Systems and Methods to Target Predictive Location Based Content and Track Conversions

• US 20080248815A1
• Filed: 03/16/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Enhanced Geographic LLC
• Inventors: Busch, James David
• Granted Patent: US 8,229,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/384 using social networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0245 Surveys
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0282 Rating or review of business operators or products
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• 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 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• 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 4/025 : using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/30 : Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 : for collecting sensor 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

Methods and systems that record the location of a user and transmit targeted content to a user based upon their current and past location information. A network is configured to include a server programmed with a database of targeted content, a database of location information, a database of user information, a database searching algorithm, and a wireless communication system capable of communicating with the user'"'"'s mobile device. The location of the mobile device is ascertained and recorded. The location information is analyzed to determine the routes taken by the user, businesses visited by the user, and other behaviors of the user. Targeted content is sent to the mobile device of the user and whether the user visits the physical locations associated with the targeted content is monitored. Payment systems, phone exchange systems, and other features may also be integrated to provide detailed conversion tracking to producers of targeted content and business owners.

Claims

1. A method that transmits information associated with a business location to a user of a mobile device and tracks if the business location is subsequently visited by the user of the mobile device, comprising:

a) transmitting geographic information that indicates an area associated with the business location to the mobile device; and

,

b) receiving information indicating that a location of the mobile device was subsequently within the area indicated by the geographic information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic information comprises a coordinate associated with the business location, or a perimeter associated with the business location.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the information indicating that the location of the mobile device was subsequently within an area indicated by the geographic information includes a Boolean value signifying that the device was located within the area, a numerical value proportional to an approximate time spent within the area, or a dataset including a geographic coordinate within the area.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing content to be displayed when the mobile device is travelling along a path that approaches the area indicated by the geographic information.

5. A method that gathers geographic information associated with a user of a mobile device and transmits targeted content to the user associated with the mobile device, comprising:

a) obtaining a dataset including geographic information associated with the mobile device;

b) processing the dataset to determine at least a likely course; and

,

c) transmitting to the mobile device a content result set containing an element selected based upon at least the likely course.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the dataset includes a location, a speed, and a heading.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the dataset includes a planned course, a tentative course, a planned destination, or a tentative destination.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the element of the content result set is associated with a geographic location and content.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the content comprises:

text, audio, a voice recording, a music file, an image file, a hyperlink, a video, an application, or data.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the act of processing comprises:

a) comparing the dataset to a collection of other datasets associated with the user; and

,

b) determining a set of previously traveled courses including the likely course of travel.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the act of processing comprises:

a) comparing the dataset to a collection of map data; and

,

b) determining the likely course of travel.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the act of processing comprises:

a) comparing the dataset to a database of business locations; and

,

b) determining a set of likely locations that have previously been visited by the user of the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

a) monitoring the mobile device to determine if there is an action or an omission after any element of the content result set is displayed; and

,

b) recording the action or the omission associated with the element of the content result set displayed to the user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the action or the omission comprises at least one of:

saving the element of the content result set, dismissing the element of the content result set, ignoring the element of the content result set, adding a geographic location associated with the element of the content result set as a destination, visiting the geographic location associated with the element of the content result set, purchasing a product from a business associated with the element of the content result set.

15. A method that provides analytical data relating to physical business locations by collecting and processing data from a plurality of mobile devices, comprising:

a) obtaining a dataset including geographic information associated with at least one of the plurality of mobile devices; and

,

b) processing the dataset to determine analytical data associated with a business location.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the business location is described by a coordinate or a perimeter.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the business location is a grouping of business locations described by a plurality of coordinates, or a plurality of perimeters.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the analytical data includes a measure of total visitors.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the analytical data includes a measure of new visitors.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the analytical data includes a measure of revenue.