Systems and methods for near field communication enabled shopping cart corrals

• US 9,367,859 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Starlite Media LLC
• Original Assignee: Starlite Media LLC
• Inventors: Lueken, Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US14/043,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20140040033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 406/060.3, 406/061.3, 406/061.4, 211/17, 211/22, 256/25
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/00 Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles cycle supports used during maintenance B25H; building aspects E04H
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/12 Hanging-up devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location

Abstract

Certain embodiments disclose a corral and enclosure defined by three members having an opening configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, with two substantially parallel walls of equal or different lengths and advertisement panels affixed on the walls, such that they can be staggered. The staggered arrangement of the at least two panels facilitates better visibility and allows the simultaneous viewing of at least two panels. The panel(s) may also include a near field communication component that is configured to execute a promotional function associated with an advertisement that is displayed by the corral. The promotional function may cause promotional content to be transferred to the mobile device.

Claims

1. A corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, the corral comprising:

an enclosure defined by three members and having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts;

a first panel coupled to a first one of the three members, the first panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and configured to display one or more advertisements;

a second panel coupled to a second one of the three members, the second panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and configured to display one or more advertisements, the third member being coupled to the other two members which are substantially parallel to each other; and

a near field communication component being integrated into the corral and being configured to;

establish a connection with a mobile device in response to the mobile device being placed in proximity to the near field communication component;

communicate with the mobile device via the established connection; and

execute a promotional function associated with the one or more advertisements displayed in either the first panel or the second panel, wherein the promotional function causes promotional content to be transferred to the mobile device;

wherein the second member is shorter than the first member and the first panel and second panel are provided in a staggered arrangement, and the corral further comprises a bar member that is coupled to, and extends through, the first panel and second panel so as to further couple the corral near the opening of the enclosure, wherein the bar member is coupled to portions of the first panel and second panel such that the bar member is situated at an angle that is not parallel with respect to the third member.

2. The corral of claim 1, wherein the promotional content is selected from the group consisting of a coupon, offer, application and media file.

3. The corral of claim 1, wherein the near field communication component is configured to transmit location information which identifies a network location for the promotional content over the established connection to the mobile device to enable retrieval of the promotional content by the mobile device.

4. The corral of claim 1, wherein the near field communication component is configured to transmit the promotional content directly to the mobile device over the established connection.

5. The corral of claim 1, wherein the promotional content comprises a coupon that can be redeemed at a business located in a vicinity of the corral.

6. The corral of claim 1, further comprising circuitry configured to establish a network connection that enables communications with a remote server and wherein data received at the corral via the network connection enables the dynamic updating of the promotional function executed by the near field communication component and the one or more advertisements displayed by either the first panel or the second panel.

7. The corral of claim 6, wherein the network connection further enables the promotional content to be updated dynamically.

8. The corral of claim 1, wherein campaign monitoring information is generated in response to establishing the connection with the mobile device and the campaign monitoring information is made accessible to a user over a network.

9. The corral of claim 8, wherein the campaign monitoring information is stored on a server and made accessible to advertisers via a website, the campaign monitoring information comprising information relating to interactions between mobile devices associated with customers and the near field communication component integrated into the corral including information associated with the one or more advertisements displayed by the corral and the promotional content that is made accessible via the near field communication component.

10. The corral of claim 1, wherein the near field communication component is integrated into the first panel or the second panel.

11. The corral of claim 1, further comprising circuitry configured to customize the one or more advertisements that are displayed to an individual based on the individual'"'"'s previous purchase history.

12. A corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, the corral comprising:

an enclosure having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts, wherein the enclosure is defined by a first member, second member and third member, the third member being coupled to the other two members which are substantially parallel to each other and the second member being shorter than the first member such that the first panel and second panel are provided in a staggered arrangement;

at least one advertisement panel coupled to the enclosure and configured to display an advertisement; and

a near field communication component configured to;

establish a connection with a mobile device in response to the mobile device being placed in proximity to the near field communication component;

communicate with the mobile device via the established connection; and

execute a promotional function for a product or service offered for sale by a business that is located in a vicinity of the corral, wherein the promotional function causes promotional content associated with product or service to be transferred to the mobile device;

wherein the corral further comprises a bar member that is coupled to, and extends through, the at least one advertisement panel to further couple the corral near the opening of the enclosure, wherein the bar member is coupled to the at least one advertisement panel.

13. The corral of claim 12, wherein the near field communication component is configured to transmit location information which identifies a network location for the promotional content over the established connection to the mobile device to enable retrieval of the promotional content by the mobile device.

14. The corral of claim 12, wherein the near field communication component is configured to transmit the promotional content directly to the mobile device over the established connection.

15. The corral of claim 12, wherein the promotional content comprises a coupon that can be redeemed at the business.

16. The corral of claim 12, further comprising circuitry configured to establish a network connection that enables communications with a remote server and wherein data received at the corral via the network connection enables the dynamic updating of the promotional function executed by the near field communication component and the advertisement displayed by the at least one advertisement panel.

17. The corral of claim 12, wherein campaign monitoring information is generated in response to establishing the connection with the mobile device and the campaign monitoring information is made accessible to a user over a network.

18. The corral of claim 17, wherein the campaign monitoring information is stored on a server and made accessible to advertisers via a website, the campaign monitoring information comprising information relating to interactions between mobile devices associated with customers and the near field communication component integrated into the corral including information associated with the advertisement displayed by the corral and the promotional content that is made accessible via the near field communication component.

19. The corral of claim 12, wherein the near field communication component is integrated into the at least one advertisement panel.

20. The corral of claim 12, wherein the near field communication component is integrated into the advertisement.

21. The corral of claim 12, further comprising circuitry configured to customize the advertisement that is displayed to an individual associated with the mobile device.

22. The corral of claim 12, wherein the promotional content can be utilized to obtain the product or service for a discounted price at the business.