SHORT RANGE ADVERTISING SYSTEM

Aspects of an advertising system are disclosed herein. In one example there is disclosed an advertising system. The system includes at least a short-range communication beacon associated with at least one business; and an advertisement (ad) generator, the ad generator comprising a user interface for receiving advertising inputs from the at least one business, the advertising inputs at least including promotional information about the business; a processor configured to generate at least one advertisement (ad) for the at least one business based on the promotional information; and a communication interface configured to receive a signal that includes at least one identifier of the short-range transmitter proximate a mobile communication device and associated with the at least one business. The communication interface sends at least one generated ad to the mobile communication device, based on the received transmitter identifier, for display thereon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to short range advertising and, more specifically, a short range advertising system which enables businesses to broadcast messages to potential customers near or about their business.

BACKGROUND

Businesses have heretofore relied upon traditional print, electronic mail, and web advertising to publicize advertisements (ads) or special deals available for customers. Traditional print ads are sent via mass-mailings or in newspaper advertising bundles and generally not targeted to specific customers, as are web-based pop-ups or ads on websites.

Recently, technology development has made it easier for businesses to communicate ads and specials more directly with customers. For example, some businesses use electronic mail (e-mail) and text ads or messages for customers who agree to subscribe to such notices.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are various aspects and components of short range advertising systems. In one aspect, there is disclosed an advertisement (ad) generator. The ad generator may comprise a user interface for receiving advertising inputs for at least one business, the advertising inputs at least including promotional information about the business; a processor configured to generate at least one advertisement (ad) for the business based on the promotional information; and a communication interface configured to receive a signal that includes at least one identifier of a short-range transmitter proximate a mobile communication device and associated with the business. The communication interface sends at least one generated ad to the mobile communication device, based on the received identifier, for display thereon.

In another aspect, there is disclosed an advertising system. The advertising system may include at least a short-range communication beacon associated with at least one business; and an advertisement (ad) generator. The ad generator may include at least a user interface for receiving advertising inputs from the at least one business, the advertising inputs at least including promotional information about the business; a processor configured to generate at least one advertisement (ad) for the at least one business based on the promotional information; and a communication interface configured to receive a signal that includes at least one identifier of the short-range transmitter proximate a mobile communication device and associated with the at least one business. The communication interface sends at least one generated ad to the mobile communication device, based on the received transmitter identifier, for display thereon.

In yet another aspect, there is disclosed a method for presenting advertisements on a mobile communication device, the method comprising at least providing a short-range communication beacon having an identifier to a business; and providing an ad generator. The ad generator may include at least a user interface for receiving advertising inputs for the business, the advertising inputs at least including promotional information about the business; a processor configured to generate at least one advertisement (ad) for the business based on the promotional information; and a communication interface configured to receive a signal that includes at least the identifier of the short-range communication beacon proximate a mobile communication device and associated with the business. The communication interface sends at least one generated ad to the mobile communication device, based on the received identifier, for display thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Businesses use various advertising and marketing tools to reach as many customers as possible. Paper ads andcircularshave been widely used to advertise special prices and sales, but are only effective when a customer picks up and reads through them, which can be time consuming. Paper coupons or specials have also been used for sales and special pricing, but a customer generally needs to remember to bring such an ad. As may often occur, a potential customer passes by a business and did not originally plan on entering the business, but if a customer learns of a special offer or sale, the customer may then decide to enter the business.

Recent developments in technology have enabled businesses to reach more customers via e-mails, web ads, and text ads. Web ads are similar to paper ads andcircularsin that a customer must take the time to search for them in some cases, and then take the time to read through them, sort them, and be able to recall them when conducting a transaction with a business. While e-mail and text messages may be easier for a customer to access when conducting a transaction, a customer generally needs to authorize a subscription to the business's communications or text alerts, requiring the customer to provide at least their e-mail and/or mobile telephone number, or other contact information to each business for which a customer subscribes. Recent data breaches and privacy concerns have created concern regarding the safety and security of customer contact and financial data. Businesses must maintain and secure their customer database to ensure contact information is updated and privacy concerns are addressed. In addition, the business must create and generate the advertisements, or retain an advertising or e-mail service, such as, e.g. “Constant Contact,” to send the advertisement e-mails and texts, and the advertisement e-mails and texts are only as good as the contact information entered.

Accordingly, the disclosure provides an advertisement (ad) generating system using short-range beacons associated with businesses. An ad generator generates ads or promotional alerts based on advertising inputs from a user associated with a business and transmits the ad notifications to mobile telephones that have passed within communication range of the beacon for display thereon without a potential customer having to share their e-mail, phone number, or any other contact information in order to receive the notification. The ad notification may display on a mobile telephone, similar to other notification alerts. For example, Business A is having a “buy one, get one free” special on product A. As a mobile communication device enters the range of the short-range beacon, associated, physically located with, or located near Business A, the mobile communication device receives the beacon's signal, including its beacon identifier (ID).

If the mobile communication device has an advertising application installed or operates with certain mobile operating platforms, the mobile communication device communicates with the ad generating system and transmits at least the beacon's ID. The ad generating system receives the signal and identifies a generated ad associated with the beacon ID for Business A and sends the generated ad to the mobile communication device for display thereon. If the mobile communication device does not have an advertising application installed thereon, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), commonly referred to as a web link or web address, received from the beacon may be displayed such that the potential customer may be able to download the application and/or directly access the ad or promotional information by accessing the URL.

An ad generating system according to the disclosure may include a computer program product configured to generate an ad based on a plurality of inputs and communicate the generated ad to a mobile communication device for display thereon according to details of the disclosure.

As discussed herein, an ad or advertisement, may include any marketing, sale, and/or promotional information and may also include community events and/or information. A business may include any retail, commercial, or government entity and/or any community organization, non-profit group or organization, and any other organized entity.

Turning now to the figures,FIG. 1illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of an ad generating system100constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The ad generating system100is configured to allow a user, such as an owner or employee at a business to interface with the system100in order to enter advertising or promotional information, such as sales, marketing information, timed offers, and/or specials currently offered or to be offered at the business. The business is provided a beacon105for association with the business and may be placed within or near the business's physical location. In some embodiments, the beacon105may be associated with or shared by multiple businesses, such as in a shopping center, or central community area. In some embodiments, there may be more than one beacon105or a group of beacons associated with the business. The beacon105may be a short-range communication beacon, such as, e.g., a BLUETOOTH® equipped beacon, and may use BLUETOOTH® low energy (BLE) technology, which uses less power and therefore consumes less energy than traditional BLUETOOTH® or other short-range communication technologies. The beacon105is identified by a unique identifier (ID) which identifies the beacon to other electronic devices, such as ad generator110and mobile communication device120.

The ad generating system100includes ad generator110having at least a first interface132for receiving one or more inputs from a user at a business. In some embodiments, the interface132may also receive inputs from another user which may be designing or configuring a display based on the inputs from the user at a business. The system100may also include a communication interface142for communicating with mobile communication device120. In some embodiments, the communication interface142may be a component of interface132.

The user at a business, such as Business A, may use any computing device or user interface configured to communicate with interface132of the ad generator110in order to provide inputs related to sales and/or marketing specials to be advertised to mobile devices within range of the beacon105, and accordingly, within a relatively similar distance from Business A. In one embodiment, the user at Business A communicates with the ad generator110via a web-based log-in system. The sales or specials may be date and/or time specific, so the user at Business A may log in to the interface132and update details and offers accordingly. The ad generator110receives the inputs and generates an ad to be displayed on any mobile device entering within a communication range of beacon105, and thus, potential customers of Business A. In one embodiment, the communication range of beacon105may be about 260 ft., but other ranges may be accomplished or available in other embodiments. The user may interface with the ad generator110via a conventional communication device such as a smart phone, a tablet, a pad, a laptop, a desktop, or another device capable of interfacing with a user and communicating via wireless connections, wired connections or a combination thereof. The user may also interface with the ad generator110via a web-based interface. In some embodiments, the user may also include a third party, such as an employee associated with the ad generator110who may prepare and input promotional data.

The ad generator110may include at least one interface132, a memory134and a processor136. The ad generator110or at least a portion thereof can be embodied as a series of operating instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that direct the operation of a processor when initiated. The ad generator110can be stored on a single computer or on multiple computers. The various components of the ad generator110can communicate via wireless or wired conventional connections. A portion of the ad generator110can be located on a server and other portions of the content provider110can be located on a computing device or devices that are connected to the server via a network or networks. In some embodiments, the ad generator110may be housed on a network, or may be stored at another computer storage facility. In one embodiment, the ad generator110is implemented on a server that includes the necessary logic and memory to perform the functions disclosed herein. Accordingly, the ad generator110can also be a website hosted on a web server, or servers, and that is accessible via the World Wide Web. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) can be used to access various webpages of the ad generator110.

The interface132is a component or device interface configured to couple the ad generator110to a user at Business A and receive inputs therefrom. The memory134is configured to store the various software aspects related to the ad generator110. Additionally, the memory134is configured to store the various software aspects related to the ad generator110. Additionally, the memory134is configured to store a series of operating instructions that direct the operation of the processor136when initiated. The memory134is a non-transitory computer readable medium. The memory134can be the memory of a server.

The processor136is configured to direct the operation of the ad generator110. As such, the processor136includes the necessary logic to communicate with the interface132and the memory134and perform the functions described herein to generate an ad based on a plurality of inputs received by the ad generator110. The processor136can be part of a server.

A communication interface142may be a second interface, or may be incorporated into interface132. The communication interface142is configured to communicate with mobile communication device120, mobile communication device120including any mobile device which is in communication range of beacon105. Mobile communication device120is a wireless communication and computing device capable of both voice and data communication may be a mobile telephone, tablet, pad, or any personal communication device configured for short-range and long-range communication.

In one embodiment, the mobile communication device120may be a mobile phone configured for long-range wireless communication, including, but not limited to Long-term evolution (LTE) communications technology, Fourth Generation (4G) communications technologies, and Third generation (3G) communication technologies. In other embodiments, the mobile communication device120may be a handheld communication device that is only equipped for short-range wireless communication, such as, e.g., a tablet equipped with only short-range connectivity, such as Wi-Fi, and not configured for long-range communication. The mobile communication device120may include in its operating system, a short-range communication device search and discovery tool, such as “BLUTOOTH® Discovery Mode” on APPLE® platforms and a physical web interface, or “Nearby Notifications” on GOOGLE® and ANDROID® platforms. If short-range communication such as BLUETOOTH® is turned on, the device is constantly searching for BLUETOOTH® enabled devices, and as such, receives the beacon's ID when entering within the range of the beacon.

When mobile communication device120enters within the communication range of beacon105, the beacon105transmits a signal to the mobile communication device120. The signal includes at least a beacon identifier (ID). The signal may also include additional data fields, including a URL. The URL may be the web link to download and install a promotional application onto the mobile communication device, or in sme embodiments, the URL may be associated with the business so the customer may directly access a web site associated with the business. The additional data fields may include a title, a subtitle, and a description. For example, the title may include the business name, the subtitle may indicate that the customer is near a promotion, and a description may give a direction to click or access the provided URL to access the promotion or ad.

If the mobile communication device120has an advertising application installed, a communication interface capable of detecting a short-range beacon signal, such as, e.g. a physical web interface, built into the operating system of mobile communication device120, detects the beacon ID and sends a signal to the ad generator110, the signal including the beacon ID. The ad generator110processes the received signal and beacon ID and determines which business and beacon the mobile communication device is near. For example, mobile communication device120is near Business A, so ad generator110sends or pushes the ad associated Business A and Business A's beacon to the mobile communication device120for display thereon. The operating system within the mobile communication device120receives the ad and displays the ad on mobile communication device120. In some embodiments, the mobile communication device may be configured to provide an audible or tactile alert in addition to the visual alert with the ad information.

In some embodiments, an application (app) may installed and executed on the mobile communication device120, the app configured to display alerts and ads on the display of mobile communication device120. In some embodiments, if the mobile communication device120does not have the app installed, an alert may display on the mobile communication device120that a promotion or sale is being offered at a nearby business and prompt the user to download and install the app for further information regarding the sale or promotion. In some embodiments, the app executes a command on the mobile communication device120to communicate with the ad generator to retrieve the nearby sales and promotions.

In one example, an advertising app, such as a “Netcinity” app available on most mobile communication device operating platforms is configured to execute commands on mobile communication device120to connect mobile communication device120with the ad generator and send the beacon id, and then process an ad received from the ad generator for display on mobile communication device120.

In some examples where an advertising app such as “Netcinity” is not installed, the processor of the mobile communication device120may include command instructions such as “Nearby Notification” or another physical web interface to receive signal from the beacon105, including beacon id and additional data, and generate an alert on mobile communication device120, notifying the user that a nearby business has an ad and alert the user to download and install the app. In other embodiments, the alert may include a URL though which the customer can access the ad by linking directly to the URL without downloading the app.

In one embodiment, the physical web interface may be an application (app) installed on the mobile communication device120. In other embodiments, the physical web interface may be incorporated with the operating system of either the mobile communication device120and/or another app installed on the mobile devices. In one embodiment, the physical web interface may be incorporated with and supported by the GOOGLE CHROME® app, which is installed on many phones. In another embodiment, the physical web app may be supported by an APPLE® operating system and/or web browser.

In some embodiments, the advertising app may be configured to display information related to one or more local communities in which the holder of the mobile communication lives or works. The local community ad app may be configured to communicate with the ad generator110and display at least one ad received from the ad generator on the mobile communication device120while the display screen is “locked” and not actively in use at the time the ad is received. An example of such a locked screen is shown hereinafter inFIG. 4.

In other embodiments, the beacon105may be associated with more than one business. For example, a shopping center may a few businesses that would like to alert nearby shoppers to sales and promotions. The ad generator110may recognize that the beacon ID has more than one business associated and may be configured to send multiple ads to the mobile communication device.

In other embodiments, the ad generator110may be configured to communicate with a payment app installed on mobile communication device120, such as e.g. APPLE WALLET®, GOOGLE WALLET®, PAYPAL®, and other payment apps which may be available and installed on the mobile communication device120.

In other embodiments, the system100may include an app which may be developed and created specifically for a user, such as Business A, which includes additional information regarding Business A in addition to ads, specials, and other subject matter which may be included in the generated ad.

Turning now toFIG. 2, there is illustrated an embodiment of a method200for generating an ad for display on a mobile communication device according to aspects of the disclosure. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the method200can be performed by a computing device as disclosed herein. A computing device may include the necessary logic circuitry to carry out the method200. In one embodiment, the method200or at least a portion thereof may be embodied as a series of operating instructions that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and used to direct the operation of a processor when initiated thereby. The method200begins in a step201.

In a step205, a short-range communication beacon is provided to a user, along with access to an interface to communicate inputs with an ad generator. The beacon has a unique transmitter identifier that may be assigned to the user's business by the ad generator.

In a step210, the user may input advertising information, such as sales and/or marketing specials, time periods for the sales and/or marketing specials, and other inputs which may affect how and when an ad is presented.

In a step215, the ad generator receives the advertising inputs and generates at least one ad based on the received inputs. The ad may be displayed on any mobile communication device which enters within a communication range of the beacon.

In a step220, a mobile communication device enters the communication range of the beacon and receives a signal from the beacon, the signal including at least the beacon's ID.

In a step225, the mobile communication device communicates with the ad generator and transmits at least the beacon ID to the ad generator.

In a step230, the ad generator receives the signal including the beacon ID and sends an ad back to the mobile communication device according to the beacon ID.

In a step235, the mobile communication receives the ad. In some embodiments, the ad is displayed on a display of the mobile communication device. In some embodiments, an advertising app may be installed on the mobile communication device, the app configured to execute instructions for communicating with the ad generator and displaying ad received from the ad generator on the mobile communication device. In some embodiments, where an advertising app is not installed on the mobile communication device, an alert may inform the holder of the mobile communication device know that there are businesses nearby having promotions, whereafter the mobile communication device holder may choose to download and install the advertising app. In some embodiments, the mobile communication device may receive a URL along with the beacon ID such that the holder may link directly to the business's website or promotional data via the URL. The mobile communication device may also be configured to alert the user via an audible or tactile signal, according to the settings on the mobile communication device.

In some embodiments, the ad may include a link enabling the holder of the mobile communication device to take further action. The link may include several additional options to be taken, including, but not limited to placing an online order, reserving an item(s), placing a seating reservation for business such as restaurants, making an appointment or similar reservation for service providers, and several other content options that may be presented by text, video, QR codes, and address and contact information included in the ad. For example, a restaurant such as Minnie's Uptown Restaurant may provide a link such that the holder of the mobile communication device may make a reservation for a meal. In another example, the holder of the mobile communication device may decide to place an online order with Shirley's Shoe Store Express. In yet another example, the holder of the mobile communication device may decide to place an order with Joe's Pizza for pickup. Accordingly, examples could include any reservation or online transaction that may be accomplished using a mobile communication device such as a smartphone and the like.

The method ends at a step240.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown an example of a screen300of a user interface which may be used by a user or programmer to interface with an ad generator such as ad generator110. The user may be a user at a business, or may be a third party user or programmer tasked with using a processor, such as processor136to create an ad for display on a mobile communication device. Inputs may include the business name, beacon identifier for a beacon located at or near the business, sale or promotional information, community information, business contact information, duration of the sale or promotion, and various other information which a business may want to be displayed to potential customers.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown one example of a “Home” screen400on a mobile communication device, which may show alerts regarding nearby promotions, sales, and other important information which may be provided on a “home” screen of a mobile communication device. As shown, an alert402may provide a specific business and information regarding a sale or promotion. Other alerts, not shown, my include typical alerts shown on a mobile communication device such as missed calls, text alerts, and other various alerts. The “Home” screen400shown inFIG. 4is for a mobile communication device having an app, such as “Netcinity,” installed thereon, wherein the app executes on a processor within the mobile communication device to communicate with an ad generator such as ad generator110to send a beacon ID and receive sales and information generated by the ad generator and thereafter display the received ads on the mobile communication device.

Referring now toFIG. 5, there is shown a vendor alert502which may be displayed on the mobile communication device. As shown in alert502, a promotional event is displayed and provides, in this example, a time limit for the promotion. In addition, this ad provides a plurality of links whereby the holder of the mobile communication device may take further action. In this ad, for example, there are three links which provide for the following: 1) placing an order online; 2) reserving an appointment with personnel in the store; and 3) reserving merchandise, such as a pair of athletic shoes. Also included in the ad display is a community in which the business is located in or associated with is displayed. In this example, the city of Sulphur Springs, is displayed, along with weather information, such as temperature and clouds/precipitation, etc. Hereinafter, inFIG. 8, an example of a community home screen will be provided.

Referring now toFIG. 6, there is shown an example of an alert which may be displayed on a mobile communication device that does not have an advertising app, such as “Netcinity,” installed thereon. In most mobile communication device operating systems enabled for short-range (such as BLUTOOTH®) communications, there is a short-range communication device search and discovery tool, such as “BLUTOOTH® Discovery Mode” on APPLE® platforms and a physical web interface, or “Nearby Notifications” on GOOGLE® and ANDROID® platforms, that is constantly searching for short-range communication devices, similar to BLUETOOTH® beacons. If the short-range communication mode is enabled on the mobile communication device and the mobile communication device enters within a communication range of a beacon at a business, the mobile communication device will detect the signal from the beacons and receive its beacon identifier. If an advertising app is not installed on the mobile communication device, the processor of the mobile communication device will generate an alert for display on the device. As shown in the alert602, the alert may include at least a Title, an icon for the advertising app, a description that a promotion is nearby, and a uniform resource locator (URL) through which the advertising app may be downloaded in order to view and access the promotion or business information.

Referring now toFIG. 7, there is shown another example of an alert702which may be displayed on a mobile communication device when the mobile communication receives a signal from a short range transmitter, such as a beacon.

Referring now toFIG. 8, there is shown an example of a community “home” screen which may be on a mobile communication device having an advertising app such as “Netcinity,” installed thereon. The home screen may be generated by an ad generator such as ad generator110based on inputs from either a user at the business or a user with programming or input access to the ad generator. The inputs may be specific for each community and may include automated inputs from a weather service for the community, local events, news alerts, community and business ads, and any other inputs which may be desired for business and app users in each community.

Referring now toFIG. 9, there is shown another example of a community “home” screen which may be displayed on a mobile communication device having an advertising app, such as “Netcinity,” installed thereon. In the example shown, the alerts and information are arranged by categories. As seen inFIGS. 8 and 9, the alerts and information may contain a number of different types of information and may be displayed in any number of arrangements or configurations.

A portion of the above-described apparatus, systems or methods may be embodied in or performed by various, such as conventional, digital data processors or computers, wherein the computers are programmed or store executable programs of sequences of software instructions to perform one or more of the steps of the methods. The software instructions of such programs may represent algorithms and be encoded in machine-executable form on non-transitory digital data storage media, e.g., magnetic or optical disks, random-access memory (RAM), magnetic hard disks, flash memories, and/or read-only memory (ROM), to enable various types of digital data processors or computers to perform one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more of the above-described methods, or functions, systems or apparatuses described herein.

In one aspect, an advertisement (ad) generator may comprise a user interface for receiving advertising inputs for at least one business, the advertising inputs at least including promotional information about the business; a processor configured to generate at least one advertisement (ad) for the business based on the promotional information; and a communication interface configured to receive a signal that includes at least one identifier of a short-range transmitter proximate a mobile communication device and associated with the business. The communication interface sends at least one generated ad to the mobile communication device, based on the received identifier, for display thereon.

In another aspect, an advertising system may include at least a short-range communication beacon associated with at least one business; and an advertisement (ad) generator. The ad generator may include at least a user interface for receiving advertising inputs from the at least one business, the advertising inputs at least including promotional information about the business; a processor configured to generate at least one advertisement (ad) for the at least one business based on the promotional information; and a communication interface configured to receive a signal that includes at least one identifier of the short-range transmitter proximate a mobile communication device and associated with the at least one business. The communication interface sends at least one generated ad to the mobile communication device, based on the received transmitter identifier, for display thereon.

In yet another aspect, a method for presenting advertisements on a mobile communication device include at least providing a short-range communication beacon having an identifier to a business; and providing an ad generator. The ad generator may include at least a user interface for receiving advertising inputs for the business, the advertising inputs at least including promotional information about the business; a processor configured to generate at least one advertisement (ad) for the business based on the promotional information; and a communication interface configured to receive a signal that includes at least the identifier of the short-range communication beacon proximate a mobile communication device and associated with the business. The communication interface sends at least one generated ad to the mobile communication device, based on the received identifier, for display thereon.

Any of the foregoing aspects may include at least or more of the following elements:a) wherein the ad is configured for display through a mobile application (app) installed on the mobile communication device;b) wherein the user is a third party not associated with the business;c) wherein the signal further includes a Uniform Resource Locater (URL);d) wherein the URL includes a link to install a mobile application (app) on the mobile communication device;e) wherein the URL includes promotional information about the business;f) wherein the processor is further configured to prepare a community display for display on the mobile communication device based on the inputs; andg) providing a mobile application (app) for installation and operation on the mobile communication device, the app configured to display the at least one generated ad.