Method of providing digital content for users of physical items

• US 9,584,609 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Werner, Jon H., DiBenedetto, Christian, Vaterlaus, Amy Jones, Vincent, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Claude J
• Application Number:
  US14/714,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20150334201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2291 User-Defined Types; Storage management thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/235 Update request formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• 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: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• 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

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for enhancing users'"'"' overall experiences with physical items by supplementing their physical experiences with digital experiences. According to an embodiment, an electronic device scans a smart tag associated with an item to obtain an item identifier of the item, and sends the item identifier to a server, which selects digital content to be made available to a user of the item.

Claims

1. A method of providing a user with digital content related to an item, the item associated with a smart tag encoded with an item identifier that identifies the item, the smart tag configured to transmit the item identifier to a device positioned proximate to the smart tag, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server from an application running on the electronic device of the user, a request to provide digital content related to the item, the request including a user identifier of the user and the item identifier transmitted from the smart tag to the electronic device upon the user positioning the electronic device proximate to the smart tag;

determining, by the server, whether the item is registered to the user, wherein the item is determined to be registered to the user if the item identifier is associated in a data store with the user identifier;

if the item is determined not to be registered to the user, causing the application running on the electronic device of the user to offer the user an option to register the item to the user and to display to the user digital content that is designated for non-registered users;

if the item is determined to be registered to the user, causing the application running on the electronic device of the user to display registered-user digital content that is designated for registered users, wherein the registered-user digital content includes an option to check-in the item at a location;

responsive to a user selection of the option to check-in, receiving, at the server from the electronic device, a check-in message indicating check-in of the item at the location, the check-in message including location information for the location;

locating, by the server, in the data store check-in data associated to the item, wherein the item identifier is used to locate the check-in data; and

reviewing, by the server, the check-in data to determine whether to unlock a benefit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit is unlocked in the event the item is checked in at one or more locations according to at least one of a prescribed schedule or a prescribed order.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the item is registered to a user account of the user.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the check-in data is located in the user account.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating in the user account that the benefit has been unlocked.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising

providing the benefit to the user, even when the user is not in possession of the item.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the benefit to the electronic device of the user of the item.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit is a promotional offer.

9. The method of claim 1, where the benefit is a priority access at the location.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the priority access is access to a fast lane at the location, thereby enabling the user of the item to avoid waiting in line.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit is a priority service at the location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the priority service at the location is VIP treatment from one or more employees of the location.

13. A system of providing a user with digital content related to an item, unlocking a benefit in the event an item is checked in at one or more locations, the item associated with a smart tag encoded with an item identifier that identifies the item, the smart tag configured to transmit the item identifier to a device positioned proximate to the smart tag, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device including instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

receive, from an application running on the electronic device of the user, a request to provide digital content related to the item, the request including a user identifier of the user and the item identifier transmitted from the smart tag to the electronic device upon the user positioning the electronic device proximate to the smart tag;

determine whether the item is registered to the user, wherein the item is determined to be registered to the user if the item identifier is associated in a data store with the user identifier;

if the item is determined not to be registered to the user, cause the application running on the electronic device of the user to offer the user an option to register the item to the user and to display to the user digital content that is designated for non-registered users;

if the item is determined to be registered to the user, cause the application running on the electronic device of the user to display registered-user digital content that is designated for registered users, wherein the registered-user digital content includes an option to check-in the item at a location;

responsive to a user selection of the option to check-in, receive from the electronic device, a check-in message indicating check-in of the item at the location, the check-in message including location information for the location;

locate in the data store check-in data associated to the item, wherein the item identifier is used to locate the check-in data; and

review the check-in data to determine whether to unlock a benefit.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the benefit is unlocked in the event the item is checked in at one or more locations according to at least one of a prescribed schedule or a prescribed order.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the item is registered to a user account of the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the check-in data is located in the user account.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

indicate in the user account that the benefit has been unlocked.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

provide the benefit to the user, even when the user is not in possession of the item.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

transmit the benefit to the electronic device of the user of the item.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the benefit is a promotional offer.

21. The system of claim 13, where the benefit is a priority access at the location.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the priority access is access to a fast lane at the location, thereby enabling the user of the item to avoid waiting in line.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the benefit is a priority service at the location.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the priority service at the location is VIP treatment from one or more employees of the location.

25. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a server from an electronic device of a user, a request to provide digital content related to an item, the request including a user identifier of the user and an item identifier that identifies the item, the item identifier being transmitted from a smart tag associated with the item to the electronic device upon the user positioning the electronic device proximate to the smart tag;

determining, by the server, whether the item is registered to the user, wherein the item is determined to be registered to the user if the item identifier is associated in a data store with the user identifier;

if the item is determined not to be registered to the user, causing the electronic device of the user to offer the user an option to register the item to the user and to display to the user digital content that is designated for non-registered users;

if the item is determined to be registered to the user, causing the electronic device of the user to display registered-user digital content that is designated for registered users, wherein the registered-user digital content includes an option to unlock a benefit;

responsive to a user selection of the option to unlock the benefit, receiving, at the server from the electronic device, check-in data transmitted from the smart tag associated with the item to the electronic device upon the item being positioned proximate to the electronic device, the check-in data including location information for one or more locations where the item has previously been checked in; and

unlocking, by the server, the benefit if the check-in data obtained from the smart tag satisfies a prescribed schedule of check-ins or a prescribed order of check-ins.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the smart tag is a writable NFC tag.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the electronic device that receives the check-in data transmitted from the smart tag is a mobile device.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the item is a shoe.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein a location identifier and a corresponding time is written to the check-in data that is stored on the smart tag of the item each time the item is brought to a location that is associated with the benefit.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

sending a message to the electronic device indicating that the benefit has been unlocked.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

sending a message to the device indicating that a user associated with the item is eligible to receive the benefit.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the item is registered to a user account of the user.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

indicating in the user account that the benefit has been unlocked.

34. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

transmitting the benefit to the electronic device of the user of the item.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein the benefit is a promotional offer.

36. The method of claim 25, wherein the benefit is priority access at a location.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the priority access is access to a fast lane at the location, thereby enabling a user of the item to avoid waiting in line.

38. The method of claim 25, wherein the benefit is priority service at a location.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the priority service at the location is VIP treatment from one or more employees of the location.

40. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device including instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

receive, at a server from an electronic device of a user, a request to provide digital content related to an item, the request including a user identifier of the user and an item identifier that identifies the item, the item identifier being transmitted from a smart tag associated with the item to the electronic device upon the user positioning the electronic device proximate to the smart tag;

determine whether the item is registered to the user, wherein the item is determined to be registered to the user if the item identifier is associated in a data store with the user identifier;

if the item is determined not to be registered to the user, cause the electronic device of the user to offer the user an option to register the item to the user and to display to the user digital content that is designated for non-registered users;

if the item is determined to be registered to the user, cause the electronic device of the user to display registered-user digital content that is designated for registered users, wherein the registered-user digital content includes an option to unlock a benefit;

responsive to a user selection of the option to unlock the benefit, receive from the electronic device check-in data transmitted from the smart tag associated with the item to the electronic device upon the item being positioned proximate to the electronic device, the check-in data including location information for one or more locations where the item has been checked in; and

unlock the benefit if the check-in data obtained from the smart tag satisfies a prescribed schedule of check-ins or a prescribed order of check-ins.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the smart tag is a writable NFC tag.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the electronic device that receives the check-in data transmitted from the smart tag is a mobile device.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the item is a shoe.

44. The system of claim 40, wherein a location identifier and a corresponding time is written to the check-in data that is stored on the smart tag of the item each time the item is brought to a location that is associated with the benefit.

45. The system of claim 40, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

send a message to the electronic device indicating that the benefit has been unlocked.

46. The system of claim 40, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

send a message to the device indicating that a user associated with the item is eligible to receive the benefit.

47. The system of claim 40, wherein the item is registered to a user account of the user.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

indicate in the user account that the benefit has been unlocked.

49. The system of claim 40, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

transmit the benefit to the electronic device of the user of the item.

50. The system of claim 40, wherein the benefit is a promotional offer.

51. The system of claim 40, wherein the benefit is priority access at a location.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the priority access is access to a fast lane at the location, thereby enabling a user of the item to avoid waiting in line.

53. The system of claim 40, wherein the benefit is priority service at a location.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the priority service at the location is VIP treatment from one or more employees of the location.