| |
| United States Patent
|
7,376,591 |
| Owens |
May 20, 2008 |
Interactive internet shopping and data
integration method and system
Abstract
A method and system for interactively shopping for groceries,
especially on an Internet web site, where the user may create a
shopping list, shop for items from the list at a selected Grocery
Storey store, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items
and payment, or to download the list to a PDA or for printing with
the store's layout for use in the store. Users are required to
register and provide specific demographic information (useful to
Manufacturers and stores) to be eligible to receive the benefits of
use of the web site, such as menu creation, coupon downloads, menu
planning, and recipe input. Shopping lists may be created from a
single input screen using standard language text; and products may
be automatically suggested to the user based on best regular price
or retailer's specials. Recipes may be altered to meet numbers of
servings or dietary requirements and changes stored for future use.
| Inventors: |
Owens; Cstephani D.
(Paradise Valley, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
10/164,334 |
| Filed: |
June 6, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60297207 |
Jun., 2001 |
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| Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26 |
| Current
International Class: |
G06Q
30/00 (20060101) |
| Field of
Search: |
705/26,27 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Other References
Atlanta Journal Constitution, Dec. 25, 2001. Retrieved from
Dialog File 608, Acc#: 07007964. cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Haq; Naeem
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman Volk Patent Group Stoneman; Martin L. Volk, Jr.;
Michael D.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is related to applicant's prior U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/297,207, filed Jun. 7, 2001, entitled
"Interactive Internet Shopping and Data Integration Method and
System", the contents of all of which are hereby herein incorporated
by reference and are not admitted to be prior art with respect to
the present invention by their mention in this cross-reference
section.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A computer-readable medium, having a set of computer-executable
instructions to perform method steps for an Internet web site
shopping system, the method steps comprising: a) storing at least
one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general
descriptions; b) storing information describing at least two
unrelated grocery stores; c) relating at least one particular
grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from
such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item
general descriptions; d) storing, for each of such at least two
unrelated grocery stores, comparison information relating to such at
least one particular grocery item; e) assisting user selection of
such at least two unrelated grocery stores; f) assisting selecting
of such at least one grocery item general description from such at
least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general
descriptions; g) presenting such comparison information for such at
least one particular grocery item available in such selected at
least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one
grocery item general description; h) assisting user selection of
such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at
least one selected grocery store; i) receiving at least one diet
plan; j) storing such at least one diet plan; j) receiving at least
one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; k)
storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at
least one diet plan; l) assisting user selection of such at least
one diet plan; m) relating such at least one dietary requirement of
such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular
grocery item; and n) presenting such at least one particular grocery
item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such
selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one
grocery item general description ahead of such at least one
particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one
grocery item general description.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: a) adding
such selected at least one grocery item general description to at
least one shopping list; b) storing such at least one shopping list;
c) assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; d)
assisting user selection of such at least one grocery item general
description from selected such at least one shopping list; and e)
removing such at least on grocery item general description from such
at least one shopping list.
3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising: a) receiving
at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; b)
storing such at least one recipe; c) displaying such at least one
recipe; d) assisting user input of such at least one recipe; e)
adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at
least one recipe; f) adding such at least one particular grocery
item to such at least one recipe; g) assisting user selection of
such at least one recipe; h) adding such at least one grocery item
general description from such selected at least one recipe to such
at least one shopping list; and i) adding such at least one
particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to
such at least one shopping list.
4. The method according to claim 2 further comprising: a) assisting
user input of meal plans; b) storing meal plans; c) adding such at
least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; d) adding such at
least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal
plan; e) adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at
least one meal plan; f) assisting user selection of such at least
one meal plan; g) adding such at least one grocery item general
description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at
least one shopping list; and h) adding such at least one particular
grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at
least one shopping list.
5. The method according to claim 2 further comprising: a) assisting
user input of menu plans; b) storing menu plans; c) adding such at
least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; d) assisting
user selection of such at least one menu plan; e) adding such at
least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one
menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and f) adding such at
least one grocery item general description from such selected at
least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
6. The method according to claim 2 further comprising: a) receiving
such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery
stores.
7. The method according to claim 2 further comprising: a) receiving,
for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one
particular grocery item comparison information; and b) receiving,
for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location
information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
8. The method according to claim 2 further comprising: a) adding
such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one
purchases list; b) transferring such at least one purchases list to
such selected at least one grocery store; and c) assisting user
access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least
one grocery store.
9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: a)
transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA.
10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: a) printing
such at least one purchases list.
11. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: a) saving
such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list.
12. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: a) saving
such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; b)
storing such at least one pantry list; c) assisting user selection
of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at
least one pantry list; d) assisting user selection of such at least
one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one
pantry list; e) assisting user selection of such at least one
particular pantry list; and f) adding such at least one particular
grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at
least one shopping list.
13. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: a) assisting
user designation of such at least one particular grocery item
included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable
donation; and b) transferring such charitable donation information
to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store.
14. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: a) receiving
such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery
stores.
15. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: a)
receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at
least one particular grocery item comparison information; and b)
receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf
location information related to such at least one particular grocery
item.
16. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: a) adding
such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one
purchases list; b) transferring such at least one purchases list to
such selected at least one grocery store; and c) assisting user
access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least
one grocery store.
17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising: a)
assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; b)
assisting user selecting of a plurality of such particular grocery
items from such selected shopping list; c) assisting user selection
of such at least one grocery store; d) adding such plurality of
grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and
e) storing such at least one purchases list for such selected
grocery store.
18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
computer interface system structured and arranged to assist user
selection of such at least two grocery stores comprises: a)
assisting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area;
and b) assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated
grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area.
19. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: a) assisting
registering such at least one user; b) storing demographic
information of such at least one user; and c) recording such at
least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at
least one user.
20. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: a) receiving
advertising information; b) relating such advertising information to
such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and
c) presenting to such at least one user such advertising information
related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for
purchase.
21. Internet web site shopping system comprising: a) means for
storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery
item general descriptions; b) means for storing information
describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; c) means for
relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one
grocery item general description from such at least one organized
listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; d)
means for storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery
stores, comparison information relating to such at least one
particular grocery item; e) means for user selecting of such at
least two unrelated grocery stores; f) means for user selecting of
such at least one grocery item general description from such at
least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general
descriptions; g) means for presenting such comparison information
for such at least one particular grocery item available in such
selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at
least one grocery item general description; h) means for user
selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be
purchased at such at least one selected grocery store; i) means for
receiving at least one diet plan; j) means for storing such at least
one diet plan; k) means for receiving at least one dietary
requirement related to such at least one diet plan; l) means for
storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at
least one diet plan; m) means for user selecting of such at least
one diet plan; n) means for relating such at least one dietary
requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least
one particular grocery item; and o) means for presenting such at
least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one
dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to
such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of
such at least one particular grocery item related only to such
selected at least one grocery item general description.
22. Internet web site shopping system comprising: a) means for
storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery
item general descriptions; b) means for storing information
describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; c) means for
relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one
grocery item general description from such at least one organized
listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; d)
means for storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery
stores, comparison information relating to such at least one
particular grocery item; e) means for user selecting of such at
least two unrelated grocery stores; f) means for user selecting of
such at least one grocery item general description from such at
least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general
descriptions; g) means for presenting such comparison information
for such at least one particular grocery item available in such
selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at
least one grocery item general description; h) means for user
selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be
purchased at such at least one selected grocery store; i) means for
adding such selected at least one grocery item general description
to at least one shopping list; j) means for storing such at least
one shopping list; k) means for user selecting of such at least one
shopping list; l) means for user selecting such at least one grocery
item general description from such selected at least one shopping
list; m) means for removing such at least on grocery item general
description from such at least one shopping list; n) means for
adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at
least one purchases list; o) means for transferring such at least
one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; p)
means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site
for such selected at least one grocery store; q) means for user
designating of such at least one particular grocery item included in
such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and r)
means for transferring such charitable donation information to such
at least one such selected at least one grocery store.
23. A computer-readable medium, having a set of computer-executable
instructions to perform method steps for an Internet web site
shopping system, the method steps comprising: a) storing at least
one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general
descriptions; b) storing information describing at least two
unrelated grocery stores; c) relating at least one particular
grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from
such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item
general descriptions; d) storing, for each of such at least two
unrelated grocery stores, comparison information relating to such at
least one particular grocery item; e) assisting user selection of
such at least two unrelated grocery stores; f) assisting selecting
of such at least one grocery item general description from such at
least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general
descriptions; g) presenting such comparison information for such at
least one particular grocery item available in such selected at
least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one
grocery item general description; h) assisting user selection of
such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at
least one selected grocery store; i) receiving at least one diet
plan; j) storing such at least one diet plan; k) receiving at least
one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; l)
storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at
least one diet plan; m) assisting user selection of such at least
one diet plan; n) relating such at least one dietary requirement of
such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular
grocery item; and o) presenting such at least one particular grocery
item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such
selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one
grocery item general description ahead of such at least one
particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one
grocery item general description.
Description
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to shopping for goods and
services, and more particularly, to a method and system for
interactively shopping for groceries, especially on the Internet,
where the user, among other things, is offered the opportunity to
create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at one or more
selected Grocery Storey stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of
the selected items and payment, print the list, or download the list
into a personal digital assistant or like device for use in the
store, etc.
Recently, a wide range of interactive devices has been developed to
provide information to a variety of users via communications
networks. These interactive devices include, for example, computers
connected to various computer on-line services, interactive kiosks,
interactive television systems, a variety of other wired and
wireless devices, such as personal data assistants (PDA's), and the
like. In particular, the popularity of computer on-line services has
grown immensely in popularity over the last decade. Computer on-line
services are provided by a wide variety of different companies.
In general, most computer on-line services are accessed via the
Internet. The Internet is a global network of computers. One popular
part of the Internet is the World Wide Web, or the "Web." The World
Wide Web contains computers that display graphical and textual
information. Computers that provide information on the World Wide
Web are typically called "Web sites." A Web site is defined by an
Internet address that has an associated electronic page, often
called a "home page." Generally, a home page is an electronic
document that organizes the presentation of text, graphical images,
audio and video into a desired display. These Web sites are operated
by a wide variety of entities, which are typically called
"providers."
A user may access the Internet via a dedicated high-speed line or by
using a personal computer (PC) equipped with a conventional modem or
a variety of other wired and wireless devices. Special interface
software, called "browser" software, is installed within the PC or
other access device. When the user wishes to access the Internet by
normal telephone line, an attached modem is automatically instructed
to dial the telephone number associated with the local Internet host
server. The user can then access information at any address
accessible over the Internet. Two well-known web browsers, for
example, are the Netscape Navigator browser marketed by Netscape
Communications Corporation and the Internet Explorer browser
marketed by Microsoft Corporation.
Information exchanged over the Internet is typically encoded in
HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML) format. The HTML format is a
scripting language that is used to generate the home pages for
different content providers. In this setting, a content provider is
an individual or company that places information (content) on the
Internet so that others can access it. As is well known in the art,
the HTML format is a set of conventions for marking different
portions of a document so that each portion appears in a distinctive
format. For example, the HTML format identifies or "tags" portions
of a document to identify different categories of text (e.g., the
title, header, body text, etc.). When a web browser accesses an HTML
document, the web browser reads the embedded tags in the document so
it appears formatted in the specified manner.
An HTML document can also include hyperlinks, which allow a user to
move from one document to another document on the Internet. A
hyperlink is an underlined or otherwise emphasized portion of text
that, when selected using an input device such as a mouse, activates
a software connection module that allows the user to jump between
documents or pages (i.e., within the same Web site or to other Web
sites). Hyperlinks are well known in the art, and have been
sometimes referred to as anchors. The act of selecting the hyperlink
is often referred to as "clicking on" the hyperlink.
Some grocery shopping utilizing Internet-based web sites has been
available for five or more years, allowing the user to select and
purchase for delivery, or pick up, items offered by retailers.
Typically these web sites have either been specific to a particular
retailer, traditional or web-based, or, more recently, for a limited
number of retailers in a particular geographic area.
Despite the availability of these shopping methods, it is well known
that users have frequently been unwilling to use these methods for
their routine grocery shopping. For example, users must utilize a
cumbersome and rigidly structured hierarchical menu to select items
for purchase. This approach is counter to the way most people
approach grocery shopping, identifying items individually or by
relatedness, such as selecting ingredients from a recipe.
Additionally, users have been unable to price-compare like items
between stores, making it difficult to decide where to shop. In
addition users often wish to price-compare brands in the same store
quickly, a feature not heretofore readily provided.
Furthermore, it is rarely within the users' coupon resources to
locate the specific coupons for most or all of the items on their
grocery list for a particular shopping experience. To date, users
must select coupons from the newspaper or from Internet-based coupon
sources and manually match the coupons to their purchases. This
approach of manually matching coupons to purchases results in
significant missed opportunities for users. In addition, when users
have matched the coupons with their purchases there have been
limited methods for redeeming the coupons, except at the time of
purchase by physical presentation of the coupon.
Most importantly, Internet grocery shopping has based its revenue
generation on delivery fees and charging more for the products
purchased by the user. Most, if not all, grocers create separate
warehouses for their Internet-based grocery establishments, and
therefore, offer a limited selection of items at a higher cost to
the user. As evidenced by the number of failures of Internet grocery
shopping web sites this arrangement has been largely unsuccessful.
Further evidence of the difficulties with existing methods has been
the limited number of users attracted to grocery shopping on the
Internet.
Finally, users have not been presented with opportunities to utilize
other tools to make the shopping effort more efficient and
effective. Particularly, users have had to manually maintain
reminders, capture items for purchase on scraps of paper or
elsewhere to reuse what they need. They have been required to
transcribe items required from their own recipes and meal plans onto
the previously available web sites. Similarly, they have been
required to transcribe quantities from recipes, meal plans and
weekly menu plans which can be time consuming and result in items
being missed.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object and feature of the present invention to provide a
solution to these above-mentioned problems of the prior art by
presenting a new and effective system for interactively shopping for
groceries on the Internet--a new approach to grocery shopping by
thinking "out of the box".
It is a further object and feature of the invention to require users
to register on the web site and provide specific demographic
information to be eligible to receive the benefits of use of the web
site such as menu creation and coupon downloads; this invention not
only stores exact/specific demographic information, but also impels
the user to the grocery store (brick and mortar) committed and
prepared to shop.
It is a further object and feature of this invention to provide to
users the ability to create shopping lists from a simple set of
input screens using common text terms (milk, eggs, butter, etc.) and
specific products (such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4 oz., etc.). It is a
further object and feature of this invention that the user can also
select relevant products to purchase from a previously completed
shopping list.
It is a further object and feature of this invention that the user
may elect to have coupons related to the products selected for
purchase downloaded for printing or downloaded to the user's
"savings card" for the Grocery Store where the selected products
will be purchased. Thus, receiving coupons for the selected items is
an automatic feature which saves the user time by eliminating the
extra effort to create the list by reviewing and selecting coupons;
the user automatically receives all available coupons applicable to
their purchases.
It is a further object and feature hereof that items are suggested
to the user based upon the user's prior shopping habits, and the
items with which the user has chosen to create a shopping list
(e.g., you select potatoes, butter and chives--the system presents
an advertisement for a brand of sour cream). It is a further object
and feature of the invention to automatically suggest products to
the user based on best regular price or retailer's specials.
Moreover, it is an additional object and feature of this invention
to provide users the opportunity to view recipes provided from a
variety of sources including food Manufacturers and diet plans and
to input and store their own recipes. And it is another object and
feature of another aspect hereof to provide users the ability to
alter recipes to meet numbers of servings or dietary requirements,
including identifying specific products that meet selected dietary
preferences whether medical or national popular diet plans or
religious, e.g., Kosher, Islamic, etc., and store the changes for
future use. And it is another object and feature of another aspect
hereof to provide users the ability to include ingredients of any
recipe in their current shopping list or to convert a recipe into a
shopping list, including converting the user's own recipes into a
shopping list.
It is yet another object and feature of another aspect hereof to
provide the user the ability to include any recipe, theirs or
others, in a meal or menu plan that is stored for the user on the
web site. And it is another object and feature of another aspect
hereof to provide the user the ability to include any required
ingredients of a meal or menu plan in their current shopping list.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to present to
users manufacturer's advertisements, grocers' promotion and related
item retailer's promotions based on the items included in the user's
current shopping list, providing the user the opportunity to take
advantage of savings on related products. It is a further object and
feature of the invention to allow the user to compare prices and
availability of specific products for different retailers or
different brands at a single retailer location.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to allow the
user to indicate items from the user's shopping list to be included
in the user's pantry. It is a further objective and feature of the
invention that pantry items may be included on the user's shopping
list when the user concludes the items should be purchased.
Moreover, it is another object and feature of another aspect this
invention to make available certain diet plans for review and
reference by the user, and if the user chooses, to have a selected
diet plan's criteria, such as low fat, low salt or specified
products, to be used to suggest items as the user selects products
based on their shopping list; and, in this manner, the user's
grocery list can be filtered (by computer) by dietary requirements
and items best matched to the user's needs by the system. And it is
a further object and feature hereof to permit the user to view
nutritional-content labels for products without having to create a
shopping list.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to provide users
with the ability to select products as they are shopping and
designate them as charitable contributions and to provide the user a
summary of the dollar value their total contributions on request,
thus making the opportunity to so give to charity effortless. It is
a further object and feature of the invention that products selected
as charitable contributions be communicated to the retailer for
distribution to the selected charitable organization by the
retailer.
It is a further object and feature of the invention that all user
profiles and purchase history be stored in a database. It is a
further object and feature of the invention that analyses of the
user profile information and purchasing history are provided to
retailers, Manufacturers, coupon clearinghouses, and diet plans and
possibly others on a fee basis. It is an additional feature of the
invention that users will be allowed to utilize the web site at no
charge to them as method for increasing overall usage of the
invention.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to utilize a
user's personal digital assistant or similar device for collecting
shopping list items and uploading those items to the user's storage
area on the company's website. It is a further object and feature of
the invention to utilize a user's personal digital assistant or
similar device for downloading a user's shopping list or the list of
specific products to be purchased, organized according to the
store's layout, to allow the user to simplify the user's shopping
experience at the retailer. It is a further object and feature of
the invention to allow the user to print either the shopping list or
the specific product list, organized according to the store's
layout, including the grocer's code numbers.
It is a still further object and feature of this invention that
kiosks are provided within the store for use by customers to do
those things of the system of this invention at the store that they
might do at their home computer.
And it is a feature of this invention to provide each and every
feature and advantage and business method and computer system
described, mentioned or suggested anywhere in this application,
including all tables, figures, and other material therein,
especially including the within Summary of the Invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, this invention
provides Internet web site shopping method and system comprising:
database means for storing at least one organized listing of a
plurality of grocery item general descriptions; database means for
storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery
stores; computer processor means for relating at least one
particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general
description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality
of grocery item general descriptions; interface means for user
selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; interface
means for user selecting of such at least one grocery item general
description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality
of grocery item general descriptions; computer processor means for
presenting such comparison information for such at least one
particular grocery item available in such selected at least two
grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item
general description; and interface means for user selecting of such
at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at
least one selected grocery store. Additionally, this invention
provides such a system comprising: computer processor means for
adding such selected at least one grocery item general description
to at least one shopping list; database means for storing such at
least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting of such
at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting such
at least one grocery item general description from such selected at
least one shopping list; and computer processor means for removing
such at least on grocery item general description from such at least
one shopping list.
Moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising:
computer processor means for receiving at least one recipe from at
least one grocery item manufacturer; database means for storing such
at least one recipe; computer processor means for displaying such at
least one recipe; interface means for user inputting of such at
least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least
one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe;
computer processor means for adding such at least one particular
grocery item to such at least one recipe; interface means for user
selecting of such at least one recipe; computer processor means for
adding such at least one grocery item general description from such
selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and
computer processor means for adding such at least one particular
grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least
one shopping list. It also provides such a system further
comprising: interface means for user inputting of meal plans;
database means for storing meal plans; computer processor means for
adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan;
computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item
general description to such at least one meal plan; computer
processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item
to such at least one meal plan; interface means for user selecting
of such at least one meal plan; computer processor means for adding
such at least one grocery item general description from such
selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list;
and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular
grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at
least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further
comprising: interface means for user inputting of menu plans;
database means for storing menu plans; computer processor means for
adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan;
interface means for user selecting of such at least one menu plan;
computer processor means for adding such at least one particular
grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at
least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding
such at least one grocery item general description from such
selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
Moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising:
computer processor means for receiving such information describing
such at least two unrelated grocery stores; and, also, further
comprising: computer processor means for receiving, for each of such
at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery
item comparison information; and computer processor means for
receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf
location information related to such at least one particular grocery
item. And it provides such a system further comprising: computer
processor means for adding such selected at least one particular
grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor
means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such
selected at least one grocery store; and interface means for
permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such
selected at least one grocery store. It also provides such a system
further comprising: computer processor means for adding such
selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one
purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at
least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery
store; interface means for permitting user access to at least one
shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store;
interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping
list; interface means for user selecting of at least one such
particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; interface
means for user selecting of such at least one grocery store;
computer processor means for adding such at least one particular
grocery item to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and
database means for storing such at least one purchases list for such
selected grocery store.
Additionally, this invention provides such a system wherein such
interface means for user selecting of such at least two grocery
stores comprises: interface means for user selecting of at least one
preferred shopping area; and interface means for user selecting of
such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one
preferred shopping area; and, also, further comprising computer
processor means for receiving such information describing such at
least two unrelated grocery stores; ans, also, further comprising:
computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least
two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item
comparison information; and computer processor means for receiving,
for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location
information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
And it provides such a system further comprising: computer processor
means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item
to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for
transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at
least one grocery store; and interface means for permitting user
access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least
one grocery store; and, also, further comprising computer processor
means for transferring such at least one purchases list to at least
one PDA; and, also, further comprising printer means for printing
such at least one purchases list; and, also, further comprising
computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list
as such at least one shopping list.
Yet in addition, the present invention provides such a system
further comprising: computer processor means for saving such at
least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; database means
for storing such at least one pantry list; interface means for user
selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be added
to such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting
of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such
at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such
at least one particular pantry list; and computer processor means
for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such
selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping
list. And it provides such a system further comprising: interface
means for user designating of such at least one particular grocery
item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable
donation; and computer processor means for transferring such
charitable donation information to such at least one such selected
at least one grocery store; and, also, further comprising: interface
means for registering such at least one user; database means for
storing demographic information of such at least one user; and
computer processor means for recording such at least one particular
grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
Even further, this invention provides such a system further
comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one
grocery item manufacturers' coupon related to such at least one
particular grocery item; computer processor means for storing such
at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon information related
to such at least one particular grocery item; interface means for
displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons
related to such at least one particular grocery item; computer
processor means for transferring such at least one grocery item
manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular
grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such
selected at least one grocery store; computer processor transferring
such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such
at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such
at least one user to at least one PDA; and printer means printing
such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such
at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such
at least one user. It also provides such a system further
comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one diet
plan; database means for storing such at least one diet plan;
computer processor means for receiving at least one dietary
requirement related to such at least one diet plan; database means
for storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at
least one diet plan; interface means for user selecting of such at
least one diet plan; computer processor means for relating such at
least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet
plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and computer
processor means for presenting such at least one particular grocery
item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such
selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one
grocery item general description ahead of such at least one
particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one
grocery item general description. And it provides such a system
comprising: computer processor means for receiving advertising
information; computer processor means for relating such advertising
information to such at least one particular grocery item selected
for purchase; and computer processor means for presenting to such at
least one user such advertising information related to such at least
one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, this
invention provides Internet web site shopping method and system
comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at
least two unrelated grocery stores in at least one geographic area
to provide descriptive grocery store information for such at least
two grocery stores; making arrangements with management of such at
least two unrelated grocery stores to provide comparison information
for at least one particular grocery item for at least two grocery
stores; storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of
grocery item general descriptions; retrieving from such at least two
unrelated grocery stores such grocery store description information;
retrieving from such at least two grocery stores such comparison
information for such at least one particular grocery item; storing
linkage between at least one such grocery item general description
from such at least one organized listing of such plurality of such
grocery item general descriptions and such comparison information
for such at least one particular grocery item; permitting user
selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; permitting
user selection of such at least one grocery item general description
from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery
item general descriptions; displaying such comparison information
for such at least one particular grocery item available in such
selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at
least one grocery item general description; permitting user
selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be
purchased at such at least one selected grocery store; and storing
such selected at least one particular grocery item to be purchased
at such at least one selected grocery store as a purchases list.
Also, this invention provides such a system wherein the step of
permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery
stores further comprises the steps of: permitting user selection of
at least one preferred shopping area; and permitting user selection
of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least
one preferred shopping area. And it provides such a system wherein
the step of permitting user selection of such at least one grocery
item general description from such at least one organized listing of
a plurality of grocery item general descriptions further comprises
the steps of: adding such selected at least one grocery item general
description to at least one shopping list; and storing such at least
one shopping list. It also provides such a system further comprising
the steps of: permitting user selection of such at least one
shopping list; and permitting user selection of such at least one
grocery item general description from selected such at least one
shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the
steps of: recruiting such at least one user; registering such at
least one user; storing demographic information of such at least one
user; and recording such at least one particular grocery item
selected for purchase by such at least one user as user purchases
history. And it provides such a system further comprising the step
of making arrangements with management of such at least two
unrelated grocery store to receive such user purchases history. And
it provides such a system further comprising the steps of making
arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery
stores to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases
history; and making arrangements with management of such at least
two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for display of
such at least one particular grocery item available at such at least
two unrelated grocery stores.
Yet moreover, this invention provides such a system further
comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of such
at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such at least one
purchases list containing such selected at least one particular
grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least
two unrelated grocery stores to accept at least one user discount
card enrollment information; and making arrangements with management
of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to allow such at least
one user access to grocery shopping web sites of such at least two
unrelated grocery stores. And it provides such a system further
comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at
least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition
labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item;
and making arrangements with management of at least one particular
grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by
such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer. And it
provides such a system further comprising the steps of: retrieving
such nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular
grocery item; displaying such nutrition labeling information for
such selected at least one particular grocery item; making
arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery
item manufacturer to receive user purchases history; and making
arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery
item manufacturer to provide compensation for receiving such user
purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such
at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide
compensation for presenting such recipe prepared by such at least
one particular grocery item manufacturer. And it provides such a
system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with
management of at least one coupon clearinghouse to provide coupon
information related to such at least one particular grocery item;
retrieving such coupon information from such at least one coupon
clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular
grocery item; displaying such coupon information from such at least
one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one
particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such
at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such coupon
information related to such selected such at least one particular
grocery item; making arrangements with such management of such at
least one coupon clearinghouse to receive such user purchases
history; and making arrangements with management of such at least
one particular grocery coupon clearing house to provide compensation
for providing such user purchases history. And it provides such a
system further comprising the step of transferring such at least one
such coupon information to at least one PDA; and, also, further
comprising the step of printing such at least one such coupon
information; and, also, further comprising the step of making
arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery
stores to associate such coupon information related to such selected
at least one particular grocery item with such at least one user
discount card.
And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of:
making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan
Provider to use at least one diet plan; making arrangements with
management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide general
plan information related to such at least one diet plan; making
arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to
provide at least one dietary requirement related to such at least
one diet plan; receiving such general plan information related to
such at least one diet plan; receiving such at least one dietary
requirement related to such at least one diet plan; storing such
general plan information related to such at least one diet plan;
storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at
least one diet plan; permitting user selection of such at least one
diet plan; relating such at least one dietary requirement of such
selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular
grocery item; presenting such at least one particular grocery item
related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such
selected at least one, diet plan and to such at least one grocery
item general description ahead of such at least one particular
grocery item related only to such at least one grocery item general
description; making arrangements with such management of such at
least one Diet Plan Provider to receive user usage pattern
information for such at least one diet plan; making arrangements
with such management of such at least one Diet Plan Provider to
receive such user purchases history; making arrangements with
management of such at least one particular Diet Plan Provider to
provide compensation for providing such user usage pattern
information for such at least one diet plan; and making arrangements
with management of such at least one particular Diet Plan Provider
to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history.
And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of:
making arrangements with management of at least one advertising
server to receive advertising information related to grocery
shopping; making arrangements with management of at least one
advertising server to receive advertising information related to
such at least one particular grocery item; presenting such
advertising information related to grocery shopping; presenting such
advertising information related to such at least one particular
grocery item relating to such at least one particular grocery item
selected for purchase; permitting user selection of such at least
one particular grocery item related to such advertising information
related to such at least one particular grocery item; and adding
such selected at least one particular grocery item to such at least
one shopping list.
Even further, this invention provides such a system further
comprising the steps of: saving such at least one purchases list as
such at least one pantry list; storing such at least one pantry
list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular
grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list;
permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery
item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; permitting
user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and
adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected
at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list. And it
provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting
user selection of such at least one shopping list; permitting user
selection of at least one such particular grocery item from such
selected shopping list; permitting user selection of such at least
one grocery store; adding such plurality of grocery items to
purchases list for such selected grocery store; and storing such at
least one purchases list for such selected grocery store. And it
provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making
arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery
stores to accept charitable donation information related to such at
least one particular grocery item; permitting user designation of
such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least
one purchases list as a charitable donation; and transferring such
charitable donation information to such at least one grocery store.
And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of:
permitting user input of at least one user recipe; permitting user
addition of such at least one grocery item general description to
such at least one user recipe; permitting user addition of such at
least one particular grocery item to such at least one user recipe;
permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; adding
such at least one grocery item general description from such
selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping
list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such
selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping
list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of:
making arrangements with management of at least one particular
grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information
for such at least one particular grocery item; and making
arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item
manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at
least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
Yet in addition, this invention provides such a system further
comprising the steps of: displaying such at least one recipe
provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer;
permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by
such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting
user modification of such selected at least one recipe provided by
such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting
user saving modified such selected at least one recipe provided by
such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer as such at
least one user recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general
description from such selected at least one recipe provided by such
at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least
one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery
item from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at
least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one
shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the
steps of: permitting user inputting of at least one meal plan;
storing such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of
such at least one user recipe; adding of such selected at least one
user recipe to such at least one meal plan; permitting user
selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one
particular grocery item manufacturer; adding such selected at least
one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item
manufacturer to such at least one meal plan; permitting user
addition of such at least one grocery item general description to
such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at
least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan;
permitting user selection of such at least one meal plan; permitting
user addition of such at least one grocery item general description
from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one
shopping list; and permitting user addition of such at least one
particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to
such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system
further comprising the steps of: permitting user input of at least
one menu plan; storing such at least one menu plan; permitting user
addition of such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu
plan; permitting user selection of such at least one menu plan;
adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected
at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and
adding such at least one grocery item general description from such
selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
And it provides such a system wherein comparison information for
such at least one particular grocery item comprises grocery item
manufacturer UPC coding for such at least one particular grocery
item; and price information such at least one particular grocery
item; and, also, wherein comparison information for such at least
one particular grocery item further comprises grocery store shelf
location information such at least one particular grocery item; and,
also, further comprising the step of transferring such at least one
purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also further comprising the
step of printing such at least one purchases list.
Even additionally, according to a preferred embodiment hereof, this
invention provides a computer software system having a set of
instructions for an Internet web site shopping system, such
instructions enabling the steps of: storing at least one organized
listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; storing
information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores;
relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one
grocery item general description from such at least one organized
listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions;
storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery stores,
comparison information relating to such at least one particular
grocery item; assisting user selection of such at least two
unrelated grocery stores; assisting selecting of such at least one
grocery item general description from such at least one organized
listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions;
presenting such comparison information for such at least one
particular grocery item available in such selected at least two
grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item
general description; and assisting user selection of such at least
one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one
selected grocery store. And it provides such a system further
comprising: adding such selected at least one grocery item general
description to at least one shopping list; storing such at least one
shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one
shopping list; assisting user selection such at least one grocery
item general description from selected such at least one shopping
list; and removing such at least on grocery item general description
from such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system
2 further comprising: receiving at least one recipe from at least
one grocery item manufacturer; storing such at least one recipe;
displaying such at least one recipe; assisting user input of such at
least one recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general
description to such at least one recipe; adding such at least one
particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; assisting user
selection of such at least one recipe; adding such at least one
grocery item general description from such selected at least one
recipe to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least
one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe
to such at least one shopping list.
Yet moreover, this invention provides such a system further
comprising: assisting user input of meal plans; storing meal plans;
adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan;
adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at
least one meal plan; adding such at least one particular grocery
item to such at least one meal plan; assisting user selection of
such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one grocery item
general description from such selected at least one meal plan to
such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one
particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to
such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system
further comprising: assisting user input of menu plans; storing menu
plans; adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu
plan; assisting user selection of such at least one menu plan;
adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected
at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and
adding such at least one grocery item general description from such
selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
And it provides such a system further comprising receiving such
information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving, for
each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one
particular grocery item comparison information; and receiving, for
each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information
related to such at least one particular grocery item; and, also,
further comprising adding such selected at least one particular
grocery item to at least one purchases list; transferring such at
least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery
store; and assisting user access to at least one shopping web site
for such selected at least one grocery store. And it provides such a
system further comprising the steps of: assisting user selection of
such at least one shopping list; assisting user selecting of a
plurality of such particular grocery items from such selected
shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one grocery
store; adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for
such selected grocery store; and storing such at least one purchases
list for such selected grocery store. And it provides such a system
wherein such at least one computer interface system structured and
arranged to assist user selection of such at least two grocery
stores comprises: assisting user selection of at least one preferred
shopping area; and assisting user selection of such at least two
unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping
area; and, also, further comprising receiving such information
describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
Still further, this invention provides such a system further
comprising: receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores,
such at least one particular grocery item comparison information;
and receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf
location information related to such at least one particular grocery
item. And it provides such a system further comprising: adding such
selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one
purchases list; transferring such at least one purchases list to
such selected at least one grocery store; and assisting user access
to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one
grocery store; and, also further comprising transferring such at
least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also, further
comprising printing such at least one purchases list; and, also,
further comprising saving such at least one purchases list as such
at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further
comprising: saving such at least one purchases list as at least one
pantry list; storing such at least one pantry list; assisting user
selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added
to such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such
at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at
least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one
particular pantry list; and adding such at least one particular
grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at
least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further
comprising: assisting user designation of such at least one
particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list
as a charitable donation; and transferring such charitable donation
information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery
store. And it provides such a system further comprising: assisting
registering such at least one user; storing demographic information
of such at least one user; and recording such at least one
particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one
user.
Still in addition, this invention provides such a system further
comprising: receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers'
coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; storing
such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon information
related to such at least one particular grocery item; assisting
displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons
related to such at least one particular grocery item; transferring
such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to
such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by
such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store;
transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon
related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for
purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and printing
such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such
at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such
at least one user. And it provides such a system further comprising:
receiving at least one diet plan; storing such at least one diet
plan; receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at
least one diet plan; storing such at least one dietary requirement
related to such at least one diet plan; assisting user selection of
such at least one diet plan; relating such at least one dietary
requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least
one particular grocery item; and presenting such at least one
particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary
requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such
selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such
at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected
at least one grocery item general description. And it provides such
a system further comprising: receiving advertising information;
relating such advertising information to such at least one
particular grocery item selected for purchase; and presenting to
such at least one user such advertising information related to such
at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
Definitions, Acronyms and Cross-References
Client-Server--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a
model of interaction in a distributed system in which a program at
one site sends a request to a program at another site and waits for
a response. The requesting program is called the "client," and the
program, which responds to the request, is called the "server." In
the context of the World Wide Web, the client is typically a "Web
browser", which runs on a user's computer; the program which
responds to Web browser requests at a Web site is commonly referred
to as a "Web server."
Coupon--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to discounts
offered by Manufacturers and others as an incentive to purchase any
particular grocery item. Coupons typically include restrictions such
as period of validity, quantity of product that must be purchased,
and package size limitations
Diet Plan Provider--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to
companies with develop and market diet plans.
Diet Plan--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to weight
loss programs, nutritional programs or other programs designed to
manage one or more aspects of food consumption by humans.
Diet Plan Requirement--This term is sometimes used herein to refer
to specific directions to be followed by individuals adhering to any
particular diet plan. Examples, of diet plan requirements include,
but are not limited to, the following: low fat, no fat, low sugar,
no sugar, no salt, no carbohydrates, etc. Diet plan requirements may
also include specific grocery items such as Weight Watchers brand
products.
Domain Name System (DNS)--This term is sometimes used herein to
refer to an Internet service that translates domain names (which are
alphabetic identifiers) into IP addresses (which are numeric
identifiers for machines on a TCP/IP network).
Grocery item--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to
specific products commonly sold by Grocery Storey stores. A grocery
item is not necessarily limited to food products. Examples may
include Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Miller Lite Beer, etc.
Grocery Item Comparison Information--This term is sometimes used
herein to refer to information about a specific grocery item.
Comparison information includes, but is not limited to,
manufacturer, brand name, product name, container size, price, price
per unit, discounts, special offer pricing and nutrition
information.
Grocery Item General Description--This term is sometimes used herein
to common terms used to refer to grocery items without reference to
manufacturer or container size. Examples include: milk, eggs,
butter, cheese, green beans, corn, cereal, etc.
Grocery store--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to retail
outlets whose primary business is sale of food products to the
public from a geographic location. These retail outlets may be owned
and managed as a single stores, or owned and managed as group or
"chain" of stores.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML)--This term is sometimes used herein
to refer to a standard coding convention and set of codes for
attaching presentation and linking attributes to informational
content within documents. During a document authoring stage, the
HTML codes (referred to as "tags") are embedded within the
informational content of the document. When the Web document (or
"HTML document") is subsequently transferred from a Web server to a
Web browser, the codes are interpreted by the Web browser and used
to parse and display the document. In addition to specifying how the
Web browser is to display the document, HTML tags can be used to
create links to other websites and other Web documents (commonly
referred to as "hyperlinks"). For more information on HTML, see Ian
S. Graham, The HTML Source Book, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1995
(ISBN 0471-11894-4).
HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP)--This term is sometimes used
herein to refer to the standard World Wide Web client-server
protocol used for the exchange of information (such as HTML
documents, and client requests for such documents) between a Web
browser and a Web server. HTTP includes a number of different types
of messages that can be sent from the client to the server to
request different types of server actions. For example, a "GET"
message, which has the format GET, causes the server to return the
document or file located at the specified Universal Resource Locator
(URL).
Internet--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a
collection of interconnected (public and/or private) networks that
are linked together by a set of standard protocols to form a
distributed network. While this term is intended to refer to what is
now commonly known as the Internet, it is also intended to encompass
variations, which may be made in the future, including changes and
additions to existing standard protocols.
LAN (Local Area Network)--This term is sometimes used herein to
refer to a system that links together electronic office equipment,
such as computers and word processors, and forms a network within an
office or building.
Meal Plan--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of
items to be served for a meal. The list of items to be served may
include any or all of the following: typical grocery item
descriptions (milk, eggs, etc.), specific grocery items (Kraft Sharp
Cheddar Cheese, etc.), recipes by name.
Menu Plan--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of
meals to be served on a date or series of dates. A menu plan may
include any or all of the following: named meal plans, recipes by
name, typical grocery item descriptions, specific grocery items.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)--This term is sometimes used herein
to refer to a small hand held computer with or without wireless
access to the Internet. A lightweight, hand-held, usually pen-based
computer used as a personal organizer.
Purchases List--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a
list of specific grocery items the user intends to purchase. The
list may include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name,
product, UPC code, number of items, package size price per package,
extended price, shelf location, etc. The term shopping cart is also
sometimes used with the same meaning.
Purchasing Method--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to
method used by a shopper to acquire their selected items from any
particular store. These methods may include, but are not limited to,
delivery, selected items pre-packed and ready for pick up, or a
shopping list organized by store which may be printed or downloaded
to a PDA.
Recipe--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of
ingredients and quantities required to prepare a food item such as
macaroni and cheese or turkey tetrazinni. Recipes also generally
contain preparation instructions. The list of ingredients my
include, but is not limited to, typical grocery item descriptions
and specific grocery items.
Shopping Area--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a
geographic area, selected by a user, in which the user wishes to
shop for groceries. A shopping area may be based on a specified
distance from particular zip code, a specified distance from a
specified intersection of streets or the boundaries of specified
city, or some other method of selecting a shopping area.
Shopping Cart--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list
of specific grocery items the user intends to purchase. The list may
include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name, product,
UPC code, number of items, package size price per package, extended
price, shelf location, etc. The term purchases list is also
sometimes used with the same meaning.
Shopping List--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list
of containing grocery items general descriptions and specific
grocery items used by users to find and select specific grocery
items at selected grocery stores. Items on the shopping list may
come from user input, inclusion of recipe ingredients, meal plan
grocery items and menu plan grocery items.
Grocery Shopping Web Site Server--This term is sometimes used herein
to refer to the web site server on which applicant's system is
installed and on which users conduct their shopping.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)--This term
is sometimes used herein to a standard Internet protocol (or set of
protocols) which specifies how two computers exchange data over the
Internet. TCP/IP handles issues such as packetization, packet
addressing, handshaking and error correction. For more information
on TCP/IP, see Volumes I, II and III of Comer and Stevens,
Internetworking with TCP/IP, Prentice Hall, Inc., ISBNs
0-13-468505-9 (vol. I), 0-13-125527-4 (vol. II), and 0-13-474222-2
(vol. III).
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)--This term is sometimes used herein
to refer to a unique address which fully specifies the location of a
file or other resource on the Internet. The general format of a URL
is protocol://machine address:port/path/filename. The port
specification is optional, and if none is entered by the user, the
Web browser defaults to the standard port for whatever service is
specified as the protocol. For example, if HTTP is specified as the
protocol, the Web browser will use the HTTP default port. The
machine address in this example is the domain name for the computer
or device on which the file is located.
UPC (Universal Product Code)--This term is sometimes used herein to
refer to a combination of a bar code and numbers by which a scanner
can identify a product and usually assign a price. UPCs are managed
by the Uniform Code Council which maintains standards and controls
issuance of the manufacturer identification number portion of the
code. Each manufacturer is responsible for managing the remainder of
the code.
WAN (Wide Area Network)--This term is sometimes used herein to refer
to a communications network that uses such devices as telephone
lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic
area than can be covered by a LAN.
Web Site Operator--This term is sometimes used herein to refer to
either an entity which has rights to operate the Grocery Shopping
Web Site server in the manner intended by this invention under
agreement with applicant or to the applicant.
World Wide Web ("Web")--This term is sometimes used herein to refer
to generally to both (1) a distributed collection of interlinked,
user-viewable hypertext documents (commonly referred to as "Web
documents", "Web pages", "electronic pages" or "home pages") that
are accessible via the Internet, and (2) the client and server
software components that provide user access to such documents using
standardized Internet protocols. Currently, the primary standard
protocol for allowing applications to locate and acquire Web
documents is the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and the
electronic pages are encoded using the HyperText Markup Language
(HTML). However, the terms "World Wide Web" and "Web" are intended
to encompass future markup languages and transport protocols that
may be used in place of or in addition to the HyperText Markup
Language and the HyperText Transfer Protocol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the hardware architecture of the
Internet.
FIG. 2 illustrates a typical hardware structure of a typical website
where the primary web site functions are shared between three
computers.
FIG. 3 illustrates the typical communications between the web site
components and the user's workstation.
FIG. 4 illustrates an overview of the web site shopping system
implemented in an Internet environment, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates applicant's business method of an Internet web
site shopping system, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates the overall shopping flow for a user using
applicant's Internet web site shopping system and method, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a use case description of the web site log in process,
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a use case description of a product search within a
particular zip code process, according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a use case description of a user account sign up process,
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a use case description of a zip code and store selection
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 11 is a use case description of a shopping list creation
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 12 is a use case description of a saved shopping list access
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 13 is a use case description of a print a shopping list
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 14 is a use case description of a download a shopping list to a
personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a use case description of a save the current shopping
list to a user's account process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a use case description of a send a shopping list to a
store to place an order process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a use case description of a shopping list item
nutritional information request process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a use case description of an in-store sales and
promotions information request process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a use case description of a request available
manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a use case description of a download or print any
manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a use case description of a sign up for a store savings
card process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 22 is a use case description of a look up nutritional content
of a food item process, according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 23 is a use case description of a browse recipes process,
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a use case description of a recipe creation process,
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a use case description of an edit/delete a recipe
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 26 is a use case description of a define a meal for a menu plan
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 27 is a use case description of a create a meal plan process,
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a use case description of an edit/delete a meal process,
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a use case description of an alert when food is running
low process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 30 is a use case description of a disable/modify alert when
food is running low process, according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a use case description of a PDA software installation on
a personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list creation
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 33 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list edit/delete
process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 34 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list upload to
user account process, according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 35 illustrates a sample web site home page screen presented to
the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 36 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user to log in
for complete web site access, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 37 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for
completing web site registration, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 38 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for
selecting the preferred stores where the user wishes to shop,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing
the results of selecting preferred stores, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 40 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing
more detailed information about one of the preferred stores,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 41 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for
searching for a store using one of several search criteria,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 42 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing
the results of using the search criteria, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 43 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing
selection of an additional preferred store, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 44 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user displaying
the diet plans available on the web site, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 45 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing
more detailed information about an offered diet plan, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 46 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user indicating
which diet plan has been selected as preferred, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 47 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after
successful completion of the registration process, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 48 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for
applying for a store savings card, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 49 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after
successfully registering for an in-store savings card, according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 50 illustrates a sample screen used to search for in-store
specials and promotion at a selected store, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 51 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing
the in-store specials for a selected store, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 52 illustrates a sample screen used by the user to find
available coupons, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 53 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing
the results of a search for available coupons, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 54 illustrates a sample screen showing coupon detail to the
user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 55 illustrates a sample screen which presents the shopping area
home page of the web site to the user, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 56-A illustrates a sample screen used to select grocery item
general descriptions for addition to user's shopping list, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 56-B illustrates a sample screen which indicates the result of
selecting and adding a particular grocery item to the user's
shopping list from a product advertisement, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 57 illustrates a sample screen presenting a current shopping
list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 58 illustrates a sample screen which presents the particular
grocery items related to a grocery item general description on the
user's current shopping list to the user, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 59 illustrates a sample screen presenting a completed purchases
list showing the selected particular grocery items and remaining
grocery item general descriptions which have not been resolved to
the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 60 illustrates a sample screen presenting the completed
purchases list summarized by preferred store to the user, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 61 illustrates a sample screen indicated to the user that the
purchases list has been used to update the user's pantry list,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 62 illustrates a sample screen a printed version of a purchases
list and related coupons for a preferred store, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 63 illustrates a sample screen which presents a list of saved
shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 64 illustrates a sample screen presenting the detail of grocery
item general descriptions and particular grocery items contained in
a specific saved shopping list, according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 65 illustrates a sample screen providing nutritional
information for a product as requested by the user, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 66 illustrates a sample screen where the user may select which
stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected items or
search for additional stores, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 67 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for
searching for a store using one of several search criteria,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 68 illustrates a sample screen which allows the user to select
which stores will be added to the user's list of preferred stores,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 69 illustrates a sample screen which presents the result of
adding an additional preferred store to the user's list of preferred
stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 70 illustrates a sample screen where the user has selected
which stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected
items, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 71 illustrates a sample screen displaying the purchases list of
particular items to be purchased at a specific store, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 72 illustrates a sample screen for the user account home page
(My Shark), according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 73 illustrates a sample screen presents a list of the items
currently in the user's pantry list, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 74 illustrates a sample screen presenting suggested recipes
matching the items checked from the pantry list, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 75 illustrates a sample screen presents the details of one of
the suggested recipes matching the items checked from the pantry
list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 76 illustrates a sample screen which confirms that a
manufacturer's recipe has been added to the user's recipe list,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 77 illustrates a sample screen presenting the recipes home page
to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 78 illustrates a sample screen used by a user to create a
recipe and save it on the web site, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 79 illustrates a sample screen for adding a grocery item
general description to user's recipe, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 80 illustrates a sample screen for adding a particular grocery
item to user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 81 illustrates a sample screen for classifying a user's recipe
for ease of searching later, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 82 illustrates a sample screen shows the results of classifying
a specific user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 83 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of
meals stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 84 illustrates a sample screen which supports the user's
creation of a new meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 85 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a
grocery item general description to a selected meal, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 86 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a
particular grocery item to a selected meal, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 87 illustrates a sample screen shows the combined result of
adding items to the selected meal the user, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 88 illustrates a sample screen for searching for a recipe that
may be added to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 89 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of
searching for a recipe that may be added to a meal, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 90 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a
recipe to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 91 illustrates a sample screen presents an updated meal list
after a meal has been saved, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 92 illustrates a sample screen presenting a list of menu
templates for a user, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 93 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of menu
templates stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 94 illustrates a sample screen showing a list of meals that may
be added to a menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 95 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a
selected meal to the menu template, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 96 illustrates a sample screen showing a competed plan for a
specific day in the menu template, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 97 illustrates a sample screen that presents a summary of the
meals planned for each day covered by the menu template, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 98 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of saving
the updated menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 99 illustrates a sample screen presents a calendar form
summarizing all dates for which a menu template has been prepared
and saved, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 100 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the
first step in finding the best price for a particular grocery item,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 101 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as
the second step in finding the best price for a particular grocery
item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 102 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of
searching the user's preferred stores for the best price on a
particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 103 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the
first step in finding the nutritional information for a particular
grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 104 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as
the second step in finding the nutritional information for a
particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 105 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of
searching for the nutrition information on a particular grocery
item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
business method and software system is described with features for
interactively shopping for groceries and related household products,
especially on the Internet, where the user may create a shopping
list, shop for items from the list at one or more selected Grocery
Store stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items
and payment, print the list, or download the list into a PDA or like
device for use in the store, etc.
System and Method Overview
In various embodiments of the system of the present invention, which
may embody an appropriate method, apparatus, system configuration
and/or computer software (defined as a computer readable medium, for
example CD ROM, DVD ROM, floppy disk), are provided which implement
the system of grocery shopping described herein.
According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, this system
provides the means for a user to create, maintain and utilize
personal shopping lists using common text terms (milk, eggs, butter,
etc.) and specific products (such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4 oz.,
etc.) that, in turn, are used to select the desired products and
services from selected retailers, the list of selected products may
then be downloaded to the retailers' system or printed by the user
for use in personally purchasing the selected products.
Selected items downloaded to the retailers' system will include
instructions as to whether the products should be delivered or
packed for pick up by the user. According to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention, the shopping list is sent to the store's
system and the store takes it from there, including payment,
delivery time, availability of items being delivered/picked-up, etc.
Further, according to a preferred embodiment hereof, the present
system preferably divides the list into perishables and
non-perishables and then sends the list to the store system; then
the store verifies items to be gathered and sets up a pick-up time.
The present system permits the user to print the shopping list which
is divided into perishables and non-perishables, so the user knows
which perishables the user needs to pick up in addition to those
bagged.
All user payments for selected products, whether for delivery or
packed for pick up, are arranged through the retailers' e-commerce
or similar system. Shopping on the Internet and e-commerce are well
known, but within the grocery segment of retailing many attempts
have failed because the approaches did not adequately consider
users' needs or how users prepare for a trip to the supermarket. To
enlarge and enhance the user's shopping experience and make use of
the users' normal shopping habits and facilitate the use of such
systems, users must be provided a number of simple and powerful
tools that support and extend the grocery buying experience.
According to an additional preferred embodiment of this invention,
this system provides the functions outlined above and includes
functions: to access predefined recipes, to create personal recipes,
to modify any recipe, to create, modify and delete meal plans and
menu plans, to access diet plans, to select a specific diet plan and
for the selected recipes, meal and menu plans and diet plans to
update the user's shopping list.
According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the
system provides the functions outlined above and provides functions
to display the availability of coupons that can then be
automatically linked to the products selected, then the coupons can
either be printed or downloaded to the user's savings card for the
retailer for deduction at the time of payment by the user. Functions
are provided to facilitate access to nutrition label information and
price comparisons of the same product for multiple retailers and
price comparison of similar products at a particular retailer
location.
Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the figures.
Internet Environment
Referring now to FIG. 1, an overview of the computer hardware
environment of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown. The present invention preferably comprises a computer system
108. The computer system 108 comprises input and output devices as
is well known in the art. For example, the computer system 108
preferably comprises a display screen or monitor 104, a keyboard
116, a printer 114, a mouse 106, etc. The computer system 108
further preferably comprises a database 102 for storage of the data
and software comprising preferred embodiments of the present
invention. The computer system 108 is preferably connected to the
Internet 112 that serves as the presently preferred communications
medium. The Internet 112, as previously discussed, comprises a
global network of networks and computers, public and private. The
Internet 112 is the preferable connection method by the users 118,
120, 122 and nnn in preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the computer system 1 |