Beacon-Based Media Network for Retail Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing customer tracking techniques in retail environments fail to effectively monitor and record customer interactions within specific sections of stores or with specific products, limiting the collection of useful data on customer activities and preferences.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses mobile devices interacting with beacons to track customer activities, correlating location data with media content delivery, allowing for personalized advertisements and content selection based on customer interactions and profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing customer tracking techniques are used, then basic customer purchase records can be stored, but detailed customer interaction data and location information cannot be collected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediary carriers that beacons communicate with, rather than directly tracking customers. The beacons send data to mobile devices, which then transmit to the tracking system. This intermediary approach enables detailed location and interaction data collection while maintaining system manageability and customer privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or direct surveillance tracking methods with wireless communication-based tracking using beacons and mobile devices. This substitution enables non-intrusive, detailed tracking of customer interactions and locations without physical barriers or direct observation systems.
2Loss of information
If detailed customer activity tracking is implemented, then valuable customer data can be collected, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices universal tracking points that can be used across different store locations and scenarios. The same mobile device tracks customers throughout their entire journey, and beacons serve multiple functions including location identification, interaction detection, and data transmission. This multi-functionality simplifies implementation by reusing existing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the mobile device's existing capabilities (GPS, camera, sensors) to perform tracking functions without requiring specialized hardware. The mobile device serves itself by utilizing its built-in features for location tracking and interaction detection, reducing the need for complex dedicated tracking equipment.
3Measurement precision
If basic customer tracking is used, then store entry can be monitored, but customer interactions within specific sections and product interests cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the store into multiple zones with individual beacons positioned at specific locations. Each beacon independently tracks interactions in its vicinity, enabling precise measurement of customer behavior in specific sections. This segmentation allows detailed analysis of product interests and interaction patterns without requiring complete system overhaul.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from simple binary tracking (customer present/absent) to multi-dimensional tracking by incorporating location data, interaction type data, and temporal information. This dimensional expansion enables precise measurement of customer journeys, product interests, and behavior patterns across multiple parameters simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and system configurations for providing content to a mobile device based on activity in a physical commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Mobile devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked with the use of beacons to determine customer activities in the retail store, including particular areas visited in the store, activities conducted by the customer in the store, and like tracking information. The customer activity and data for the activities and locations in the physical environment may be correlated to an identifier, profile, or other tracking information. This tracking information may be subsequently used by the mobile device to identify the user to an advertising network, or other information service, and obtain customized media content and information.