Network for targeting individual operating a microcomputer regardless of his location

• US 7,870,229 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2009
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Industrial Innovations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Industrial Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang; Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US12/470,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20090228347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/217, 709/218, 709/229, 709/219, 705/14.55, 705/14.5, 705/14.1, 455/422.1, 455/456.1, 715/205
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• 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 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/23 for mobile advertising

Abstract

A network adapted to target an individual operating a microcomputer that is linked to an Internet to offer this individual goods or services appropriate to his needs that are available at a place within reach of the individual'"'"'s present location. The microcomputer is provided with a GPS receiver that indicates the present location of the individual, this location and the identity of the individual being transmitted from the microcomputer to a web site on the highway. At the web site, a computer associated with a data bank storing the profiles of a multitude of consumers is programmed to find out whether the identified individual is included in the data bank, and to determine from his profile whether there are available at a place reachable from his present location appropriate goods or services. If a match is found, an offer to supply such goods or services is conveyed from the web site to the microcomputer.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for communicating an offer of goods or services to an individual having a microcomputer wirelessly linked to the internet and provided with a GPS receiver, the method comprising:

receiving over the internet, from the microcomputer, location information derived from the GPS receiver and information identifying the individual;

using the location information and the identifying information in a programmed computer in communication with a data bank of goods and services and a data bank of consumer profiles to determine an appropriate offer of goods or services for the individual; and

thereupon, under the control of the programmed computer and without specific request by the individual, sending to the microcomputer over the internet using an identifier unique to the individual a message communicating the offer.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the programmed computer is a server.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

connecting a provider of goods and services to the data bank of goods and services; and

updating the data bank through the provider.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer is any portable computer that can be carried to a desired site and operated at that site.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the microcomputer is a lap-top computer.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer is a cell phone.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer is a PDA.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer is a navigation system in an automobile.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer is a portable computer with e-mail capability using a Blackberry protocol.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the offer includes a discounted price.

11. A computer-implemented. method for communicating an offer of goods or services to an individual having a microcomputer wirelessly linked to the internet and provided with a GPS receiver, the method comprising:

sending over the internet, from the microcomputer, location information derived from the GPS receiver and information identifying the individual; and

receiving over the internet without specific request by the individual, at the microcomputer, via a unique identifier for the individual, an appropriate offer of goods or services for the individual determined by and thereupon sent under control of a programmed computer in communication with a data bank of goods or services and a data bank of consumer profiles based on the location information and the identifying information.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, from the individual, a desired category of goods and services;

comparing the desired category with the offer of goods and services; and

displaying the offer of goods and services if the desired category matches the offer.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the programmed computer is a server.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the microcomputer is any portable computer that can be carried to a desired site and operated at that site.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the microcomputer is a lap-top computer.

16. A method according to claim 11, wherein the microcomputer is a cell phone.

17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the microcomputer is a PDA.

18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the microcomputer is a navigation system in an automobile.

19. A method according to claim 11, wherein the microcomputer is a portable computer with e-mail capability using a Blackberry protocol.

20. A method according to claim 11, wherein the offer includes a discounted price.