Method for targeting promotions to individual associated with a vehicle

• US 7,577,581 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2000
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Didi (HK) Science and Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Schuyler, Marc P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Janvier, Jean D.
• Application Number:
  US09/703,459
• Time in Patent Office: 3,213 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/26, 701/29, 701/32
• US Class Current: 705/14.62
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 Vehicular advertisement

Abstract

This disclosure provides a system for remotely communicating with a vehicle and a related business method of targeting promotions to one or more individuals associated with a vehicle. The system includes a wireless device, a security gateway, and an on-board computer coupled to one or more sensors or controls. The wireless device permits reporting of a maintenance event to a central source (e.g., a dealer, manufacturer or their delegee) or to a promoter that can target promotions based on the particular maintenance event. Preferably, the vehicle is equipped with software that automatically and unsolicitedly identifies maintenance event and notifies the dealer, manufacturer, delegee or a promoter. It is this third party that then notifies the vehicle owner (or other individual associated with a vehicle identification number) of the maintenance event, that identifies local product or service providers in the individual'"'"'s vicinity, and that provides targeted promotions to the individual.

Claims

1. A method of targeting promotions to an individual associated with a vehicle, where the vehicle includes an on-board system including vehicle sensors from which a maintenance event is to be detected, said method comprising:

detecting a vehicle maintenance event, including

digitally interrogating the on-board system of the vehicle,

detecting when the vehicle maintenance condition meets predetermined maintenance criteria, and

transmitting wirelessly to a remote computer an identification that the vehicle has met the predetermined maintenance criteria;

generating a promotion associated with the vehicle maintenance event; and

providing the promotion to the individual associated with the particular vehicle, including

using an association between the individual and the vehicle to associate the vehicle maintenance event with the individual, and

sending the promotion to the individual.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

interrogating the on-board system includes providing a vehicle having an on-board digital system having instructions stored therein operative to cause the digital system to unsolicitedly detect occurrence of the maintenance event; and

said instructions further cause the on-board digital system and a wireless transmitter associated with the vehicle to unsolicitedly contact the remote computer and send the identification to the computer.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating a promotion includes:

obtaining service discount coupon permissions for a plurality of service providers, across multiple geographies;

filtering the service providers based on type of vehicle maintenance service and geographic vicinity to the individual; and

generating and transmitting at least one coupon to an address associated with the individual in response to the filtering.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating a promotion includes:

generating a discount coupon for a product that is complimentary to the vehicle maintenance event; and

transmitting the coupon to an address associated with the individual.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating a promotion includes:

generating a discount coupon for a service that is complimentary to a service for the vehicle maintenance event; and

transmitting the coupon to an address associated with the individual.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

transmitting to a remote computer includes transmitting the identification to a delegee of a vehicle manufacturer or dealer; and

generating a promotion includes use of the identification by the delegee to generate a notification that a particular vehicle maintenance event has been reached, and mailing that notification to the individual pursuant to a vehicle sales promotion.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the vehicle has an on-board computer system and a vehicle user display screen; and

sending the promotion to the individual includes sending an electronic message to the on-board computer system for the vehicle which causes the computer system to visually display the promotion for the user.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

using an association includes storing contact information for the individual, including an email address associated with the individual; and

sending the promotion to the individual includes sending an electronic message to the user'"'"'s email address.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein generating a promotion includes:

generating a discount coupon for a product that is complimentary to a service for the vehicle maintenance event; and

transmitting the coupon to an address associated with the individual.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein using an association includes:

collecting, at the time of vehicle purchase, a contact address for a vehicle purchaser, and storing the contact address in an electronic database.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein using the association includes:

storing a vehicle identification number on-board the vehicle;

upon detection of a maintenance event, transmitting the vehicle identification number together with the identification sent to the remote computer; and

associating contact information for the individual with a particular maintenance event using the vehicle identification number.