Systems and Methods to Advertise a Physical Business Location with Digital Location-Based Coupons

• US 20120290383A1
• Filed: 05/15/2011
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Inventors: Busch, James David
• Application Number:
  US13/107,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20120290383A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.36
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Methods and systems that record the location of a user and transmit targeted content to a user based upon their current and past location information. A network is configured to include a server programmed with a database of targeted content, a database of location information, a database of user information, a database searching algorithm, and a wireless communication system capable of communicating with the user'"'"'s mobile device. The location of the mobile device is ascertained and recorded. The location information is analyzed to determine the routes taken by the user, businesses visited by the user, and other behaviors of the user. Targeted content is sent to the mobile device of the user and whether the user visits the physical locations associated with the targeted content is monitored. Once it is verified that the user has visited the physical location, then any associated promotional offers may be authorized. Payment systems, phone exchange systems, and other features may also be integrated to provide detailed conversion tracking to producers of targeted content and business owners.

Claims

1. A method, performed by a content producer having a physical business location, of advertising the physical business location to a wireless device configured to detect its location, comprising:

a) the content producer indicating to an advertising system that the content producer operates the physical business location;

b) the content producer transmitting content to the advertising system, the content including a promotional offer that is associated with the physical business location;

c) the content producer causing the promotional offer to be transmitted to the wireless device of a potential customer that is near the physical business location; and

d) the content producer receiving, from the wireless device of the potential customer, a registration that verifies that the potential customer is visiting the physical business location and thereafter providing a monetary benefit, the registration process including;

i. receiving, from the wireless device, geographic location information as detected by the wireless device corresponding to the location of the wireless device;

ii. transmitting, to the wireless device, the names of a plurality of business locations near the geographic location of the wireless device; and

iii. receiving, from the wireless device, a selection from the plurality of business locations representing the physical business location associated with the content and further representing the current location of the wireless device thereby verifying that that the potential customer is visiting the physical business location associated with the content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

the promotional offer is redeemed to the potential customer by the content producer after the content producer receives the registration verifying that the potential customer registered that the potential customer is visiting the physical business location.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

the promotional offer is redeemed to the potential customer by the content producer after the content producer receives the registration verifying that it is the first time the potential customer has registered that the potential customer is visiting the physical business location.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein

the promotional offer is redeemed to the potential customer by the content producer after the content producer receives the registration verifying that the potential customer and a friend of the potential customer have each registered that they are visiting the physical business location.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

e) the content producer applying the promotional offer to a transaction with the potential customer.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

e) the content producer receiving analytics data taking into account the number of times the potential customer registered that the potential customer visited the physical business location.

4. (canceled)