Market research using wireless subscription management

• US 6,493,327 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fingerhut, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): VANDERPUYE, KENNETH N
• Application Number:
  US09/749,836
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 455/411, 455/410, 455/426, 455/419, 455/31.3, 455/462, 455/418, 455/420, 455/425
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A wireless communication device receives targeted information and/or advertisements. The wireless communication device is preprogrammed with a generic network address only. To communicate over a network, the wireless communication sends an activation request message to the network, including its generic network address (GNA) and information indicative of the base station via which communication is taking place. Knowing the geographical location of the base station, it is possible to send to the wireless communication device via its GNA, or a subsequently provided unique network address (UNA), information or advertisements targeted to the geographical location or particular wireless device.

Claims

1. A method of conducting market research, comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating contact with a wireless network with a wireless device, the wireless device being preprogrammed with a generic network address (GNA);

(b) generating, in the wireless device, an activation request message including at least the generic network address and base station information;

(c) transmitting the activation request message to the wireless network;

(d) detecting and storing the base station information which is indicative of the base station via which the activation request message traveled;

(e) associating the GNA with the base station in a database;

(f) transmitting via the base station targeted information to the wireless device using the GNA as the address of the wireless device; and

(g) collecting market research information that is based on a location of the base station via which the activation request message traveled.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating an activation response message including a unique network address (UNA) which is used, at least temporarily, by the wireless device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of transmitting the activation response message to the wireless device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is at least one of a wireless telephone and a non-mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted information includes at least one of a TV guide and an offer for sale of a product or service.

6. A method of conducting market research, comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating contact with a network with a wireless device, the wireless device being preprogrammed with a generic network address (GNA);

(b) generating, in the wireless device, an activation request message including at least the GNA and base station information;

(c) transmitting the activation request message to the wireless network;

(d) detecting and storing the base station information which is indicative of the base station via which the activation request message traveled;

(e) associating the GNA with the base station in a database;

(f) generating an activation response message including a unique network address (UNA) which is associated, at least temporarily, with the wireless device;

(g) transmitting the activation response message to the wireless device;

(h) after step (g), transmitting via the base station targeted information to the wireless device using the UNA as the address of the wireless device; and

(i) collecting market research information that is based on a location of the base station via which the activation request message traveled.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the targeted information includes at least one of a TV guide and an offer for sale of a product or service.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising returning the UNA to a pool of UNAs for subsequent use by another wireless device.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the activation request message includes a manufacturer serial number of the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the activation request message is transmitted to the network when an activation process is initiated without a request by the network.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the activation request message is encrypted.

12. A method of dynamically matching a wireless device that is preprogrammed with a generic network address (GNA) with a particular geographic location and delivering a targeted advertisement to that wireless device, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating, in the communication device, an activation request message including at least the GNA and base station information;

(b) transmitting the activation request message to a network, wherein the activation request message includes the base station information which is indicative of the base station via which the activation request message enters the network;

(c) associating the GNA with the base station in a database;

(d) identifying the geographical location of the base station;

(e) dynamically selecting an advertisement targeted for that geographical location; and

(f) transmitting at least a component of the advertisement to the wireless device via the base station, whereby the at least a component of the advertisement targeted for that geographical location is transmitted to the wireless device only after identifying the geographical location of the base station, which is determined only after the activation request message is received by the network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the GNA of the wireless device is used as the address of the wireless device to transmit the advertisement or a component thereof.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of generating an activation response message including a unique network address (UNA), which is used at least temporarily by the wireless device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the UNA is used as the address of the wireless device to transmit the advertisement or component thereof.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of returning the UNA to a pool of UNAs.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the advertisement is an offer for sale of a product or service.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless device is one of a mobile telephone and a wireless device provided in a television system.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the activation request message includes a manufacturer serial number of the wireless device.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the activation request message is transmitted to the network when an activation process is initiated without a request by the network.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the activation request message is encrypted.