COMMERCE AND SERVICES IN A FEMTOCELL NETWORK

• US 20090299788A1
• Filed: 05/13/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Huber, Kurt Donald, Flynn, Judson John, Mansfield, William Gordon
• Application Number:
  US12/465,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20090299788A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 : Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/108 : when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/73 : Validating charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 : using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 : using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 : using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 : Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 : Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 : based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 : with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 : Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

System(s) and method(s) are provided for commerce and services through a set of networked femto access points (APs) and served devices. Incentive(s) and advertisement are delivered to a device based at least in part upon at least one of a location of the device within a coverage area spanned by the set of networked femto APs. Commercial transaction(s) can be implemented based at least in part on a commercial profile associated with a mobile device. Order(s) for a product can be issued remotely and a related transaction can be effected at a point-of-sale linked to the product; transaction'"'"'s billing charges can be adjusted based at least in part on available incentive(s). Navigation from a point of entry to a destination can afford delivery service(s) or locale or product identification or discovery. Revenue sharing and generation of business intelligence is provided.

Claims

1. A method for providing location-based services, comprising:

employing one or more processors to execute code instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, the code instructions when executed by the one or more processor implement the following acts;

receiving an indication of an attachment attempt to a first femto access point (AP) within a femto enterprise network by a device linked to at least one of a service provider or a prospective customer;

when the device is not blacklisted, including the device in one or more access lists associated with a set of femto APs within the enterprise femto network;

receiving a destination task related to at least one of a service event or a commercial transaction;

navigating the device from a first location to a destination location extracted from the destination task; and

receiving billing information related at least in part to the service event or the commercial transaction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a location of the device; and

conveying customized content to the device, wherein the content is customized in accordance at least in part with the identified location or a commerce profile linked to the device, the content includes at least one of monetary incentives or advertisement.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the device is one of a mobile device or a tethered device with wireless capability, the tethered device functionally connected to a routing platform that is part of the femto enterprise network.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving a unique identifier or a mobile device that attaches to a femto AP in the enterprise femto network;

retrieving a commerce profile associated with the unique identifier of the mobile device;

identifying a transaction effected at least in part through the mobile device; and

assessing charges for the transaction to a service account linked to the mobile device based at least in part on the retrieved commerce profile, wherein the assessing act includes accounting for accrued monetary incentives associated with the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

configuring trade of a service unit for exposure to advertisement, wherein exposure to advertisement is dictated at least in part through advertisement impression criteria;

monitor response to exposed advertisement;

collect service intelligence based at least in part on the response to the exposed advertisement; and

adjust a service associated with the service unit in accordance at least in part with collected service intelligence.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising supplying the service unit based at least in part on at least one of the exposed advertisement or the configured trade.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising assessing revenue sharing with a set of advertisers in accordance at least in part with the configured trade.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the set of advertisers can include at least one of advertisers internal to a business operator that exploits the enterprise femto network or a network operator that administers the same;

or external to the business operator or the network operator.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving an order for a product associated with a point of sale (POS) within an enterprise from an originating device located in a remote position with respect to the location of the POS;

routing the order to a femto AP that provides wireless service to the POS;

including the originating device or a mobile device linked thereto in an access list that regulates access rights to the femto AP that provides wireless service to the POS within the enterprise;

when proof of transaction is received, assessing billing charges based at least in part on at least one of the product;

the originating device or a mobile device linked thereto;

or a commerce profile associated therewith.

10. The method of claim 9, when proof of transaction is not received after a configurable monitoring cycle elapses, exception handling is implemented, wherein exception handling can include at least one of classification of a subscriber linked to the originating device as a hotlined consumer;

or revocation of at least part of access privileges of the subscriber to an ordering system that manipulates, at least in part, the received order.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the customized content is directed to an item disclosed in a received list of one or more items.

12. A system, comprising:

a set of routing platforms;

a commerce component that enables at least in part at least one of a commercial transaction or service consumption through a device, wherein the commerce component supplies monetary incentive(s) to the device to effect at least in part the commercial transaction;

a plurality of femto access points (APs) functionally connected to a routing platform in the set of routing platforms, wherein each femto AP in the plurality of femto APs includes a radio control (RC) node that performs at least one of traffic and signaling exchange with the routing platform; and

a backhaul trunk that transports data and control among the routing platform and a controller component functionally linked to a femto network platform that interfaces with one or more external networks.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the routing platforms generates a location estimate of the device to enable at least one of a delivery service or a directed purchase or inquiry.

14. The system of claim 13, to enable at least one of the delivery service or the directed purchase or inquiry, the at least one of the routing platforms request and receives a destination task that identifies at least one of a destination location;

an identifier of a reference item associated with the intended destination, the identifier can include a universal product code (UPC), an international standard book number (ISBN), a stock keeping unit (SKU);

or identification information of an end-user associated with a mobile device that affords, at least in part, the delivery service or the directed purchase or inquiry.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one of the routing platforms delivers navigation directives based at least in part on at least one of the destination location included in the destination task and a point of entry into a coverage area spanned by the plurality of femto APs.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the routing platforms performs the following:

receives an order for a product;

routes the order to a femto AP in the plurality of femto APs that serves a point-of-sale (POS) associated with the product; and

receives proof of transaction and assesses billing charges to a service account linked to a device that originates the order, the billing charges account for monetary incentive(s) available to the device

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the commerce component includes a transaction component that monitors and records commercial transactions, records can be retained in a transaction database to generate business intelligence or extract patterns of commercial transaction.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the transaction component delivers monetary incentive to the device, the monetary incentive are relayed by at least one of the routing platforms to a femto AP in the plurality of femto APs that serves the device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein delivery of the monetary incentive is directed towards a memory and credited to the device for subsequent utilization in a commercial transaction.

20. The system of claim 19, the monetary incentive is delivered or credited based at least in part on a location within the coverage area spanned by the plurality of femto APs.

21. The system of claim 12, further comprising a marketing component that delivers advertisement directed to the device based at least in part on at least one of a location thereof or a commerce profile of a subscriber associated with the device.

22. The system of claim 21, to deliver advertisement, the marketing component conveys the advertisement to at least one of the routing platforms in the set of routing platforms, the at least one of the routing platforms relays the advertisement to a femto AP in the plurality of femto APs that serves the device, and the femto AP conveys the advertisement.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the marketing component exploits advertisement to at least one of generation of business intelligence or design of customized advertisement campaign(s) or service(s) for consumers that conduct commercial transactions within a business served through one or more of the femto APs in the plurality of femto APs.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein one or more routing platforms in the set of routing platforms establish a point-to-point call session amongst a device within the coverage area spanned though the plurality of femto APs and a customer service agent, the call session initiated at least in part through a predetermined service number.

25. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one of the routing platforms in the set of routing platforms delivers buffered content intended to a specific mobile device when the mobile device attaches to a femto AP in the plurality of femto APs that is authorized to provide service to the mobile device, wherein the buffered content is purchased in an external network.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein an access list that identifies at least one mobile device and regulates access to femto AP and services there from authorizes the femto AP to provide service to the mobile device.

27. A method, comprising:

employing at least one or more processor to execute code instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, the code instructions when executed by the one or more processors implement the following acts;

attaching to a femto access point (AP) within an enterprise femto network;

receiving a prompt to opt in for promotional content delivery, wherein promotional content includes at least one or a monetary incentive or advertisement;

responding to the received prompt; and

when promotional content delivery is elected in response to the received prompt, receiving promotional content customized based at least in part on at least one of a commerce profile or a location within the enterprise femto network.

28. The method of claim 27, responding to the received prompt includes conducting a cost-utility analysis to determine a financial gain from receiving a predetermined volume of promotional content with respect to a cost of receiving the predetermined volume of promotional content.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

conveying a destination task that includes at least an intended destination within the enterprise femto network;

receiving navigation instructions to the intended destination; and

conveying an indication that the intended destination has been reached

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the destination task further includes an identifier of a reference item associated with the intended destination, the identifier can include a universal product code (UPC), an international standard book number (ISBN), or a stock keeping unit (SKU).

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

conveying an order for a product through the femto AP; and

delivering signaling that effects a commercial transaction linked to the ordered product.

32. A mobile device, comprising:

a configurable communication platform that can receive wireless signal within a set of frequency carriers and a set of radio technologies; and

a transaction component that that receives and conveys, through the communication platform, signaling and data that enables at least in part a commercial transaction or service consumption.

33. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the transaction component communicates control information to effect the commercial transaction.

34. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the transaction component configures the communication platform to deliver wireless signal in an infrared (IR) portion of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum to communicate signaling and traffic within a point-to-point (PTP) short-range mode of operation, the PTP communication enables delivery of at least one of a purchase or service request to a point-of-sale device.

35. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the transaction component delivers a purchase or service request to a femto AP in an enterprise femto network, the purchase request includes an order for a product and the service request includes a destination task.

36. The mobile device of claim 33, to generate at least one of an order or a destination task, the transaction component exploits at least one of a display interface or an application retained in a memory.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the transaction component includes a switch component that accepts or rejects a received prompt to elect delivery of monetary incentives or advertisement.

38. The system of claim 37, to accept or reject the received prompt, the switch component performs a cost-utility analysis to determine a financial gain from reception of monetary incentives with respect to a cost of reception thereof.

39. The system of claim 37, when the received prompt is accepted, the transaction component conveys a response to received monetary incentives or advertisement, wherein the response is collected by a recipient to generate business intelligence.