Method and system for integrating location based services into retail applications

• US 8,509,814 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2004
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Parker, Benjamin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, NAM TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/807,684
• Time in Patent Office: 3,429 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.3, 455/422.1, 455/440, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/403, 4554141-4144, 705 141- 1473
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target

Abstract

A method and system for integrating location based services into retail applications. Correlation-data and request-trigger logic are stored in data storage of a portable device. The correlation-data defines geographic locations and corresponding network addresses. The portable device determines its geographic location (i.e. by using a GPS receiver device). In response to determining its location, the portable device uses the request-trigger logic to determine if its present location is within a geographic area defined in the correlation-data. When the request-trigger logic finds that the location is within a defined area, the portable device responsively sends an information-request to a network address pre-correlated with the given location. In response to the information-request, the portable device receives merchant-information (i.e. coupons, special offers, etc.) from a merchant-server. The portable device displays the merchant information for viewing by a user. Advantageously, the invention can help avoid having merchants “spam” the device with unwanted information.

Claims

1. A portable device comprising:

a network communication interface;

a processing unit;

data storage;

a display screen;

a user interface to input user-selections;

correlation-data stored in the data storage, wherein the correlation-data defines a plurality of latitude and longitude coordinate ranges, wherein each respective latitude and longitude coordinate range consists of two latitude coordinates and two longitude coordinates, wherein the correlation-data comprises a plurality of network addresses, wherein each respective latitude and longitude coordinate range is associated with a respective network address of the plurality of network addresses, and wherein each respective latitude and longitude coordinate range has been designated by a user of the portable device as a geographic location where the portable device requests information from a respective merchant server; and

request-trigger logic stored in the data storage, wherein the request-trigger logic is executable by the processing unit (i) to determine a current latitude and longitude of the portable device, (ii) to determine that the current latitude and longitude of the portable device are within a given latitude and longitude coordinate range defined by the correlation-data, and (iii) prior to the network communication interface receiving any information from a first merchant server after the processing unit determines that the current latitude and longitude of the portable device are within the given latitude and longitude coordinate range, to prompt a user of the portable device for permission to request redeemable merchant offers from the first merchant server via the network address corresponding to the given latitude and longitude coordinate range,

wherein the processing unit is operable to receive permission from the user to request the redeemable merchant offers and, in response to receipt of permission from the user, cause the network communication interface to send to the first merchant server, via the network address corresponding to the given latitude and longitude coordinate range, an information-request so as to request redeemable merchant offers from the first merchant server,

wherein the display screen is operable to display a list of a plurality of merchant identifiers received from the first merchant server,

wherein the user interface is operable to select a merchant identifier from the displayed list of the plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers,

wherein selection of the merchant identifier from the displayed list of a plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers received from the first merchant server causes the network communication interface to request merchant information from a second merchant server at a second network address, the second network address being associated with the merchant identifier selected from the displayed list of the plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers, and

wherein the display screen is operable to display a redeemable merchant offer received from the second merchant server in response to the request for merchant information from the second merchant server.

2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the information-request comprises a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request to the network address.

3. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the portable device is arranged to receive the information in response to the information-request and to display the information for viewing by a user.

4. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the network communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface arranged to communicate over an air interface with a base station.

5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone.

6. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a position-determination module that is operable to determine the current latitude and longitude of the portable device.

7. The portable device of claim 6, wherein the position-determination module comprises a receiver that is operable to measure an arrival time of at least three concurrently received wireless signals transmitted from a constellation of GPS satellites.

8. The portable device of claim 6, wherein the position-determination module comprises logic to request from a wireless carrier an indication of the current latitude and longitude of the portable device.

9. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the display screen displays a message to prompt the user of the portable device for permission to request the information, and

wherein the display screen displays information received in response to the information-request sent to the network address.

10. The portable device of claim 1,

wherein the merchant information from the second merchant server defines a merchant-interface through which the user can interact with the second merchant server, and

wherein the merchant-interface defines:

(i) a merchant coupon, and (ii) coupon-redemption logic for generating a coupon-redemption request and for sending to the second merchant server the coupon-redemption request and information identifying the user as a customer redeeming the merchant coupon.

11. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the information defines the merchant-interface in a markup-language, and the portable device includes an interpreter for interpreting the markup-language.

12. The portable device of claim 10, further comprising:

wherein after the coupon redemption request and information identifying the user is sent to the second merchant server, the display screen displays;

(i) a confirmation of redemption of the merchant coupon, and (ii) instructions on how to apply the merchant coupon to a purchase made by the user.

13. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the correlation-data further defines a plurality of location names,

wherein each latitude and longitude coordinate range of the plurality of latitude and longitude coordinate ranges is further associated with a respective location name of the plurality of location names,

wherein a given latitude and longitude coordinate range of the plurality of latitude and longitude coordinate ranges is associated with a given location name of the plurality of location names, and

wherein the display screen is operable to display the given location name when the portable device enters a geographic location defined by the given latitude and longitude coordinate range.

14. The portable device of claim 1, wherein receipt of the request, for merchant information from the second server, by the second merchant server causes the second merchant server to generate and transmit, for delivery to a merchant'"'"'s store, a notification indicating that the user is at a particular location.

15. An information-distribution system comprising:

a portable device having (i) a network communication interface arranged to provide connectivity with a network, (ii) a location-determination module that is operable to determine a geographic location of the portable device, (iii) a processing unit, (iv) data storage containing request trigger logic executable by the processing unit, and a set of correlation-data that defines geographic locations and, for each defined geographic location, a corresponding network address, wherein each geographic location defined by the correlation-data has been designated by a user of the portable device as a geographic location where the portable device requests information, (v) a display screen, and (vi) a user interface to input user-selections; and

a first merchant server that is accessible via a first network address that is defined by the set of correlation-data and that corresponds to a given geographic location defined by the correlation data,

wherein the processing unit executes the request-trigger logic to make a determination that the geographic location of the portable device matches the given geographic location defined by the correlation-data, and prior to the network communication interface receiving any information from the first merchant server after the processing unit determines that the geographic location of the portable device matches the given geographic location defined by the correlation-data, to prompt a user of the portable device for permission to request redeemable merchant offers from the first merchant server via the first network address,

wherein the portable device is operable to receive permission from the user to request redeemable merchant offers and, in response to receipt of the permission from the user, cause the network communication interface to send a first information-request to the first merchant server via the first network address,

wherein, in response to receiving the first information-request, the first merchant server generates and transmits, for delivery to a merchant'"'"'s store, a notification indicating that the user is at the geographic location of the portable device,

wherein the first information-request comprises information about a user of the portable device, and

wherein, in response to the first information-request sent to the first merchant server, the first merchant server is operable to tailor merchant information based on information about the user of the portable device and to send the tailored merchant information to the portable device.

16. The information-distribution system of claim 15, wherein the portable device receives the merchant information and displays the merchant information for viewing by a user.

17. The information-distribution system of claim 15,

wherein the network communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface adapted to communicate over an air interface with a radio access system that provides connectivity with the network.

18. The information-distribution system of claim 17, wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone.

19. The information-distribution system of claim 15,

wherein the location-determination module includes a receiver that is operable to measure an arrival time of at least three concurrently received wireless signals transmitted from a constellation of GPS satellites.

20. The information-distribution system of claim 15,

wherein the location-determination module includes logic to request from a wireless carrier an indication of the current latitude and longitude of the portable device.

21. The information-distribution system of claim 15, wherein the information about the user of the portable device comprises information selected from the group consisting of (i) information that identifies an age of the user, and (ii) information that identifies a sex of the user.

22. The information-distribution system of claim 15, further comprising:

a second merchant server that is accessible via a second network address,

wherein, in response to receiving the first information-request, the first merchant server also transmits to the portable device a list of a plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers to be displayed via the display screen,

wherein the user interface is operable to select a merchant identifier from the displayed list of the plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers,

wherein selection of the merchant identifier from the displayed list of a plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers received from the first merchant server causes the network communication interface to request merchant information from the second merchant server at the second network address via a second information-request, the second network address being associated with the merchant identifier selected from the displayed list of the plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers, and

wherein the display screen is operable to display a redeemable merchant offer received from the second merchant server in response to the second information-request.

23. The information-distribution system for claim 22,

wherein the merchant information defines a merchant-interface through which a user of the portable device can interact with the merchant server, and

wherein the merchant-interface defines (i) a merchant coupon, and (ii) coupon-redemption logic for generating a coupon-redemption request and for sending to the second merchant server the coupon redemption request and information identifying the user as a customer redeeming the merchant coupon.

24. The information-distribution system of claim 23, wherein the merchant information defines the merchant-interface in a markup-language, and the portable device includes an interpreter for interpreting the markup-language.

25. The information-distribution system of claim 24, wherein the markup-language comprises a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

26. The information-distribution system of claim 24, wherein the markup-language comprises a Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML).

27. The information distribution system of claim 22,

wherein after the coupon redemption request and information identifying the user is sent to the second merchant server, the display screen displays:

(i) a confirmation of redemption of the merchant coupon, and (ii) instructions on how to apply the merchant coupon to a purchase made by the user.

28. A method of distributing merchant information to a portable device, the method comprising:

the portable device maintaining correlation-data that defines a plurality of latitude and longitude coordinate ranges, wherein each respective latitude and longitude coordinate range consists of two latitude coordinates and two longitude coordinates, wherein the correlation-data comprises a plurality of network addresses, wherein each respective latitude and longitude coordinate range is associated with a respective network address of the plurality of network addresses, and wherein each respective latitude and longitude coordinate range has been designated by a user of the portable device as a geographic location where the portable device requests information from a respective merchant server;

the portable device monitoring a current latitude and longitude of the portable device;

the portable device determining that the current latitude and longitude of the portable device are within a given latitude and longitude coordinate range defined by the correlation-data;

prior to the portable device receiving information from a first given merchant server after the portable device determining that the current latitude and longitude of the portable device are within the given latitude and longitude coordinate range, prompting a user of the portable device for permission to send an information-request to the first given merchant server via the network address associated with the given latitude and longitude coordinate range,

the portable device sending an information request to the first given merchant server via the network address associated with the given latitude and longitude coordinate range, wherein sending the information-request occurs in response to the portable device receiving permission from the user to send the information-request; and

the portable device displaying a list of a plurality of merchant identifiers received from the first merchant server,

the portable device receiving a selection of a merchant identifier from the displayed list of the plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers and the portable device responsively requesting merchant information from a second merchant server at a second network address via a second information-request, the second network address being associated with the merchant identifier selected from the displayed list of the plurality of user-selectable merchant identifiers, and

the portable device receiving merchant-information in response to the second information-request.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

wherein the merchant-information comprises a merchant-interface, and wherein the merchant-interface defines a merchant coupon and coupon-redemption logic;

the portable device displaying the merchant coupon for viewing by the user; and

invoking the coupon redemption logic so as to generate a coupon-redemption request and to send to the second merchant server the coupon-redemption request and information identifying the user as a customer redeeming the merchant coupon.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the merchant-interface defines a merchant-interface which a user of the portable device can interact with the second merchant server.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

after invoking the coupon redemption logic so as to generate a coupon-redemption request and to send to the second merchant server the coupon-redemption request and information identifying the user, displaying a confirmation of the redemption of the merchant coupon and instructions on how to apply the merchant coupon to a purchase made by the user.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

in response to receiving the second information-request, the second merchant server generating and transmitting, for delivery to a merchant'"'"'s store, a notification indicating that the user is at a particular location.