METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION BASED REWARDS
Providing a purchase incentive to a mobile device based for example the user's location, predicted route of travel, and prior transactions. A tracking server computer determines a number of locations of a mobile device as it travels along a route and an associated timeframe when it is at each of the locations. The tracking server computer records the locations and associated timeframes in a location log and analyzes the location log to predict a subsequent location and associated timeframe that the mobile device will be at that location. The tracking server computer then determines a merchant proximate to the predicted subsequent location of the mobile device and generates a purchase incentive for use at the merchant and delivers the purchase incentive to the mobile device. In the alternative, the incentive may be generated by a merchant computer or the mobile device.
1 . A method of providing a reward to a mobile device comprising:
a mobile device analyzing GPS coordinate data from a GPS receiver on the mobile device to determine a location of the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;
the mobile device recording the location in a location log stored on the mobile device;
the mobile device automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and
the mobile device displaying the reward on a display screen.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.
4 . The method of claim 2 wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.
5 . The method of claim 2 wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the mobile device.
7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the mobile device recording in the location log a timeframe associated with the location.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the mobile device automatically generates the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the mobile device.
9 . The method of claim 7 wherein the mobile device automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the mobile device.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device.
11 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of redeeming the reward.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time.
13 . The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein the triggering event comprises a user request.
16 . The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device accumulates a plurality of rewards.
17 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
the mobile device analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and
the mobile device generating the reward based on the prior transaction log.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the mobile device.
21 . The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device is a smart card.
22 . The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device.
23 . The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
24 . The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.
25 . A mobile device comprising a GPS receiver, processing circuitry, a display screen, and a memory, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to execute an app on the mobile device which performs the steps of:
the mobile device analyzing GPS coordinate data from a GPS receiver on the mobile device to determine a location of the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;
the mobile device recording the location in a location log stored on the mobile device;
the mobile device automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and
the mobile device displaying the reward on the display screen.
26 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the app is further programmed to perform the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward.
27 . The mobile device of claim 26 wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.
28 . The mobile device of claim 26 wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.
29 . The mobile device of claim 26 wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification.
30 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the app is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the mobile device.
31 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the app is further programmed to record in the location log a timeframe associated with the location.
32 . The mobile device of claim 31 wherein the app is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the mobile device.
33 . The mobile device of claim 31 wherein the app is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the mobile device.
34 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device.
35 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the app is further programmed to perform the step of redeeming the reward,
36 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time.
37 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the mobile device automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event.
38 . The mobile device of claim 37 wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition.
39 . The mobile device of claim 37 wherein the triggering event comprises a user request.
40 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the app is further programmed to perform the step of accumulating a plurality of rewards.
41 . The mobile device of claim 25 further comprising the app on the mobile device performing the steps of:
the mobile device analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and
the mobile device generating the reward based on the prior transaction log.
42 . The mobile device of claim 41 wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
43 . The mobile device of claim 41 wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
44 . The mobile device of claim 41 wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the mobile device.
45 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the mobile device is a smart card.
46 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device.
47 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
48 . The mobile device of claim 25 wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.
49 . A method of providing a reward to a mobile device comprising a tracking server computer performing the steps of:
receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from a GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;
determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;
recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;
automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and
delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on a display screen of the mobile device.
50 . The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward.
51 . The method of claim 50 wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.
52 . The method of claim 50 wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.
53 . The method of claim 50 wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification.
54 . The method of claim 49 wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the tracking server computer.
55 . The method of claim 49 further comprising the tracking server computer recording in the location log a timeframe associated with the location.
56 . The method of claim 55 wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the tracking server computer.
57 . The method of claim 55 wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the tracking server computer.
58 . The method of claim 49 wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device.
59 . The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of redeeming the reward.
60 . The method of claim 49 wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time.
61 . The method of claim 49 wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event.
62 . The method of claim 61 wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition.
63 . The method of claim 61 wherein the triggering event comprises a user request.
64 . The method of claim 49 wherein the mobile device accumulates a plurality of rewards.
65 . The method of claim 49 further comprising:
the tracking server computer analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and
the tracking server computer generating the reward based on the prior transaction log.
66 . The method of claim 65 wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
67 . The method of claim 65 wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
68 . The method of claim 65 wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer.
69 . The method of claim 49 wherein the mobile device is a smart card.
70 . The method of claim 49 wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device.
71 . The method of claim 49 wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
72 . The method of claim 49 wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.
73 . A system comprising a tracking server computer in wireless communications with a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a GPS receiver, processing circuitry, a display screen, and a memory, wherein the tracking server computer is programmed to perform the steps of:
receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from the GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route
determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;
recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;
automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and
delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on the display screen of the mobile device.
74 . The system of claim 73 wherein the mobile device is programmed to generate a notification of the reward.
75 . The system of claim 74 wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.
76 . The system of claim 74 wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.
77 . The system of claim 74 wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification.
78 . The system of claim 73 wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the tracking server computer.
79 . The system of claim 73 wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to record in the location log a timeframe associated with the location.
80 . The system of claim 79 wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the tracking server computer.
81 . The system of claim 79 wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the tracking server computer.
82 . The system of claim 73 wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device.
83 . The system of claim 73 wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of redeeming the reward,
84 . The system of claim 73 wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time.
85 . The system of claim 73 wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event.
86 . The system of claim 85 wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition.
87 . The system of claim 85 wherein the triggering event comprises a user request.
88 . The system of claim 73 wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of accumulating a plurality of rewards.
89 . The system of claim 73 further comprising the tracking server computer performing the steps of:
analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and
generating the reward based on the prior transaction log.
90 . The system of claim 89 wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
91 . The system of claim 89 wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
92 . The system of claim 89 wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer.
93 . The system of claim 73 wherein the mobile device is a smart card.
94 . The system of claim 73 wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device.
95 . The system of claim 73 wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
96 . The system of claim 73 wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.
97 . A method of providing a reward to a mobile device comprising the steps of:
a tracking server computer receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from a GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;
the tracking server computer determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;
the tracking server computer recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;
the tracking server computer determining a merchant proximate to the location of the mobile device;
the tracking server computer notifying a merchant computer associated with the merchant to which the mobile device is predicted to be proximate;
the merchant computer generating a reward;
the merchant computer sending the reward to the tracking server computer; and
the tracking server computer delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on a display screen of the mobile device.
98 . The method of claim 97 further comprising the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward.
99 . The method of claim 98 wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.
100 . The method of claim 98 wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.
101 . The method of claim 98 wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification.
102 . The method of claim 97 further comprising the tracking server computer recording in the location log a timeframe associated with the location.
103 . The method of claim 102 wherein the merchant computer automatically generates the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe.
104 . The method of claim 97 wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at the merchant.
105 . The method of claim 97 further comprising the step of redeeming the reward.
106 . The method of claim 97 wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time.
107 . The method of claim 97 wherein the merchant computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event.
108 . The method of claim 107 wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition.
109 . The method of claim 107 wherein the triggering event comprises a user request.
110 . The method of claim 97 wherein the mobile device accumulates a plurality of rewards.
111 . The method of claim 97 further comprising:
the merchant computer analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and
the merchant computer generating the reward based on the prior transaction log.
112 . The method of claim 111 wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
113 . The method of claim 111 wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
114 . The method of claim 111 wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer.
115 . The method of claim 97 wherein the mobile device is a smart card.
116 . The method of claim 97 wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device.
117 . The method of claim 97 wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
118 . The method of claim 97 wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.
119 . A system comprising a merchant computer and a tracking server computer in wireless communications with a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a GPS receiver, processing circuitry, a display screen, and a memory, wherein the tracking server computer is programmed to perform the steps of:
receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from the GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route
determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;
recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;
determining a merchant proximate to the location of the mobile device;
notifying a merchant computer associated with the merchant to which the mobile device is predicted to be proximate;
and wherein the merchant computer is programmed to perform the steps of:
generating a reward; and
sending the reward to the tracking server computer;
and wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to perform the steps of:
delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on a display screen of the mobile device.
120 . The system of claim 119 wherein the mobile device is programmed to generate a notification of the reward.
121 . The system of claim 120 wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.
122 . The system of claim 120 wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.
123 . The system of claim 120 wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification.
124 . The system of claim 120 wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to record in the location log a timeframe associated with the location.
125 . The system of claim 124 wherein the merchant computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe.
126 . The system of claim 119 wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at the merchant.
127 . The system of claim 119 wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of redeeming the reward,
128 . The system of claim 119 wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time.
129 . The system of claim 119 wherein the merchant computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event.
130 . The system of claim 129 wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition.
131 . The system of claim 20 c wherein the triggering event comprises a user request.
132 . The system of claim 119 wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of accumulating a plurality of rewards.
133 . The system of claim 119 further comprising the merchant computer performing the steps of:
analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and
generating the reward based on the prior transaction log.
134 . The system of claim 133 wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
135 . The system of claim 133 wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device.
136 . The system of claim 133 wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer.
137 . The system of claim 119 wherein the mobile device is a smart card.
138 . The system of claim 119 wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device.
139 . The system of claim 119 wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
140 . The system of claim 119 wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.