IP Library Granted Patent US 7,035,653
Granted Patent B2
US 7,035,653 · App. 09/833,656 · Granted Apr 25, 2006

Method and system to facilitate interaction between and content delivery to users of a wireless communications network

Assignee: Leap Wireless International, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,035,653
App. No.
09/833,656
Granted
Apr 25, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method of creating affinity groups of portable communication device users, and distributing targeted content to said users is disclosed. The user affinity groups may be formed by comparing user profiles with each other or with a predefined affinity group profile definition.

Claims (70)

1. A system for creating an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising:

means for providing wireless communication between said users;

means for storing gaming profile data relating to each of said users, said means for storing being operatively connected to the means for providing wireless communications; and

means for (a) comparing the gaming profile data of different ones of said users, and (b) associating users with the affinity group based on the gaming profile data comparison to thereby create the group, said means for comparing and associating being operatively connected to the means for storing;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for a user to include herself in an affinity group notwithstanding the failure of the means for comparing and associating to associate the user with the affinity group.

3. A system for creating an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising:

means for providing wireless communication between said users;

means for storing gaming profile data relating to each of said users, said means for storing being operatively connected to the means for providing wireless communications; and

means for (a) comparing the gaming profile data of each of said users with a predefined affinity group definition, and (b) associating users with the affinity group based on the comparison user gaming profile data with the predefined affinity group definition to thereby create the group, said means for comparing and associating being operatively connected to the means for storing;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising means for a user to include herself in an affinity group notwithstanding the failure of the means for comparing and associating to associate the user with the affinity group.

5. A method of creating an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising the steps of:

providing wireless communication between said users; receiving gaming profile data relating to each of said users; storing the gaming profile data relating to each of said users;

comparing the stored gaming profile data of different ones of said users; and

associating users with the affinity group based on the gaming profile data comparison;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

6. A method of creating an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising the steps of:

providing wireless communication between said users;

receiving gaming profile data relating to each of said users; storing the gaming profile data relating to each of said users;

comparing the gaming profile data of a plurality of said users with a predefined affinity group definition; and

associating users with the affinity group based on the comparison of the user gaming profile data with the predefined affinity group definition to thereby create the group;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

7. A method of creating an affinity group of wireless telephone users in realtime comprising the steps of:

providing wireless telephone communication between said users;

accessing gaming profile data relating to selected ones of said users;

comparing the accessed gaming profile data of different ones of said users; and

associating users with the affinity group based on the gaming profile data comparison;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

8. A method of creating an affinity group of wireless telephone users in realtime comprising the steps of:

providing wireless telephone communication between said users;

accessing gaming profile data relating to selected ones of said users;

comparing the accessed gaming profile data with a predefined affinity group definition; and

associating users with the affinity group based on the comparison of the gaming profile data with the predefined affinity group definition;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

9. A method of maintaining a group of portable communications device users associated with an affinity group based on comparisons of stored user gaming profile data, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving updated gaming profile data relating to users;

modifying the stored user gaming profile data based on the received updated gaming profile data;

comparing the modified user gaming profile data of different ones of said users; and

modifying as needed the users associated with the affinity group based on the modified user profile comparison;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

10. A system for distributing content to an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising:

means for providing portable communications device communication between said users;

means for storing gaming profile data relating to each of said users, said means for storing being operatively connected to the means for providing communication; means for (a) comparing the gaming profile data of different ones of said users, and (b) associating users with the affinity group based on the gaming profile data comparison to thereby create the group, said means for comparing and associating being operatively connected to the means for storing; and

means for selecting content for and distributing content to said users based on their inclusion in an affinity group, said means for selecting and distributing being operatively connected to the means for providing communication and the means for comparing and associating;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising means for a user to include herself in an affinity group notwithstanding the failure of the means for comparing and associating to associate the user with the affinity group.

12. A system for distributing content to an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising:

means for providing communication between said users;

means for storing gaming profile data relating to each of said users, said means for storing being operatively connected to the means for providing communication; means for (a) comparing the gaming profile data of each of said users with a predefined affinity group definition, and (b) associating users with the affinity group based on the comparison user gaming profile data with the predefined affinity group definition to thereby create the group, said means for comparing and associating being operatively connected to the means for storing; and

means for selecting content for and distributing content to said users based on their inclusion in an affinity group, said means for selecting and distributing being operatively connected to the means for providing communication and the means for comparing and associating;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising means for a user to include herself in an affinity group notwithstanding the failure of the means for comparing and associating to associate the user with the affinity group.

14. A method of distributing targeted content to an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising the steps of:

providing wireless communication between a plurality of users;

receiving gaming profile data relating to selected ones of said users;

storing the gaming profile data relating to said users;

comparing the stored gaming profile data of different ones of said users; associating users with the affinity group based on the gaming profile data comparison; and

distributing targeted content to the affinity group;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the targeted content comprises a game application.

16. A method of distributing targeted content to an affinity group of portable communications device users comprising the steps of:

providing wireless communication between a plurality of users;

receiving gaming profile data relating to selected ones of said users;

storing the gaming profile data relating to said users;

comparing the gaming profile data a plurality of said selected users with a predefined affinity group definition;

associating users with the affinity group based on the comparison of the user gaming profile data with the predefined affinity group definition to thereby create the group; and

distributing targeted content to said users in the affinity group;

wherein the gaming profile data includes billing information, affinity group memberships, portable communications device model, game applications resident on the user's portable communications device, user skill level, portable communications device usage level, any wireless connectivity, and inclusion and exclusion of other users.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the targeted content comprises a game application.

Assignments (9)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2013
From: CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030508/0146 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2013
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, N.A.
To: CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 030340/0924 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029475/0832 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2009
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: CRICKET LICENSEE XIV, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XV, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XVI, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XVII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XVIII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XIX, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XX, INC.; CRICKET HOLDINGS DAYTON, INC.; CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TELEPHONE ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.; CHASETEL LICENSEE CORP.; CRICKET LICESNSEE (ALBANY), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (COLUMBUS), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (DENVER) INC.; CRICKET LICENSSE (LAKELAND) INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (MACON), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (NORTH CAROLINA) INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (PITTSBURGH) INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (REAUCTION), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE I, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE II, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE III, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE IV, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE V, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE VI, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE VII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE VIII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE IX, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE X, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XI, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XIII, INC.; CRICKET FLORIDA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET GEORGIA PROPERTY COMPANY, INC.; CRICKET IDAHO PROPERTY COMPANY; MCG PCS LICENSEE CORPORATION, INC.; CHASETEL REAL ESTATE HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; BACKWIRE.COM, INC.; CRICKET ALABAMA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET ARIZONA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET ARKANSAS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET CALIFORNIA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET COLORADO PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET INDIANA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET KANSAS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET KENTUCKY PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET MICHIGAN PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET MINNESOTA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET MISSISSIPPI PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEBRASKA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEVADA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEW MEXICO PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEW YORK PROPERTY COMPANY, INC.; CRICKET NORTH CAROLINA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET OHIO PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET OKLAHOMA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET OREGON PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET PENNSYLVANIA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET TEXAS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET UTAH PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET WASHINGTON PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET ILLINOIS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET WISCONSIN PROPERTY COMPANY; LEAP PCS MEXICO, INC.
Reel/Frame 022804/0745 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2009
From: CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (REAUCTION), LLC; CRICKET LICENSEE I, LLC; CRICKET LICENSEE 2007, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB
Reel/Frame 022793/0850 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2008
From: LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021324/0764 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2005
From: CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BACKWIRE.COM, INC.; TELEPHONE ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.; CHASETEL LICENSEE CORP.; CRICKET LICENSEE (ALBANY), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (COLUMBUS), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (DENVER), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (LAKELAND), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (MACON), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (NORTH CAROLINA), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (PITTSBURGH), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE (RECAUCTION), INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE I, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE II, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE III, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE IV, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE V, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE VI, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE VII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE VIII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE IX, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE X, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XIII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XIV, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XV, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XVI, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XVII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XVIII, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XIX, INC.; CRICKET LICENSEE XX, INC.; CRICKET HOLDINGS DAYTON, INC.; MCG PCS LICENSEE CORPORATION, INC.; CHASETEL REAL ESTATE HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; CRICKET ALABAMA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET ARIZONA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET ARKANSAS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET CALIFORNIA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET COLORADO PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET FLORIDA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET GEORGIA PROPERTY COMPANY, INC.; CRICKET IDAHO PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET ILLINOIS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET INDIANA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET KANSAS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET KENTUCKY PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET MICHIGAN PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET MINNESOTA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET MISSISSIPPI PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEBRASKA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEVADA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEW MEXICO PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET NEW YORK PROPERTY COMPANY, INC.; CRICKET NORTH CAROLINA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET OHIO PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET OKLAHOMA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET OREGON PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET PENNSYLVANIA PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET TEXAS PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET UTAH PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET WASHINGTON PROPERTY COMPANY; CRICKET WISCONSIN PROPERTY COMPANY; LEAP PCS MEXICO, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA N.A.
Reel/Frame 016290/0577 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2004
From: LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 015732/0121 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2001
From: SIMON, DANIEL; WESTLING, MARK F.; WHERRY, PHILLIP
To: LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 012140/0154 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20030087652A1 · May 8, 2003