System and method for location based matching and promotion

• US 20060161599A1
• Filed: 10/18/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Rosen, James S.
• Granted Patent: US 11,283,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0272 Period of advertisement exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• 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: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

Systems and methods for profile matching and promotion. Location-related data and other profile characteristics are used for promotion and for matching of businesses, venues and other entities with user specified criteria.

Claims

1. A method for location-based promotion comprising:

providing a profile for a first user, including an entry associating the first user with a first mobile device and a plurality of characteristics for the first user;

receiving location based information for the first mobile device; and

sending a promotional item to the first mobile device based, at least in part, on the location based information and the profile of the first user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotional item comprises a coupon.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the location based information for the first mobile device indicates that the first user is within a defined distance from a store and the promotional item comprises a coupon for the store.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location based information for the first mobile device indicates that the first user is within a defined distance from a store and the promotional item comprises directions to the store.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the location based information for the first mobile device indicates that the first user is within a defined distance from a store and the promotional item comprises a coupon for a competitive store.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location based information for the first mobile device indicates that the first user is within a defined distance from a store and the promotional item comprises directions to a competitive store.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the location of the first mobile device using a global positioning system.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing incentives for a user to allow the user'"'"'s profile to be used for targeting advertising.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing incentives for a user to provide additional information for the user'"'"'s profile.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing incentives for a user to allow the user'"'"'s profile to be used for providing information to the sales personnel at a store.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein behavioral information based on locations visited by the first user is associated with the profile for the first user and the promotional item is based, at least in part, on the behavioral information.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the behavioral information includes information regarding purchases made by the first user.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating a television recording device with the profile for the first user, wherein the behavioral information includes information regarding television shows recorded by the user on the recording device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the behavioral information includes information regarding web sites visited by the first user.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the first user to specify rules regarding how the profile for the first user can be used for sending the promotional items.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rules specify characteristics of the first user'"'"'s profile that cannot be used for sending the promotional items.

17. A method comprising:

providing a profile for a plurality of entities, including a plurality of characteristics for each entity and at least one location for each entity;

associating a first user with a first mobile device;

allowing the first user to specify criteria for matching;

determining information regarding the location of the first user;

matching at least one of the entities with the criteria based, at least in part, on the information regarding the location of the first user and the profile for the at least one entity.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the profiles include feedback from users.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one entity is a restaurant and the profile for the restaurant includes the type of food and a review rating.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising prompting the first user for feedback on the mobile device while the mobile device is at the location of the at least one entity.