System and method for retail sales using wireless communication devices in a wireless communication network
First Claim
1. A method for the control of a plurality of wireless communication devices inside a shopping venue wherein each of the plurality of wireless communication devices includes a network transceiver to communicate with a cellular network and a short-range transceiver to communicate with other than the cellular network, the method comprising:
- as part of an initial registration, receiving identification data provided by a user, the identification data comprising a telephone identification (ID), a device ID, and a user ID associated with each of the plurality of wireless communication devices;
storing the received identification data in an authentication server;
each of the plurality of wireless communication devices downloading an application program interface (API) to control operation of the respective wireless communication devices;
at a time subsequent to the initial registration, transmitting a beacon signal from each of a plurality of wireless access points for detection by any of the plurality of wireless communications devices, the plurality of wireless access points being distributed throughout the inside of the shopping venue and transmitting a predetermined beacon signal having an identical subscriber set identifier (SSID) portion;
under control of the API, the short range transceiver in each of the plurality of wireless communication devices being configured to detect the transmitted beacon signal and verify the beacon signal as the predetermined beacon signal and, upon verification of the beacon signal as the predetermined beacon signal, automatically generating and transmitting, without human intervention, an authentication request;
at a first of the plurality of access points, receiving the authentication request automatically generated and transmitted from the short-range transceiver of any of the plurality of unauthenticated wireless communications devices that detects the transmitted beacon signal as the wireless communication device enters the inside of the shopping venue, each authentication request including identification data associated with the wireless communication device that is transmitting the authentication request wherein the wireless communication device initiates an authentication process by identifying the predetermined beacon signal and transmitting the authentication request;
the first of the plurality of wireless access points providing the authentication request and identification data to the authentication server to determine if the identification data matches a previously registered user;
if the authentication server determines that the identification data matches a previously registered user, then authenticating the wireless communication device associated with that user;
upon authentication of the wireless communication device, establishing a bi-directional communication link between the first of the plurality of access points and the authenticated wireless communication device, to thereby form a short-range communication network including the authenticated wireless communication device and at least a portion of the plurality of access points, and transmitting data thereto using the short-range transceiver in the authenticated wireless communication device and without using the network transceiver or the cellular network;
as long as the short-range transceiver is within range of any of the plurality of access points in the short-range communication network, receiving a heartbeat signal automatically transmitted from the authenticated wireless communication device using the communication link, the heartbeat signal including location data for the authenticated wireless communication device and time stamp data, the location data being determined based on a signal strength of signals from a plurality of wireless access points within the venue;
determining a location of the wireless communication device within the shopping venue based on the received heartbeat signal; and
transmitting navigational directions from at least one of the plurality of access points that comprise the short-range communication network to the authenticated wireless communication device to thereby provide navigational guidance within the venue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless network is established by direct communication between a user equipment (UE) and wireless access points within a shopping venue. After initial registration, the UE may be automatically authenticated upon entry into the shopping venue. In the venue, the UE sends a periodic signal that includes information from which the UE location within the venue may be determined. The system can develop a shopper profile based on the amount of time spent within the shopping venue, user purchases, and user-provided profile data even under circumstances where the specific identity of the user is not known. The customer analysis and profile generation can be used to produce individualized ads and offers for the UE. In addition, the analysis can develop a retail DNA rating for the user based on various factors, including responsiveness to advertising. A high retail DNA rating may result in even better advertising offers to the user.
12 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for the control of a plurality of wireless communication devices inside a shopping venue wherein each of the plurality of wireless communication devices includes a network transceiver to communicate with a cellular network and a short-range transceiver to communicate with other than the cellular network, the method comprising:
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as part of an initial registration, receiving identification data provided by a user, the identification data comprising a telephone identification (ID), a device ID, and a user ID associated with each of the plurality of wireless communication devices; storing the received identification data in an authentication server; each of the plurality of wireless communication devices downloading an application program interface (API) to control operation of the respective wireless communication devices; at a time subsequent to the initial registration, transmitting a beacon signal from each of a plurality of wireless access points for detection by any of the plurality of wireless communications devices, the plurality of wireless access points being distributed throughout the inside of the shopping venue and transmitting a predetermined beacon signal having an identical subscriber set identifier (SSID) portion; under control of the API, the short range transceiver in each of the plurality of wireless communication devices being configured to detect the transmitted beacon signal and verify the beacon signal as the predetermined beacon signal and, upon verification of the beacon signal as the predetermined beacon signal, automatically generating and transmitting, without human intervention, an authentication request; at a first of the plurality of access points, receiving the authentication request automatically generated and transmitted from the short-range transceiver of any of the plurality of unauthenticated wireless communications devices that detects the transmitted beacon signal as the wireless communication device enters the inside of the shopping venue, each authentication request including identification data associated with the wireless communication device that is transmitting the authentication request wherein the wireless communication device initiates an authentication process by identifying the predetermined beacon signal and transmitting the authentication request; the first of the plurality of wireless access points providing the authentication request and identification data to the authentication server to determine if the identification data matches a previously registered user; if the authentication server determines that the identification data matches a previously registered user, then authenticating the wireless communication device associated with that user; upon authentication of the wireless communication device, establishing a bi-directional communication link between the first of the plurality of access points and the authenticated wireless communication device, to thereby form a short-range communication network including the authenticated wireless communication device and at least a portion of the plurality of access points, and transmitting data thereto using the short-range transceiver in the authenticated wireless communication device and without using the network transceiver or the cellular network; as long as the short-range transceiver is within range of any of the plurality of access points in the short-range communication network, receiving a heartbeat signal automatically transmitted from the authenticated wireless communication device using the communication link, the heartbeat signal including location data for the authenticated wireless communication device and time stamp data, the location data being determined based on a signal strength of signals from a plurality of wireless access points within the venue; determining a location of the wireless communication device within the shopping venue based on the received heartbeat signal; and transmitting navigational directions from at least one of the plurality of access points that comprise the short-range communication network to the authenticated wireless communication device to thereby provide navigational guidance within the venue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification