GB2515096A

GB2515096A - Methods and apparatus for allowing a mobile computing device to interact with an online portal

Info

Publication number: GB2515096A
Application number: GB1310625.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giovanni Maria Laporta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-14
Filing date: 2013-06-14
Publication date: 2014-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-14
Also published as: GB201310625D0; GB2515096B

Abstract

The invention allows a mobile computing device 30 to interact with an online portal for an entity 10 (such as a shop or store). The mobile computing device 30 receives an RF signal sent from a wireless local area network WLAN (such as a Wi-Fi enabled router 11) at a location of the entity, the RF signal including a first identifier (SSID,BSSID,MAC address) for the WLAN. The mobile computing device sends a first signal to a server 20, the first signal including the first identifier, and the server, on receiving the first signal including the first identifier, determines the entity associated with the first identifier and allows the mobile computing device to interact with the entitys online portal by sending configuration information to the mobile computing device. The configuration information allows the device to display the home page of the online portal and check-in to the online portal.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ALLOWING A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE TO

INTERACT WITH AN ONLINE PORTAL

This invention relates to allowing a mobile computing device to interact with an online portal S for an entity, for example, allowing the mobile computing device to "check-in" at an online portal for a store.

Mobile computing devices (such as mobile telephones or tablet computers) include applications which allow users to "check-in" at a particular location. The check-in event announces the user's arrival at the particular location, such as at a place of business, leisure destination or at home. One example of such an application is Foursquare (TM), which is a location-based social media application that allows a user to access an online portal for a an entity, check-in, and award the user accordingly (for example, by obtaining a certain number of points for regular check-in events).

Foursquare (TM) is one of several location-based applications. These applications allow the user to check-in by first locating the user's mobile computing device using its GNSS location (e.g. its GPS location), sending the user's location to an external server for compiling a list of nearby entities (having known locations), downloading the list of nearby entities to the mobile computing device, and the user selecting the nearby entity. These applications then allow the user to access the entity's online portal, and check-in.

There are problems with location-based applications. Firstly, the application determines the device's location using GPS. There may be a significant delay in the time taken for the GPS to determine an accurate location for the device (for cold-start GPS, this may take several minutes), in which time the user may lose interest in checking-in. Secondly, the user must have an active data connection for sending the device's location and foi downloading the list of nearby entities. This is undesirable if the user has a contract with the provider of his/her mobile computing device which chaiges for data usage, and may also make the check-in S impossible if the user does not have a data connection (for example, if the user is in a very remote location). Also, once the user has checked-in to the location, the user is only presented with a limited social-media experience.

It is therefore desiiable to alleviate some or all of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for allowing a mobile computing device to interact with an online poital foi an entity, the method comprising the steps of: a mobile computing device receiving an SF signal sent from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including a fiist identifier for the wireless local area network; the mobile computing device sending a first signal to a server, the first signal including the first identifier; and the server, on receiving the first signal including the first identifier, determines the entity associated with the first identifier and allows the mobile computing device to interact with the entity's online portal.

In the present invention, the mobile computing device receives an RE signal from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including an identifier for the wireless local area network (such as an SSID signal from a Wi-Fi enabled router), and uses this identifier to gain access to the entity's online portal. The mobile computing device therefore does not rely on a GNSS determined location, which solves the problems of significant delays in locating the device using GNSS. Furthermore, as the wireless local area network may have a limited and definite range about the entity, the method ensures that the mobile computing device is physically located at or near the entity in order to interact with the entity's online portal.

S The wireless local area network may be based on the IEEE 802.11 standard (commonly known as Wi-Fi), or any other similar wireless network communication standard.

The server may include configuration information for the entity's online portal and, on receiving the first signal including the first identifier, may send a second signal to the mobile computing device, the second signal including the configuration information for the entity's online portal. Accordingly, the mobile computing device may display a configured online portal to the user (for example, having the entity's brand name and other information).

The server may receive a configuration signal from the entity, wherein the configuration signal may include the second identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity, and may determine the entity associated with the first identifier by comparing the first and second identifiers. The server may therefore determine the correct entity and allow the mobile computing device to access the online portal for that entity.

The mobile computing device may send the first signal to the server through a cellular data connection. Alternatively, the mobile computing device may send the first signal to the server via the wireless local area network. In this alternative arrangement, the mobile computing device may communicate with the server over the same communications interface used to receive the RF signal (e.g. Wi-Fi). Accordingly, it is not necessary for the mobile computing device to use a cellular data connection such that the device is still operational in regions of low cellular network coverage (or on mobile computing devices without a cellular data connection).

The first signal may include the first identifier for the wireless local area network at the S location of the entity and a user identifier for a user of the mobile computing device. The server may therefore identify the particular entity and particular mobile computing device, which may allow the server to personalize the online portal for the particular entityldevice coupling.

The wireless local area network may include an adjustable transmission range. Accordingly, the wireless local area network may be preconfigured such that it only transmits SF signals about a particular region of a large entity (e.g. the food court of a shopping centre). This allows the mobile computing device to interact with an online portal for the particular region of that entity (e.g. such that the online portal shows relevant information for that region).

Furthermore, the adjustable transmission range may be used to determine the location of the mobile computing device. For example, the transmission range may be reduced progressively until the mobile computing device no longer receives the RE signal at a cut-off point. The wireless local area network may use a predetermined relationship between transmission power and distance from a transmitter of the wireless local area network to the mobile computing device to determine the distance to the mobile computing device from the transmission power at the cut-off point.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a server comprising a communications interface configured to receive a first signal from an external device, the first signal including a first identifier for a wireless local area network at a location of an entity; and a processor configured to, in response to the communications interface receiving the first signal, determine the entity associated with the identifier and allow the external device to interact with the entity's online portal.

S

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for allowing a mobile computing device to interact with an online portal for an entity, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal from an external device, the first signal including a first identifier for a wireless local area network at a location of an entity; determining the entity associated with the first identifier; and allowing the external device to access the online portal for the entity.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile computing device comprising a communications interface configured to receive an SF signal from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RE signal including a first identifier for the wireless local area network; a processor configured to cause the communications interface to send a first signal to an external server, the first signal including the first identifier for the wireless local area network; and a display configured for displaying an online portal for the entity.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for displaying an online portal for an entity on a mobile computing device, the method comprising the steps of: a mobile computing device receiving an RE signal from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the SF signal including a first identifier for the wireless local area network; the mobile computing device sending a first signal to an external server, the first signal including the first identifier for the wireless local area network; and displaying an online portal for the entity on the mobile computing device.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference S to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic overview of an embodiment of a system of the present invention, including a server, a mobile computing device and an entity having a wireless local area network; Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of the present invention; and Figures 3a to 3e illustrate an application for the mobile computing device of Figure 1.

A first embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a wireless access point 10 positioned within a store at a particular location. In this embodiment, the wireless access point 10 is a Wi-Fi enabled router for a wireless local area network of the store, which includes a communications interface 11 configured to transmit a unique BSSID to allow users to recognize the router and gain access to the network. Figure 1 also illustrates a server 20 and a mobile computing device 30.

The server 20 includes a communications interface 21 configured to send and receive signals to/from the wireless access point 10 and to send and receive signals to/from the mobile computing device 30, a processor 23 configured to carry out the steps of the method of the present invention (explained below), and a memory 25 to store a database containing information on each store that has registered with it.

In this embodiment, the mobile computing device 30 is a mobile telephone (also known as cellular' telephone). The mobile computing device 30 includes a communications interface 31, a display 33 and a processor 35.

S

The wireless access point 10, server 20 and mobile computing device 30 are configured to communicate with each other via the respective communications interfaces 11, 21, 31 such that the mobile computing device 30 may interact with the store (such as to "check in") using the BSSID of the wireless access point 10 (i.e. without using a GNSS service). This will now be explained in more detail.

A method of an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to Figures 1 to 2. As a first step, the store registers with the server 20 using the server's store registration interface. The store registration interface allows the store to enter the BSSID for its wireless access point 10 (Si). The server 20 stores the BSSID in its memory 23. The server 20 also allows the store to configure an online portal for their customers (S2). The configuration details for the online portal may also be stored in the memory 23, and is associated with the BSSID for the wireless access node 10.

In this embodiment, the store configures its wireless access point 10 to have a particularly recognizable BSSID, such as a combination of the store's brand name and location (e.g. "Apple Store Watford UK").

The mobile computing device 30 includes an application allowing it to interact and communicate with the server 20. In this embodiment, the application includes a user registration interface, such that the user may enter basic details such as a username. The application may also include a configurable profile, such that the user may enter personal details (e.g. home address, email address, etc.).

S In a next step, the mobile computing device 30 is at or near the store's location and is within a transmission iange for the BSSID of the wireless access node 10 such that it receives the corresponding RF signal including the BSSID (S3). The application includes a WAN searching feature. The WAN searching feature searches for wireless access nodes and displays a list of each BSSID associated with each WAN found. The user may then select the BSSID associated with the wireless access node 10 for the store. In this embodiment, the BSSID is renamed such that it includes the store's brand name. The user may therefore quickly recognize the store's brand name and select the appropriate BSSID.

Once the user has selected the BSSID associated with the wireless access node 10 for the store, the mobile computing device 30 begins a synchronization process with the server 20.

Accordingly, the mobile computing device 30 sends a first signal to the communications interface 21 of the server 20 (S4), the first signal including an identifier for the mobile computing device 30 (such as a username set up by the user using the user registration interface) and an identifier for the BSSID associated with the wireless access node 10. The first signal therefore identifies the particular mobile computing device 30 and the particular wireless access point 10 it has selected.

In this embodiment, the mobile computing device 30 includes a communications interface suitable for communicating over the Wi-Fi standard and for sending and receiving data over a cellular data connection (for example, 3G or 4G). The mobile computing device 30 therefore receives the BSSID through the Wi-Fi connection and sends the first signal to the server 20 via the cellular data connection.

The server 20 then correlates this information with the database stored in its memory 23 to S determine the entity associated with the first identifier (S5). The server 20 may thus determine that the mobile computing device 30 has selected that a BSSID for a wireless local area network for a particular store and, in response, allows the user to interact with that store. In this embodiment, the server 20 sends a second signal to the mobile computing device 30 in response to the user selecting the BSSID, wherein the second signal includes configuration information for the online portal for the store (S6).

The mobile computing device 30 receives the second signal via its cellular data connection.

The application is configured to load the configuration information in the second signal such that the store's online portal is displayed to the user (S7) via the display 33. An example online portal will now be described with reference to Figures 3a to 3e.

The online portal includes a home page' 51 for the store (Figure 3a). The home page includes specific details of the store, such as the store's name and location, and includes a list of deals and special offers at the store. The home page also includes a button for the user to "check in" at the store (that is, indicate that they are located at the store and publish this information on the online portal). The home page also gives an indication of other users that have checked in at the store.

The user may swipe the screen to interact further with the online portal. For example, the user may swipe up to see an advert display (e.g. third party adverts) (Figure 3b), may swipe down for a wish list' entry form (Figure 3c), may swipe right for a feedback form (Figure 3d), or swipe left for more information on the store (Figure 3e).

The present invention therefore provides a location based application using an improved S hardware arrangement. By using the unique BSSID for a wireless access node 10 at the store, the user is able to identify the store and interact with its online portal (e.g. by checking in) without using GNSS location services. There are technological benefits to this. The transmitter range is limited and therefore ensures the user downloads a correct list of nearby entities (i.e. entities associated with BSSIDs transmitted from nearby wireless access nodes). This alleviates the problems with GNSS inaccuracies (which are particularly problematic when indoors) which can lead to lists of entities at distant locations being erroneously displayed to the user.

In the above embodiment, the mobile computing device 30 sends the first signal to the server 20 and receives the second signal from the server 20 via a cellular data connection.

However, the skilled person will understand that this is not essential. In an alternative arrangement, the mobile computing device 10 may be configured to send and receive signals from the server 20 via the wireless access node 10 (e.g. by the Wi-Fi connection).

For example, the mobile computing device 10 may be adapted to send the first signal to the wireless access node 10, which in turn relays it to the server 20, and the server 20 may be configured to send the second signal to the wireless access node 10, which in turn relays it to the mobile computing device 30.

This arrangement has further technological benefits as it is non-essential for the mobile computing device 30 to have a cellular data connection in order to access the store's online portal. That is, it simply requires a Wi-Fi connection to recognize the BSSID, and upon selection, sends and receives the relevant data in order to access the store's online portal.

This is particularly advantageous compared to the conventional applications, which required both a GNSS location service to locate the user and then a cellular data connection to S download a list of nearby entities and load an online portal associated with an entity.

Furthermore, the mobile computing device 30 may first attempt to synchronize with the server using a cellular data connection, and if that fails (e.g. due to low cellular network coverage or being installed on a mobile computing device 30 without cellular data capabilities), then it reverts to using the wireless local area network to establish a connection with the server 20.

The skilled person will understand that it is non-essential for the mobile computing device to receive a BSSID signal. That is, it may receive any other form of identifying signal, such as an SSID or MAC address. Furthermore, the mobile computing device may receive any form of wireless local area network signal, and Wi-Fi is only used as an example.

Furthermore, the entity may use its existing wireless access node for its wireless local area network (such as its existing Wi-Fi enabled router), or may use a separate dedicated wireless access point.

In the above embodiment, the store includes a wireless access node 10, wherein the user can select the SSID associated with that wireless access node 10 when within the transmission range of the node 10. In a further enhancement, the wireless access node 10 is configured to have an adjustable transmission power, such that the transmission range of the wireless access node 10 may be configured.

In this arrangement, the transmission range may be preconfigured such that it is only within S a certain region. For example, a large entity (such as a shopping centre) may configure the transmission range such that it only transmits SF signals including the BSSID around one of its many area (e.g. around the food court). The mobile computing device may then check in at that particular region of the large entity.

Furthermore, the transmission range may be used to determine an approximate location for the user. For example, the transmission power may be reduced until the mobile computing device no longer receives an SF signal from the wireless access point (at a cut-off point).

The relationship between the transmission power and the distance between the wireless access point and the mobile computing device may be predetermined, such that the transmission power at any given cut-off point may be used to determine an approximate location of the mobile computing device.

The skilled person will understand that the present invention may also be used to determine the floor (level) of the mobile computing device in a multi-level building. This may be determined either by the transmission range or by the particular wireless access point being registered to that particular floor.

In the above embodiment, the entity includes a wireless local area network. However, the skilled person will understand that the entity may include multiple wireless local area networks, and each may be registered with the server such that the user may interact with the entity's online portal after receiving the identifier for any one of the wireless local area networks. Furthermore, each one of the plurality of wireless local area networks may be placed in different regions of a large entity, and correspondingly registered with the server at that region.

S

The skilled person will understand that it is non-essential for the entity to be a store -it may be any form of entity such as a place of business or any place of interest. Furthermore, it is non-essential for the mobile computing device to send an identifier for the user or mobile computing device, rather, the signal only needs an identifier for the wireless local area network or the entity. However, including an identifier for the user or mobile computing device provides a more personalised experience on the online portal.

The skilled person will also understand that the application for the mobile computing device is non-essential, such that the user may access the online portal for the entity using other means. For example, the user may receive a link to a webpage for the online portal.

The skilled person will understand that any combination of features is possible within the scope of the invention, as claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for allowing a mobile computing device to interact with an online portal for an entity, the method comprising the steps of: S a mobile computing device receiving an RE signal sent from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including a first identifier for the wireless local area network; the mobile computing device sending a first signal to a server, the first signal including the first identifier; and the server, on receiving the first signal including the first identifier, determines the entity associated with the first identifier and allows the mobile computing device to interact with the entity's online portal.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the server includes configuration information for the entity's online portal and, on receiving the first signal including the first identifier, sends a second signal to the mobile computing device, the second signal including the configuration information for the entity's online portal.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the server receives a configuration signal from the entity, wherein the configuration signal includes the second identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity, and determines the entity associated with the first identifier by comparing the first and second identifiers.
4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the server through a cellular data connection.
5. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the server via the wireless local area network.
6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first signal includes the first identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity and a user identifier for a user of the mobile computing device.
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless local area network includes an adjustable transmission range.
8. A server comprising a communications interface configured to receive a first signal from an external device, the first signal including a first identifier for a wireless local area network at a location of an entity; and a processor configured to, in response to the communications interface receiving the first signal, determine the entity associated with the identifier and allow the external device to interact with the entity's online portal.
9. A server as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the server further comprises a memory configured to store configuration information for the entity's online portal.
10. A server as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to, in response to the communications interface receiving the first signal, cause the communications to send a second signal to the external device, the second signal including the configuration information for the entity's online portal.
11. A server as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the communications S interface is configured to receive a configuration signal from the entity, the configuration signal including a second identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity, wherein the processor determines the entity associated with the identifier by comparing the first and second identifiers.
12. A server as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the first signal includes a user identifier for a user of the mobile computing device.
13. A method for allowing a mobile computing device to interact with an online portal for an entity, the method comprising the steps of: a server receiving a first signal from an external device, the first signal including a first identifier for a wireless local area network at a location of an entity; the server determining the entity associated with the first identifier; and the server allowing the external device to access the online portal for the entity.
14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the step of allowing the external device to access the online portal for the entity includes sending a second signal to the external device, the second signal including configuration information for the online portal.
15. A method as claimed in either Claim 13 or Claim 14, further comprising the initial step of receiving a configuration signal from the entity, the configuration signal including a second identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity, and the step of determining the entity associated with the first identifier includes comparing the first and second identifiers.
16. A computer program product comprising computer executable code which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the method of any one of Claims 13 to 15.
17. A mobile computing device comprising a communications interface configured to receive an RE signal from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including a first identifier for the wireless local area network; a processor configured to cause the communications interface to send a first signal to an external server, the first signal including the first identifier for the wireless local area network; and a display configured for displaying an online portal for the entity.
18. A mobile computing device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the communications interface is configured to receive a second signal from the external server, the second signal including configuration information for the online portal for the entity, the processor is adapted to configure the online portal for the entity using the configuration information, and the display is adapted for displaying the configured online portal for the entity.
19. A mobile computing device as claimed in either Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the first signal includes the first identifier for the wireless local area network and a user identifier for the mobile computing device.
20. A mobile computing device as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the communications interface is configured to send the first signal to the external server through a cellular data connection.
21. A mobile computing device as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the communications interface is configured to send the first signal to the external server via the
22. A method for displaying an online portal for an entity on a mobile computing device, the method comprising the steps of: a mobile computing device receiving an RE signal from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including a first identifier for the wireless local area network; the mobile computing device sending a first signal to an external server, the first signal including the first identifier for the wireless local area network; and displaying an online portal for the entity on the mobile computing device.
23. A method as claimed in Claim 22, further comprising the steps of receiving a second signal from the external server, the second signal including configuration information for the online portal for the entity, and configuring the online portal for the entity using the configuration information.
24. A method as claimed in either Claim 22 or Claim 23, wherein the first signal incudes the first identifier for the wireless local area network and a user identifier for the mobile computing device.S25. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 24, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the external server through a cellular data connection.26. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 24, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the external server via the wireless local area network.27. A computer program product comprising computer executable code which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the method of any one of Claims 22 to 26.27. A method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.28. A server substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.29. A mobile computing device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.Amended claims have been filed as foUows:-CLAIMS1. A method for allowing a mobile computing device to interact with an online portal for an entity, the method comprising the steps of: a mobile computing device receiving an RF signal sent from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including a first identifier for the wireless local area network; the mobile computing device sending a first signal to a server, the first signal including the first identifier; and the server, on receiving the first signal including the first identifier, determines the entity associated with the first identifier and allows the mobile computing device to interact with the entity's online portal.2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the server includes configuration information for the entity's online portal and, on receiving the first signal including the first identifier, sends a second signal to the mobile computing device, the second signal 0') including the configuration information for the entity's online portal.0 3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the server receives a configuration signal C) 20 from the entity, wherein the configuration signal includes the second identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity, and determines the entity associated with the first identifier by comparing the first and second identifiers.4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the server through a cellular data connection.5. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the server via the wireless local area network.6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first signal includes the first identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity and a user identifier for a user of the mobile computing device.7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless local area network includes an adjustable transmission range.8. A server comprising a communications interface configured to receive a first signal from an external device, the first signal including a first identifier for a wireless local area network at a location of an entity; and a processor configured to, in response to the communications interface receiving the first signal, determine the entity associated with the identifier and allow the external device to interact with the entity's online portal.9. A server as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the server further comprises a memory configured to store configuration information for the entity's online portal.10. A server as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to, in response to the communications interface receiving the first signal, cause the communications to send a second signal to the external device, the second signal including the configuration information for the entity's online portal. a)11. A server as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the communications C interface is configured to receive a configuration signal from the entity, the configuration C) 20 signal including a second identifier for the wireless local area network at the location of the entity, wherein the processor determines the entity associated with the identifier by comparing the first and second identifiers.12. A server as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the first signal includes a user identifier for a user of the mobile computing device.13. A method for allowing an external device to interact with an online portal for an entity, the method comprising the steps of: a server receiving a first signal from the external device, the first signal including a first identifier for a wireless local area network at a location of an entity; the server determining the entity associated with the first identifier; and the server allowing the external device to access the online portal for the entity.14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the step of allowing the external device to access the online portal for the entity includes sending a second signal to the external device, the second signal including configuration information for the online portal.15. A method as claimed in either Claim 13 or Claim 14, further comprising the initial step of receiving a configuration signal from the entity, the configuration signal including a second identifier for the wireless local aiea network at the location of the entity, and the step of determining the entity associated with the first identifier includes comparing the first and second identifiers.16. A computer program product comprising computer executable code which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the method of any one of Claims 13 to 15.17. A mobile computing device comprising a communications interface configured to receive an RF signal from a wireless local 0') area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including a first identifier for the C a processor configured to cause the communications interface to send a first signal C) 20 to an external server, the first signal including the first identifier for the wireless local area network; and a display, the communications interface being configured to receive a second signal from the external server, the second signal including configuration information for an online portal for the entity, the processor being adapted to configure the online portal for the entity using the configuration information, and the display being configured for displaying the configured online portal for the entity.18. A mobile computing device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the first signal includes the first identifier for the wireless local area network and a user identifier for the mobile computing device.19. A mobile computing device as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the communications interface is configured to send the first signal to the external server through a cellular data connection.20. A mobile computing device as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the communications interface is configured to send the first signal to the external server via the wireless local area network.21 A method for displaying an online portal for an entity on a mobile computing device, the method comprising the steps of: a mobile computing device receiving an RF signal from a wireless local area network at a location of an entity, the RF signal including a first identifier for the wireless local area network; the mobile computing device sending a first signal to an external server, the first signal including the first identifier for the wireless local area network; the mobile computing device receiving a second signal from the external server, the second signal including configuration information for an online portal for the entity, and configuring the online portal for the entity using the configuration information; and displaying the online portal for the entity on the mobile computing device. a)° 22. A method as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the first signal incudes the first identifier C for the wireless local area network and a user identifier for the mobile computing device.23. A method as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the external server through a cellular data connection.24. A method as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, wherein the mobile computing device sends the first signal to the external server via the wireless local area network.
25. A computer program product comprising computer executable code which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the method of any one of Claims 21 to 24.
26. A method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.
27. A server substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.
28. A mobile computing device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings. a)