System and method for wireless consumer communications

• US 20020062251A1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emtera Corp (Nomi Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Emtera Corp (Nomi Corp.)
• Inventors: Anandan, Rajan, Kim, Sophia, Gillies, Gregory B., Barsh, Joanna
• Application Number:
  US09/964,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20020062251A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a method for communicating with consumers using wireless technologies. The invention facilitates the tracking of consumer movements within retail locations, collects responses by consumers regarding their experiences in these locations, and distributes location-specific marketing or promotional messages through the use of location-tracking technology and portable electronic communication devices.

Claims

1. A method of communicating with a consumer comprising:

identifying a wireless identification device associated with the consumer at a premises; and

transmitting a message to a wireless reception device associated with the consumer, wherein content of the message is responsive to the premises'"'"' identity.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the message comprises prompts to elicit information from the consumer relating to the premises.

4. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the message comprises a consumer satisfaction survey.

5. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the message comprises a product promotion.

6. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the message comprises a link to an Internet page.

7. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the message is an alphanumeric text message.

8. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the message is a voice message.

9. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wireless identification device and the wireless reception device are the same device.

10. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein identifying comprises:

detecting a Radio Frequency Identification Transponder at the premises.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

transmitting Radio Frequency Identification Transponder information to a central controller.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting Radio Frequency Identification Transponder information to a central controller comprises:

accessing an Internet service provider; and

transmitting the Radio Frequency Identification Transponder information to the central controller using the Internet service provider.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting Radio Frequency Identification Transponder information to a central controller comprises:

accessing a wireless local area network; and

transmitting the Radio Frequency Identification Transponder information to the central controller using the wireless local area network.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting Radio Frequency Identification Transponder information to a central controller comprises:

accessing a Bluetooth-enabled wireless local area network; and

transmitting the Radio Frequency Identification Transponder information to the central controller using the Bluetooth-enabled wireless local area network.

15. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein identifying comprises:

scanning a barcode.

16. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein transmitting comprises:

accessing a wireless Internet service provider; and

transmitting the message to the wireless reception device.

17. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein transmitting comprises:

accessing a telecommunications services provider; and

transmitting the message to the wireless reception device through the telecommunications services provider.

18. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising:

receiving a response to the message.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving comprises:

accessing an Internet service provider; and

receiving the response to the message.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the response comprises a text message.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the response comprises a voice message.

2. A method of communicating with a consumer comprising:

identifying a wireless identification device associated with the consumer at a premises; and

transmitting a message to a wireless reception device associated with the consumer, wherein content of the message is responsive to the premises'"'"' contents.

22. A system for communicating with a consumer comprising:

a wireless identification device associated with a consumer at a premises;

a wireless identification device detector to communicate with the wireless identification device;

a first computer in communication with the wireless identification device detector for identifying the consumer associated with of the wireless identification device;

a wireless reception device associated with the consumer; and

a second computer in communication with the first computer, for transmitting a message to the wireless reception device, wherein content of the message is responsive to the premises'"'"' identity or responsive to the premises'"'"' contents.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the message comprises prompts to elicit information from the consumer relating to the premises.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the message comprises a consumer satisfaction survey.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the message comprises a product promotion.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the message comprises a link to an Internet page.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the message is an alphanumeric text message.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the message is a voice message.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless identification device and the wireless reception device are the same device.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the first computer and the second computer comprise the same computer.

31. The system of claim 22, wherein the first computer and the second computer communicate using an Internet service provider.

32. The system of claim 22, wherein the first computer and the wireless identification device detector are the same device.

33. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless identification device and the wireless identification device detector communicate using a wireless local area network.

34. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless identification device and the wireless identification device detector communicate using a Bluetooth-enabled wireless local area network.

35. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless identification device and the wireless identification device detector communicate using an Internet service provider.

36. The system of claim 22, wherein the second computer receives a response to the message.