GB2503952A - Data gathering - Google Patents

Abstract

A data gathering apparatus 1 includes a main computer 2, a number of mobile communication devices 3, one or more remote data collection computers 4, and a number of customer communication mechanisms, each associated with an individual customer. The customer communication mechanism may be in the form of SMS texts. The main computer is adapted to send a tracking signal, such as a bar code or QR code, via a customer communication mechanism to each mobile device. Each remote data collection computer is adapted to receive the tracking signals from any of said mobile communication devices. The remote data collection computers may be located at point of sale sites 13a-c and are connectable to the main computer over a communications network. Each remote computer is adapted to send a confirmation signal to said main computer when in receipt of a tracking signal.

Description

Data Gathering Apparatus The present invention relates to data gathering apparatus for use in particular, but not exclusively, for gathering data on the use of marketing campaign offers.

Vendors of products and services often run campaign offers such as buy one get one free, money off, extra loyalty card points and so on. Such campaigns are sometimes directed deliberately at existing customers, because it rewards loyalty and builds brand value. A customer database can be complied in many ways, for example at the point of sale, but a recent development is the compilation of customer databases derived from social networking internet sites. Vendors of products and services operate their own brand pages on such sites, and existing or potential customers can subscribe to such pages in such a way that their details are captured.

The captured details usually include that customer's personal account on the social network site in question, but may also include other contact information that the customer has made available on that or other linked social network internet sites, such as their mobile telephone number, email address, postal address or their general location, such as a town or city. It may also include demographic data such as sex, age, employment status, relationship status and so on.

This captured contact information allows the vendor to send campaign offers to the customer, either via a message sent through the social networking site itself, or directly to their mobile phone number or email address and so on. Bulk message sending software which can transmit multiple messages to a plurality of customers in a database is known. Such software can also be controlled to send particular rnessagesat particular times to particular customers in the database, according to any desired parameters. For example, a London based vendor of flowers could send an SMS text message containing a 25 per cent off offer to all male customers aged between 25 and 45 who live in London, and who follow it on Facebook (RTM), two days before Valentines day.

However, while targeted marketing campaigns of this kind can be very beneficial for a vendor, there is currently no way of gathering accurate data on their effectiveness. Customers can be asked at the point of sale where they heard of the product or the offer, but data gathered in this way is unreliable and very time consuming to compile.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention data gathering apparatus comprises a main computer, a plurality of mobile communication devices, one or more remote data collection computers, and a plurality of customer communication mechanisms, each associated with an individual customer, in which the main computer is connectable to each of said plurality of customer communication mechanisms over communications networks associated with.each of said customer communication mechanisms, in which the main computer is adapted to send a tracking signal to each of said plurality of customer communication mechanisms, in which said plurality of mobile communication devices are each adapted to either comprise a customer communication mechanism, or to be remotely connectable to an associated customer communication mechanism over a communication network associated with that customer communication mechanism, in which said one or more remote data collection computers are adapted to receive said tracking signals from any of said mobile communication devices, in which said one or more remote data collection computers are connectable to said main computer over a communications network, and in which said one or more remote data collection computers are each adapted to send a confirmation signal to said main computer when in receipt of one or more tracking signals.

Thus, the present invention allows for tracking signals to be sent to targeted customers at the same time a campaign offer is sent to them. The tracking signals can then be detected by the remote data collection computers at the point of sale, and that information sent back to the main computer. As such, it is possible to very easily compile data on the effectiveness of a marketing campaign, because it will be known if, when and where any particular customers positively reacted to the campaign offer sent to them.

There are many forms the tracking signals could take, and the invention is not limited to any particular one. All that is necessary is that it must be possible to send the signal to the customer, and for that signal to be detectable by. a remote data collection computer. There exist various kinds of computer readable images which can contain data a computer can decipher if provided with the relevant software. For example, a bar code or a OR code. In addition, packets of data can be sent locally from one computerised device to another via a communications technology such as Bluetooth (RTM).

Therefore, in one version of the invention the tracking signal can comprise a QR code comprising a plurality of data items. The one or more remote data collection computers can each comprise a OR code scanning means, and said confirmation signal can comprise said plurality of data items. This is a particularly beneficial version of the invention because QR codes can contain so much information, as explained further below. The mobile communications device of the invention can be a smart phone, and these are capable of displaying a OR code on their spreen, which can easily be read by a QR code scanning device at the point of sale. In fact, the successful reading of the OR code can act as the mechanism by which the offer is sold to the customer. It is not necessary for the customer to remember what the offer was, they merely have to display the code to the vendor. In addition, with such an arrangement only those customers issued with the OR codes will be able to redeem to the offer.

There are other ways the invention can be performed, but these are limited in their potential. For example, in one alternative embodiment the tracking signal can comprise a bar code comprising a plurality of data items. The one or more remote data collection computers can each comprise a bar code scanning means, and said conffrmation signal can comprise said plurality of data items. Such an arrangement will work in the same way as described above, but the quantity of data it is possible to communicate in a bar code is limited compared to a QR code. However, this version of the invention may be preferred by vendors because bar code scanners may form a part of existing point of sale infrastructure, where a QR code reading device may not.

As another alternative, the tracking signal can comprise a data packet comprising a plurality of data items. Said plurality of mobile communications devices can each comprise a data packet transmitting means, the one or more remote data collection computers can each comprise a data packet reception means, and said confirmation signal can comprise said plurality of data items. Bluetooth could be the technology by which the data packet can be communicated to the data packet reception means. This version of the invention allows for a great deal of information to be communicated between the various parts of the apparatus. However, it would require a Bluetooth equipped device at the point of sale to receive the data.

In a simpler version of the invention the tracking signal can comprise a sequence of integers comprising one or more data items. The one or more remote data collection computers can each comprise an integer entering means, and said confirmation signal can comprise said one or more data items. Here the tracking signal could be a sequence of numbers, which can comprise data items in the integers themselves, or the sequence. For example the particular first digit can pertain to the nature of the offer, the next two to the expiry date and so on. A number sequence can readily b! sent to a user, and easily entered into almost any modern computerised device at the point of sale.

The term "customer communication mechanisms" used herein refers to any known system for sending a signal to a customer. The two main mechanisms referred to herein are electronic messages sent within the confines of a social network Internet site, which are then accessible by a customer, and electronic messages sent directly to a customer over a communications network, including email and SMS text messages. Although electronic message sent through a social network internet site must be accessed by a customer, it will be appreciated that in many cases such sites prompt users to access their message through various mediums such as push notifications, SMS text messages or emails, as chosen by the user. Therefore, whichever communication mechanism is used the end effect may be very similar for the customer.

It is intended that all these options will be available to an operator of the apparatus, and the mechanism chosen in use may depend on various factors, and in particular on prior gathered data. It may become clear through use of the apparatus that, for example, women aged between 35 and 45 use the campaign offers sent to them by SMS text message far more than those sent by a social network's private message system.

Therefore, in accprdance with the above, the plurality of customer communication mechanisms can be divided into separate communication groups, each of which can comprise a group identifier. One of said data items can then comprise said group identifier. The communication groups can be defined by a manner of data transmittal from the main computer, being either direct communication with a mobil! communications device over a telecommunications network, or communication with an intermediary computer over the internet, which intermediary computer is accessible by a mobile communications device. As such, any tracking signal can contain information on its manner. of dispatch, and data collected on which communication groups are the most effective to use.

Preferably the communication groups can comprise a first group of customers contactable via SMS messages sent directly to associated ones of said mobile communication devices over a telecommunications network, and at least one second group of customers contactable via messages sent directly to associated accounts of a social network internet site over the internet. Therefore, the communication groups can be distinguished at a basic level between those which involve direct communication with customers, and those which involve contact via social network internet sites. As there are obviously several different social network internet sites, there can be a plurality of second groups defined by such different social network internet sites. In practice the communication groups can be those contacted via SMS text message and those contacted through Facebook, Twitter (RTM), Google+ (RTM) and so on.

The plurality of data items contained in the tracking signals can further comprise one or more of a unique customer Identifier, a time of transmittal, an apparatus user identifier, a campaign identifier, a campaign offer, a start time and an expiry time. As such, the particular customer in question, the company running the campaign, the campaign in question, as well as its duration, can all be included in the information which is transmitted, and then collected and collated.

The confirmation signal can comprise all of the above, as well as an apparatus user site identifier and a redeeming time. Therefore, the time and place the offer was redeemed can also be collected and collated.

Preferably the tracking signal can further comprise a textual message for display on said mobile communications device. This can be a simple message which communicates the nature of the offer to the customer, and other relevant information such as place or end time. For example, the tracking signal can be sent with a message like: "Buy one get one free at Pizza Hut, offer ends Friday". As such, the customer can know the nature of the offer, who is making it, and how long he has to redeem it.

The main computer can comprise a user interface and controlling sub program adapted to allow for a user to manually control the sending of said tracking signals to said plurality of customer communication mechanisms. The user interface and controlling sub program can be adapted to allow for a user to manually choose one or more of the following parameters of said tracking signals; a time of transmittal, a campaign offer, a start time, an expiry time, the communication groups to receive the tracking signal, and the quantity of customer communication mechanisms in each chosen communication group. It will be appreciated that such an interface and controlling sub program can be generated using any known computer programming code. All that is required is that the computer program can provide the above functions, and it will be appreciated that it would fall within the common general competence of any computer programmer to create such functionality. As such, further details of the interface and controlling sub program are not provided here.

The main computer can furthercomprise a tracking signal generation sub program adapted to generate tracking signals comprising said plurality of data items according to the manual choices of said user. Again, such a program can be created in any known way, and doing so would fall with the competence of any computer programmer. In particular, computer programs which can generate QR codes according to pre-determined criteria are known and could be integrated into the functionality of the main computer.

The interface and controlling sub program can be adapted to display data derived from said confirmation signals. Once again, data compilation and display is all known, and any kind can be used here to interpret and display the data gathered in use.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of data gathering apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a main computer forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a mobile telephone forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a data collection computer forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a screen shot of the controlling program forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a screen shot of the controlling program forming a pad of the data.

gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a screen shot of the controlling program forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a screen shot of the controlling program forming a pad of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a screen shot of the controlling program forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 10 is a screen shot of the controlling program forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1; and, Figure 11 is a screen shot of the controlling program forming a part of the data gathering apparatus as shown in Figure 1.

As shown in the Figures, data gathering apparatus 1 comprises a main computer 2, a plurality of mobile communication devices, in the form of mobile telephones 3, one or more remote data collection computers, in the form of site based data collection computers 4, and a plurality of customer communication mechanisms, each associated with an individual customer, in the form SMS texts to mobile phones 3, or messages to customer accounts on social network internet sites 5, as explained in more depth below.

The main computer 2 is connectable to each of said plurality of customer communication mechanisms (3, 5) over communications networks associated with each of said customer communication mechanisms, in the form of mobile telecommunication network connection 6, or connection 7 to the internet 8. The main computer 2 is adapted to send a tracking signal 9 to each of said plurality of customer communication mechanisms (3, 5)and said plurality of mobile communication devices (3) are each adapted to either comprise a customer communication mechanism (3), or to be remotely connectable to an associated customer commUnication mechanisms (5) over a communication network associated with that customer communication mechanism (5), in the form of connection 10 to the internet 8.

The one or more remote data collection computers (4) are adapted to receive said tracking signals 9 from any of said mobile communication devices (3), and are connectable to said main computer 2 over a communications network, in the form of connections 11 to the internet 8. The one or more remote data collection computers (4) are each adapted to send a confirmation signal 12 to said main computer 2 when in receipt of one or more tracking signals 9.

The following is a simplified explanation of the apparatus of the invention which is intended to illustrate its various features, and to demonstrate how they interact with one another to achieve technical effects. The invention comprises a number of computers which interact with one another and which process data in various ways. However, where the operating systems, computer programs and sub-programs are described, this is done in a simplified way for ease of explanation. It will be appreciated that provided the technical effects described are achieved it is not important exactly how this is done. Any known computer programming method can be used to put the features of the invention into effect, and in practice it will be down * to the individual programmer and the software and/or hardware which is used As such, further explanation of how to precisely program the computers of the invention to achieve the technical effects of the invention is not given here.

Furthermore, referring to Figure 1, this is a very simplistic diagrammatic view of the apparatus 1 ofthe invention; which is merely intended to illustrate the technical features thereof. It will be appreciated that in practice there could be many more mobile telephones 3, and many more sites 13 with data collection computers 4.

The apparatus 1 comprises a number of computers and computerised devices at different sites which are connectable to one another over the internet 8, in the known way. Any known communications protocol can be used, along with any known security mechanisms. The main computer 2 is a server located at the premises of a service provider. The data collection computers 4 are located at point of sale sites 13a to 13c. They are each provided with a QR code reader device 14 of a known kind. The mobile telephones 3 are carried by the users, and can be used anywhere to receive the tracking signals 9, or to access the internet 8 tQ retrieve them. For the purposes of this description the mobile telephones 3 are illustrated as belonging to two separate groups, customer group 1 3a and customer group 2 3b. The mobile telephones 3 are physically taken to the sites 1 3a to 1 3c so they can display QR codes to the reader devices 14. The apparatus 1 further comprises the social network internet site computers 5, which are located at social network internet site provider's facilities, which can be anywhere such providers are based In the embodiment described these are Facebook 5a, Twitter 5b and Google+ 5c. Other computers can also access the apparatus 1 over the internet 8, including a service user's computer 15, and service customer's computer 16.

Referring to Figure 2, the main computer 2 is of any known design, and comprises an internet connection 17 and an operating system 18, on which is supported a controlling program 19, a user database 20, a customer database 21, N further customer databases 22 and a map 23. The controlling program 19 is bespoke to the invention and comprises various sub-programs which allow it to operate on the operating system 18, and to receive and to display data. These are all known and are therefore not further described here. Only the functions of the controlling program 19 which are relevant to the invention are shown. In particular, these comprise a campaign sub-program24, a data display sub program 25, a QR code sub program 26 and a signalling sub-program 27 which is adapted to send and receive various data signals to and from the other parts of the apparatus 1. These include the tracking signals 9 and the confirmation signals 12.

The user database 20 contains a plurality of entries, which are illustrated in Figure 1 as user 1 28, and N users 29. Each one of these entries 28, 29 comprises a number of data sections, namely sections for a user's sites 30, campaigns 31, history 32, customer communication groups 33-36, and a sub database 37 of received confirmation signals, illustrated as signal 112, and N signals 38. The customer database 21 contains a plurality of communication group sections 39-42.

Each of these sections 39-42 comprises a plurality of customer entries, which are illustrated in Figure 1 as customer 1 43 and N customers 44 in customer group section 1, and customer 1 45 and N customers 46 in customer group section 240.

Although it is not shown the situation is the same in customer group sections 3 and 4 41 and 42. Each customer entry 43-46 comprises a number of data sections. In customer group section 1 39 these are sections for a customer's ID, 47, telephone number 48, and history 49. In customer group section 2 40 instead of there being a telephone number, there is a social network Internet site private message address 50. Although it is not shown the situation in customer group sections 3 and 4 41 and 42 ié the same as in customer group section 2 40, but the social network internet site in question is different each time.

Still referring to Figure 2, the signalling sub program 27 has the ability to produce tracking signals 9 which contain a textual message 51 and a QR code 52.

The textual message 51 is generated by the campaign sub program 24 in accordance with data entered by a user, as explained further below. The QR code 52 is generated by the QR code sub program 26 in accordance with data entered by a user via the campaign sub program 24, again as explained further below. The QR code 52 comprises a plurality of data items, namely a unique customer ID 53, a sent time 54, a user ID 55, a campaign ID 56, a customer communications group 57, a campaign offer 58, a start time 59 and an end time 60.

Figure 3 shows a mobile telephone 3, which is typical of known devices, and comprises a keypad 61 for manually entering data, and a screen 62 for displaying data. (It will be appreciated that with most modern smart phones, the keypad is integrated into a touch screen.) It also comprises an operating system 63, which again can be any known design, on which is supported an SMS texting sub program 64, a display sub program 65, an internet browser sub program 66, a database 67 and a plurality of social network application programé, which are illustrated in Figure 3 as social network app 1 68, and NJ social network apps 69. All of these features are widely known and are therefore not further described here. The database 67 is for storing tracking signals, which are illustrated in Figure 3 as tracking signal 1 9, and N tracking signals 70.

Referring to Figure 4, the data collection computer 4 is of any known design, and comprises an internet connection 71 and an operating system 72, on which is supported a controlling program 73 and an activity database 74. The controlling program 73 is bespoke to the invention and comprises various sub-programs which allow it to operate on the operating system 72, and to receive and to display data.

These are all known and are therefore not further described here. Only the functions of the controlling program 73 which are relevant to the invention are shown. In particular, these comprise a QR code reading sub program 75 and a signalling sub program 76 which is adapted to generate and send confirmation signals 12 to the main computer 2: The data collection computer 4 also has a unique site ID 77 The activity database 74 contains a plurality of tracking signal entries, which are illustrated in Figure 4 as tracking signal 1 9, and N tracking signals 78. These are the tracking signals 9, 78 which have been received in use, as explained further below.

Still referring to Figure 4, the signalling sub program 76 has the ability to produce confirmation signals 12, which are partly derived from the tracking signals 9, 78 which are received in use, as explained further below. The confirmation signals 12 contain the same data items as are comprised in the tracking signals, 78, and the same reference numerals are used. These include the unique customer ID 53, the sent time 54, the user ID 55, the campaign ID 56, the customer communications group 57, the campaign offer 58, the start time 59 and the end time 60. The confirmation signals 12 also comprise further data items, namely the site ID 79 and a redeem time 80.

The apparatus 1 is used as follows. In order to use the apparatus 1 users must first program data relating to their enterprise, and their customers, into the main computer 2. This can be done in any known way, for example by a service provider with direct access to the main computer 2, or by a user who can access the main computer 2 on their own computer 15 a the internet 8. The controlling program 19 provides a user interface of any known kind which allows for this data to be entered.

The user creates an entry in the user database 20, which for the purpose of this description is user 1 28: This contains in particular data section 30 relating to the user's sites 13, which for the purposes of this description are sites 1 3a, I 3b and I 3c.

The user enters the physical location and name of these sites into the section 30, with reference to the map 23.

The user then creates the customer database 1 21, and populates it with details of its various customers. (In practice this can be done by bulk loading the details of the followers of its various social network internet site pages.) For the purposes of this description the user divides its customers into four groups according to the way they are to be contacted in use. These are entered accordingly into the four communication group sections 39-42, which are defined from one another by the manner of data transmittal from the main computer 2. Customer group section 1 39 comprises customers who are to be contacted by direct communication with their mobile telephones 3 over telecommunications network 6. As such the entries for customer 1 43 and N further customers 44 each comprises data section 47 relating to the user's ID, which can be their name and/or address as well as other relevant personal information about them such as their sex, age, social demographic and so on, and data section 48 relating to their mobile telephone number.

Customer group sections 2-4 40-42 comprise customers who are to be contaôted through different social network internet sites 5a-5c respectively, which sites are accessible from the users mobile telephones 3. As such the entries for customer 1 45 and N further customers 46 in customer group section 2 40 are the same as the entry for customer 1 43 described above, but instead of a mobile telephone number there is a section for the customer's social network internet site personal message address 50. The situation is the same for the entries for customers (not shown) in customer group sections 3-441-42. Customer group section 2 40 contains entries for customers who are to be contacted through Facebook 5a; customer group setion 3 41 contains entries for customers who are to.

be contacted through Twitter Sb; and customer group section 4 42 contains entries for customers who are to be contacted through Google+ 5c.

Some customers may be contacted via alternative mechanisms, for example with SMS text messageé or through Facebook 5a or Twitter 5b, and in use the user can decide which mechanism to use. If so one or more entries in the customer database 1 21 can be cross-referenced so entries for one or more customers 43-46 can exists in two or more of the customer group sections 39-42.

Each customer entry 43-46 also contains a section 49 for the customer's history, but this is initially empty. These sections 49 are populated with data as the customers use the apparatus 1 as described further below. In addition, the user entry 1 28 contains further sections 31, 32 and 37 for the user's campaigns, history and confirmation signals, but initially these are also empty. They are Øopulated with data as the user uses the apparatus 1 as described further below.

The user entry 1 28 also contains four customer communication group sections 33 to 36. These are, or are linked to, the customer groups 39-42 in the customer database 21. The user database 20 and the customer database 1 21 are illustrated as being separate in Figure 2 to demonstrate that the entries for the customers 43-46 are separate data entities in the apparatus 1. This separation between user and customer allows for customer entries 43-46 to be potentially used by a plurality of users. In other words, a customer may be a customer of more than one user, and if so there can be only one entry 43-46 for them, rather than duplications. It also allows for customers to access the main computer 2 via their computer 16 over the internet 8, and access information about their entry 43-46 in relation to one or more users who have contacted them. It will be appreciated that in practice the manner in which this data is stored and linked will beup to the computer programmer in question. It is only necessary that the technical functions of the apparatus 1 are provided as described herein.

Once all the customer details have been entered into the customer database 1 21, the apparatus 1 can be used to run a marketing campaign. The manner in which such a campaign can be initiated is now described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. When a user connects to the main computer 2 over the internet 8 the' log into the controlling program 19 by entering their details and a password in any known way, and are then presented with a home screen 90, as shown in Figure.5. The home screen 90 comprise a number of icons, and to initiate a new campaign the user selects the campaign icon 91.

The user is then presented with a campaign list screen 92 as shown in Figure 6. On this screen 92 the user can view a number of campaigns, the names of which are given in the first column 93, and the start and end times of which are given in the second and third columns 94 and 95. The user can create and edit these campaigns using editing tools provided for by the campaign sub-program in a known way. The editing tools allow for the names, send times, start times, end times and textual offer messages associated with each planned campain to be edited as desired. It will be appreciated that the skilled person would be able to create a sub-program which can allow a user to create, name, and edit the parameters of campaigns in this way, and therefore this aspect of the apparatus is not further described here. The campaign datais stored in section 31 of the user 1 entry 28.

To initiate a particular campaign the user selects the "Share With" box 96 associated with the campaign, and from the drop down menu 97 illustrated in Figure 7 chooSe which customer group section 39-42 to target with that campaign. For the purposes of this description the user selects the option 98 for all the customer group sections. The user is then presented with a campaign options menu 99 as illustrated in Figure 8, which allows them to specify how many customers they want to target with the campaign in this instance in option box 100, and also what percentages of that figure should relate to each customer group section 39-42 at option section 101.

In this instance the user has entered a figure of 80,000 customers1 and has specified that 8 per cent should be customers in customer group section 2 40, which are contacted via Facebook 5a, 17 per cent should be customers in group section 341, which are contacted via Twitter 5b, 41 per cent should be customers in group section 4 42, which are contacted via Google+ 5c, and that 34 per cent should be customers in group section 1 39, which are contacted via SMS text message.

Once these preferences have been saved the QR code sub-program 26 generates QR codes for that campaign. The OR code can be viewed by selecting the campaign from the campaign list screen 92 as shown in Figure 6, which brings up the OR code display screen 102 as illustrated in Figure 9. In this instance the OR code 52 shown is that which relates to the first customer entry 43 in customer group section 1. All the QR codes which are actually sent out are slightly different because they each contain a customer ID data item 53 specific to the recipient. In this example 80,000 different OR codes are generated, according to the 80,000 customers who will receive one. It is possible to remove this feature and have a generic OR code which is the same for all recipients, but this limits the data gathering potential of the apparatus 1.

OR codes can contain a large amount of data. As illustrated in Figure 2, in this instance the QR code 52 contains a number of data items. The customer ID 53 is derived from the ID entry 47 relating to that customer; the sent time 54 is the time the campaign offer was issued, which is derived from data in the campaigns section 31 which was entered as described above; the user ID 55 is derived from the user 1 28 entry in the user database 20 and identifies which user sent the OR code 52; the campaign ID 56 is derived from data in the campaigns section 31 which was entered as described above; the customer communications group 56 is derived from the customer group section 39-42 relevant to the customer; the offer 58 is derived from data in the campaigns section 31 which was entered as described above, and comprises the relevant characteristics of the offer which is being made to the customer; the start time 59 and the end time 60 are the times between which the offer is redeemable as set in columns 94 and 95 as shown in Figure 6, which is derived from data in the campaigns section 31 which was entered as described above. It will be appreciated that a QR code can contain far more data than this, and it may do in practice, but for the purposes of the present invention only the above data items are relevant.

The signalling sub program 27 will generate and then send out the tracking signals 9 at the time chosen by the user for the campaign to begin, which they set using the editing tools provided for by the campaign sub-program 24, as desôribed above. Each tracking signal 9 is specific to the customer and comprises the text message 51 which explains the offer to the customer, which is set using the editing tools provided for by the campaign sub-program 24, as described above, as well as customer specific QR code 52 which has been generated. Each tracking signal 9 is sent to the customer according to communications mechanism associated with the customer group section 39-42 in which they are stored. In this case the tracking signal 9 is being sent to the customer listed in customer entry 1 43, and as such it is sent to that customer's mobile telephone number as an SMS text message. The SMS text message has the textual message 51 as the text thereof, and the QR code 52 as an image thereof.

In this example a further 27,199 tracking signals 9 are generated and sent to the equivalent number of customers with entries 44 in customer group section 1 39 (34 per cent of 80,000). If there are more entries 44 in customer group section 1 39 than this, then the customers are chosen at random. If there are fewer entries 44 in customer group section 1 39. than this, then every further customer with an entry 44 is sent a tracking signal 9 as described above.

A further 6400 tracking signals 9 are generated and sent to the equivalent number of customers with entries 45, 46 in customer group section 2 40 (8 per cent of 80,000). However, in these instances the tracking signals are sent to those customers' Facebook message addresses 50. Again, if there are more entries 45,46 in customer group section 240 than this, then the customers are chosen at random, and if there are fewer entries 45, 48 in customer group section 2 40 than this, then every customer is sent a tracking signal 9.

A further 13,600tracking signals 9 are generated and sent to the equivalent number of customers with entries in customer group section 3 41 (17 per cent of 80,000). However, in these instances the tracking signals are sent to those customers' Twitter accounts. Again, if there are more entries in customer group section 3 41 than this, then the customers are chosen at random, and if there are fewer entries then every customer is sent a tracking signal 9.

Finally, a further 32,800 tracking signals 9 are generated and sent to the equivalent number of customers with entries in customer group section 4 42 (41 per -cent of 80,000). However, in these instances the tracking signals are sent to those customers' Google+ message addresses. Again, if there are more entries in customer group section 4 42 than this, then the customers are chosen at random, and if there are fewer entries then every customer is sent a tracking signal 9.

Therefore, 80000 customers of the user are sent their own customer specific tracking signal 9, which contains a customer specific QR code 52. A log of this activity is stored in the history section 32 of the user 1 entry 28 in the user database 20. Further logs of this activity are also stored in the history section 49 of each customer entry 43-46 in customer database 1 21 for which a tracking signal 9 has been sent.

Referring to Figure 1, the customers who receive SMS text messages are shown as belonging to customer group 1 3a, and they will be able to access those messages directly on their mobile telephone 3 by means of the SMS sub program 64. The textual message 51 will be readable on the screen 62, and the OR code 52 will be displayable on the screen 62 in the known ways. As such, the customer can be informed of the details of the campaign offer, and can display the OR code 52 when necessary. The tracking signal 9 can be stored in the database 67 of the mobile telephone 3 iii the known way1 for example in a messages folder.

The customers who are contacted via their accounts on Facebook 5a, Twitter Sb and Google+ 5c are shown as belonging to customer group 2 3b, and they will be able to receive the tracking signals 9 by accessing their accounts on those social network internet sites 5a-5c with their mobile telephone 3, by means of the internet browser sub program 66 and/or the relevant social network app 65 or 69. It will be appreciated that these sites can be arranged to prompt users to access their messages through various mediums such as push notifications, SMS text messages or emails, as chosen by the user. The textual message 51 will be readable on the screen 62, and the QR code 52 will be displayable on the screen 62 in the known ways. Therefore as before the customer can be informed of the details of the campaign offer, and can display the OR code 52 when necessary. Again, the tracking signals 9 can be stored in the database 67 of the mobile telephone in the known way. Therefore, whichever communication mechanism is used here the end effect may be very similar for the customers.

The customers in receipt of a tracking signal 9 can then visit any of the physical sites 13 at which the marketing offer can be redeemed. For the purposes of this description three sites 1 3a-1 3c are shown, but it will be appreciated that in practice there could be several hundred if the user operates a national chain of stores or restaurants. Each one comprises a data collection computer 4, which in practice can be the computer system which controls sales transactions at the site 11 When a user visits a site 13 they operate their mobile telephone S to display the OR code 52 on the screen 62. At the point of sale the OR code reader 71 of the data collection computer 4 is used to scan the OR code 52. The QR code reading sub program 75 of the data collection computer 4 interprets all the data items 53-60 of the OR code 52 and does two things. Firstly, the characteristics of the offer 58 are applied to the transaction by the controlling program 73. For example, if the offer was 2 for, then the transaction is altered so one item purchased is rendered free of charge. If the offer was 25 per cent off, then the appropriate discount is applied to the transaction. As such, the successful reading of the OR code 52 acts as the mechanism by which the offer is sold to the customer. It is not necessary for the customer to remember what the offer was, they merely have to display the OR code 52 to the vendor.

Secondly, the signalling sub program 76 generates and then sends out the confirmation signal 12 over the internet 8 to the main computer 2. Each confirmation signal 12 is specific to the transaction just completed and comprises afl the data items 53-60 contained in the QR code 52, as well as data items relating to the site ID 79, and the time the OR óode 52 was received 80, and hence the offer redeemed.

Each time a tracking signal 9 is received by the data collection computer 4 an entry is made in the activity database 74. As such, the data collection computer 4 itself maintains a log of offers which have been redeemed at that site 13.

All the confirmation signals 12, 36 which are sent out from the sites 1 3a-1 3c during the duration of the offer are received by the main computer 2 as described above. These confirmation signals 12, 36 are stored in the confirmation signal database 37. It will be appreciated that these confirmation signals 12, 38 comprise data èelating to exactly which customers redeemed the offer they received, where they redeemed it, and when they redeemed it. From this data it can also be extrapolated how much it cost the user to run the marketing campaign, in terms of the lost revenue from redeemed offers. It will be appreciated that all of this data can be very valuable to the user, because they can understand which of the communication mechanisms used, ie customer group sections 39-42, are the most effective, and also they can gather data on the characteristics of the customers most likely to use the offers, which is contained in the customer ID data items 53. They can also achieve an understanding of which particular customers are the most loyal.

All of this kind of information can then be used to better target the next campaign, and eventually to achieve a greater and more loyal customer base. -21 -

The data contained in the confirmation signal database 37 can be displayed to the user by the data display sub program 25 in any of the known ways that sales data can be displayed. Two basic examples are illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. In.

Figure 10 a map screen 103 is displayed, which is derived from the map 23. On this screen two of the user's sites are shown at 104 and 105 in their geographic location, and this data is derived form the sites section 30 of the user 1 26 entry in the user database 20. In addition, it is also illustrated with a number how many QR codes 52 have been redeemed at each of these two sites 104 and 105, which is derived from data contained in the confirmation signal database 37.

If a user selects one of these sites 104 or 105 then the graph screen 106 shown in Figure 11 is displayed. This graph screen 106 contains graphs for each of the customer communication mechanisms, ie customer group sections 39-42, being SMS, Facebook 15a, Twitter 15b and Google+ 15c, and shows on the Y axis how many of each type of customer redeemed the offer at that site, and on the X axis when they did so. As such, the user can understand from this graph screen which communication mechanism is most effective for each of its separate sites. It will be appreciated that the data in the confirmation signal database 37 could be displayed in many other kinds of ways as desired.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that the technical functioning of the apparatus 1 allows for the immediate compilation of very relevant data on the effectiveness of a electronic marketing campaign. This is achieved by equipping the customers with the technical means to automatically communicate their activity back to the main computer 2. In comparison to the manual collation of customer activity data, the apparatus 1 of the invention is far more effective. In addition, from the customer's point of view1 the redemption of an offer is automated and there is no need to verbally communicate it to the vendor, or to carry a coupon or the like. Further, if the user targets future campaigns based on previous customer activity, the customer will receive further offers which may be relevant and attractive to them. The technical functioning of the invention will allow this kind of loyalty-based target marketing to be achieved with far greater efficiency and speed than is known.

The apparatus 1 is intended to be used in the manner described above by multiple users simultaneously. As illustrated in Figure 1, the user database 20 contains N further user entries 29, which have been created by further users, and are similar in nature to user entry 1. There are also N further customer databases 22 which can be those created by the further users in the manner of customer database 1 21 described above. (As previously mentioned, entries for particular customers can be cross-referenced to avoid duplication, and to allow for the history entry 49 to relate to more than one user.) The main computer 2 can be accessed directly by a service provider in any of the known ways, so as to gather data on the manner in which the apparatus 1 is being used by the various users. Further, customers can also access the main computer 2 from their own computers 16, over the Internet 8, so as to view their own history 49 of redeeming campaign offers from one or more users.

The embodiment described above can be altered without departing from the scope of claim 1. For example, in one alternative embodiment (not shown) a bar code is used instead of a QR code. In another alternative embodiment (not shown) a data packet is used instead of a QR code, and the data packet is transmitted to the data collection computer using Bluetooth.

Therefore, the invention provides for the redemption of electronic campaign offers to be automatically tracked in a new way. This makes it possible to very easily compile data on the effectiveness of a marketing campaign, because it will be known if, when and where any particular customers positively reacted to the campaign offer sent to them.

Claims (16)

1. Claims 1. Data gathering apparatus comprising a main computer, a plurality of mobile communication devices, one or more remote data collection computers, and a plurality of customer communication mechanisms, each associated with an individual customer, in which the main computer is connectable to each of said plurality of customer communication mechanisms over communications networks associated with each of said customer communication mechanisms, in which the main computer is adapted to send a tracking signal to each of said plurality of customer communication mechanisms, in which said plurality of mobile communication devices are each adapted to either comprise a customer communication mechanism, or to be remotely connectable to an assoàiated customer communication mechanism over a communication network associated with that customer communication mechanism! in which said one or more remote data collection computers are adapted to receive said tracking signals from any of said mobile communication devices, in which said one or more remote data collection computers are connectable to said main computer over a communications network, and in which said one or more remote data collection computers are each adapted to send a confirmation signal to said main computer when in receipt of one or more tracking signals.
2. 2. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the tracking signal comprises a QR code comprising a plurality of data items, in which the one or more remote data collection computers each comprise a OR code scanning means, and in which said confirmation signal comprises said plurality of data items.
3. 3. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim I in which the tracking signal comprises a bar code comprising a plurality of data items, in which the one or more remote data collection computers each comprise a bar code scanning means, and in which said confirmation signal comprises said plurality of data items.
4. 4. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the tracking signal comprises a data packet comprising a plurality of data items, in which said plurality of mobile communications devices each comprise a data packet transmitting means, in which the one or more remote data collection computers each comprise a data packet reception means, and in which said confirmation signal comprises said plurality of data items.
5. 5. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the tracking signal comprises a sequence of integers comprising one or more data items, and in which the one or more remote data collection computers each comprise an integer entering means, and in which said confirmation signal comprises said one or more data items.
6. 6. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 in which said plurality of customer communication mechanisms are divided into separate communication groups, each of which comprises a group identifier, in which one of said data items comprises said group identifier.
7. T -Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said communication groups are defined by a manner of data transmittal from the main computer, being either direct communication with a mobile communications device over a telecommunications network, or communication with an intermediary computer over the internet, which intermediary computer is accessible by a mobile communications device.
8. 8. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said communication groups comprise a first group of customers contactable via SMS messages sent directly to associated ones of said mobile communication devices over a telecommunications network, and at least one second group of customers contactable via messages sent directly to associated accounts of a social network internet site over the internet. t
9. 9. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim S in which said communication groups comprise a plurality of second groups defined by different social network internet sites.
10. 10. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 in which said plurality of data items of said tracking Signal further comprise one or more of a unique customer identifier, a time of transmittal, an apparatus user identifier, a campaign identifier, a campaign offer, a start time and an expiry time.
11. 11. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said confirmation signal comprises one or more of said unique customer identifier, said time of transmittal, said apparatus user identifier, said campaign identifier, said campaign offer, said start time, said expiry time, an apparatus user site identifier and a redeeming time.
12. 12. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which said tracking signal further comprises a textual message for display on said mobile communications device.
13. 13. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the main computer comprises a user interface and controlling sub program adapted to allow for a user to manually control the sending of said tracking signals to said plurality of customer communication mechanisms, in which the user interface and control sub program is adapted to allow for a user to manually choose one or more of the following parameters of said tracking signals; a time of transmittal, a campaign offer, a start time, an expiry time, the communication groups to receive the tracking signal, and the quantity of customer communication mechanisms in each chosen communication group.
14. 14. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the main computer further comprises a tracking signal generation sub program adapted to generate tracking signals comprising said plurality of data items according to the manual choices of said user.
15. 15. Data gathering apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the interface and controlling sub program is adapted to display data derived from said confirmation signals.
16. 16. Data gathering apparatus substantially as described herein, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.