Survey system and method

• US 20060111962A1
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Taylor Holsinger
• Original Assignee: Taylor Holsinger
• Inventors: Holsinger, Taylor
• Application Number:
  US10/995,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20060111962A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation

Abstract

A survey system and method are disclosed for conducting targeted surveys of purchase decisions. Participants are registered and demographic information is stored in a database. Each participant has an RFID tag which is used to locate the participant at particular locations in a store. When a participant is detected at a particular location and meets the demographic criteria, a survey is conducted over a mobile telephone with respect to a purchase decision.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a targeted survey of consumers, the method comprising the steps of:

determining that a first consumer is likely making a purchase decision based upon the location of the consumer;

selecting a survey relating to the purchase decision; and

conducting the survey with the first consumer.

2. The method for conducting a targeted survey of consumers according to claim 1 further comprising, before the determining step, the step of collecting information relating to a plurality of consumers including the first consumer.

3. The method for conducting a targeted survey of consumers according to claim 2, wherein the information includes demographic information.

4. The method for conducting a targeted survey of consumers according to claim 2, wherein the selecting step includes selecting a survey based upon collected information relating to the first consumer.

5. The method for conducting a targeted survey of consumers according to claim 1, wherein the determining step includes the steps of:

identifying a first location wherein a consumer is likely to be making a purchase decision; and

determining the presence of the first consumer at the first location for at least a predetermined period of time.

6. The method for conducting a targeted survey of consumers according to claim 5, wherein the identifying step includes positioning at least one RFID reader at the first location;

and wherein the step of determining the presence of the first consumer includes the steps of;

associating an RFID tag with the first consumer; and

reading the RFID tag with the at least one RFID reader.

7. The method for conducting a targeted survey of consumers according to claim 1, wherein the step of conducting the survey includes the step of calling the first consumer on a mobile phone.

8. A consumer surveying method comprising the steps of:

collecting information relating to a plurality of survey participants;

providing each of the plurality of survey participants with an identification device from a plurality of identification devices;

determining the presence of one of the plurality of identification devices at a predetermined location; and

conducting a survey of a survey participant provided with the one of the plurality of identification devices.

9. The consumer surveying method according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of identification devices is a plurality of RFID tags;

and wherein the determining step includes the steps of;

positioning at least one RFID reader at the predetermined location; and

reading RFID tags with the at least one RFID reader.

10. The consumer surveying method according to claim 8, wherein the information includes demographic information;

and wherein the conducting step includes the steps of;

accessing demographic information relating to the survey participant; and

selecting a survey based upon the predetermined location and the demographic information.

11. The consumer surveying method according to claim 8, wherein the conducting step includes the steps of calling a mobile phone of the survey participant.

12. A system for conducting a consumer survey comprising:

a plurality of identification devices, each identification device being associated with one of a plurality of participants;

a reader for determining the location of at least one of the plurality of identification devices;

an automated survey system for conducting a telephonic survey of a first one of the plurality of participants based upon a determined location of an identification device associated with the first one of the plurality of participants.

13. The system for conducting a consumer survey according to claim 12, further comprising:

a database of demographic information relating to the plurality of participants; and

a survey selection system for selecting one of a plurality of telephonic surveys based upon demographic information in the database.

14. The system for conducting a consumer survey according to claim 12, wherein the automated survey system conducts a survey through a mobile phone belonging to the first one of the plurality of participants.

15. The system for conducting a consumer survey according to claim 12,

wherein the plurality of identification devices are RFID tags;

and

wherein the reader is an RFID reader.

16. The system for conducting a consumer survey according to claim 15, wherein the reader is positioned at a location at which a consumer is likely to be making a purchase decision.

17. The system for conducting a consumer survey according to claim 16, wherein the reader is positioned near merchandise in a store.

18. The system for conducting a consumer survey according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of readers for determining a plurality of locations of identification devices.