Presence Detection via Multi-Frequency Signal Encoding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack reliable methods for detecting the presence of individuals or devices in retail environments without requiring proactive user actions, leading to inefficiencies in targeted advertising and incentives.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses mobile phones with GPS, WiFi, sonic signaling, and other location detection methods to determine the presence of consumers near or within stores, allowing for personalized offers and rewards based on their location and profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current presence detection technologies are used, then user actions are required to detect presence, but this reduces ease of operation and consumer engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic presence detection without requiring user actions. The mobile device automatically transmits identification information to the detection system, which automatically determines presence status and triggers relevant offers, eliminating the need for users to manually initiate detection processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual/mechanical presence detection methods with automated electronic systems. Instead of requiring users to physically interact with detection devices, the system uses mobile device transmitters and receivers to automatically detect and communicate presence information through electronic signals.
2Reliability
If reliable presence detection is implemented without user actions, then consumer engagement improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mobile devices that already possess multiple functions (communication, location tracking, identification) for presence detection. By leveraging existing multi-functional mobile devices rather than introducing specialized single-function detection hardware, the system achieves reliable detection without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that centralizes the complex detection logic and offer generation processes. The mobile device and detection system communicate simple presence information to the server, which handles the complex tasks of determining presence status, selecting relevant offers, and managing rewards, thereby distributing system complexity rather than concentrating it in single devices.
3Productivity
If location-based targeted advertising is implemented, then advertising efficiency improves, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers targeted offers based on the user's specific location and profile characteristics. Instead of broadcasting generic advertising information to all users, the system analyzes individual user profiles and location data to provide locally optimized, personalized offers, thereby improving advertising efficiency while managing information processing through selective customization rather than comprehensive analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Various presence detection techniques are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system comprises a signal generator configured to generate a signal that includes a plurality of selected frequencies that are selected from among a set of candidate frequencies, wherein inclusion or exclusion of each candidate frequency in the signal encodes a bit of information and wherein the encoded information comprises a store identifier that identifies a retail store; and a transmitter configured to transmit the signal within the retail store; wherein presence of a device in the retail store is determined in response to reception of the signal at the device and extraction of the store identifier from the received signal by decoding the received signal.