name, address, accumulated shopping points, user ID and password of the profile of his social networking sites such as Facebook®, Twitter® etc., feedback about certain articles etc.

Once the user enters the shop he is handed over the device 100 by the store management and the user uses the device 100 to read and temporarily store the user credentials stored in his privilege card 202. For instance, if the information reading module 102 is using a NFC technology, then the user has to just tap the device 100 on the privilege card 202 to perform the reading and. temporarily storing of user credentials from the privilege card 202.

The device may also have a device identifier or unique code to ascertain its .affiliation with the retail store, departmental store or shopping mall which provided the device. This will help in identifying that objective feedback is sent from which retail store, departmental store or shopping mall or received at which retail store, departmental store or shopping mall.

The article recognition module 104 is connected to the micro-processor unit 110 and configured to capture article identification information associated with the articles 204.

The article recognition module 104 may use means of short range communication such as, but not limited to, NFC, RFID, etc. for capturing article identification information associated with the articles 204. For example, the articles 204 displayed in the retail store, departmental store or shopping mall are having tags such as, but not limited to NFC tags, RFID tags etc. attached to them storing information/ID associated with the article 204. When the user handles some article having the tag then the article recognition module 104 captures the identification information associated with the article 204. Hence, the device will know which articles 204 are being handled by the user. For instance, if the articles 204 are provided with RFID tags, then once the user comes within the RFID communication range the article recognition module captures the information associated with the article.

As illustrated, the objective feedback module 108 is coupled to the micro¬processing unit 110 and configured for receiving objective feedback associated with the article 204 from the user via an input means. Once the article identification module 104 captures the article identification information, the objective feedback module 108 enables the user of the device 100 to input his objective feedback associated with the article 204. The input means for registering the objective feedback may include, but not limited to, dedicated buttons, touch screen, etc. Further, objective feedback may be of various types such as, but not limiting to, it may be a simple like and dislike option given to the user or it may be more elaborate for example, the user is given option of like with buying, like with not buying, like with not buying with high price, like with not buying with colour not present etc. or ft may provide a rating scale to the user to rate the recognized article 204.

As illustrated, the ROM 106 is coupled to the micro-processing unit 110 for temporarily storing data associated with user credentials, the article identification information, device identifier and the objective feedback associated with the at least one article.

As illustrated, the micro-processor unit 110 posts the objective feedback associated with the article 204 in a social networking environment 208 by using the communication module 112 based on the user credentials, the article identification information, device identifier and the objective feedback in real time.

As illustrated, the communication module 112 is coupled to the micro-processing unit 110 as well as communicatively coupled to a remote server 206. The communication module 112 is configured to communicate the user credentials, the article identification information, device identifier and the objective feedback associated with the article 204 to a remote server 206 so that the remote server 206 can publish the objective feedback associated with the article 204 in the social networking environment 208. The communication module 112 may communicate to the remote server 206 by using a wireless network, GPRS, SMS, MMS, personal area network, etc. For example, when the user inputs his objective feedback associated with any recognized article 204, then the micro-processing unit 110 processes the user credentials, the article identification information, the device identifier and objective feedback and instructs the communication module 112 to transmit the processed information to the remote server 206. The remote server 206 by using the user credentials publishes the objective feedback associated with the article 204 in the social networking environment on behalf of the user. The posting may include displaying of the objective feedback and the article identification information on a profile page of the user.

Further the posting may also include displaying the objective feedback and the article identification information on a profile page of the associated members of the social networking environment. This enables a use'r to post and share in real time his feedback or opinion about the article 204 present in real world on the online social networking environment 208 such as Facebook®, Twitter ®, etc. For example, the server 206 posts on behalf of the user the objective feedback of the said user associated with the article 204 and information about the said article 204 on the profile page of his Facebook® account. This informs all the members in his friend list in the Facebook® about the like or dislike of the user about a certain article 204. This information may help the members in making their mind about buying or not buying or further recommending the article 204.

In another embodiment, the device 100 also includes the recommendation module 114 which is configured for fetching recommendations associated with the article 204 provided by associated members of the social networking environment 208 in real time.

The remote server 206 by using the user credentials logs in the social network 208 such as Facebook®, Twitter®, etc. of the user and checks for any feedback associated with the article 204 given by other members of the social network 208. The remote server 206 may also check for any available feedback associated with the article 204 in the online environment. If the remote server 206 finds any feedback associated with the article 204 then sends it back to the device 100. For example, once the user handles the article 204 or the article 204 comes within the RFID communication range of the device 100 it automatically fetches the recommendations associated with the article 204 and informs the user through the alerting module 116.

The alerting module 116 is configured for alerting the user that the article 204 is recommended by the associated members of the social networking environment 208. The alerting module may use audio, visual or audio-visual means for alerting the user such as, but not limited to, blinking LEDs, changing colour of LEDs, changing intensity of light of LEDs, displaying notification of display screen, making a sound, vibrating the device 100 or combination of any of these alerting means. For example, the once the article 204 comes within the RFID communication range * of the device 100 it automatically starts making a beeping noise to inform user about the recommendations associated with the article 204. This helps the user in making his mind about buying or not buying the article 204.

This device 100 enables the user to not only post his feedback about the article 204 in the online social networking environment 208 but also receive feedback from other members in the online social networking environment 208 about the article in real time.
Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a system for seamlessly sharing objective feedback associated with articles 204 from a user in real world to members of online social networking environment 208, according to one embodiment. Most of the shops such as retail stores, departmental stores and shopping malls provide their user or customers a privilege card or loyalty card 202 having user credentials stored in it. In the instant system when the user visits the shop he is given a device 100 by the shop management.

The user then transfers his user credentials stored in the privilege card 202 to the device. When the user handles any article 204 or when the article 204 comes within the communication range of the device, then the device 100 captures the information associated with the article and provides the user an option of inputting objective feedback about the article 204. The device after registering the input from the user transmits the user credentials, article identification information, device identifier and objective feedback associated with the article 204 to the remote server 206. Further, the remote server 206 by using the user credentials posts the information associated with the article 204 and objective feedback of the user about the article 204 on profile page of the user in his online social networking environment 208 such as Facebook®, Twitter ®, etc. For example, when the user having account in Facebook® inputs his objective feedback about the article 204, then the remote server 206 posts a 'Like' for the article 204 on his profile page.

Moreover, the cemote server 206 may also post a notification on behalf of the user indicating the objective feedback and the article identification information on a profile page of the associated members of the social networking environment. For example, the when the user having account in Facebook® inputs his feedback about the article 204 , then the remote server 206 posts notification of user liking the article on the profile page of the members of his friend list.

While leaving the shop the user again taps the device 100, given to him by the shop, on his privilege card 202 and erases all the data including the user credentials, article identification information and objective feedback of the user temporarily stored in the device and hands over the device 100 to the shop management. This ensures safety of the personal data associated with the user.

In another embodiment, the user can also use the device 100 as a shopping cart for choosing articles 204 present in the shop. Based on the type of tag (for example NFC, RFID, etc.) attached to the article 204 the user may choose the articles 204 by tapping the device 100 on the articles or just by bringing the device 100 close to the articles 204. The device 100 transfers the finalized list of articles chosen by the user to the billing counter (not shown in the Figures).

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a system for seamlessly sharing and receiving objective feedback associated with articles between a user in real world and members of online social networking environment, according to one embodiment. In the instant system, the user is not only enabled to post his objective feedback associated with the article 204 in the online social networking environment 208 but also to fetch feedback associated with the article 204 from online world. For example, the remote server 206 after receiving the user credentials, device identifier and article identification information searches for feedback associated with the article 204 posted by other members in the online social network environment 208. Further, if the remote server 206 finds any feedback associated with the article 204 then sends it back to the device 100 and in turn the device 100 alerts the user on receiving such message from the remote server 206. In another-example, as the user roams around the articles 204 in the shop, the device 100 keeps on searching and checking tags of the articles in its proximity and immediately releases the signal or alerts for the user.

In another embodiment, the retail stores, departmental stores or shopping malls use the data associated with the objective feedback stored in the remote server 206 for managing inventory or placing order for articles 204. For example, if a particular article, articles of a certain brand or articles belong to a certain genre are receiving more feedbacks, then it can be inferred that such articles are more in demand.

We claim:
1. A device 100 for seamlessly sharing and receiving feedback between real world
and online world, comprising:

an information reading module 102 for reading user credentials from a privilege card 202 associated with a user;

an article recognition module 104 for capturing article identification information associated with at least one article 204; and

a micro-processor unit 110 for posting objective feedback associated with the at least one article 204 in a social networking environment 208.

2. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a recommendation module 114 for fetching recommendations associated with the at least one article 204 provided by associated members of the social networking environment 208 using the user credentials and the article identification information; and

an alerting module 116 for alerting the user that the article 204 is recommended by the associated members of the social networking environment 208.

3. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a communication module 112 for communicating the user credentials, the article identification information, device identifier and the objective feedback associated with the at least one article to a remote server so that the remote server 206 publishes the objective feedback associated with the at least one article in the social networking environment 208.

4. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the objective feedback and the
article identification information is displayed on a profile page of the user.

5. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a notification indicating the objective feedback and the article identification information is displayed on a profile page of the associated members of the social networking environment 208.

6. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an objective feedback module 108 for receiving the objective feedback associated with the at least one article 204 from the user via an input means.

7. A method for seamlessly sharing and receiving feedback between real world
and online world, comprising:

reading user credentials from a privilege card 202 associated with a user;

capturing article identification information associated with at least one article 204; and

posting objective feedback associated with the at least one article 204 in a social networking environment 208.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

fetching recommendations associated with the at least one article 204 provided by associated members of the social networking environment 208 using the user credentials and the article identification information; and

alerting the user that the article is recommended by the associated members of the social networking environment 208.

9. the method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

communicating the user credentials, the article identification information, device identifier and the objective feedback associated with the at least one article to a remote server 206; and

publishing the objective feedback associated with the at least one article 204 in the social networking environment 208 by the remote server 206 .

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the posting objective feedback
comprises:

displaying the objective feedback and the article identification information on profile page of the user.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the posting objective feedback
comprises:

displaying a notification indicating the objective feedback and the article identification information on a profile page of the associated members of the social networking environment 208.

12. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

receiving the objective feedback associated with the at least one article 204 from the user via an input means.