VLC location data applications in a retail setting
AssigneeTarget Brands, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Olsen, Robert Gilman, Lew Price
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retail merchandising system includes a plurality of gondolas positioned in a retail space, a plurality of visible light communication (VLC) sources positioned in the retail space, and at least one VLC sensor disposed at a fixed location relative to each of the plurality of gondolas. The plurality of VLC sources and the at least one VLC sensor are configured to cooperatively identify a location of the gondolas in the retail space. With pre-stored planograms and the locations of the store gondolas, product locations can be readily determined. Additionally, the system can determine customer locations and communicate with customers and/or track customer activity.
Claims20
A method of operating a retail establishment using visual light communication (VLC) technology, the method comprising:
- (a) positioning a plurality of gondolas in the retail establishment;
- (b) positioning a plurality of VLC sources in the retail establishment;
- (c) positioning a VLC sensor at a fixed location, wherein a location of the gondolas in the retail establishment is identified based on signals from the plurality of VLC sources and the VLC sensor;
- (d) determining a location of a mobile device configured to receive signals from the VLC sources and communicating via a system server with the mobile device;
- (e) identifying a section location or a product location in the retail space based on the location of the gondolas;
- and
- (f) the system server communicating at least one of the section location and the product location to the mobile device.
An indoor global positioning system for a retail environment including a plurality of gondolas, the indoor global positioning system comprising:
- a plurality of visible light communication (VLC) sources positioned in the retail environment;
- a VLC sensor disposed at a fixed location, the plurality of VLC sources and the VLC sensor being configured to cooperatively identify a location of the gondolas in the retail environment;
- a system server communicating with the VLC sources and the VLC sensor, wherein the system server is programmed to process data received from the VLC sensor to identify the location of the gondolas;
- and
- a mobile device associated with a customer that is configured to receive signals from the VLC sources, wherein the system server is programmed to determine a location of the mobile device and to communicate with the mobile device and the VLC sensor,
- wherein the system server is programmed to identify a section location or a product location in the retail environment based on the location of the gondolas, and wherein the system server is programmed to communicate at least one of the section location and the product location to the mobile device based on the location of the mobile device.
A system comprising:
- a plurality of gondolas positioned in a retail space, the plurality of gondolas aligned in rows and defining shopping aisles between them;
- a plurality of visible light communication (VLC) sources positioned in the retail space;
- a VLC sensor positioned relative to each of the plurality of gondolas, the plurality of VLC sources and the VLC sensor being configured to cooperatively identify a location of the gondolas in the retail space;
- a system server communicating with the VLC sources and the VLC sensor;
- and
- a wireless network,
- wherein a mobile device associated with a customer comprises a unique address/identifier, the system server constructing a special packet that combines location information gathered via the VLC sources with the unique address/identifier of the mobile device, and wherein the system server communicates with the mobile device via the wireless network using the special packet, the system server being programmed to guide the customer to a section location or a product location, thereby enabling the mobile device to act as an indoor GPS.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.