Mobile Device Interrogation Signal Traffic Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to accurately estimate potential consumer traffic at merchant locations, making it difficult for businesses to determine actual purchasing customers versus mere visitors or passersby.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses interrogation signal data from mobile devices to estimate visitor traffic by determining the location and movement of mobile devices within a defined geographic region, distinguishing between visitors, customers, and non-relevant traffic such as those in automobiles, and correlating this data with payment transaction information to calculate customer traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional traffic counting methods are used, then the system is simple to implement, but the measurement precision of visitor and customer traffic is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediary carriers that emit interrogation signals and are tracked by receivers. These mobile devices serve as mediators between the tracking system and the visitor/customer identification, enabling precise traffic estimation without direct interaction between the system and individuals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical traffic counting methods (manual counting, physical sensors) with an electronic signal-based system. Mobile devices emit interrogation signals that are received and processed electronically, substituting mechanical approaches with electromagnetic field-based tracking for superior precision.
2Measurement precision
If all mobile devices in a geographic region are counted, then the quantity of visitor data increases, but the ability to distinguish customers from passersby deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific data elements from the bulk mobile device information. By focusing on interrogation signal characteristics, reception patterns, and temporal data rather than processing all available mobile device data, the system distinguishes customers from passersby without being overwhelmed by data volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different analysis criteria to different subsets of mobile device data. Customers are identified by specific patterns (repeated visits, longer duration, interaction with property) while passersby are identified by different patterns (single brief appearance). This localized quality approach enables precise distinction without processing all data uniformly.
3Quantity of substance
If the geographic region for tracking is expanded, then the quantity of potential customers captured increases, but the measurement precision of property-specific traffic decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geographic region into multiple zones with different tracking sensitivities. The property boundary defines a core zone with high tracking precision for accurate visitor/customer identification, while surrounding areas form an expansion zone that captures additional potential customers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain property-specific accuracy while expanding overall coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for estimating visitor traffic at a real property location based on interrogation signal data is provided. The method includes receiving, by one or more processors, a real property location, defining a geographic region that includes the real property location, receiving, by the one or more processors, interrogation signal data for a group of mobile devices included within the plurality of mobile devices, determining a location of each of the mobile devices included within the group of mobile devices over the selected period of time based on the received interrogation signal data, and estimating visitor traffic for the real property location over the selected period of time based on the location of each of the mobile devices included within the group of mobile devices.