Advertising compliance monitoring system

• US 20030097302A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GOLIATH Solutions LLC (Osa Acquisition, LLC)
• Inventors: Overhultz, Gary L., Mead, Robert W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,837,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.68
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/201 Price look-up processing, e.g. updating
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0272 Period of advertisement exposure

Abstract

An advertising compliance monitoring system is provided that includes a tag affixed to a sign or marketing material or shopper ID card, the tag communicating with a reader on a periodic basis. The tag includes a memory for storing tag data, a transmitter and a receiver. The tag uses sleep modes to conserve power. The tag transmits tag data to a reader in response to an interrogation request, or automatically on a periodic basis. The tag data includes an identification number used to identify the tag associated with a particular sign, price, marketing material or shopper, status data (e.g., delivered, displayed), and time and date information. This data is processed by a central server to determine compliance with and/or exposure to a particular advertising program.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring compliance with an advertising program comprising:

a tag affixed to a sign and having an identification code;

a reader for detecting the presence of the tag, communicating with the tag on a periodic basis, and obtaining tag data;

a hub for communicating with the reader and storing the tag data; and

a central server for storing and analyzing tag data to determine whether a retail outlet is in compliance with a specific advertising program.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag includes a memory for storing tag data, a transmitter and a receiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag uses sleep modes to conserve power.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag transmits tag data to the reader in response to an interrogation signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag transmits tag data to the reader automatically on a periodic basis.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag data includes the identification code, status data, and time and date information.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag data is processed by the central server to determine compliance with a particular advertising program.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the reader is in wireless communication with the tag.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag is a passive tag.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag is an active tag.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag is a contact tag.