Mobile Ad Scheduler with Location Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile advertising lacks effective methods to target and deliver advertisements based on time, location, and manner of delivery, limiting its full exploitation by merchants.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for communicating messages to mobile devices, allowing advertisers to send advertisements via SMS, MMS, or other protocols, using a scheduler and GPS to render ads at specific times or locations, with options for volume control and headset-dependent rendering, and user opt-in/opt-out features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If advertisements are sent to mobile devices without time and location targeting, then the advertising system is simple to implement, but the advertising effectiveness and audience reach are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvertising effectivenessVSAvoidadvertising system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling advertisements to be delivered at specific times and locations before the actual delivery. The scheduler component prepares and queues ads with timing and location parameters, so that when the mobile device reaches the designated location or time window, the ad is automatically delivered through the appropriate communication protocol (SMS, MMS, etc.). This preliminary scheduling enables targeted advertising without requiring complex real-time decision-making during delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary scheduling system that acts as a mediator between the advertisement source and the mobile device. The scheduler receives ads from advertisers, attaches timing and location metadata, manages the queue, and coordinates delivery at the appropriate moment. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of time and location targeting from the basic ad delivery mechanism, allowing targeted advertising while maintaining system simplicity through a dedicated coordination component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If advertisements are delivered without user opt-in/opt-out control, then the delivery system is straightforward, but user privacy and control are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser control over adsVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by allowing users to independently manage their advertising preferences through simple opt-in and opt-out mechanisms. Users can configure their own ad delivery settings without requiring intervention from the advertising system or complex configuration processes. The scheduler respects user preferences by filtering ads based on opt-in/opt-out status, enabling users to control their own advertising experience with minimal effort while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If advertisements are not targeted by location and time, then the communication system remains simple, but the relevance and engagement of advertisements decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvead relevanceVSAvoidtargeting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary location and time targeting by pre-configuring ads with destination location parameters and scheduled times. The scheduler component pre-processes ads to attach location metadata and timing information, so that when the mobile device approaches the designated location or reaches the scheduled time, the relevant ad is automatically selected and delivered. This preliminary preparation ensures high ad relevance without requiring complex real-time location-based filtering during delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by delivering different advertisements to different locations and at different times based on the mobile device's current state. The scheduler filters and selects ads specifically tailored to the device's location and time window, ensuring that each user receives locally relevant content. This location and time-specific ad selection enhances ad relevance while maintaining system simplicity through a straightforward filtering and matching mechanism rather than complex adaptive algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7684790B2Advertising technique
Publication Date: 2010.03.23 CARTMELL BRIAN R
  • US7684790B2 patent drawing
  • US7684790B2 patent drawing
  • US7684790B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An advertising technique includes communicating messages to a mobile device that are rendered on the mobile device for the purpose of advertisement. The advertisement is rendered based on the occurrence of an advertisement event, such as an inbound telephone call, the elapse of time, entering a pre-defined geographic area, or the like.