Online/offline attribution system for internet of things platform and a method thereof

An online/offline attribution system for an internet-of-things platform. The online/offline attribution system includes a script module, pixel URL, consent database, sensor unit, a mapping module, and probabilistic device matching module. The script module is integrated with a digital platform to identify information about customers. The pixel URL is integrated with the script module to identify the MSISDN. The consent database stores consented MSISDN. The probabilistic device matching module determines the digital interactions of the customers across computing units. The sensor unit retrieves a unique identification number associated with the mobile device and transmits to the telecom server unit. The mapping module maps the retrieved unique identification number with stored consented MSISDN to generate and transmit a mapped consented MSISDN to backend server unit.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to an online/offline attribution system for an internet-of-things platform, and specifically relates to a system and method to identify and relate a plurality of physical interactions in a premises of an organization and digital interactions over a digital platform of the organization to track a journey of a customer across physical and digital platforms.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, computing devices include cookies to store the browsing activities of the customer as digital data. Such digital data of the customer is rich in information and have consequently attracted much attention in disciplines relating to the customer data analytics. Typically, the digital data of the customer indicates the preferences of the customer.

Various organizations such as retailers, marketing agencies, etc. track the sales by identifying the potential customer's journey on a specific digital platform. This approach restricts the analysis and forecasting of the sales if a specific customer visits different digital platforms before deciding to buy a specific product/service. Further, this approach does not use the customer's physical activities at the premises of the organizations which lead to inaccurate sales projections and forecasting.

To capture and store the physical interactions or activities of the customer in a premises (store location, showrooms, and shops), the organizations use computing units (POS) or sensor units. Due to the advent in the digital platforms, the captured physical interaction data is insufficient to determine the overall intentions and buying behavior of the customers. There are no systems and methods that exist to combine the digital activities and the physical activities of the customer, to provide for improved data capture.

Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for combining the physical and digital activities of the customer to estimate the sales and one or more interests/habits of the customer. Further, there is also a need for an online/offline attribution system and method for an internet-of-things platform.

Thus, in view of the above, there is a long-felt need in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The system and method of the present invention provides for an online/offline attribution system and method for an internet-of-things platform.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an online/offline attribution system for an internet-of-things platform. The online/offline attribution system comprises a script module, pixel Uniform Resource Locator (URL), a consent database, a probabilistic device matching module, a telecom server unit, a sensor unit, a mapping module, and a backend server unit. The script module is integrated with a digital platform of an organization. The script module comprises a plurality executable instructions integrated into the digital platform of the organization to identify a plurality of information pertaining to one or more customers.

The plurality of information includes at least an identified information that is selected from at least one of: a frequency of accessing the digital platform, time of accessing the digital platform, type of one or more computing units used to access the digital platform, location of the computing unit, internet protocol (IP) address used to access the digital platform, and type of access networks.

The pixel Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is integrated with the script module to identify the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN). The computing unit is selected from at least one of a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a mobile device.

The consent database is integrated with a telecom server unit to store a plurality of consented mobile station international subscriber directory numbers (MSISDN) corresponding to the customers. The consent database receives the identified mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) of the customer from the pixel URL.

The probabilistic device matching module is configured with a backend server unit to determine a plurality of digital interactions of the customers across the computing units based on the MSISDN identified by the pixel URL and transmits the determined digital interaction data to the backend server unit.

The sensor unit can be installed in premises of the organization to detect the presence of a mobile device of the customer in proximity and to retrieve a unique identification number associated with the mobile device by establishing a radio signal communication with the mobile device, or any other means. The sensor unit transmits the retrieved unique identification number to the telecom server unit.

The mapping module is integrated with the telecom server unit to map the retrieved unique identification number with the stored consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) to generate and transmit a mapped consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) to the backend server unit. The sensor unit determines a plurality of physical interactions of the customer in the premises based on the mapped consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) and transmitted the detected physical interactions data to the backend server unit.

In an aspect, the probabilistic device matching module utilizes a plurality of algorithms to identify if the digital platform is accessed from the plurality of computing units and access networks of the same customer.

In an aspect, the backend server unit stores the digital interactions data and the physical interactions data to generate a customized marketing data for the organization corresponding to each of the customers.

In an aspect, the executable instructions identify the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) on detecting that the digital platform is accessed through the mobile device.

In an aspect, the digital platform comprises one or more digital assets and assigns a plurality of identification number to each of the digital assets to determine the digital asset accessed by the customer.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for identifying a physical interaction and a digital interaction of a customer. The method comprises a step of identifying a plurality of information about one or more customers through a script module integrated with a digital platform of an organization. The script module comprises a plurality of executable instructions integrated into the digital platform of the organization.

The method then includes the step of assigning a plurality of identification number to a plurality of digital assets to determine which digital asset is accessed by the customer through the digital platform. The digital platform comprises the digital assets. Further, the method includes the step of identifying the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) by utilizing a pixel Uniform Resource Locator (URL) integrated with the script module. The method further includes a step of storing a plurality of consented mobile station international subscriber directory numbers (MSISDN) corresponding to the customers in a consent database integrated with a telecom server unit.

The method includes a step of receiving the identified mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) of the customer from the script module through the consent database. The method includes a step of determining a plurality of digital interactions of the customers across the computing units based on the MSISDN identified by the pixel URL through a probabilistic device matching module and transmitting the determined digital interaction data to a backend server unit. The method includes a step of detecting the presence of a mobile device of the customer in proximity and retrieving a unique identification number associated with the mobile device through a sensor unit installed in premises of the organization by establishing a radio signal communication with the mobile device.

Further, the method includes a step of transmitting the retrieved unique identification number to the telecom server unit. The method then includes a step of mapping the retrieved unique identification number with the stored consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) through a mapping module integrated with the telecom server unit. The method includes a step of generating and transmitting a mapped consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) to the backend server unit. The method includes a step of determining a plurality of physical interactions of the customer in the premises based on the mapped consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) through the sensor unit. The method then includes a step of transmitting the detected physical interactions data to the backend server unit. Furthermore, the method includes a step of storing the digital interactions data and the physical interactions data to generate customized marketing data for the organization corresponding to each of the customers through the backend server unit.

Accordingly, one advantage of the present invention is that it identifies and relates a plurality of physical interactions and digital interactions of the customer to provide an effective marketing return to the organization.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it optimizes the marketing spend and time of the organizations.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it increases sales by establishing a digital marketing capability.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it identifies the marketing vehicles that may be effective to influence the user's shopping experience.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it enables the organization to acquire, develop and retain high-value customers more profitably and effectively by utilizing the customer data.

Another advantage of the present invention is that enables the organization to determine which items to be stocked and where to maximize profit.

Other features of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

Yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art following the detailed description, wherein the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated herein for carrying out the invention. As we realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description thereof are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. The term “method” refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques, and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. The descriptions, examples, methods, and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the technology described herein.

FIG. 1illustrates a block diagram100of the present online/offline attribution system for an internet-of-things platform, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The online/offline attribution system comprises a script module102, a pixel Uniform Resource Locator (URL)107, a consent database110, a probabilistic device matching module118, a telecom server unit112, a sensor unit114, a mapping module116, and a backend server unit120.

In the preferred embodiment, the script module102is integrated with a digital platform104of an organization. The script module102comprises a plurality of executable instructions103integrated into the digital platform104of the organization to identify a plurality of information pertaining to one or more customers. The identified information is selected from at least one of a frequency of accessing the digital platform104, time of accessing the digital platform104, type of one or more computing units106used to access the digital platform104, location of the computing unit106, internet protocol (IP) address used to access the digital platform106, and type of access networks.

The executable instructions103identify the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) on detecting that the digital platform104is accessed through the mobile device106a. The pixel Uniform Resource Locator (URL)107is integrated with the script module to identify the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN). The executable instructions103act as a software development kit (SDK) to allow the creation of the applications, package, framework, and platform for the present system. In an embodiment, the executable instructions103are pixel scripts.

The executable instructions103evokes the pixel URL107. The pixel URL107provides a framework for discoverable and interoperable advanced communication services and functionality. Further, the pixel URL107is header enriched with the MSISDN provided by the telecom server unit120. Furthermore, the pixel URL107accesses the MSISDN from the header. The pixel URL107pings the MSISDN in the consent database110. If the MSISDN exists in the consent database220, then only the pixel URL passes the MSISDN to the script module102.

The digital platform104comprises one or more digital assets (108a,108n), and assigns a plurality of identification number to each of the digital assets108to determine which digital asset is accessed by the customer. Examples of the computing unit106include but not limited to a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a mobile device. The digital platform104includes but not limited to a web page, a software application, a social media platform, an advertisement banner, etc. Examples of the digital assets108a,108nare various sub-pages within the web page or various sub-options of the software applications. The plurality of identification numbers is unique pixels to identify the digital platform on which it was originally integrated.

The consent database110is integrated with a telecom server unit112to store a plurality of consented mobile station international subscriber directory numbers (MSISDN) corresponding to the customers. The consent database110receives the identified mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) of the customer from the script module102. In an embodiment, the consent database110is realized through various technologies such as, but not limited to, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, IBM DB2®, Microsoft Access®, PostgreSQL®, MySQL® and SQLite®, and the like.

The probabilistic device matching module118is configured with a backend server unit120to determine a plurality of digital interactions of the customers across the computing units106based on the MSISDN identified by the pixel URL107and transmits the determined digital interaction data to the backend server unit120. The probabilistic device matching module118utilizes a plurality of algorithms to identify if the digital platform is accessed from the similar computing units106and similar access networks.

In an embodiment, the probabilistic device matching module118utilizes a likelihood ratio method to assign comparison outcomes to the correct, or more likely decision. The likelihood ratio method leverages a statistical theory and data analysis and, thus, can establish more accurate links between various digital data of the customer. The present the probabilistic device matching module118assigns a percentage value to indicate the probability of a match. The size of digital data is huge which may lead to potential duplicates, human error, and discrepancies. Hence the present probabilistic device matching module118is designed to determine links between identified digital data effectively. The present probabilistic device matching module118may utilize various machine learning algorithms to accurately evaluate the customer's browsing patterns without sacrificing the browsing speed.

The sensor unit114is installed in premises of the organization to detect the presence of a mobile device106aof the customer in proximity and to retrieve a unique identification number associated with the mobile device106aby establishing a radio signal communication with the mobile device106a, or any other means of communication. The sensor unit114transmits the retrieved unique identification number to the telecom server unit112. In an embodiment, the present sensor unit114is modified “femtocell.” The premise is a physical location of the organization that includes but not limited to a shop, a showroom, a store, a mall, etc.

In an embodiment, the sensor unit114utilizes a communication module to transmit the retrieved unique identification number and a sensor identification number to the telecom server unit112over a communication network. The communication network includes, but is not limited to, the Internet, a cloud network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a telephone line (POTS), and/or a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

In an embodiment, the sensor unit114determines a plurality of physical interactions of the customer in the premises based on the consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) and transmits the detected physical interactions data to the backend server unit120after checking the consent. The communication module establishes a secure communication network to establish a communication between the sensor unit114, the telecom server unit112and the backend server unit120. The sensor unit114uses AES 256 bits of encryption technique to secure the communication. The data to be transmitted is ciphered using 256 bits secret cryptographic key which is deciphered at the telecom server unit112and the backend server unit120using the same secret key.

The mapping module116is integrated with the telecom server unit112to map the retrieved unique identification number with the stored consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) to generate and transmit a mapped consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) to the backend server unit120. The backend server unit120stores the digital interactions data and the physical interactions data to generate a customized marketing data for the organization corresponding to each of the customers.

In an embodiment, the backend server unit120executes procedures such as, but not limited to, programs, routines, or scripts stored in one or more memories for supporting the hosted application or the software service. In an embodiment, the hosted application or the software service is configured to perform one or more predetermined operations. Examples of the backend server unit120include but not limited to a Java application server, a .NET framework application server, a Base4 application server, a PHP framework application server, or any other application server framework.

The combination of the data processed by the probabilistic device matching module118and the retrieved MSISDN by the pixel URL107provides accurate results to identify the digital journey of the customers across all the computing units106operated by the customers. In operation, the MSISDN received at the digital platform is mapped with the MSISDN received at the physical location through the sensor unit114to provide end to end the journey of the customer and in return provides an effective marketing return to the organization.

FIG. 2illustrates a flowchart200of the method for identifying a physical interaction and a digital interaction of a customer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method comprises a step202of identifying a plurality of information about one or more customers through a script module integrated with a digital platform of an organization. The script module comprises a plurality executable instructions integrated into the digital platform of the organization. The identified information is selected from at least one of a frequency of accessing the digital platform, time of accessing the digital platform, type of one or more computing units used to access the digital platform, location of the computing unit, internet protocol (IP) address used to access the digital platform, type of access networks, and mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN).

The method then includes the step204of assigning a plurality of identification number to a plurality of digital assets to determine which digital asset is accessed by the customer through the digital platform. The digital platform comprises the digital assets. Further, the method includes the step206of identifying the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) by utilizing a pixel Uniform Resource Locator (URL) integrated with the script module. The method further includes a step208of storing a plurality of consented mobile station international subscriber directory numbers (MSISDN) corresponding to the customers in a consent database integrated with a telecom server unit.

The method includes a step210of receiving the identified mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) of the customer from the script module through the consent database. The method includes a step212of determining a plurality of digital interactions of the customers across the computing units based on the MSISDN identified by the pixel URL through a probabilistic device matching module. Then the method includes a step214of transmitting the determined digital interaction data to a backend server unit.

The method includes a step216of detecting the presence of a mobile device of the customer in proximity and retrieving a unique identification number associated with the mobile device through a sensor unit installed in premises of the organization by establishing a radio signal communication with the mobile device. Further, the method includes a step218of transmitting the retrieved unique identification number to the telecom server unit. The method then includes a step220of mapping the retrieved unique identification number with the stored consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) through a mapping module integrated with the telecom server unit. The method includes a step222of generating and transmitting a mapped consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) to the backend server unit. The method includes a step224of determining a plurality of physical interactions of the customer in the premises based on the mapped consented mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) through the sensor unit. The method then includes a step226of transmitting the detected physical interactions data to the backend server unit. Finally, the method includes a step228of storing the digital interactions data and the physical interactions data to generate a customized marketing data for the organization corresponding to each of the customers through the backend server unit.

Thus the present system and method enable an organization (retailers, businesses, and electronic commerce websites) to optimize the effectiveness of marketing return by tracking the customer's journey across digital and physical channels by utilizing a combination of header enrichment mechanism and probabilistic device matching module. Further, the present invention accurately identifies the customer in the digital world and the physical world so that the organizations can manage their marketing resources effectively. Additionally, the present invention not only helps the retailers but can also be utilized in the organization operating in the consumer goods domain, banking, insurance, telecom, media, and healthcare to enhance their sales.