U.S. patent application number 14/011214 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-26 for system and method for locational messaging.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jason Jude Hogg, Nicholas Patrick Johns, Nicholas Eugene Kleinjan. Invention is credited to Blaine Anderson, Jason Jude Hogg, Nicholas Patrick Johns, Jamie R. Kenas, Nicholas Eugene Kleinjan.
Application Number | 20130346205 14/011214 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49775220 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130346205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hogg; Jason Jude ; et
al. |
December 26, 2013 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATIONAL MESSAGING
Abstract
Positional communication systems and methods include receiving a
definition of a first geographic area including a first commercial
location by a computer system and storing the first geographic area
in a memory. The location of a mobile device in the possession of a
customer is determined, and if the mobile device is determined to
be at a location within the first geographic area, an incentive
message for the customer to leave the location and go to a second
commercial location is sent to the mobile device.
Inventors: |
Hogg; Jason Jude; (St.
Petersburg, FL) ; Kleinjan; Nicholas Eugene; (Edina,
MN) ; Johns; Nicholas Patrick; (Lutz, FL) ;
Anderson; Blaine; (Spring Hill, FL) ; Kenas; Jamie
R.; (St Petersburg, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kleinjan; Nicholas Eugene
Johns; Nicholas Patrick
Hogg; Jason Jude |
Edina
Lutz
St. Petersburg |
MN
FL
FL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49775220 |
Appl. No.: |
14/011214 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13435741 |
Mar 30, 2012 |
|
|
|
14011214 |
|
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|
61470961 |
Apr 1, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/12 20130101; G06Q
30/0261 20130101; G06F 16/9537 20190101; H04L 51/20 20130101; H04L
12/1895 20130101; H04W 4/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.58 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A computerized method of providing a customer incentive to leave
a first commercial location and to arrive at a second commercial
location, the method comprising: receiving a definition of a first
geographic area including the first commercial location by a
computer system and storing the first geographic area in a memory;
determining a location of a mobile device in the possession of the
customer; and if the mobile device is determined to be at a
location within the first geographic area, then sending to the
mobile device an incentive message for the customer to leave the
location and go to the second commercial location.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether
the mobile device has come to rest at a location within the first
geographic area.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the
incentive message on the mobile device.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: sending a first alert
message to the mobile device; displaying the first alert message on
the mobile device; and displaying the incentive message on the
mobile device in response to an input on the first alert
message.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a
definition of a second geographic area including the second
commercial location by the computer system and storing the second
commercial location in a memory; determining the location of the
mobile device; and if the mobile device is determined to be at a
location within the second geographic area, then sending to the
mobile device a voucher for a merchant located at the second
commercial location.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: sending a second
alert message to the mobile device; displaying the second alert
message on the mobile device; and displaying the voucher on the
mobile device in response to an input on the second alert
message.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: displaying a bar code
representing the voucher on the mobile device.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a map
including the first commercial location; displaying a grid
including a plurality of cells on the map; wherein receiving the
definition of the first geographic area includes selecting cells of
the grid.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location of the
mobile device includes receiving an indication of the location of
the mobile device from the mobile device.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: defining a first
geographic region object that includes the first geographic area;
and sending the geographic region object to the mobile device in
response to the mobile device entering the first geographic
region.
11. A system, comprising: a back-end including a server and a
memory; a front-end including a mobile device application; a
communications interface accessible by the back-end and the
front-end; the back-end being configured to determine a location of
a mobile device including the mobile device application, and if the
mobile device is determined to be at a location within a first
geographic area, then sending to the mobile device an incentive
message for a customer to leave the location and go to a second
commercial location.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the front-end includes a
merchant application configured to receive a definition of the
first geographic area.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the back-end includes an API
service, wherein the back end is configured to access a map
including the first commercial location, and wherein the map is
displayed by the merchant application to receive the definition of
the first geographic area.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the back-end stores a
definition of the first geographic area in the memory.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the mobile device application
is configured to determine the location of the mobile device and
send the location of the mobile device to the back-end.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the mobile device application
is configured to determine whether the mobile device is at rest
within the first geographic area.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the mobile device application
is configured to display the incentive message on the mobile
device.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the back-end is configured to
send a voucher to the mobile device for a merchant located at the
second commercial location if the mobile device is determined to be
at a location within a second geographic area containing the second
commercial location.
19. A storage medium including an application for a mobile device,
the application executing program instructions that implement a
method comprising: determining a location of the mobile device; if
the mobile device is determined to be at a location within a first
geographic area, then sending a notification to a back-end;
receiving an incentive message for a customer to leave the location
and go to a second commercial location; and displaying the
incentive message on the mobile device.
20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the executed method
further comprises: caching a definition of the first geographic
area.
21. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the executed method
further comprises: accessing a GPS unit of the mobile device to
determine the location of the mobile device.
22. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the executed method
further comprises: determining whether the mobile device has come
to rest at a location within the first geographic area
23. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the executed method
further comprises: displaying the incentive message in response to
receiving an input from a user.
24. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the executed method
further comprises: caching a definition of a second geographic area
including the second commercial location; if the mobile device is
determined to be at a location within the second geographic area,
then receiving a voucher for a merchant located at the second
commercial location; and displaying the voucher on the mobile
device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/435,741, filed on Mar. 30, 2012, which is a
nonprovisional application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 61/470,961, filed on Apr. 1, 2011, both titled "SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR LOCATIONAL MESSAGING," and both of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present document relates generally to a system and
method for delivery of digital content based upon the location of a
particular recipient, and more particularly to a system and method
for delivering a message to a mobile device, such as a cellular
telephone, based upon the location of the mobile device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Traditionally, the delivery of digital content (message
forum postings, email, text messages, SMS, video files, graphics
files, audio files, etc.) is organized around a universal resource
locator (URL), telephone number or email address. In other words,
when considering the question of to where content is delivered, the
answer is that content is delivered to a particular URL (example:
content is uploaded to a particular image file server, such as the
image file server at flickr.com, or to a particular video server,
such as the one available at youtube.com, or to a particular forum
server, such as the one available at 4chan.org), to a particular
telephone number (example: a text message or SMS is delivered to a
particular telephone number), or to a particular email address
(content associated with emails are delivered to a particular email
address). One result of this present state of affairs is that
content which is intended for receipt by a community is generally
accessed by the community via a website. Thus, the community is
nucleated about a website. Discussion pertaining to a restaurant,
for example, is nucleated about a website such as chowhound.com, as
opposed to being nucleated around the particular restaurant that is
the subject of the discussion. One disadvantage of this
organization is that although a given individual may be a customer
of the aforementioned restaurant, that individual will not
encounter the content pertaining to the restaurant if he does not
visit the particular website that hosts the content.
[0004] There exists a need for a service that organizes the
delivery of electronic content around physical location as at least
one aspect of its content delivery scheme.
SUMMARY
[0005] Against this backdrop, the disclosed systems and methods
were developed. In accordance with certain aspects of the
disclosure, a computerized method of providing a customer incentive
to leave a first commercial location and to arrive at a second
commercial location includes receiving a definition of a first
geographic area including the first commercial location by a
computer system and storing the first geographic area in a memory.
A location of a mobile device in the possession of the customer is
determined, and if the mobile device is determined to be at a
location within the first geographic area, then an incentive
message for the customer to leave the location and go to the second
commercial location is sent to the mobile device.
[0006] In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure a
system includes a back-end including a server and a memory, and a
front-end including a mobile device application. A communications
interface is accessible by the back-end and the front-end. The
back-end is configured to determine a location of a mobile device
including the mobile device application, and if the mobile device
is determined to be at a location within a first geographic area,
then an incentive message for a customer to leave the location and
go to a second commercial location is sent to the mobile
device.
[0007] Other aspects of the disclosure include an application for a
mobile device that implements a method including determining a
location of the mobile device running the application. If the
mobile device is determined to be at a location within a first
geographic area, then a notification is sent to a back-end. An
incentive message for a customer to leave the location and go to a
second commercial location is received by the application, and the
incentive message is displayed on the mobile device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a locational messaging system, in accordance
with some embodiments of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts a logical architecture of the positional
content platform, in accordance with some embodiments of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a mobile device,
in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a user interface presented by the positional
content application, in accordance with some embodiments of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a method for placing content icons and
aggregator icons on a field of view, in accordance with some
embodiments of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a content summary in accordance with some
embodiments of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 depicts a content detail in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 depicts a create comment screen in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 depicts an aggregator summary in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention
[0017] FIG. 10 depicts an aggregator detail in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 depicts a create content screen in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 depicts a camera/video interface in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 depicts a create content screen with an image
introduced into the content editing area, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 14 depicts a method for creating content, in accordance
with some embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 depicts a filter menu in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 depicts a view menu in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 17 depicts a search menu in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 18 depicts a mark place interface in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 19 depicts a positional selection menu in accordance
with some embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 20 depicts a 5-D view in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 21 depicts a notifications center in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 22 depicts a newsfeed screen in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 23 depicts an example of a method for providing a
customer or potential customer an incentive to leave one merchant's
location and go to another merchant's establishment in accordance
with some embodiments of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 24 is a block diagram depicting aspects of system for
providing a customer or potential customer an incentive to leave
one merchant's location and go to another merchant's establishment
in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 25 depicts an alert screen in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 26 depicts an incentive screen in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 27 depicts a second alert screen in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 28 depicts a welcome screen in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 29 depicts a voucher screen in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0037] FIGS. 30A-30E depict a series of campaign creation screens
in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 31 depicts an example of a defined first geographic
region in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 32 depicts an example of a defined second geographic
region in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0040] FIG. 33 depicts an arrangement the first and second
geographic regions illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32, respectively,
situated adjacent one another in accordance with some embodiments
of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 34 depicts an arrangement of the first and second
geographic regions illustrated in FIG. 33 with third and fourth
geographic regions in accordance with some embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a locational messaging
system. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a
plurality of mobile communication and processing devices 102 and
104. Although FIG. 1 depicts a system including two mobile
communication and processing devices 102 and 104, the locational
messaging system 100 may include any number of such devices 102 and
104, including very large numbers of such devices 102 and 104, such
as millions of such devices 102 and 104, or more. According to one
embodiment, the mobile communication and processing devices 102 and
104 are embodied as smart phones, such as an iPhone.RTM. or a phone
running the Android.RTM. operating system. According to another
embodiment, the mobile devices 102 and 104 are embodied as personal
display assistant devices, tablet devices, mobile gaming devices,
or any other mobile device understood by those of skill in the art
to provide a mobile execution environment with certain positional
detection capabilities and communication capabilities, which are
discussed in greater detail herein.
[0043] According to one embodiment, each mobile device 102 and 104
may communicate with a positional content platform 106 via a
communication network 108, such as the Internet.
[0044] An application executing on the mobile device 102 or 106
permits its user to generate digital content and to associate that
digital content with a location, so that the content can be
encountered by another user of such a mobile device 102 or 104. For
example, a user of mobile device 102 creates a simple unit of
digital content, a textual message, reading "I was here," and
associates the message with a location. The user of mobile device
102 may elect to associate the aforementioned message with his
present location L1. According to one embodiment, the mobile device
102 detects its current location and associates the content
generated by the user with the current location. On the other hand,
the user may elect to associate his message with a location that is
different from his current location, such as at location L2. In
either event, in the wake of generating the content, the content
and desired location for association with the content is
communicated to the positional content platform 106.
[0045] Continuing with this example, the user of mobile device 104
uses the mobile device 104 to discover and view the content.
According to one embodiment, the mobile device 104 presents a user
interface having a field of view that corresponds with a region R1.
According to one embodiment, the mobile device 104 detects its
current location, and based upon its current location defines its
field of view to be generally centered about or to otherwise
contain its location. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the mobile device
104 is located at location L3 and therefore presents a field of
view corresponding to region R1, which encompasses location L3. An
icon corresponding to the content associated with location L2 is
presented within the field of view, at a location within the field
of view corresponding to location L2. Therefore, when located at
location L3, the user of the mobile device 104 observes, via the
field of view presented by the user interface, an icon alerting him
to the presence of content associated with location L2. The user
may select the icon, and view the message: "I was here." According
to some embodiments, the field of view may encompass an area that
does not contain the present location of the mobile device 104, and
the field of view may be selectable by the user of the mobile
device 104.
[0046] According to some embodiments, the mobile device 104 sends a
service call to the positional content platform 106 to obtain
information concerning the location of content, so that icons may
be properly presented within the aforementioned field of view.
According to some embodiments, the mobile device directs a service
to the positional content platform 106; the service call includes
parameters defining the region corresponding to the field of view.
The positional content platform 106 responds by returning a data
set that identifies each unit of content within the aforementioned
region and the location associated with each such unit. This
request and response transaction provides the mobile device 104
with sufficient information to generate the field of view and to
place icons appropriately within the field of view, so that the
location of the icons within the field of view correspond to the
physical location of the messages within the physical region
corresponding to the field of view.
[0047] In response to having encountered and viewed the content
associated with location L2, the user of mobile device 104 may
generate a response, such as, "So was I." According to some
embodiments, the response is associated with the original message,
so that the original message and content form a thread or
discussion thread that is associated with location L2. The
thread--also a form of content--is discoverable and viewable in the
manner described above. Digital content to be associated with a
location may take on any form, including, without limitation, the
form of a textual message, a graphical image, such as a graphics
file generated by the mobile device 104 via an integrated camera, a
video file, such as a video file generated by the mobile device 104
via an integrated camera, such as an audio file generated by the
mobile device 104 via an integrated microphone, digital content for
game, digital content representing a discount or savings to be
redeemed at a merchant, digital content representing a monetary
value, a computer file, such as an executable program or data file,
or any other form of digital content.
[0048] According to some embodiments some content may be of more
interest than other content. For example, the user of mobile device
104 may have more interest in content generated by certain users,
such those he knows, than by other users, such as those he does not
know. The user may also have more interest in content that has been
recently generated or changed than he does in content that has been
generated in the more distant past.
[0049] Similarly, the user may have more interest in content that
he has not viewed than in content he has already viewed. According
to some embodiments, to assist the user in discovering content
suited to his preferences, the mobile device permits the user to
establish or select filters that influence whether a given unit of
content will be represented as an icon within the field of view
presented to the user. According to some embodiments, the mobile
device directs a service call to the positional content platform
106; the service call includes parameters defining the region
corresponding to the field of view, and further includes filter
data (examples: date of creation of content later than a specified
date, creator of content must be found within a list established by
the user, content not previously viewed, etc.). The positional
content platform 106 responds by returning a data set that
identifies each unit of content that both satisfies the filter
requirements and is located within the aforementioned region. The
location associated with each such unit of content is also
returned. This request and response transaction provides the mobile
device 104 with sufficient information to generate the field of
view and to place icons appropriately within the field of view, so
that the icons actually presented in the field of view correspond
to content satisfying the filter requirements.
[0050] According to some embodiments, the system 100 includes a
registration process. The registration process requires a user to
establish a user name and a password, so that the user can later
log into his account. The system also affords the user the
opportunity to create an association between his own account and
other users of the system 100. For example, the system 100 permits
the user to assign a "friend" or "follower" or other relationship
between his account and another user's account. According to some
embodiments, these relationships may be imported from other
platforms (example: "friends" may be imported from Facebook.RTM.,
and "followers" from Twitter.RTM., etc.). According to some
embodiments, these relationships may be used as filter criteria, so
that only certain content ultimately ends up being represented as
an icon on a user's field of view.
[0051] According to some embodiments, the system 100 presents an
interface by which the user may define a region as a "place," and
may assign a name to the place. For example, the mobile device 104
may present its user with an interface allowing the user to define
a place as the region determined by the latitude and longitude of a
given location L4, and a radius R1 extending from the location L4.
According to some embodiments, the radius R1 may extend in two
dimensions, while according to other embodiments, the radius R1 may
extend in three dimensions. According to some embodiments, the
mobile device 104 presents its user with an interface by which its
user may define a pair of latitudinal coordinates LAT1 and LAT2 and
a pair of longitudinal coordinates LONG1 and LONG2, thereby
defining a place as the interior region defined by the pairs of
latitudinal coordinates LAT1 and LAT2 and longitudinal coordinates
LONG1 and LONG2. According to some embodiments, the mobile device
104 presents its user with an interface by which its user may
further specify altitude data, thereby defining a "place" as
referring to a region defined as described above, at a particular
altitude.
[0052] The system 100 allows a place or set of places to be
associated with a use, so that the user can interact with a
selected place in different manners. For example, one or more
places can serve as filter criteria: represent as icons only those
units of digital content associated within the region corresponding
to a place prescribed by the user. Other uses of places, some of
which are described herein, are also possible.
[0053] According to some embodiments, the system 100 provides
notifications of the occurrence of certain events to the user. By
way of example, and without limitation, a notification may take the
form of a tone or audio indication from the mobile device 102 or
104, a vibration from the mobile device 102 or 104, delivery of a
notification to a "notification center" of the mobile platform 102
or 104, presentation of a message on the device's Lock Screen,
presentation of a banner (optionally with a message or number
therein) superimposed over a button or icon, or presentation of a
badge superimposed upon a button or icon. According to some
embodiments, and by way of example, and without limitation, a
mobile device 102 or 104 may provide its user with a notification
in the event that: content was newly associated with a location in
a defined "place"; that content was newly associated with a
location within the field of view of the user interface; that
another user designated as a "friend" or "followed by" (or bearing
some other relationship to the user's account) has entered a
location within a defined "place"; that another user designated as
a "friend" or "followed by" (or bearing some other relationship to
the user's account) has entered the field of view of the user
interface; that content has been created by another user designated
as a "friend" or "followed by" (or bearing some other relationship
to the user's account); that another user has responded to a unit
of content that the user has created, such as by "replying" in a
thread. These notification are delivered asynchronously, being
provided to the mobile device from the positional content platform
106 (in some instances via an intermediary service offering "push"
notification services), with the timing of the presentation of any
particular notification being a function of when the triggering
event occurred, and with the manner of presentation of the
notification being a function of the configuration of the mobile
device 102 or 104 and the state of execution of the application
(example: the application is in the foreground, the application is
in the background, the application is inactive, the device is
asleep, etc.).
[0054] According to some embodiments, the system provides
"newsfeeds" to the user of the mobile device 102 or 104. In some
embodiments, a newsfeed is a chronological queue of activity within
the system 100 bearing characteristics that the action may be of
interest to the user. The user interface provides a screen that
allows the user of the mobile device 102 or 104 to view the
newsfeed. According to some embodiments, events included in the
newsfeed include those events that would trigger a notification.
The occurrences of other events also are included in the news feed,
such as the number of responses in a thread surpassing a threshold,
a "friend" registering as a user of the system 100, another user
followed by the user or who follows the user registering as a user
of the system 100, etc.
[0055] According to some embodiments, the system 100 may access a
public application interface exposed by a social network or other
external platform, in order to create a message (such as a "wall"
posting, tweet, etc.) informing users of those platforms that a
unit of content was generated within the system 100. Optionally,
the aforementioned message may include a hyperlink, permitting its
viewer to select the link to view a webpage. The webpage referenced
by the hyperlink may allow the visitor to register for the service,
or in the event that the visitor is already registered, to log into
his account, to view the content, or to interact with the content
(example: to respond to the content, as may be the case in the
context of a thread).
[0056] According to some embodiments, the platform 106 is
programmed with a set of rules for conducting a game, the play of
which is conducted at least partially through the encountering at a
geographic location or region, viewing from or at a geographic
location or region, placing at a geographic location or region or
configuration of digital content to be placed at a geographic
location or region. The platform 106 further includes rules and
interfaces to permit encountering the game content, user reaction
to such encounters, and manipulation of state variables defining a
game's state in reaction to such encounters. The platform 106
further includes rules and interfaces to permit viewing of the game
content, user reaction to such viewing, and manipulation of state
variables defining a game's state in reaction to such viewing. The
platform 106 further includes rules and interfaces to permit
placing the game content in association with a geographic location,
user reaction to such placements, and manipulation of state
variables defining a game's state in reaction to such placements.
The platform 106 further includes rules and interfaces to permit
configuring the game content, user reaction to such configuration,
and manipulation of state variables defining a game's state in
reaction to such configuration.
[0057] FIG. 2 depicts a logical architecture of the positional
content platform 106, according to some embodiments. As can be seen
from FIG. 2, the positional content platform includes a service
layer 200, a core database application interface (API) 202, a
logical data layer 204, a physical data layer 206, and a web portal
208. Also depicted in FIG. 2 is an application 210 executing on the
mobile platform 102 and 104, which is referred to herein as the
positional content application 210.
[0058] The positional content application 210 communicates with an
API exposed via the web services layer 200. The service layer 200
exposes API's to the positional content application 210, permitting
the positional content application to cooperate with the positional
content application to perform the operations and provide the
features disclosed herein. For example, the web services layer may
expose API's allowing creation of content and association of the
content with a location, allowing retrieval of content, allowing
retrieval of attribute content within a field of view, allowing
logging in or out of an account, etc.
[0059] Data constituting the positional digital content is stored
in the physical data layer 206, as is user account data and other
data needed for performance of the operations and features
disclosed herein. The service layer 200 interacts with the data
stored in the physical data layer 206 through the core API's 202
exposed by the database server, and through stored procedures,
schemas, and other tools pertaining to the logical organization of
the database 204.
[0060] According to some embodiments, the database 202, 204 and 206
is a relational database, while in other embodiments it is embodied
as an object oriented database, or as a graph database. Optionally,
the physical storage layer 206 may be distributed, and may
optionally be arranged so that data from users in a particular
geographic region is dedicated to a particular storage array, or
may be optionally arranged so that content associated with a given
geographic region is stored in one array, while content associated
with another geographic region is stored in a different array.
[0061] By way of illustration, the positional content application
210 can make a service call to the service layer 200 to obtain
information needed to position icons representative of data within
the field of view prevailing in its user interface, as has been
discussed with reference to FIG. 1. The service call contains data
from which the geographical range corresponding to the field of
view can be determined, and may optionally contain filter data. The
service layer 200 responds by interpreting the service call, and
breaking it into a series of core API calls to the core database
API layer 202, causing the API layer 202 to interact with the
physical data storage layer to retrieve the requested data. The
requested data is then passed to the service layer, which packages
the data in a way appropriate for transport to and ingestion by the
positional content application 210. Finally, the positional content
application 210 responds by unpacking the returned data and
positioning icons on the field of view, pursuant to the data
returned by the service layer 200.
[0062] According to some embodiments, the service layer 200 also
interacts with third party platforms in order to perform the
operations and provide the features disclosed herein. For example,
the service layer 200 optionally interacts with social platforms
212 to ingest user account data, such as friend lists, follower
lists, and to post messages on those platforms. Similarly, the
positional content application also optionally interacts with third
party platforms, for reasons ranging from obtaining map or
satellite imagery (discussed in more detail herein), for
interaction with an authorization engine, such as an o-auth engine,
and for other reasons required for the performance of operations
and provision of features disclosed herein.
[0063] According to some embodiments, the service layer 200
interacts with a notification service 212. The notification service
212 is an external platform exposes an API that provides clients
the ability to asynchronously communicate data messages to the
mobile devices 202 and 204. The notification service 212 interacts
with the operating system on the mobile device 202 and 204, in lieu
of the service layer 200 directly performing such an interaction,
in order to control the flow of notification calls directed to any
given mobile device 202 or 204. The service layer 200 call the
notification service 212 in order to provide the notification
functionality discussed above and in greater detail below.
[0064] It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the
execution environment for the positional content platform may be
embodied as a single platform. Optionally, each of the elements of
the positional content platform may be executed on separate
servers, and any number of the elements may be executed on a single
server or distributed across any number of servers. Optionally, the
servers may operate as a cluster to permit greater availability and
faster response times, as is well understood in the art.
[0065] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a mobile device
102 or 104, according to some embodiments. As can be seen from FIG.
3, the mobile device 102 include an applications processor 300 and
a baseband processor 302. Application processor 300 communicates
information to baseband processor 302, so that the baseband
processor 302 can prepare the data, which may constitute voice
data, or may constitute wireless mobile internet data, for
encoding, modulation and transmission via the transceiver 304 and
power amplifiers 306. During operation, the processors 300 and 302
have use of a multilevel cell memory 308, a static RAM 310 and a
synchronous dynamic RAM 312 for the storage and retrieval of
executable code and data.
[0066] The mobile device 102 is provided with power through the
cooperative efforts of an optionally rechargeable battery 314, and
two power management modules 316 and 318, which serve to monitor
the voltage of the battery 314, regulate voltage levels, activate
and deactivate subcircuits and input/output devices and other
elements to conserve power, and perform other power management
functions that are well known in the art.
[0067] The mobile device 102 also includes microphone 320, speaker
322, and earpiece 324, which are coupled to the application
processor 300 via an encoder/decoder module 326. The microphone
320, speaker 322 and earpiece 324 are input/output devices used to
perform various operations and provide various aspects of features
(such as enable various aspects of content creation and content
delivery) of the system 100 disclosed herein.
[0068] The application processor 300 is also coupled to a touch
screen controller 328, which controls the operation of a touch
screen 330, which is the primary means of visual input/output
capability of the mobile device 102.
[0069] The mobile device 102 also optionally includes a camera 332
coupled to the application processor, for capture of video imagery,
which the processor stores as graphics files or video files, in
formats well understood by those of skill in the art.
[0070] Also coupled to the application processor 300 is a Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth transceiver 334, which optionally functions in accord
with I.E.E.E. 802.11a/b/g standards, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and FM. The
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transceiver 334 cooperates with the application
processor 300 to provide Wi-Fi connection to a communication
network, such as the Internet.
[0071] The mobile device 102 includes a global positioning system
(GPS) transceiver 336 which provides positional data to the
application processor, so that the operating system of the device
102 can provide location services, such as providing latitudinal,
longitudinal and accuracy data to application executing on the
mobile platform 102.
[0072] The mobile device 102 also optionally includes a magnetic
sensor 338, which senses the magnetic polarity of the earth, and
provides directional information to the processor 300. Also, the
mobile device 102 optionally includes an accelerometer 340 for
detecting forces acting upon the accelerometer 340, such as forces
originating from acceleration of the mobile device 102 or from
gravity or the like. The accelerometer provides its data to the
processor 300. The mobile device 102 also optionally includes a
gyroscope 342 that detects rotation of the mobile device 102 about
its three axes, and provides the rotational information to the
processor 300. The mobile device 102 may also include a serial port
344 that is coupled to the processor 300 via a serial port
controller 346, for the communication of serial data to and from
the processor 300, for the delivery of direct current power to the
device 102 and for other functions known to those of skill in the
art.
[0073] FIG. 4 depicts a user interface 400 presented by the
positional content application 210, according to some embodiments.
In the depiction of FIG. 4, user interface 400 presents a screen
that may be used for locating content stored on the positional
content platform 106. Given the particular active screen in FIG. 4,
the user interface 400 includes a field of view 402. The field of
view 402 corresponds to a region of geography on earth. In the
particular embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, a map is depicted within
the field of view to help 402 the user determine the particular
region to which the field of view 402 corresponds, although this
need not be the case.
[0074] As can be seen from FIG. 4, content icons 404 are
superimposed over the field of view 402. Each content icon 404
represents a unit of digital content stored in the positional
content platform 106. The position of any given content icon 404
within the field of view 402 corresponds to the geographic position
associated with content represented by the icon. In other words, if
a user of the positional content platform 106 elects to create
content and associate it with the intersection of 50.sup.th Street
and France Avenue (or the longitude and latitude corresponding with
intersection of 50.sup.th Street and France Avenue), then the
content icon 404 representing that content is positioned at the
point within the field of view corresponding to the intersection of
50.sup.th Street and France Avenue. If a map is displayed in the
background, the content icon 404 appears at the intersection
50.sup.th Street and France Avenue on the map.
[0075] Optionally, the color of a content icon 404 may be
determined by certain characteristics of the content represented by
the icon. For example, a content icon 404 may appear in a first
color, such as red, in the event that the content represented by
the icon 404 makes reference to (or "tags") the user account into
which the positional content application 210 is currently logged
in. A content icon 404 may appear in a second color, such as green,
in the event that any unit of content represented by the icon 404
was created by a user account associated with the currently
logged-in account (example: the underlying content contains content
created by a user account designated as a "friend," "follower" or a
user that the presently logged-in user account has designated to as
a user account to "follow."). A content icon 404 may appear in a
third color, such as black, in the event that the content
represented by the icon 404 has neither of the previously recited
characteristics, and is therefore simply public content.
[0076] In the event that more than one unit of content is
associated with the same geographic position or very similar
geographic positions, the field of view 402 could become cluttered
with content icons 404 that interfere with one another. To prevent
such cluttering, icons that would otherwise interfere with one
another are represented by a single aggregator icon 406. Several
aggregator icons 406 are depicted in the field of view 402.
Optionally, an aggregator icon 406 may bear a number on its face,
with the number representing the number of underlying units of
content the aggregator icon 406 represents. According to some
embodiments, the color of an aggregator icon 406 may be determined
by the characteristics of the various units of content is
represents in a manner similar to that described with reference to
a content icon 404. For example, an aggregator icon 406 may appear
in a first color, such as red, in the event that any of the units
of content represented by the icon 406 makes reference to (or
"tags") the user account into which the positional content
application 210 is currently logged in. An aggregator icon 406 may
appear in a second color, such as green, in the event that any unit
of content represented by the icon 406 was created by a user
account associated with the currently logged-in account (example:
any unit of the underlying content contains content created by a
user account designated as a "friend," "follower" or a user that
the presently logged-in user account has designated to as a user
account to "follow."). An aggregator icon 406 may appear in a third
color, such as black, in the event that the content represented by
the icon 406 has neither of the previously recited characteristics,
and is therefore simply public content.
[0077] FIG. 5 depicts a method for placing the content icon 404 and
aggregator icons 406 on the field of view 402. According to one
embodiment, the method of FIG. 5 is executed by the mobile device
102 or 104. In operation 500, a field of view 402 is displayed in
the user interface 400. As has previously been discussed, the field
of view 402 corresponds to a geographic region of earth. In
operation 502, a service call is sent to the service layer 200. The
service call may include field of view data, so that the service
layer 200 can determine the currently active field of view in the
user interface 400. In response to having sent the service call,
the positional content application 210 receives a response thereto.
The aforementioned response includes data that is descriptive of
the individual units of content within the field of view 402,
including locational data for each such unit, and, optionally,
other summary data for each such unit, including data required for
icon 404 and 406 color determination and information required for
content summary display, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0078] Operations 508-518 can be performed as a single operation in
the event of a single unit of content being within the field of
view 402, and in the further event that the position and
orientation of the mobile device 102 or 104 is known, which may be
the case, for example, if the position and orientation was
determined by user selection, as opposed to corresponding to the
actual physical location and orientation of the device 102 or 104,
or, for example, if the position and orientation were previously
determined. Given the aforementioned scenario, operation 506 is
performed by positioning an icon within the field of view 402 of
the user interface 400 as a function of the position associated
with the content represented by the icon.
[0079] On the other hand, assuming that the conditions recited
above are not satisfied, operation 506 may be broken into
operations 508-518. In operation 508, the position and orientation
of the mobile device 102 or 104 is determined, for example, through
use of an on-board gyroscope and GPS unit integral with the mobile
device 102 or 104. In operation 508, for example, through calls to
location and rotation services in the unit's 102 or 104 operating
system, information concerning the unit's 102 or 104 latitude,
longitude, altitude, longitudinal accuracy, latitudinal accuracy,
vertical accuracy, and rotation around each of the x, y, and z axes
may be determined.
[0080] In operation 510, the on-screen position of each icon is
determined, as a function of the dimensions of field of view 402,
the location of each underlying unit of content, and optionally the
position and orientation of the mobile device 102 or 104 or chosen
position for anchoring of the field of view 402. In query operation
512, is determined whether any of the icons 402 or 404 would
overlap one another. If not, operation 514 is performed, and each
icon 402 is superimposed on the field of view 402 in the position
determined in operation 510. On the other hand, if one or more
icons 404 or 406 would, in fact, overlap, then, in operation 516,
the overlapping icons are "grouped" and represented as an
aggregator icon 406 until there exist no overlapping icons 404 or
406. Finally, in operation 518, each icon 402 or 404 is
superimposed on the field of view 402 in the position determined in
operation 516.
[0081] One of skill in the art will understand that the order of
operations shown herein need not be preserved, and that operations
may be performed in different orders or concurrently. For example,
operation 500 and operations 502 may be performed in any order or
at the same time. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand
that other such operations may also be performed in sequences other
than those shown in FIG. 5 (or in any other Figure depicting a
method flow).
[0082] The user interface 400 also includes a series of selectable
buttons 408-416, the functions of each are the topic of further
discussion herein, below.
[0083] The user interface 400 further includes a main menu button
418, the selection of which directs the user to a main menu
allowing the user to perform various utilitarian operations not of
interest in this document, but which will readily present
themselves to the mind of one of ordinary skill in the art (manage
user account information, etc.).
[0084] The user interface also includes a selectable notification
button 420, the function of which is the topic of further
discussion herein, below.
[0085] The user interface 400 also includes a location button 422
the function of which is the topic of further discussion herein,
below.
[0086] The field of view 402 also a position indicator 424. The
position indicator 424 may be positioned as a function of GPS data,
i.e., positioned within the field of view 402 to correspond with
the actual detected location of the mobile device 102 or 104. As
discussed below, certain features of the positional content
platform associate content or otherwise function based on the
position of the position indicator. According to some embodiments,
the position indicator 424 always remains centered in the field of
view 402. The user may "swipe" his finger across the touch-screen
of the mobile device 102 or 104 to scroll the field of view 402 in
the direction of his finger swipe. In that event, the position
indicator 424 remains centered within the field of view 402, so
that the position indicator 402 effectively changes its position,
thereby affecting certain functions and features of the platform
106.
[0087] According to some embodiments, the content icons 404 are
selectable. Upon selection of a content icon, a content summary 600
is displayed, as depicted in FIG. 6. Typically, the unit of content
will be a thread, in that it will be constituted of a plurality of
sub-units of content, each of which is, in one form or another, a
reply to the original sub-unit of content. Together, each of the
sub-units of content constitutes a thread, or a single unit of
content. The content summary 600 may include the following data,
each of which is optional: the user name of the creator of the
original sub-unit of content; the user name of the creator of the
most recently created sub-unit of content in the thread (or unit);
an indication, in absolute or relative terms, of when the original
sub-unit of content was created; an indication, in absolute or
relative terms, of when the most recently created sub-unit was
created; a picture or graphical image associated with the account
of the creator of the original sub-unit of content; a picture or
graphical image associated with the account of the creator of the
most recently created sub-unit of content; an indication of the
number of sub-units of content in the thread; an indication of the
number of creators of sub-units within the thread that have been
designated as being associated (as a friend/follower, etc.) with
the user account currently logged in; an indication of the number
of sub-units in the thread in which the logged-in user account had
been referenced (or "tagged"). The preceding list is presented by
way of example and not by way of limitation. Other types of summary
data will readily present themselves to one of ordinary skill in
the art.
[0088] The content summary 600 includes a selectable close button
602, which, when selected, causes the content summary 600 to vanish
from the user interface 400. On the other hand, in response to
selection of the content summary 600, the positional content
application 210 causes the user interface 400 to present a content
detail 700, an embodiment of which is depicted in FIG. 7.
[0089] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the content detail 700 presents a
thread or unit of content, which is, in turn, constituted of
sub-units 702, 704, 706 and 708. Each sub-unit 702, 704, 706 and
708 has a creator that is a user registered on the positional
content platform 106. Each sub-unit is introduced into the thread
depicted in FIG. 7 as either a response to the original sub-unit of
content 702, or as a response to another sub-unit 704-708 in the
thread. Optionally, the content detail 700 may present each
sub-unit 702, 704, 706 and 708 in a sequential, indented format,
with each sub-unit 702, 704, 706 and 708 being presented beneath,
and indented to the right of, the particular sub-unit 702, 704, 706
and 708 to which it is a response. Each sub-unit of content 702,
704, 706 and 708 may include, by way of example only, and not by
way of limitation, textual information, graphical imagery, video
imagery, audio content, and other forms of digital content, which
will readily present themselves to the minds of those of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0090] The content detail 700 also includes a selectable "back"
button 710, when, when selected causes the positional content
application 210 to present the content summary 600, such as the one
presented in FIG. 6. The content detail 700 also includes a
selectable close button 712, which, when selected, causes the
content detail 700 to vanish from the user interface 400.
[0091] Each sub-unit of content 702, 704, 706 and 708 is presented
with a selectable "reply" button 714 presented in a footer below
the sub-unit 702, 704, 706 and 708. Selection of the reply button
714 in the footer of a particular sub-unit 702, 704, 706 and 708 of
content permits the user to create a sub-unit of content for
inclusion in the thread as a response to the particular sub-unit
702, 704, 706 and 708 of content. To enable the user to create such
response content, the positional content application 210 presents a
create comment screen 800 in the user interface.
[0092] According to some embodiments, a content detail 700 or
content summary 600 or other unit of content associated with a
location may be presented to the user via the user interface, in
response to the user entering a region, without requiring the user
to make any selection via the user interface or otherwise perform
any other action. For example, a message or a coupon or other unit
of content representing a discount or rebate to be redeemed or
applied to a purchase may be associated with a geographic region.
In the event that a user enters the region, the content is
presented to the user. For example, a message instructing a user to
travel to another particular region may be presented to the user in
response to the user being detected within a region associated with
the message. After delivery of the message, if the user is detected
in the aforementioned other particular region, a unit of content
representing a discount or coupon may be presented to the user via
the mobile device 102.
[0093] According to some embodiments, a unit of content may be
completely viewable by a particular user only if that user pays a
fee, such as a subscription fee or a pay-per-view fee. For example,
a particular content summary 600 may represent such a unit of
content. In response to selection of the content summary 600, the
user is presented with a message explaining that the content,
itself, or the content detail 700, is viewable or encounterable,
only if the user first pays a pay-per-view fee or subscription fee.
Optionally, the message contains a link to a set of checkout pages
that permit the user to tender payments. In response to successful
processing of the user's payment, the user may select the content
summary, and encounter or view the underlying content detail 700 or
content.
[0094] FIG. 8 depicts a create comment screen 800 in accordance
with some embodiments. The create comment screen 800 includes a
keyboard 802 and a content editing area 804. By virtue of typing on
the keyboard 802, corresponding text appears in the content editing
area 804. Other forms of content may also be introduced into the
content editing area 804. For example, the create comment screen
800 also includes a camera button 806, which, when selected causes
the positional content application 210 to present a camera/video
interface, by which still and moving video files may be created via
a camera on-board the mobile device 102 or 104 and introduced into
the content editing area 804. Alternatively, the user may introduce
previously captured still and moving video files by selection of
the gallery button 808, which presents a gallery of previously
captured pictures and videos for selection and inclusion in the
content editing area 804.
[0095] The create comment screen 800 also includes a tag button
810, which presents a list of selectable user accounts associated
with the particular user account that is logged in. Upon selection
of one or more of the presented user accounts, the sub-unit of
content ultimately created via the create comment screen 800 is
"tagged" to the selected user account(s), thereby optionally
generating an alert to the "tagged" user account, generating a news
feed entry to the tagged user account, altering the color of the
corresponding content icon 404 or aggregator icon 406 when viewed
via the tagged user account, etc.
[0096] The create comment screen 800 contains a post button 812.
Upon selection of the post content button 812, the contents of the
content editing area 804 is included as a response sub-unit of
content to the particular sub-unit of content to which the user
selected "reply."Optionally, GPS data regarding the location of the
mobile device at the time of selection of the post content button
812 is also obtained and saved by the positional content platform
106, although, according to one embodiment, the position associated
with the thread, itself, is not influenced by the positional
information of any of the response sub-units of content, i.e., the
thread remains positioned at the original position of the original
sub-unit of content.
[0097] Finally, the create content screen contains a back button
814. Upon selection of the back button 814, the user interface
returns to presenting the content detail screen, such as the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 7.
[0098] In the passages herein discussing FIG. 4, aggregator icons
406 were disclosed. To review, an aggregator icon 406 is an icon
that represents a plurality of individual units of content
associated with locations in exceptional proximity to one another,
such that the placement of individual content icons 404 in a field
of view 402 would not be feasible, due to interference/overlap
between the content icons 404. According to some embodiments,
aggregator icons 406 are selectable. In response to selection of an
aggregator icon 406 by a user, an aggregator summary 900 is
presented in the user interface 400 by the positional content
application 210.
[0099] The aggregator summary 900 is a modified version of the
content summary 600. To create the aggregator summary 900, the
positional content application 210 analyzes each of the units of
content represented by the aggregator icon 406, and determines
which individual unit of content is most connected to the user
account that is presently logged into the application 210.
According to one embodiment, for each sub-unit represented by a
particular aggregator icon 406, the positional content application
210 sums together the number of times its sub-units of content tags
the user account that is presently logged into the application 210
and the number of its sub-units created by
friends/followers/followees of the user account that is presently
logged into the application 210; the unit of content with the
greatest possible sum is designated as unit of content that is most
connected to the user account that is presently logged into the
application 210. The aggregator summary 900 is a content summary
600 of the aforementioned designated unit of content.
[0100] The aggregator summary 900 includes a selectable close
button 902, which, when selected, causes the aggregator summary 900
to vanish from the user interface 400. On the other hand, in
response to selection of the aggregator summary 900, the positional
content application 210 causes the user interface 400 to present an
aggregator detail 1000, an embodiment of which is depicted in FIG.
10.
[0101] As can be seen from FIG. 10, the aggregator detail 1000
includes a summary area 1002 and a quick-filter area 1004. The
summary area 1002 contains individual content summary data 600 of
each unit of content represented by the aggregator icon 406. The
summary area 1002 is scrollable. According to one embodiment, a
user may swipe his or her finger vertically along the touch screen
area containing the summary area 1002, causing the summary area to
scroll, and the particular content summaries 600 contained therein
to change, in order to accommodate circumstances in which there are
more content summaries 600 than can fit within the summary area
1002. Selection of a particular content summary 600 causes the
corresponding content detail 700, such as the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 7, to be presented.
[0102] The quick-filter area 1004 contains three buttons: a public
quick-filter button 1006, a friends-only quick-filter button 1008
and a tagged quick-filter button 1010. Selection of the public
quick-filter button 1006 has two effects. First, it causes the
summary area 1002 to be populated by all content summaries 600 of
units of content represented by the aggregator icon 406, regardless
of the creators of that unit's individual sub-units of content.
Second, selection of the public quick-filter button 1006 unselects
the friends-only quick-filter button 1008.
[0103] Selection of the friends-only quick-filter button 1008 has
two effects. First, it causes the summary area 1002 to be populated
by only those content summaries 600 of units of content having
sub-units that were created by user accounts that had been
designated as friends of the particular user account presently
logged into the positional content application 210. Second,
selection of the friends-only quick-filter button 1008 unselects
the public quick-filter button 1006.
[0104] Selection of the tagged quick-filter button 1010 causes the
summary area to be populated by only those content summaries 600 of
units of content having sub-units that "tag" the particular user
account presently logged into the positional content application
210.
[0105] The aggregator detail 1000 also includes a back button 1012,
the selection of which returns the user interface to the aggregator
summary 900, such as the particular embodiment depicted in FIG.
9.
[0106] FIG. 11 depicts a create content screen 1100, according to
some embodiments. The create content screen 1100 is presented in
the user interface 400, in response to selection of the create new
content button 408 along the bottom edge of the field of view 402.
The create content screen 1100 includes a keyboard 1102 and a
content editing area 1104. By virtue of typing on the keyboard
1102, corresponding text appears in the content editing area 1104.
Other forms of content may also be introduced into the content
editing area 1104. For example, the create content screen 1100 also
includes a camera button 1106, which, when selected causes the
positional content application 210 to present a camera/video
interface, by which still and moving video files may be created via
a camera on-board the mobile device 102 or 104 and introduced into
the content editing area 1104.
[0107] FIG. 12 depicts a camera/video interface 1200, in accordance
with some embodiments. The camera/video interface 1200 is presented
in response to selection of the camera button 1106 in the create
content screen 1100. The camera/video interface 1200 includes a
display region 1202. The display region 1202 present real-time
imagery as it is being captured from the on-board camera 332 (FIG.
3). The user may select the capture button 1204 to capture the
image currently presented in the display region 1202. In the event
that the slide selector 1206 is set to the "camera" mode, the
captured image is stored as an in image file, and is introduced
into the content editing area 1104, as shown in FIG. 13. On the
other hand, in the event that the slide selector 1206 is set to the
"video" mode, a video file is captured, with the start of the video
file being triggered by the initial selection of the capture button
1204, and the end of the video file being triggered by the
subsequent selection of the capture button 1204. According to some
embodiments, the video file is introduced into the content editing
area 1104 in a manner like the image content was introduced. The
camera/video interface 1200 also includes a "back" button 1208,
selection of which causes the user interface 400 to return to the
create content screen 1100.
[0108] The create content screen 1100 also includes a gallery
button 1108. The user may introduce previously captured still and
moving video files by selection of the gallery button 1108, which
presents a gallery of previously captured pictures and videos for
selection and inclusion in the content editing area 1104.
[0109] The create content screen 1100 also includes a tag button
1110, which presents a list of selectable user accounts associated
with the particular user account that is logged in. Upon selection
of one or more of the presented user accounts, the sub-unit of
content ultimately created via the create content screen 1100 is
"tagged" to the selected user account(s), thereby optionally
generating an alert to the "tagged" user account, generating a news
feed entry to the tagged user account, altering the color of the
corresponding content icon 404 or aggregator icon 406 when viewed
via the tagged user account, etc.
[0110] The create content screen 1100 also includes a visibility
button 1112 that controls the set of users of the positional
content platform 106 that can find and view the content. According
to some embodiments, the visibility button 1112 functions as a
toggle button, and can be in one of two states: "friends only," in
which case the content created in the content editing area 1104 and
ultimately included in the thread, is visible only to those users
of the positional content platform 106 that have been designated as
having a "friend" relationship with the user account presently
logged into the positional content application 210; and "public,"
in which case the content created in the content editing area 1104
and ultimately included in the thread, is visible to all users of
the positional content platform 106.
[0111] The create content screen 1100 contains a post content
button 1114. Upon selection of the post content button 1114,
position data is associated with the content. In the event that the
field of view 402 is presenting the current location of the mobile
device 102 or 104, then GPS data regarding the location of the
mobile device 102 or 104 at the time of selection of the post
content button 1114 is obtained and associated with the content. In
the event that the user has elected to manually center the field of
view 402 about another location, then the content is associated
with the positional data of the aforementioned other location. The
content, associated locational data and data concerning the
populace of users permitted to view the data is sent to the service
layer 200 via a service call. In response, the service layer 200
stores the content (and aforementioned associated data) in physical
database storage 206, meaning that the unit of content becomes
discoverable and viewable by the chosen user population at the
chosen location.
[0112] Finally, the create content screen 1100 contains a back
button 1116. Upon selection of the back button 1116, the user
interface returns to presenting the field of view 402, such as the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 4.
[0113] FIG. 14 depicts a method carried out by the positional
content application 210 for creating content, according to some
embodiments. As can be seen from FIG. 14, the method commences with
operation 1400, in which the positional content application 210
displaying a user interface 400 that presents a field of view 402
representative of a region on earth. In operation 1402, the
positional content application 210 presents a user interface by
which a user may generate digital content. Additionally, in
operation 1404, the positional content application 210 presents an
on the user interface 400 a selectable option to render the digital
content discoverable only by other users designated by said user
(such as friends), or to render the content discoverable by all
other users of the positional content platform 106. Next, in
operation 1406, the content is created by aggregating the content
together with the chosen positional data and data concerning the
population of users permitted to discover the content. Finally, in
operation 1408, the a service call is sent to the service layer
200. The service call includes the positional data, the digital
content and the data concerning the population of users permitted
to discover the content. In response, the service layer 200 stores
the content (and aforementioned associated data) in physical
database storage 206, meaning that the unit of content becomes
discoverable and viewable by the chosen user population at the
chosen location.
[0114] FIG. 15 depicts a filter menu 1500, presented atop the field
of view 402. The filter menu 1500 is presented in the user
interface 400, in response to selection of the filter menu button
410 along the bottom edge of the field of view 402. According to
some embodiments, the filter menu includes four selection items: a
filter-by-people item 1502; a filter-by-date item 1504; a
filter-by-place item 1506; and a filter-by-type item 1508.
Selection of each of the aforementioned items 1502-1508 presents
various interfaces permitting the user to establish filter
criteria. By virtue of application of such criteria, icons 404 and
406 will be presented within the field of view 402 if and only if
the units of content referenced by the icons 404 and 406 meet the
established filter criteria.
[0115] In response to selection of the filter-by-people item 1502,
an interface is presented. The interface permits the user to
establish various filter criteria. For example, the interface
presents options permitting the user to establish the following
criteria for presentation within the field of view 402: the creator
of unit of content is a friend; creator of any sub-unit of content
within a unit of content is a friend; the creator of unit of
content is a follower; the creator of any sub-unit of content
within a unit of content is a follower; the creator of unit of
content is followed; the creator of any sub-unit of content within
a unit of content is followed; the unit of content tags the user
account that is presently logged into the positional content
application 210; any sub-unit of content within the unit of content
tags the user account that is presently logged into the positional
content application 210; the unit of content tags any user account
that is designated as a friend; and, any sub-unit of content of a
unit of content tags any user account that is designated as a
friend. The preceding list is exemplary, and is not limiting.
According to some embodiments, multiple filter criteria are applied
conjunctively. According to some embodiments, multiple filter
criteria are applied disjunctively.
[0116] In response to selection of the filter-by-date item 1504, an
interface is presented. The interface permits the user to establish
various filter criteria. For example, the interface presents
options permitting the user to establish the following criteria for
presentation within the field of view 402: the unit of content was
created or changed within the present day; any sub-unit of content
within the unit of content was created or changed within the
present day; the unit of content was created or changed within a
chosen period of time; and, any sub-unit of content within the unit
of content was created or changed within a chosen period of time.
The preceding list is exemplary, and is not limiting. According to
some embodiments, multiple filter criteria are applied
conjunctively. According to some embodiments, multiple filter
criteria are applied disjunctively.
[0117] In response to selection of the filter-by-place item 1506,
an interface is presented. The interface permits the user to
establish various filter criteria. For example, the interface
presents options permitting the user to establish the following
criteria for presentation within the field of view 402: the unit of
content is associated with a location within a region designated as
a place; the unit of content is associated with a location within a
region that is designated a particular place or set of places
chosen from a list. The preceding list is exemplary, and is not
limiting. According to some embodiments, multiple filter criteria
are applied conjunctively. According to some embodiments, multiple
filter criteria are applied disjunctively.
[0118] In response to selection of the filter-by-type item 1508, an
interface is presented. The interface permits the user to establish
various filter criteria. For example, the interface presents
options permitting the user to establish the following criteria for
presentation within the field of view 402: the unit of content
includes text; the unit of content contains text only; the unit of
content or any of its sub-units contains text; the unit of content
and any of its sub-units contains text only; the unit of content
includes an image; the unit of content contains an image only; the
unit of content or any of its sub-units contains an image; the unit
of content and any of its sub-units contains an image only; the
unit of content includes video; the unit of content contains video
only; the unit of content or any of its sub-units contains video;
the unit of content and any of its sub-units contains video only;
the unit of content includes audio; the unit of content contains
audio only; the unit of content or any of its sub-units contains
audio; and, the unit of content and any of its sub-units contains
audio only. The preceding list is exemplary, and is not limiting.
According to some embodiments, multiple filter criteria are applied
conjunctively. According to some embodiments, multiple filter
criteria are applied disjunctively.
[0119] The filter menu 1500 also includes a back button 1510.
Selection of the back button 1510 causes the filter menu 1500 to
vanish from the user interface, restoring the view to the field of
view 402.
[0120] FIG. 16 depicts a view menu 1600, presented atop the field
of view 402. The view menu 1600 is presented in the user interface
400, in response to selection of the view menu button 412 along the
bottom edge of the field of view 402. According to some
embodiments, the view menu 1600 includes six selection items: a
list item 1602; a map item 1604; a satellite item 1606; a 5-D
Vision item 1608; and, a game counsel item 1610. Selection of each
of the aforementioned items 1602-1610 affects the field of view 402
in some manner.
[0121] Selection of the list item 1602 causes the field of view 402
to be replaced by a simple ordered list of all of the units of
content within the field of view 402. This view may be convenient
in a particularly crowded environment.
[0122] Selection of the map item 1604 causes the field of view 402
to display a map of the roads and other features of interest, so
that the user can relate the field of view 402 to a specific
geographic region.
[0123] Selection of the map item 1606 causes the field of view 402
to display a satellite imagery of the geographic region
corresponding to the field of view 402, so that the user can
observe a top view of the physical environment in the geographic
region corresponding to the field of view 402.
[0124] Selection of the 5-D item 1608 causes the field of view 402
to be presented in accordance with the 5-D view described with
reference to FIG. 20.
[0125] Selection of the game counsel item cause the field of view
402 to include units of content that are part of a game played
through the positional content platform.
[0126] The view menu 1600 also includes a back button 1612.
Selection of the back button 1612 causes the view menu 1600 to
vanish from the user interface 400.
[0127] FIG. 17 depicts a search menu 1700, presented atop the field
of view 402. The search menu 1700 is presented in the user
interface 400, in response to selection of the search button 414
along the bottom edge of the field of view 402. According to some
embodiments,
[0128] A text box 1702 is presented. Within the text box 1702, the
user may enter the name of a previously designated "place" or may
enter an address. In either event, the positional content
application 210 responds by adjusting the field of view 402 so that
the position indicator 424, which according to one embodiment
remains centered in the field of view 402, is located at the
"place" or address entered in the text box 1702. The search menu
1700 also includes a cancel button 1704, the selection of which
causes the search menu 1700 to vanish from the user interface
400.
[0129] FIG. 18 depicts a mark place interface 1800, presented atop
the field of view 402. The mark place interface 1800 is presented
in the user interface 400, in response to selection of the mark
place button 416 along the bottom edge of the field of view 402.
According to some embodiments, the mark place interface 1800
includes a text box 1802. By entry of a name within the text box
1802, a region defined by the location of the position indicator
424 and a radius extending outwardly therefrom is associated with
the name, and designated as a place. Thus, data defining the
region, and the chosen name of the region, are communicated to the
service layer 200 for storage in the physical storage layer 206,
thereby designating a specified geographic region as a "place."
According to some embodiments, the aforementioned radius is of a
length that is determined as a default value. According some
embodiments, the aforementioned radius has a selectable length.
According to some embodiments, a place is defined as a region
bounded by a pair of longitudinal coordinates and a pair of
latitudinal coordinated, with the region being centered about the
geographic position corresponding to the position indicator
424.
[0130] According to some embodiments, the mark place interface 1800
includes a pair of scope buttons 1804. The pair of scope buttons
1804 indicates the chosen scope of population of users that can
recognize the designated geographic region as a place. If the pair
of scope buttons 1804 is selected to "on," then all of the users of
the platform 106 will recognize the aforementioned region as a
"place." On the other hand, if the pair of scope buttons 1804 is
set to "off," then only those users designated as friends can
recognize the designated geographic region as a place. Information
pertaining to the selected population scope is communicated in the
above-described service call for storage in the physical storage
layer 206.
[0131] The mark place interface 1800 also includes a cancel button
1806, the selection of which causes the mark place interface 1800
to vanish from the user interface 400.
[0132] FIG. 19 depicts a positional selection menu 1900, presented
atop the field of view 402. The positional selection menu 1900 is
presented in the user interface 400, in response to selection of
the positional selection button 422 along the top edge of the field
of view 402. According to some embodiments, the positional
selection menu 1900 includes a current location item 1902 and a set
1904 of "places" that have been previously designated, such as
through use of the interface described with reference to FIG. 18.
Selection of the current location item 1902 causes the positional
content application 210 to shift the field of view 402, so that it
is centered about the current location indicted by the GPS system
of the mobile device 102 or 104, meaning that the position
indicator 424 is positioned at the current location of the mobile
device 102 or 104. The user may also select a previously designated
place from the set 1904 of places presented in the menu. Selection
of a "place" from the menu causes the positional content
application 210 to shift the field of view 402, so that it is
centered about the region associated with the place, meaning that
the position indicator 424 is positioned at the center of the
geographic region associated with the place.
[0133] According to some embodiments, the positional selection menu
1900 includes a search button 1906. Selection of the search button
presents a text box, permitting the user to enter the name of a
previously designated "place." The positional content application
210 responds in a manner identical to its response if the place was
selected from the menu items 1904. According to some embodiments,
the user may enter a street address, causing the positional content
application to shift the field of view 402, so that it is centered
about location associated with the street address, meaning that the
position indicator 424 is positioned at the center of the region
associated with the street address.
[0134] FIG. 20 depicts a field of view 402, as it is presented
after selection of the 5-D item 1608 from the view menu 1600 (FIG.
160). The field of view 402 as presented in FIG. 18 includes
imagery 2000 presented in real-time from the camera 322 on-board
the mobile device 102 or 104. According to some embodiments, the
5-D field of view 402 includes content summaries 600 and aggregator
summaries 900 super imposed over the real-time imagery 2000 (this
is depicted in FIG. 20). According to other embodiments, the 5-D
field of view includes content icons 404 and aggregator icons
406.
[0135] According to some embodiments, the positional content
application 210 determines its current location and orientation of
the phone using the on-board GPS system and gyroscope, for example.
For example, the application 210 determines that the mobile device
102 or 104 is located at the intersection of a particular latitude
and particular longitude, and is oriented such that the rear
surface of the phone is pointed 35.degree. off of magnetic north.
The application 210 then constructs a region based upon the
detected position and orientation. The constructed region serves as
the field of view 402. For example, the application may create a
region defined as the geographic space within a particular radius
(example: 200 meters) of the current position of the device 102 or
104, and within a certain tolerance (for example, within
.+-.15.degree. of the detected orientation). Carrying on the
example, the constructed region is defined as: the set of
geographic space within 200 meters of the current location of the
mobile device, and between 20.degree. and 50.degree. off of
magnetic north. The application sends a service call to the service
layer 200 to query the database 202 for content within the
constructed field of view. In response to having sent the service
call, the positional content application 210 receives a response
from the service layer 200. The response includes data that is
descriptive of the individual units of content within the
constructed field of view 402, including locational data for each
such unit, and, optionally, other summary data for each such unit,
including data required for icon 404 and 406 color determination
and information required for content summary 600 display or
aggregator summary 900 display. The application superimposes the
icons 404 and 406 or summaries 600 and 900 on the display in a
manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 5.
According to some embodiments, the vertical positioning of an icon
404 and 406 or summary 600 and 900 is determined by the geographic
distance between the current location of the mobile device and
location associated with the unit of content reference by the icon
404 and 406 or summary 600 and 900. For example, icons 404 and 406
or summaries 600 and 900 referencing relatively closer content may
appear closer to the bottom edge of the screen, while icons 404 and
406 or summaries 600 and 900 referencing relatively further content
may appear closer to the top edge of the screen. According to some
embodiments, the horizontal positioning of an icon 404 and 406 or
summary 600 and 900 is determined by a polar expression of the
location associated with the content reference by a particular icon
404 and 406 or summary 600 and 900. For example, a particular unit
of content may be positioned at a distance, d, from the current
position of the device 102 or 104, and at an angle, .theta., from
the detected orientation. If the angle, .theta., is close to zero,
then the icon 404 and 406 or summary 600 and 900 is presented close
to the center of the screen. On the other hand, if the angle,
.theta., is close to the aforementioned negative or positive
tolerance (carrying the previous example forward: .theta. is close
to .+-.15.degree. from the detected orientation), the icon 404 and
406 or summary 600 and 900 is presented close to either edge of the
screen.
[0136] FIG. 21 depicts a notifications center 2100, in accordance
with some embodiments. According to some embodiments, while the
positional content application 210 is executing in the foreground,
upon the occurrence of an even that would trigger a notification
(see the discussion with respect to FIG. 1 pertaining to
notifications), a distinctive audio file, such as beeps, or tones,
or a music clip, etc., is played, alerting the user to the presence
of a notification. According to some embodiments, while the
positional content application 210 is executing in the foreground,
upon the occurrence of an even that would trigger a notification,
the application 210 causes the mobile device 102 or 104 to vibrate.
According to some embodiments, in addition to the aforementioned
audio and vibrational indications of a notification, the
notifications icon 420 is badged in response to the occurrence of
an event that triggers a notification. For example, as can be seen
in FIG. 4, the notifications icon 420 therein is superimposed with
a badge bearing the number "11." According to some embodiments the
badge bears a number indicating the number of unviewed
notifications that have occurred.
[0137] According to some embodiments, the notifications icon 420 is
selectable. In response to selection of the notifications icon, the
notifications center 2100 is presented in the user interface 400.
As can be seen from FIG. 21, the notifications center 2100 includes
individual notification details 2102 and 2104. Each notification
detail 2102 or 2104 contains information concerning the nature of
the event that triggered the notification. For example, a
notification detail 2102 or 2104 may state the date, time, location
and identity, etc. of a creator of a unit of content, or a
notification detail 2102 or 2104 may include information stating
the date and time that a particular user account was observed
entering or exiting a designated place.
[0138] According to some embodiments, in the event that the
application is not executing in the foreground, the occurrence of a
notification is indicated by the presentation of a banner
containing a message indicating that the notification has occurred.
Optionally, the occurrence may also be indicated by the playing of
an audio file, or by a vibration. The user may then bring the
positional content application 210 to the foreground and view the
notification detail 2102 or 2104 in the notification center 2100,
as described above.
[0139] According to some embodiments, in the event that the
application 210 is not executing in the foreground, because the
mobile device is in a "sleep" state, the occurrence of a
notification is indicated by the presentation of a message on the
lock screen of the device 102 or 104. Optionally, the occurrence
may also be indicated by the playing of an audio file, or by a
vibration. The user may then bring the positional content
application 210 to the foreground and view the notification detail
2102 or 2104 in the notification center 2100, as described above.
Optionally, the message on the lock screen may be configured so
that in response to the user "swiping" his finger across the
message, the user is presented with the notification center in
order to view the corresponding notification detail 2102 or
2104.
[0140] The notifications center 2100 also includes a clear button
2106. Selection of the clear buttons causes the notification
details 2102 and 2104 contained within the notification center 2100
to be deleted, and therefore removes the badging from the
notifications icon 420.
[0141] The notifications center 2100 also includes a back button
2108. Selection of the back button 210 causes the notifications
center 2100 to vanish from the user interface 400.
[0142] FIG. 22 depicts a newsfeed screen 2200, in accordance with
some embodiments. The newsfeed screen 2200 is presented in response
to selection of a newsfeed menu option, which is presented on a
menu that, in turn, is presented from a menu that is presented in
response to selection of the menu button 418 (FIG. 4). As can be
seen from FIG. 22, the newsfeed screen 2200 includes a plurality of
newsfeed details 2202, 2204 and 2206. Each newsfeed detail 2202,
2204 and 2206 contains information concerning the nature of the
platform 106 event giving rise to entry in the newsfeed 2200. For
example, a newsfeed detail 2202, 2204 and 2206 may state the date,
time, location and identity, etc. of a creator of a unit of
content, a newsfeed detail 2202, 2204 and 2206 may include
information stating the date and time that a particular user
account was observed entering or exiting a designated place, a
newsfeed detail 2202, 2204 and 2206 may include the date and time
that a particular user, such as a user that was previously
designated as a friend/follower or otherwise designated as bearing
an association with the user account that is presently logged into
the positional content application 210 on another platform, joined
the platform 106.
[0143] In accordance with other embodiments, disclosed location
messaging systems are employed in systems and methods for providing
a customer or potential customer an incentive to leave one
location, such as the location of a competitive merchant, and go to
another merchant's establishment. FIG. 23 conceptually illustrates
an example of such a method. In operation 2300, a first geographic
area including a first commercial location is defined. Typically,
the first geographic area is defined by a merchant representing a
business establishment such as a restaurant, sometimes referred to
as the "enticing merchant" herein. In such an example embodiment,
the first commercial location is the location of a target
establishment, such as a competing restaurant. The commercial
location can be defined by the enticing merchant using a computer
application, an example of which is discussed further later
herein.
[0144] In operation 2302, the location of a mobile device such as
the mobile device 102 or 104 in the possession of the consumer is
determined. For simplicity, in the following examples the customer
is considered to be in possession of the mobile device 102 located
at location L1 illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in operation 2304,
if the mobile device 102 is determined to be at a location within
the first geographic area, then an incentive message for the
customer to leave the location L1 and go to a second commercial
location is sent to the mobile device in operation 2306. If the
mobile device 102 is not within the first geographic area, then the
location of the mobile device continues to be monitored.
[0145] FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a system 2400 configured
to implement certain methods disclosed herein, such as the method
illustrated in FIG. 23. At a very basic level, the system 2400
includes a front-end 2402, a back-end 2404, and a communication
interface 2406 such as the internet. Examples of the front-end 2402
include a graphical user interface application granted to a user. A
front-end application accesses and manipulates data in the back-end
2404. In the illustrated embodiment, the front-end 2402 includes a
mobile device application 2410, such as an iPhone.RTM. or
Android.RTM. app running on the mobile device 102, and a web based
merchant portal front-end application 2412 operating on any
suitable device capable of communicating with the internet 2406.
The illustrated back-end 2404 includes server-based applications,
services, and persistence layers that are deployed to dedicated
hardware systems or cloud based environments, for example. Thus,
example implementations of the back-end 2404 include one or more
web servers 2420 that include appropriately programmed processing
devices, API services 2422 and memory devices 2424 including
databases, program code, etc. In some embodiments, the back-end
2404 further includes an inference engine 2426 that receives input
components such as a user identification and location, and based
thereon, provides outputs to the front-end 2402 as discussed
further herein.
[0146] FIGS. 25-29 are examples of certain screens displayed by an
embodiment of the mobile device application 2410. For ease of
discussion, FIGS. 25-29 will be presented in terms of a scenario
where a restaurant owner (the enticing merchant) has identified a
competing restaurant (Merchant1) and defined a geographic area that
includes the competing restaurant and/or an area associated with
the competing restaurant, such as a parking area commonly used by
customers of the competing restaurant and input the boundaries
defining the geographic area into the system 2400 using the
merchant web application 2412. The boundaries input into the
merchant web application 2412 are received by the back-end 2404 via
the internet 2406 and stored in the database 2424 (operation 2300
of FIG. 23). When it is determined that the mobile device running
the mobile application 2410 is located in the first geographic
area--i.e. near the Merchant1 restaurant (operation 2304 of FIG.
23), the back-end 2404 receives an alert and in response thereto,
an alert message is sent to the mobile device 102. In some
embodiments, the system 2400 further determines whether the mobile
device 102 has come to rest within the first geographic area for at
least some predetermined time period. In such implementations, the
inference engine 2426, for example, could be configured so as to
infer that the customer has arrived in a parking lot of the
competitor's restaurant if the mobile device 102 comes to rest
within the first geographic area for at least some predefined time
period.
[0147] FIG. 25 illustrates an example of an alert screen 2500. The
messages displayed in the alert screen 2500 can be input via the
merchant web application 2412, or in some embodiments, are
boilerplate messages. In the illustrated alert screen, an alert
message includes two parts: "Going to Merchant1" is displayed in a
first message area 2502, along with "Hang On!" in a second message
area 2504. In some versions, one or more of the messages displayed
are displayed in sequence, and/or animated. For instance, in some
embodiments, the message displayed in the second message area 2504
is animated, such that the "Hang On" message moves across the
display to its illustrated position to give the effect of the
illustrated icon 2506 shouting "Hang On!" In other embodiments,
notifications, such as push notifications or local notifications,
and/or other types of alert messages are provided. For example, in
place of, or in addition to the alert screen 2500, alerts such as
an icon displayed in the device's notification area, vibration,
sounds, etc. are used alone or in combination with one another.
Still further, the alert screen 2500 could be displayed following
such alerts with or without further inputs from the user.
[0148] After displaying the alert screen 2500, an incentive message
is sent to the mobile device 102. In some implementations, user
input is received via the alert screen 2500 by displaying an input
device such as a "continue" or "accept," input button, a drop down
button, etc., and in response to the input the incentive message is
displayed on the mobile device 102. In other embodiments, the
incentive message is displayed following display of the alert
message 2500 for some predetermined time period, or following some
other criteria. In still further embodiments, and alternative input
device is displayed wherein the user could choose not to view the
incentive message (i.e. a "decline" button).
[0149] FIG. 26 illustrates an example incentive message 2600. The
example incentive message 2600 identifies the establishment located
at the second geographic location (Merchant2, i.e., the enticing
merchant), and typically displays a logo or other identification of
Merchant2 in a merchant identification area 2602. The user "John
Smith" is shown in a user identification area 2604, and the
particular incentive is displayed in an incentive area 2606. On the
illustrated incentive screen 2600, the incentive is a "50% off any
purchase" offer. Of course other types of incentives could be
offered, such as fixed discounts off a minimum purchase ("$5 off
purchase of $20 or more), buy-one-get-one-free, free or discounted
kid's meal with purchase of adult meal, etc. In some embodiments,
the displayed incentive 2606 is time limited as shown in the
incentive limitation display area 2608, thus enticing the customer
to immediately leave the Merchant1 establishment and go to the
Merchant2 establishment before the incentive 2606 expires. Some
embodiments include a headline message 2610, which in the
illustrated screen 2600 is a scrolling message. Example information
messages inform customers of new menu items, other specials, etc.
Some headline messages 2610 are intended to be humorous or even
controversial ("Our new wings are better than Merchant1's wings!")
in order to capture the customer's attention. Headline messages are
determined by Merchant2, such as by use of the screens depicted in
FIGS. 30A-30E discussed herein below.
[0150] Some versions of the incentive screen 2600 include a "get
directions" input 2612, which in response to activation by a user
display a map and/or directions to the Merchant2 establishment
using the GPS interface on the mobile device 102, for example. The
illustrated incentive screen 2600 further includes a "share" button
2614 that allows the user to share the incentive with others, such
as friends or followers. In some implementations, the user is
encouraged to share incentive offers by rewarding the user for such
sharing. For example, according to embodiments, users receive
further discounts to the Merchant2 establishment or other
commercial establishments, or even payment for sharing incentives
(e.g. $1 for each share).
[0151] If the customer in possession of the mobile device 102
decides to leave the Merchant1 location and go to the Merchant2
establishment, a second alert message is sent and displayed on the
mobile device 102 when the system 2400 determines that the mobile
device 102 is located within a second geographic area in proximity
to and/or including the second commercial location (location of
Merchant2). FIG. 27 illustrates an example second alert screen 2700
displayed in some embodiments in response to the mobile device 102
entering the second geographical area. Upon entering the second
geographical region, the second alert 2700 is sent to the mobile
device 102, including a second alert message 2702 notifying the
customer that they've arrived at the Merchant2 establishment, and
they can redeem their voucher for the incentive 2606 offered on the
screen 2600 shown in FIG. 26. If the user would like to redeem the
voucher, an input control may be provided such as clicking the
alert message 2702. In other embodiments, additional inputs are
provided such as a "decline" input.
[0152] In response to user input, or after a predetermined time
period, a voucher for the incentive 2606 is sent to the mobile
device 102. In certain embodiments, a welcome message such as that
illustrated in FIG. 28 is first sent to the mobile device 102 and
displayed thereon. The welcome screen 2800 includes a welcome
message 2802 that provides a download input 2804 that the customer
can use to download the voucher for the offer 2606. Some
embodiments include further inputs, such as a decline input. Upon
activation of the download input 2804, the voucher is sent to the
mobile device 102.
[0153] FIG. 29 shows an example of a voucher screen 2900. The
example voucher screen 2900 displayed on the mobile device 102
displays the incentive 2606, which can be shown by the customer in
the Merchant2 establishment to receive the incentive. Some
embodiments further include a validation device such as a control
number, a bar code, a two-dimensional bar code (i.e. QR code), etc.
In the voucher screen 2900 shown in FIG. 29, a validation device
2902 includes a link to activate a bar code, such as a QR code. In
some implementations, the provision of the validation device allows
establishing a "closed loop" incentive system, in which the
enticing merchant, Merchant2, can validate that the incentive 2606
was used by a customer. For example, in some embodiments the QR
code provided in the validation device 2902 is linked to the
Merchant2 point-of-service (POS) system, so that when the QR code
is scanned a record or notification of the incentive redemption is
created in the POS system. Alternatively, the enticing merchant
could be notified by a record in the POS system, an email, etc. of
instances where the validation device 2902 is activated, or if the
download input 2804 of the welcome screen is activated, for
example.
[0154] In some implementations, compensation schemes are provided
in which the enticing merchant compensates a party implementing the
system 2400 and thus providing the desired incentives to customers
or potential customers. For example, the system provider can be
compensated for one or more of the various actions described herein
in conjunction with FIGS. 25-29, such as when the customer is
detected leaving the Merchant1 location, when the customer is
detected arriving at the Merchant2 location, when the download
input 2804 of FIG. 28 is activated to download an incentive
voucher, when the QR code is activated via the validation input
2902 of FIG. 29, when the QR code is scanned by the enticing
merchant, etc. Still further, the compensation amount can be varied
for different incentive actions. For instance, a $1 compensation
could be earned by the system provider for verifying the customer
leaving the Merchant1 location and/or arriving at the Merchant2
location, and a $2 compensation could be earned for the customer
activating the QR code using the verification screen 2900.
[0155] Referring again to FIG. 29, in some embodiments, following
the activation of the validation device 2902, the incentive offer
is valid only for some predetermined time period. Upon activating
the validation device 2902, various expiration notification
notifications (count-down timer, expiration date/time, etc.) could
be displayed, for example. In further embodiments, the displayed QR
code or other validation device disappears following some
predetermined time period following activation of the validation
device 2902.
[0156] In certain embodiments, further validation devices are
provided. For example, the bar code, QR code, validation number,
etc. displayed on the validation screen 2900 is animated (i.e.
moves back and forth across the display) in some implementations,
thus preventing use of a captured static image of the screen
2900.
[0157] Similarly to the incentive screen 2600 shown in FIG. 26, a
share 2904 button is provided on the validation screen 2900 so that
the customer in possession of the mobile device 102 can share the
voucher with friends or followers, for example. Moreover, the share
button 2904 can be configured so that the customer can associate
the voucher 2900 with the Merchant2 location in accordance with
embodiments of the locational messaging system disclosed herein
above. Referring back to FIG. 1, if the Merchant2 location is
location L1, the voucher could be the digital content that is
associated with the location L1 so that another user could later
encounter the voucher.
[0158] As noted above, the definition of the first geographic area
(the region including the Merchant1 location) as received in
operation 2300 of FIG. 23 is provided using the merchant
application 2412 shown in FIG. 24. In some embodiments, the
enticing merchant enters this information using the merchant
application 2412 implemented as a web application of the front-end
2402. In certain implementations, this and other information is
entered into the merchant application 2412 by creating a
"campaign."
[0159] FIGS. 30A-30E are example screens illustrating portions of
an example campaign creation process from an embodiment of the
merchant application 2412. FIG. 30A shows an example of a basic
setup screen 3001, in which the enticing merchant names the
campaign, establishes start and end dates of the campaign if
desired, and defines the offer at an offer input section 3010. The
incentive offer entered in section 3010 is displayed on the various
mobile device screens, including the incentive screen 2600, the
welcome screen 2800 and the voucher screen 2900. As noted above,
various incentives could be offered, such as a percent off any
purchase, fixed discounts off a minimum purchase ("$5 off purchase
of $20 or more), buy-one-get-one-free, free or discounted kid's
meal with purchase of adult meal, etc.
[0160] A second setup screen 3002 is shown in FIG. 30B, wherein the
enticing merchant enters further information regarding the
Merchant2 establishment, such as the business name, address, phone,
email, website, etc. The Merchant2 logo can also be provided for
display on the various mobile device screens such as those
illustrated in FIGS. 25-29.
[0161] FIG. 30C illustrates a third setup screen 3003, in which
information about the target establishment is received. The
enticing merchant enters information regarding the target
establishment, Merchant', that is displayed in the mobile device
screens shown in FIGS. 25-29. The target name 3012 and address 3014
are entered. In the example described in conjunction with FIGS.
25-29, the target is a competing business. However, this is not
always the case. For example, the target establishment could
alternatively be a complementary business, such as a movie theater,
in which case a restaurant owner could attempt to entice movie
theater patrons to visit the Merchant2 restaurant following a movie
showing.
[0162] Moreover, in some implementations, it is possible for more
than one enticing merchants to establish campaigns targeting the
same target establishment or the same or overlapping geographic
areas. For example, the owners of two different restaurants could
each target the same movie theater, the same competing restaurant
or the same or overlapping geographic areas, such as the same
parking lot or the same or overlapping areas of a parking lot.
Several solutions to such situations exist, such as auctioning the
target to the highest bidder, "time sharing" (in response to
detection of a user within a target area, a first voucher for a
first enticing merchant is displayed during a first time period and
a second voucher for a second enticing merchant is displayed during
a second time period, meaning that a first merchant would pay the
system provider for the first time period and the second merchant
would pay the system provider for the second time period),
"slotting" (in response to detection of a user within a target
area, a first voucher for a first enticing merchant is displayed to
60% of customers and a second voucher for a second enticing
merchant is displayed 40% of customers, meaning that the first
merchant would pay the system provider a fee for the right to have
its enticement displayed in response to 60% of the instances in
which customers enter the target area, and a second merchant would
pay the system provider a fee for the right to have its enticement
displayed in response to 40% of the instances in which customers
enter the target area). Other schemes are possible. Still further,
an enticing merchant may "defensively" target his or her own
establishment. In other words, if Merchant2 defines a target area
including its own establishment or an area associated with its
establishment (such as a parking area commonly used by its
customers), other merchants could potentially be prevented from
targeting the Merchant2 establishment, or, according to other
embodiments, in the event that other merchants defined a target
area overlapping with Merchant2's defensive targeting of its own
establishment and/or areas associated therewith, the conflict may
be resolved by the aforementioned auction, slotting or timesharing
schemes. Thus, a merchant may defensively block enticements from
being delivered to its own customers either entirely, or during
time periods, or to an extent determined by the slotting fee paid
by Merchant2.
[0163] A map 3016 of a geographical region including the Merchant1
address is displayed, and the user can zoom in or out to the
desired resolution. In the illustrated embodiment, the geographic
area is defined and received (operation 2300 of FIG. 23) by the
application 2412 using the map 3016. When the map 3016 is at the
desired resolution, a grid is superimposed over the map 3016, and
the user selects squares, or cells, on the map to define the first
geographic area that includes the Merchant1 location. Typically,
cells corresponding to the Merchant1 address and surrounding area,
such as the parking lot associated with the Merchant1
establishment, are selected. In the illustrated screen 3003, 48
cells have been selected to define the first geographic area
associated with the Merchant1 location. The example screen 3003
further includes an input area 3018 in which the user can input a
target headline for display. The headline 3018 corresponds to the
headline message 2610 displayed on the incentive message screen
2600 shown in FIG. 26.
[0164] FIG. 30D illustrates an example of an enticement creation
screen. If desired, a time limit for the offered incentive defined
on the screen 3001 is entered at an input area 3020. A preview 3022
of the incentive message screen 2600 (shown in FIG. 26) that
includes the time limit entered in the input area 3020, as well as
the Merchant2 logo provided on the screen 3002 and the headline
message input using the input area 3018 of the screen 3003 is
provided on the enticement creation screen 3004.
[0165] In FIG. 30E, an example of a voucher creation screen 3005 is
shown in which the voucher screen 2900 is created. If desired, the
voucher time limit is entered in an input area 3030, and additional
terms and conditions of the offered incentive can be entered at an
input area 3032. A preview 3034 of the voucher screen 2900 (shown
in FIG. 29) is provided on the voucher creation screen 3005.
[0166] In some implementations, the campaign creation process is
not necessarily implemented immediately following completion of the
example input screens shown in FIGS. 30A-30E. For example, the
information entered is manually or automatically verified before
implementing the campaign to insure someone actually associated
with the enticing merchant created the campaign. Other embodiments
are envisioned wherein the validation process is automated, such as
checking information input during the campaign against information
available from other sources such as the better business bureau,
Secretary of State, banking institutions, etc.
[0167] As noted above in conjunction with the discussion of FIG.
30C, the first geographic area including the first commercial
location (the Merchant2 location) is defined during the campaign
creation process using input screens such as the examples
illustrated in FIGS. 30A-30E. In some embodiments, a "region" is
defined using data received during the campaign creation process by
the back-end 2404, as well as information downloaded by the
front-end. FIG. 31 conceptually illustrates an example of a region
3100 and various aspects thereof. The illustrated region 3100
includes various pieces of information and sub-elements such as the
boundary extents 3102 of the region 3100, a "warning track" 3104
defined by a warning track boundary 3106, a region center point
3110 and one or more targets discussed further below.
[0168] The boundary extents 3104 include coordinates that define
the bounds of the region object 3100. The warning track 3104 is a
region situated about the periphery of the region 3100 between the
warning track inner boundary 3104 and the region boundary 3102. One
or more targets (such as the Merchant1 commercial location 3120)
reside within the bounds 3102 of the region 3100. The target 3120
is surrounded by a geographic target area 3120 that has a footprint
that is made up of one or more "rings" 3124. The target rings 3124
are a collection of polygons, or "rings", that define the full
bounds of the target area 3122. In the illustrated embodiment, each
ring 3124 is a square defined by (x,y) bounds, though other
geometries could be used in alternative embodiments. The size of
the ring (square) 3124 can be determined, for example, based on
usability within the campaign creation process when selecting
targets and/or GPS resolution factors using the grid displayed on
the map 3016 of the input screen 3003 illustrated in FIG. 30C.
[0169] In operation 2302 of FIG. 23, the location of the mobile
device 102 is determined. In some embodiments, the mobile device
application 2410 monitors the location of the mobile device 102 and
reports the location to the back-end 2404. If the application 2410
detects that the mobile device 102, and thus the user has crossed
into a target area 3122 and is at rest, it will send a message to
the back-end 2404. In certain embodiments, to be considered "at
rest," the mobile device must cease moving for some predetermined
time period, such as one minute or more. The back-end 2404 will
then determine if the user should receive an enticement
notification. If the inference engine 2426 determines that an
enticement is applicable, the user will receive, for example, a
push notification or other message describing the enticement
associated with the target area 3122 such as the alert screen 2500
and subsequent screens disclosed in FIGS. 25-29.
[0170] After a user has accepted and downloaded an enticement, for
example, by selecting the appropriate input on the example alert
screen 2500, the mobile device 102 will begin to monitor the its
movement, watching for the user to become at rest within the
enticing merchant location--the Merchant2 location. FIG. 32
illustrates another region 3200 in which the second geographic area
3222 including the Merchant2 location 3220 is located. If the
mobile application 2410 determines the mobile device 102 at rest in
the Merchant2 geographic region 3222, the mobile device 102 sends a
message indicating this event to the back-end 2404. The back-end
2404 responds, for example, by sending a push notification
containing the applicable voucher welcome screen 2700.
[0171] In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, in
some embodiments an activity log is kept throughout the day to
track the various locations of the mobile device 102 and thus, the
user's movement. This information, for example, could be routinely
uploaded to the back-end 2404 periodically such as once per day.
Examples of the activity log include a flat table of time stamps
and GPS coordinates. Other dimensions could further be included,
such as accelerometer tilt/pan/skew, power on/power off events,
hibernate wake/sleep events, call initiations, texts sent, user
gestures, contacts, phone history, email, messaging, social network
data, etc. to refine and improve the inference engine 2426. In some
implementations, the log is compressed before uploading and is only
uploaded if the mobile device 102 has a WIFI connection. The log
can be cleared from the mobile device 102 by the device application
2410, for example, if the server 2420 has confirmed the log has
been uploaded and stored in the database 2424.
[0172] An example of daily system operations could thus include
activities initiated in response to a daily event time. Upon the
mobile application 2410 detecting a new daily event time has been
crossed, for example 4:00 AM, the mobile application 2410 clears
it's local cache of region objects and performs a daily target
request (DTR). A base region object (for example, region 3100 shown
in FIG. 31) is derived on the back-end 2404 based on a user
identification associated with the mobile device 102 and/or mobile
application 2410, location, campaign data, etc. The base region is
downloaded to the front-end 2402 through a set of services 2422,
and the region object is cached locally on the mobile device 102
and is not be cleared until the next daily event.
[0173] As the day progresses, the user moves within the base region
3100 boundary 3102. The user typically would stop and become "at
rest" at several points throughout the day. Enticement and voucher
events are raised throughout the day if the user becomes at rest
within a geographic area defined during a campaign (such as the
first geographic area 3122), and calls to the back-end 2404 are
performed as defined herein above in response thereto. An activity
log is uploaded at the end of the day, or potentially at various
times in the day when WIFI is available.
[0174] A daily target request (DTR) could include, for example,
sending a user identification of the mobile device 102 and the
location (latitude, longitude) thereof as determined using its GPS
transceiver 336 (see FIG. 3) to the back-end 2404. In response
thereto, the server 2420 sends an appropriate base region object,
which contains a collection of targets (such as the Merchant1
location 3120 and associated geographic area 3122) and a warning
track 3104 identification.
[0175] FIG. 33 shows regions 3100 and 3200 adjacent to one another.
If the mobile device 104 moves from the location shown in FIG. 31
(the Merchant1 area 3122) into the warning track area 3104, the
mobile device 102 sends a Real-Time Target Request (RTTR) to the
back-end 2404. In some examples, the RTTR is functionally similar
to the DTR, except the cache is not cleared. As the mobile device
102 crosses into various warning track regions such as the warning
track 3104, adjacent regions (such as the region 3200) are loaded
and cached locally on the mobile device 102. FIG. 34 illustrates a
situation where the mobile device 102 becomes at rest in a corner
of the region 3100 in the warning track 3104. In response thereto,
the mobile device 102 requests three regions 3200, 3300, 3400 from
the server 2420 with boundary extents adjacent to the currently
active region 3100.
[0176] Following the initial DTR, the mobile device 102 builds up
an increasing stack or collection of region objects and caches them
as the mobile device 102 moves through space. In certain specific
implementations, if a user crosses back and forth between regions,
the request is not resent, and the cached regions are only cleared
on DTR events.
[0177] As noted above, in addition to determining the location of
the mobile device 102 at a particular location, example embodiments
further require determining that the mobile device 102 is at rest
before it makes the request and loads a new region. For example, if
the user is riding on a train with the mobile device 102, it does
not make sense to fill up cache space with regions that will never
be used. Once the mobile device 102 comes to rest at the end of the
train ride, however, a new region could be loaded. Moreover, the
cache could be completely cleared and a new DTR sent in response to
such a scenario--if the mobile device 102 and thus the user
suddenly appear in a location far from their starting region (for
example just off a plane), a new DTR should be performed.
[0178] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various
modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention
without following the exemplary embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth
in the various claims.
* * * * *