Methods and systems for delivering electronic content to users in population based geographic zones

• US 10,445,777 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2013
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: McDevitt, Patrick, Hughes, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Schmucker, Michael W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shelden, Bion A
• Application Number:
  US14/066,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20150120455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,177 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0244 Optimization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for electronic distribution of electronic content. The method may include receiving, from an advertiser or content provider, a request to transmit electronic content to a plurality of electronic devices of a desired subset of individuals. The electronic content may relate to a target location affiliated with the advertiser or content provider. The method also may include retrieving population density data for the target location and surrounding area, and correlating the subset of individuals with the population density. In addition, the method also may identifying a geographical zone extending from the target location to a perimeter location. The zone may have a size based on the population density correlated with the subset of individuals. The method may further include receiving an indication that the electronic device of a user has entered the geographical zone, and transmitting electronic content to the electronic device of the user.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting, by a geofence generating device and to a content provider device, an electronic two-dimensional map,

the content provider device being associated with a content provider,

the electronic two-dimensional map including multiple population-based geographic zones,

the electronic two-dimensional map including a user interface to input a reach value,

the reach value being input into a specified input field via the user interface of the content provider device,

the reach value being correlated to a population marker;

receiving, by the geofence generating device, a request from the content provider device to transmit electronic content to a plurality of electronic devices of a targeted plurality of individuals,

each individual, of the targeted plurality of individuals, being included in the targeted plurality of individuals based on a vehicle type of the individual,

the request including;

the reach value being associated with a quantity of individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals to receive the electronic content, and

a rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among a specified plurality of consecutive periods of time, and

the electronic content relating to content associated with the content provider,

the content provider being associated with a first target location and a second target location;

retrieving, by the geofence generating device and from a population proxy server, a first population density data for the first target location and a surrounding area of the first target location,

the first population density data comprising first inventory of centerpoints representing geographical centers of geographical areas within the surrounding area of the first target location;

retrieving, by the geofence generating device and from the population proxy server, a second population density data for the second target location and a surrounding area of the second target location,

the second population density data comprising a second inventory of centerpoints representing geographical centers of geographical areas within the surrounding area of the second target location;

identifying, by the geofence generating device, a first geographical zone extending between the first target location and a first perimeter,

the first geographical zone having a size or shape based on a population of the first geographical zone correlated with the reach value and the retrieved first population density data;

identifying, by the geofence generating device, a second geographical zone extending between the second target location and a second perimeter,

the second geographical zone having a size or shaped based on a population of the second geographical zone correlated with the reach value and the retrieved second population density data,

the first geographical zone being different in size than the second geographical zone,

the reach value being equivalent in the first geographic zone and the second geographic zone,

the first geographical zone and the second geographical zone being displayed on the user interface of the content provider device;

updating, by the geofence generating device, the size or shape of the first geographical zone based on updated first population density data, a time of day, and the rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among the specified plurality of consecutive periods of time;

updating, by the geofence generating device, the size or shape of the second geographical zone based on updated second population density data, a time of day, and the rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among the specified plurality of consecutive periods of time;

detecting, by the geofence generating device, an electronic device of one of the targeted plurality of individuals within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone by use of electronic data provided by a satellite or a terrestrial computer network,

the geofence generating device being configured to transmit information to a reach server indicating that the electronic device of one of the targeted plurality of individuals is within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone,

the reach server being configured to transmit electronic content to the electronic device of the one of the targeted plurality of individuals, and

the electronic content relating to the first target location or the second target location; and

maintaining, by the geofence generating device, an updated list of electronic devices that enter and remain within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first population density data and the second population density data are based on zip code information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first population density data and the second population density data are based on zip code plus four geographical zone information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first geographical zone and the second geographical zone are circular.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first geographical zone is a polygon and the second geographical zone is a polygon.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the request further comprises a parameter based on a date.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the first geographical zone and the second geographical zone based on an additional parameter.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the additional parameter is at least one of:

date,

time, or

traffic data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first geographical zone and the second geographical zone comprises:

adjusting the first geographical zone and the second geographical zone based on geographic data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the geographic data is at least one of:

natural boundaries,

highway accessibility, or

geographic borders.

11. A system, comprising:

a data storage device storing instructions for managing an electronic distribution of electronic content to electronic device users; and

one or more processors to;

transmit, to a content provider device, an electronic two-dimensional map,

the content provider device being associated with a content provider,

the electronic two-dimensional map including multiple population-based geographic zones,

the electronic two-dimensional map including a user interface to input a reach value,

the reach value being input into a specified input field by the content provider via the user interface of the content provider device,

the reach value being correlated to a population marker;

receive, from the content provider device, a request to transmit electronic content to a plurality of electronic devices of a targeted plurality of individuals,

each individual, of the targeted plurality of individuals, being included in the targeted plurality of individuals based on a vehicle type of the individual,

the request including;

a reach value being associated with a quantity of individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals receiving the electronic content, and

a rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among a specified plurality of consecutive periods of time, and

the electronic content relating to content associated with the content provider,

the content provider being associated with a first target location and a second target location;

retrieve, from a population proxy server, first population density data for the first target location and a surrounding area of the first target location,

the first population density data comprising a first inventory of centerpoints representing geographical centers of geographical areas within the surrounding area of the first target location;

retrieve, from the population proxy server, second population density data for the second target location and a surrounding area of the second target location,

the second population density data comprising a second inventory of centerpoints representing geographical centers of geographical areas within the surrounding area of the second target location;

identify a first geographical zone extending between the first target location and a first perimeter,

the first geographical zone having a size or shape based on a population of the first geographical zone correlated with the reach value and the retrieved first population density data;

identify a second geographical zone extending between the second target location and a second perimeter,

the second geographical zone having a size or shape based on a population of the second geographical zone correlated with the reach value and the retrieved second population density data,

the first geographical zone being different in size than the second geographical zone, the reach value being equivalent in the first geographic zone and the second geographic zone,

the first geographical zone and the second geographical zone being displayed on the user interface of the content provider device;

update the size or shape of the first geographical zone based on updated first population density data, a time of day, and the rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among the specified plurality of consecutive periods of time;

update the size or shape of the second geographical zone based on updated second population density data, a time of day, and the rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among the specified plurality of consecutive periods of time;

detect an electronic device of one of the targeted plurality of individuals within the first geographical zone or second geographical zone by use of electronic data provided by a satellite or a terrestrial computer network,

transmit information to a reach server indicating that the electronic device of one of the targeted plurality of individuals is within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone,

the reach server being configured to transmit electronic content to the electronic device of the one of the targeted plurality of individuals,

the electronic content relating to the first target location or the second target location; and

maintain an updated list of electronic devices that enter and remain within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further to:

adjust the first geographical zone and second geographical zone based on an additional parameter.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the additional parameter is at least one of:

date,

time, or

traffic data.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first population density data and second population density data are based on zip code plus four geographical zone information.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors, when identifying the first geographical zone, are to:

adjust the first geographical zone based on geographic data.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the geographic data is at least one of:

natural boundaries,

highway accessibility, or

geographic borders.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the first population density data and second population density data are based on zip code information.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to;

transmit, to a content provider device, an electronic two-dimensional map,

the content provider device being associated with a content provider,

the electronic two-dimensional map including multiple population-based geographic zones,

the electronic two-dimensional map including a user interface to input a reach value,

the reach value being input into a specified input field by the content provider via the user interface of the content provider device,

the reach value being correlated to a population marker;

receive, from the content provider device, a request to transmit electronic content to a plurality of electronic devices of a targeted plurality of individuals,

each individual, of the targeted plurality of individuals, being included in the targeted plurality of individuals based on a vehicle type of the individual, and

the request including;

a reach value being associated with a quantity of individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals receiving the electronic content, and

a rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among a specified plurality of consecutive periods of time, and

the electronic content relating to content associated with the content provider,

the content provider being associated with a first target location and a second target location;

retrieve, from a population proxy server, first population density data for the first target location and a surrounding area of the first target location,

the first population density data comprising a first inventory of centerpoints representing geographical centers of geographical areas within the surrounding area of the first target location;

retrieve, from the population proxy server, second population density data for the second target location and a surrounding area of the second target location,

the second population density data comprising a second inventory of centerpoints representing geographical centers of geographical areas within the surrounding area of the second target location;

identify a first geographical zone extending between the first target location and a perimeter,

the first geographical zone having a size or shape based on a population of the first geographical zone correlated with the reach value and the retrieved first population density data;

identify a second geographical zone extending between the second target location and a second perimeter,

the second geographical zone having a size or shape based on a population of the second geographical zone correlated with the reach value and the retrieved second population density data,

the first geographical zone being different in size than the second geographical zone,

the reach value being equivalent in the first geographic zone and the second geographic zone, and

the first geographical zone and the second geographical zone being displayed on the user interface of the content provider device;

update the size or shape of the first geographical zone based on updated first population density data, a time of day, and the rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among the specified plurality of consecutive periods of time;

update the size or shape of the second geographical zone based on updated second population density data, a time of day, and the rate of reaching one or more additional individuals among the targeted plurality of individuals within each specified period of time among the specified plurality of consecutive periods of time;

detect an electronic device of one of the targeted plurality of individuals within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone by use of electronic data provided by a satellite or a terrestrial computer network;

transmit information to a reach server indicating that the electronic device of one of the targeted plurality of individuals is within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone,

the reach server being configured to transmit electronic content to the electronic device of the one of the targeted plurality of individuals,

the electronic content relating to the first target location or the second target location; and

maintain an updated list of electronic devices that enter and remain within the first geographical zone or the second geographical zone.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the first population density data and the second population density data are based on zip code information.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the first population density data and second population density data are based on zip code plus four geographical zone information.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the first geographical zone is a polygon and the second geographical zone is a polygon.