Abstract: An altered shopping experience can be provided in a retail store. Various devices can be used to provide a stimulus (e.g. a smell or sound) to encourage the customer to purchase a product, to entertain the customer, or to provide information to the customer. Devices can also be provided for creating a forced perspective to give the appearance that an aisle is shorter than it is. Devices can also be provided to automatically identify ingredients in a recipe and identify retail stores that offer the ingredients at the best price, or to accept reservations for particular products in the case of an emergency.

Abstract: An altered shopping experience can be provided in a retail store. Various devices can be used to provide a stimulus (e.g. a smell or sound) to encourage the customer to purchase a product, to entertain the customer, or to provide information to the customer. Devices can also be provided for creating a forced perspective to give the appearance that an aisle is shorter than it is. Devices can also be provided to automatically identify ingredients in a recipe and identify retail stores that offer the ingredients at the best price, or to accept reservations for particular products in the case of an emergency.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying the location of a customer within a retail environment using a smart device carried by the customer. One or more transponders can be located in the retail environment and can communicate with the smart device to determine the location of the smart device. Once the location of the smart device is determined, customized content can be displayed to the customer carrying the smart device. The customized content can be related to a product that is displayed in proximity of the location of the smart device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a conversational user interface (CUI) which interacts audibly with a customer of a retail location. The CUI can ask questions to or respond to questions from the customer, provide audible information regarding products or services available within the retail location, or otherwise assist the customer as the customer shops at the retail location. The CUI can be provided on virtually any device capable of outputting audio content including portable devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, gaming devices, and stationary devices such as televisions, monitors, or other display devices.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to providing recreational activities or social interactions within a retail store. The recreational activities or social interactions can create a fun, spontaneous, and exciting atmosphere which may increase store interest or consumer loyalty. The recreational activities or social interactions can be provided on a display device such as a customer's mobile phone, or a stationary display attached to a shelf or other structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to advertising in stores through the use of video displays that can present customized advertisements when a customer is recognized as being in proximity to the video display. Video displays can be used in stores to display customizable advertisements of a particular vendor. These advertisements can be selectively modified, personalized, and/or customized for a particular customer when that customer is recognized as being in proximity to the video display. This recognition can use the customer's mobile communication device, such as a cell phone, which can be recognized by the system as being in proximity to the video display. This recognition can also read information from a user's identification card, such as a loyalty card, in proximity to the video display. Customized content can be moved from one display to another as the customer moves through a store.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for providing an altered shopping experience in a retail store. For example, various devices can be used to provide a stimulus (e.g. a smell or sound) to encourage the customer to purchase a product, to entertain the customer, or to provide information to the customer. Devices can also be provided for creating a forced perspective to give the appearance that an aisle is shorter than it is. Devices can also be provided to automatically identify ingredients in a recipe and identify retail stores that offer the ingredients at the best price, or to accept reservations for particular products in the case of an emergency.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a map of a retail store to guide a customer in the retail store. A map can be displayed in a user interface on a customer's computing device such as a smart phone. The customer can provide input to the user interface that requests assistance in locating one or more products in the store. The user interface can update the map to provide the requested assistance.