Patent ID: 8239286
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: G06Q,H04W

Abstract:
1. A tangible computer-readable storage medium that does not consist of a propagated data signal, said tangible computer-readable storage medium being encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method comprising: monitoring locations of a mobile communication device operated by a consumer; identifying a profile associated with the consumer; based on monitoring, ascertaining a first location of the mobile communication device; identifying a first merchant entity operating a first retail location within a service region of a wireless communication network having a wireless network node hosting services offered by a virtual retail system that provides the customer with a virtual retail experience on behalf of the first merchant entity; when the first location is within the service region, establishing a wireless communication session between the mobile communication device and the wireless network node; via the wireless communication session, when the mobile communication device is at the first location, transmitting to the mobile communication device information regarding a first commodity that is available for transfer on behalf of the first merchant entity; arranging for an exchange of consideration between the consumer and the first merchant entity via the wireless communication session through the virtual retail system, the consideration from the consumer comprising a promise to receive advertising via the wireless communication session in exchange for the first commodity, to complete a virtual retail experience; via the wireless communication session, collecting information regarding a behavior of the consumer, the behavior related to the virtual retail experience; based on the collected information, updating the profile; based on the updated profile, identifying a second merchant that has formed an affiliation with the first merchant based on the updated profile, wherein the second merchant operates a second retail location, said virtual retail system providing the customer with a virtual retail experience on behalf of the second merchant entity; based on monitoring, ascertaining a second location of the mobile communication device; determining a distance between the second location and the second retail location; and when the determined distance is less than a predetermined distance, wirelessly transmitting to the mobile communication device information regarding a second commodity that is available for transfer to the consumer on behalf of the second merchant entity through the virtual retail system, aspects of the virtual retail experience able to follow the consumer based on the collected information.