Abstract:
A web service platform to improve end-user engagement in a captive audience environment. Mobile and web-based clients allow application users to authorize and approve usage of entitlements of other users, including their children, based upon preconfigured rules and the proximity between the user requesting and the user approving authorization to use the entitlement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/945,053 filed Feb. 26, 2014 and entitled “System and Method for Increasing Customer Engagement,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to web services. More specifically, the present invention concerns parental controls. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Families often separate to enjoy different activities while attending popular attractions such as theme parks, cruise ships, stadiums, sporting venues, and resorts. Parents understandably want to monitor, restrict, or grant permission to their children when they want to view or participate in age or content restricted activities such as watching shows, riding rides, or watching digital content when they are not physically present with their children. Absent being physically present or having some other chaperone, there is no way to ensure proper supervision and restrictions while granting children reasonable freedom and separation. 
     There is a need in the art for an improved methodology for parents to monitor and grant or deny permission to their children when they want to access content or activities while physically separated from their parents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY CLAIMED INVENTION 
     In a first claimed embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling access to entitlements is disclosed. An entitlement for a first user is detected. An authorization message is then sent to a second user having control of entitlement access for the first user. Authorization for the first user to enjoy the entitlement is then received from the second user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system for increasing customer engagement, including redeeming user entitlements. 
         FIG. 2  is a method for redeeming entitlement rights. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary computing system that may be utilized to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention includes a web service platform to enable the user to remotely authorize a different person&#39;s access to content or services when not in the presence of the person requesting access. Mobile and web-based clients enable application users to automatically request authorization, grant or deny access. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100  for increasing customer engagement, including redeeming user entitlements. The system  100  of  FIG. 1  includes an ecosystem of data sources  105  such as mobile devices  110 , point-of-sale (POS) or point-of-entry/-exit (POE) terminals  115 , and databases  120 . Communicatively coupled to data sources  105  are back-end application servers  125 . In system  100 , application servers  125  can ingest, normalize and process data collected from mobile devices  110  and various POS or POE terminals  115 . Types of information gathered from data sources  105  and processed by back-end application servers  125  are generally inclusive of identity (e.g., user profiles, CRM data, entitlements, demographics, reservation systems and social media sources like Pintrest and Facebook), proximity (e.g., GPS and beacons), and time (e.g., schedules, weather, and queue length). 
     Mobile devices  110  can execute an application on a user mobile device that shares customer engagement data such as current and prior physical locale within a venue as well as wait times and travel times (e.g., how long was a customer at a particular point in a venue and how long did it take the customer to travel to a further point in a venue). Mobile devices  110  are inclusive of wearable devices. Wearable devices (or ‘wearables’) are any type of mobile electronic device that can be worn on the body or attached to or embedded in clothes and accessories of an individual. Processors and sensors associated with a wearable can gather, process, display, and transmit and receive information. 
     POS data may be gathered at a sales terminal  115  that may interact with a mobile or wearable device  110  to track customer purchase history at a venue or preference for engagement at a particular locale within the venue. POE terminals  115  may provide data related to venue traffic flow, including entry and exit data that can be inclusive of time and volume. POE terminals  115  may likewise interact with mobile and wearable devices  110 . 
     Historical data may also be accessed at databases  120  as a part of the application server  125  processing operation. The results of a processing or normalization operation may likewise be stored for later access and use. Processing and normalization results may also be delivered to front-end applications (and corresponding application servers) that allow for the deployment of contextual experiences and provide a network of services to remote devices as is further described herein. 
     The present system  100  may be used with and communicate with any number of external front-end devices  135  by way of communications network  130 . Communication network  130  may be a local, proprietary network (e.g., an intranet) and/or may be a part of a larger wide-area network. Communication network  130  may include a variety of connected computing device that provide one or more elements of a network-based service. The communications network  130  may include actual server hardware or virtual hardware simulated by software running on one or more actual machines thereby allowing for software controlled scaling in a cloud environment. 
     Communication network  130  allows for communication between data sources  105  and front-end devices  135  via any number of various communication paths or channels that collectively make up network  130 . Such paths and channels may operate utilizing any number of standards or protocols including TCP/IP, 802.11, Bluetooth, GSM, GPRS, 4G, and LTE. Communications network  130  may be a local area network (LAN) that can be communicatively coupled to a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet operating through one or more network service provider. 
     Information received and provided over communications network  130  may come from other information systems such as the global positioning system (GPS), cellular service providers, or third-party service providers such as social networks. The system  100  can measure location and proximity using hardware on a user device (e.g., GPS) or collect the data from fixed hardware and infrastructure such as Wi-Fi positioning systems and Radio Frequency ID (RFID) readers. An exemplary location and proximity implementation may include a Bluetooth low-energy beacon with real time proximity detection that can be correlated to latitude/longitude measurements for fixed beacon locations. 
     Additional use cases may include phone-based, GPS, real-time location (latitude/longitude) measurements, phone geo-fence-real time notifications when a device is moving into or out of location regions, Wi-Fi positioning involving user location detection based on Wi-Fi signal strength (both active or passive), RFID/Near Field Communication (NFC), and cellular tower positioning involving wide range detection of user device location, which may occur at the metro-level. 
     Front-end devices  135  are inclusive of kiosks, mobile devices, wearable devices, venue devices, captive portals, digital signs, and POS and POE devices. It should be noted that each of these external devices may be used to gather information about one or more consumers at a particular location during a particular time. Thus, a device that is providing information to a customer on the front-end (i.e., a front-end device  135 ) such as a mobile device executing an application or a specially designed wearable can also function as a data source  105  as described above. 
     The system  100  of  FIG. 1  provides services to connect venue management with visitors and entertainment consumers while simultaneously providing a messaging platform for consumers. For example, the social network of a consumer may be extended into a map and the physical world associated with the map. Services to extend the social network of a user include finding friends and family and management of proximity based parental controls. 
       FIG. 2  is a method for redeeming entitlement rights. The method of  FIG. 2  may be performed by an end user with a mobile device  110  in a system  100  like that of  FIG. 1 . A web services platform may operate at application server  125  of  FIG. 1  either alone or in conjunction with a mobile application or web application executing on mobile device  110 . 
     The method of  FIG. 2  allows an authorizing user to not be physically present when the entitlements are redeemed while still providing the opportunity for the authorizing user to make a decision whether to grant access. Further, the authorizing user is only contacted to provide access in the event they are not physically present at the location where the entitlements are being redeemed. The method of  FIG. 2  may utilize one or more location based services in the context of system  100 . 
     Through the method of  FIG. 2 , an end user configures parental controls for a child or other minor at step  200 . Configuration includes, but is not limited to, specifying which entitlements will automatically be authorized or rejected, the distance end user must be from their child or minor before they will be notified to grant access, and whether the end user only wants to be notified of entitlement redemptions or wants to grant permission before the entitlement can be redeemed. 
     Entitlements can have many manifestations. For example, an entitlement may include a ticket to access a physical location such as an amusement park, show, movie, or sporting event. Entitlements might likewise include rights to use a transportation service or for digital goods including rights to purchase, play, use, watch, or listen to content. Use of content may be on a set-top box, mobile device, kiosk, or other form of entertainment system, including tablet devices. 
     The entitlement holder (such as a younger child) may attempt to redeem an entitlement by presenting a physical ticket or displaying a ticket on a mobile device  110  at step  205 . When the entitlement holder presents their entitlement for redemption, an automated ticket reader (e.g., QR Code, RFID reader, Bluetooth beacon) or ticket processing kiosk will at step  210  scan and verify the authenticity of the entitlement. If the entitlement is invalid because it has already been redeemed or for some other reason, access is denied ( 255 ). 
     If the entitlement is valid and no parental control restrictions have been assigned to the entitlement or the individual holding the entitlement as determined at step  215 , the user redeeming the entitlement is authorized at step  245  and may proceed to enter the gate or other ticketed area. In the case of content delivery, the user may then begin downloading, playing, watching, or listening to the same. 
     If the parental control settings defined in step  200  have assigned restrictions to the entitlement or the entitlement holder (or both), then further authorization is required at step  215  before the entitlement holder is authorized to access the content or proceed into the otherwise ticketed or prohibited area. In the event that permissions are required, the web service will determine whether parent end-user, is currently in the physical presence of the user redeeming the entitlement at step  220 . The location of parental end user may be determined based on location based technology in a mobile device  110  or wearable reporting its location to web services platform executing at application server  135  or through monitoring of the location of end user with proximity technology such as Wi-Fi MAC address harvesting, which would also be reported to web services platform. For entitlements that grant access to a physical location, the location of the entitlement holder may be determined based on the location of the point of sale or gate control system. The entitlement holder&#39;s location may also be determined based on mobile technologies like those discussed above. 
     At step  220 , if the authorizing end user is in proximity of the user redeeming the entitlement and the preferences defined at step  300  are configured to allow access based on proximity of end user  48  and the entitlement holder, the web service platform will authorize access in step  245 . Indication of authorization may be transmitted to a mobile device, wearable, or other device such as a kiosk or ticket scanning device. 
     If the end user is not in the same location as the entitlement holder, the web service platform will require additional permission from the end user before authorizing the entitlement holder to proceed in step  220 . If the entitlement holder is redeeming the entitlement on a mobile device  110  or wearable, the device may display a message or indicator light at step  225  indicating that authorization is required before they can proceed. If the entitlement is being redeemed at a gate using the likes of a point of sale system or kiosk, a message or indicator light may be displayed to the operator that authorization is required before the entitlement holder can proceed. 
     In such an event, end user will be contacted at step  230  to grant the entitlement holder access. Contact may take the form of a message sent to a mobile device or wearable. In some embodiments, a phone call may be initiated be a real-person or an automated system. The method of contact can be determined based on the user preferences defined in step  200 . 
     If the entitlement redemption is authorized in step  235 , notification may be displayed in the point of sale, gate control system, or kiosk at step  240 . The entitlement is then redeemed at step  245 . If the entitlement redemption is authorized in step  235 , notification of authorization being granted by end user may be displayed to the mobile device of the entitlement holder at step  240  and the entitlement is redeemed at step  245 . 
     If the entitlement redemption is denied in step  235 , notification may be displayed in the point of sale, gate control system, or kiosk at step  250 ; access would formally be denied in step  255 . If the entitlement redemption is denied in step  235 , notification of the authorization being denied by end user may be displayed to the entitlement holder by way of their mobile device or wearable at step  250 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary computing system that may be utilized to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention. System  300  of  FIG. 3 , or portions thereof, may be implemented in the likes of client computers, application servers, web servers, mobile devices, wearable devices, and other computing devices. The computing system  300  of  FIG. 3  includes one or more processors  310  and main memory  320 . Main memory  320  stores, in part, instructions and data for execution by processor  310 . Main memory  320  can store the executable code when in operation. The system  300  of  FIG. 3  further includes a mass storage device  330 , portable storage medium drive(s)  340 , output devices  350 , user input devices  360 , a graphics display  370 , and peripheral device ports  380 . 
     While the components shown in  FIG. 3  are depicted as being connected via a single bus  390 , they may be connected through one or more internal data transport means. For example, processor  310  and main memory  320  may be connected via a local microprocessor bus while mass storage device  330 , peripheral device port(s)  380 , portable storage device  340 , and display system  370  may be connected via one or more input/output (I/O) buses. 
     Mass storage device  330 , which could be implemented with a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk drive, is a non-volatile storage device for storing data and instructions for use by processor  310 . Mass storage device  330  can store software for implementing embodiments of the present invention, including the method  200  described in the context of  FIG. 2 . 
     Portable storage medium drive(s)  340  operates in conjunction with a portable non-volatile storage medium such as a flash drive or portable hard drive to input and output data and corresponding executable code to system  300  of  FIG. 3 . Like mass storage device  330 , software for implementing embodiments of the present invention (e.g., method  200  of  FIG. 2 ) may be stored on a portable medium and input to the system  300  via said portable storage. 
     Input devices  360  provide a portion of a user interface. Input devices  360  may include an alpha-numeric keypad, such as a keyboard, for inputting alpha-numeric and other information, or a pointing device, such as a mouse. Input device  360  may likewise encompass a touchscreen display, microphone, and other input devices including virtual reality (VR) components. System  300  likewise includes output devices  350 , which may include speakers or ports for displays, or other monitor devices. Input devices  360  and output devices  350  may also include network interfaces that allow for access to cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other hard-wired networks. 
     Display system  370  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), LED display, touch screen display, or other suitable display device. Display system  370  receives textual and graphical information, and processes the information for output to the display device. In some instances, display system  370  may be integrated with or a part of input device  360  and output device  350  (e.g., a touchscreen). Peripheral ports  380  may include any type of computer support device to add additional functionality to the computer system. For example, peripheral device(s)  380  may include a modem or a router or other network communications implementation (e.g., a MiFi hotspot device). 
     The components illustrated in  FIG. 3  are those typically found in computer systems that may be suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, system  300  represents a broad category of such computer components that are well known in the art. System  300  of  FIG. 3  can be a personal computer, hand held computing device, smart phone, tablet computer, mobile computing device, wearable, workstation, server, minicomputer, mainframe computer, or any other computing device. 
     System  300  can include different bus configurations, network platforms, processor configurations, and operating systems, including but not limited to Unix, Linux, Windows, iOS, Palm OS, and Android OS. System  300  may also include components such as antennas, microphones, cameras, position and location detecting devices, and other components typically found on mobile devices. An antenna may include one or more antennas for communicating wirelessly with another device. An antenna may be used, for example, to communicate wirelessly via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, with a cellular network, or with other wireless protocols and systems. The one or more antennas may be controlled by a processor, which may include a controller, to transmit and receive wireless signals. For example, processor execute programs stored in memory to control antenna transmit a wireless signal to a cellular network and receive a wireless signal from a cellular network. A microphone may include one or more microphone devices which transmit captured acoustic signals to processor and memory. The acoustic signals may be processed to transmit over a network via antenna. 
     The foregoing detailed description of the technology herein has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the technology and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the technology be defined by the claims appended hereto.