PROXIMITY-DEPENDENT SHOPPING OFFER

• US 20130060627A1
• Filed: 09/01/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Harrison, Joshua C.
• Application Number:
  US13/224,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20130060627A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a proximity-dependent shopping offer. In some embodiments, the techniques determine, based on information about a user of a mobile device, that the user is likely to be interested in a particular product. The techniques may also determine that the user is conveniently near to a store at which to purchase the product. By so doing, the techniques enable stores to target offers to a person that is likely to be interested in visiting the store.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

providing information, to a remote entity and through a communication network, about a user of a mobile device;

receiving a proximity-dependent shopping offer determined based on the information about the user, the proximity-dependent shopping offer associated with a brick-and-mortar store having a geographic location;

determining that the mobile device is proximate the geographical location; and

presenting, at the mobile device and responsive to determining that the mobile device is proximate the geographical location, the proximity-dependent shopping offer.

2. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 1, wherein the remote entity is associated with the brick-and-mortar store and the information indicates that the user has searched for, selected, or previously purchased a product similar or identical to an offered product of the proximity-dependent shopping offer and purchasable at the brick-and-mortar store.

3. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 1, wherein the proximity-dependent shopping offer includes a temporal proximity and determining that the mobile device is proximate the geographical location is based on a geographical proximity to the geographical location and a speed at which the mobile device is moving.

4. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 3, wherein determining the speed at which the mobile device is moving determines that the user is walking

5. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 3, wherein determining the speed at which the mobile device is moving determines that the user is driving and wherein determining that the mobile device is proximate the geographical location is based on automobile road conditions.

6. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 1, wherein the proximity-dependent shopping offer includes a temporal dependence based on business hours of the brick-and-mortar store, and determining that the mobile device is proximate the geographic location determines that the temporal dependence is met by determining that a current time is within the business hours.

7. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 1, wherein the proximity-dependent shopping offer includes a geographical proximity and determining that the mobile device is proximate the geographical location is based on a current location of the mobile device.

8. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 1, wherein presenting the proximity-dependent shopping offer:

determines that the proximity-dependent shopping offer is associated with an application on the mobile device; and

passes the proximity-dependent shopping offer to the application effective to enable the application to present, in a user interface tailored to the brick-and-mortar store, the proximity-dependent shopping offer.

9. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 1, further comprising presenting, at the mobile device and along with the proximity-dependent shopping offer, an estimated time to travel from a current location of the mobile device to the geographic location of the brick-and-mortar store.

10. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, from a mobile device associated with a user, information about the user;

determining, based on the information about the user, a proximity-dependent shopping offer, the proximity-dependent shopping offer associated with one or more geographic locations having proximity thresholds; and

causing the mobile device to present the shopping offer responsive to the mobile device being within one of the proximity thresholds.

11. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein the information indicates that the mobile device is within one of the proximity thresholds and causing the mobile device to present the shopping offer causes the mobile device to present the shopping offer immediately.

12. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein determining the proximity-dependent shopping offer includes passing the information to a third party associated with a brick-and-mortar store at one of the geographic locations and receiving, from the third party, the proximity-dependent shopping offer.

13. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein determining the proximity-dependent shopping offer further determines a temporal dependence for the proximity-dependent shopping offer, and where causing the mobile device to present the proximity-dependent shopping offer causes the mobile device to present the proximity-dependent shopping offer also responsive to the temporal dependence being met.

14. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 13, wherein the temporal dependence is based on business hours of a brick-and-mortar store at one of the geographic locations, the brick-and-mortar store capable of redeeming the proximity-dependent shopping offer.

15. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein causing the mobile device to present the proximity-dependent shopping offer transmits, to the mobile device and through a communication network, the proximity-dependent shopping offer including an identity of a brick-and-mortar store at one of the geographic locations and the proximity threshold.

16. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein the information includes:

search terms of a search performed on the mobile device, the search terms selected by the user;

brick-and-mortar purchases made through the mobile device;

or

Internet-only purchases made through the mobile device.

17. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein the information includes:

a current location of the mobile device;

or

historical locations and accompanying times of the mobile device.

18. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein the information includes a wish list of products selected by the user or a shopping cart of products purchased or selected and not purchased.

19. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 10, wherein the proximity-dependent shopping offer includes an electronic coupon.

20. A computer-implemented method comprising:

providing information, to a remote entity and through a communication network, indicating that a user of a mobile device has searched for, selected, or previously purchased a product;

receiving a proximity-dependent shopping offer determined based on the information, the proximity-dependent shopping offer offering an offered product similar or identical to the product indicated in the information, the proximity-dependent shopping offer associated with a brick-and-mortar store at which the offered product can be purchased;

determining that the mobile device is within a geographical proximity threshold of the brick-and-mortar store and within business hours of the brick-and-mortar store; and

presenting, through an application on the mobile device that is associated with the brick-and-mortar store and in a user interface tailored to the brick-and-mortar store, the proximity-dependent shopping offer.