METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PRESENCE USING A WIFI NETWORK PROBE DETECTOR

• US 20110029359A1
• Filed: 04/21/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: shopkick, Inc. (SK Telecom Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: shopkick, Inc. (SK Telecom Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Emigh, Aaron T., Roeding, Cyriac
• Granted Patent: US 10,255,614 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0257 Hybrid positioning by coordinating position lines of different shape G01S5/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/18 using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/08 Detecting or categorising vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• 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 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/30 : Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 : for indoor environments, e.g. buildings

Abstract

The detection system monitors WiFi wireless communications at a wireless device and detects a probe request associated with a location. The WiFi device may be a dedicated presence detection device or may offer access to internet and other services as a WiFi access point. A device identifier associated with the originating device may be a component of the probe request. Using the device identifier, the system can detect the presence of a consumer at the location associated with the wireless communications device and transmit information to the consumer based upon the device identifier.

Claims

1. A method for detecting presence comprising:

monitoring WiFi wireless communications at a wireless communications device;

detecting a probe request, wherein the probe request is associated with a request from an originating device to determine an available WiFi network;

determining the originating device associated with the probe request, wherein a device identifier associated with the originating device is a component of the probe request;

inferring the presence of a consumer at a location, wherein the consumer is associated with the device identifier and wherein the location is associated with the wireless communications device; and

transmitting data relating to the device identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device identifier is a MAC address.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to the device identifier is transmitted to a server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to the device identifier is transmitted using WiFi.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the originating device to connect, and providing internet access for the originating device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the device identifier matches a predetermined pattern corresponding to a type of device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a second device identifier associated with a user device, wherein the user device is running software associated with a service and wherein the user device is associated with a user account at the service, determining that the device identifier matches the second device identifier, and updating the user account to include the inference of the consumer at the location.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an award to the consumer, responsive to the inference of the consumer at the location.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an offer to the consumer, responsive to the inference of the consumer at the location.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the location is associated with a retail store.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the data relating to the device identifier, wherein generating the data relating to the device identifier includes anonymizing the device identifier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein anonymizing the device identifier includes hashing the device identifier.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a message to the originating device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the message includes advising that an application be run on the originating device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the message includes information relating to a discount available at the location.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining common visitors between the location and a second location, responsive to information relating to a second wireless communication device associated with the second location.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to the device identifier is transmitted to a partner.

18. A system for detecting presence comprising:

a wireless antenna;

a wireless receiver;

a transmitter; and

a processor configured to

detect a probe request received via the wireless receiver, wherein the probe request is associated with a request from an originating device to determine an available WiFi network;

determine the originating device associated with the probe request, wherein a device identifier associated with the originating device is a component of the probe request;

infer the presence of a consumer at a location, wherein the consumer is associated with the device identifier and wherein the location is associated with the wireless communications device; and

transmit data relating to the device identifier via the transmitter; and

a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory provides instructions to the processor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the device identifier is a MAC address.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the data relating to the device identifier is transmitted to a server.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the data relating to the device identifier is transmitted using WiFi.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to allow the originating device to connect, and provide internet access for the originating device.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the device identifier matches a predetermined pattern corresponding to a type of device.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the location is associated with a retail store.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to generate the data relating to the device identifier, wherein generating the data relating to the device identifier includes anonymizing the device identifier.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein anonymizing the device identifier includes hashing the device identifier.