SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SERVING CONTENT TO MERCHANDISING COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems. A merchandising communication system may be included at a retail environment and/or other locations. Content may include display information configured to be displayed on display units of the merchandising communication systems. Users may provide entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters to facilitate selective serving of content to individual merchandising communication system and/or sets of merchandising communication systems.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/031,258, filed 31 Jul. 2014, and 62/190,580, filed 9 Jul. 2015, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a systems and methods for serving content to merchandising communication systems.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of retail options for displaying a variety of information in retail environments, including, pricing, labeling, promotions, etc. Traditionally, this information has been provided using print systems, including slide-in paper system, plastic label systems, adhesive label systems, etc. More recently, there has been increased interest in utilizing digital or electronic merchandising communication systems to display such information.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured for serving content to merchandising communication systems. The system may comprise one or more of a global content server, one or more merchandising communication systems, one or more computing platforms, and/or other components. The global content server may be configured to communicate content to one or more merchandising communication systems. In some implementations, a merchandising communication system may comprising one or more display units, components, and/or systems configured for dynamically presenting content to users in retail and/or other settings. Content may comprise display information configured for display on one or more display units of a given merchandising communication system.

The global content server may include one or more physical processor configured by machine-readable instructions. Executing the machine-readable instructions may facilitate serving content to one or more merchandising communication system and/or sets of merchandising communication systems. The machine-readable instructions may include one or more of a user interface component, a content management component, a merchandising communication system management component, a push component, and/or other components.

The user interface component may be configured to effectuate presentation of user interfaces at computing platforms associated with users of the system. A given user interface being configured to obtain user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. By way of non-limiting example a first user interface may be presented on a first computing platform associated with a first user.

The content management component may be configured to associate content with user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. User-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters facilitate selective communication of content to one or more merchandising communication systems. By way of non-limiting example, first content may be associated with a first parameter value for a first content communication parameter provided by the first user.

The merchandising communication system management component may be configured to determine individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems based on user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. By way of non-limiting example, a first merchandising communication system may be determined based on a second parameter value for a second content communication parameter provided by the first user.

The push component may be configured to effectuate communication of content to the determined individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems. By way of non-limiting example, the first content may be communicated to the first merchandising communication system.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the system and/or method disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a display unit of a merchandising communication system, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a merchandising communication system in a retail environment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary user interface configured to receive user entry and/or selecting of parameter values of one or more content communication parameters that facilitate selective communication of content to merchandising communication systems.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a system configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems, in accordance with one or more implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems 130. System 100 may comprise one or more of a global content server 102, one or more computing platforms 126, one or more merchandising communication systems 130, external resource(s) 128 and/or other components. Global content server 102, computing platform(s) 126, merchandising communication system(s) 130, external resource(s) 128, and/or other components of system 100 may be communicatively coupled via one or more networks 124.

Network 124 may include the Internet, Intranets, near field communication, frequency (RF) link, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and/or any type(s) of wired or wireless network(s). It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in which the global content server 102, computing platform(s) 126, merchandising communication system(s) 130, external resource(s) 128, and/or other components may be operatively linked via some other communication media.

Global content server 102 may be configured to communicate content to individual merchandising communication systems 130 and/or sets of merchandising communication systems 130. Content may be provided as global display information and/or other types of information. Global display information may include information (e.g., digital information such as a video signal and/or other digital information) suitable to effectuate presentation of different types of content (e.g., one or more of video, images, text, and/or other types of content) to users within retail and/or other settings. In some implementations, the content may be associated with one or more of product information (e.g., labeling, nutritional facts, and/or other information), sales information (e.g., pricing, promotional incentives, rebates, and/or other information), and/or other types of information that may be presented to users.

Within individual merchandising communication systems 130, at least a portion of the received global display information (herein referred to as local display information, such as a subset of the global display information) may be received by, and presented at, individual display units 138, 140 of the merchandising communication systems 130. By way of non-limiting example, individual display units 138, 140 of a given merchandising communication system 130 may be configured to identify associated local display information (e.g., one or more of video, images, text, and/or other content) from the received global display information (e.g., identify a subset of global display information that is to be display on the specific display unit). By way of non-limiting example, local display information may be associated with one or more of an identifier, serial number, key, pointer, location, and/or other identification information associated with the particular display unit with which the local display information is to be display. The individual display devices may detect such an identification within the global display information and identify local display information within the global display information that may be intended for the display device.

The computing platform(s) 126 may include one or more processors configured by machine-readable instructions to execute computer program components. The computer program components may be configured to enable one or more users associated with the computing platform(s) 126 to interface with system 100, global content server 102, one or more other computing platforms 126, one or more merchandising communication systems 130, external resource(s) 128, and/or other components. By way of non-limiting example, computing platform(s) 102 may include one or more of a desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, NetBook, tablet, Smartphones, Smartwatch, PDA, cellular telephone, PCs, and/or other computing platforms.

Computing platform(s) 126 may include one or more physical interfaces and/or other components. A physical interface included in computing platform(s) 126 may be configured to present one or more user interfaces (see, e.g., FIG. 4) to facilitate communication of information between global content server 102, merchandising communication system(s) 130, external resource(s) 128, and/or other components and a user of computing platform(s) 126. By way of non-limiting example, a user may provide, via interactions with a given user interface, information to and/or receive information from global content server 102, one or more other computing platform(s) 126, merchandising communication system(s) 130, external resource(s) 128, and/or other components.

Examples of physical interface devices of computing platform 126 include one or more of a keypad, buttons, switches, a keyboard, knobs, levers, a display screen, a track pad, a touch screen, speakers, a microphone, an indicator light, an audible alarm, a printer, and/or other interfaces through which a user may provide and/or receive information. It is to be understood that other communication techniques, either hardwired or wireless, are also contemplated by the present invention as a physical interface of the client computing platform(s) 102. As such, one or more other techniques for communicating information between one or more components of system 100 are contemplated by the present disclosure as a physical interface of computing platform(s) 126.

Exemplary information provided to global content server 102 (and/or other components of system 100) may include parameter values for one or more content communication parameters and/or other information. Parameter values of one or more content communication parameters may facilitate selective communication of global display information from global content server 102 to individual merchandising communication systems 130 and/or sets of merchandising communication system 130, described in more detail herein.

Exemplary information provided to a physical interface of computing platform(s) 126 from global content server 102 (and/or other components of system 100) may include feedback information and/or other information. Feedback information may be associated with one or more of an economic performance information (e.g., conveying an economic impact) of global display information communicated to a given merchandising communication system 130, maintenance information of one or more components of individual merchandising communication systems 130, and/or other information. Feedback information may facilitate generation and/or dissemination of performance reports for individual merchandising communication systems 130, described in more detail herein.

In some implementations, a given merchandising communication system 130 may comprise one or more of a controller 132, one or more display units (e.g., 138, 140), electronic storage 142, and/or other components and/or systems configured for dynamically presenting content to users in retail and/or other settings. A single controller 132 is illustrated in FIG. 1 comprising one or more components, however, several controller subunits and/or other components may be combined to serve the function of controller 132. In some implementations, controller 132 may comprises one or more processors 134 configured by machine-readable instructions, a sending card 136, and/or other components. In some implementations, sending card 136 may be configured to perform one or more of: receiving global display information (e.g., as sent from global content server 102 over network 124); compressing the global display information; providing the global display information to one or more display units 138, 140, and/or other operations.

In some implementations, execution of the machine-readable instructions of processor(s) 134 of controller 132 may cause the one or more processors 134 to perform one or more of: monitoring or detecting states of sensors (not shown in FIG. 1) coupled to individual display units; identifying predetermined information to be provided to the one or more display units; stitching predetermined information (e.g., corresponding to local display information to ultimately be displayed at the display unit(s)) together; compressing display information; and/or other operations.

In some implementations, a given display unit may comprise one or more of a receiver configured to receive display information (e.g., global system display information and/or local display information), an output hub configured to provide display information (e.g., local display information) to one or more display components, one or more processors, and/or other components.

In some implementations, a display unit may be configured to convey and/or transmit display information (e.g., global system display information) to another display unit (e.g., by daisy-chaining). In some implementations, controller 132 may be configured to provide display information (e.g., global and/or local display information) directly to individual display units.

In some implementations, controller 132 may be configured to monitor individual display units and/or other components of a merchandising communication system to determine working conditions of the components. By way of non-limiting example, monitoring may include detecting hardware and/or software malfunctions, monitoring time between routine services required for a given component, and/or other types of monitoring to determine working conditions of components of a merchandising communication system.

In some implementations, electronic storage 142 of merchandising communication system 130 may be configured to store received content (e.g., global display information and/or local display information). Such storage may facilitate continued performance of the merchandising communication system 130 should communications with global content server 102 be inhibited. By way of non-limiting example, by storing received content, merchandising communication system 130 may be able to function appropriately in the event that one or both of global content server 102 and/or network 124 cease to function appropriately (e.g., loss of network connectivity).

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary display unit 200. The display unit 200 may be configured receive power in a power input (not shown) and display information in a second input (e.g., receiving compressed display information). The display unit 200 may comprise a power supply 203 (e.g., converting AC power to DC power, such as about 3 Vdc to about 5 Vdc) connected to the power input, and a power regulator 206 connected to the power supply 202 and configured to provide a suitable power source to one or more components of the display unit 200. The information input may be connected to a receiver (information receiver) 204. The display unit 200 may comprise one or more processors 208 configured by machine-readable instructions to execute one or more program components. Execution of the machine-readable instructions may cause the one or more processor 208 to identify local display information to be displayed on the display component 218 (e.g., an LED array and/or other display devices), provide the local display information to the display component 218 for presentation, and/or other operations. Optional LED drivers 216 may be included.

In some embodiments, the computer program components may comprise one or more of a display identification component 210, a content identification component 212, a decompression component 214, and/or other components.

In some embodiments, the display identification component 210 (e.g., hardware, software, firmware, or the like) may be configured to store and/or determine an identifier associated with the display unit, or of display components thereof (e.g., in certain instances wherein a display unit comprises multiple display components). In specific embodiments, the identifier is associated with the location of the display unit 200 within a merchandising communication system comprising the display unit 200.

In some embodiments, content identification component 212 may be configured to identify the information (e.g., video, images, text, and/or the like) to be displayed at the identified location. In some implementations, the content identification component 212 may be configured to identify a subset of information to be decompressed by the decompression component 214 and displayed at the identified location. In some implementations, the decompression component 214 may be configured to decompresses a subset of information (e.g., local display information) received that is to be displayed at the identified location.

In some embodiments, decompression component 214 may be configured to decompress compressed display information. In some implementations, decompression component 214 may be configured to decompress compressed global system display information, or a subset thereof (e.g., local display information), received by the display unit 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a merchandising communication system 300 in a retail setting comprising one or more display units 304 and/or other components described herein. The display units 304 may be affixed to and/or integrated with retail shelving 302. The display units 304 may be configured to provide specific display content for individual products 308 on the shelves 302, even when the shelves 302 are in complex configurations. In some implementations, system 300 may comprise one or more display units comprising a sensor 306 (e.g., camera and/or other sensors) configured to output a sensor state, such as proximity of users to the sensor 306 or a display unit comprising the sensor 306.

In some implementations, display units, global content server 102, merchandising communication system 130, computing platforms 126, and/or other components of system described herein may be configured to alter display content (e.g., alter display information provided to the display units) based on a sensor state of one or more sensors of one or more display units. In some instances, such sensor states include identifying “motion,” “no motion” and/or other states. Sensor states may include (and/or a sensor, e.g., camera, provided herein is configured to be able to detect), by way of non-limiting illustration, “motion,” “no motion,” and “captive” (e.g., as determined by identifying a face—i.e., facial recognition). Other exemplary sensor states include, by way of non-limiting example, “in proximity” or “not in proximity.” Generally, based on such determinations, specific display information (content) may be identified and/or provided to the display unit(s) thereof.

For example, when a sensor state is identified as “no motion” for one or more display unit, the merchandising communication system 130 and/or other components may be configured to provide specific (and predetermined) display information, such as logos or decals of the products located at (e.g., on a shelf at, above, or below) the display units identified as having a sensor state of “no motion,” but when the sensor state is identified as “motion” for the one or more display units, the system may be configured to provide different, specific (and predetermined) display information, such as text describing the product(s), the price of the product(s), and optionally a QR code for the product(s) located at (e.g., on a shelf at, above, or below) the display unit(s) identified as having a sensor state of “motion.” In some implementations, content specifically associated with “no motion” sensor state, content specifically associated with “motion” state, and/or other content specifically associated with one or more other sensor states, may be specified by a user (e.g., via entry and/or selection of values for one or more content communication parameters, described herein). In some implementations, content associated with a given product may have different versions of the content that may be individually associated with a given sensor states.

In some implementations, a given merchandising communication system 130 and/or other components of system 100 may include, and/or otherwise interface with, one or more other components and/or systems associated with a retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, a retail environment may include and/or otherwise be associated with a point-of-sale (POS) system and/or other systems comprising product information for one or more products offered within the retail environment. For example, a POS system may include information such as one or more of product SKU's, product pricing, product locations within the retail environment and/or other relevant product information. In some implementations, global content server 102, merchandising communication system 130, and/or other systems may be configured to access (e.g., mine) information from a POS system to ensure accuracy and consistency of content communicated to the merchandising communication system 130 and ultimately displayed at display units. In some implementations, access and/or integration with a POS system may further eliminate a need from manual user input to determine specifics of information to be displayed, and/or otherwise provide a check to ensure consistency with the content sent from global content server 102.

Returning to FIG. 1, electronic storage 122 of global content server 102 may be configured to store and/or otherwise access content available to be served to one or more merchandising communication systems 130, information that characterizes the available content, information that characterizes individual ones of the merchandising communication systems 130, and/or other information.

Information characterizing a given merchandising communication system 130 may include one or more of configuration information, retail environment information, and/or other information.

In some implementations, configuration information may characterize merchandising communication systems based on components of the given merchandising communication system 130, a layout of the one or more components of the given merchandising communication system 130 at a given retail location, locations of individual display units, associations of one or more products with individual display units, and/or other information. By way of non-limiting example, identification of a given component of a merchandising communication system 130 may comprise one or more of a name, serial number, key, location, and/or other information suitable to identify the given component included the merchandising communication system (e.g., individual display units, controllers, electronics storage, and/or other components). Layout may comprise one or more of physical locations, positions, and/or orientations of the individual components identified to be included in the given merchandising communication system 130 within a retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first information related to a first merchandising communication system within a first retail environment. The first information may include a first identification (e.g., a location) of a first component (e.g., a display unit), and/or other information.

In some implementations, retail environment information may characterize a given merchandising communication system based on one or more of retail environment identification information, locality information, physical layout information, services information, and/or other information.

Retail environment identification information may include one or more of a name of the retail environment, location information, and/or other information. Location information may comprise one or more of a GPS location, a country, state, city, address, and/or zip code associated with the retail environment, and/or other information. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first retail environment information of a first retail environment associated with a first merchandising communication system. The first retail environment information may include, for example, a first name of the retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, a name may comprise one or more of Walmart®, Target®, and/or other retail environment name.

Locality information may include one or more of a listing of other business nearby the retail environment, demographics of neighborhoods surrounding the retail environment, traffic information, and/or other information. A listing of other business nearby include names, services, locations, and/or other information associated with other business (e.g., competitors and/or other businesses) nearby the retail environment. Demographics of neighborhoods surrounding the retail environment may include one or more of a local population, average age of persons within the locality of the retail environment, average income of neighborhoods, types of nearby neighborhoods (e.g., gated communities, apartment buildings, condos, single family homes, etc.), and/or other demographic information. Traffic information may include one or more of a measure of customer traffic in and out of the retail environment (e.g., including peak and/or slow traffic times), vehicle traffic surrounding the retail environment (e.g., including peak and/or slow vehicle traffic times, and/or other information), configuration and/or availability of parking at or near the retail environment (e.g., parking lot, parking structure, street parking, and/or other parking information), and/or other traffic information. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first locality information for a first retail environment associated with a first merchandising communication system. First locality information may comprise, for example, a name and/or location of a closest business competitor of the first retail environment, and/or other information.

Physical layout information may include physical features of the retail environment. Physical features may include one or more of a size and/or shape of the retail environment, a square footage of the retail environment, locations of different products and/or services offered by the retail environment, number of checkout lanes, locations and/or availability of public restrooms, locations of entrances and/or exits, and/or other physical layout information. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first physical layout information for a first retail environment associated with a first merchandising communication system. First physical layout information may comprise, for example, a square footage of the retail environment, and/or other information.

Services information may include one or more of the kinds of services, features, and/or products the retail environment provides. Services information may include one or more of the conventional, specialty, promotional, seasonal and/or other types of services, features, and/or products offered by the retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first services information for a first retail environment associated with a first merchandising communication system. First services information may comprise, for example, a first specialty service provided by the first retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, a specialty service of a grocery store may include a bank being included in the grocery store. By way of non-limiting example, a seasonal service for a retail store may include gift wrapping. By way of non-limiting example, service information may be helpful in distinguishing characteristics of the same or similar stores. By way of non-limiting example, service information for a given Costco® store may include that they offer tire services, while service information for a different Costco® may include that they do not offer tire services, but instead offer a gas station.

In some implementations, electronic storage 122 may store and/or otherwise access information that characterizes available content. Information that characterizes available content may include one or more of content type information, product information, context information, and/or other information.

Content type information may characterize content as being associated with one or more content types. A content type may include one or more of video, text, audio, and/or other types. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first content type information that characterizes first content as being associated with a first content type.

Product information may characterize content based on a product type, name, brand, and/or manufacturer associated with the content. By way of non-limiting example, product information may include one or more of a product class, a product name, a product brand, a price, a manufacturer, and/or other information. A product class may refer to a set of products having similarities and/or commonalities on one or more features. Products within a single product class may be considered alternatives by consumers. A product class may include products having the same or similar use, a same or similar (e.g., within a range) product price, a same or similar product function, a common product brand, a common product origin, a same or similar production, manufacture, growth, development, harvesting, and/or other similar features. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first product information that characterizes first content as being associated with a first product type, name, brand, and/or manufacturer.

Context information may characterize content based on context of the content. By way of non-limiting example, context information may specify that content to be within the context of one or more of a product label, a promotional sale, a manufacturer rebate, a seasonal sale, buy-one-get-one-free offer, a particular visual aspect of displayed information, a sensor state with which the content may be associated, and/or other context. By way of non-limiting example, a particular visual aspect of display information may be associated with one or more of display size of a product label and/or other text, a color and/or color scheme of the content, and/or other visual aspects. By way of non-limiting example, context information may specify whether content is to be displayed during one or more of a “no motion” sensor state, “motion” sensor state, and/or other sensor states. By way of non-limiting example, electronic storage 122 may store first context information that characterizes first content as being associated with a first context.

The global content server 102 may include one or more physical processor 106 configured by machine-readable instructions 108. Executing the machine-readable instructions 108 may cause the one or more physical processor 106 to facilitate serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems 130 associated with one or more retail environments. The machine-readable instructions 108 may include one or more of a user interface component 110, content management component 112, merchandising communication system management component 114 (abbreviated MCS management component 114 in FIG. 1), a push component 116, a feedback component 118, a report component 120, and/or other components.

The user interface component 110 may be configured to effectuate presentation of user interfaces at computing platforms 126 associated with users of system 100. A given user interface may include one or more user interface elements and/or other components. A user interface element may comprise one or more of an input element, a display element, a navigation element, and/or other elements. An input element may comprise one or more of selectable element (e.g., virtual button), a text input box, a drop down menu, a check box, and/or other input elements. A display element may comprise a portion of a user interface configured to present information. A display element may comprise one or more of a window, a pop-up window, a status bar, and/or other display elements. A navigation element may be configured to facilitate user navigation between different pages, tabs, windows, and/or views of one or more user interfaces. A navigation element may include one or more of a scroll bar, a tab, a root menu, and/or other navigation element.

In some implementations, a given user interface may be configured to receive user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters, and/or other information. By way of non-limiting example, a given user interface may include one or more user interface elements configured to facilitate user entry and/or selection of parameter values. The user interface component 110 may be configured to obtain the user entered and/or selected parameter values from computing platforms 126 based on user interaction with the user interface displayed on the computing platforms 126.

User-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters may facilitate selective communication of content to one or more merchandising communication systems 130. Content communication parameters may include one or more of content selection parameters, merchandising communication system selection parameters, and/or other parameters. Content selection parameters may facilitate determinations of content (e.g., display information) to be communicated to one or more merchandising communication systems 130. Merchandising communication system selection parameters may facilitate determinations of individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems for which content may be communicated to.

Content selection parameters may include one or more of a content type parameter, product parameter, context parameter, and/or other parameters.

Values for a content type parameter be related to the type(s) of content to be communicated. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a content type parameter may specify one or more of video, text, audio, and/or other information that characterizes a content type.

Values for a product parameter may be related to specifying product class(es), names of products, brands, and/or manufacturers with which content may be associated with. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a product parameter may include one or more of a product class, a product type, a product name, a product brand, a manufacturer name, and/or other information. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a product parameter may include a particular product name.

Values for a context parameter may be related to a context of the content to be communication. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a context parameter may specify that content to be communicated may be within the context of one or more of a limited sale, a promotional sale, a discount, a manufacturer rebate, a change of visual aspect of displayed information, a particular sensor state at which the content may be display, and/or other context. By way of non-limiting example, a change of a visual aspect of display information may be associated with one or more increasing a display size of a product label, changing a color and/or color scheme of a display, and/or other changes.

Content communication parameters associated with determining individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems for which content may be communicated to may include one or more of an MCS configuration parameter, a retail environment identification parameter, a locality parameter, a retail environment configuration parameter, a services parameter, and/or other parameters.

Values for an MCS configuration parameter may facilitate determining merchandising communication systems based on specifying one or more components of the merchandising communication system, a layout of the merchandising communication system, locations of individual display units, and/or other information. In some implementations, values for an MCS configuration parameter comprising locations of individual display units may facilitate directing content (e.g., local display information) to a desired display unit. By way of non-limiting example, a value of an MCS configuration parameter may include one or more of specific quantity of components of an merchandising communication system, a given layout of a merchandising communication system, and/or other information. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a MCS configuration parameter may include a quantity of display units (and/or other components), and/or other information.

Values for a retail environment identification parameter may facilitate determining merchandising communication system based on one or more of name, location, and/or other identification information. By way of non-limiting example, a value of a retail environment identification parameter may include one or more of a particular retail environment name, a particular location (e.g., state, city, region, neighborhood, zip code, and/or other location information), and/or other information.

Values for a locality parameter may facilitate determining merchandising communication systems based on one or more of businesses nearby the retail environment, demographics of neighborhoods surrounding the retail environment, traffic information, and/or other locality information. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a locality parameter may include one or more of a business name, particular demographic information, particular traffic information, and/or other information. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a locality parameter may include “parking lot with 100 or more available spaces,” and/or other information.

Values for a retail environment configuration parameter may facilitate determining merchandising communication system based on physical features of a given retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, values for a retail environment configuration parameter may include one or more of a size and/or shape of a retail environment, a square footage, locations of different products and/or services offered by the retail environment, number of checkout lanes, locations and/or availability of public restrooms, locations of entrances and/or exits, and/or other physical layout information.

Values of a services parameter may facilitate determining merchandising communication system based on services information. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a services parameter may include one or more a conventional, specialty, promotional, seasonal and/or other types of services, features, and/or products provided by a retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, a value for a services parameter may include “curb side pickup,” and/or other information.

Content management component 112 configured to associate content with one or more user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. Association of content with the user-provided parameter values may comprise one or more of determining matches between the user-provided values and available content, and/or other techniques. By way of non-limiting example, the user-provided values may be compared with information that characterizes available content. By way of non-limiting example, first content may be associated with a first user-provided parameter values for a first content communication parameter. By way of non-limiting example, the first content communication parameter may comprise a first content selection parameter. Association of the first content with the first user-provided parameter value may be based on the first content being characterized by the first user-provided parameter value.

By way of non-limiting example, the first content selection parameter may be a product parameter related to product class. The first user-provided parameter value may be “dish washing detergents.” The first content may include, for example, manufacturer rebates for dish washing detergents (e.g., characterized by the first user-provided parameter value). By way of non-limiting example, the first content selection parameter may be a product parameter related to product name. The first user-provided parameter value may be “Count Chocula Cereal.” The first content may include, for example, labels for Count Chocula Cereal having an image of the Count Chocula cartoon character (e.g., characterized by the first user-provided parameter value).

In some implementations, content management component 112 may configure content based on specifics of a merchandising communication system 130 with which the content is to be communicated (e.g., determined by MCS management component 114). By way of non-limiting example, content (e.g., global display information including local display information) may be configured based one or more of the components of an intended recipient merchandising communication system 130, layout of the components of the recipient merchandising communication system 130 (e.g., locations of display units where local display information is intended to go), and/or other criteria.

MCS management component 114 may be configured to determine individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems to serve content based on user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. Determination of individual merchandising communication system and/or sets of merchandising communication systems may comprise one or more of determining matches between the user-provided values and information that characterizes the merchandising communication systems, and/or other techniques. By way of non-limiting example, a first merchandising communication system may be determined based on a second user-provided parameter value for a second content communication parameter. The first merchandising communication system may be determined based on the first merchandising communication system being characterized by the second user-provided parameter value. By way of non-limiting example, the second content communication parameter may comprise a first merchandising communication system selection parameter.

By way of non-limiting example, the first merchandising communication system selection parameter may be a locality parameter related to demographics. The second user-provided value may comprise, for example “near a gated community.” The first merchandising communication system may be associated with a retail environment near a gated community (and therefore determined based on first merchandising communication system matching the second user-provided value).

Push component 116 may be configured to effectuate communication of content associated with user-provided parameters values (e.g., as determined by content management component 112) to determined individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems (e.g., as determined by MCS management component 114). In some implementations content communicated to individual merchandising communication systems 130 may be configured specifically for the individual merchandising communication system 130 (e.g., based on the specifics of the components of the merchandising communication system 130, layout of the merchandising communication system 130, and/or other criteria). Push component 116 may be configured to effectuate communication of content to the appropriate receiving merchandising communication system. By way of non-limiting example, push component may be configured to effectuate first content to the first merchandising communication system.

In some implementations, when sets of merchandising communication system 130 have been determined for content delivery, the push component 116 may be configured to identify configurations of content that may have been specifically configured for individual ones of the merchandising communication systems within the set of merchandising communication system (e.g., configured by content management component 112) and communicate the content appropriately. By way of non-limiting example, responsive to a first merchandising communication system, a second merchandising communication system, and/or other merchandising communication systems (e.g., collectively comprising a set of merchandising communication systems) being determined based the second user provided parameter value for the first merchandising communication system selection parameter, the push component 116 may be configured to communicate a first configuration of the first content to the first merchandising communication system and a second configuration of the first content to the second merchandising communication system. The first configuration may be specific to the first merchandising communication system. The second configuration may be specific to the second merchandising communication system.

The feedback component 118 may be configured to obtain feedback information from individual ones of the merchandising communication systems. In some implementations, feedback information may include one or more of economic performance information, maintenance information, and/or other information. By way of non-limiting example, the feedback component 118 may be configured to obtain first feedback information from the first merchandising communication system.

Economic performance information may convey economic benefits and/or detriments to a given retail environment following the communication of content to the merchandising communication system of the retail environment. By way of non-limiting example, economic performance information may reflect one or more of sales increases (e.g., in volume, dollar amounts, frequency, and/or other measure), sales decreases (e.g., in volume, dollar amounts, frequency, and/or other measure), and/or other information. Economic performance information may include one or more of a graph, a chart, a table, a figure, and/or other type of presentation configured to convey economic performance of a retail environment.

In some implementations, merchandising communication systems and/or other systems included at a retail environment may be configured to generated economic performance information in response to requests for such information (e.g., via feedback component 118), periodically, randomly, and/or at other times. By way of non-limiting example, feedback component 118 may be configured to request economic performance information after a predetermined threshold time period following the communication of content, periodically, and/or on some other basis.

In some implementations, maintenance information may conveying working conditions of one or more components of a given merchandising communication systems. By way of non-limiting example, maintenance information may include conditions hardware and/or software components of a merchandising communication system. Conditions may reflect a need for immediate and/or schedule service of one or more components, and/or other maintenance operations.

In some implementations, merchandising communication systems and/or other systems included at a retail environment may be configured to generated maintenance information in response to requests for such information (e.g., via feedback component 118), periodically, randomly, on an as-needed basis, and/or at other times. By way of non-limiting example, feedback component 118 may be configured to request maintenance information periodically and/or on some other basis. By way of non-limiting example, merchandising communication systems and/or other systems of a retail environment may be configured to send maintenance information to system 100 (e.g., feedback component 118) in response to condition issues being detected in the merchandising communication system (e.g., as-needed).

The report component 120 may be configured to generate and disseminate performance reports based on the feedback information. Performance reports may reflect a current state of merchandising communication systems as determined from the feedback information obtained from the merchandising communication systems.

Performance reports generated by report component 120 may include web-based reports, email reports, tables, charts, and/or other types of reports. Performance reports may be disseminated by generating one or more of a text message, an email, a sound notification, a visual notification, and/or other notification. For example, report component 120 may be configured to automatically generate a first performance report for the first merchandising communication system based on the first feedback information. The report component 120 may be configured to communicate the first performance report to the first computing platform associated with the first user.

In some implementations, performance reports may be in a tabular form and/or other forms. Performance reports may include reports generated based on predefined templates and/or other information. For example, predefined templates may be obtained and/or generated by report component 120. The predefined templates may include templates specific to one or more of merchandising communication systems, retail environments, products, content, and/or other templates. The performance reports may include customizable reports. Customization of the content reports may include customization of the layout of the report, information contained in the report, the structure of the report, and/or other customization.

In some implementations, report component 120 may be configured to generate content reports in response to one or more of a request for the report (e.g., by a user via a user interface), feedback information being obtained, periodically, and/or other criteria. The requests to generate performance reports may include, for example, requests from a user, a retail environment, a product owner, a merchandising communication system owner, from components within or outside system 100, and/or other requests.

By way of non-limiting example, responsive to the first feedback information being obtained from the first merchandising communication system (e.g., by feedback component 118), the report component 120 may be configured to generate a first performance report and/or communicate the first report to the first computing platform.

One exemplary implementation of system 100 may include an instance where a user′ may provide entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters that may facilitate sending the same or similar content to the same or similar retail environment. This may facilitate A/B testing between retail environment to evaluate an effectiveness (e.g., economic performance) of the same or similar content being utilized at each of the retail environments. In some implementations, requests for feedback information and/or performance reports may be associated with requested from two retail environment where the same or similar content was served. Performance reports may be configured to include A/B testing results in a single report. Alternatively, separate reports may be generated for different retail environments and a user may simply compare the reports to facilitate determining A/B testing results.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary user interface 400 configured to receive user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. User interface 400 may be presented on a display of a computing platform associated with a user of the system 100 (FIG. 1). User interface 400 may include one or more user interface element configured to facilitate user entry and/or selection of parameter values. By way of non-limiting example, user interface 400 may include one or more of input elements 402, 404, 406, 408, and/or other user interface elements. Input elements may comprise one or more of check boxes 402, text input fields 404, drop down menu 406, selectable buttons 408, and/or other input elements. In some implementations, individual input elements may be associated with one or more content communication parameters for which a user may specific a parameter value. For example, as illustrated, user interface 400 may be configured to facilitate user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more of a first content communication parameter, a second content communication parameter, a third content communication parameter, a fourth content communication parameters, and/or other parameters. One or more of the parameters may comprise content selection parameters. One or more of the parameters may comprise merchandising communication system selection parameters. One or more input elements (e.g., input element 408) may facilitate user submission of entered and/or selection of parameter values to effectuate serving of appropriate content to appropriate merchandising communication systems.

Its noted that the depiction in FIG. 4 and accompanying descriptions are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered limiting. For example, in some implementations, a user interface may be configured to facilitate user entry and/or selection of more or fewer content communication parameters.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of system 100 configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems. System 100 as shown includes one or more of global content server 102, computing platform 126, merchandising communication system 130 within retail environment 1000, and/or other components. Global content server 102, computing platform 126, merchandising communication system 130, and/or other components may communicate via network 124.

Computing platform 126 may be configured to display a user interface 500. User interface 500 may be configured to receive user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. By way of non-limiting example, the content communication parameters of user interface 500 may include one or more of a content selection parameter, locality parameter, services parameter, and/or other parameters. Locality parameter and services parameter may comprise merchandising communication system selection parameters.

User interface 500 may include one or more user interface element. By way of non-limiting example, user interface 500 may include input elements 502 configured to receive user entry and/or selection of parameter values for the various parameters, input parameters 504 configured to receive user input to effectuate serving of content to one or more merchandising communication systems. For example, input elements 502 may comprise sets of check boxes and/or other input elements.

For illustrative purposes, one or more parameter value are shown as being selected by a user of computing platform 126. The parameter values may facilitate selective serving of content to merchandising communication system 130 in accordance with one or more implementations of system 100 described herein. By way of non-limiting example, the current selections as shown may facilitate serving content to retail environments characterized by being located in “San Diego County” that offer “health food” services. The content to be served includes an “image” to be displayed on the label associated with a display unit for “Bob's Cereal.” This is illustrated within retail environment 1000, wherein image 508 is shown displayed by a display unit 506 corresponding to the product “Bob's Cereal.”

Returning to FIG. 1, external resource(s) 128 may include sources of information, hosts and/or providers of information and/or services outside of the system 100, external entities participating with the system 100 (e.g., cloud storage), and/or other resources. In some implementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein to external resources 128 may be provided by resources included in the system 100.

Global content server 102 may include communication lines, components, or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network, merchandising communication system(s) 130, external resource(s) 128, and/or computing platform(s) 126. Illustration of global content server 102 in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting. Global content server 102 may include a plurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware components operating together to provide the functionality attributed herein to Global content server 102. For example, Global content server 102 may be implemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together as Global content server 102.

Electronic storage 122 may comprise electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage 122 may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server 102 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server 102 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 122 may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. The electronic storage 122 may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage 122 may store software algorithms, information determined by processors 106, information received from computing platforms 126, information received from merchandising communication system(s) 130, and/or other information that enables global content server 102 to function as described herein.

Processor(s) 106 may be configured to provide information processing capabilities in global content server 102. As such, processor(s) 106 may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor(s) 106 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor(s) 106 may include one or more processing units. The processing units may be physically located within the same device, or processor(s) 106 may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination.

Processor(s) 106 may be configured to execute components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and/or 120 by software, hardware, firmware, some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware, and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on the processor(s) 106. It should be appreciated that, although components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and/or 120 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor 106 includes multiple processing units, one or more of components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and/or 120 may be located remotely from the other components. The description of the functionality provided by the different components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and/or 120 described herein is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting, as any of components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and/or 120 may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and/or 120 may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or other components. As another example, processor 106 may be configured to execute one or more additional components that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed herein to one of components 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and/or 120.

FIG. 6 illustrates method 600 of serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems. The method 600 may be implemented in a computer system in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method 600 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method 600 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 600 are illustrated in FIG. 6 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some implementations, one or more implementations of method 600 may be implemented in one or more physical processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method 600 in response to machine-readable instructions stored electronically on one or more electronic storage mediums. The one or more physical processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method 600.

At an operation 602 of method 600, presentation of user interfaces at computing platforms associated with users may be effectuated. A given user interface may be configured to obtain user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. by way of non-limiting example, a first user interface may be presented on a first computing platform associated with a first user. In some implementations, operation 602 may be performed by one or more physical processors executing an user interface component the same as or similar to user interface component 110 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 604, content may be associated with user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. Content may comprise display information configured to be displayed by the merchandising communication systems. User-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters may facilitate selective communication of content to one or more merchandising communication systems. By way of non-limiting example, first content may be associated with a first parameter value for a first content communication parameter provided by the first user. In some implementations, operation 604 may be performed by one or more physical processors executing a content management component the same as or similar to content management component 112 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 606, individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems may be determined based on user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters. By way of non-limiting example, a first merchandising communication system may be determined based on a second parameter value for a second content communication parameter provided by the first user. In some implementations, operation 606 may be performed by one or more physical processors executing an MCS management component the same as or similar to MCS management component 114 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 608, communication of content to the determined individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems may be effectuated. By way of non-limiting example, communication of the first content to the first merchandising communication system may be effectuated. In some implementations, operation 608 may be performed by one or more physical processors executing a push component the same as or similar to push component 116 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

Although the system(s) and/or method(s) of this disclosure have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.

Claims

1. A system configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems associated with one or more retail environments, the system comprising:

one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instructions to: effectuate presentation of user interfaces at computing platforms associated with users of the system, a given user interface being configured to obtain user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters, the user interfaces including a first user interface presented on a first computing platform associated with a first user; associate content with user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters, the content comprising display information configured to be displayed by the merchandising communication systems, wherein the user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters facilitate selective communication of content to one or more merchandising communication systems, such that first content is associated with a first parameter value for a first content communication parameter provided by the first user; determine individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems based on user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters, a first merchandising communication system being determined based on a second parameter value for a second content communication parameter provided by the first user; effectuate communication of content to the determined individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems, such that communication of the first content to the first merchandising communication system is effectuated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the content communication parameters include one or more content selection parameters, content selection parameters facilitating determining content to be communicated to one or more merchandising communication system, wherein values of one or more content selection parameters are related to information that characterizes available content, such that the first content communication parameter comprises a first content selection parameter, and wherein the association of the first content with the first parameter value is based on the first content being characterized by the first parameter value.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the content communication parameters include one or more merchandising communication system selection parameters, merchandising communication system selection parameters facilitating determining individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems for which content is served, wherein values of one or more merchandising communication system selection parameters are related to information that characterizes merchandising communication systems, such that the second communication parameter comprises a first merchandising communication system selection parameter, and wherein the determination of the first merchandising communication system is based on the first merchandising communication system being characterized by the second parameter value.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising electronic storage configured to store information that characterizes individual ones of the merchandising communication systems.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising electronic storage configured to store information that characterizes available content.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the content communicated to individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication system includes global display information, and local display information being a subset of the global display information, wherein individual display units of individual merchandising communication systems are configured to identify local display information that is to be displayed on the individual display units.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more physical processors are further configured by machine-readable instructions to:

obtain feedback information from individual ones of the merchandising communication systems;

generate and disseminate performance reports based on the feedback information, such that responsive to first feedback information being obtained from the first merchandising communication system, a first performance report is generated and communicated to the first computing platform.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein feedback information includes economic performance information, economic performance information conveying economic benefits and/or detriments to retail environments following the communication of content to the merchandising communication systems.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein feedback information includes maintenance information, maintenance information conveying working conditions components of individual merchandising communication systems.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein content includes one or more of video, images, or text.

11. A method of serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems associated with one or more retail environments, the method being implementation in a computer system comprising one or more physical processors and storage media storing machine-readable instructions, the method comprising:

effectuating presentation of user interfaces at computing platforms associated with users of the system, a given user interface being configured to obtain user entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters, including effectuating presentation of a first user interface on a first computing platform associated with a first user;

associating content with user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters, the content comprising display information configured to be displayed by the merchandising communication systems, wherein the user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters facilitate selective communication of content to one or more merchandising communication systems, including associating first content with a first parameter value for a first content communication parameter provided by the first user;

determining individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems based on user-provided parameter values for one or more content communication parameters, including determining a first merchandising communication system based on a second parameter value for a second content communication parameter provided by the first user;

effectuating communication of content to the determined individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems, including effectuating communication of the first content to the first merchandising communication system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the content communication parameters include one or more content selection parameters, content selection parameters facilitating determining content to be communicated to one or more merchandising communication system, wherein values of one or more content selection parameters are related to information that characterizes available content, such that the first content communication parameter comprises a first content selection parameter, and wherein the association of the first content with the first parameter value is based on the first content being characterized by the first parameter value.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the content communication parameters include one or more merchandising communication system selection parameters, merchandising communication system selection parameters facilitating determining individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication systems for which content is served, wherein values of one or more merchandising communication system selection parameters are related to information that characterizes merchandising communication systems, such that the second communication parameter comprises a first merchandising communication system selection parameter, and wherein the determination of the first merchandising communication system is based on the first merchandising communication system being characterized by the second parameter value.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising storing information that characterizes individual ones of the merchandising communication systems.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising storing information that characterizes available content.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the content communicated to individual merchandising communication systems and/or sets of merchandising communication system includes global display information, and local display information being a subset of the global display information, wherein individual display units of individual merchandising communication systems are configured to identify local display information that is to be displayed on the individual display units.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

obtaining feedback information from individual ones of the merchandising communication systems; and

generating and disseminating performance reports based on the feedback information, including responsive to first feedback information being obtained from the first merchandising communication system, generating and disseminating a first performance report based on the first feedback information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein feedback information includes economic performance information, economic performance information conveying economic benefits and/or detriments to retail environments following the communication of content to the merchandising communication systems.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein feedback information includes maintenance information, maintenance information conveying working conditions components of individual merchandising communication systems.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein content includes one or more of video, images, or text.