System and Method for Remote Acquisition and Delivery of Goods

Abstract

A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods includes a server in communication with customer computers, such as through a user interface via the internet. The server can store customer information including billing information, and may include an image processor. A mobile delivery system in communication with the server includes an energy efficient vehicle, an image capture device, a global positioning system, a communication device and a printer. In use, a customer communicates with a mobile delivery agent via the image capture device and the communication device to remotely acquire a product. Once acquired, the delivery agent delivers the product to a designated delivery location. The image capture device can be utilized during the entire transaction. The system preferably includes a processor for optimizing system efficiencies, including selecting a delivery agent based on the product, pick-up location and delivery site.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for remote acquisition and delivery of at least one item by at least one agent of a service provider, said at least one agent having a mobile agent system in communication with a remote server, with the mobile agent system including a digital image capture device and a communication device, said method comprising:
 receiving, through the at least one remote server, a first acquisition request from a customer for the at least one item;   directing the at least one agent to pursue acquiring the at least one item for the customer;   upon failing to locate the at least one item, said at least one agent performing the steps of:
 scanning, using the digital image capture device, a bar or QR code of a replacement product for the at least one item; 
 electronically transmitting information on the replacement product, including an image of the replacement product, to the customer; 
 upon receiving approval from the customer, acquiring the replacement product; and 
 initiating delivery of the replacement product to the customer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each mobile agent system further includes a global positioning system and the method further comprising: sending to the customer information on the at least one agent, including agent location information based on signals from the global positioning system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, using data from the global position system, alerting the customer when the replacement product is close to a delivery location. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image is obtained from a database on a remote server which links bar or QR codes with images. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the approval from the customer is obtained by the at least one agent directly through the communication device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one agent is part of a staff of an establishment which sells the replacement product. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a customer rejection of the replacement product; and   electronically transmitting, in real-time, an image on another replacement product to the customer by the at least one agent using the digital image capture device; and   upon the at least one agent receiving approval from the customer, acquiring the another replacement product for the customer.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the image of the another replacement product is obtained from a bar code or QR code for the another replacement product. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first acquisition request is established by the customer by scanning a bar code or QR code of an existing product the customer wants replaced. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cellular telephone is used for both the digital image capture device and the communications device. 
     
     
         11 . A method for remote acquisition and delivery of one or more goods based on an acquisition request from a customer comprising:
 establishing a communication pathway between the customer and an agent of a service provider, with the agent utilizing a communication device of a mobile agent system, which also includes a digital image capture device, in communicating with the customer through at least one remote server;   electronically transmitting at least one image of a product to the customer using the digital image capture device of the agent, with the at least one image being obtained from a bar code or QR code for the product;   receiving, through the communication path, either a purchase approval or disapproval from the customer for the product; and   acquiring the product by the agent for delivery if the customer approves of the purchase.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each mobile agent system further includes a global positioning system and the method further comprising: sending to the customer information on the agent, including agent location information based on signals from the global positioning system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, using data from the global position system, alerting the customer when the product is close to a delivery location. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one image is obtained from a database on the at least one remote server which links bar or QR codes with images. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a cellular telephone is used for both the digital image capture device and the communications device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the agent is part of a staff of an establishment which sells the product. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 when the agent receives the disapproval of purchase from the customer, electronically transmitting, in real-time, an image of a replacement product to the customer by the agent using the digital image capture device; and   upon the agent receiving approval from the customer, acquiring the replacement product for the customer.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the image of the replacement product is obtained from a bar code or QR code for the replacement product. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the image of the replacement product is obtained from a database on the at least one remote server which links bar or QR codes with images. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the acquisition request is established by the customer by scanning a bar code or QR code of an existing product the customer wants replaced.