ELECTRONIC SHOPPING ASSISTANT WITH SUBVOCAL CAPABILITY
A mobile device suitable for use by a user in a store includes a subvocal message (SVM) module to detect an SVM from the user. The SVM includes data that indicates an item in the store. A transmitter transmits a request after detecting the SVM. The request includes information indicating the item. A receiver receives a reply. The reply includes information responsive to the request. An output device provides the responsive information to the user. The request may include a request for item position information, item price information, or item inventory information. The mobile device may detect the SVM via a subvocal sensor coupled to the user. The subvocal sensor may be in contact with the user in proximity to a vocal cord of the user. The subvocal sensor may be connected to the mobile device wirelessly or via a wire.
1 . A method for providing shopping assistance to a user within a store, comprising:
enabling a mobile device to detect a subvocal message (SVM) from the user, wherein the message corresponds to an item in the store;
enabling the mobile device to transmit a request in response to detecting the SVM, wherein the request includes information indicative of the item;
enabling the mobile device to receive a reply, wherein the reply includes information responsive to the request; and
enabling the mobile device to provide the responsive information to the user.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the request comprises a request for position information indicative of a position of the item in the store.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the request comprises a request for price information indicative of a price of the item in the store.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the request comprises a request for inventory information indicative of an inventory of the item in the store.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein enabling the mobile device to detect the SVM comprises enabling the mobile device to detect the message via a subvocal sensor coupled to the user.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said subvocal sensor is in contact with the user in proximity to a vocal cord of the user.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein said subvocal sensor is connected to said mobile device via a wire.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein said subvocal sensor is coupled to said mobile device wirelessly.
9 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising, enabling said mobile device to distinguish between a vocal message and said SVM.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising, enabling said mobile device to ignore said vocal message.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the SVM is indicative of a scannable code of the store item.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the reply information comprises information retrieved from a store planogram.
13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting the mobile device entering the store; and
registering the mobile device.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing of information includes providing information promoting a related item, to the user.
15 . A mobile device suitable for use by a user within a store, comprising:
a subvocal message (SVM) module operable to detect an SVM from the user, wherein the SVM includes data indicative of an item in the store;
a transmitter operable to transmit a request in response to detecting the SVM, wherein the request includes information indicative of the item;
a receiver operable to receive a reply, wherein the reply includes information responsive to the request; and
an output device operable to provide the responsive information to the user.
16 . The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein the request comprises a request for information selected from the group consisting of: position information indicative of a position of the item in the store, price information indicative of a price of the item in the store, and inventory information indicative of an inventory of the item within the store.
17 . The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein enabling the mobile device to detect the SVM comprises enabling the mobile device to detect the message via a subvocal sensor coupled to the user and wherein said subvocal sensor is in contact with the user in proximity to a vocal cord of the user.
18 . The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein said subvocal sensor is connected to said mobile device via a wire.
19 . The mobile device of claim 17 , further comprising, enabling said mobile device to distinguish between a vocal message and said SVM.
20 . A computer readable storage medium, comprising computer useable instructions, embedded in a computer readable medium, for providing a shopping assistance method for a user within a store, said instructions comprising instructions to:
detect a subvocal message (SVM) from the user, wherein the message corresponds to an item in the store;
transmit a request in response to detecting the SVM, wherein the request includes information indicative of the item;
receive a reply, wherein the reply includes information responsive to the request; and
provide the responsive information to the user.