Exchanging identifiers between wireless communication to determine further information to be exchanged or further services to be provided

• US 8,374,592 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2011
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Secure Communication Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Proxicom Wireless LLC
• Inventors: Proctor, Jr., James A., Proctor, III, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US13/212,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20110302019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 455/411, 455/414.3, 705/10, 705/14.41, 705/226, 709/229
• US Class Current: 455/414.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/384 using social networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0282 Rating or review of business operators or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/622 Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 : Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 : Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 : Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 : for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 : Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A server exchanges information between one or more wireless devices. The server receives second device identifier information from a first wireless device using a wide area wireless network The second device identifier information was previously provided to the first wireless device via short range wireless communication. The server then uses the second device identifier information to determine additional information concerning an entity or object located in proximity to the second device, and then delivers information to the first wireless device or the second wireless device based at least in part upon the second device identifier and feedback ratings relevant to an entity associated with either the first wireless device or the second device identifier.

Claims

1. A method for a server to exchange information with one or more wireless devices comprising the steps of:

the server receiving identifier information from a first wireless device using a wide area wireless network, the identifier information provided to the first wireless device from a second wireless device using short range wireless communication;

said server using the identifier information to determine information concerning an entity or object located in proximity to the second wireless device; and

the server delivering information to the first wireless device or the second wireless device based at least in part upon the identifier information and based at least upon feedback ratings of past experiences related to said entity or object associated with either said first wireless device or said identifier information, wherein said information includes a name associated with said entity or object as determined by the server utilizing said identifier information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering information comprises one step of a multiple step process for an ongoing electronic commerce transaction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein subsequent to said step of delivering information, performing an additional step of the multiple step process for the ongoing electronic commerce transaction of:

said server receiving confirmation from said first wireless device including an indication of authorization to proceed with one or more additional steps associated with said ongoing electronic commerce transaction.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said indication of authorization comprises a lack of authorization to proceed with further steps associated with said ongoing electronic commerce transaction.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said indication of authorization comprises an approval to proceed with additional steps associated with said ongoing multiple step electronic commerce transaction.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said ongoing electronic commerce transaction includes a peer discovery phase and a purchasing phase.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said purchasing phase further comprises:

the server receiving information from either said first wireless device or said second wireless device indicating selection of one or more goods for purchase;

the server transmitting a request to either said first wireless device or said second wireless device for confirmation of said purchase;

the server receiving confirmation that a user wishes to complete said purchase; and

the server transmitting a receipt to either said second wireless device or to an entity associated with said second wireless device.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the server transmitting executable code to said first wireless device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said executable code facilitates purchase of an item from a list of items for purchase.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein an electronic coupon is further delivered to the first wireless device.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein an electronic coupon is further delivered to the first wireless device.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein information related to participation in a loyalty program is delivered to the first wireless device.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein information related to participation in a loyalty program is delivered to the first wireless device.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein information related to participation in a loyalty program is delivered to the first wireless device.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivered information comprises an image including or depicting an entity or object associated with the identifier information.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one feedback rating is from an entity included on a friends list associated with:

(a) the first wireless device, or (b) an entity associated with the first wireless device.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein at least one feedback rating is from an entity included on a friends list associated with:

(a) the first wireless device, or (b) an entity associated with the first wireless device.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedback ratings further comprise:

feedback ratings determined as part of prior commerce transactions with the entity associated with either the first wireless device or the second wireless device identifier information.

19. A method for a server to exchange information with one or more wireless devices comprising the steps of:

the server receiving identifier information from a first wireless device using a wide area wireless network, the identifier information provided to the first wireless device from a second wireless device using short range wireless communication;

said server using identifier information to determine information concerning an entity or object located in proximity to the second wireless device; and

the server delivering information to the first wireless device based at least in part upon the identifier information and information representing a reward for an entity associated with the first wireless device'"'"'s participation in a loyalty program, wherein said information includes a name associated with said entity or object located in proximity to the second wireless device or a name associated with said loyalty program as determined by the server utilizing said identifier information.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said information delivered by said server to the first wireless device is further based upon a history of previous detections related to said identifier information.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said information delivered by said server to the first wireless device is further based upon a history of previous information delivered to said first wireless device representing a reward or electronic coupon.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein said first server is prevented from delivering information representing a reward or electronic coupon to the first wireless device based upon a history of previous information delivered to said first wireless device representing a reward or electronic coupon.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein said information delivered by said server to the first wireless device is additionally based on a history of past purchasing behavior associated with an account associated with either the first wireless device or the identifier information.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of delivery of said information delivered by said server to the first wireless device additionally depends on inclusion of an identifier associated with an entity associated with the first wireless device on a friends list or inclusion on another group list by another entity.

25. A method for a server to exchange information between a first wireless device and a second wireless device, comprising the steps of:

the server receiving identifier information from said first wireless device using a wide area wireless network, the identifier information provided to the first wireless device from the second wireless device using short range wireless communication;

said server using the identifier information to determine a name of an entity or object located in proximity to the second wireless device; and

the server delivering information to the first wireless device based at least in part upon the identifier information and feedback ratings of past experiences related to the entity or object located in proximity to the second wireless device, wherein said information includes the name as determined by the server utilizing said identifier information.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said server provides coupons to the first wireless device or said second wireless device.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the first wireless device is not mobile and the second wireless device is mobile.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the first wireless device is mobile and the second wireless device is not mobile.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the short range wireless communication has a range substantially equivalent to radio frequency identification (RFID).

30. A method for a server to exchange information with one or more wireless devices comprising the steps of:

the server receiving an identifier or information derived from an identifier from a first wireless device using a wide area wireless network, the identifier provided to the first wireless device from a second wireless device using short range wireless communication;

the server sending to the first wireless device, a list containing the names of one or more merchants enabled to receive wireless payment associated with a service facilitated by said server and based upon the identifier or information derived from the identifier; and

the server receiving a message from the first wireless device indicating a merchant with which to engage in subsequent steps of a multiple step electronic commerce transaction;

the server sending a message to a merchant device associated with said indicated merchant, including a picture depicting an entity associated with the first wireless device and associated with an account with the service facilitated by said server;

the server receiving a message from the merchant device indicating that a user of the merchant device has compared the picture with the entity associated with the first wireless device and that they match;

the server receiving a message from the merchant device requesting the processing of a transaction utilizing stored information of the account associated with the entity associated with the first wireless device; and

the server sending one or more messages to either the first wireless device, the second wireless device, or the merchant device confirming said purchase.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the server performs an additional step of receiving a message from the merchant device including an itemized list of goods to be purchased or having been purchased by an entity associated with the first wireless device.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said server performs an additional step of sending information to the first wireless device representing a reward for participation in a loyalty program associated with the transaction with the merchant.

33. A method for a server to exchange information with one or more wireless devices comprising the steps of:

the server receiving a first unique identifier or information derived from a first unique identifier from a first wireless device using a wide area wireless network, the identifier provided to the first wireless device from a second wireless device using short range wireless communication;

the server sending to the first wireless device, a list containing the names of one or more merchants in proximity to the first wireless device, wherein said list is associated with a service facilitated by said server and based upon the identifier information derived from the first unique identifier;

the server receiving from the first wireless device a second unique identifier or information derived from a second unique identifier, said second unique identifier being received by the first wireless device from a broadcast device utilizing an acoustic transmission of a sound wave in a propagation medium;

the server sending a message to the first wireless device including a reward for participation in a loyalty program associated with one of the merchants of said list and in response to the reception of said second unique identifier;

the server sending information to the first wireless device including a list of one or more products for sale by the merchant associated with the second unique identifier, where said products are eligible for additional rewards upon purchase;

the server receiving a message confirming a transaction between a user of the first wireless device and said merchant relating to one or more products included on said list of products; and

the server sending information to the first wireless device indicating a reward for said transaction, in response to the purchase of the one or more products from the list of products.