Location-Specific Content Delivery for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies lack the ability to effectively customize and deliver targeted content to mobile consumer devices based on their location, limiting merchants' opportunities to engage potential customers and increase revenue.

Innovation Solution

A system that detects and authenticates mobile devices within a wireless network, allowing content providers to transmit location-specific promotional content, such as electronic coupons, to devices, which can be redeemed through various methods, and adjusts content based on user behavior and location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a merchant provides an 802.11 network for customers on or near the merchant's premises, then customers can access wireless internet, but the merchant cannot effectively target and communicate with potential customers to entice them to patronize

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless internet accessVSAvoidcustomer targeting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system delivers different content to different devices based on their location and user characteristics. Content is customized locally for each device rather than broadcasting uniform content, enabling the merchant to target specific customers with relevant promotions while maintaining wireless internet access for all

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system tracks device location, authentication status, and content delivery outcomes to optimize future content targeting. By monitoring which devices receive which content and their subsequent behavior, the system refines its targeting algorithm to improve customer engagement while maintaining network accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the system delivers targeted content based on device location and authentication, then customer engagement increases, but system complexity increases due to authentication and tracking requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer engagementVSAvoidauthentication and tracking system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a wireless internet client and a content reception device with built-in authentication and location tracking capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated hardware systems, managing complexity while enabling targeted content delivery and customer engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If the system transmits promotional content to all devices in range, then potential customers may be reached, but resource waste occurs by contacting devices not interested in patronizing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent distribution reachVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of broadcasting content uniformly to all devices in range, the system customizes content delivery based on individual device characteristics, location, and authentication status. This localized approach ensures resources are concentrated on devices most likely to convert, reducing waste while maintaining broad potential reach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system delivers content selectively to authenticated devices rather than attempting to reach all possible devices. By focusing resources on a smaller, more targeted subset of devices that have proven interest through authentication, the system avoids the resource waste of contacting uninterested devices while still achieving effective distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2021999B1Location-specific delivery of promotional content to mobile consumer device
Publication Date: 2013.12.11 DELL PROD LP
  • EP2021999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2021999B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2021999B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for presenting content to a user comprises a connection for receiving content over a wireless communications network associated with a content provider and a display or other user interface means for presenting the content to the user. The wireless communications network can be an 802.11 -based communications network. The content provider determines that the device is within a range of the wireless communications network and authenticates the device for the receipt of content. If the device is authenticated, the content provider transmits the content to the device. In one embodiment, the content provider comprises a merchant and the content comprises an electronic coupon that the device user can redeem at a locale of the merchant.