RU2565012C2 - Reception of actual data relating buyers behaviour during goods selection in real time - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: instrumentation.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the system ensuring reception of actual data on the buyers behaviour in real time. The system contains device of first moment of truth gathering the actual data on the buyers behaviour in real time, corresponding to the moment of the solution making on the good purchasing with readable carrier, based on the reading buy the buyer of the readable carrier using said device, and containing tracking device to receive data on the buyer position, device for data gathering and processing that receives, processes and stores actual data on the buyer behaviour, and multiple communication network made with possibility of data exchange with the device of the first moment of truth and device for data gathering and containing mesh communication network, used for the device of the first moment of truth tracking in the shop, and start communication network used by the device of the first moment of truth for data transmission on the buyer behaviour to the data gathering device.

EFFECT: increased reliability of data gathering in real time.

9 cl, 23 dwg

Description

[0001] This patent application cross-references and claims priority based on U.S. Unconditional Patent Application No. 12/408581 filed March 20, 2009, U.S. Unconditional Patent Application No. 12/353817 filed January 14, 2009, U.S. Unconditional Patent Application No. 12/353760, filed January 14, 2009, U.S. unconditional patent application No. 12/172326, filed July 14, 2008, US unconditional patent application No. 11/859703, filed September 21, 2007, and US unconditional patent application No. 61/070344, filed March 21, 2008, a reference to each of which means their full inclusion in t FTC of the present disclosure.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present invention provides systems and methods for obtaining actual data on the behavior of customers in real time when they make purchases in a store. In particular, systems and methods for obtaining data on customer behavior when they select products in a store are provided for improved systems and methods for influencing the future choice of goods by the buyer during the first moment of truth, before or after it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Understanding the behavior of shoppers in a store has become a matter of paramount importance to retailers, retailers, data collectors, and warehouse owners. To date, specialists did not have the information and the possibility of subsequent forecasting regarding the behavior of customers at the time they make decisions, i.e. in the "first moment of truth." Also difficult to access were data on the movement of customers in the store. As a rule, the only reliable factual data could be obtained after the buyer purchased several goods and left the store, i.e. data collection was carried out at the time of sale or after it. Specialists conducted customer surveys after customers made purchases in order to obtain additional information, however, such surveys did not give an understanding of the behavior of customers in real time, as well as their movement and decision-making processes in the store.

[0004] The term "first moment of truth" refers to the choice of goods and includes 1) the goods considered in relation to the purchase, 2) the goods actually selected for the purchase, 3) the time spent by the buyer on thinking about the acquisition of a particular product or goods, and 4) the intended location of the buyer in the store regarding the location of the goods at the time of the decision.

[0005] The time taken by the buyer to think about the acquisition of a particular product or goods, usually from about three to seven seconds, and depends on the specific buyer, as is well known to specialists. Regardless of the actual time required, the first moment of truth includes the decision-making process by the buyer in the store, at the shelf in the store, at the end advertising stand, a kiosk, a separate showcase, in a store located inside the store, or near other means of visual demonstration known to specialists.

[0006] Entrepreneurs selling goods in retail stores spend billions of dollars a year on finding means to influence customer behavior at the first moment of truth and during the movement of customers in the store. At the moment, there is no empirical understanding of how customers behave in real time and what affects their behavior (if at all something affects) at the first moment of truth.

[0007] Establishing an understanding of customer behavior at the first moment of truth is an important task, but an equally important task is to create a system that provides the possibility of obtaining such information and which can be consistently applied to create a complete reproducible picture of customer behavior, which is a valid measure of process evaluation, in which the buyer is involved in the purchase of goods.

[0008] A method for using radio frequency identification to track the movement of goods is known in the art. As is known to specialists using the radio frequency identification method for goods in the retail environment, less than 10% (and often less than 2%) of all goods in the retail environment (for example, a grocery store) contain radio frequency tags. Even if RF tags are attached to shopping carts, such a solution does not provide useful information about what products the customer chooses on store shelves, end stands, etc., but provides only information about the movement of the shopping cart around the store. Thus, this approach does not provide an understanding of the behavior of customers when they choose products in the store.

[0009] US Pat. No. 6,659,344 describes a system that collects data on consumer behavior in a retail environment. According to the aforementioned patent, a reading device is attached to the shopping basket, which is capable of detecting by radio-frequency means the removal of goods equipped with at least one radio-frequency tag from the shelf. An obvious limitation of this approach is again the limited use of available RFID tags on products in the store. It is unlikely that the radio frequency method can collect extensive useful data on customer behavior, based on which relevant relevant conclusions can be drawn.

[0010] Thus, there is a need to create a system by which actual data on customer behavior and / or real-time data can be collected by real-time tracking of the location of customers in the store, the location of the goods selected by the buyer and product data, as well as time to make a decision for each product selected by the buyer. It is also important to use all such real-time customer behavior data to improve computer emulation models. Such add-ons can increase the accuracy of computer models that predict customer behavior.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with the foregoing, the present invention provides a system for obtaining actual data on the behavior of customers in real time, corresponding to the moment they make a purchase decision in a store in which there is at least one product available for purchase and containing located on it readable media. The system comprises a communication network located in the store, at least one data collection device in operational communication with the communication network, and a first moment of truth device configured to connect to the communication network in the store. The device of the first moment of truth was used to obtain actual data on the behavior of customers in real time, corresponding to the moment they made a decision to purchase at least one product available for purchase. As the communication network, a multiple network is preferably used.

The multiple communication network may include at least one mesh communication network, by which the device of the first moment of truth is monitored in the store based on the specified data about the monitored location obtained by the device of the first moment of truth; and at least one star-shaped communication network by which the device of the first moment of truth transmits data about the behavior of the buyer to the device for collecting data.

[0012] The system preferably transmits at least one impact message to the device of the first moment of truth to influence the decision-making process by the buyer to acquire at least one product available for purchase, at the time of making the decision, before or after it.

[0013] When a customer uses a device for the first moment of truth, this device can capture the customer’s response to at least one impacting message or its absence. Such a reaction or its absence is recorded and stored as an integral part of real-time customer behavior data. In yet another embodiment, the buyer receives an acting message from the proposed system using a communication tool other than the first moment of truth device, such as a mobile phone, PDA, or wireless MP3 player turned on.

[0014] The real-time evidence of buyer's behavior in real time includes identifying data of at least one available for purchase item being considered in relation to the acquisition, the time taken by the buyer to decide to purchase at least one item available for purchase, or to refuse to purchase , and the intended location of the buyer in the store. In addition, real-time evidence of buyer's behavior in real time includes identifying data of at least one available for purchase item selected by the buyer for purchase, if the product considered in relation to the acquisition was actually selected by the buyer for purchase. If the buyer who has selected a certain product for purchase changes the decision before the time of purchase, this decision is also preferably recorded as an integral part of the data on the buyer’s behavior in real time, and such product is marked as “unselected”. Any choice made by the buyer is marked and recorded in real time.

[0015] As noted above, the system comprises at least one device for collecting data. Actual data on customer behavior in real time is transmitted to at least one device for collecting data, each of which is configured to exchange data with a communication network. In practical use, a data acquisition device receives and organizes real-time customer behavior data.

[0016] When a buyer makes purchases in a store, his intended location is known provided that the buyer has a first-moment truth device located in close proximity to him that is associated with that buyer. The intended customer location is preferably determined by continuously or substantially continuously tracking the location. More specifically, the device of the first moment of truth contains a device or tracking mechanism that provides data on the location of the buyer during his stay in the store. Preferably, the data collection device stores previously acquired data including location tracking data. In yet another embodiment, all location tracking data, or at least a portion thereof, is stored in the device of the first moment of truth.

[0017] In practice, the device of the first moment of truth stores location tracking data from approximately the moment the tracking device is connected to the communication network until the connection is interrupted.

[0018] The at least one item available for purchase at the store has a readable medium for scanning by the device of the first moment of truth. The readable medium contains the identifying data of each of the commercially available goods and / or groups of several goods, for example a pack of six bottles of lemonade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Although the present invention is clearly characterized by the appended claims, it is contemplated that embodiments thereof may be better understood based on the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used to indicate like elements and in which:

[0020] FIG. 1A-1D depicts a customer selecting a product from an end advertising stand in a store at the time he makes a decision;

[0021] FIG. 2A-2D illustrates a customer selecting goods from a shelf located along the aisle in a store at the time he makes a decision;

[0022] FIG. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the process by which a buyer selects goods in a store, as well as the data exchange process of a tracking device located in close proximity to the buyer when he selects goods, with a data collection device, the data exchange being carried out using a communication network in the store;

[0023] FIG. 4 shows the front surface of a first moment of truth device (i.e., a wireless end device) used by a customer in a store to exchange data with a data acquisition device;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a store equipped with a typical multiple network for communication in a store;

[0025] FIG. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of a typical mesh communications network used in a store to collect actual customer behavior data in real time;

[0026] FIG. 7A and 7B are schematic views of a typical star-shaped communication network used in a store to collect actual customer behavior data in real time;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a store equipped with a typical multiple communications network with one mesh network and one star network used in the store to collect actual customer behavior data in real time;

[0028] In FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a store equipped with a typical multiple communications network;

[0029] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a typical operation process of a location tracking subsystem;

[0030] FIG. 11A illustrates one embodiment of a tracking subsystem;

[0031] FIG. 11B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tracking subsystem;

[0032] FIG. 11C illustrates one embodiment of a tracking subsystem;

[0033] FIG. 11D illustrates one embodiment of a tracking subsystem; but

[0034] FIG. 12 shows a simplified diagram of a tracking subsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention provides a system for obtaining actual data about customer behavior in real time at about the time they make a decision in a store that has at least one item available for purchase. The system comprises a communication network located near the store, at least one data collection device in operational communication with the communication network, and a first moment of truth device configured to connect to the communication network in the store. The device of the first moment of truth was used to obtain actual data on the behavior of customers in real time approximately at the time of their decision to purchase at least one product available for purchase. As the communication network, a multiple network is preferably used.

[0036] The system preferably transmits at least one impact message to the device of the first moment of truth to influence the decision-making process by the buyer to acquire at least one product available for purchase, at the time of making the decision, before or after it.

[0037] When a customer uses a device for the first moment of truth, this device can capture the customer’s response to at least one impacting message or its absence. Such a reaction or its absence is recorded and stored as an integral part of real-time customer behavior data. In yet another embodiment, the buyer receives an acting message from the proposed system using a communication tool other than the first moment of truth device, such as a mobile phone, PDA, or included wireless mp3 player.

[0038] The real-time evidence of buyer's behavior includes identifying data of at least one available for purchase item being considered in relation to the acquisition, the time taken by the buyer to decide to purchase at least one item available for purchase, or to refuse to purchase , and the intended location of the buyer in the store. In addition, real-time evidence of buyer's behavior in real time includes identifying data of at least one available for purchase item selected by the buyer for purchase, if the product considered in relation to the acquisition was actually selected by the buyer for purchase. If the buyer who has selected a certain product for purchase changes the decision before the time of purchase, this decision is also preferably recorded as an integral part of the customer’s behavior in real time, and such product is marked as “unselected”. Any choice made by the buyer is marked and recorded in real time.

[0039] As noted above, the system comprises at least one device for collecting data. Actual data on customer behavior in real time is transmitted to at least one device for collecting data, each of which is configured to exchange data with a communication network. In practical use, a data acquisition device receives and organizes real-time customer behavior data.

[0040] When a buyer makes purchases in a store, his intended location is known provided that the buyer has a first moment of truth device located in close proximity to him that is associated with that buyer. The intended customer location is preferably carried out at a continuous or substantially continuous tracked location. More specifically, the device of the first moment of truth contains a device or tracking mechanism that provides data on the location of the buyer during his stay in the store. Preferably, the data collection device stores previously acquired data including location tracking data. In yet another embodiment, all location tracking data, or at least a portion thereof, can be stored in the device of the first moment of truth.

[0041] In practice, the device of the first moment of truth stores data about the monitored location from approximately the moment the tracking device is connected to the communication network until the connection is interrupted.

[0042] The at least one item available for purchase at the store has a readable medium for scanning by the device of the first moment of truth. The readable medium contains the identifying data of each of the commercially available goods and / or groups of several goods, for example a pack of six bottles of lemonade.

[0043] As used herein, the term “real-time customer behavior data” refers to a combination of customer identification data, location tracking data, product scan data, and product selection time data. Ideally, real-time customer behavior data in real time includes their personal and demographic data.

[0044] Used in the present description, the terms "device of the first moment of truth", "wireless end device" refers to a handheld or compact portable device that operates wirelessly through a communication network; such a device can scan readable media on goods available for purchase, and / or report the intended location of the buyer using the device of the first moment of truth.

[0045] Used in the present description, the term "device for scanning goods" refers to a device that can scan readable media, such as barcodes, universal product codes and other machine-readable symbols and codes, and refers, without limitation, to imaging devices configured to taking photos. Devices for scanning goods receive data scanning of goods, as well as other above types of data. If the phrase “scan product” or “product selected and then scanned”, or a similar turnover related to product scanning is used here, this means that the barcode or readable medium of the product is being scanned. The preferred device for scanning goods is the device of the first moment of truth.

[0046] As used herein, the terms “barcode,” “universal product code” and “readable medium” refer to any computer-readable code readable by a product scanning device (for example, a first-moment truth device).

[0047] As used herein, the term “data acquisition device” refers to at least one electronic device comprising a switch and a server computer with sufficient memory to store large amounts of data. The data collection device can act as a switch, a gateway server, a storage computer, in particular, a related task manager server, computer order system, payment terminal, in-store processor (provider server), location tracking server, commercial server, or other logical device used for processing and / or data storage, including, without limitation, all of the above functions related to working with data.

[0048] As used herein, the term "intended location" refers to the location of a customer or other accompanying customer that is tracked by at least one electronic device, such as a first-moment truth device (first-time truth device / wireless end device) with respect to known product location. The customer’s location is intended because the store tracks the location of the tracking device, preferably contained in the device of the first moment of truth, which is in close proximity to the customer.

[0049] FIG. 1A-1D illustrates the process by which the buyer 7 selects products from the end stand 22 at the first moment of truth while the buyer 7 is in the store. Although an end stand is shown, a kiosk, display case, or any other means of grouping goods that are not placed on one or more standard store shelves can also be used. FIG. 1A-1D illustrate the process in which a customer is involved in the first moment of truth in a store. In FIG. 1A, customer 7 is depicted when he approaches booth 22 in store 5.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, the customer has a first moment of truth device 50 configured in this embodiment as a wireless end device 50 (see FIG. 4), which is described in detail below. In FIG. 1A-1D also partially shows a location-tracking subsystem operating between a data acquisition device and device 50 via a store-based communications network, described in more detail below. In practice, the device 50 transmits and receives data through one or more information routers 12. In real time, the device 23 for collecting data (Fig. 5, 7A and 9) and the communication network 10 in the store (Fig. 5 and 9) contain or can contain information about the location of the buyer in the store 5 when moving to the stand 22, stopping at the stand 22 and moving away from the stand 22. During the purchase, the alleged locations of the buyer 7 are tracked when he moves around the store with the device 50.

[0051] FIG. 1A depicts a customer who has stopped at stand 22 and is considering options for a possible purchase. In one embodiment, buyer 7 stops in front of a wide range of cleaning products. In FIG. 1B shows a customer who has selected product 35 from stand 22. FIG. 1C, the buyer 7 scans the readable medium (not shown) on the selected product 35. When scanning the product 35, several important functions are carried out, each of which will be described below in sequence.

[0052] First, the identifying data of the scanned item 35 is transmitted by the device 50 through the network 10, received by at least one router 12, and finally transmitted to the device 23.

[0053] The time the customer chooses the product is also fixed and saved by the device 23. The time that the buyer 7 spends thinking about when choosing the product is also known, since his path in the store can be determined instantly in real time. This time can be monitored by a stopwatch contained in the device 50 or device 23. The tracked period of time is referred to as the product selection time.

[0054] After determining the location of the buyer 7 in the store 5 in real time, the specified location is "assigned" to the identification data of the selected product 35.

[0055] Finally, the operation is completed and the item is selected, and the buyer 7, as shown in the drawing, places the item 35 in the shopping cart as an indication that the item 35 was indeed selected for purchase, and not just considered as a possible purchase.

[0056] As used herein, the term “location tracking data” refers to the approximate locations of a customer when they move in a store at selected points in time. Of particular interest are the approximate locations of the buyer at the first moment of truth, since the tracking device monitors the device of the first moment of truth, which is located in close proximity to the buyer during his movements around the store.

[0057] Based on all the above steps, the behavior of the buyer 7 in the store 5 can be estimated. By monitoring the entire purchase process, including all scanned goods, you can track, analyze and, if necessary, influence the actual behavior of the buyer in the store in real time. The device 23 generates actual customer behavior data in real time after compiling the product selection time data, location tracking data, and product scan data.

[0058] Moreover, the proposed system monitors the period of time during which the buyer 7 makes a decision when choosing a product (ie, the first moment of truth), to obtain data on the time of choosing a product. The pondering time when choosing a product by the buyer 7 is preferably monitored electronically using the device 50, device 23, or both of these devices. The countdown begins with the system determining the first moment of truth associated with the buyer 7.

[0059] In practice, the system determines that the buyer 7 is considering purchasing the goods if the speed of the buyer 7 is much lower than his average speed, and his intended location for the store is in front of the storefront with the goods. Part of this determination process is the comparison of two relative speeds: the speed at the time of consideration of the possibility of acquiring the goods and the speed of the usual movement of the buyer around the store.

[0060] The device 23 then obtains and collates product scanning data, tracked location data, and product selection time data to generate actual customer behavior data in real time. In some embodiments, the device 23 collects actual data on the behavior of the buyer 7 in real time based on at least two of his shopping trips to the store 5 and generates characteristic data on the behavior of a particular buyer 7. Since the device 23 collects data based on which data on customer behavior, it can also generate demographic data on customers with the division into whole groups (for example, by women, men, region of the country, behavior on holidays and etc.).

[0061] Further, the device 23 collects and stores previously obtained data, which is the total of all the indicated data about the monitored location collected approximately from the moment the location-tracking device is connected to the communication network 10 until the customer 7 pays and leaves the store 5.

[0062] The device 23 collects data on the duration of a shopping trip for each customer and for each shopping trip. In some other embodiments, data on the duration of a shopping trip is obtained using a stopwatch. Data on the duration of a shopping trip is defined as the amount of time during which the buyer is in the store from the moment the device 50 is first connected to the network 10 until the device 50 is disconnected from the network 10.

[0063] It is essential that suppliers of goods intended for sale in a store can use actual data on customer behavior in real time, characteristic data on customer behavior and / or characteristic data on the behavior of certain groups of customers to determine how to place their goods in the store, types of goods to be placed in the store, places for goods, prices of goods, as well as many other demographic factors. Similarly, store owners can use real-time customer behavior data, customer behavior data, and / or customer behavior data to determine which products should be placed in which stores and in which geographical areas, as well as to determine the prices of goods on the storefront, the content of the messages used to influence customers, and / or the location of the storefront in the store with the goods, supplier supplied to the store.

[0064] In one embodiment, device 23 serves as a primary database in a store, i.e. its main data warehouse. From a functional point of view, the device 23 organizes, processes and stores data received from other elements of the network 10. In addition, the device 23 sends data to other elements of the network 10, i.e. device 50 and routers 12.

[0065] In one embodiment, the device 23 performs calculations to determine the path of the rays and the location of the blind nodes (ie, device 50), and then determines its own location relative to the routers 12 and its own location in the store 5. The device 23 provides data about the time of selection product, data on the duration of the shopping trip and actual data on customer behavior in real time. The device 23 is preferably located inside the store 5, but since this device 23 may contain more than one physical electronic device, it can also be located simultaneously inside and outside the retail building.

[0066] As noted above, the device 50 can act as a tracking device 10 through a communication network to (1) track the intended location of each customer in the store and (2) provide tracking data. In yet another embodiment, the tracking device located in close proximity to the device 50 and connected to it operates on a communication network 10 to (1) track the intended location of each customer in the store and (2) provide data about the tracked location.

[0067] FIG. 2A-2D illustrate a process similar to that shown in FIG. 1A-1D by the process of selecting goods by buyer 7, except that the indicated selection of goods occurs at a shelf in passage 24.

[0068] FIG. 2A shows a customer 7 suitable for a passage 24 along which goods 35 are located. In FIG. 2B, customer 7 selects the selected item 35 from a shelf in aisle 24. FIG. 2C, the buyer 7 uses the device of the first moment of truth, which is used as the device 50, to read the identifying data of the selected product. At the same time, the read data of the readable goods is formed, which are transmitted via the store’s communication network to the data collection device in which they are collected and ordered. Finally, in FIG. 2D buyer 7 places the selected item 35 in a companion shopping cart.

[0069] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the collection of customer behavior data in a retail environment, such as a grocery store 5. First, a user having a device 50 including a tracking device and a reader starts shopping.

[0070] When the device 50 is turned on, it wirelessly communicates with the network 10. After the connection is established, the communication network constantly monitors and updates data about each prospective location of the buyer 7 in the store using the device 50, which is preferably configured to perform the function of a tracking device or connectivity with a tracking device.

[0071] In yet another embodiment, if data about each prospective customer location is not monitored and updated continuously, said data is monitored and updated by device 23 at regular intervals, for example, every 5 seconds, every 15 seconds, every 30 seconds, etc. . It is clear to specialists that the time interval chosen for tracking and updating data is arbitrary relative to the particular period chosen and that such a period can be chosen by the store manager (or other personnel) in accordance with the wishes of the company. If a suitable period of time is selected in accordance with the requirements of the retail environment 5, this requirement of the invention is met.

[0072] Turning to the shopping process by the buyer, buyer 7 selects the selected item 35 for purchase at a point in front of the store shelf (as shown in FIG. 2A-2D) or from a storefront that is not a store shelf, such as end stand 22 (as shown in Fig. 1A-1D). After the selection is made, the buyer reads the barcode of the item 35 selected for purchase. By scanning the barcode at the time of selection or shortly after it, the buyer 7 registers the identifying data of the selected product 35. By scanning the selected product 35 for purchase at the place or near the place where it was located, the specified location is also recorded, as the intended location of the buyer It is known thanks to a tracking device located inside the device 50. With such a scan, the identifying data of the goods can be transmitted over the communication network to suitable devices Such as the corresponding device 23 (FIGS. 5 and 9) or stored in the memory device 50, or both, and another.

[0073] As noted above, customer purchases through store 5 are tracked (ie, continuously or substantially continuously), and the identity of each selected item 35 and the location where the item was selected are known. Thanks to the collection of these data, you can determine the behavior of the buyer in real time, as well as evaluate it in real time or later, for example, after the buyer leaves the store.

[0074] In some implementations, after the buyer 7 collects all the necessary goods for purchase, he pays at the store 5 through at least one payment method, including, without limitation, payment at the cash desk, payment by check using device 50, prepaid on the Internet etc.

[0075] At least one item is on display at store 5. In some embodiments, each of the at least one product includes a barcode. The buyer selects the selected product to purchase from the specified at least one product in the store.

[0076] Then, the customer 7 scans the readable media related to the product 35 using the device 50 for generating scan data of the scanned product 35. The specified product scan data includes, but is not limited to, the identity of each product (by name and / or internal code) and its value. In some embodiments, the product scan data also includes the identity of the manufacturer of the product or its supplier to the store. Product scan data may also include a weight or similar unit (volume) of product 35 selected by the buyer for purchase. Preferably, the product scan data includes a date and time stamp at the time of scanning the readable medium belonging to the selected product 35.

[0077] As the network 10 contained in at least one of the systems disclosed above, a multiple communication network is used, which means that the network 10 includes at least two similar or different communication networks. For example, a multiple communication network includes at least two communication networks with which the device 50 operates. In yet another example of a multiple communication network, a multiple communication network includes at least one communication network and at least one star-shaped communication network, the help of which the device 50 operates. In yet another embodiment, the multiple communication network may include at least two star-shaped communication networks.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the network 10 includes an organizer of the mesh network, which is used as radio communication within the mesh communications network. The mesh organizer transmits information, also called data packets, to and from the information routers and host computer in the store. In one embodiment, the mesh organizer sends location tracking data to and from information routers and devices 23. In one embodiment, the organizer of the mesh network communicates with a device for collecting data using an Ethernet cable, and at the same time communicates wirelessly via a mesh network with other electronic devices included in the communication node network and including, without limitation, information routers, devices 50 , “Smart” shopping carts, monitoring devices and HVAC control, security systems, customer flow meters and other electronic devices that, according to the expert, can be included in the site network-hand.

[0079] The communication between the routers 12 may be wired or wireless. Communication between the routers 12 and the organizer of the mesh network may be wired or wireless. In functional terms, the mesh organizer sends location tracking data for the store’s wireless end devices, as well as the user device 50, to at least one store manager. Since the organizer of the mesh network transmits data using radio communications, it broadcasts or emits radio waves to other elements of the mesh communications network.

[0080] In the present description, the term "radio data transmission" refers to radio communication within a star-shaped communication network. The data communication radio communication here is represented by a hub node, also known as a central node of a star-shaped communication network. A radio data communication transmits information, also known as data packets, to and from devices 50, 23. In one embodiment, the radio data transmission transmits data via a wire, such as an Ethernet cable, and communicates with the device 23 and simultaneously wirelessly via a star-shaped communication network with devices 50, smart shopping carts and / or other blind nodes and electronic devices, associated with a star-shaped communication network. Radio data communication transmits or radiates radio waves to other elements of the star-shaped communication network instead of communicating strictly along straight lines.

[0081] In the present description, the term "information routers" refers to stationary reference end nodes in a mesh communication network that receive and send information through the mesh communication network to devices of the first moment of truth, the organizer of the mesh network, other information routers and other network devices and from them. In functional terms, information routers communicate with other information routers and the mesh organizer wirelessly or wired. In some embodiments, information routers communicate with a data collection device through a mesh organizer. Each information router includes one radio point. Examples include, but are not limited to, Texas Instruments 2430 and 2431 models.

[0082] The term "multiple network router" means a device comprising at least three microcontroller radio points, at least one of which acts as an information router for a mesh communication network and at least two of which act as radio data communications for a star network communication. Two radio points from the indicated at least three radio points can be Texas Instruments 2430 or 2431 models, and the third radio point must have more power, for example Texas Instruments models with a power greater than the 243x series. In functional terms, multiple network routers communicate wirelessly or wired with other multiple network routers. Ideally, multiple network routers communicate wirelessly with devices 50 and other devices used by shoppers, staff, and managers in the store and store building. Multiple network routers communicate with a data acquisition device through a multiple network organizer.

[0083] The term "multi-network organizer" refers to a multi-network router provided with a mesh organizer instead of a conventional information mesh router. Thus, in an embodiment in which the multiple communication network includes one star-shaped communication network and one nodal communication network, the organizer of the multiple network operates as a data communication radio for the star-shaped communication network, and also as the organizer of a mesh network for a mesh communication network included to a multiple communication network. In functional terms, the organizer of a multiple network can communicate wirelessly or wired with multiple network routers. Ideally, the organizer of the multi-network is connected by a wired method, for example using an Ethernet cable, to a device for collecting data, although wireless communication is also possible.

[0084] In some implementations of the system, the data collection device compares a product location map with actual customer behavior data in real time. This comparison is extremely valuable information that can be used by store owners and suppliers to more impact buyers at the first moment of truth. With improved methods for influencing customers, their choice of products is becoming easier to predict, which is naturally beneficial for business models of both stores and suppliers.

[0085] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the device 50 used. In particular, FIG. 4 shows a front view of the front surface of the device 50 with several interface keys. The device 50 used is preferably battery operated and can be recharged. It can search and communicate (i.e. connect wirelessly) with an existing communication network. The device 50 may be a device with reduced or full functionality. Preferably, the device 50 includes a scanner 25 (not shown) used to scan the goods by the buyer 7 and then place one or more scanned goods in a shopping cart. In this embodiment, the device 50 functions as a blind node in an existing communication network.

[0086] In one embodiment, the device 50 includes a positioning processor operating from at least one microcontroller unit (ICD). In one embodiment, the ICD is a Texas Instruments CC2431 ICD model. The CC2431 ICD is programmed with certain algorithms, for example, ray path calculation algorithms using the input data of the device 50 to determine the location of this device 50. The location method used in the location processor CC2431 is based on the values of the received signal power indicator. The value of the received signal power indicator decreases with increasing distance.

[0087] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic top view of a magazine 5. In particular, in FIG. 5 shows a top view of a section of a store in which customers 7, personnel 8, and managers 9 are associated with network 10 for wireless communication between network elements 10.

[0088] In some embodiments, the multiple communications network is located within and adjacent to the store. In some embodiments, the store card is combined with a two-dimensional lattice X, Y or a three-dimensional lattice X, Y and Z. In these embodiments, each static device in the communication network is transmitted information about the coordinates of its location in the lattice supplied with it.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a multiple communications network in which the multiple communications network includes at least one communication node network 14 and at least one star-shaped communication network 16. For clarity, in FIG. 5 depicts several multiple network routers 11 that operate with one or more networks 14 and with one or more networks 16. Thus, each router 11 preferably includes components for transmitting data through said at least one network 14 and said at least one network 16. In some embodiments, each customer, employee, and manager is connected via multiple communication lines 6 to multiple network routers with one or more networks 14 and one or more networks 16 network 10.

[0090] In some embodiments, each router 11 is located in a place inaccessible to shoppers shopping at the store. For example, each router 11 is located near or on the ceiling of the store. In one preferred embodiment, each router 11 includes at least three radio points: a first radio point acting as an information router 12 (as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 9) of said at least one network 14, and at least two radio points playing the role of radio communications 20 data transmission (as shown in Fig. 7A, 7B, 8 and 9) of the specified at least one network 16.

[0091] FIG. 5, system communication lines 19 connect each router 11 to at least one device 23. Lines 19 may be wireless or wired. Preferably, lines 19 are wired and are indicated in FIG. 5 solid lines, indicating that they are wired. An Ethernet cable is an example of wired communication between each router 11 and at least one device 23. The exemplary system communication links used here are of a type suitable for use in an Ethernet physical layer operating in accordance with the IEEE 802.3 communication standard. An example Ethernet cable is a twisted pair cable: RJ45 and CAT-x copper type. This cable is designed to facilitate the digital transfer of voice and data over copper wires with high quality and high speed.

[0092] FIG. 5 also shows the multi-network communication lines 6 corresponding to the transition zones from the router 11 in the mesh network 14. In practice, the lines 6, indicated by straight lines for clarity, are not necessarily made in the form of straight lines, but rather have the form of spherical transmission zones emanating from each routers 11. Lines 6 are also shown between routers 11 and customers, staff, and managers. Although not shown, multiple network links also connect (1) managers to other managers, staff, and customers, (2) staff to managers, staff, and customers, (3) buyers to staff and managers, but preferably not connecting customers 7 with other buyers 7, and (4) sellers with staff and managers. Through line 6 of each multi-network router, real-time physical data about customers is transmitted and received from wireless end devices and / or smart shopping carts used by customers when they make purchases or move around the store.

[0093] Preferably, each router 11 operates in at least one mesh network 14 and at least one star network 16. The router 11 includes at least three microcontroller units (ICDs). One ICD is used for at least one network 14, and at least two ICDs are used for at least one network 16. Each ICD is preferably an integrated circuit type ICD and includes a control unit, at least one accumulating register, ROM, RAM and arithmetic logic device.

[0094] the Texas Instruments CC2431 ICD model can be used as one of the radio points for at least one network 14 and one radio point of at least two radio points for at least one network 16 due to the ability of this model to easily transmit data over a mesh network 14 of at least one network 16 at a desired speed. In addition, the ICD model CC2431 can provide positioning functions in the multiple network used 10. Alternatively, the Texas Instruments CC2430 ICD model can be used, which is suitable as one of the radio points for at least one network 14 and one of two radio points at least one network 16. The third of the at least three radio points of the router 11 is a more powerful radio point than those of the Texas Instruments CC243x series.

[0095] In practice, the data rate of the mesh communication network 14 is preferably at least 125 kB / s. The data rate of one or more star-shaped communication networks is preferably at least 250 kB / s. The interaction between the buyer and the multiple network 10 is wireless, and the buyer receives access to it using a blind node.

[0096] FIG. 6A is a schematic illustration of a mesh network 14 used in the present invention. Information routers 12 are in a wireless connection via nodal communication lines with elements of at least one mesh communication network. Elements of the at least one mesh communication network include blind nodes, weighing devices, and at least one mesh organizer 13.

[0097] The node lines 17 may be wireless or wired. Preferably, the node communication lines are not real wire lines, but are intended to indicate the direction and existence of wireless communication lines between the information routers 12 constituting one or more node networks 14 and other components, such as at least one wireless terminal device 40 and the organizer of the mesh network 13. The organizer of the mesh network is connected via communication lines 19 (shown in Fig. 5, 7A, 7B, 8 and 9) with at least one device 23. At least one nodal communication network provides It offers benefits such as low energy consumption, low operating costs, i efficient communication at the desired location and low maintenance costs.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 6A, each router 12 is configured to connect to at least one of the remaining routers 12 in at least one mesh network 14. Preferably, router 12 is configured to connect to each other element of the mesh network, for example, at least one blind node 50.

[0099] In some embodiments, the at least one network 14 is a local area network using one of two communication options. One option is a full nodal topology, and the other is a partial nodal topology. With a full mesh topology, all routers 12 are wirelessly connected to each other and transmit information in one or more node communication networks. In a partial mesh topology, each router 12 is wirelessly connected to some other routers 12, but not to all routers 12 available in one or more node communication networks.

[0100] Suitable data transmission on one or more node communication networks includes the transmission of location data and non-location data, such as voice data and digital messages between a staff member and a manager on one or more node communication networks. However, in preferred embodiments, one or more node communication networks is limited to small data packets, such as location data including positional coordinates X and Y. Preferably, the location tracking function of multiple network 10 is carried out over a mesh communication network, and larger data packets such how non-location data is transmitted through one or more star-shaped communication networks. Information routers are not required to communicate with each other, but can instead send location data to each blind node 50, which includes, but is not limited to, wireless end devices and smart shopping carts.

[0101] In exemplary embodiments, the tracking devices associated with blind nodes 50 calculate their own positional coordinates X and Y using triangular software or other location-determining software installed on the blind node. Information routers know their respective positional coordinates X and Y. In exemplary embodiments, one or more devices 23 inform the information routers their respective positional coordinates X and Y. Information routers are connected to the organizer 13 via communication lines 19 (shown in Fig. 6) and with at least one device 23 (FIGS. 1 and 2B).

[0102] In one embodiment, ZIGBEE network 15 is used as network 14. As shown in FIG. 6A, the ZIGBEE network is partially formed by a grid of routers 12, in which each router 12 transmits and receives information from one or more information routers of the ZIGBEE network, i.e. by the method of full mesh topology or by the method of partial mesh topology.

[0103] There are several advantages to using network 15 as at least one network 14. ZIGBEE networks in a mesh communication network are characterized by low energy consumption, low cost of execution, and high density of component use (ie, using tens, if not hundreds, of information routers 12 and / or PMI devices 50 in one mesh communication network), and a simple communication protocol. ZIGBEE networks are designed for use in wireless communication networks requiring low data rates and low power consumption.

[0104] In the simplest embodiment, a ZIGBEE network includes at least one router 12, at least one organizer 13, and at least one node 50. A mesh network organizer is a device that routes data to one or more information routers in a ZIGBEE network. The mesh organizer is connected to at least one device 23 via line 19. Network 15 may be a network with disabled beacons or a network with beacons.

[0105] In a network with disabled beacons (where the order of the beacons is 15), the routers 12 are equipped with data receivers that are preferably continuously active. A ZIGBEE network with disabled beacons allows you to form heterogeneous networks from many types of devices, where some devices constantly receive data, while others only transmit them when receiving a signal from such ZIGBEE network elements as blind nodes.

[0106] A known example of a heterogeneous network element is a lamp equipped with a wireless light switch. The ZIGBEE node on the lamp is constantly receiving data, as it is connected to the lamp power source, and the battery-powered light switch is in standby mode or inactive until the light switch changes position. Then the light switch is activated, sends a command to the lamp, receives confirmation of receipt and returns to the inactive state. In a beacon network, ZIGBEE network information routers send periodic signals to confirm their presence to other network nodes, such as blind nodes. In a ZIGBEE network with beacons, blind nodes and information routers are disconnected between the signals, thereby slowing down their duty cycle and extending the battery life, if used.

[0107] In networks with disabled beacons, energy consumption may be higher, since at least some information routers of a multiple communication network are always active, and some others may be inactive. In some embodiments, essentially all information routers of a multiple communications network are constantly active. In order to save energy, the ZIGBEE network with beacons is preferred for grocery stores.

[0108] FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of a typical mesh communications network 14 used in the present invention. FIG. 6B shows that, in the end, at least one network 14 transmits data between its elements, such as routers 12 and nodes 50, to at least one device 23.

[0109] FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of at least one network 16. Radio data points 20 located either in own devices or in routers 12 of router 11 (as shown in FIG. 1) do not communicate directly with each other, but communicate directly with one or several devices 23 on the lines 19.

[0110] The presence of at least one network 16 in the network 10 is essential. At least one network 16 is an example of a communication network of a multiple communication network designed to carry data streams requiring a higher data rate for speed and efficiency. Preferably, at least one network 16 is used to transmit non-location data, such as voice data, images, video, financial transaction data, and other types of data most suited for transmission at a speed of at least 250 kB / s , instead of or in addition to the speed of approximately 125 kB / s provided by at least one mesh communication network. However, it is also possible to transmit location-related data requiring a higher data rate provided by one or more star-shaped communication networks through one or more node networks 14.

[0111] At least one network 16 used in this embodiment is operating over the IEEE 802 communication protocol. IEEE 802 is a series of IEEE standards for local and metropolitan area networks. In particular, IEEE 802 standards are limited to networks that carry data packets of various sizes. For comparison, in cellular networks, data is transmitted in short blocks of the same size, called cells, for use, for example, in cell phones. For example, it is known that at least one network 16 can operate over various communication protocols, including but not limited to BLUETOOTH (IEEE 802.15.1 and 802.15.2), WIMEDIA (IEEE 802.15.3), WI-FI (IEEE 802.11b ), Wi-Fi5 (IEEE 802.1 la / HL2) and other communication protocols, such as the 802.15.4 protocol noted above.

[0112] In FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of a network 10. The drawing shows that routers 12 of at least one network 14 send a signal to device 50. As shown in FIG. 7B, the routers 12 transmit information to the device 50 about their positional coordinates X and Y. The device 50 performs the calculations necessary to determine its location in the positional coordinates X, Y, or sends a signal to at least one network 16 to at least one a store server 29, for example a location tracking server, so that calculations can be performed at this level of the network 10. In any case, the location of each device 50 is known to at least one device 23 (shown in FIG. 5) or a tracking server location due to the information exchanged between the blind nodes and the information routers of at least one cellular communication network.

[0113] In some embodiments, communication between the device 50, such as wireless end devices and smart shopping carts, is substantially entirely accomplished using a radio point 20, a switch 25, a gateway server 27, and a corresponding server 29, which is often a location tracking server .

[0114] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a multiple network 10. The drawing shows that the routers 12 of at least one network 14 send a signal to the device 50, which can be made in the form of wireless end devices and smart shopping carts, and, as in the options of the execution described above, the device 50 is associated with at least one tracking device.

[0115] In FIG. 8, information routers provide blind nodes with data on the positional coordinates X and Y of information routers. Blind nodes either perform the calculations necessary to determine their location at the X and Y position coordinates, or send a signal through one or more star-shaped communication networks 16 to one or more store servers, such as a location tracking server. As noted above, one or more data collection devices and a location tracking server are capable of performing beam-building and location tracking calculations. In any of the above options, the location of each blind node is known to one or more store servers, due to the data exchanged between the PMI device 50 and the information routers 12 of one or more communication networks 14. In exemplary embodiments, the location tracking server performs location tracking calculations instead in order to use blind nodes for the indicated computational work.

[0116] In the calculation of location tracking, data is used (positional coordinates X and Y of the nearest information router) provided to the location tracking server by the blind node. The closest (to the blind node) information router receives the positional coordinates X and Y of the blind node from the organizer of the mesh network 13, which receives the positional coordinates X and Y from the location tracking server. In any case, the location of the blind node on the store map (shown in FIG. 5) is known to both the blind node and the location tracking server through one or more communication node networks 14 of the multiple communication network 10.

[0117] In FIG. 9, illustrating an alternative embodiment, is shown a schematic top view of a multi-network store 16. Also in FIG. 9 shows at least one nodal communication network in combination with several star-shaped communication networks. Although in FIG. 9 shows several star-shaped communication networks and at least one nodal communication network, it is clear to those skilled in the art that a variant is possible in which the multiple network 10 includes only a few star-shaped communication networks, without nodal communication networks.

[0118] In FIG. 9, as in FIG. 5, the node lines 17 connect each router 12 to the organizer 13 in at least one network 14. In addition, the node lines of communication exist between the information routers in the mesh communication network. In practice, communication lines, although indicated by straight lines for illustrative purposes, are not necessarily represented by straight lines. On the contrary, each information router capable of operating in at least one cellular communication network forms a limited communication zone within which internal communication between information routers is carried out.

[0119] Communication lines 19 connect the radio stream 20 to at least one device 23. The communication lines of the system connect the organizer 13 to at least one device 23. When using a multiple network 10, which includes at least two networks 16, each radio data transmission point shown for each of the at least one star-shaped communication network is connected through the communication lines of the system to at least one device 23 that acts as the main coordinator of the network for essentially all elements of a multiple communication network.

[0120] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a method for determining in real time the location of a device 50 in a communication network. In practice, the device 50 sends a signal, which is received by the nearest information router 12 in the communication network, which is preferably represented by the mesh communication network 15 of the multiple communication network 10. The signal is sent by the device 50 to determine its location in the store. In response to the sent signal, each information router 12 sends a feedback signal to the device 50, indicating the location of the specified router. Each signal received from an information router has a corresponding power that a blind node can measure.

[0121] Then, when the strength of each received signal is measured and known to the device 50, the blind node preferably calculates the ray paths with the signal powers as input to determine its location relative to the information routers and thereby calculates its location in the X and Y coordinate system. After After completing the calculations, the blind node transmits its set of positional coordinates X and Y over the network to at least one data collection device, which can then store and track various locations eniya blind node in the store.

[0122] Ideally, at least one device 23 or a location tracking server (not shown) monitors each device 50 in the store and thereby monitors the implementation of one or more of these methods. Also ideally, the location tracking subsystem works constantly or almost constantly to track the location of each device 50 during its operation in a store equipped with the specified communication network. Thus, as described above with reference to FIG. 10, the process is preferably carried out essentially continuously, so that the location of any blind node in the store can be calculated and thereby known at every moment of time, and also stored using at least one device 23 (Figs. 5 and 9). Such storage of blind node location data at all or almost all points of its location in a store is used to construct customer behavior patterns that include important historical data about the estimated locations of a blind node in a store.

[0123] If the portion of the blind node represented by the location engine is located inside the device 50 used by the buyer to scan goods for purchase in the store, at least one device 23 collects actual customer data in real time. The collection of such real-time customer data in real time, which can be stored for later analysis or at the same time transmitted to one or more interested parties (for example, companies selling consumer goods), is extremely important. At present, companies selling their products in retail stores are only rarely able to track actual customer behavior, such as the choice of goods at the time they made that choice, and instead use electronic models and inaccurate sales data to approximate customer behavior and factors affecting their spending in a retail store.

[0124] When using the described method, if the retailer asks the retail store to install the end stand 22 with its goods on the edge of the row for a certain period of time, the retail store can (1) measure the flow of customers near the end stand, (2) determine how long the customers were at end stand 22, and (3) identify any and all goods from end stand 22 scanned by customers (FIGS. 1A-1D), and placed in their shopping carts and / or then paid and taken home. Thus, the capabilities of the present invention provide an understanding of the actual behavior of customers in real time before and at the time of product selection — this behavior is known to stores as the “first moment of truth”, as described above. Monitoring and cataloging the indicated actual customer behavior in real time will be a breakthrough in the issue of such an assessment and analysis of customer actions. This breakthrough will be provided thanks to the capabilities of the present invention, i.e. one or more methods for determining the intended location of a customer in a store.

[0125] FIG. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D show block diagrams of exemplary location tracking subsystems according to the described invention. In FIG. 11A, the device 50 requests all information routers 12 within the transmission for their location. Each information router 12 within the specified limits sends the coordinates of its location to the device 50. At least two information routers 12 transmit information about their location to the device 50. The location data of the information routers 12 are presented in the form of X and Y coordinates superimposed on the store’s map, latitude and longitude coordinates, or other location data known to a person skilled in the art.

[0126] FIG. 11A illustrates a multiple communication network with disabled beacons, as shown in steps 410-425, in which the blind node initiates communication with the information routers 12. As another option, FIG. 11B illustrates a multiple communication network with beacons, as shown in steps 460-470, in which the information router periodically and rhythmically sends signals to any receiving devices, which in this case is the blind node 50. With the exception of these differences, the location tracking subsystems shown in FIG. 11A and 11B are identical.

[0127] In FIG. 11A and 11B, the beam construction calculations necessary to determine the real-time location data corresponding to the device 50 are performed by the PMI device 50. The device 50 then transmits the location information of the blind node to the data transmission radio link, which in turn sends data about location on at least one device 23.

[0128] FIG. 11C shows at least one method for determining the location of device 50 in network 10. FIG. 10, 11A and 11B, the device 50 performs beam construction calculations, thereby calculating its X and Y coordinates in the store. In FIG. 11C and 11D, the blind node still measures the strength of the signals received from the available routers 12, but as soon as the blind node measures the strength of the signals received from the router 12, it transmits the indicated data on the signal power through the communication network to the radio stream 20, which the queue transmits the measured signal strength data to the device 23. Then, the data acquisition devices perform beamforming calculations using the measured signal strength data as input to the corresponding beamforming calculations. At the output of these calculations, a location is obtained expressed as a set of positional coordinates X and Y of the blind node that measures the strength of the signals.

[0129] FIG. 11A illustrates a multiple communication network with disabled beacons, as shown in steps 505-520, where the blind node initiates communication with the information routers 12. As another option, FIG. 1D illustrates an exemplary multiple beacon communications network, as shown in steps 565-575, where the information router periodically and rhythmically sends signals to any receiving devices. With the exception of these differences, the location tracking subsystems shown in FIG. 11C and 11D are identical.

[0130] Other embodiments of the location tracking subsystem not shown above include the above subsystems shown in FIG. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D, where each information router 12 and each radio point 20 are replaced by a router 11, as shown in the multiple communication network shown in FIG. 5.

[0131] FIG. 12 shows a simplified diagram of a tracking subsystem for determining location. Each router 12 is a static (i.e., fixed) node located in a known place in the store 5. For simplicity, each router 12 is aware of its location and can inform other nodes of the circuit where it is located, upon request, by transmitting a signal.

[0132] An information router can operate on various types of ICD. For example, suitable MCBs are Texas Instruments CC2430, CC2431, and / or CC2420 models.

[0133] In some embodiments, when the node 50 receives a data packet containing the X and Y coordinates from each router 12 within the range of communication, the device 50 automatically assigns the received signal strength indicator value to the received packet. The value of the received signal power indicator preferably exceeds on average the first 8 symbol periods (128 us). In one embodiment, the indicated value of the received signal power indicator is represented as a single byte value, a binary complementary sign value. When a packet is read from FIFO on CC2431, the second byte from the end will contain the value of the received signal power indicator, which was measured after receiving 8 characters of the actual packet. Even if the value of the indicator of the power of the received signal is received at the same time as the data packet, the value of the indicator of the power of the received signal will reflect the power of the received signal at that time, or, possibly, the strength of the signal belonging to the received data.

[0134] Blind node 50 may preferably comprise a register designated as an indicator of received signal strength. The specified register stores the same values as described above, but it is not closed when a packet is received, which is why the register value should not be used for subsequent calculations. Only the closed value of the received signal power indicator applied to the received data can be perceived as the value of the received signal power indicator, measured exactly at the moment of receiving the data.

[0135] The received signal power is a function of the transmitted power and the distance between the sender and receiver. In some embodiments of the invention, the power of the received signal decreases with increasing distance, as shown in the form of the equation below:

[0136] log10 RSSI = -nd + A

[0137] where n is the signal propagation constant, also called the signal propagation exponent; d is the distance from the sender; A is the power of the received signal at a distance of 1 meter, RSSI is the value of the indicator of the power of the received signal.

[0138] If too few information routers 12 are used, the effect of the data of each information router becomes higher, and one erroneous value of the received signal power indicator can significantly change the calculated location data. In this context, erroneous values of the received power indicator of the received signal mean that the value of the received signal power indicator does not coincide with the theoretical value, for example, due to the presence of multiple paths, or if the signal is blocked by walls or other obstacles. Thus, it is preferable to host a plurality of information routers in an environment such as a store.

[0139] For the disclosure of the present invention, the foregoing description indicates embodiments thereof, including the best mode of operation of the invention, which enables those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art. Such embodiments are included in the scope of the claims if they contain features that do not differ from the well-defined features in the claims, or equivalent features with negligible differences from the well-defined features in the claims.

Claims (9)

1. The system of obtaining actual data on the behavior of the buyer in real time, corresponding to the time the buyer made the decision to buy in the store, in which there is at least one product available for purchase and containing readable media located on it, containing:
a. a device of the first moment of truth that collects actual data on the buyer’s behavior in real time, corresponding to the moment of his decision to purchase at least one product available for purchase, based on the customer reading the readable medium using the specified device, and further comprising a tracking device made with the ability to obtain data about the tracked location of the buyer;
b. at least one device for collecting and processing data that receives, processes and stores actual data on customer behavior in real time and previously obtained data, including essentially all of the specified data about the monitored location; and
c. a multiple communication network located in the store, configured to exchange data with the device of the first moment of truth and a device for collecting data and containing
at least one mesh communication network by which the device of the first moment of truth is monitored in the store based on the specified data about the monitored location received by the device of the first moment of truth; and
at least one star-shaped communication network by which the device of the first moment of truth transmits data about the behavior of the buyer to the device for collecting data. 2. The system according to claim 1, in which the actual data on the buyer's behavior in real time include identifying data of the specified at least one available for purchase goods considered in relation to the acquisition, the time taken by the buyer to decide on the purchase of the specified at least one available to purchase goods or to refuse to purchase, and the intended location of the buyer in the store. 3. The system according to claim 2, in which actual data on the behavior of the buyer in real time includes identifying data of the specified at least one available for purchase goods selected by the buyer for purchase. 4. The system according to claim 3, in which actual data on the behavior of the buyer in real time includes identifying data of the specified at least one available for purchase goods not selected by the buyer for purchase. 5. The system according to claim 2, in which actual data on the behavior of the buyer in real time is transmitted to the specified at least one device for collecting data, configured to exchange data with a multiple communication network. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said at least one data acquisition device receives and organizes real-time customer behavior data. 7. The system according to p. 5, in which each buyer in the store corresponds to the intended location, each of which has the specified at least one device of the first moment of truth, located in the immediate vicinity of each buyer. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said tracked location data is collected by the device of the first moment of truth from the moment the tracking device is connected to the multiple communication network until the connection of the tracking device to the multiple communication network is interrupted. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said readable medium comprises identifying data of each of said at least one merchandise available for purchase.

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