Systems and methods for real-time item identification and sourcing

A system for real-time identification of a fashion item observed by a consumer in a non-retail store location and for purchasing the identified fashion-item electronically in real-time, the system comprising:

• a wireless Bluetooth fashion-item identity chip including a fashion-item use sensor generating a fashion-item in-use signal when detecting a fashion-item in-wear condition;
• a processor operably connected to the fashion-item use sensor;
• the processor being programmed to transmit intermittent short pulses of a unique, Bluetooth fashion-item identification signal upon detection of a fashion-item in-use signal by the fashion-item use sensor;
• a battery operably connected to the fashion-item in use sensor and processor for providing power to the chip;
• and a machine washable coating deposited around the periphery of the wireless Bluetooth identity chip for protecting the chip from water, heat, and cleaning chemicals utilized in the process of laundering the fashion-items;
• a portable computing device having a Bluetooth signal receiver, a smartphone processor operably connected to the Bluetooth signal receiver, the smartphone processor running a fashion-item identification/purchase application program, the fashion-item identification/purchase application providing a consumer an interface, to the application being programmed to cause the Bluetooth signal receiver to scan for and detects any fashion-item identification signal generated by a wireless Bluetooth fashion-item identification chips within range of the Bluetooth signal receiver, the fashion-item identification/purchase application being programmed to cause the wireless communication member of the portable computing device to connect with a remote server;
• and
• a remote server programmed for communication with a portable computing device fashion-item identification/purchase application, the remote server having access to a stored database containing at least customer identification information, the remote server being programmed to receive a purchase identified fashion-item signal from a customer utilizing the portable computing device garment identification/purchase application in order to purchase the identified fashion-item, the remote server being programmed to cause the purchased fashion item to be delivered to the customer that sent the purchase identified fashion-item signal.