PD003376IN-SC
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: SELECTION BASED PURCHASING
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
TATA CONSULTANCY
SERVICES LIMITED
Indian Nirmal Building, 9th Floor, Nariman Point,
Mumbai-400021, Maharashtra, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.
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2
SELECTION BASED PURCHASING
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to a method of advertising and,
in particular, to systems and methods for advertising and selection based purchasing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Advertising is a form of communication targeted to generate interest in a user
about the advertised products, ideas, or services. Advertisements are usually
communicated through various media, such as newspapers, magazines, television,
radio, mailers, websites, text, or Bluetooth or multimedia messages, and aim to
persuade the user to take an action, usually purchasing or availing, of one or more
advertised products, ideas, or services. Advertisements also help in increasing
awareness in the user regarding the advertised products, ideas, or services. For
example, advertisements include information such as features, technical specifications,
images, etc., which educate the user about the advertised products, ideas, or services
and helps the user in making a decision on whether the user likes and wants to
purchase the advertised products or services.
[0003] However, in a majority of situations, a user develops an interest in a product
being already used by another user. In such a scenario, the user may not always be able
to identify the product correctly, and therefore is unable to obtain information
pertaining to the product. For example, the user may like a watch worn by the other
user and may be interested in purchasing the same or similar watch but make not be
able to identify the brand or model number of the watch. This results in a loss for the
vendor of the product who loses out on a potential customer as well as for the
consumer, i.e., the user, who is unable to purchase the product he likes.
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SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to systems and
methods for selection based purchasing, and the concepts further described below in
the detailed description. This summary is neither intended to identify essential features
of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the
scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0005] In one implementation, the method for selection based purchasing comprises
receiving an image from a mobile communication device. The method further includes
identifying at least one product which is either same or similar to at least one object in
the received image based on at least one object selection parameter. The method also
includes retrieving details pertaining to the at least one product for making a choice for
purchasing the at least one product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying
figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure
in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout
the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a network environment of a selection based purchasing
system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 2 illustrates a selection based purchasing system and the client device, in
accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 3 illustrates a method of selection based purchasing, in accordance with
an implementation of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 4 illustrates a computer implemented method for purchasing a product at
a local vendor, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Systems and methods for selection based purchasing are described herein.
The systems and methods can be implemented in a variety of computing systems. The
computing systems that can implement the described method(s) include, but are not
restricted to, mainframe computers, workstations, personal computers, desktop
computers, minicomputers, servers, multiprocessor systems, laptops, mobile
computing devices and the like.
[00012] Conventionally, advertisements through various media such as print media,
online media, electronic media, digital media, and broadcast media, aim to educate a
user about the specifications and/or features of an advertised product so as to generate
interest of the advertised product within the user. This is necessarily intended to
prompt the user to purchase the product. In certain scenarios, the user also develops an
interest or likes a product used by another user. In such cases, the user may be unable
to identify the brand or the model number of the product, and hence may be unable to
obtain information about the product such as features, specifications, vendors offering
the product for sale, price of the product. This leads to losses for both the vendors of
the product who lose out on potential customers as well as for the consumers who are
unable to locate and purchase the same or similar product.
[00013] For example, say a first user likes a certain chronograph worn by a second
user. However, the first user is unable to identify the brand name or the model number
of the chronograph. A general search for chronograph on online resources such as
search engines or e-commerce portals may result in a large number of results from
which the first user may not be able to filter out the chronograph of his interest. Even,
if the first user is able to identify the brand of the chronograph, choosing the
chronograph which sparked his interest from a large number, usually running into
hundreds of models manufactured by the brand is a time consuming and a very
difficult task.
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[00014] In another scenario, the user may like a new product displayed in a
showroom, mall or a store and may be interested in the displayed product. However,
before making a purchase, consumers, i.e., the user may generally be interested in
obtaining various details about the displayed product such as country of manufacture,
brand, and reviews of the displayed product by experts and/or consumers. Further, the
user may also like to know at what prices other vendors may be offering the same
product for sale, or information about any other promotion in relation to the displayed
product, and so on. All such details about the displayed product are difficult to obtain,
and sometimes are unavailable with the showroom or the mall or the store. This
prevents the user from making an informed decision regarding the purchase of a
product thus putting the user at risk of making a bad purchase or missing out on a
good or a better product.
[00015] Moreover, in a conventional store, mall or showroom, the user would
usually stand in a queue waiting for his turn at a billing counter to make payment for
his purchases. Since the stores or the malls or the showrooms having a substantial
footfall usually have a long queue at the billing counter, the user may need to wait for
a considerable time for his turn at the billing counter. The wait for billing may get
further prolonged during peak times or during times of promotional sales in force. The
long queues and the resultant waiting time usually deter many users from making
purchases. Thus the stores or the malls or the showrooms lose out on potential
customers. Further, the users are also unable to purchase the products they are
interested in or the products they like.
[00016] The present subject matter describes systems and methods for selection
based purchasing. In one implementation, selection based purchasing is based on
augmented reality. Augmented reality is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a
physical real-world environment whose elements are augmented by virtual computergenerated
imagery or text which provides real time information pertaining to the
elements of the physical real-world environment. Conventionally, an augmented
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reality device receives information about the environment of the user in various forms,
such as a picture, a live video, location co-ordinates, and retrieves data, pertaining to
the environment of the user, from an external database and blends the retrieved data
with the information about the environment. For example, to a foreign tourist visiting
New Delhi, the augmented reality device may determine the location of the foreign
tourist using Global Positioning System (GPS), retrieve tourist spots or places of
interest near the location of the foreign tourist and display the same to the foreign
tourist.
[00017] In one implementation of the present subject matter, a user uses a mobile
communication device, such as a smart phone, to capture an image of the product of
interest. The product of interest can be any commodity or consumer items that the
purchaser may be interested in purchasing. The product may be displayed in a retail
environment, such as a showroom, a mall or a store, or may be used by another user.
Once the image is captured, the captured image can be transmitted to a central server.
On receiving the image transmitted by the user, the central server processes the image
to determine various attributes or characteristics that may be associated with the
product of interest. Based on the determined attributes, products which are same or
similar to the product of interest are determined. The similar products can be products
that are on sale by one or more other vendors or retail outlets. Besides the similar
products, other attributes associated with the similar products can be displayed. In one
implementation, the attributes may indicate the prices, features, specifications,
proximity of the locations where the similar product is available with respect to the
purchaser’s present locations, and so on. Based on the availability of the similar
products, the purchaser would be in a position to make an informed decision and
proceed with the purchase of product of interest from the present location, or from
vendors or retail outlets that are in proximity to the above locations.
[00018] For example, the user may click an image of multiple objects, such as a
workplace of a person that may include various objects such as a chair, a workstation,
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a telephone, etc. In one implementation, the image can be resolved into one or more
layers such that each layer has an associated single object using conventionally known
image processing and editing techniques, such as layering. Like, in the above example,
a first layer would contain the captured image of only the chair, another layer may
contain the telephone, and so on. In such a case, the central server compares each of
the layers or a particular layer, selected by the user, comprising an object with the
images of the products offered for sale by the vendors.
[00019] In one embodiment, the product can be categorized as a similar product
only if the product of interest, which in the present case is the person’s telephone and
the image of the product have a specified percentage or extent, say 80%, of match with
the object. The user may then identify one of the same or similar images to be the
image of the product, i.e., the person’s telephone, of his interest.
[00020] As also indicated previously, the user may obtain various product details
pertaining to the person’s telephone such as the technical specifications, features, price
at which various vendors are offering to sell the product, address of vendors. Further,
the central server is also configured to return details of online stores or e-commerce
portals offering to sell the same or similar product. Yet in another implementation, the
central server may be configured to return the various variations of the product. For
example, if the product is a car, the car may be available in various colors or various
versions, such as petrol or diesel, or various variants such as basic model, luxury
model, etc. and the user would be informed of the same.
[00021] Thus the user is made aware of various details pertaining to the product
which would help him to make an informed decision as to whether he wants to
purchase a product or not. In another implementation, the user may connect to his
friends through a social forum or platform to seek their opinion on the product or read
product reviews and based on the opinions may decide to purchase the product.
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[00022] In addition to making a choice as to what product of interest to purchase,
the purchaser would eventually have to pay for the commodity that has been selected
for purchase. The payment procedure would involve a waiting time at the billing
counter.
[00023] In one implementation, a product purchase module running on the mobile
communication device of the user, such as a smart phone, is configured to read a
unique identifier placed on a product by the shopping complex or the store or the mall
or the showroom, collectively referred to as the local vendor so as to uniquely identify
a product. The unique identifier may be a local vendor specific customized tag, a
unique alpha-numeric string, a barcode, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag,
etc.
[00024] In operation, the user would scan the unique identifier of the product of
interest. On completion of reading or scanning the unique identifiers of the products,
the user may initiate a transaction to complete payment for the purchased products. In
one implementation, the user may utilize the payment gateway of a financial
institution, in which the user has an account, to complete the transaction and make
payment for the purchased products. The successful completion of the payment is
indicated by generation of a unique transaction ID. Further, the products for which the
payment was made may be marked as sold in the records maintained by the local
vendor thus allowing the user to pass through the theft prevention systems of the local
vendor without raising a theft alert. In one implementation, the transaction ID may be
in the form of one or more tags such as , ,
wherein vendor ID is an
alphanumeric string uniquely identifying a vendor. Thus the user does not need to
stand in a queue at the billing counter of the local vendor and can pay for the products
using his mobile communication device.
[00025] Thus the systems and methods for selection based purchasing enhances the
shopping experience of the user by assisting in identifying and obtaining details
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pertaining to a product which he likes or is interested in. Further the systems and
methods for selection based purchasing also facilitate the user to purchase products of
his choice without having to wait for his turn at the billing counter of the local vendor.
These help the vendors to enhance sales and also help the consumer, i.e. the user, to
purchase products of his choice. These and other advantages of the present subject
matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the following figures.
While aspects of described systems and methods for the selection based purchasing
can be implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments,
and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following
system(s).
[00026] Fig. 1 illustrates a network environment 100 of a selection based purchasing
system 102, henceforth referred to as the SBP system 102, according to an
embodiment of the present subject matter. In said embodiment, the network
environment 100 includes the SBP system 102 configured to receive an image of a
product from a user and search for similar or same products offered for sale by various
vendors such as showrooms, malls, supermarkets, stores, online stores, e-commerce
portals, etc. In one implementation, the SBP system 102 may be coupled or included
within an existing portal or e-commerce system associated with the various vendors.
The SBP system 102 may be implemented in a variety of computing systems such as a
laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe
computer, a server, a network server and the like. Further, the SBP system 102 may
also be implemented in a grid computing or a cloud computing environment. It will be
understood that the SBP system 102 may be accessed by users or consumers through
one or more client devices 104 or applications residing on the client devices 104, such
as mobile banking applications, mobile-commerce applications, etc. Examples of the
client devices 104 include, but are not limited to, a portable computer 104-1, a
personal digital assistant (PDA) 104-2, a smartphone 104-N, etc. As shown in the
figure, such client devices 104 are communicatively coupled to the SBP system 102
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through a communication network 106 for facilitating one or more users to access and
use the functionalities of the SBP system 102.
[00027] The communication network 106 may be a wireless network, a wired
network or a combination thereof. The communication network 106 can be
implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area
network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and such. The
communication network 106 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network,
which represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of
protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), etc., to
communicate with each other. Further the communication network 106 may include a
variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices,
storage devices, etc.
[00028] In operation, the user uses the client device 104 to capture an image of the
product in which he is interested in or likes. The client device 104 transmits the image
to a product identification module 108 of the SBP system 102. In one implementation,
the product identification module 108 analyzes the image and generates one or more
layers such that each layer contains an object. Usually the layers may be generated
based on edge detection difference in light intensity, etc. The user then selects one of
the objects as the product he is interested in. For example, the user may like the digital
wall clock placed on another user’s workstation. The image taken by the user would
include, in addition to the digital clock, various items of the other user such as the
other user’s stationery, the other user’s mobile phone, the other user’s laptop, the other
user’s desk organizer, etc. The image is then processed by the product identification
module 108 so as to generate various layers. For example a layer would contain the
other user’s stationery, another layer would contain the other user’s mobile phone, a
third layer would contain the other user’s digital clock, and a fourth layer would
contain the other user’s desk organizer and so on. In said implementation, the user
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would select the third layer to indicate that the third layer includes the object which is
the product in which the user is interested in or likes.
[00029] The product identification module 108 retrieves products which are same or
similar to the selected object based on one or more object selection parameters such as
color, shape, texture, size, etc. Further, various other matching techniques based on
matching other attributes related to the product of interest, may also be used. For
example, mechanisms such as logo detection and logo matching may be used to
determine products which are same or similar to the selected object. In such an
implementation, the logo may be identified based on various features such as
contrasting texture of the logo with respect to the surrounding portion of the image,
content depicted in different font or style or color, colorful or distinctive design of the
logo, specific or characteristic shape of the logo etc. For example, the other user’s
digital clock may be available in various colors, models, etc. The product
identification module 108 also retrieves the details pertaining to the same or similar
objects, such as features, technical specifications, price, reviews, from a data
repository 110 and transmits the same to the user.
[00030] In one embodiment, the data repository 110 is an integral part of the SBP
system 102, whereas in another embodiment, the data repository 110 may be
implemented as a separate computing and communication device. In one
implementation, various vendors may have to purchase a subscription so as to access
the data repository 110 to add, modify and delete details pertaining to products sold by
the vendors. Yet in another implementation the product identification module 108 may
be configured to access databases maintained by various vendors or third party sources
so as to retrieve details pertaining to the product offered for sale by various vendors.
On receiving the details pertaining to the selected product, the user is able to make an
informed choice to purchase the selected product. The user may then use a product
purchase module 112 to initiate a transaction to purchase the selected product and pay
for the same using mobile banking or net banking facilitated by the client device 104.
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[00031] Thus the SBP system 102 assists the user in identifying and locating a
product of his interest and obtains various details pertaining to the product. This helps
the user to make an informed decision on whether to purchase the product of his
interest or not. Hence the SBP system 102 helps the vendors in tapping potential
customers and also helps the users to purchase products of their choice or interest.
[00032] Figure 2 illustrates the SBP system 102 and the client device 104, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the
client device 104 includes a first processor 202-1, and a first memory 204-1 connected
to the first processor 202-1. In one implementation, the SBP system 102 includes a
second processor 202-2 and a second memory 204-2 connected to the second
processor 202-2. The first processor 202-1 and the second processor 202-2 are
collectively referred to as the processor(s) 202 and the first memory 204-1 and the
second memory 204-2 are collectively referred to as the memory 204.
[00033] The processor(s) 202 may include microprocessors, microcomputers,
microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines,
logic circuitries and/or any other devices that manipulate signals and data based on
operational instructions. The processor(s) 202 can be a single processing unit or a
number of units, all of which could also include multiple computing units. Among
other capabilities, the processor(s) 202 are configured to fetch and execute computerreadable
instructions stored in the memory 204.
[00034] The memory 204 can include any computer-readable medium known in the
art including, for example, volatile memory, such as RAM and/or non-volatile
memory, such as flash. The first memory 204-1 of the client device 104 further
includes a first set of module(s) 206-1 and a first data 208-1. Similarly the second
memory 204-2 of the SBP system 102 includes a second set of module(s) 206-2 and a
second data 208-2. The first set of module(s) 206-1 and the second set of module(s)
206-2 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which
perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
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[00035] In one implementation, the client device 104 includes the first data 208-1
which, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed,
received, associated and generated by one or more of the first set of module(s) 206-1.
The first data 208-1 includes, for example, a first rules repository 210, shopping lists
212, and other data 214-1. The other data 214-1 may include data and temporary
information generated as a result of the execution of one or more modules in the first
set of module(s) 206-1.
[00036] The SBP system 102 includes the second data 208-2 which, amongst other
things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, associated and
generated by one or more of the second set of module(s) 206-2. The second data 208-2
includes, for example, a second rules repository 216, user preference data 218, and
other data 214-2. The other data 214-2 may include data and temporary information
generated as a result of the execution of one or more modules in the second set of
module(s) 206-2.
[00037] Further both the SBP system 102 and the client device 104 includes one or
more interface(s) (not shown in the figure). The interface(s) may include a variety of
software and hardware interfaces, for example, interface(s) for peripheral device(s)
such as data input output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, network
devices, etc. The I/O device(s) may include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports,
Ethernet ports, host bus adaptors, etc., and their corresponding device drivers. The
interface(s) facilitate the communication of the SBP system 102 and the client device
104 with various networks such as the communication network 106 and various
communication and computing devices.
[00038] The various functionalities of the SBP system 102 are explained in context
of a first scenario wherein the user sees a product, develops an interest in it and wants
to purchase the product or obtain more information pertaining to the product and a
second scenario wherein the SBP system enhances the shopping experience of the user
at a local vendor such as a mall, a super market, a local store, a showroom. It should
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be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the SBP system 102 is described in
context of the above two scenarios for the ease of explanation and the same should not
be construed as a limitation.
[00039] In the first scenario, the user may like and develop an interest in a product
being used by another user. The user then takes an image of the product in which he is
interested using say a camera of the client device 104 and transmits the same to the
SBP system 102. The product identification module 108 receives the image of the
product. In one implementation the product identification module 108 comprises of
two modules namely a feature extraction module 220 and an image search module
222. As mentioned earlier an image may contain one or more objects of which one of
the objects is the product the user in interested in. In said implementation, the feature
extraction module 220 breaks the images into multiple layers, based on one or more
image analysis parameters such as edge detection, light intensity, such that each layer
contains one object. The feature extraction module 220 then transmits the multiple
layers to the client device 104, prompting the user to select one of the layers to contain
the object which is the product of his interest.
[00040] The feature extraction module 220 then extracts various object selection
parameters of the object in the selected layer such as shape, color, texture, size. Based
on at least one object selection parameter, the image search module 222 determines
same or similar products to the product of interest. In one implementation, the image
search module 222 queries various databases such as the data repository 110 to
retrieve product details pertaining to the same or similar products offered for sale by
various vendors. As mentioned earlier, the product details help the user in making an
informed choice regarding purchasing of the product. In case the user wants to
purchase a product, he uses the product purchase module 112 to initiate a transaction
to pay for the product. The product purchase module 112 provides the user with
various options such as mobile banking, net banking to pay for the product.
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[00041] In the second scenario, a user visiting a local vendor may like a product
which is on display and the user may want to purchase the product. However, before
actually purchasing the product, the user may want to obtain reviews of the product.
Further a long queue at a billing counter of the local vendor may deter the user from
making a purchase. In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter,
the user uses a product scanning module 224 to scan a unique identifier which
uniquely identifies the products of the local vendor. Examples of unique identifiers
include product tags, RFID tags, barcode, unique alphanumeric string, etc. The unique
identifier is transmitted to the product identification module 108 which retrieves
various product details and images pertaining to the product and conveys the same to
the user through the client device 104.
[00042] The user may use a social networking module 226 to share the product
details of the product with his peer group or friends in his social networking circle and
obtain their feedback and opinion regarding the product. Based on the feedback, the
user may use the product purchase module 112 to initiate a transaction to complete the
payment for the product. In one implementation the product purchase module 112 may
save the details pertaining to one or more bank accounts of the user such as account
number. Storing the details pertaining to the bank accounts saves the user from having
the hassle of recollecting the same, which are usually long and hence difficult to
remember. In said implementation, the user may authenticate the payment by selecting
one of the bank accounts to be debited and providing a personal identification number
(PIN) or a password to authenticate the payment. The successful completion of the
transaction is indicated by generation of a unique transaction id. On completion of the
successful transaction, the product purchase module 112 is further configured to send a
request to the SBP system 102 to indicate the product has been sold. This helps the
user to pass through anti-theft security systems without raising a theft alarm. Thus the
user does not have to stand at a queue and wait for his turn at the billing counter of the
local vendor. The product purchase module 112 may be further configured to generate
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and send an e-mail or text message to the user depicting details pertaining to the
transaction.
[00043] In another embodiment, the user may save one or more lists of products
which he wants to purchase as the shopping lists 212 in the client device 104. The user
may further categorize the various shopping lists as required items, optional items, etc.
In one implementation, a reminder module 228 may remind the user to purchase the
products saved in the shopping lists 212 after a pre-defined time interval or whenever
the user is near a local vendor offering the one or more products for sale based on rules
defined in the first rules repository 210. In one implementation, a global positioning
system (GPS) may be used to detect if the user is in the vicinity of a vendor offering
the one or more products for sale. In one implementation, the user can specify the
distance in standard units of length such as kilometers or miles to determine the
vicinity. Further, the reminder module 228 may also determine the purchasing pattern
of the user and generate reminders based on the pattern of the user or user behavior.
For example, the reminder module 228 may determine the user purchases grocery
items every Sunday. So every Sunday, on expiration of a pre-defined time interval, the
reminder module 228 may remind the user to purchase the grocery items. In one
implementation, the pre-defined time interval and the number of times the user is
reminded are defined in the first rules repository 210 as reminder rules. The reminder
rules ensure that the user is not reminded so frequently and/ or so many times such that
the user feels disturbed or irritated.
[00044] In yet another implementation, the SBP system 102 may save the
preferences or choices of the user as the user preference data 218. Based on the
analysis of the user preference data 218, the product identification module 108 may be
configured to recommend certain products, available for sale with the local vendor, to
the user. For example, if the analysis of the user preference data 218 shows the user to
buy a television, product identification module 108 may recommend multimedia
players, speakers, home theatre system which are compatible with the purchased
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television or which when purchased in conjunction with the television would enable
the user to avail a discount scheme. Rules defined in the second rules repository 216
ensure that the user is not spammed or disturbed by recommendations generated by
SBP system 102. Moreover, the product identification module 108 may be further
configured to remind the user to purchase certain products based on analysis of the
user preference data 218.
[00045] Further in another embodiment both the client device 104 and the SBP
system 102 may include other module(s) 230-1 and 230-2 collectively referred to as
other module(s) 230. The other module(s) 230 may include programs or coded
instructions, such as operating systems, that supplement applications and functions of
the SBP 102 and the client device 104.
[00046] Thus, the client device 104 and the SBP system 102 enhance the shopping
experience of the user. The client device 104 and the SBP system 102 enable the user
to identify a product which he likes, obtain product details pertaining to the product
and make an informed decision on whether to purchase a product or not. In another
implementation, the client device 104 and the SBP system 102 enables the user to
obtain reviews of a product from his social networking circle and purchase the product
without having to wait for his turn at the billing counter of the local vendor.
[00047] Fig. 3 illustrates a method 300 for selection based purchasing, according to
an embodiment of the present subject matter, whereas fig. 4 illustrates a computer
implemented method 400 for purchasing a product at a local vendor, according to an
embodiment of the present subject matter. The methods 300 and 400 may be described
in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer
executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data
structures, procedures, modules, functions, etc., that perform particular functions or
implement particular abstract data types. The methods 300 and 400 may also be
practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by
remote processing devices that are linked through a communication network. In a
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distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located
in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.
[00048] The order in which the methods 300 and 400 is described is not intended to
be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be
combined in any order to implement the methods 300 and 400, or alternative methods.
Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods 300 and 400 without
departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.
Furthermore, the methods 300 and 400 can be implemented in any suitable hardware,
software, firmware, or combination thereof. The methods 300 and 400 are presently
provided for selection based purchasing and purchasing a product at a local vendor.
[00049] With reference to method 300 as illustrated in fig.3, at block 302 an image
is received from a mobile communication device such as the client device 104. The
image may be taken by the user from a camera of the mobile communication device or
received from another user through various means such as e-mail, multimedia message
or transferred from another computing and communication device such as a laptop.
Further the image may also be downloaded from the internet or scanned from a
hardcopy such as magazine, brochure.
[00050] As illustrated in block 304, one or more objects are identified in the object.
In one implementation, this is done using edge detection, variation of light or colour
intensity, etc. In another implementation, the image is analyzed and broken to multiple
layers such that each layer includes an object. In yet another implementation, if no
objects could be identified, the user would be informed about the same and requested
to send or upload a better quality image.
[00051] As depicted in block 306, the user is prompted to select at least one of the
objects as the product of his interest. In one implementation, the user may select the
layer by clicking on the relevant layer or indicating the same through an input
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facilitated by either a hardware device or a software module or a firmware or a
combination thereof.
[00052] At block 308, products which are same or similar to the selected object are
determined. In one implementation, the feature extraction module 220 of the SBP
system 102 extracts one or more object identification parameters such as shape,
texture, size, colour, relative position of objects, etc., and queries one or more
databases such as the data repository 110 to retrieve similar or same products.
[00053] As shown in block 310 the user is prompted to confirm one of the
determined products to be the product he is interested in. In one implementation, the
user may select one of the same or similar products to be the product of his interest by
clicking on an object or entering an input, facilitated by a hardware or software or
firmware, indicating the user’s product of interest.
[00054] At block 312, various product details pertaining to the product the user is
interested in, is retrieved and conveyed to the user. The product details may include
images, features, technical specifications, reviews, price, etc. of the product. The
product details help the user to make an informed choice on whether to purchase a
product.
[00055] With reference to fig. 4 depicting the method 400, at block 402, a unique
identifier is read to identify the product uniquely. The unique identifier may be a RFID
tag, a barcode, a unique alpha-numeric string, etc. In one implementation, the product
scanning module 224 of the client device 104 may be used to read the unique
identifier.
[00056] As illustrated in block 404, various product details pertaining to the product
are retrieved from one or more databases such as a data repository 110. As mentioned
before, the product details may include images, features, technical specifications,
reviews, price, etc. of the product.
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[00057] As shown in block 406, the product details may be shared by the user with
his peers or friends in a social networking circle. In one implementation, the user may
use the social networking module 226 to connect to various social networking sites in
which he has an account and share the product details. At block 408, various reviews
or feedback or opinion given by the user’s social networking circle are extracted and
conveyed to the user. In another implementation, the user may be alerted whenever
there is a review or feedback or opinion given by any of the user’s peers or friends.
[00058] As depicted in block 410, a transaction is initiated by the user to purchase
the product. In one embodiment, the product purchase module 112 of the client device
104 initiated the transaction. In said implementation, the product purchase module 112
saves details pertaining to one or more bank accounts such as account number, type of
account. The user only needs to provide authentication or authorization to complete
the transaction. In one implementation the user provides a password or a Personal
Identification Number (PIN) to authenticate or authorize the transaction.
[00059] As illustrated in block 412, the successful completion of the transaction
generates a unique transaction ID which uniquely identifies the transaction. In one
implementation, the client device 104 is configured to generate a text message or an email
describing the details of the transaction which can be used for future reference.
Further, the transaction ID may be in various formats. In one implementation, the
transaction ID may be an alphanumeric string formed by the concatenation of various
substring. For example a first substring indicative of the identity of the vendor, a
second substring indicative of date and time of the transaction and a third sub string
uniquely identifying the user such as the user’s account number, may be concatenated
together to generate the transaction ID.
[00060] Further, as shown in block 414, a request is sent to update the status of the
purchased product as sold, so that the user may pass through the anti-theft systems of
the local store without raising a theft alarm. Thus the user is able to purchase a product
without having to wait at a queue at the billing counter. Moreover as illustrated in
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block 416, a receipt for the purchased product may also be generated for record
keeping.
[00061] Although implementations for selection based purchasing system have been
described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be
understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features
or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as
exemplary implementations for selection based purchasing.
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I/We Claim:
1. A computer implemented method for selection based purchasing, the method
comprising:
receiving an image from a mobile communication device;
identifying at least one product similar to at least one object in the received
image based on at least one object selection parameter associated with the at least
one object; and
providing details pertaining to the at least one product for making a choice
for purchasing the at least one product.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising processing a transaction to
purchase the at least one product, wherein successful completion of the transaction
is indicated by generation of a unique transaction id.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising marking the at least one
product as sold on the generation of the unique transaction id.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising sharing the details
pertaining to the at least one product in at least one social networking forum.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising generating a plurality of
layers from the received image, wherein each layer contains at least one object.
6. A computer implemented method for purchasing a product at a local vendor, the
method comprising:
reading a unique identifier associated with at least one product;
retrieving product details pertaining to the at least one product for making a
choice for purchasing the at least one product; and
initiating a transaction to purchase the at least one product, wherein
successful completion of the transaction is indicated by generation of a unique
transaction id.
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7. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprises sharing the details pertaining
to the at least one product in at least one social networking portal.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprises generating a reminder for a
user in response to the user entering a region, within the vicinity of the geographic
location of a local vendor, offering the one or more products for sale.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprises
determining a purchasing pattern of a user; and
generating a reminder for a user to buy one or more products based on the
determination.
10. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprises updating the status of the at
least one product from unsold to sold on successful completion of the transaction.
11. A client device (104) comprising:
a first processor (202-1); and
a first memory (204-1) coupled to the processor (202-1), the memory (204-
1) comprising:
a product scanning module (224) configured to read a unique
identifier associated with a product; and
a product purchase module (112) configured to initiate a transaction
to purchase the product.
12. The client device (104) as claimed in claim 11 further comprises a social
networking module (226) configured to share product details pertaining to the
product in a forum.
13. The client device (104) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the social networking
module (226) is further configured to extract at least one of a feedback, review and
recommendation for the product from the social networking circle.
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14. The client device (104) as claimed in claim 11 further comprises a reminder
module (228) configured to generate a reminder for a user to purchase at least one
product based on data retrieved from shopping lists (212).
15. The client device (104) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the reminder module (228)
is further configured to generate the reminder on determining the user to be in the
vicinity of a local vendor offering the at least one product for sale.
16. A selection based purchasing system (102) comprising:
a second processor (202-2); and
a second memory (204-2) coupled to the processor (202-2), the memory
(204-2) comprising a product identification module (108) configured to,
receive an image;
determine one or more objects in the received image;
identify at least one product to be one of similar and same to one of
the one or more objects; and
retrieve product details pertaining to the at least one product.
17. The selection based purchasing system (102) as claimed in claim 16 wherein the
product identification module (108) further comprises:
a feature extraction module (220) configured to extract at least one object
selection parameter from the determined one or more objects; and
an image search module (222) configured to search one of same or similar
images based in part on the at least one object selection parameter.
18. The selection based purchasing system (102) as claimed in claim 16, further
comprising a user preference data (218) configured to store at least one of user
preferences and past purchases made by a user.
19. The selection based purchasing system (102) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
product identification module (108) is further configured to generate at least one of
recommendation and reminder based in part on the user preference data (218).
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20. A computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for
executing a method comprising:
receiving an image from a mobile communication device;
identifying at least one product similar to at least one object in the received
image based on at least one object selection parameter associated with the at least
one object; and
providing details pertaining to the at least one product for making a choice
for purchasing the at least one product.
21. A computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for
executing a method comprising:
reading an unique identifier associated with at least one product;
retrieving product details pertaining to the at least one product for making a
choice for purchasing the at least one product; and
processing a transaction to purchase the at least one product, wherein
successful completion of the transaction is indicated by generation of a unique
transaction id.