Dynamically and Predictively Updating Mobile Devices as Mobile Users Pass Through Projected Locations

• US 20140188621A1
• Filed: 03/06/2014
• Published: 07/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bishop, Michael L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,127,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.64
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0213 Consumer transaction fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices

Abstract

This description provides tools and techniques for dynamically and predictively updating mobile devices as mobile users pass through projected locations. These tools may provide methods that include defining thresholds applicable to at least portions of travel itineraries on which mobile users are traveling. The methods may also identify advertisements to send to mobile devices associated with the mobile users, upon meeting the threshold. The methods may also send the selected advertisements, as associated with corresponding advertisers, to the mobile devices.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage device comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

identifying, based on a threshold, an advertisement to send to a mobile device; and

initiating, in response to identifying the advertisement, a transmission of the advertisement to the mobile device;

wherein the threshold is based on at least one of;

a distance from an anticipated stop for the mobile device;

an amount of time expected to pass before the mobile device arrives at the anticipated stop;

a time of day associated with the anticipated stop for the mobile device;

or

a type of area associated with the anticipated stop.

2. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the threshold is based on at least one other factor comprising a keyword.

3. The computer-readable storage device of claim 2, wherein the keyword is received at the processor by a transmission sent by the mobile device.

4. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise at least one of:

facilitating a voice-based communication between the mobile device and an advertiser;

facilitating an email-based exchange between the mobile device and the advertiser;

facilitating a text message based exchange between the mobile device and the advertiser;

facilitating an instant message (IM) exchange between the mobile device and the advertiser; and

facilitating a voice or data-based communication between the mobile device and the advertiser.

5. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise initiating presenting, by way of a user interface of the mobile device, an option allowing an affirmative user response or a negative user response regarding an advertisement offer.

6. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the operations further comprise defining the threshold;

the defining operation uses data indicating at least one of;

a previous stop for the mobile device; and

a present stop for the mobile device;

the threshold relates to a nature of the previous stop for the mobile device or a present stop for the mobile device; and

the defining operation comprises determining the nature of the previous or the present stop.

7. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the operations further comprise defining the threshold;

the defining operation uses data indicating at least one of;

a previous stop for the mobile device; and

a present stop for the mobile device; and

the previous stop or the present stop is at least one type selected from a group of stops consisting of;

a refueling stop, at which a vehicle in which the mobile device is moving apparently refueled; and

a meal stop, at which a person associated with the mobile device had a meal; and

8. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the operations further comprise defining the threshold;

the defining operation uses data indicating at least one of;

a previous stop for the mobile device; and

a present stop for the mobile device;

the distance is an anticipated distance; and

the defining operation comprises determining a cumulative distance traveled since the previous stop.

9. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the operations further comprise defining the threshold;

the defining operation uses data indicating at least one of;

a previous stop for the mobile device; and

a present stop for the mobile device; and

the operations further comprise performing a function selected from a group consisting of;

determining that the present stop is associated with a stop for fuel for a vehicle in which the mobile device is moving; and

determining that the previous stop was associated with a stop for fuel for the vehicle.

10. The computer-readable storage device of claim 9, wherein:

the defining operation comprises determining the distance based on an expected need for refueling the vehicle at the predicted stop;

determining the distance is based on a mileage expectation specific to a type of the vehicle in which the mobile device is moving;

the defining operation comprises determining the distance based on an expected need for refueling the vehicle at the predicted stop;

the defining operation comprises determining the amount of time based on an expected need for refueling the vehicle at the predicted stop; and

the operation of determining the amount of time is performed based on a mileage expectation specific to a type of the vehicle in which the mobile device is moving.

11. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the operations further comprise defining the threshold;

the defining operation uses data indicating at least one of;

a previous stop for the mobile device; and

a present stop for the mobile device;

the operations further comprise;

detecting that the mobile device has stopped at the present stop or the previous stop, and

detecting that the mobile device has, after stopping, resumed moving;

the threshold relates to a portion of an itinerary according to which the mobile device is moving; and

the operation of detecting that the mobile device has resumed moving comprises detecting that the mobile device has resumed, after stopping, moving in accordance with the itinerary.

12. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise at least one function selected from a group consisting of:

comparing operating hours associated with an advertiser to a time at which the mobile device is expected to arrive at the anticipated stop;

evaluating whether any pre-established relationship exists between an account associated with the mobile device and an advertiser; and

analyzing a past transaction involving a user or an account associated with the mobile device.

13. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the type of area associated with the anticipated stop is selected from a group consisting of an urban area and a non-urban area; and

the time of day is selected from a group of times consisting of;

morning;

midday;

evening; and

night.

14. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the operations further comprise defining the threshold, and

the defining operation comprises determining that a user associated with the mobile device will, when arriving at the anticipated stop, have a need selected from a group of needs consisting of;

food;

fuel; and

lodging.

15. A method, comprising:

identifying, by a system comprising a processor, based on a threshold, an advertisement to send to a mobile device; and

initiating, by the system, in response to identifying the advertisement, a transmission of the advertisement to the mobile device;

wherein the threshold is based on at least one of;

a distance from an anticipated stop for the mobile device;

an amount of time expected to pass before the mobile device arrives at the anticipated stop;

a time of day associated with an anticipated stop for the mobile device;

or

a type of area associated with the anticipated stop.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the threshold is based on at least one other factor comprising a keyword.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising at least one of:

facilitating a voice-based communication between the mobile device and an advertiser;

facilitating an email-based exchange between the mobile device and the advertiser;

facilitating a text message based exchange between the mobile device and the advertiser;

facilitating an instant message (IM) exchange between the mobile device and the advertiser; and

facilitating a voice or data-based communication between the mobile device and the advertiser.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising initiating presenting, by way of a user interface of the mobile device, an option allowing an affirmative user response or a negative user response regarding an advertisement offer.

19. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

identifying, based on a threshold, an advertisement to send to a mobile device; and

initiating, in response to identifying the advertisement, a transmission of the advertisement to the mobile device;

wherein the threshold is based on at least one of;

a distance from an anticipated stop for the mobile device;

an amount of time expected to pass before the mobile device arrives at the anticipated stop;

a time of day associated with an anticipated stop for the mobile device;

or

a type of area associated with the anticipated stop.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the threshold is based on at least one other factor comprising a keyword.