System and method for anonymous tracking of individuals

• US 8,301,126 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2010
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 54 Essential Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Home Producers Network LLC
• Inventors: Mowry, Craig P.
• Primary Examiner(s): MIZRAHI, DIANE D
• Application Number:
  US12/946,738
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.3, 455/3.03, 455/456.3, 370/312, 370328-350, 370/432
• US Class Current: 455/414.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system and method for eliciting information anonymously from a user are provided. The anonymously provided information is received from at least one of a plurality of broadcasting units via a respective transmitter. The anonymously provided information is received via a dedicated broadcast reception component that is configured to interface with the broadcasting unit. The plurality of broadcasting units are each configured with the respective transmitter and configured to receive and transmit information from the user. The plurality of broadcasting units are also configured to communicate over a communication network. Information representing at least one physical characteristic of the user is received from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units. The at least one physical characteristic identifies the user. The information representing the at least one physical characteristic of the user is matched with the anonymously provided information. The incentive to be provided to the user or a third party associated with the user is provided in exchange for the anonymously provided information.

Claims

1. A method for providing an incentive in exchange for anonymously provided information from a user, the method comprising:

receiving from at least one of a plurality of broadcasting units via a respective transmitter, the anonymously provided information via a dedicated broadcast reception component including a computing device that is configured to interface with the broadcasting unit, wherein the plurality of broadcasting units are each configured with the respective transmitter and configured to receive and transmit information from the user, and further wherein the plurality of broadcasting units are configured to communicate over a communication network;

receiving, from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units, information representing at least one physical characteristic of the user, wherein the at least one physical characteristic identifies the user;

matching the information representing the at least one physical characteristic of the user with the anonymously provided information; and

authorizing the incentive to be provided to the user or a third party associated with the user in exchange for the anonymously provided information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units, information representing one or more of the user'"'"'s voice, eye, nose, face, breath, fingerprint and hair.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units, information representing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcasting unit is further configured to self-destruct after the anonymously provided information and the information representing the at least one physical characteristic of the user are received.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the broadcasting units is further configured with an air management component for being deployed by air.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the broadcasting units is further configured with an air management component that includes an airbag.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the broadcasting units is further configured with an image capture component.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the broadcasting units is further configured with an image capture component configured to record at least one image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units is configured as a cellular telephone.

10. A method for providing an incentive in exchange for anonymously provided information from a user, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of broadcasting units that are each configured with a respective transmitter and configured to receive and transmit information from the user, wherein the plurality of broadcasting units are configured to communicate over a communication network;

receiving from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units via the respective transmitter, the anonymously provided information via a dedicated broadcast reception component including a computing device that is configured to interface with the broadcasting unit;

receiving, from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units, unique identification information related to the anonymously provided information;

matching the information representing the anonymously provided information with the unique identification information to identify the user or a third party associated with the user; and

confirming that incentive related criteria has been met by the user or the third party associated with the user relative to the anonymously provided information.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising calling at least a plurality of the plurality of broadcasting units, and further wherein the anonymously received information and the unique identification information are received as a function of the calling.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units is configured as a cellular telephone.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving, from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units, a code.

14. A method for providing an incentive in exchange for anonymously provided information from at least one user, the method comprising:

receiving from at least one of a plurality of broadcasting units via a respective transmitter, the anonymously provided information via a dedicated broadcast reception component including a computing device that is configured to interface with the broadcasting unit, wherein the plurality of broadcasting units are each configured with the respective transmitter and configured to receive and transmit information from at least one user, and further wherein the plurality of broadcasting units are configured to communicate over a communication network;

receiving, from the at least one of the plurality of broadcasting units, information representing at least one identification characteristic of the user, wherein the at least one identification characteristic identifies the user;

matching the information representing the at least one identification characteristic of the user with the anonymously provided information; and

authorizing the incentive to be provided to the user or a third party associated with the user in exchange for the anonymously provided information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication network is configured to be at least partially positioned on aircraft.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication network is configured to communicate intermittently.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication network is configured to include repositionable components providing network communication to at least one of said broadcast units that was not within communication with the network in a previous position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the communication network is configured to include repositionable components configured to provide a variable network coverage area relative to said broadcast units configured and operable to change coverage at least every 24 hours.