Authors:
Thomas Conway, Dan Kelaher, Wendy Darby, Kristine Harris, Madison Roy, Amy Gray, Stuart Maynard, Marcus McDowell
Abstract:
This disclosure proposes a novel way for shoppers to engage with remote store associates real time while shopping in store using smart glasses connected wirelessly to a store app on the shopper’s phone
Background:
Shoppers often need expert advice while shopping in stores. Whether it is needing advice on specific ingredients for a recipe in a grocery store or getting the correct fasteners for a home project at a home improvement store, shoppers often need assistance. Many times, store associates are helping others, in a different department, or even non-existent. This can cause a lot of wasted time at the store. The retail industry, especially large big-box retailers, need a way to provide better customer service in-aisle while being efficient with their employee resources. This is especially important for individuals with vision impairments.
Description:
We propose a system to interact with remote store personnel via smart glasses connected to a store app on the shopper’s phone. While a shopper is in the store in the aisles, when s/he has a question s/he can access a remote store representative for advice on the products. Using smart glasses connected wirelessly to his/her phone’s store shopping app, the shopper can connect to a remote associate, talk real-time. With the glasses’ video and audio capabilities, in combination with the associate knowing the store and aisle layout where the shopper is via communication with the shoppers app, can provide real-time, context-aware advice to the shopper. The associate can talk directly to the shopper and guide him/her down the aisle and across the shelves to show where certain products are located, and can discuss the pros and cons of a certain product choice. The advantage is that for a worldwide retail chain, resources can be used worldwide and take advantage of off-peak times in different time zones to provide customer service in a different part of the world.
Related Art:
- Amariei, Cornel‑Marian, Gabriel Chindris, and Daniel Cosovanu. “Computer‑implemented method, wearable device, computer program and computer readable medium for assisting the movement of a visually impaired user.” U.S. Patent No. 11,371,859. 28 June 2022. Justia Patents, https://patents.justia.com/patent/11371859. Accessed 23 July 2025.
- Yang, Jiuxia, Bai Feng, and Sun Xiao. “Glasses for Blind People.” Chinese Patent No. CN104000709A. 27 Aug. 2014. Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/CN104000709A/en. Accessed 23 July 2025.
- Yoo, Kevin, Keith Kirkland, and Yangyang Wang. “Vibrating haptic device for the blind.” U.S. Patent No. 10,371,544 B2. 6 Aug. 2019. Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US10371544B2/en. Accessed 23 July 2025. (patents.google.com)
- Cervantes, Humberto Orozco. “Intelligent glasses for the visually impaired.” U.S. Patent No. 9,805,619 B2. 31 Oct. 2017. Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US9805619B2/en. Accessed 23 July 2025. (patents.google.com)
- Holton, Bill. “Echo Sense Network Glasses: Remote Vision for the Blind.” AccessWorld, American Foundation for the Blind, Dec. 2014, https://www.afb.org/aw/15/12/15616. Accessed 23 July 2025. (afb.org)
- International Telecommunication Union. “.lumen glasses.” AI for Good, 30 May 2024, https://aiforgood.itu.int/speaker/lumen-glasses/. Accessed 23 July 2025. (aiforgood.itu.int)
- .lumen. “Glasses.” .lumen, 2025, https://www.dotlumen.com/glasses. Accessed 23 July 2025. (dotlumen.com)
- New England Low Vision and Blindness. “Envision Low Vision Glasses – Professional Edition.” New England Low Vision and Blindness, n.d., https://nelowvision.com/product/envision-low-vision-glasses-ai-for-your-eye/. Accessed 23 July 2025. (nelowvision.com)
TGCS Reference 00853
