WO2025231493A1

WO2025231493A1 - A purchasing aid

Info

Publication number: WO2025231493A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2025/050019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simphiwe Eric SITHOLE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-04-29
Filing date: 2025-04-25
Publication date: 2025-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-29

Abstract

A purchasing aid including a first receiving means (12) for receiving identification information (14) of an outlet (16), a second receiving means (18) for receiving identification information (20) of items (22) to be purchased at the outlet (16), a retrieving means (24) for accessing a price information database (26) and retrieving price information (28) of the items (22) associated with the outlet (16), a listing means (30) for listing the items to be purchased (22) and their respective prices (32), a summing means (34) for summing the prices (32) of the items (22) in the list, and a display (36) for displaying the listed items (22), the respective prices (32) of the items (22) and a total cost (38) of the items (22) on the list to a user.

Description

A PURCHASING AID

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a purchasing aid. In particular, this invention relates to a purchasing aid for aiding a user in selecting items to be purchased from a store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a purchasing aid including: - a first receiving means for receiving identification information of an outlet; a second receiving means for receiving identification information of items to be purchased at the outlet; a retrieving means for accessing a price information database and retrieving price information of the items associated with the outlet; a listing means for listing the items to be purchased and their respective prices; a summing means for summing the prices of the items in the list; and a display for displaying the listed items, the respective prices of the items and a total cost of the items on the list to a user.

The purchasing aid may be implementable by a computing device. The computing device may be in the form of any of the group including a smart phone, smart watch, and a dedicated mobile computing device. The computing device may include a processor and a data storage which may contain instructions executable by the processor.

The first receiving means may be configured to receive the identification information of the outlet via any one or more of the group including text, a voice command, a selection, and an image, as input by the user. The first receiving means may be configured to receive the outlet identification information from a unique outlet identifier associated with the outlet, preferably by utilising a camera to capture an image of or scan the unique identifier. The unique outlet identifier may be displayed in the vicinity of an entrance to the outlet for allowing the user to capture an image of or scan the unique outlet identifier before entering the outlet. Alternatively, the unique outlet identifier may be displayed on any form of advertising associated with the outlet. The unique outlet identifier may be in the form of a QR (Quick Response) code. The first receiving means may be configured to allow the user to select a particular outlet from a list, such as a drop-down list. Outlets in the list may be displayed according to a location of the user. The location of the user may be selected according to current location of the user or to a default location set by the user. Outlets in the list may be displayed according to preferred outlets. The preferred outlets may be set by the user. It is to be appreciated that setting a particular outlet as a preferred outlet eliminates the need for the user to select an outlet each time the user wishes to use the purchasing aid.

The first receiving means may be configured to receive outlet identification information from an external device, preferably automatically. The external device may be in the form of a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating the outlet identification information. The wireless communication device may be associated with the outlet. The wireless communication device may be configured to communicate with the first receiving means when the user enters the vicinity of an entrance to the outlet. The wireless communication device may utilise NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology.

The identification information of the outlet may include any one or more of the group including name, address, phone number, email address, website URL, outlet ID number, GPS co-ordinates, tax identification number, DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number, social media handle, store manager name, license number, and storefront signage description.

The outlet may be in the form of any one or more of the group including a retail store, supermarket, department store, convenience store, boutique, pharmacy, duty- free shop, mall outlet, pop-up shop, market, gallery, auction house, and street vendor. The second receiving means may be configured to receive any one or more of the group including text, a voice command, a selection, and an image, as input by the user. The second receiving means may be configured to receive identification information of the item from a unique item identifier associated with the item, preferably by utilising a camera to capture an image of or scan the unique item identifier. The unique item identifier may be displayed on the item for allowing the user to capture an image of or scan the unique item identifier. Alternatively, the unique item identifier may be displayed on any form of advertising associated with the outlet. The unique item identifier may be in the form of a bar code. The second receiving means may be configured to store the identification information in a format which may facilitate retrieval of the price information by the retrieving means.

The identification information of the item may include any one or more of the group including item name, brand name, distributor, manufacturer, seller, SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) number, UPC (Universal Product Code), serial number, model number, batch number, expiry date, discount availability, production date, manufacturing date, size or dimensions, weight, colour, material composition, warranty information, safety warnings, certification, nutritional information, ingredients, care instructions, country of origin, and condition.

The items may be in the form of any purchasable item.

The retrieving means may include a communication means for allowing communication with a server associated with the price information database. The communication means may be in the form of a wireless communication means. The wireless communication means may be configured to permit data transmission via internet or cellular network. The retrieving means may be configured to create a query based on the identification information of the item. Creation of the query may include formatting of the identification information into a format corresponding to the configuration of the price information database. The retrieving means may be configured to communicate the query to the server via an API (Application Programming Interface) request. The server may be configured to receive the API request and extract parameters relating to the identification information of the item. The server may be configured to utilise the parameters to construct a further query to be executed against the price information database in order to obtain price data of the item. The server may be configured to package the price data into a structured format to be communicated to the retrieving means. The retrieving means may be configured to receive the price data from the server in order to extract the price of the item.

The price information database may include a data storage device. The data storage device may be in the form of any one or more of the group including a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, network attached storage, storage area network, cloud storage, and in-memory storage system. The data storage device may include a management system for managing the price information stored thereon. The management system may be in the form of a relational database management system. The relational database management system may utilise tables to arrange and/or organise the price information therein. The price information database may contain price information of items sold at a plurality of different outlets.

The listing means may be configured to insert items and their respective prices into a tabled list structure once the retrieving means successfully retrieves the price information of the items. Adding items to the list structure may be achieved by confirmation by the user.

The summing means may be configured to sum prices of items listed by the listing means to obtain the total cost of the items. The summing means may be configured to calculate the total cost of the items inserted into the list structure. The total cost may be displayed to the user in real time as items are added to the list structure, preferably via the display. The total cost of the items may be displayed to the user in a dedicated region of the display which may be arranged on the display so that it remains visible to the user as items are added to the list structure. A receipt generation means may be provided for generating a receipt once the user has paid for the items. The receipt may be generated and stored on a memory storage associated with the computing device. The receipt generation means may include a validation means for validating the total cost of the items purchased by the user before generating the receipt. The validation means may be a manual process executed by the user. It is to be appreciated that the manual process is carried out by prompting the user to confirm that the total cost of the items on a printed receipt issued by the outlet matches the total cost of the items as provided by the summing means. Alternatively, the validation means may be configured to receive an image of a printed receipt issued by the outlet wherein OCR (optical character recognition) is employed to create a digital receipt. The receipt generation means may be configured to report an error if the total cost of the items on the printed receipt does not match the total cost of the items as provided by the summing means.

The display may be in the form of a screen or monitor. The display may form part of the computing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A purchasing aid in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing: -

Figure 1 is a flow diagram generally depicting operation of the purchasing aid in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a purchasing aid in accordance with the present invention. The purchasing aid includes a first receiving means 12 for receiving identification information 14 of an outlet 16, a second receiving means 18 for receiving identification information 20 of items 22 to be purchased at the outlet 16, a retrieving means 24 for accessing a price information database 26 and retrieving price information 28 of the items 22 associated with the outlet 16, a listing means 30 for listing the items to be purchased 22 and their respective prices 32, a summing means 34 for summing the prices 32 of the items 22 in the list, and a display 36 for displaying the listed items 22, the respective prices 32 of the items 22 and a total cost 38 of the items 22 on the list to a user.

The purchasing aid is implementable by a computing device 40. The computing device 40 is in the form of any of the group including smart phone, smart watch, and a dedicated mobile computing device. The computing device 40 includes a processor and a data storage which contains instructions executable by the processor.

The first receiving means 12 is configured to receive the identification information 14 of the outlet 16 via any one or more of the group including text, a voice command, a selection and an image, as input by the user. The first receiving means 12 is configured to receive the outlet identification information 14 from a unique outlet identifier associated with the outlet 16, preferably by utilising a camera to capture an image of or scan the unique identifier. The unique outlet identifier is displayed in the vicinity of an entrance to the outlet 16 for allowing the user to capture an image of or scan the unique outlet identifier before entering the outlet 16. Alternatively, the unique outlet identifier 14 can be displayed on any form of advertising associated with the outlet 16. The unique outlet identifier is in the form of a QR (Quick Response) code. The first receiving means 12 is configured to allow the user to select a particular outlet 16 from a list, such as a drop-down list. Outlets in the list are displayed according to a location of the user. The location of the user is selected according to current location of the user or to a default location set by the user. Outlets in the list are displayed according to preferred outlets. The preferred outlets are set by the user. It is to be appreciated that setting a particular outlet 16 as a preferred outlet eliminates the need for the user to select an outlet 16 each time the user wishes to use the purchasing aid 10. The first receiving means 12 is configured to receive outlet identification information 14 from an external device, preferably automatically. The external device is in the form of a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating the outlet identification information 14. The wireless communication device is associated with the outlet 16. The wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the first receiving means 12 when the user enters the vicinity of an entrance to the outlet 16. The wireless communication device utilises NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology.

The identification information 14 of the outlet 16 includes any one or more of the group including name, address, phone number, email address, website URL, outlet ID number, GPS co-ordinates, tax identification number, DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number, and social media.

The outlet 16 is in the form of any one or more of the group including a retail store, supermarket, department store, convenience store, boutique, pharmacy, duty- free shop, mall outlet, pop-up shop, market, gallery, auction house, and street vendor.

The second receiving means 18 is configured to receive any one or more of the group including text, a voice command, a selection, and an image, as input by the user. The second receiving means 18 is configured to receive identification information 20 of the item 22 from a unique item identifier associated with the item 22, preferably by utilising a camera to capture an image of or scan the unique item identifier. The unique item identifier is displayed on the item 22 for allowing the user to capture an image of or scan the unique item identifier. Alternatively, the unique item identifier can be displayed on any form of advertising associated with the outlet 14. The unique item identifier is in the form of a bar code. The second receiving means 18 is configured to store the identification information 14 in a format which may facilitate retrieval of the price information by the retrieving means 24. The identification information 14 of the item 22 includes any one or more of the group including item name, brand name, distributor, manufacturer, seller, SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) number, UPC (Universal Product Code), serial number, model number, batch number, expiry date, discount availability, production date, manufacturing date, size or dimensions, weight, colour, material composition, warranty information, safety warnings, certification, nutritional information, ingredients, care instructions, country of origin, and condition.

The items 22 are in the form of any purchasable item.

The retrieving means 24 includes a communication means 42 for allowing communication with a server 44 associated with the price information database 26. The communication means 42 is in the form of a wireless communication means. The wireless communication means is configured to permit data transmission via internet or cellular network. The retrieving means 24 is configured to create a query based on the identification information 20 of the item 22. Creation of the query includes formatting of the identification information 20 into a format corresponding to the configuration of the price information database 26. The retrieving means 24 is configured to communicate the query to the server 44 via an API (Application Programming Interface) request. The server 44 is configured to receive the API request and extract parameters relating to the identification information 14 of the item 22. The server 44 is configured to utilise the parameters to construct a further query to be executed against the price information database 26 in order to obtain price data of the item 22. The server 44 is configured to package the price data into a structured format to be communicated to the retrieving means 24. The retrieving means 24 is configured to receive the price data from the server 44 in order to extract the price 32 of the item 22.

The price information database 26 includes a data storage device. The data storage device is in the form of any one or more of the group including a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, network attached storage, storage area network, cloud storage, and in-memory storage system. The data storage device includes a management system for managing the price information 28 stored thereon. The management system is in the form of a relational database management system. The relational database management system utilises tables to arrange and/or organise the price information 28 therein. The price information database 26 contains price information of items 22 sold at a plurality of different outlets 16.

The listing means 30 is configured to insert items 22 and their respective prices 32 into a tabled list structure once the retrieving means 24 successfully retrieves the price information 28 of the items 22. Adding items 22 to the list structure is achieved by confirmation by the user.

The summing means 34 is configured to sum prices 32 of items 22 listed by the listing means 30. The summing means 34 is configured to calculate the total cost 38 of the items 22 inserted into the list structure. The total cost 38 is displayed to the user in real time as items 22 are added to the list structure, preferably via the display 36. The total cost 38 of the items 22 is displayed to the user in a dedicated region of the display 36 which is arranged on the display 36 so that it remains visible to the user as items 22 are added to the list structure.

A receipt generation means (not shown) is provided for generating a receipt (not shown) once the user has paid for the items 22. The receipt (not shown) is generated and stored on a memory storage (not shown) associated with the computing device 40. The receipt generation means (not shown) includes a validation means (not shown) for validating the total cost 38 of the items 22 purchased by the user before generating the receipt (not shown). The validation means can be a manual process executed by the user wherein the manual process is carried out by prompting the user to confirm that the total cost of the items on a printed receipt (not shown) issued by the outlet 16 matches the total cost 38 of the items 22 as provided by the summing means 34. Alternatively, the validation means can be configured to receive an image (not shown) of a printed receipt (not shown) issued by the outlet 16 wherein OCR (optical character recognition) is employed to create a digital receipt (not shown). The receipt generation means (not shown) is configured to report an error if the total cost of the items on the printed receipt does not match the total cost 38 of the items 22 as provided by the summing means 34.

The display 36 is in the form of a screen or monitor. The display 36 forms part of the computing device 40.

It is, of course, to be appreciated that the purchasing aid in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which may be varied as desired.

Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence form part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. It is further to be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The inventor believes that the purchasing aid in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in that it displays a running total of the cost of items to be purchased so that a user is able to ensure that the total remains within budget. The purchasing aid alleviates the necessity for a user to mentally keep track of costs while shopping.

Claims

1. A purchasing aid including: - a first receiving means for receiving identification information of an outlet; a second receiving means for receiving identification information of items to be purchased at the outlet; a retrieving means for accessing a price information database and retrieving price information of the items associated with the outlet; a listing means for listing the items to be purchased and their respective prices; a summing means for summing the prices of the items in the list; and a display for displaying the listed items, the respective prices of the items and a total cost of the items on the list to a user.

2. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 1 which is implementable by a computing device.

3. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 2 wherein the computing device is in the form of any of the group including a smart phone, smart watch, and a dedicated mobile computing device.

4. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the first receiving means is configured to receive the identification information of the outlet via any one or more of the group including text, a voice command, a selection, and an image, as input by the user.

5. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the first receiving means is configured to receive the outlet identification information from a unique outlet identifier associated with the outlet.

6. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 5 wherein the unique outlet identifier is in the form of a QR (Quick Response) code.

7. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the first receiving means is configured to allow the user to select a particular outlet from a list.

8. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 7 wherein outlets in the list are displayed according to a location of the user.

9. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the location of the user is selected according to current location of the user or to a default location set by the user.

10. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 7 wherein outlets in the list are displayed according to preferred outlets which are set by the user.

11. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the first receiving means is configured to receive outlet identification information from an external device.

12. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 11 wherein the external device is in the form of a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating the outlet identification information.

13. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 12 wherein the wireless communication device is associated with the outlet.

14. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the first receiving means when the user enters the vicinity of an entrance to the outlet.

15. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 12 to 14 wherein the wireless communication device utilises NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology.

16. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the identification information of the outlet includes any one or more of the group including name, address, phone number, email address, website URL, outlet ID number, GPS co-ordinates, tax identification number, DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number, social media handle, store manager name, license number, and storefront signage description.

17. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the second receiving means is configured to receive any one or more of the group including text, a voice command, a selection, and an image, as input by the user.

18. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the second receiving means is configured to receive identification information of the item from a unique item identifier associated with the item.

19. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the second receiving means is configured to store the identification information in a format which facilitates retrieval of the price information by the retrieving means.

20. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the identification information of the item includes any one or more of the group including item name, brand name, distributor, manufacturer, seller, SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) number, UPC (Universal Product Code), serial number, model number, batch number, expiry date, discount availability, production date, manufacturing date, size or dimensions, weight, colour, material composition, warranty information, safety warnings, certification, nutritional information, ingredients, care instructions, country of origin, and condition.

21 . A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the retrieving means includes a communication means for allowing communication with a server associated with the price information database.

22. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 21 wherein the communication means is in the form of a wireless communication means.

23. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the retrieving means is configured to create a query based on the identification information of the item.

24. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 23 wherein creation of the query includes formatting of the identification information into a format corresponding to the configuration of the price information database.

25. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 23 or 24 wherein the retrieving means is configured to communicate the query to the server via an API (Application Programming Interface) request.

26. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of claims 21 to 25 wherein the server is configured to receive the API request and extract parameters relating to the identification information of the item.

27. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 26 wherein the server is configured to utilise the parameters to construct a further query to be executed against the price information database in order to obtain price data of the item.

28. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 27 wherein the server is configured to package the price data into a structured format to be communicated to the retrieving means.

29. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 28 wherein the retrieving means is configured to receive the price data from the server in order to extract the price of the item.

30. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the price information database includes a data storage device in the form of any one or more of the group including a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, network attached storage, storage area network, cloud storage, and in-memory storage system.

31. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 30 wherein the data storage device includes a management system for managing the price information stored thereon.

32. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 31 wherein the management system is in the form of a relational database management system.

33. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 32 wherein the relational database management system may utilise tables to arrange and organise the price information therein.

34. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the price information database may contain price information of items sold at a plurality of different outlets.

35. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the listing means is configured to insert items and their respective prices into a tabled list structure once the retrieving means successfully retrieves the price information of the items.

36. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the summing means is configured to sum prices of items listed by the listing means to obtain the total cost of the items.

37. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 36 wherein the summing means is configured to calculate the total cost of the items inserted into the list structure.

38. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of claims 35 to 37 wherein the total cost is displayed to the user in real time as items are added to the list structure.

39. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of claims 35 to 38 wherein the total cost of the items is displayed to the user in a dedicated region of the display which is arranged on the display so that it remains visible to the user as items are added to the list structure.

40. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein a receipt generation means is provided for generating a receipt once the user has paid for the items.

41 . A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 40 wherein the receipt generation means includes a validation means for validating the total cost of the items purchased by the user before generating the receipt.

42. A purchasing aid as claimed in claim 41 wherein the validation means is configured to receive an image of a printed receipt issued by the outlet wherein OCR (optical character recognition) is employed to create a digital receipt.

43. A purchasing aid as claimed in any one or more of claims 40 to 42 wherein the receipt generation means is configured to report an error if the total cost of the items on the printed receipt does not match the total cost of the items as provided by the summing means.