Method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices

A method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices whereby a marketing device management system obtains: data representing one or more marketing devices from one or more merchants; location refinement data associated with the merchants; location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; and location refinement data associated with a consumer. The marketing device management system includes a marketing device matching engine that includes a location refinement matching filter. The location refinement matching filter uses all, or part of: the location refinement data associated with the merchant; the location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; and the location refinement data associated with the consumer; to determine the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state. The most relevant marketing devices are then provided to the consumer.

BACKGROUND

Many small business owners, such as providers of consumer products and services, and other advertisers, herein collectively referred to as “merchants”, offer marketing devices, such as promotional and/or discount offers, price guarantee offers, bundled offers, coupons, and vouchers, to consumers in an effort to attract and/or encourage business.

Traditionally, marketing devices were distributed in “hard-copy”, or printed, form, by various means, including, but not limited to: by mail; in newspapers; in magazines; in flyers and inserts; at store fronts and/or product displays; and/or as attachments to store receipts (i.e., printed on the back of a receipt or appended to a receipt).

More recently, marketing devices have been offered/distributed as “electronic media based marketing devices” using electronic means such as, but not limited to: networks of computing systems, including public networks such as the Internet; mobile networks and computing systems, such as smart phones; various advertising/coupon web-sites; e-mail; electronic coupon attachments to electronic receipts; and electronic coupon attachments to transactional data, such as, but not limited to, transactional data from, and/or displayed by, banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions.

Even more recently, “mobile coupons” have become increasingly popular. Using mobile coupons, a marketing device is provided that is a type of electronic media based marketing device made available to, and/or delivered to, a consumer via a display device on one or more mobile computing systems, or other mobile devices. In many instances, once a mobile coupon is made available, or delivered, to the consumer via the display device, the mobile coupon is also presented to a seller of products and/or services, and/or is used, by displaying the mobile coupon to a merchant via the display device on the one or more mobile computing systems, or other mobile devices, or by another form of data transfer.

In addition, in many parts of the world, marketing devices, including mobile coupons, are now distributed via non-Internet based communication channels, such as communications networks supporting Short Message Service (SMS) communications and/or in SMS messages.

In order to most efficiently use their marketing and/or advertising resources, merchants, and particularly small business owners/operators, typically want to ensure their marketing devices are distributed to “real potential customers”, i.e., consumers who are most likely to be motivated by the marketing device to make a purchase of a given product and/or service.

In addition, consumers typically want to ensure that any marketing devices they receive are useful to the consumer and are made available to the consumer in a timely manner, i.e., when the consumer is likely to want to use the marketing device.

One way to theoretically help ensure marketing devices are relevant to the receiving consumers is to generate and distribute marketing devices based, at least in part, on the location of the consumer and the proximity of the merchant offering the marketing device. However, location based marketing devices selected based on the physical distance between the current, or expected, location of the consumer and the merchant offering the marketing device will not necessarily yield the desired result. That is to say, location based marketing devices selected for, and distributed to, a given consumer based simply on the merchant's location being physically closest to the consumer's actual, or presumed, location, with little, or no, further analysis of the subject product or service, the consumer's current state, or the logistics of the situation/purchase, will often result in the distribution of marketing devices that are not relevant to the consumer's actual situation.

While location based marketing devices that emphasize only the physical distance between the location of the consumer and the merchant are arguably better than blindly mass distributed marketing devices, the strict, and undue, emphasis on the physical distance between the location of the consumer and the merchant offering the marketing devices is often far too simplistic an approach. Indeed, recent research has shown that merely using proximity of a consumer to a merchant as a means to filter out “relevant marketing devices” from “irrelevant marketing devices” all too often results in the distribution of irrelevant, and unwanted, marketing devices to consumers, and some likely customers not receiving relevant marketing devices.

For instance, some currently available location based marketing devices, and the current simplistic and binary methods for determining location relevancy, often ignore several other important location relevancy/refinement factors, such as, but not limited to, the type of item the consumer is looking to purchase. Recent research has found that if a consumer is looking for a durable item, such as a washing machine or a refrigerator, then marketing devices from merchants in closest neighboring areas are not particularly more relevant to that consumer than marketing devices from merchants in outlying areas and, therefore, other factors may be more useful in determining the most relevant marketing devices. However, on the contrary, if a consumer is looking for a non-durable, semi-durable, or a consumable item, such as groceries, clothing, or disposable household items, research has found that marketing devices from merchants in areas closest to the consumer are much more important and relevant to that consumer.

Another example of how some currently available location based marketing devices, and the current simplistic and binary methods for determining location relevancy, ignore other important location relevancy/refinement factors, is the fact that currently available location based marketing devices typically fail to take into account the present state of the consumer, such as whether the current location of the consumer indicates the consumer is out shopping or at home. If a consumer is not yet shopping, i.e., is at home or at work, then marketing devices from merchants in any reasonable proximity to the consumer, or even in a neighboring suburb/city, are typically relevant to that consumer. However, if the consumer is already in a shopping area, such as a mall, then marketing devices from merchants in that immediate shopping area are far more relevant to the consumer.

Another example of how some currently available location based marketing devices, and the current simplistic and binary methods for determining location relevancy, ignore other important location relevancy/refinement factors, is the fact that currently available location based marketing devices typically fail to take into account any personal data associated with the consumer themselves. For instance, assume a consumer is a woman and sends a search request for marketing devices associated with shoes. Using current methods for determining location based marketing devices, a marketing device for a men's clothing and shoe store, which happens to be the closet shoe selling merchant to the consumer who offers a marketing device, could be sent back in response to the search request. Clearly this would be an irrelevant marketing device with respect to this consumer.

Another example of how some currently available location based marketing devices, and the current simplistic and binary methods for determining location relevancy, ignore other important location relevancy/refinement factors, is the fact that currently available location based marketing devices typically fail to take into account logistical factors, such as, but not limited to, the availability of public transportation to a merchant's location, traffic between the consumer's location and merchant's location, the day of the week associated with the consumer's search and/or the terms of the marketing device, or the time of day associated with the consumer's search and/or the terms of the marketing device. However, all these factors can play an important role, if not determinative role, in assessing the relevancy of a location based marketing device to a given consumer.

As discussed above, currently available location based marketing devices, and the current simplistic and binary methods for determining location relevancy, often ignore other important location relevancy/refinement factors. As a result, currently, many marketing devices are distributed to consumers that have no real interest in the marketing devices and many consumers who would have interest in marketing devices do not receive the most relevant marketing devices. This is clearly not ideal for either the merchants associated with the marketing devices or the consumers. In addition, the situation described above has the potential to cause a consumer, who is tired of receiving irrelevant marketing devices, to unsubscribe and leave the marketing device management and distribution system altogether; again this is not a good result for either the merchants associated with the marketing devices or the consumers.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices includes a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices whereby, in one embodiment, a marketing device management system obtains data representing one or more marketing devices from one or more merchants. In one embodiment, a merchant providing a marketing device is initially asked to provide location refinement data associated with the merchant, such as, but not limited to, the merchant's location, the merchant's hours of operation, the merchant's shipping policies, and/or the merchant's service policies and capabilities. In one embodiment, the location refinement data associated with the merchants is used to create, or supplement, merchant profiles for each of the merchants.

In one embodiment, the data representing the marketing devices is analyzed to determine location refinement data associated with the marketing devices such as, but not limited to, the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing device, and/or the terms of the marketing device. In one embodiment, the data representing the marketing devices, and therefore the marketing devices, are categorized and stored in a marketing device database.

In one embodiment, when a consumer subscribes to the marketing device management system, the consumer is asked to provide location refinement data associated with the consumer, such as, but not limited to, the consumer's home address, the consumer's work address, and/or to provide access to data associated with the consumer from one or more data management systems associated with the consumer. In one embodiment, location refinement data associated with the consumer is used to create, or supplement, a consumer profile for the consumer.

In one embodiment, when a consumer makes a request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with a given product or service, current location refinement data associated with the consumer is obtained such as, but not limited to, the consumer's present location.

In one embodiment, the marketing device management system includes a marketing device matching engine that includes a location refinement matching filter. When the consumer makes the request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with a given product or service, the location refinement matching filter uses all, or part, of: the marketing device request data; the obtained location refinement data associated with the merchant, and/or the merchant's profile data; the obtained location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; the obtained location refinement data associated with the consumer, and/or the consumer's profile data; and the obtained current location refinement data associated with the consumer, to determine the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, the data representing the most relevant marketing devices is then provided to the consumer.

Using the method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, as discussed herein, a refined, and more accurate, system and method for determining location relevancy of marketing devices to a given consumer is provided that takes into account many important location relevancy/refinement factors that the current simplistic and binary methods for determining location relevancy often ignore. As a result, using the method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, as discussed herein, marketing devices are distributed to consumers that are far more likely to be of relevance to the consumers, and therefore are far more likely to be used by the consumers. Therefore, both merchants and consumers are benefitting by the use of the method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, as discussed herein.

As discussed in more detail below, using the below embodiments, with little or no modification and/or user/consumer input, there is considerable flexibility, adaptability, and opportunity for customization to meet the specific needs of various users/consumers under numerous circumstances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment, a method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices includes a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices whereby, in one embodiment, a marketing device management system obtains data representing one or more marketing devices from one or more merchants.

In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from the merchants offering the marketing devices. In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from the merchants via one or more computing systems. In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from merchants via one or more mobile computing systems, such as a mobile phone. In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from merchants via a Short Message Service (SMS) message sent via an SMS capable communications network and an SMS capable system. In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from merchants via a user interface display and designated text fields and/or in a designated text format.

In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained using any means, method, process, and/or procedure, and/or any combination of means, methods, processes, and/or procedures, of obtaining data, as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, the data representing one or more marketing devices includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of: the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing devices; the terms of the marketing devices, such as discount, price, bundled products, etc.; any conditions of the marketing devices, i.e., expiration dates, restrictions on use, bundled products, etc.; and/or any other marketing device data the merchant desires to provide and/or is required by the provider of the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

In one embodiment, the data representing the marketing devices is analyzed to determine location refinement data associated with the marketing devices such as, but not limited to the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing device, and/or the terms of the marketing device.

In one embodiment, the data representing the marketing devices, and therefore the marketing devices, and/or the location refinement data associated with the marketing devices, is categorized and stored in a marketing device database.

In one embodiment, merchants providing marketing device data are initially asked to provide merchant location refinement data to be associated with the merchants, such as, but not limited to: the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; all the merchant's location(s); the merchant's hours of operation; the merchants' contact information, such as e-mail, web page, social media accounts, phone number etc.; the merchant's shipping policies; proximity of the merchant's location to public transportation; and/or the merchant's service policies and capabilities. In one embodiment, this location refinement data associated with the merchant is used to create, or supplement, merchant profiles for each of the merchants.

In one embodiment, the merchant location refinement data, and/or the merchant profile data, is categorized and stored in a merchant location refinement database.

In one embodiment, a consumer desiring to utilize the marketing device management system to search for, and obtain, marketing devices is requested to provide consumer profile data, at least part of which is to be used as consumer location refinement data.

In various embodiments, the consumer location refinement data includes, but is not limited to: the consumer's home address; the consumer's work address; the consumer's shopping likes and dislikes; the consumer's shopping history, including transaction history; the consumer's age; the consumer's occupation; the consumer's sex; the consumer's marital status and/or number of dependents; when and where the consumer prefers to shop; and/or any other personal and/or demographic data associated with the consumer that is desired by the provider of the marketing device management system, and/or the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

In one embodiment, the consumer location refinement data is obtained from any one or more of, but not limited to: the consumers themselves; computing systems associated with the consumers; mobile computing systems associated with the consumers; data collected by monitoring a consumers historical usage of marketing devices, including location relevant marketing devices; and/or any other source of consumer data, or combination of sources of consumer data, as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, the consumer location refinement data is provided to the marketing device management system, and/or the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, by the consumer providing the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices access to data from one or more data management systems associated with the consumer.

Types of data management systems currently available include, but are not limited to any of the following: an on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented, personal financial management system, package, program, module, or application; an on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented, calendar and/or appointment system, package, program, module, or application; an on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented personal or business contacts management system, package, program, module, or application; on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented, personal or business tax preparation and/or management system, package, program, module, or application, or any of the data management systems as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, the consumer location refinement data associated with the consumers is used to create, or supplement, a consumer profile for each consumer.

In one embodiment, the consumer location refinement data, and/or the consumer profile data, is categorized and stored in a consumer database.

In one embodiment, a consumer makes a request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with a desired product or service.

In one embodiment, the consumer makes the request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with the desired product or service using a consumer computing system associated with, and/or accessible by, the consumer.

Herein, the term “computing system” includes, any computing system discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing, such as, but not limited to: any mobile computing system, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, an internet appliance, any SMS capable system, or any other mobile computing system as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing; any desktop computing system; any laptop computing system; any notebook computing system; any workstation; a two-way pager; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA); a server computer, any other device, or any desired combination of these devices, that includes components that can execute all, or part, of process for a providing refined location relevant marketing devices in accordance with at least one of the embodiments as described herein.

In one embodiment, when a consumer makes a request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with a desired product or service, current location refinement data associated with the consumer is obtained such as, but not limited to, the consumer's present location, or a location desirable, and/or otherwise to/designated by, the consumer.

In one embodiment, the consumer's current location refinement data is obtained from the consumer via manual input from the consumer thru one or more consumer computing systems.

In one embodiment, the consumer's current location refinement data is obtained automatically, or semi-automatically, upon consumer approval, from the one or more consumer computing systems, and a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) capability, or any similar location tracking capability, associated with the one or more consumer computing systems.

In one embodiment, the consumer's current location refinement data is obtained using any method, mechanism, process, procedure, or device for obtaining data indicating a consumer's current location, projected location, or a desired location, as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, the marketing device management system includes a marketing device matching engine that includes a location refinement matching filter. In one embodiment, the location refinement matching filter uses all, or part of: the data indicating the consumer request for marketing devices and/or the type of product and/or service of interest to the consumer; the obtained merchant location refinement data associated with the merchant, and/or the merchant's profile data; the obtained marketing device location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; the obtained consumer location refinement data associated with the consumer, and/or the consumer's profile data; and the obtained consumer current location refinement data associated with the consumer, to determine/match the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, the marketing device management system includes a marketing device matching engine that includes a location refinement matching filter. In one embodiment, the location refinement matching filter uses all, or part of: the data indicating the consumer request for marketing devices and/or the type of product and/or service of interest to the consumer; the obtained merchant location refinement data associated with the merchant, and/or the merchant's profile data; the obtained marketing device location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; the obtained consumer location refinement data associated with the consumer, and/or the consumer's profile data; and the obtained consumer current location refinement data associated with the consumer, to calculate a location relevancy score to be associated with the marketing devices.

In one embodiment, the location relevancy score is used, at least in part, to determine/match the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, the marketing device matching engine uses one or more processes to match one or more marketing devices in the marketing device database to the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state. In some embodiments, these processes define, and/or use, weighting factors, and/or other methods, to emphasize one or more location refinement parameters associated with the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state.

As a specific illustrative example, in one embodiment, the marketing device matching engine employs a matching process wherein location refinement factors are defined and assigned numerical values.

In this specific example, the location refinement factors are L1, L2, and L3. In this specific example, L1is defined to be the physical distance between the consumer's position, as obtained from the consumer's current location refinement data, and the position of merchants associated with the marketing devices, as obtained from the marketing devices' location refinement data, and/or the merchants' location refinement data.

In this specific example, the value for L1is assigned a numerical value as follows: L1=3, if the consumer and the merchant are within the same 1 to 2 square mile area; L1=2, if they are in the same suburb or zip code; and L1=1 if within the same city or area code.

In this specific example, L2is defined to be any location-enhancing marketing device terms associated with marketing device, as obtained from the marketing devices' location refinement data, and/or the merchants' location refinement data, such as, but not limited to: free home delivery; free demo at home; free installation; and any location-enhancing terms that may enhance/refine the location relevancy of the offer.

In this specific example, the value for L2is assigned a numerical value as follows: L2=3, if there are two or more location enhancers for both decision making and purchase; L2=2, if there is one location enhancer in the offer; L2=1, if none exist.

In this specific example, L3is defined to be any commute refinement factors that refine a purely distance based analysis such as, but not limited to: the presence of good public transport connections to the merchant; shopping area where the merchant is located; expected traffic between the consumer's position and merchants' position; whether the consumer is currently at home or work, or out and about; the time of day the consumer is making the marketing device request; the day of the week the consumer is making the marketing device request; whether the merchants' locations are at, or near, locations the consumer has historically frequented and/or shopped; etc.

In this specific example, the value for L3is assigned a numerical value as follows: L3=2, if two or more commute refinement factors are present/positive; L3=1, if one commute refinement factor is present/positive; L3=0, if no commute refinement factor is present/positive; L3=−1, if one commute refinement factor is negative; and L3=−2, if two or more commute refinement factors are negative.

In this specific illustrative example, the category of the product and/or service associated with the consumer's current marketing device search request is not only used to filter the marketing device search, but a category is assigned to the product and/or service and the category is used to define/determine category weighting factors to be assigned to the location refinement factors L1, L2, and L3.

For instance, in one specific example, the category weighting factors include three different values that are assigned to the location refinement factors L1, L2, and L3as follows: a category weighting factor C1assigned to location refinement factor L1; a category weighting factor C2assigned to location refinement factor L2; and a category weighting factor C3assigned to location refinement factor L3.

Consequently, in this specific illustrative example, a location relevancy score (LRS) for a marketing device is calculated as the sum:
L1(C1)+L2(C2)+L3(C3)=LRS.

In various applications, the category weighting factors are based on the type of product and/or service associated with the consumer's marketing device request and whether the type of product and/or service is a “durable” product, or a “non-durable.

As discussed above, recent research has found that if a consumer is looking for a durable item, such as a washing machine or a refrigerator, then marketing devices from merchants in closest neighboring areas are not particularly more relevant to that consumer than marketing devices from merchants in outlying areas and, therefore, other factors may be more useful in determining the most relevant marketing devices. However, on the contrary, if a consumer is looking for a non-durable, semi-durable, or a consumable item, such as groceries, clothing, or disposable household items, research has found that marketing devices from merchants in areas closest to the consumer really do tend to be much more important and relevant to that consumer.

In light of this research, in one example, if the type of product and/or service is categorized as a “durable” product, i.e., has the associated category of durable good then: the category weighting factor C1assigned to location refinement factor L1(physical distance) might be given a relatively low value, or fractional value, such as 0.5, thereby reflecting the relative unimportance of physical distance when durable goods are involved; the category weighting factor C2assigned to location refinement factor L2(location-enhancing marketing device terms) might be given a relatively high value, such as 1.5, thereby reflecting the relative importance of service, delivery charges, and installation, when durable goods are involved; and a category weighting factor C3assigned to location refinement factor L3(commute refinement factors) might be given a relatively neutral value such as 1.0, thereby reflecting the relative importance of commute refinement factors, such as available public transportation when durable goods are involved.

Consequently, in this specific illustrative example, a location relevancy score (LRS) for a marketing device associated with a durable good is calculated as the sum:
L1(0.5)+L2(1.5)+L3(1.0)=LRS.

On the other hand, in one example, if the type of product and/or service is a “non-durable” product, i.e., has the associated category of non-durable good then: the category weighting factor C1assigned to location refinement factor L1(physical distance) might be given a relatively high value, such as 1.5, thereby reflecting the relative importance of physical distance when non-durable goods are involved; the category weighting factor C2assigned to location refinement factor L2(location-enhancing marketing device terms) might be given a relatively low value, such as 0, thereby reflecting the relative unimportance, or irrelevance, of service, delivery charges, and installation, when non-durable goods are involved; and a category weighting factor C3assigned to location refinement factor L3(commute refinement factors) might be given a relatively neutral value such as 1.0, thereby reflecting the relative importance of commute refinement factors, such as available public transportation, when non-durable goods are involved.

Consequently, in this specific illustrative example, a location relevancy score (LRS) for a marketing device associated with a non-durable good is calculated as the sum:
L1(1.5)+L2(0)+L3(1.0)=LRS.

In one embodiment, the weighted summation, or location relevancy score (LRS), associated with the marketing devices is used to reflect a refined consideration of “functional” distance between the merchant offering the marketing device and the consumer that takes into consideration not only physical distance between the merchant offering the marketing device and the consumer (L1) but also the type of product and/or service being sought (C1, C2, and C2), the current state of the consumer (L2, L3), and various other relevancy and logistical factors (L2), that are largely ignored by currently available methods and systems. In one embodiment, this calculation is then used by the location refinement matching filter and the marketing device matching engine to match the most relevant one or more marketing devices in the marketing device database to the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, data representing the matched most relevant one or more marketing devices is distributed to the consumer via one or more computing systems associated with the consumer.

In one embodiment, the data representing the matched most relevant one or more marketing devices is distributed to the consumer via one or more mobile computing systems, such as mobile phones, associated with the consumer.

In one embodiment, the data representing the matched most relevant one or more marketing devices is distributed to the consumer via one or more Short Message Service (SMS) messages sent via one or more SMS capable communications networks and one or more SMS capable systems associated with the consumer.

In one embodiment, the data representing the matched most relevant one or more marketing devices is distributed to the consumer via any method, means, mechanism, process, procedure, or device for distributing data as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

Hardware System Architecture

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an exemplary hardware architecture for implementing one embodiment of a system and method for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, such as exemplary process300, discussed herein, that includes: a merchant computing system100, e.g., a first computing system; a consumer computing system150, e.g., a second computing system; a marketing device management system120, e.g., a third computing system; a marketing device database160, e.g., a first database, including marketing device data102; a merchant database170, e.g., a second database, including merchant location refinement data172; a consumer database180, e.g., a third database, including consumer location refinement data182; and various communications links140.

As seen inFIG. 1, merchant computing system100typically includes a central processing unit (CPU)101, communication interface105, and a memory system103. In one embodiment, memory system103includes all, or part of, a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300. In one embodiment, process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300is stored, in whole, or in part, in memory system103.

In one embodiment, memory system103includes all, or part of, marketing device data102. In one embodiment, marketing device data102includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of: marketing device location refinement data; the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing devices; the terms of the marketing devices, such as discount, price, bundled products, etc.; any conditions of the marketing devices, i.e., expiration dates, restrictions on use, bundled products, etc.; and/or any other marketing device data the merchant desires to provide and/or is required by the provider of the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

Merchant computing system100may further include standard consumer interface devices such as a keyboard (not shown), a mouse (not shown), a printer (not shown), and a display device (not shown), as well as, one or more standard input/output (I/O) devices (not shown), such as a compact disk (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive, floppy disk drive, or other device capable of inputting data to, and outputting data from, merchant computing system100, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed.

In one embodiment, process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300is entered, in whole, or in part, into merchant computing system100via an I/O device (not shown), such as from a CD, DVD, floppy disk, portable hard drive, memory stick, download site, or other medium and/or computer program product as defined herein.

In one embodiment, merchant computing system100is any computing system discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

As also seen inFIG. 1, marketing device database160includes marketing device data102. As noted above, in one embodiment, marketing device data102includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of: marketing device location refinement data; the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing devices; the terms of the marketing devices, such as discount, price, bundled products, etc.; any conditions of the marketing devices, i.e., expiration dates, restrictions on use, bundled products, etc.; and/or any other marketing device data the merchant desires to provide and/or is required by the provider of the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

As also seen inFIG. 1, merchant database170includes merchant location refinement data172. In one embodiment, merchant location refinement data172includes, but is not limited to: merchant profile data; the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; all the merchant's location(s); the merchant's hours of operation; the merchants' contact information, such as e-mail, web page, social media accounts, phone number etc.; the merchant's shipping policies; proximity of the merchant's location to public transportation; and/or the merchant's service policies and capabilities.

As also seen inFIG. 1, consumer database180includes consumer location refinement data182. In one embodiment, consumer location refinement data includes, but is not limited to: consumer profile data; current consumer location refinement data; the consumer's home address; the consumer's work address; the consumer's shopping likes and dislikes; the consumer's shopping history, including transaction history; the consumer's age; the consumer's occupation; the consumer's sex; the consumer's marital status and/or number of dependents; when and where the consumer prefers to shop; and/or any other personal and/or demographic data associated with the consumer that is desired by the provider of the marketing device management system, and/or the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

In various embodiments, any, or all, of marketing device database160, merchant database170, and consumer database180can be a data storage devices, a designated server system or computing system, or a designated portion of one or more server systems or computing systems, such as computing systems100,150and120, or a distributed database, or an external and/or portable hard drive. In one embodiment, any, or all, of marketing device database160, merchant database170, and consumer database180can be a dedicated mass storage device implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. In one embodiment, any, or all, of marketing device database160, merchant database170, and consumer database180can be a web-based function.

As discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, any, or all, of marketing device database160, merchant database170, and consumer database180, can be under the control of a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, such as exemplary process300.

In one embodiment, marketing device management system120includes one or more system processors CPU(s)121, a communication interface122and a memory123.

As seen inFIG. 1, in one embodiment, memory123includes all, or part of, process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300.

As seen inFIG. 1, in one embodiment, memory123, and/or process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300include: at least part of marketing device data102from merchant computing system100and/or marketing device database160; at least part of merchant location refinement data172from merchant computing system100and/or merchant database170; and at least part of consumer location refinement data from consumer computing system150and/or consumer database180.

As seen inFIG. 1, in one embodiment, memory123, and/or process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300includes marketing device matching engine124and location refinement matching filter126.

In one embodiment, marketing device matching engine124and location refinement matching filter126are used, under the direction of one or more processors, such as CPU(s)121, to match one or more marketing devices in marketing device database160to a request for marketing devices from a consumer through consumer computing system150, and the current state of the consumer.

In one embodiment, location refinement matching filter126uses all, or part of: the data indicating the consumer request for marketing devices and/or the type of product and/or service of interest to the consumer; merchant location refinement data172; marketing device data102; and consumer location refinement data182, including consumer current location refinement data associated with the consumer, to determine/match the marketing devices in marketing device database160most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, marketing device matching engine124uses one or more processes to match one or more relevant marketing devices190in marketing device database160to the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state. In some embodiments, these processes define, and/or use, weighting factors, and/or other methods, to emphasize one or more location refinement parameters associated with the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, marketing device matching engine124is also used to automatically generate relevant marketing device data190representing at least one relevant marketing device that includes at least part of the matched marketing device data102.

In one embodiment, marketing device management system120is used as a distribution means for distributing one or more marketing devices, represented by relevant marketing device data190, to one or more consumers, and/or consumer computing systems150.

In various embodiments, marketing device management system120is any computing system discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

As also seen inFIG. 1, consumer computing system150typically includes a central processing unit (CPU)151, a communications interface155, and a memory system153. In one embodiment, memory system153includes all, or part of, process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300. In one embodiment, process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300is stored, in whole, or in part, in memory system153.

In one embodiment, memory system153includes one or more data management systems157, such as any of the data management systems as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, memory system153includes marketing device request data158representing one or more requests made by a consumer, through consumer computing system150, to marketing device management system120for marketing devices.

In one embodiment, memory system153includes all, or part of, relevant marketing device data190representing one or more relevant marketing devices generated by process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300and sent to consumer computing system150.

Consumer computing system150may further include standard consumer interface devices such as a keyboard (not shown), a mouse (not shown), a printer (not shown), and a display device (not shown), as well as, one or more standard input/output (I/O) devices (not shown), such as a compact disk (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive, floppy disk drive, or other device capable of inputting data to, and outputting data from, consumer computing system150, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed.

In one embodiment, process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300is entered, in whole, or in part, into consumer computing system150via an I/O device (not shown), such as from a CD, DVD, floppy disk, portable hard drive, memory stick, download site, or other medium and/or computer program product as defined herein.

In one embodiment, consumer computing system150is any computing system discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, computing systems100,120, and150and databases160,170and180, are linked together via communications channels140. In various embodiments, any, or all, of communications channels140can be, but are not limited to: a mobile communication link, such as a mobile phone link; a land-line phone link; a cable-based communications link; a satellite communications link; the Internet, a cloud, or other network communications link; and/or any other communications link, or combination of communications links, as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In various embodiments, any, or all, of communications channels140can be any SMS communication link as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing. Short Message Service (SMS) is the text communication service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems. SMS uses relatively ridged standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of only very short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices.

In one embodiment, computing systems100,120and150, and databases160,170, and180, are part of a cloud computing environment.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the components shown inFIG. 1, and their respective sub-components, are shown for illustrative purposes only and that architectures with more or fewer components can implement, and benefit from, the invention. Moreover, one or more components may be located remotely from their respective system and accessed via network, as discussed herein. In addition, the particular type of, and configuration of, computing systems100,120and150, and databases160,170, and180, are not relevant.

FIG. 2is a more detailed block diagram of a marketing device management system120. As seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, marketing device management system120includes one or more Central Processing Unit(s), CPU(s)121; memory123; and at least one communication interface122; all interconnected by one or more communication buses202.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, memory123can store data and/or instructions associated with, but not limited to, the following elements, subsets of elements, and/or super sets of elements for processing by one or more processors, such as CPU(s)121: operating system231that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions for handling various services and performing/coordinating hardware dependent tasks; network communications module233that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions, for, along with communication interface122, connecting marketing device management system120to other computing systems, such as user computing system(s)100, and/or one or more communications channels, such as communications channels140ofFIG. 1, and/or one or more databases, such as databases160,170, and180ofFIG. 1; process300module241(FIG. 2) that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions, for implementing and operating at least part of a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes marketing device receiving module243that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions for receiving and analyzing marketing devices from either a merchant or a marketing device database, such as marketing device database160ofFIG. 1.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes marketing device data102that includes marketing device data from marketing device receiving module243.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes marketing device location refinement data246that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions associated with determining and processing marketing device location refinement data from marketing device data102.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes merchant location refinement data172obtained from either merchant computing system100or merchant database160ofFIG. 1.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes consumer location refinement data182obtained from either consumer computing system150or consumer database170ofFIG. 1.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes marketing device search request receiving module249that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions associated with receiving and/or processing marketing device request data158representing one or more requests made by a consumer, through consumer computing system150(FIG. 1), to marketing device management system120for marketing devices.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes marketing device request data158from marketing device search request receiving module249.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes marketing device matching engine module253that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions associated with implementing and operating a marketing device matching engine in the manner discussed herein.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, marketing device matching engine module253includes location refinement matching filter module255that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions associated with implementing and operating a location refinement matching filter in the manner discussed herein.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes relevant marketing device data190representing at least one relevant marketing device that includes at least part of the matched marketing device data102.

As also seen inFIG. 2, in one embodiment, process300module241(FIG. 2) of memory123includes relevant marketing device data transfer module that includes procedures, data, and/or instructions for transferring relevant marketing device data190to consumer computing system150ofFIG. 1.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the choice of components, data, modules, and information shown inFIG. 2, the organization of the components, data, modules, and information shown inFIG. 2, and the manner of storage and location of storage of the data, modules, and information shown inFIG. 2was made for illustrative purposes only and that other choices of components, data, modules, and information, organization of the components, data, modules, and information, manner of storing, and location of storage, of the data, modules, and information can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. In particular, the various modules and/or data shown inFIG. 2are illustrative only and not limiting. In various other embodiments, the particular modules and/or data shown inFIG. 2can be grouped together in fewer modules and/or data locations or divided among more modules and/or data locations. Consequently, those of skill in the art will recognize that other orders and/or grouping are possible and the particular modules and/or data, order, and/or grouping shown inFIG. 2discussed herein do not limit the scope as claimed below.

A more detailed discussion of the operation of exemplary marketing device management system120is provided below with respect toFIG. 3.

As used herein, the terms “consumer” and “user customer” are used interchangeably and include, but are not limited to, any party that desires to receive marketing devices identified and/or distributed using a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, and/or an authorized agent of any party that desires to receive marketing devices identified and/or distributed using a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, and/or any other authorized party associated with any party that desires to receive marketing devices identified and/or distributed using a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

Herein, the terms “user”, “merchant” and “user merchant” are used interchangeably to denote any party that wishes to have marketing devices distributed to consumers using a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, and/or an authorized agent of any party that wishes to have marketing devices distributed to consumers using a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, and/or any other authorized party associated with any party that wishes to have marketing devices distributed to consumers using a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

As used herein, the term “marketing device” includes, but is not limited to: any promotional and/or discount offers; any price guarantee offers; any bundled offers; any coupons; any vouchers; or any other device distributed to consumers in an effort to attract and/or encourage business.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method and system for providing refined location relevant marketing devices includes a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices whereby, in one embodiment, a marketing device management system obtains data representing one or more marketing devices from one or more merchants. In one embodiment, a merchant providing a marketing device is initially asked to provide location refinement data associated with the merchant, such as, but not limited to, the merchant's location, the merchant's hours of operation, the merchant's shipping policies, and/or the merchant's service policies and capabilities. In one embodiment, the location refinement data associated with the merchants is used to create, or supplement, merchant profiles for each of the merchants.

In one embodiment, the data representing the marketing devices is analyzed to determine location refinement data associated with the marketing devices such as, but not limited to, the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing device, and/or the terms of the marketing device. In one embodiment, the data representing the marketing devices, and therefore the marketing devices, are categorized and stored in a marketing device database.

In one embodiment, when a consumer subscribes to the marketing device management system, the consumer is asked to provide location refinement data associated with the consumer, such as, but not limited to, the consumer's home address, the consumer's work address, and/or to provide access to data associated with the consumer from one or more data management systems associated with the consumer. In one embodiment, location refinement data associated with the consumer is used to create, or supplement, a consumer profile for the consumer.

In one embodiment, when a consumer makes a request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with a given product or service, current location refinement data associated with the consumer is obtained such as, but not limited to, the consumer's present location.

In one embodiment, the marketing device management system includes a marketing device matching engine that includes a location refinement matching filter. When the consumer makes the request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with a given product or service, the location refinement matching filter uses all, or part, of: the obtained location refinement data associated with the merchant, and/or the merchant's profile data; the obtained location refinement data associated with the marketing devices; the obtained location refinement data associated with the consumer, and/or the consumer's profile data; and the obtained current location refinement data associated with the consumer, to determine the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, the data representing the most relevant marketing devices is then provided to the consumer.

FIG. 3a flow chart depicting a process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300in accordance with one embodiment. Process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300begins at ENTER OPERATION301ofFIG. 3and process flow proceeds to OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303a marketing device management system obtains data representing one or more marketing devices from one or more merchants.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices, such as marketing device data102ofFIGS. 1 and 2, is obtained from the merchants offering the marketing devices, and/or from a merchant computing system, such as merchant computing system100ofFIG. 1.

Returning toFIG. 2, in one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from merchants at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303via one or more mobile computing systems, such as a mobile phone.

In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from merchants at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303via a Short Message Service (SMS) message sent via an SMS capable communications network and an SMS capable system.

In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained from merchants at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303via a user interface display and designated text fields and/or in a designated text format.

In one embodiment, at least part of the data representing one or more marketing devices is obtained at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303using any means, method, process, and/or procedure, and/or any combination of means, methods, processes, and/or procedures, of obtaining data, as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, the data representing one or more marketing devices of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of: the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing devices; the terms of the marketing devices, such as discount, price, bundled products, etc.; any conditions of the marketing devices, i.e., expiration dates, restrictions on use, bundled products, etc.; and/or any other marketing device data the merchant desires to provide and/or is required by the provider of the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

In one embodiment, the data representing the marketing devices, and therefore the marketing devices, is categorized and stored at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303.

In various embodiments, the marketing device data of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303is stored in a memory system, or database, or in a cache memory, or in any main memory or mass memory, associated with any computing system as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In various embodiments, the marketing device data of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303in whole, or in part, is stored in any computing system, such as marketing device management system120ofFIG. 1, and/or a database, such as marketing device database160ofFIG. 1, or any other device, in another location, or on/in a computer readable medium, and/or any other computer program product.

Returning toFIG. 3, in various embodiments, the marketing device data of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303, in whole, or in part, is stored on a webpage, in a web-based system, or on a public network such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, once a marketing device management system obtains data representing one or more marketing devices from one or more merchants at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303process flow proceeds to OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305merchant location refinement data associated with the merchants providing marketing device data at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303is obtained.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305merchant location refinement data, such as merchant location refinement data172ofFIGS. 1 and 2, is obtained.

Returning toFIG. 3, in one embodiment, at OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305merchants providing marketing device data are initially asked to provide merchant location refinement data to be associated with the merchants, such as, but not limited to: the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; all the merchant's location(s); the merchant's hours of operation; the merchants' contact information, such as e-mail, web page, social media accounts, phone number etc.; the merchant's shipping policies; proximity of the merchant's location to public transportation; and/or the merchant's service policies and capabilities. In one embodiment, this location refinement data associated with the merchant is used to create, or supplement, merchant profiles for each of the merchants.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305the merchant location refinement data, and/or the merchant profile data, is categorized and stored.

In various embodiments, the merchant location refinement data, and/or the merchant profile data, of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303in whole, or in part, is stored in any computing system, such as marketing device management system120ofFIG. 1, and/or a database, such as merchant database170ofFIG. 1, or any other device, in another location, or on/in a computer readable medium, and/or any other computer program product.

Returning toFIG. 3, in various embodiments, the merchant location refinement data, and/or the merchant profile data, of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303, in whole, or in part, is stored on a webpage, in a web-based system, or on a public network such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, once merchant location refinement data associated with the merchants providing marketing device data at OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303, is obtained at OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305process flow proceeds to OBTAIN MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA FROM THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION307.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA FROM THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION307the data representing the marketing devices of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303, and/or the merchant location refinement data of OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305, is analyzed to determine marketing device location refinement data associated with the marketing devices such as, but not limited to: the name of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the location of the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the products sold by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; the services provided by the merchant and/or the merchant's business; all the merchant's location(s); the merchant's hours of operation; the merchants' contact information, such as e-mail, web page, social media accounts, phone number etc.; the merchant's shipping policies; proximity of the merchant's location to public transportation; the merchant's service policies and capabilities; the products and/or services that are the subject of the marketing devices; the terms of the marketing devices, such as discount, price, bundled products, etc.; any conditions of the marketing devices, i.e., expiration dates, restrictions on use, bundled products, etc.; and/or any other marketing device location refinement data associated with the marketing devices considered relevant.

In various embodiments, the marketing device location refinement data of OBTAIN MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA FROM THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION307is stored in a memory system, or database, or in a cache memory, or in any main memory or mass memory, associated with any computing system as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In various embodiments, the marketing device location refinement data of OBTAIN MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA FROM THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION307in whole, or in part, is stored in any computing system, such as marketing device management system120ofFIG. 1, and/or a database, such as marketing device database160ofFIG. 1, or any other device, in another location, or on/in a computer readable medium, and/or any other computer program product.

Returning toFIG. 3, in various embodiments, the marketing device location refinement data of OBTAIN MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA FROM THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION307, in whole, or in part, is stored on a webpage, in a web-based system, or on a public network such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, once the data representing the marketing devices of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303, and/or the merchant location refinement data of OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305, is analyzed to determine marketing device location refinement data associated with the marketing devices at OBTAIN MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA FROM THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION307, process flow proceeds to CATEGORIZE AT LEAST PART OF THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION309.

In one embodiment, at CATEGORIZE AT LEAST PART OF THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION309, the data representing the marketing devices of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303, and/or the merchant location refinement data of OBTAIN MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION305, and/or the marketing device location refinement data associated with the marketing devices of OBTAIN MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA FROM THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION307, is analyzed to categorize and store the data representing the marketing devices of OBTAIN MARKETING DEVICE DATA FROM ONE OR MORE MERCHANTS OPERATION303.

As a specific example, in one embodiment, at CATEGORIZE AT LEAST PART OF THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION309, data representing marketing devices is categorized based, at least in part, on the type of product and/or service that is the subject of the marketing devices. For instance, in one example, data representing marketing devices is categorized as being associated with “durable” goods, such as washing machines, or non-durable goods, such as disposable household goods.

In one embodiment, at CATEGORIZE AT LEAST PART OF THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION309, data representing marketing devices is categorized based any criteria desired.

In one embodiment, once the data representing the marketing devices, and/or the merchant location refinement data, and/or the marketing device location refinement data, is analyzed to categorize the data representing the marketing devices at CATEGORIZE AT LEAST PART OF THE MARKETING DEVICE DATA OPERATION309, process flow proceeds to OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311consumer location refinement data to be associated with the consumers is obtained.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311a consumer desiring to utilize the marketing device management system, such as marketing device management system120ofFIGS. 1 and 2, to search for, and obtain, marketing devices is requested to provide consumer profile data, at least part of which is to be used as consumer location refinement data, such as consumer location refinement data182ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

Returning toFIG. 3, in various embodiments, the consumer location refinement data of OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311includes, but is not limited to: the consumer's home address; the consumer's work address; the consumer's shopping likes and dislikes; the consumer's shopping history, including transaction history; the consumer's age; the consumer's occupation; the consumer's sex; the consumer's marital status and/or number of dependents; when and where the consumer prefers to shop; and/or any other personal and/or demographic data associated with the consumer that is desired by the provider of the marketing device management system, and/or the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices.

In one embodiment, the consumer location refinement data is obtained at OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311from any one or more of, but not limited to: the consumers themselves; computing systems associated with the consumers; mobile computing systems associated with the consumers; data collected by monitoring a consumers historical usage of marketing devices, including location relevant marketing devices; and/or any other source of consumer data, or combination of sources of consumer data, as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, the consumer location refinement data is provided to the marketing device management system, and/or the process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices, at OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311by the consumer providing process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300access to data from one or more data management systems associated with the consumer.

Types of data management systems currently available include, but are not limited to, any of the following: an on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented, personal financial management system, package, program, module, or application; an on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented, calendar and/or appointment system, package, program, module, or application; an on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented personal or business contacts management system, package, program, module, or application; on-line, or web-based, or computing system implemented, personal or business tax preparation and/or management system, package, program, module, or application, or any of the numerous data management systems as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

Specific examples of data management systems currently available include, but are not limited to: Quicken™, available from Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; Quicken Online™, available from Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; Outlook, available from Microsoft, Inc. of Redmond, Wash.; QuickBooks™, available from Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; QuickBooks Online™, available from Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; Mint.com™, available from Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; QuickReceipts™, available from Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; TurboTax™ available from Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; Microsoft Money™, previously available from Microsoft, Inc. of Redmond, Wash.; or various other data management systems as discussed herein, and/or as known to those of skill in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, by obtaining the consumer location refinement data from one or more data management systems associated with the consumer, detailed consumer personal, demographic, and financial data, including financial transaction data, can be obtained, and used by, process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300.

In one embodiment, the consumer location refinement data associated with the consumers of OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311is used to create, or supplement, a consumer profile for each consumer.

In addition, as discussed below, in one embodiment, when a consumer makes a request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with a given product or service, current location refinement data associated with the consumer is obtained such as, but not limited to, the consumer's present location, and this current location refinement data associated with the consumer is added to the consumer location refinement data.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311the consumer location refinement data, and/or the consumer profile data, and/or current location refinement data associated with the consumer, is categorized and stored.

In various embodiments, the consumer location refinement data, and/or the consumer profile data, and/or current location refinement data associated with the consumer, of OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311is stored in a memory system, or database, or in a cache memory, or in any main memory or mass memory, associated with any computing system as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In various embodiments, the consumer location refinement data, and/or the consumer profile data, and/or current location refinement data associated with the consumer, of OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311in whole, or in part, is stored in any computing system, such as marketing device management system120ofFIG. 1, and/or a database, such as consumer database180ofFIG. 1, or any other device, in another location, or on/in a computer readable medium, and/or any other computer program product.

Returning toFIG. 3, in various embodiments, the consumer location refinement data, and/or the consumer profile data, and/or current location refinement data associated with the consumer, of OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311, in whole, or in part, is stored on a webpage, in a web-based system, or on a public network such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, once consumer location refinement data is obtained at OBTAIN CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA OPERATION311, process flow proceeds to RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313.

In one embodiment, at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313a marketing device request is made by a consumer to the marketing device management system for one or more marketing devices.

In one embodiment, at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313the marketing device request made by the consumer generates marketing device request data, such as marketing device request data158ofFIGS. 1 and 2, and the marketing device request data is sent to a marketing device management system, such as marketing device management system120ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

Returning toFIG. 3, in one embodiment, the marketing device request data includes data representing any of, but not limited to: the type of product and/or service the consumer desires; any name brands or model numbers the consumer desires; and/or any other data associated with the product and/or service, and/or marketing devices, the consumer desires.

In one embodiment, the consumer makes the request to the marketing device management system for marketing devices associated with the desired product or service at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313using a consumer computing system associated with, and/or accessible by, the consumer, such as consumer computing system150ofFIG. 1.

Herein, the term “computing system” includes, any computing system discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing, such as, but not limited to: any mobile computing system, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, an internet appliance, any SMS capable system, or any other mobile computing system as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing; any desktop computing system; any laptop computing system; any notebook computing system; any workstation; a two-way pager; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA); a server computer, any other device, or any desired combination of these devices, that includes components that can execute all, or part, of process for a providing refined location relevant marketing devices in accordance with at least one of the embodiments as described herein.

Returning toFIG. 3, as noted above, in one embodiment, when the marketing device request is made by the consumer at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313current location refinement data associated with the consumer is obtained such as, but not limited to, the consumer's present location, or a location desirable and/or otherwise to/designated by, the consumer.

In one embodiment, at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313the consumer's current location refinement data is obtained from the consumer via manual input from the consumer thru one or more consumer computing systems.

In one embodiment, at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313the consumer's current location refinement data is obtained automatically, or semi-automatically, upon consumer approval, from the one or more consumer computing systems, and a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) capability, or any similar location tracking capability, associated with the one or more consumer computing systems.

In one embodiment, the consumer's current location refinement data is obtained at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313using any method, mechanism, process, procedure, or device for obtaining data indicating a consumer's current location, projected location, or a desired location, as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In various embodiments, the marketing device request data, and/or the consumer's current location refinement data, of RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313is stored in a memory system, or database, or in a cache memory, or in any main memory or mass memory, associated with any computing system as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In various embodiments, the marketing device request data, and/or the consumer's current location refinement data, of RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313in whole, or in part, is stored in any computing system, such as marketing device management system120ofFIG. 1, and/or a database, such as marketing device database160and/or consumer database180ofFIG. 1, or any other device, in another location, or on/in a computer readable medium, and/or any other computer program product.

Returning toFIG. 3, in various embodiments, the marketing device request data, and/or the consumer's current location refinement data, of RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313, in whole, or in part, is stored on a webpage, in a web-based system, or on a public network such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, once a marketing device request is made by a consumer to the marketing device management system for one or more marketing devices at RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313, process flow proceeds to FORWARD THE MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST TO A MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION315.

In one embodiment, at FORWARD THE MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST TO A MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION315the marketing device request data of RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313is forwarded to a marketing device matching engine.

In one embodiment, the marketing device management system, such marketing device management system120ofFIGS. 1 and 2, includes a marketing device matching engine, such as marketing device matching engine124ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

Returning toFIG. 3, in one embodiment, at FORWARD THE MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST TO A MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION315the marketing device request data of RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313is forwarded to a marketing device matching engine that is implemented by one or more processors, such as CPU(s)121, ofFIG. 1, associated with one or more computing systems, such as marketing device management system120, ofFIG. 1.

Returning toFIG. 3, in one embodiment, once the marketing device request data of RECEIVE A MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER OPERATION313is forwarded to a marketing device matching engine at FORWARD THE MARKETING DEVICE SEARCH REQUEST TO A MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION315, process flow proceeds to USE AT LEAST PART OF THE MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA, AND/OR THE MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA, AND/OR THE CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA AS INPUT FOR CREATING A LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER FOR THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION317.

In one embodiment, at USE AT LEAST PART OF THE MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA, AND/OR THE MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA, AND/OR THE CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA AS INPUT FOR CREATING A LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER FOR THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION317at least part of: the marketing device request data; the merchant location refinement data; the marketing device location refinement data; the consumer location refinement data; and the consumer current location refinement data is used to create, and/or as input to, a location refinement matching filter that is included in the marketing device matching engine.

In one embodiment, at USE AT LEAST PART OF THE MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA, AND/OR THE MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA, AND/OR THE CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA AS INPUT FOR CREATING A LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER FOR THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION317at least part of: the marketing device request data; the merchant location refinement data; the marketing device location refinement data; the consumer location refinement data; and the consumer current location refinement data is used to create, and/or as input to, a location refinement matching filter, such as location refinement matching filter126ofFIGS. 1 and 2, that is included in the marketing device matching engine, such as marketing device matching engine124ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

In one embodiment, once at least part of: the marketing device request data; the merchant location refinement data; the marketing device location refinement data; the consumer location refinement data; and the consumer current location refinement data is used to create, and/or as input to, a location refinement matching filter that is included in the marketing device matching engine at USE AT LEAST PART OF THE MERCHANT LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA, AND/OR THE MARKET DEVICE REFINEMENT DATA, AND/OR THE CONSUMER LOCATION REFINEMENT AND/OR PROFILE DATA AS INPUT FOR CREATING A LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER FOR THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE OPERATION317, process flow proceeds to USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319.

In one embodiment, at USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319all, or part, of: the marketing device request data; the merchant location refinement data; the marketing device location refinement data; the consumer location refinement data; and the consumer current location refinement data is used by the marketing device matching engine and/or the location refinement matching filter to determine/match the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, at USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319all, or part, of: the marketing device request data, such as marketing device request data158ofFIGS. 1 and 2; the merchant location refinement data, such as merchant location refinement data172ofFIGS. 1 and 2; the marketing device data, such as marketing device data102ofFIGS. 1 and 2; the consumer location refinement data, such as consumer location refinement data182ofFIGS. 1 and 2; and the consumer current location refinement data is used by a marketing device matching engine, such as marketing device matching engine124ofFIGS. 1 and 2, and/or a location refinement matching filter, such as location refinement matching filter126ofFIGS. 1 and 2, to determine/match the marketing device data, such as marketing device data102ofFIGS. 1 and 2, most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state, under the direction of one or more processors, such as processor121, ofFIG. 1, associated with one or more computing systems, such as marketing device management system120, ofFIG. 1.

In one embodiment, at USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319all, or part, of: the marketing device request data; the merchant location refinement data; the marketing device location refinement data; the consumer location refinement data; and the consumer current location refinement data is used by the marketing device matching engine and/or the location refinement matching filter to calculate a location relevancy score to be associated with the marketing devices. In one embodiment, the location relevancy score is then used by the marketing device matching engine and/or the location refinement matching filter, at least in part, to determine/match the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, at USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319the marketing device matching engine uses one or more processes to match one or more marketing devices in the marketing device database to the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state. In some embodiments, these processes define, and/or use, weighting factors, and/or other methods, to emphasize one or more location refinement parameters associated with the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state.

As a specific illustrative example, in one embodiment, the marketing device matching engine employs a matching process wherein location refinement factors are defined and assigned numerical values.

In this specific example, the location refinement factors are L1, L2, and L3. In this specific example, L1is defined to be the physical distance between the consumer's position, as obtained from the consumer's current location refinement data, and the position of merchants associated with the marketing devices, as obtained from the marketing devices' location refinement data, and/or the merchants' location refinement data.

In this specific example, the value for L1is assigned a numerical value as follows: L1=3, if the consumer and the merchant are within the same 1 to 2 square mile area; L1=2, if they are in the same suburb or zip code; and L1=1 if within the same city or area code.

In this specific example, L2is defined to be any location-enhancing marketing device terms associated with marketing device, as obtained from the marketing devices' location refinement data, and/or the merchants' location refinement data, such as, but not limited to: free home delivery; free demo at home; free installation; and any location-enhancing terms that may enhance/refine the location relevancy of the offer.

In this specific example, the value for L2is assigned a numerical value as follows: L2=3, if there are two or more location enhancers for both decision making and purchase; L2=2, if there is one location enhancer in the offer; L2=1, if none exist.

In this specific example, L3is defined to be any commute refinement factors that refine a purely distance based analysis such as, but not limited to: the presence of good public transport connections to the merchant; shopping area where the merchant is located; expected traffic between the consumer's position and merchants' position; whether the consumer is currently at home or work, or out and about; the time of day the consumer is making the marketing device request; the day of the week the consumer is making the marketing device request; whether the merchants' locations are at, or near, locations the consumer has historically frequented and/or shopped; etc.

In this specific example, the value for L3is assigned a numerical value as follows: L3=2, if two or more commute refinement factors are present/positive; L3=1, if one commute refinement factor is present/positive; L3=0, if no commute refinement factor is present/positive; L3=−1, if one commute refinement factor is negative; and L3=−2, if two or more commute refinement factors are negative.

In this specific illustrative example, the category of the product and/or service associated with the consumer's current marketing device search request is not only used to filter the marketing device search, but a category is assigned to the product and/or service and the category is used to define/determine category weighting factors to be assigned to the location refinement factors L1, L2, and L3.

For instance, in one specific example, the category weighting factors include three different values that are assigned to the location refinement factors L1, L2, and L3as follows: a category weighting factor C1assigned to location refinement factor L1; a category weighting factor C2assigned to location refinement factor L2; and a category weighting factor C3assigned to location refinement factor L3.

Consequently, in this specific illustrative example, a location relevancy score (LRS) for a marketing device is calculated as the sum:
L1(C1)+L2(C2)+L3(C3)=LRS.

In various applications, the category weighting factors are based on the type of product and/or service associated with the consumer's marketing device request and whether the type of product and/or service is a “durable” product, or a “non-durable.

As discussed above, recent research has found that if a consumer is looking for a durable item, such as a washing machine or a refrigerator, then marketing devices from merchants in closest neighboring areas are not particularly more relevant to that consumer than marketing devices from merchants in outlying areas and, therefore, other factors may be more useful in determining the most relevant marketing devices. However, on the contrary, if a consumer is looking for a non-durable, semi-durable, or a consumable item, such as groceries, clothing, or disposable household items, research has found that marketing devices from merchants in areas closest to the consumer really do tend to be much more important and relevant to that consumer.

In light of this research, in one example, if the type of product and/or service is categorized as a “durable” product, i.e., has the associated category of durable good then: the category weighting factor C1assigned to location refinement factor L1(physical distance) might be given a relatively low value, or fractional value, such as 0.5, thereby reflecting the relative unimportance of physical distance when durable goods are involved; the category weighting factor C2assigned to location refinement factor L2(location-enhancing marketing device terms) might be given a relatively high value, such as 1.5, thereby reflecting the relative importance of service, delivery charges, and installation, when durable goods are involved; and a category weighting factor C3assigned to location refinement factor L3(commute refinement factors) might be given a relatively neutral value such as 1.0, thereby reflecting the relative importance of commute refinement factors, such as available public transportation when durable goods are involved.

Consequently, in this specific illustrative example, a location relevancy score (LRS) for a marketing device associated with a durable good is calculated as the sum:
L1(0.5)+L2(1.5)+L3(1.0)=LRS.

On the other hand, in one example, if the type of product and/or service is a “non-durable” product, i.e., has the associated category of non-durable good then: the category weighting factor C1assigned to location refinement factor L1(physical distance) might be given a relatively high value, such as 1.5, thereby reflecting the relative importance of physical distance when non-durable goods are involved; the category weighting factor C2assigned to location refinement factor L2(location-enhancing marketing device terms) might be given a relatively low value, such as 0, thereby reflecting the relative unimportance, or irrelevance, of service, delivery charges, and installation, when non-durable goods are involved; and a category weighting factor C3assigned to location refinement factor L3(commute refinement factors) might be given a relatively neutral value such as 1.0, thereby reflecting the relative importance of commute refinement factors, such as available public transportation, when non-durable goods are involved.

Consequently, in this specific illustrative example, a location relevancy score (LRS) for a marketing device associated with a non-durable good is calculated as the sum:
L1(1.5)+L2(0)+L3(1.0)=LRS.

In one embodiment, the weighted summation, or location relevancy score (LRS), associated with the marketing devices is used to reflect a refined consideration of “functional” distance between the merchant offering the marketing device and the consumer that takes into consideration not only physical distance between the merchant offering the marketing device and the consumer (L1) but also the type of product and/or service being sought (C1, C2, and C2), the current state of the consumer (L2, L3), and various other relevancy and logistical factors (L2), that are largely ignored by currently available methods and systems. In one embodiment, as discussed below at IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321, this calculation is then used by the location refinement matching filter and the marketing device matching engine to match the most relevant one or more marketing devices in the marketing device database to the consumer's marketing device request and the consumer's current state.

In one embodiment, once all, or part, of: the marketing device request data; the merchant location refinement data; the marketing device location refinement data; the consumer location refinement data; and the consumer current location refinement data, is used by the marketing device matching engine and/or the location refinement matching filter to determine/match the marketing devices in the marketing device database most relevant to the consumer, and the consumer's current state, at USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319, process flow proceeds to IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321.

In one embodiment, at IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321, based on the analysis of USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319, one or more marketing devices represented by at least part of the marketing device data in the marketing device database are identified as being relevant to the consumer and the consumers marketing device request.

In one embodiment, at IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321, based on the analysis of USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319, one or more marketing devices represented by at least part of the marketing device data, such as relevant marketing device data190ofFIGS. 1 and 2, in the marketing device database, such as marketing device database160ofFIG. 1, are identified as being relevant to the consumer and the consumers marketing device request, as represented by marketing device request data158ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

Returning toFIG. 3, once based on the analysis of USE THE MARKETING DEVICE MATCHING ENGINE AND THE LOCATION REFINEMENT MATCHING FILTER TO SEARCH THE MARKETING DEVICE DATABASE FOR MARKETING DEVICES MOST RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION319, one or more marketing devices represented by at least part of the marketing device data in the marketing device database are identified as being relevant to the consumer and the consumers marketing device request at IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321, process flow proceeds to PROVIDE DATA REPRESENTING THE AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS TO A CONSUMER COMPUTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE BY THE CONSUMER OPERATION323.

In one embodiment, at PROVIDE DATA REPRESENTING THE AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS TO A CONSUMER COMPUTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE BY THE CONSUMER OPERATION323data representing the identified relevant marketing devices of IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321is distributed to the consumer.

In one embodiment, at PROVIDE DATA REPRESENTING THE AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS TO A CONSUMER COMPUTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE BY THE CONSUMER OPERATION323data representing the identified relevant marketing devices of IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321are distributed to the consumer as relevant marketing device data, such as relevant marketing device data190, via one or more computing systems associated with the one or more consumers, such as consumer computing system150ofFIG. 1.

Returning toFIG. 3, in one embodiment, at PROVIDE DATA REPRESENTING THE AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS TO A CONSUMER COMPUTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE BY THE CONSUMER OPERATION323data representing the identified relevant marketing devices of IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321is distributed to the consumer via one or more mobile computing systems, such as mobile phones, associated with the one or more consumers.

In one embodiment, at PROVIDE DATA REPRESENTING THE AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS TO A CONSUMER COMPUTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE BY THE CONSUMER OPERATION323data representing the identified relevant marketing devices of IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321is distributed to the consumer via one or more Short Message Service (SMS) messages sent via one or more SMS capable communications networks and one or more SMS capable systems associated with the one or more consumers.

In one embodiment, at PROVIDE DATA REPRESENTING THE AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS TO A CONSUMER COMPUTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE BY THE CONSUMER OPERATION323data representing the identified relevant marketing devices of IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321is distributed to the consumer via any method, means, mechanism, process, procedure, or device for distributing data as discussed herein, and/or as known in the art at the time of filing, and/or as developed after the time of filing.

In one embodiment, once data representing the identified relevant marketing devices of IDENTIFY AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS OPERATION321is distributed to the consume at PROVIDE DATA REPRESENTING THE AT LEAST ONE MARKETING DEVICE RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR THE CONSUMER'S CURRENT STATUS TO A CONSUMER COMPUTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE BY THE CONSUMER OPERATION323, process flow proceeds to EXIT OPERATION331.

In one embodiment at EXIT OPERATION331process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300is exited to await new data.

Using process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300, a refined, and more accurate, system and method for determining location relevancy of marketing devices to a given consumer is provided that takes into account many important location relevancy/refinement factors that the current simplistic and binary methods for determining location relevancy often ignore. As a result, using process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300, marketing devices are distributed to consumers that are far more likely to be of relevance to the consumers, and therefore are far more likely to be used by the consumers. Therefore, both merchants and consumers are benefitting by the use of process for providing refined location relevant marketing devices300.

In the discussion above, certain aspects of one embodiment include process steps or operations or instructions described herein for illustrative purposes in a particular order or grouping. However, the particular order or grouping shown and discussed herein is illustrative only and not limiting. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other orders or grouping of the process steps or operations or instructions are possible and, in some embodiments, one or more of the process steps or operations or instructions discussed above can be combined or deleted. In addition, portions of one or more of the process steps or operations or instructions can be re-grouped as portions of one or more other of the process steps or operations or instructions discussed herein. Consequently, the particular order or grouping of the process steps or operations or instructions discussed herein does not limit the scope of the invention as claimed below.

As discussed in more detail above, using the above embodiments, with little or no modification and/or consumer input, there is considerable flexibility, adaptability, and opportunity for customization to meet the specific needs of various consumers under numerous circumstances.

Some portions of the above description present the features of the present invention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations, or algorithm-like representations, of operations on information/data. These algorithmic or algorithm-like descriptions and representations are the means used by those of skill in the art to most effectively and efficiently convey the substance of their work to others of skill in the art. These operations, while described functionally or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs or computing systems. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times to refer to these arrangements of operations as steps or modules or by functional names, without loss of generality.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as would be apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the above description, discussions utilizing terms such as “activating”, “accessing”, “applying”, “analyzing”, “calculating”, “capturing”, “categorizing”, “classifying”, “comparing”, “defining”, “detecting”, “determining”, “distributing”, “encrypting”, “extracting”, “filtering”, “forwarding”, “generating”, “identifying”, “implementing”, “monitoring”, “obtaining”, “processing”, “providing”, “receiving”, “requesting”, “saving”, “sending”, “storing”, “transferring”, “transforming”, “using”, etc., refer to the action and process of a computing system or similar electronic device that manipulates and operates on data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computing system memories, resisters, caches or other information storage, transmission or display devices.

Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps or operations and instructions described herein in an algorithmic or algorithmic-like form. It should be noted that the process steps or operations and instructions of the present invention can be embodied in software, firmware, or hardware, and when embodied in software, can be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by real time network operating systems.

The present invention is well suited to a wide variety of computer network systems operating over numerous topologies. Within this field, the configuration and management of large networks comprise storage devices and computers that are communicatively coupled to similar or dissimilar computers and storage devices over a private network, a LAN, a WAN, a private network, or a public network, such as the Internet.

In addition, the operations shown in the FIG.s, or as discussed herein, are identified using a particular nomenclature for ease of description and understanding, but other nomenclature is often used in the art to identify equivalent operations.