DYNAMIC ELECTRONIC COUPON FOR A MOBILE ENVIRONMENT

• US 20090061884A1
• Filed: 06/19/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Vo, Dang Minh, Moallemi, Kamran, Koenig, Michal James, Michaelis, Oliver, Rajan, Rajeev D., Jacobs, Paul E., Dos Santos, Jose Ricardo
• Granted Patent: US 9,483,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/445
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds

Abstract

Dynamic mobile coupons (DMCs) having a variable commercial value and/or other variable coupon characteristic are provided herein. By way of example, a DMC can be distributed to a mobile device based on criteria established by a sponsor of the DMC. A redemption value of the DMC can be variable and dynamically established based at least in part on data associated with a recipient mobile device. Upon redemption of the DMC at a retail entity, the value is fixed and applied to a transaction. Details of the transaction are provided to a remote clearinghouse that performs mediation and indemnification functions to finalize the transaction. As described, the subject disclosure provides a DMC that facilitates a rich and flexible mechanism to generate purchasing incentive for consumers in a mobile environment.

Claims

1. A method of remote communication, comprising:

associating a dynamic mobile coupon (DMC) with a target mobile device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic; and

establishing an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic based on a determinable circumstance pertinent to the target mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

transmitting the DMC to the target mobile device;

or

transmitting an indication of the DMC to the target mobile device that identifies a sponsor or a transaction associated with the DMC and further identifies at least one of;

the initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic;

or

a state of the variable coupon characteristic.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising evaluating the determinable circumstance and establishing the initial parameter prior to or contemporaneous with associating the DMC with the target mobile device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising employing a learning engine that examines a profile history of the target mobile device and a DMC distribution rule for evaluating the determinable circumstance.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising employing a DMC usage history, a mobile shopping history or a DMC sharing history associated with the profile history to evaluate the determinable circumstance.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising at least one of:

securing the established initial parameter to mitigate changes to the parameter by input from the target mobile device;

or

enabling re-evaluation of the initial parameter based at least in part on an input from the target mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing the initial parameter after associating the DMC with the target mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising re-establishing the initial parameter after associating the DMC with the target mobile device based in part on at least one of:

a change in the determinable circumstance;

or

an input at the target mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initiating or responding to wireless data exchange with a mobile device;

mining data pertaining to the mobile device;

comparing the mined data to one or more criteria for identifying the target mobile device; and

establishing the mobile device as the target mobile device based on a result of the comparison.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising employing a location, time, device capability, user interface function, or identity information associated with the mobile device as the one or more criteria.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying or authorizing application of the DMC to a transaction and modifying a default characteristic of the transaction based on the variable coupon characteristic.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising communicatively coupling with a clearinghouse server and reimbursing a sponsor of the transaction based at least in part on the modified default characteristic.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving notice that the DMC is presented for redemption at a point of sale location associated with the DMC.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying or authorizing application of a value to a transaction upon redemption of the DMC based at least in part on a determination of the variable coupon characteristic.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing redemption value as the variable coupon characteristic and evaluating the determinable circumstance to establish the redemption value based on at least one of:

the associating the DMC with the target mobile device;

receiving a value acceptance from the target mobile device;

identifying a threshold change in the determinable circumstance;

or

receiving notice that the DMC is presented for redemption.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing a location of the target mobile device, feature of the target mobile device, time, user profile information, vendor profile information, DMC profile information or retailer profile information as the determinable circumstance.

17. The method of claim 2, further comprising at least one of:

bundling media with the DMC, packaging at least the media into a mobile device application and transmitting the application to the target mobile device;

or

integrating media into the DMC, packaging the integrated DMC into the application and transmitting the application to the target mobile device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising employing an application that utilizes an audio, visual, olfactory, or tactile function as the mobile device application.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising configuring the application to employ the audio, visual, olfactory, or tactile function to augment a characteristic of a product or service.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising including with the media a product, service, supplier or retailer advertisement pertinent to the DMC.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising including with the media an advertisement of a third party other than a sponsor, recipient or distributor of the DMC.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising obtaining an indication that the advertisement is played at a recipient device and modifying, initiating or completing a transaction with the third party based on the indication.

23. The method of claim 2, further comprising transmitting an executable module with the DMC or the indication of the DMC, the executable module being configured to evaluate the determinable circumstance and establish or modify the initial parameter.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising configuring the executable module to transmit the established or modified initial parameter to a DMC management server.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising configuring the executable module to evaluate the determinable circumstance based on at least one of:

the associating the DMC with the target mobile device;

a threshold change in the determinable circumstance;

an input at the target mobile device;

or

redemption of the DMC.

26. An apparatus for remote communication, comprising:

a coupon module that associates a DMC with a target mobile device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic;

a valuation module that establishes an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic based on a determinable circumstance pertinent to the target mobile device;

memory that stores at least the coupon module and the valuation module to facilitate DMC distribution by the apparatus; and

a processor that executes the modules to implement DMC distribution.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a transmitter that employs a wireless interface, at least in part, to send to the target mobile device at least one of:

the DMC;

or

an indication of the DMC that identifies a sponsor or transaction associated with the DMC and further identifies at least one of;

the initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic;

or

a state of the variable coupon characteristic.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the valuation module evaluates the determinable circumstance and establishes the initial parameter before or when the DMC is associated with the target mobile device.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the valuation module further comprises a transaction database that stores a user profile history, which includes DMC usage information, mobile shopping information or DMC redistribution information, vendor profile information, DMC profile information or retailer profile information.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a learning engine that evaluates the determinable circumstance based on information stored in the transaction database.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the valuation module at least one of:

secures the established initial parameter to mitigate change to the parameter by input from the target mobile device;

or

enables re-evaluation of the initial parameter based at least in part on an input from the target mobile device.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the valuation module establishes the initial parameter after the coupon module associates the DMC with the target mobile device.

33. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the valuation module re-establishes the initial parameter after the coupon module associates the DMC with the target mobile device based in part on at least one of:

a change in the determinable circumstance;

or

an input at the target mobile device.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

a transceiver that participates in wireless data exchange with a mobile device;

a data mining module that obtains data pertaining to the mobile device; and

a filter module that compares the obtained data to one or more criteria for identifying the target mobile device and establishes the mobile device as the target mobile device based on a result of the comparison.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein at least one of:

the filter module employs time, location information, a device capability, user interface function, or identity information associated with the mobile device as the one or more criteria;

or

the data mining module extracts the obtained information from the mobile device, the valuation module, or a back-end server that contains at least user profile information, vendor profile information, DMC profile information or retailer profile information.

36. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a redemption module that applies or authorizes application of the DMC to a transaction.

37. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the variable coupon characteristic comprises a redemption value applicable to a transaction.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the redemption module receives notice that the DMC is presented for redemption at a point of sale location and updates the valuation module with at least a redemption status of the DMC.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the redemption module modifies or authorizes modification of a default characteristic of the transaction based on the variable coupon characteristic.

40. The apparatus of claim 36, the redemption module provides DMC and transaction information to a clearinghouse server to facilitate reimbursement of a sponsor of the transaction based at least in part on the modified default characteristic.

41. The apparatus of claim 26, the valuation module employs a redemption value of the DMC as the variable coupon characteristic and evaluates the determinable circumstance to establish the redemption value based on at least one of:

association of the DMC with the target mobile device;

an input at the target mobile device;

a threshold change in the determinable circumstance;

or

redemption of the DMC.

42. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a media integration module that integrates media into the DMC or bundles the media with the DMC, packages the DMC and media into a mobile device application, and transmits the application to the target mobile device.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the mobile device application utilizes an audio, visual, olfactory, or tactile function of the target mobile device.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the audio, visual, olfactory, or tactile function of the target mobile device is utilized to convey or augment a characteristic of a product or service.

45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the media includes an advertisement of a product, service, supplier or retailer pertinent to the DMC.

46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the media includes an advertisement of a third party other than a sponsor, recipient, or distributor of the DMC.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the coupon module modifies, initiates or completes a transaction with the third party if the advertisement is played at the target mobile device or other recipient mobile device.

48. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the transmitter further sends to the target mobile device an executable module configured to evaluate the determinable circumstance and establish or modify the initial parameter.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the executable module is further configured to transmit the established or modified initial parameter to a DMC management server.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the executable module is further configured to evaluate the determinable circumstance based at least on at least one of:

association of the DMC with the target mobile device;

an input at the target mobile device;

a threshold change in the determinable circumstance;

or

redemption of the DMC.

51. A DMC distribution device, comprising:

a first module configured to associate a DMC with a target mobile device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic;

a second module configured to distribute the DMC or an indication of the DMC to the target mobile device via remote data exchange; and

a third module configured to establish an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic based on a determinable circumstance pertinent to the target mobile device.

52. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for associating a DMC with a target mobile device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic; and

means for establishing an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic based on a determinable circumstance pertinent to the target mobile device.

53. A computer program product for wireless communication, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to associate a DMC with a target mobile device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic; and

at least one instruction for causing a computer to establish an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic based on a determinable circumstance pertinent to the target mobile device.

54. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

obtaining a DMC or an indication of the DMC from a device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic;

obtaining at least one factor relevant to establishing an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic; and

collecting data pertinent to the at least one factor to facilitate establishing the initial parameter.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising at least one of:

calculating a quantitative or qualitative value for the initial parameter based at least in part on the collected data;

or

providing the collected data to the device and receiving the value.

56. The method of claim 54, further comprising employing time, location of a recipient mobile device, feature of the mobile device, a mobile device user input, user, DMC, manufacturer, vendor or retailer profile information, or location of a vendor or retailer as the at least one factor.

57. The method of claim 54, further comprising obtaining electronic media pertinent to a product, service, sponsor, distributor, redemption rule, coupon characteristic adjustment rule or redistribution rule pertinent to the DMC.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising playing the media and facilitating adjustment of the variable coupon characteristic based at least in part on the playing.

59. The method of claim 55, further comprising adjusting the value based at least in part on the collected data or on data collected subsequent receipt of the DMC.

60. The method of claim 55, further comprising freezing the value based at least in part on the collected data or a user input.

61. The method of claim 54, further comprising presenting information pertinent to the DMC at a recipient device, wherein the information comprises a product description, supplier information, manufacturer information, retailer information, vendor information, redemption instructions, expiration information, DMC identification (ID), a rule describing variation of the coupon characteristic or value added incentives.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the information is presented as a multi-dimensional display that conveys feature richness of the DMC and augments at least one aspect of a product, service, sponsor, or retailer associated with the DMC.

63. The method of claim 54, further comprising presenting the DMC for redemption in conjunction with a transaction.

64. The method of claim 55, further comprising obtaining an algorithm for calculating the quantitative or qualitative value and obtaining a dynamic update to the algorithm that changes a manner in which the value is calculated.

65. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a transceiver configured for wireless communication, the transceiver that obtains from a wireless transmitter a DMC having at least one variable coupon characteristic, or an indication of such DMC, and at least one factor relevant to establishing an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic;

memory that stores the DMC or the at least one factor; and

a valuation engine that collects data pertinent to the at least one factor to facilitate establishing the initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one of:

the valuation engine calculates a quantitative or qualitative value for the initial parameter based at least in part on the collected data;

or

the valuation engine provides, by way of the transceiver, the collected data to the device and receives the value.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the valuation engine employs time, location of a recipient mobile device, a feature of the recipient mobile device, a mobile device user input, user, DMC, manufacturer, vendor or retailer profile information, or location of a vendor or retailer as the at least one factor.

68. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the DMC includes electronic media pertinent to a product, service, sponsor, distributor, redemption rule, coupon characteristic adjustment rule, or redistribution rule pertinent to the DMC.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, further comprising a user interface that plays the media, wherein the valuation engine adjusts the variable coupon characteristic based at least in part on playing the media.

70. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the valuation engine adjusts the value based at least in part on the collected data or on data collected subsequent obtaining the DMC.

71. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the valuation engine freezes the value based at least in part on the collected data or a user input.

72. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising a playback module that presents information pertinent to the DMC at the apparatus, wherein the information comprises a product description, supplier information, manufacturer information, retailer information, vendor information, redemption instructions, expiration information, DMC identification (ID), a rule describing variation of the coupon characteristic or value added incentives.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the playback module presents the information as a multi-dimensional display that conveys feature richness of the DMC and augments at least one aspect of a product, service, sponsor, or retailer associated with the DMC.

74. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising a redemption module that presents the DMC for redemption in conjunction with a transaction.

75. The apparatus of claim 66, further comprising an update module that obtains a dynamic update to an algorithm that calculates the quantitative or qualitative value, wherein the update to the algorithm changes a manner in which the value is calculated.

76. A mobile device, comprising:

a transceiver configured for wireless data exchange with a remote device;

a first module configured to obtain a DMC or an indication of the DMC from the remote device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic;

a second module configured to obtain at least one factor relevant to establishing an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic; and

a third module configured to collect data pertinent to the at least one factor to facilitate establishing the initial parameter.

77. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for obtaining a DMC or an indication of the DMC from a device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic;

means for obtaining at least one factor relevant to establishing an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic; and

means for collecting data pertinent to the at least one factor to facilitate establishing the initial parameter.

78. A computer program product for wireless communication, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to obtain a DMC or an indication of the DMC from a device, wherein the DMC has at least one variable coupon characteristic;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to obtain at least one factor relevant to establishing an initial parameter for the variable coupon characteristic; and

collect data pertinent to the at least one factor to facilitate establishing the initial parameter.