| 主权项 |
1. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps of a method of operating a system for providing location based assistance via a computing device, the steps comprising:
hosting a database of personal information regarding a customer of a merchant, the personal information enabling communication, by a system of the merchant to members of an online social network of the customer, according to privacy information set by the customer; hosting a database of information regarding current availability of sales associates of the merchant; hosting a database of current product inventory information that identifies a merchant location of each product item in the inventory of the merchant; receiving a current location of the customer and a request from the customer for assistance regarding a particular product item; posting notice of shopping activities of the customer to the members of the online social network of the customer, according to the privacy information; in response to receiving the request for assistance from the customer:
determining whether at least one sales associate, at a location of the merchant at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is available to interact with the customer, based on the information regarding current sales associate availability, and the current product inventory information,establishing call communication between the customer and one of the at least one available sales associate at a location of the merchant at which the particular product is in stock and available for purchase, based on the information regarding current sale associate availability, the current product inventory information, and the current location of the customer, if it is determined that at least one sale associate at a location at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is available to interact with the customer, andestablishing call communication between the customer and a designated location of the merchant, based on the information regarding current sale associate availability, the current product inventory information, and the current location of the customer, if it is determined that at least one sale associate at a location at which the particular product item is in stock and available for purchase, is not available to interact with the customer, or if it is determined that the particular product item is not available at any location of the merchant; and providing access to information representative of customer purchase history, wherein the inventory information is determined based upon a comparison of the inventory information and the purchase history. |
