Anonymous digital identification

• US 9,258,133 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Issued: 02/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Callahan
• Original Assignee: One, Inc. (Quinstreet Incorporated)
• Inventors: Callahan, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAW, PELING ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US14/553,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20150081446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• 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 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• 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

Abstract

Methods and systems for anonymous digital identification are disclosed and may include detecting the presence of a first communication device associated with a first set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with the first communication device, detecting the presence of a second communication device associated with a second set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with the second communication device, and in response to a determination that the devices are geographically proximate to one another, providing matched content to at least one of the first and second devices. The matched content may be based at least in part on the first set of content, the second set of content, and a shared or complementary interest associated with the first and second devices. The interest may have been previously expressed by a user of the first or second devices.

Claims

1. A method for providing matched content, the method including:

detecting the presence of a first wireless communication device associated with a first set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with said first wireless communication device;

detecting the presence of a second wireless communication device associated with a second set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with said second wireless communication device; and

in response to a determination that said first and second wireless communication devices are geographically proximate to one another based on location detection capabilities of said first and second wireless communication devices, providing matched content to at least one of said first and second wireless communication devices, wherein said matched content is based at least in part on said first set of content, said second set of content, and a shared or complementary interest associated with said first and second wireless communication devices, and wherein said interest was previously expressed by a user of said first or second wireless communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second wireless communication devices is associated with a unique identifier.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said matched content is provided to said second wireless communication device via direct communication with said first wireless communication device, wherein said direct communication includes at least one of electrical communication and wireless communication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first set of content includes information associated with and provided by a user of said first wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said information provided by said user of said first wireless communication device comprises an amount said first user is willing to pay for said second set of content.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said matched content is based at least in part on a request match resource operation performed in response to a determination that said first and second wireless communication devices are geographically proximate to one another.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first set of content, said second set of content, and said matched content is communicated via a human-computer interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first set of content, said second set of content, and said matched content is processed by a translator.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a user of said first wireless communication device and a user of said second wireless communication device are anonymous to one another.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising allowing open communication between said first and second wireless communication devices, wherein said open communication selectively relates to said matched content, as determined by at least one of a user of the said first wireless communication device and a user of said second wireless communication device.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising automatically performing a transaction payment upon providing said matched content to said at least one of said first and second wireless communication devices.

12. A method for facilitating commercial transactions, the method comprising:

in an information management module that is operable to communicate with a non-commercial wireless communication device and/or a commercial wireless communication device;

identifying consumer information associated with said non-commercial wireless communication device, wherein said consumer information is not limited to an identifier associated with said non-commercial wireless communication device;

identifying provider information associated with said commercial wireless communication device, wherein said provider information is not limited to an identifier associated with said commercial wireless communication device;

determining whether geographic proximity exists between said non-commercial wireless communication device and said commercial wireless communication device based on location detection capabilities of said first and second wireless communication devices;

identifying whether shared or complementary information exists between said consumer information and said provider information in response to a determination that geographic proximity exists between said non-commercial wireless communication device and said commercial wireless communication device; and

providing said consumer information to said commercial wireless communication device and/or providing said provider information to said non-commercial wireless communication device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said provider information is associated with a commercial entity, wherein said provider information includes at least one of an advertisement, description, image, price, quantity, offer for sale, review, comparison, and location associated with at least one of a product and a service associated with said commercial entity.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising processing said consumer information, wherein said processing includes at least one of compiling, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from said consumer information, and wherein said consumer information includes at least one of raw data, processed data, and extrapolated consumer data.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising analyzing availability of at least one of a product and a service, wherein said analysis is performed by an inventory management unit associated with said commercial entity.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising allowing one or more commercial entities to purchase association rights with regard to at least one of an associable element and said consumer information, wherein said provider information provided to said non-commercial wireless communication device is based at least in part on said association rights.

17. The method of claim 12, comprising allowing a commercial transaction between said commercial device and said non-commercial wireless communication device, wherein said commercial transaction includes a transfer of at least one of a product, a service, currency, and feedback.

18. The method of claim 12, comprising automatically performing a transaction payment upon providing said consumer information to said at least one of said first and second wireless communication devices.

19. A system for providing matched content, the system comprising:

a processor that is operable to determine a geographic location associated with an electronic device and whether two or more electronic devices are geographically proximate to one another; and

an information management module that is operable to;

communicate with a first wireless communication device and/or a second wireless communication device, wherein said first wireless communication device is associated with a first set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with said first wireless communication device and said second wireless communication device is associated with a second set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with said second wireless communication device;

provide matched content to at least one of said first and second wireless communication devices in response to a determination by said processor that said first and second wireless communication devices are geographically proximate to one another based on location detection capabilities of said first and second wireless communication devices, wherein said matched content is based at least in part on at least one of said first set of content and said second set of content.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said first wireless communication device and said information management module are electrically integrated with one another.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said first wireless communication device comprises a display operable to display matched content to a wireless communication of said first wireless communication device.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first wireless communication device and said information management module is adapted to allow a user to modify at least one of said first set of content and a preference associated with providing matched content.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein said system is multi-modal.