GEOLOCATION CHECK-IN SYSTEM

• US 20140279123A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Harkey, Scott Lee, Grigg, David M., Bondesen, Laura Corinne, Calman, Matthew A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,311,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/10 Services
• 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

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing a geolocation check-in system. An exemplary apparatus is configured to collect positioning data related to a user. After collecting position data the apparatus may be configure to determine, based at least partially on the positioning data that the user has crossed a threshold of a geofence associated with a merchant'"'"'s location. Based at least partially on this determination the apparatus may be configured to initiate a merchant check-in associated with the user and transmit user information to the merchant.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a geolocation check-in system, the apparatus comprising:

a memory;

a processor; and

a module stored in the memory, executable by the processor, and configured to;

collect positioning data related to a user;

determine, based at least partially on the positioning data, that the user has crossed a threshold of a geofence associated with a merchant'"'"'s location;

initiate, based at least partially on determining that user has crossed the threshold of the geofence, a merchant check-in associated with the user; and

transmit user information to the merchant.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine, based at least partially on the positioning data, the user'"'"'s current position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein determining that the user has crossed the threshold of the geofence further comprises the apparatus being configured to compare the user'"'"'s current position to the threshold of the geofence.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive one or more parameters which define the geofence associated with the merchant'"'"'s location.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive one or more user preferences for processing merchant check-ins.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein initiating a merchant check-in associated with the user further comprises processing a merchant check-in associated with the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein processing a merchant check-in further comprises prompting the user to accept one or more terms and conditions associated with the merchant.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured to store the user information.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured to notify one or more entities of a successful merchant check-in.

10. A method for providing a geolocation check-in system, the method comprising:

collecting positioning data related to a user;

determining, based at least partially on the positioning data, that the user has crossed a threshold of a geofence associated with a merchant'"'"'s location;

initiating, based at least partially on determining that user has crossed the threshold of the geofence, a merchant check-in associated with the user; and

transmitting user information to the merchant.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises determining, based at least partially on the positioning data, the user'"'"'s current position.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining that the user has crossed the threshold of the geofence further comprises comparing the user'"'"'s current position to the threshold of the geofence.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises receiving one or more parameters which define the geofence associated with the merchant'"'"'s location.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises receiving one or more user preferences for processing merchant check-ins.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein initiating a merchant check-in associated with the user further comprises processing a merchant check-in associated with the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein processing a merchant check-in further comprises prompting the user to accept one or more terms and conditions associated with the merchant.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises storing the user information.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises notifying one or more entities of a successful merchant check-in.

19. A computer program product for providing a geolocation check-in system, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a set of codes for causing a computer to;

collect positioning data related to a user;

determine, based at least partially on the positioning data, that the user has crossed a threshold of a geofence associated with a merchant'"'"'s location;

initiate, based at least partially on determining that user has crossed the threshold of the geofence, a merchant check-in associated with the user; and

transmit user information to the merchant.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the computer program product further comprises a set of codes for causing a computer to compare the user'"'"'s current position to the threshold of the geofence.