Identifying an Association between a User of a Mobile Device and an Item of Merchandise
AssigneeAprium Tech Limited
InventorsAnthony Richard Hardie-Bick, David Lee Sandbach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An association between a user of a mobile device (301) and an item of merchandise (501) is shown, in which each item of merchandise as a tag (601) attached thereto. The movement of tags is monitored to produce movement data (801). Proximity data is generated for each mobile device identifying tags that are in close proximity (802). The movement data is processed in combination with the proximity data to identify an association between a user and a mobile device and an item of merchandise to which an associated tag has been attached (803).
Claims20
A method of identifying an association between a user of a mobile device and an item of merchandise, in an environment where users of mobile devices browse items of merchandise, wherein each said item of merchandise has a tag attached thereto, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the movement of said tags to produce movement data;
- identifying tags that are in close proximity to each said mobile device to generate mobile proximity data for the mobile device;
- and
- processing said movement data in combination with said proximity data to identify an association between a user of a mobile device and an item of merchandise to which an associated tag has been attached.
An apparatus for attachment to an item of merchandise, comprising:
- a tag mechanism for securing the apparatus to an item of merchandise;
- and
- an electronic circuit arranged to transmit an identifying signal, wherein
- the transmission of said identifying signal is configured to facilitate:
- (a) the production of movement data by a detector in the environment;
- and
- (b) the generation of proximity data by mobile devices in the environment.
A server system configured to communicate with one or more fixed detectors and a plurality of mobile devices in a retail environment in which tagged merchandise is being offered for sale, wherein said server system includes:
- a data input device;
- a data storage device;
- a data processing device;
- and
- a data output device, wherein:
- said data input device receives movement data from said detectors derived from the movement of tags attached to said merchandise;
- said data input device receives proximity data from said mobile devices derived from the proximity of tags to said mobile devices;
- said processing device processes said movement data in combination with said proximity data to produce association data that associates tags with mobile devices;
- and
- said data output device supplies an output of said association data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.