Method for updating prices while shopping

摘要

A shopping system and method for assisting consumers with budgeting and taking advantage of time-sensitive pricing offers. The system comprises a handheld wireless device capable of capturing images of quick response (QR) codes and scanning linear image indicia; a remote pricing information provider; and a personal computer. Pricing information about specific products or a category of products is downloaded from a pricing information provider either directly to the wireless device or to a personal computer and then transferred to the wireless device. The consumer then scans a QR code associated with a time-sensitive offer to update the pricing information stored in the wireless device. When the consumer goes shopping, he scans the barcodes of products for purchase and the associated pricing information is accessed by the device to create a summed total of scanned products. Consumers can use the system to maintain their budget and take advantage of store discounts.

主权项

1. A method of shopping using pre-loaded pricing information, comprising the steps of:
determining a purchase plan; obtaining pricing information from a pricing information provider, wherein said pricing information comprises cost, a provider identifier, validity limitations, and an object identifier; loading said pricing information onto a handheld wireless device; obtaining an image of a two dimensional visual indicia, wherein said two dimensional visual indicia provides information associated with the retrieval of validity-limited pricing information; determining whether a merchant identifier information in said validity-limited pricing information exists within said pricing information, wherein:
(a) if said merchant identifier does not exist within said pricing information, then storing said validity-limited pricing information within the handheld wireless device, and(b) if said merchant identifier does exist within said pricing information, then determining that validity limitations within the validity-limited pricing information have not expired; in response to determining that the validity limitations within the validity-limited pricing information have not expired, updating said pricing information on said handheld wireless device with said validity limited pricing information; scanning at least one linear visual indicia using said handheld device to obtain a cost associated with a product or service; updating a budget total based on an obtained cost.