IP Library › Patent Application 11754815
Patent Application
App. No. 11/754,815

LOCATION-SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF PROMOTIONAL CONTENT TO MOBILE CONSUMER DEVICE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/754,815
Filed
May 29, 2007
Art Unit
3622
USPC
705/14
Abstract

A device for presenting content to a user comprises a connection for receiving content over a wireless communications network associated with a content provider and a display or other user interface means for presenting the content to the user. The wireless communications network can be an 802.11-based communications network. The content provider determines that the device is within a range of the wireless communications network and authenticates the device for the receipt of content. If the device is authenticated, the content provider transmits the content to the device. In one embodiment, the content provider comprises a merchant and the content comprises an electronic coupon that the device user can redeem at a locale of the merchant.

Claims (34)

1 . In a wireless communications network, a method for transmitting promotional content to a mobile electronic device, the method comprising:

determining that a mobile electronic device is within a range of a wireless communications network;

authenticating the mobile electronic device for the receipt of promotional content; and

transmitting the promotional content to the mobile electronic device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications network comprises one or more of: an 802.11-based communications network; and a Bluetooth-based communications network.

3 . The method for transmitting as defined in claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications network is a network capable of transmitting digital information.

4 . The method for transmitting as defined in claim 3 , wherein the promotional content is an electronic coupon that is displayed on a display portion of the mobile electronic device.

5 . The method for transmitting as defined in claim 4 , wherein the electronic coupon includes a barcode that is scannable by a merchant associated with the wireless communications network.

6 . The method for transmitting as defined in claim 4 , wherein the coupon is redeemed from the mobile electronic device via infrared communication.

7 . The method for transmitting as defined in claim 4 , wherein the coupon is redeemed from the mobile electronic device via audio communication.

8 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein authenticating the mobile electronic device includes determining the amount of time the mobile electronic device has been within range of the wireless communications network.

9 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a user of the mobile electronic device forwards the promotional content to a second mobile electronic device.

10 . A mobile electronic device capable of receiving and displaying the promotional content transmitted to the mobile electronic device according to the method of claim 1 .

11 . In a wireless communications network, a method for transmitting content to one or more mobile electronic devices according to their one or more respective locations, the method comprising:

detecting a mobile electronic device near a predetermined location;

authenticating the mobile electronic device for the receipt of content; and

transmitting the content to the mobile electronic device.

12 . The method for transmitting as defined in claim 11 , wherein the content is one or more of: promotional content, an extreme weather warning, a missing child alert, and a traffic or road condition report.

13 . The method as defined in claim 11 , wherein authenticating the mobile electronic device includes determining one or more of:

the suitability of software or an operating system of the mobile electronic device for receiving the content, wherein the suitability of the software or operating system is based on the ability of the software or operating system to display the content to a user of the mobile electronic device using one or more of: a ticker, an image, and a short message service message; and

the amount of time the mobile electronic device has been within range of the wireless communications network.

14 . The method as defined in claim 11 , wherein detecting a mobile electronic device near a predetermined location comprises determining that the mobile electronic device is within a range of the wireless communications network.

15 . The method as defined in claim 11 , wherein:

the content comprises an electronic coupon that is displayed on a display portion of the mobile electronic device; and

the predetermined location comprises a locale of a merchant, wherein the electronic coupon can be redeemed within the merchant's locale by a user of the mobile electronic device.

16 . The method as defined in claim 15 , wherein a user of the mobile electronic device forwards the electronic coupon to a second mobile electronic device.

17 . The method as defined in claim 16 , further comprising receiving the electronic coupon from a user of the second mobile electronic device and providing a discount to the user of the second mobile electronic device on a purchase at the merchant's locale.

18 . The method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising receiving the electronic coupon from the user of the mobile electronic device and providing a discount to the user on a purchase at the merchant's locale.

19 . The method as defined in claim 18 , wherein receiving the electronic coupon comprises one or more of: viewing the display of the mobile electronic device; scanning a barcode included in the electronic coupon; receiving an infrared communication from the mobile electronic device; receiving a printed version of the electronic coupon; and receiving an audio communication from the mobile electronic device.

20 . The method as defined in claim 18 , further comprising recording that the electronic coupon from the mobile electronic device has been redeemed.

21 . The method as defined in claim 20 , further comprising preventing the electronic coupon from the mobile electronic device from being redeemed a second time.

22 . The method as defined in claim 11 , further comprising detecting a second mobile electronic device near the predetermined location.

23 . The method as defined in claim 22 , further comprising not authenticating the second mobile electronic device, and in response to not authenticating the second mobile electronic device, not transmitting the content to the second mobile electronic device.

24 . The method as defined in claim 11 , further comprising waiting a specified a period of time prior to transmitting the content to the mobile electronic device after detecting that the mobile electronic device is near the predetermined location.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 11, 2008
From: ZING SYSTEMS, INC.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 020353/0262 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2007
From: BUCHER, TIMOTHY; MCKENDRICK, AIN; ROSS, MARK ANDREW
To: ZING SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019352/0012 →