초록 ▼

There is disclosed herein an improved method for measuring the effectiveness of a sampling event, particularly correlating a product sampling event with the consumer's purchase of a corresponding purchasable product. Preferably, a product sample terminal is employed to identify a consumer, dispense

There is disclosed herein an improved method for measuring the effectiveness of a sampling event, particularly correlating a product sampling event with the consumer's purchase of a corresponding purchasable product. Preferably, a product sample terminal is employed to identify a consumer, dispense a product sample to the consumer, store data pertaining to the product sampling event, and correlate the consumer's purchase of a corresponding or complimentary product for determining whether the product sampling event converted the event into the consumer's purchasing decisions. Additionally disclosed is a method for soliciting, aggregating, and processing consumer preferences pertaining to product attributes for informing investment decisions with regard to product development.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for measuring an effectiveness of a product sampling event, comprising: providing a product sample terminal including: i) an identification input unit accept a consumer identification parameter from a consumer that identifies the consumer, the identification input unit being operably cou

1. A method for measuring an effectiveness of a product sampling event, comprising: providing a product sample terminal including: i) an identification input unit accept a consumer identification parameter from a consumer that identifies the consumer, the identification input unit being operably coupled to a processor;ii) a product sample storage container receive a plurality of product samples; andiii) a product sample dispenser dispense at least one of the product samples to the consumer upon execution of a product sampling event;matching the consumer identification parameter to a consumer data set stored in a database operably coupled to the processor;retrieving a consumer characteristic from the consumer data set pertaining to the consumer, wherein the consumer characteristic provides instructions to the processor to execute the product sampling event;assigning a product sample attribute to the product sampling event; andcausing the product sample attribute to be stored in the database corresponding to the consumer data set;determining whether the consumer purchased a product corresponding to the product sample at a purchase site;accepting purchase item data associated with the purchased item presented by the consumer at the purchase site;comparing purchase item data to the product sample attribute to determine whether the purchase item data matches the product sample attribute for the purchased item;aggregating the consumer identification parameter, product sample attribute, and purchase item data;assigning a promotional event value to the product sampling event. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising registering a new consumer to cause the addition of a new consumer data set is added to the database. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the product sampling event further includes sensing the consumer approaching the product sample terminal. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sensing the consumer approaching the product sample terminal is performed by an infrared proximity detector. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sensing the consumer approaching the product sample terminal is caused by input of the consumer identification parameter through the identification input unit. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sensing the consumer approaching the product sample terminal is performed by a motion detector. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sensing the consumer approaching the product sample terminal is performed by a Bluetooth detector. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer identification parameter includes data associated with the consumer's enrollment in a customer loyalty program. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer identification includes data associated with a credit card of the consumer. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer identification parameter includes a username entered by the consumer through the identification input unit. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer identification parameter includes an alphanumeric identification entered by the consumer through the identification input unit. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer data set includes demographic information relating to the consumer. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer data set includes product purchase history relating to the consumer. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer data set includes a past product sampling event associated with the consumer. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the product sample attribute includes a time at which the product sampling event was executed. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the product sample attribute includes a quantity associated with the at least one product samples dispensed to the consumer. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the product sample attribute includes a purchase price corresponding to a purchasable product corresponding to the product sample. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the product sample attribute includes a shelf life associated with the product sample. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting the consumer with information relating to the product sample dispensed from the product sample terminal through an audio visual unit. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of measuring an amount of time the consumer interacts with the product sample terminal. 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving a retail location quality from the database pertaining to a retail location where the product sample terminal is located. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the retail location quality includes hours of operation of the retail location. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the retail location quality includes a list of preferred manufacturer products. 24. The method of claim 1, further comprising refilling the product sample storage container when a quantity of the plurality of product samples reaches a predetermined limit. 25. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the product sample terminal requires maintenance. 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor is operably coupled to the database via a secure data link. 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the product sample terminal further includes a product display for showcasing a purchasable product corresponding to the product sample. 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the product sample terminal further includes a product display for showcasing a purchasable product complimentary to the product sample. 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the product storage container includes a heating mechanism. 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the product storage container includes a cooling mechanism. 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to calculate a probability of purchase value from the consumer characteristic and the product sample attribute prior to executing the product sampling event. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the processor is further adapted to adjust the product sampling event based on the probability of purchase value. 33. The method of claim 1, further comprising equipping each of the plurality of product samples with a coupon redeemable by the consumer at a location of the product sample terminal. 34. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the storing of purchase item data in the database. 35. A method for providing data solicited from a consumer comprising: providing a product feedback terminal that includes: i) a consumer input unit receive an input from the consumer relating to a product preference solicitation;ii) a consumer output unit present product information and the product preference solicitation; andiii) a processor operably coupled to a database and accept and manipulate the input and further adapted to assign a product preference quality to a product sample;eliciting the input from the consumer relating to the product preference quality; andcausing the storing of the input from the consumer in the database. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the product feedback terminal further includes: iv) a product sample storage container hold a plurality of product samples characterized by at least the product preference quality; andv) a product sample dispenser dispense at least one of the product samples to the consumer upon execution of a product sampling event.