U.S. patent application number 14/274565 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-04 for optimizing mobile user data storage.
This patent application is currently assigned to iPinion, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is iPinion, Inc.. Invention is credited to Palanivel Kuppusamy.
Application Number | 20140248913 14/274565 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49712733 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140248913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuppusamy; Palanivel |
September 4, 2014 |
Optimizing Mobile User Data Storage
Abstract
Systems and methods described herein provide a mechanism for
optimizing the reception and storage of mobile user data. Data
relating to mobile user location, behavior, and profiles are
received from mobile users and stored at a storage system in an
efficient manner. The efficiency is achieved by identifying what
system parameters may be adjusted to reduce storage requirements
while still providing sufficient data for useful analysis. System
parameters that may change to reduce storage requirements include,
e.g., the type of mobile user data collected, the frequency at
which mobile user data is collected, the events or conditions that
trigger data collection, and dynamically adjusting data collection
upon detecting a number of event or time-based triggers.
Inventors: |
Kuppusamy; Palanivel;
(Plano, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
iPinion, Inc. |
Plano |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
iPinion, Inc.
Plano
TX
|
Family ID: |
49712733 |
Appl. No.: |
14/274565 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13492189 |
Jun 8, 2012 |
|
|
|
14274565 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 8/205 20130101;
G06Q 30/0201 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201; H04L 67/306 20130101;
H04W 4/20 20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/456.3 |
International
Class: |
H04W 8/20 20060101
H04W008/20; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02 |
Claims
1. A method for optimizing mobile user data, the method comprising:
receiving one or more types of data from one or more mobile users
at a first frequency; determining if the one or more mobile users
is in a proximity of a location of interest; in response to
determining that the one or more mobile users is in the proximity
of the location of interest, instructing the one or more mobile
users to transmit additional data; and receiving the additional
data from the one or more mobile users in response to the
instructing.
2. The method of claim 1 where receiving the additional data from
the one or more mobile users comprises receiving data at a second
frequency, the second frequency being higher than the first
frequency.
3. The method of claim 1 where receiving the additional data from
the one or more mobile users comprises receiving at least one other
of the one or more types of data from the one or more mobile
users.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining that the
one or more mobile users is no longer in the proximity of the
location of interest; and in response to determining that the one
or more mobile users is no longer in the proximity of the location
of interest, instructing the one or more mobile users to transmit
data at the first frequency.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining if the one
or more mobile users is in a second proximity of the location of
interest; in response to determining that the one or more mobile
users is in the second proximity of the location of interest,
instructing the one or more mobile users to transmit second
additional data; and receiving the second additional data from the
one or more mobile users.
6. The method of claim 5 where receiving the second additional data
from the one or more mobile users comprises receiving data at a
third frequency, the third frequency being higher than the second
frequency.
7. The method of claim 5 where receiving the second additional data
from the one or more mobile users comprises receiving at least two
others of the one or more types of data from the one or more mobile
users.
8. A device for optimizing mobile user data, the device comprising:
a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one
or more processors configured to: receive one or more types of data
from one or more mobile users at a first frequency; determine if
the one or more mobile users is in a proximity of a location of
interest; in response to determining that the one or more mobile
users is in the proximity of the location of interest, instruct the
one or more mobile users to transmit additional data; and receive
the additional data from the one or more mobile users in response
to the instructing.
9. The device of claim 8 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: receive data at a second frequency, the
second frequency being higher than the first frequency.
10. The device of claim 8 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: receive at least one other of the one or
more types of data from the one or more mobile users.
11. The device of claim 8 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: determine that the one or more mobile users
is no longer in the proximity of the location of interest; and in
response to determining that the one or more mobile users is no
longer in the proximity of the location of interest, instruct the
one or more mobile users to transmit data at the first
frequency.
12. The device of claim 8 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: determine if the one or more mobile users is
in a second proximity of the location of interest; in response to
determining that the one or more mobile users is in the second
proximity of the location of interest, instruct the one or more
mobile users to transmit second additional data; and receive the
second additional data from the one or more mobile users.
13. The device of claim 12 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: receive data at a third frequency, the third
frequency being higher than the second frequency.
14. The device of claim 12 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: receive at least two others of the one or
more types of data from the one or more mobile users.
15. A method for optimizing mobile user data, the method
comprising: transmitting, from a mobile device, one or more types
of data at a first frequency, the one or more types of data
comprising mobile user location data; in response to a
determination that the mobile user is in a proximity to a location
of interest, receiving an instruction to transmit, from the mobile
user device, additional data; and in response to receiving the
instruction, transmitting, from the mobile user device, the
additional data.
16. The method of claim 15 where transmitting the additional data
from the mobile device comprises transmitting data at a second
frequency, the second frequency being higher than the first
frequency.
17. The method of claim 15 where transmitting the additional data
from the mobile device comprises transmitting at least one other of
the one or more types of data from the mobile device.
18. The method of claim 15 further comprising: in response to a
determination that the mobile user is no longer in the proximity of
the location of interest, receiving, at the mobile device, an
instruction to transmit data at the first frequency; and
transmitting, from the mobile device, data at the first
frequency
19. The method of claim 15 further comprising: in response to a
determination that the mobile user is in a second proximity of the
location of interest, receiving an instruction to transmit second
additional data; and transmitting, from the mobile device, the
second additional data.
20. The method of claim 19 where transmitting the second additional
data from the mobile device comprises transmitting data at a third
frequency, the third frequency being higher than the second
frequency.
21. The method of claim 19 where transmitting the second additional
data from the mobile device comprises transmitting at least two
others of the one or more types of data from the mobile device.
22. A device for optimizing mobile user data, the device
comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the
memory, the one or more processors configured to: transmit, from a
mobile device, one or more types of data at a first frequency, the
one or more types of data comprising mobile user location data; in
response to a determination that the mobile user is in a proximity
to a location of interest, receive an instruction to transmit, from
the mobile user device, additional data; and in response to
receiving the instruction, transmit, from the mobile user device,
the additional data.
23. The device of claim 22 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit data at a second frequency, the
second frequency being higher than the first frequency.
24. The device of claim 22 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit at least one other of the one or
more types of data from the mobile device.
25. The device of claim 22 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: in response to a determination that the
mobile user is no longer in the proximity of the location of
interest, receive, at the mobile device, an instruction to transmit
data at the first frequency; and transmit, from the mobile device,
data at the first frequency
26. The device of claim 22 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: in response to a determination that the
mobile user is in a second proximity of the location of interest,
receive an instruction to transmit second additional data; and
transmit, from the mobile device, the second additional data.
27. The device of claim 26 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit data at a third frequency, the
third frequency being higher than the second frequency.
28. The device of claim 26 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit at least two others of the one or
more types of data from the mobile device.
29. A method for optimizing mobile user data, the method
comprising: receiving one or more types of data from one or more
mobile users at a first frequency; determining if the one or more
mobile users exhibits one or more behaviors; in response to
determining that the one or more mobile users exhibits the one or
more behaviors, instructing the one or more mobile users to
transmit additional data; and receiving the additional data from
the one or more mobile users in response to the instructing.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the one or more behavior
comprises a behavior selected from the group consisting of:
applications downloaded, applications most utilized, and text
message use vs. phone use.
31. The method of claim 29 where receiving the additional data from
the one or more mobile users comprises receiving data at a second
frequency, the second frequency being higher than the first
frequency.
32. The method of claim 29 where receiving the additional data from
the one or more mobile users comprises receiving at least one other
of the one or more types of data from the one or more mobile
users.
33. The method of claim 29 further comprising: determining that the
one or more mobile users no longer exhibits the one or more
behaviors; and in response to determining that the one or more
mobile users no longer exhibits the one or more behaviors,
instructing the one or more mobile users to transmit data at the
first frequency.
34. The method of claim 29 further comprising: determining if the
one or more mobile users exhibits a second of the one or more
behaviors; in response to determining that the one or more mobile
users exhibits a second of the one or more behaviors, instructing
the one or more mobile users to transmit second additional data;
and receiving the second additional data from the one or more
mobile users.
35. The method of claim 34 where receiving the second additional
data from the one or more mobile users comprises receiving data at
a third frequency, the third frequency being higher than the second
frequency.
36. The method of claim 34 where receiving the second additional
data from the one or more mobile users comprises receiving at least
two others of the one or more types of data from the one or more
mobile users.
37. A device for optimizing mobile user data, the device
comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the
memory, the one or more processors configured to: receive one or
more types of data from one or more mobile users at a first
frequency; determine if the one or more mobile users exhibits one
or more behaviors; in response to determining that the one or more
mobile users exhibits the one or more behaviors, instruct the one
or more mobile users to transmit additional data; and receive the
additional data from the one or more mobile users in response to
the instructing.
38. The device of claim 37 wherein the one or more behavior
comprises a behavior selected from the group consisting of:
applications downloaded, applications most utilized, and text
message use vs. phone use.
39. The device of claim 37 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: receive data at a second frequency, the
second frequency being higher than the first frequency.
40. The device of claim 37 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: receive at least one other of the one or
more types of data from the one or more mobile users.
41. The device of claim 37 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: determine that the one or more mobile users
no longer exhibits the one or more behaviors; and in response to
determining that the one or more mobile users no longer exhibits
the one or more behaviors, instruct the one or more mobile users to
transmit data at the first frequency.
42. The device of claim 37 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: determine if the one or more mobile users
exhibits a second of the one or more behaviors; in response to
determining that the one or more mobile users exhibits a second of
the one or more behaviors, instruct the one or more mobile users to
transmit second additional data; and receive the second additional
data from the one or more mobile users.
43. The device of claim 42 where receiving the second additional
data from the one or more mobile users comprises receiving data at
a third frequency, the third frequency being higher than the second
frequency.
44. The device of claim 42 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: receive at least two others of the one or
more types of data from the one or more mobile users.
45. A method for optimizing mobile user data, the method
comprising: transmitting, from a mobile device, one or more types
of data at a first frequency, the one or more types of data
comprising mobile user location data; in response to a
determination that the mobile user exhibits the one or more
behaviors, receiving an instruction to transmit, from the mobile
user device, additional data; and in response to receiving the
instruction, transmitting, from the mobile user device, the
additional data.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein the one or more behavior
comprises a behavior selected from the group consisting of:
applications downloaded, applications most utilized, and text
message use vs. phone use.
47. The method of claim 45 where transmitting the additional data
from the mobile device comprises transmitting data at a second
frequency, the second frequency being higher than the first
frequency.
48. The method of claim 45 where receiving the additional data from
the mobile device comprises transmitting at least one other of the
one or more types of data from the mobile device.
49. The method of claim 45 further comprising: in response to a
determination that the mobile user no longer exhibits the one or
more behaviors, receiving an instruction to transmit data at the
first frequency; and transmitting, from the mobile device, data at
the first frequency.
50. The method of claim 45 further comprising: in response to a
determination that mobile user exhibits a second of the one or more
behaviors, receiving an instruction to transmit second additional
data; and transmitting, from the mobile device, the second
additional data.
51. The method of claim 50 where transmitting the second additional
data from the mobile device comprises transmitting data at a third
frequency, the third frequency being higher than the second
frequency.
52. The method of claim 50 where transmitting the second additional
data from the mobile device comprises transmitting at least two
others of the one or more types of data from the mobile device.
53. A device for optimizing mobile user data, the device
comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the
memory, the one or more processors configured to: transmit, from a
mobile device, one or more types of data at a first frequency, the
one or more types of data comprising mobile user location data; in
response to a determination that the mobile user exhibits the one
or more behaviors, receive an instruction to transmit, from the
mobile user device, additional data; and in response to receiving
the instruction, transmit, from the mobile user device, the
additional data.
54. The device of claim 53 wherein the one or more behavior
comprises a behavior selected from the group consisting of:
applications downloaded, applications most utilized, and text
message use vs. phone use.
55. The device of claim 53 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit data at a second frequency, the
second frequency being higher than the first frequency.
56. The device of claim 53 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit at least one other of the one or
more types of data from the mobile device.
57. The device of claim 53 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: in response to a determination that the
mobile user no longer exhibits the one or more behaviors, receive
an instruction to transmit data at the first frequency; and
transmit, from the mobile device, data at the first frequency.
58. The device of claim 53 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: in response to a determination that mobile
user exhibits a second of the one or more behaviors, receive an
instruction to transmit second additional data; and transmit, from
the mobile device, the second additional data.
59. The device of claim 58 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit data at a third frequency, the
third frequency being higher than the second frequency.
60. The device of claim 58 where the one or more processors is
further configured to: transmit at least two others of the one or
more types of data from the mobile device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/492,189, filed Jun. 8, 2012 and entitled
"OPTIMIZING MOBILE USER DATA STORAGE." This patent application is
related to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/492,158, filed Jun. 8, 2012 and entitled "OPTIMIZING
MARKET RESEARCH BASED ON MOBILE RESPONDENT LOCATION," commonly
assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/492,170,
filed Jun. 8, 2012 and entitled "OPTIMIZING MARKET RESEARCH BASED
ON MOBILE RESPONDENT BEHAVIOR," and commonly assigned, co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/492,213, filed Jun. 8, 2012 and
entitled "OPTIMIZING MARKET RESEARCH USING INDICIA-BASED MOBILE
RESPONDENT DATA." The disclosures of the above-identified
applications are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure is generally directed to a system and method
for storing received data and to systems and methods for optimizing
data received from mobile users within a wireless network.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Analyzing mobile user data may be useful for a number of
purposes. Generally, when more mobile user data is received and
stored for analysis, more insight is provided as to the mobile
user's activities, experiences, preferences, and the like. However,
receiving and storing such large amounts of data comes at a price.
Storing additional data increases power consumption, cooling
requirements, noise, administrative costs, disaster and data
recovery costs, backup management costs, and on and on. As such, a
need exists for a system that may store enough mobile user data to
gain meaningful insight to mobile user activities, experiences,
preferences, and the like, while avoiding undue burden in storing
the data.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an embodiment, methods and systems are provided
for conducting mobile user market research. A mobile user data
storage system receives and stores data from mobile users according
to a first scheme. The mobile user data storage system establishes
a new data receiving and storage scheme. Data received and stored
from mobile users according to the new scheme requires storing less
data than received from mobile users according to the first
scheme.
[0005] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims
of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages will be better
understood from the following description when considered in
connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as
a definition of the limits of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure,
reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a network in which concepts described
herein may be implemented;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates functional blocks executed to perform a
method of mobile user market research according to the concepts
described herein; and
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates functional blocks of components of an
apparatus for mobile user market research according to the concepts
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Systems and methods described herein provide a mechanism for
optimizing the reception and storage of mobile user data. Data
relating to mobile user location, behavior, and profiles is
received from mobile users and stored at a storage system in an
efficient manner. The efficiency is achieved by identifying what
system parameters may be adjusted to reduce storage requirements
while still providing sufficient data for useful analysis. System
parameters that may change to reduce storage requirements include,
e.g., the type of mobile user data collected, the frequency at
which mobile user data is collected, the events or conditions that
trigger data collection, and dynamically adjusting data collection
upon detecting a number of event or time-based triggers.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates network 100 in which concepts described
herein may be implemented. Mobile user data storage system 101 is
in communication with a plurality of mobile devices 102a-102n.
Mobile user data storage system 101 is shown as a distributed
network, having a plurality of base stations/eNodeBs that
coordinate with one another to perform operations described herein.
However, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that
all or portions of mobile user data storage system 101 will
comprise a centralized location (perhaps one of a base
station/eNodeB, a controller, or enterprise location) to enable the
operations. As will be further described, mobile user data storage
system 101 communicates with mobile devices 102, receives mobile
user data (e.g., location data, behavioral data, and profile data)
and optimizes storage of that data. Specifically, mobile user
storage system 101 determines a scheme to store a sufficient amount
of mobile user data to gain meaningful insight as to the user's
activities, experiences, preferences, and the like, while avoiding
storage of an undue amount of that mobile user data. According to
one embodiment, mobile user data storage system 101 may be a market
research enterprise that focuses on conducting market research on
mobile users or mobile users using mobile devices 102.
[0012] Network 100 may be implemented using a number of wireless
communication methods between mobile user data storage system 101
and mobile devices 102 and wireless and/or wireline communication
methods between mobile user data storage system 101 and mobile
devices 102. Such wireless methods include CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA,
SC-FDMA. A CDMA network may implement a radio technology, such as
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), Telecommunications
Industry Association's (TIA's) CDMA2000.RTM., and the like. The
UTRA technology includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants
of CDMA. The CDMA2000.RTM. technology includes the IS-2000, IS-95
and IS-856 standards from the Electronics Industry Alliance (EIA)
and TIA. A TDMA network may implement a radio technology, such as
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA network may
implement a radio technology, such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra
Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX),
IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDMA, and the like. The UTRA and E-UTRA
technologies are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
(UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are
newer releases of the UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS,
LTE, LTE-A and GSM are described in documents from an organization
called the "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP).
CDMA2000.RTM. and UMB are described in documents from an
organization called the "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2"
(3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for the
wireless networks and radio access technologies described above, as
well as other wireless networks and radio access technologies.
According to a preferred embodiment, mobile user data storage
system 101 communicates with mobile devices 102 using LTE or LTE-A
wireless communication methods.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates functional blocks executed to perform a
method of mobile user market research according to the concepts
described herein. Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates functional
blocks executed by a storage system such as mobile user data
storage system 101 illustrated at FIG. 1.
[0014] At block 201 the storage system receives data from mobile
users according to a first data receiving scheme. As described
herein, a data receiving scheme may involve the type of data
collected or received from mobile users (e.g., location,
behavioral, profile, etc.), the frequency at which data is
collected (e.g., one per hour, once per day, etc.), events or
conditions that trigger receiving data (e.g., where the mobile user
crosses a virtual radius about a given location, launches an
application or other software, powers on a mobile device, etc.),
varying data collection rates based on various parameters (e.g.,
during periods of expected activity, detection of location, etc.),
and/or the format of received data (e.g., GPS-type, address,
latitude/longitude, etc.).
[0015] Commonly, a data receiving scheme requires an understanding
of mobile user location, whether it be past, current, or predicted
location. As such, mobile user data storage system 101 implements
mechanisms for collecting and storing mobile user location data in
an efficient way. According to one embodiment, mobile user data
storage system 101 monitors the location of each mobile device 102
via a mechanism similar to that utilized by common cellular
networks, where a location of each mobile device 102 is resolved by
triangulation techniques and the like by base stations serving the
cell in which mobile device 102 currently resides. According to an
another embodiment, mobile user data storage system 101 may utilize
specific location-based communications transmitted from mobile
devices 102. Where mobile devices 102 implement GPS-type
functionality, each mobile device 102 may transmit GPS data to
mobile user data storage system 101 which uses that data to launch
a storage application as described herein. It should be appreciated
that determining a location of a mobile device 102 using either a
network-based method (for example, base station/eNodeB
triangulation, network statistics data, etc.) or specific location
data transmitted from mobile device 102 is a trade off. Relying
upon specific location data transmitted from mobile devices 102 may
provide more accurate and more up-to-date data; however, it also
requires more power from mobile devices 102, more storage space at
mobile user data storage system 101, and is computationally
intensive.
[0016] It should be appreciated that storing location data for
mobile devices 102 and their corresponding users may be unduly
burdensome on mobile user data storage system 101. Even where the
location data of mobile devices 102 is basic, the cumulative volume
of stored data per time interval per mobile device 102 may be
relatively large. This causes difficulties both in terms of
physical and computational resources. Therefore, according to one
embodiment a mechanism for reducing storage requirements of data
relating to mobile users may be implemented at mobile user data
storage system 101. Mobile user data storage system 101 contains
software and/or hardware supporting a decision-making process where
mobile user data storage system 101 will change the format of
received data to save storage space thereat. For example, during
period of high mobile user traffic, dense data communications, and
the like, mobile user data storage system 101 may collect only raw
data to minimize storage requirements. On the other hand, where a
higher level of insight may be required for a particular user
(e.g., knowing mobile user location with a high degree of accuracy,
comparing location to other locations of interest, etc.), mobile
user data storage system 101 may instruct mobile devices 102 to
transmit richer data such as GPS-type data.
[0017] According to an additional or alternative embodiment, mobile
user data storage system 101 may collect location data for each
mobile user at predetermined time intervals and store the location
of the mobile user for subsequent comparison to locations of
interest. Of course, the frequency at which location data is
collected will affect the accuracy at which it can be determined
whether a mobile user came within proximity of a location of
interest. This must be balanced against the additional storage and
computational requirements associated with collecting location data
at a higher frequency. The frequency at which mobile user location
data is collected for storage may vary according to different
mechanisms, depending on system requirements, mobile user
preferences, storage applications, and the like. Some storage
applications such as storing mobile user responses to surveys based
on movies may require a lower collection frequency as the event of
interest occurs over a relatively long period of time, whereas
storage applications such as storing mobile user response to
surveys based on a fast food restaurant may require higher
frequency collection as the event of interest typically lasts only
a few minutes. Further, the frequency at which mobile user location
data is collected may vary according to day of week, time of day,
etc., where expected periods of inactivity require very little data
collection.
[0018] In real-time applications, the frequency at which location
data is collected for a mobile user may vary according to the
mobile user's actual location. Where a mobile user is determined to
be within a proximity of a location of interest, the interest in
user behavior and/or available market research is heightened. The
frequency at which location data is collected may increase to track
more precise user movement at or near a location of interest.
Where, for example, a user is determined to be in Wal-Mart
(location of interest), an increase in collection of location data
may enable a determination of the specific section or aisle within
the Wal-Mart at which the mobile user is located. Subsequent or
refined storage applications may be implemented at system 101 and
instructions relating to a new or refined data receiving scheme may
be transmitted to the mobile user.
[0019] With the previous discussion in mind, a storage application
and/or instructions relating to a new data receiving scheme may be
transmitted to a mobile user in response to a determination that
the mobile user came within proximity of a location of interest. As
previously discussed, the storage application and/or instructions
may be transmitted at or near real-time with a determination the
mobile user is within a proximity of a location of interest, may be
transmitted after the mobile user has been within a proximity of a
location of interest, or transmitted based upon a determination or
prediction the mobile user will soon be in proximity to a location
of interest. Further, the determination of what proximity causes
transmission of the storage application may be determined by mobile
user data storage system 101, and may vary according to different
mechanisms, depending on mobile user and system requirements, a
given storage application, system limitations, and the like. For
example, some storage applications may be initiated where a mobile
user has come within a mile of a location of interest, while other
applications may be initiated where the mobile user has come within
20 feet of a location of interest. Further, the proximity of
interest may be provided by a user of mobile user data storage
system 101, or generated by mobile user data storage system 101
upon a formulation of what proximity of interests are thought to
satisfy the system objectives.
[0020] Further, where a user of mobile user data storage system 101
desires to target specific mobile users who travel within a
proximity of a location of interest, mobile user data storage
system 101 may overlay profile data of a mobile user to further
restrict which mobile users receive a storage application or
instructions to transmit data according to a new data receiving
scheme implemented at mobile user data storage system 101. For
example, where a market research enterprise controlling or
directing system 101 is interested in initiating a data receiving
scheme only for males between the ages of 18-35 who shop at
Wal-Mart, mobile user data storage system 101 may narrow all
results of mobile users coming within the proximity of interest of
one or more Wal-Mart stores by discarding all mobile users who are
female and outside of the specified age range. In this way, mobile
user data storage system 101 uses mobile user profile data stored
thereat to further optimize storage requirements at mobile user
data storage system 101.
[0021] An embodiment implements one or a combination of techniques
to determine the location of a mobile user utilizing a mobile
device 102 with respect to a location of interest. One such
technique involves receiving locations of interest or generating
locations of interest at mobile user data storage system 101. Once
the locations of interest are determined, a virtual radius or fence
may be drawn around the locations of interest. Using software
executing at both mobile devices 102 and mobile user data storage
system 101, a determination may be made as to which mobile users
come within the radius or fence around the locations of interest.
For example, at mobile user data storage system 101, location data
from mobile devices 102 may be compared to the location defined by
the radius or fence. Those mobile devices determined to have
crossed the radius or fence are determined to be in proximity of
the location of interest. As a result, subsequent or refined
storage applications may be implemented at system 101 and
instructions relating to a new or refined data receiving scheme may
be transmitted to the mobile user based on that location. According
to an embodiment, a mobile user determined to have crossed a radius
or fence is sent a storage application and/or instructions relating
to a new or refined data receiving scheme in or near real-time,
using mechanisms such as push messages, text messages, SRS
messages, emails, etc., leading the mobile user to the storage
application.
[0022] Another technique exploits mobile user location in
combination with features specific to different locations to
initiate a mobile storage application and/or data receiving scheme.
According to such a technique, various businesses or enterprises
perhaps differing in industry, services, and products may be spread
across several locations. Mobile user data storage system 101 may
track or import locations of each business and various storage
applications associated with the businesses. In that case, when a
mobile user comes within a proximity of any number of different
types of businesses, the mobile user is alerted as to different
services, advertisements, market research offers, etc., offered for
each business. The mobile user may be alerted that, by
participating in different surveys and the like for the various
businesses, he/she will be eligible for various offers.
[0023] Yet another technique involves storing a history of mobile
user locations and subsequently comparing those locations to
locations of interest. This technique is advantageous because it is
less computationally-intensive and does not require real-time
monitoring of mobile users. Further, this technique still provides
a meaningful amount of mobile user location data because it allows
a system user to reach users who have had particular experiences in
the near past.
[0024] Mobile user data storage system 101 also stores user profile
data and may vary the reception and storage of such data according
to the previous discussion relating to mobile user location data.
When creating and expanding a mobile user database, initial data is
collected from each user. The initial data may comprise data used
to create an initial profile such as demographic data, employment
and lifestyle data, preference data, user preferences, hobbies,
general interests, etc. The data may be updated from time to time
upon a request for updates transmitted to the user, or proactively
by the user. This data may be compiled to generate user profiles
that are relied upon to generate locations of interest and/or
target specific users for market research applications.
[0025] Further, mobile user data storage system 101 also stores
user behavioral data and may vary the reception and storage of such
data according to the previous discussion relating to mobile user
location data. Behavioral data such as internet history,
applications downloaded and utilized the most, text message use vs.
phone use, etc., may be collected to further refine a data
receiving and storage scheme. In either event the profile and
behavioral data may be used to refine a data receiving and storage
scheme according to the concepts described herein. A mechanism for
passively and actively collecting mobile user behavioral data to
initiate market research applications is described in a related,
commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/492,170, filed Jun. 8, 2012 and entitled "OPTIMIZING MARKET
RESEARCH BASED ON MOBILE RESPONDENT BEHAVIOR," the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0026] At block 202 the storage system establishes a second data
receiving scheme where data received from the mobile users
according to the second data receiving scheme is less than data
received from the mobile users according to the first data
receiving scheme. A second data receiving scheme may be thought of
as a refinement of a previous mobile user data receiving scheme.
Refining the data receiving scheme may be accomplished by utilizing
data collected during a first scheme and/or in response to
determining an amount of data collected and subsequently stored
according to the first scheme is undesirable high. As a result, the
frequency at which location, behavioral, and or profile data is
collected may decrease as a default and increase only in response
to a determination that the user is in proximity to a location of
interest, a period of expected high activity begins, etc.
[0027] Establishing a second data receiving scheme may be
implemented in a number of different ways according to the concepts
described herein. Mobile user data storage system 101 may vary the
frequency at which data is received from the mobile users where,
e.g., less data is received from the mobile users during periods of
expected low mobile user activity. Additionally, more data may be
received from the mobile users only during periods of expected high
mobile user activity. Further, mobile user data storage system 101
may vary the frequency at which data is received from the mobile
users by increasing the frequency at which data is received from
the mobile users only during period when a mobile user is
determined to be in a proximity of a location of interest.
According to an embodiment, mobile user data storage system 101 may
vary the frequency at which data is received from mobile users by
receiving data from the mobile users only upon the occurrence of an
event or condition. Such events or conditions may include, e.g.,
powering on a mobile device, rebooting a mobile device, a mobile
user crossing a virtual radius of a location of interest, etc.
According to another embodiment, mobile user data storage system
101 may elect to collect only a particular type of mobile user
data. For example, mobile user data storage system 101 may decide
to receive only mobile user behavioral data or mobile user location
data.
[0028] According to the previously discussed example using these
concepts, a storage application and/or instructions relating to a
new data receiving scheme may be transmitted to the mobile user
upon a determination the user has entered a location of interest,
e.g. Wal-Mart (for example, a survey based on the user's shopping
experience). However, a second, refined storage application and/or
instructions relating to a new data receiving scheme may be
transmitted to the mobile user upon a determination the user is at
a particular location within the Wal-Mart (for example, a survey
relating to a product, display, or layout on a specific aisle). The
storage application and data receiving scheme may be further
refined according to the length of time a user is determined to be
at a particular location of interest and/or response data
previously received from the mobile user. Also, consistent with the
previous discussion, a refined a storage application and/or
instructions relating to a new data receiving scheme may be
transmitted to a user based upon that user's profile data and/or
behavioral data.
[0029] At block 203 mobile user data storage system 101 determines
data received from the mobile users according to the first data
receiving scheme exceeds a threshold. Further, mobile user data
storage system 101 may determine a degree to which the collected
data exceeds the threshold. Depending on these determinations,
mobile user data storage system 101 may change a number of data
receiving and storage parameters to implement a data receiving and
storage scheme to bring the amount of received and stored data
below the threshold.
[0030] At block 204 the storage system transmits instructions to
said mobile users relating to said second data receiving scheme.
The transmitted instructions comprise signals sufficient to enable
a mobile device, such as mobile device 102 illustrated in FIG. 1,
to adjust its operating parameters to transmit data according to
the new scheme implemented by mobile user data storage system 101.
Upon receiving the instructions, a mobile device may implement
changes in how it collects and transmits user data by executing
instruction in an application or other piece of software installed
on the mobile device.
[0031] At block 205 the storage system receives data from mobile
users according to the second data receiving scheme. According to
the concepts described herein, the amount of storage should be
reduced while still being sufficient to provide meaningful insight
to mobile user activity, experiences, preferences, and the
like.
[0032] It should be appreciated that the functions performed with
reference to FIG. 2 may be iterative where, e.g., an updated or
revised market research application is transmitted to a mobile
device based on updated information received from the mobile
device. The updated information may comprise new behavioral data,
new market research data, and new location data. Through this
iterative process, a market research enterprise can incrementally
refine its market research applications to provide more relevant
applications to respondents.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of components of an
apparatus that enables mobile user market research according to the
concepts described herein. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates
components of a storage system such as mobile user data storage
system 101 illustrated at FIG. 1. Each component may comprise
hardware, software, firmware, program code, or other logic (for
example, ASIC, FPGA, etc.), as may be operable to provide the
functions described herein.
[0034] The functionality and operations of storage system 300 are
controlled and executed through processor(s) 302. Processor(s) 302
may include one or more core processors, central processing units
(CPUs), graphical processing units (GPUs), math co-processors, and
the like. Processor(s) 302 execute program logic, whether
implemented through software stored in a memory 312 or in firmware
in which logic is integrated directly into integrated circuit
components. Storage system 300 may communicate wirelessly with
multiple client systems and mobile devices through various radios,
such as wireless radio 304, such as one or more of wireless wide
area network (WWAN) radios and wireless local area network (WLAN)
radios. If a WWAN radio is included as one of the radios in
wireless radio 304, communication would generally be allowed over a
long range wireless communication network such as an LTE network.
Storage system 300 may also provide communication and network
access through a wired connection with network interface 306. The
wired connection may connect to the public-switched telephone
network (PSTN), or other communication network, in order to connect
to the Internet or other accessible communication network.
[0035] Storage system 300 comprises storage 310, which includes
memory 312, mobile user location data 314, mobile user profile data
application 316, mobile user behavioral data application 318,
location of interest data application 320, and optimizing engine
322. Under control of processor(s) 302, program logic stored on
memory 312, including mobile user location data application 314,
mobile user profile data application 316, mobile user behavioral
data application 318, location of interest data application 320,
optimizing engine 322, and other applications provides
functionality of storage system 300, including communications,
storage, computation, and filtering, analysis, and correlation of
location data, profile data, and location of interest data. Such
operating applications may be displayed visually to the user via
user interface 308. User interface 308 includes various hardware
and software applications that control the rendering of visual data
onto the display screen of computers of storage system 300 (not
shown). User interface 308, under control of the processor(s) 302,
controls and operates all forms of interfaces between the user and
storage system 300. As such, when storage system 300 is implemented
using a touch screen display, user interface 308 may read the
user's input and finger motions on the touch screen and translate
those movements or gestures into electronic interface navigational
commands and data entry. Various embodiments of user interface 308
also will receive the rendered visual data through processing,
controlled by processor(s) 302, and display that visual data on the
display. During input to a touch screen device, the user interface
308 may be receiving and analyzing input data from a user's finger
movements and gestures on the display screen.
[0036] Mobile user location data application 314, mobile user
profile data application 316, mobile user behavioral data
application 318, location of interest data application 320, and
optimizing engine 322 may be interfaced with one another to
configure the processor(s) 302 to receive various types of data
from mobile users for various operations described with reference
to FIG. 2. Optimizing engine 322 may be interfaced with mobile user
location data application 314, mobile user profile data application
316, mobile user behavioral data application 318, and location of
interest data application 320 to compile, analyze, correlate and/or
filter the data as needed. Optimizing engine 322 may further
execute instructions to determine how the reception and storage of
data should be modified in order to reduce storage requirements at
mobile user data storage system 101. Optimizing engine 322 may
further operate to configure processor 302 to modify operations
performed by each application to execute those changes. As
previously discussed, optimizing engine 322 may determine what
changes are required to sufficiently decrease mobile user data
reception and storage by comparing
previously-received/previously-stored data to a threshold,
preferred range, user preferences, and the like.
[0037] Those of skill in the art would understand that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0038] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the disclosure herein may be
implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks,
modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in
terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0039] The various illustrative logical blocks and modules
described in connection with the disclosure herein may be
implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose
processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the
processor may be any conventional processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0040] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection
with the disclosure herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in
a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of
the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory,
ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a
removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known
in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor
such that the processor can read information from, and write
information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage
medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the
storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user
terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium
may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
[0041] In one or more exemplary designs, the functions described
may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any
combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may
be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or
code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media
includes both computer storage media and communication media
including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer
program from one place to another. A storage media may be any
available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation,
such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM
or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to
carry or store desired program code means in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose
or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly
termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0042] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to
enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not
intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein
but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and novel features disclosed herein.
* * * * *