IP Library Granted Patent US 8,559,968
Granted Patent B2
US 8,559,968 · App. 11/747,602 · Granted Oct 15, 2013

Location-based targeting

Inventors: Scott Frank (Dunwoody, GA); Robert Starr (Decatur, GA); John Ruckart (Atlanta, GA); Steven Tischer (Atlanta, GA); Samuel Zellner (Dunwoody, GA)
Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,559,968
App. No.
11/747,602
Granted
Oct 15, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

One embodiment of the present is a method of using location history to optimize communications with perspective customers. Such a method comprises analyzing a user's location history over a period of time; detecting an indication of user interest in sellable items based on at least the location history; and sending a message to the user about a sellable item that is determined to be of interest to the user. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Claims (53)

1. A method comprising:

determining a current location of a mobile device;

analyzing, via a computer, a location history for previous activities at the current location, the location history comprising:

tracked locations that were tracked over a period of time; and

a duration of time spent at each tracked location of the tracked locations;

determining, by analyzing the location history via the computer, that a sellable item is an item of interest based on:

a frequency of visits by the mobile device at the current location;

time spent in a first area of an establishment corresponding to the current location;

the sellable item being visited at two different tracked locations;

a first duration of time spent at a first location of the two different tracked locations being longer than a second duration of time spent at a second location of the two different tracked locations; and

the first duration occurring more recently than the second duration; and

sending, via the computer, an electronic message about the item of interest.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current location corresponds to a retail store.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sellable item is further determined to be an item of interest based on time spent in a second area of the establishment.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sellable item is further determined to be an item of interest based on demographics of a user of the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the sellable item is further determined to be an item of interest based on activities of a user of the mobile device in the first area.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic message comprises an advertisement.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the electronic message comprises at least one of a coupon or directions.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the electronic message is delivered to the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location history comprises multiple locations that are analyzed corresponding to locations categorized as being similar to one another.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location history comprises specific locations in a store and further includes a time period beyond one day.

11. A computer readable storage medium that is not a propagating signal, the computer readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

determining a current location of a mobile device;

analyzing a location history for previous activities at the current location, the location history comprising:

tracked locations that were tracked over a period of time; and

a duration of time spent at each tracked location of the tracked locations;

determining, by analyzing the location history that a sellable item is an item of interest based on:

a frequency of visits by the mobile device at the current location;

time spent in a first area of an establishment corresponding to the current location;

the sellable item being visited at two different tracked locations;

a first duration of time spent at a first location of the two different tracked locations being longer than a second duration of time spent at a second location of the two different tracked locations; and

the first duration occurring more recently than the second duration; and

sending an electronic message about the item of interest.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the sellable item is further determined to be an item of interest based on time spent in a first area of an establishment corresponding to the current location.

13. The computer readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the sellable item is further determined to be an item of interest based on time spent in a second area of the establishment.

14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the location history comprises multiple locations that are analyzed corresponding to locations categorized as being similar to one another.

15. A server comprising:

a processor; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

determining a current location of a mobile device;

analyzing a location history for previous activities at the current location, the location history comprising:

tracked locations that were tracked over a period of time; and

a duration of time spent at each tracked location of the tracked locations;

determining, by analyzing the location history, that a sellable item is an item of interest based on:

a frequency of visits by the mobile device at the current location;

time spent in a first area of an establishment corresponding to the current location;

the sellable item being visited at two different tracked locations;

a first duration of time spent at a first location of the two different tracked locations being longer than a second duration of time spent at a second location of the two different tracked locations; and

the first duration occurring more recently than the second duration; and

sending an electronic message about the item of interest.

16. The server of claim 15 , the operations further comprising:

receiving an indication of a first area of a current location of a mobile device, the first area identified by detection of a signal emitted from a radio-frequency identification tag.

17. The server of claim 16 , wherein the indication of user interest is further determined based on time spent in the first area of an establishment corresponding to the current location.

Assignments (8)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2022
From: FRANK, SCOTT; STARR, ROBERT J.; RUCKART, JOHN P.; TISCHER, STEVEN N.; ZELLNER, SAMUEL N.
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 060314/0398 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
To: WORKDAY, INC.
Reel/Frame 059591/0066 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE IS AN ASSIGNMENT NOT A CHANGE OF NAME. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 030486 FRAME: 0581. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 16, 2021
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 058522/0032 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 14, 2021
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058919/0381 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 14, 2021
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058576/0206 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 14, 2021
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058919/0962 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 23, 2013
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
Reel/Frame 030486/0581 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2007
From: FRANK, SCOTT; STARR, ROBERT J.; ZELLNER, SAMUEL; TISCHER, STEVEN; RUCKART, JOHN
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 019608/0387 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60799762 · May 12, 2006
Related Publication 20070264968A1 · Nov 15, 2007