WO2011035315A2

WO2011035315A2 - System and method for distributing real-time promotional communications

Info

Publication number: WO2011035315A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/049686
Authority: WO
Inventors: James L. Sontag
Original assignee: Sontag James L
Priority date: 2009-09-21
Filing date: 2010-09-21
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Also published as: WO2011035315A3

Abstract

A system and method for distributing real-time marketing for a business establishment. The system and method comprise an environment sensor placed within the business establishment and adapted to record the occupancy oi' the establishment at regular intervals. A computer system analyzes the determined occupancy and transmits an advertisement comprising a coupon υr drink and food special to a customer's mobile device or computer.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING

REAL-TIME PROMOTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to targeted advertising and more specifically to determining the occupancy of a business establishment and distributing advertisements comprising coupons or sale specials to increase occupancy and sales.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a method for distributing real-time marketing for a business establishment. The method comprises generating an occupancy image. The occupancy image comprises a visual record of the business establishment The occupancy image is transmuted to a computer system and received by the computer system. The computer system processes the occupancy image to generate a determined occupancy of tile business establishment. The determined occupancy is stored in an electronic form by the computer system. An advertisement is automatically selected based on the determined occupancy from a set of advertisements. The selected advertisement is then transmitted to a customer device.

[0003] The present invention is further directed to a system for distributing real-time promotional communications to a customer on behalf of a business establishment The system comprises an environment sensor to collect occupancy data from the business establishment, a computer system, and a communication link. The computer system is connected to the environment sensor and adapted to receive occupancy data from the environment sensor, analyze the occupancy data to generate a determined occupancy, and to select an advertisement for transmission to a customer based upon the determined occupancy. The communication link is connected to the computer system to transmit the selected advertisement to a mobile device or customer computer. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0004] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the system of the present invention showing the environment sensor and computer system used to measure the occupancy of a business establishment and transmit an advertisement to a customer.

[0005] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an environment sensor used in accordance with the present invention.

[0006] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the method of delivering advertisement to customers in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The owners of business establishments such as restaurants and bars are interested in maintaining customer traffic even during lulls in business due to any number of reasons. Likewise, customers desire information regarding drink and food specials at restaurants and bars they frequent or that are near the customer's location. Additionally, customers often want information regarding the occupancy of an establishment they may desire to patronize. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system for delivering real-time marketing information in the form of advertisements from the business establishment or photographs of the business establishment on the customer's mobile device or computer. The present invention provides a method and system for providing targeted advertisements to customers based upon the desired occupancy of a business establishment and a system for providing customers with real- time occupancy information.

[0008) Turning to the figures, and specifically to Figure 1, there is shown therein a system 10 for distributing real-time promotional communications to a customer on behalf of a business establishment. The system comprises an environment sensor 12, a computer system 14, and a communication link 16. The environment sensor 12 collects data from the business establishment relating to the general atmosphere of the establishment. Such data may include the current occupancy, the noise level of the establishment, music playing within the establishment, and a recent visual image of the establishment The environment sensor 12 may comprise a visual recording device 18, a portable computer 20 connected to the visual recording device and adapted to receive a recorded image from the visual recording device, and a communication link (not shown) for transmitting the recorded image to the computer system 14. The visual recording device 18 may comprise a camera designed for recording a visual image of the business establishment in low light and low visibility environments. An acceptable camera is offered by Videology Imaging Solutions, Inc. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the environment sensor 12 may comprise an infrared traffic counting device, a laser beam traffic counter or any other device that counts the number of customers in a business establishment The environment sensor 12 may also comprise an audio sensor adapted to determine sound levels within the establishment or to determine the music currently playing within the establishment. Further, the environment sensor 12 may comprise a combination of an occupancy sensor, a visual recording device, and the audio sensor to collect and transmit data regarding the current occupancy, noise level, music playing, and a photographic representation of the establishment to the potential patron.

[00091 The computer system 14 is connected to the environment sensor 12 and adapted to receive occupancy data from the environment sensor, analyze the occupancy data to generate a determined occupancy, and to select an advertisement for transmission to a customer based upon the determined occupancy. The computer system 14 may comprise a remote sever provided by a third party to administer the business establishment's account and advertisement selection. A business establishment computer 22 in communication with the computer system 14 is adapted to receive and transmit advertisement conditions and parameters established by the business establishment to the computer system. Such conditions and parameters may include trigger of certain advertisements comprising food or drink specials announcements or coupons based on target or threshold occupancy numbers. For example, a bar owner may establish a parameter that instructs the computer system 14 to transmit a drink coupon to registered customers on Friday nights when the occupancy of the bar falls below a target occupancy. Restaurants may likewise transmit food or drink specials or coupons to customers when occupancy fells below a threshold level.

[0010] The computer system 14 may further be adapted to transmit messages on behalf of a customer to a social networking service. Such message may comprise a reference mat the customer's social network contact may use to discover and connect to the computer system 14 through their own mobile device 24 or computer 26. Thus, die described system may comprise a web-based interface adapted to facilitate communication between the environment sensor 12, computer system 14, business establishment computer 22, and customer's mobile device 24 or computer 26 via an Internet webpage interface. Alternatively, the computer system may communicate advertisements to users via text message, e-mail, or posting of a message on the customer's social networking profile.

[0011] With continuing reference to Figure 1, the communication link 16 is connected to the computer system to transmit the advertisement selected by the computer system to a customer's computer 26. The communication link 16 may further comprise a mobile communication link adapted to transmit the advertisement to a customer's mobile device 24. As discussed above, the advertisement comprising the drink or food special coupon or drink or food announcement may be communicated to the customer or the customer's social network contacts via text message, Short Message Service, e-mail, or posting on the customer's social networking profile.

[0012] The drink or food special coupon may comprise an image file transmitted to the customer's computer 26 or mobile device 24 and include a unique one-time use code. The use code may comprise a bar code or alphanumeric code for use by the customer when purchasing using the coupon .

[0013] Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown therein an environment sensor 12 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The environment sensor 12 of Figure 2 comprises a frame 28 adapted to support the camera 30, a motherboard 32 adapted to support a processor 34, a wireless communications link 36 and/or a wire-line communication link 38 such as an Ethernet cable connector. The environment sensor 12 may further comprise an optional display screen (not shown) and user input device (not shown) such as a mouse or keyboard to allow the owner of the business establishment to enter conditions or parameters and eliminate the need for the business owner's computer 22 of Figure 1.

[0014] The wireless communication link 36 may comprise a radio communication link, a Wi-Fi router, or a cellular network connection. The Wi-Fi router may be adapted to allow wireless communication between the environment sensor 12 and the business establishment computer 22 and computer systeml4. Additionally, use of a cellular communication link allows the environment sensor to communicate with the computer system and/or directly with customers without the need for an Internet connection to the environment sensor 12 of Figure 2.

[00151 Turning now to Figure 3 there is shown therein a flow chart illustrating a preferred method for distributing real-time marketing for a business establishment. At Step 100 the method begins and an occupancy image is generated (Step 102). Additionally, the method may comprise a customer enrollment process (Step 104) during which customers may select business establishments from which the customer wishes to receive marketing materials. The customer selections may be stored in connection with a customer profile comprising the customer's selected preferences at the computer system 14 (FIG. 1 ). Alternatively, the computer system 14 may be adapted to track the customer's use of advertisements transmitted to the customer in accordance with the present invention to create a data set comprising the customer's preferences.

[0016} The occupancy image may comprise a visual record of the interior of the business establishment. Alternatively, a plurality of environment sensors 12 may be used in a single business establishment to generate multiple images of various areas of the establishment The occupancy image may comprise visual records recorded at a predetermined interval.

[00171 At Step 106 the occupancy image is transmitted to the computer system 14 (Fig. 1). The occupancy image is received at the computer system 14 (Step 108) and is processed to generate a determined occupancy of the business establishment. The determined occupancy may be generated by automated means using commercially available software or by manual means. At Step 1 10 the determined occupancy, and date and time of generation of the occupancy image is stored in an electronic form for later use by the computer system 14 or the business establishment to set conditions or parameters to trigger future advertisement distribution.

[0018) At Step 112 the computer system 14 measures the determined occupancy and compares the determined occupancy to target occupancy set by the business establishment for the then current date and time. If the determined occupancy is less man the target occupancy the computer system 14 automatically selects an advertisement based on the determined occupancy (Step ] 14) and transmits the selected advertisement to the customer's device (Step 116) and the process terminates (Step 118). The advertisement may be selected by matching the advertisement selected from the set of advertisements to the customer's stored preferences. As discussed herein the selected advertisement transmitted to die customer device may comprise a coupon or goods or service special.

[0019 J If the determined occupancy is greater than the target occupancy selected by the business establishment an advertisement is not selected and the process is terminated (Step 118) until the environment sensor generates a new occupancy image and the process repeats by the generation of a second occupancy image which is transmitted to the computer system 14 and processed to generate a second determined occupancy. The second determined occupancy is compared to the target occupancy and the selected advertisement may be cither extended or terminated if the second determined occupancy meets or exceeds the target occupancy. If the second determined occupancy does not meet or exceed the target occupancy the computer system 14 may automatically transmit a second selected advertisement to customers within a predefined geographical area in relation to the business establishment when the second determined occupancy is less than the target occupancy.

10020) At Step 114 the computer system 14 may be further adapted to transmit the selected advertisement to a social networking service profile for the customer. Such social networking services may include Facebook, MySpace, Linkedln, or Twitter. The customer's social networking contacts are notified of receipt of the selected advertisement by the customer and the customer may then notify his or her contacts of the customer's intent to take advantage of the advertisement. The computer system 14 may be configured to allow the customer's social networking contacts to connect to the computer system to request a copy of the selected advertisement.

[0021] Various modifications can be made in the design and operation of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, while the principal preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been explained in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments, which have been illustrated and described, it should be understood mat within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for distributing real-time marketing for a business establishment, the method comprising:

generating an occupancy image, wherein the occupancy image comprises a visual record of the business establishment;

transmitting the occupancy image to a computer system;

receiving the occupancy image at the computer system and processing the occupancy image to generate a determined occupancy of the business establishment;

storing the determined occupancy in an electronic form;

automatically selecting an advertisement based on the determined occupancy from a set of advertisements; and

transmuting the selected advertisement to a customer device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing a customer profile at the computer system, wherein the customer profile comprises a customer preference; and

wherein selecting the advertisement further comprises matching the advertisement selected from the set of advertisements to the customer preference,

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

connecting a business establishment computer to the computer system;

selecting an advertisement based on a desired occupancy; and

transmitting the advertisement to the computer system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting the selected advertisement to the customer device comprises transmitting a coupon or goods or service special to a customer mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein processing the occupancy image to generate a determined occupancy of the business establishment comprises providing a video camera to generate a plurality of visual records at a predetermined interval.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selecting a target occupancy for the business establishment;

automatically generating a second occupancy image;

transmitting the second occupancy image to the computer system; receiving the second occupancy image at the computer system and processing the second occupancy image to generate a second determined occupancy of the business establishment;

comparing the second determined occupancy to the target occupancy; and automatically terminating the selected advertisement when the determined occupancy meets the target occupancy,

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selecting a target occupancy for the business establishment;

automatically generating a second occupancy image;

transmitting the second occupancy image to the computer system; receiving the second occupancy image at the computer system and processing the second occupancy image to generate a second determined occupancy of the business establishment; comparing the second determined occupancy to the target occupancy; and automatically transmitting a second selected advertisement to customers within a predefined geographical area in relation to the business establishment when the second determined occupancy is less than the target occupancy.

8. The method of claim I further comprising:

transmitting the selected advertisement to a social networking website profile for the customer, and

notifying a group of social networking contacts of the customer of receipt of the selected advertisement by the customer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the social networking contacts connects to the computer system to request a copy of the selected advertisement.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a preselected advertisement to the customer based on a spatial relationship between the customer and the business establishment

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer system is adapted to store a set of time-based predetermined advertisements for transmission upon occurrence of a time- based event and to transmit a least one of the set of time-based predetermined advertisements to the customer upon occurrence of the time-based event.

12. A system for distributing real-time promotional communications to a customer on behalf of a business establishment, the system comprising:

an environment sensor to collect occupancy data from the business establishment; a computer system connected to the environment sensor and adapted to receive occupancy data from the environment sensor, analyze the occupancy data to generate a determined occupancy, and to select an advertisement for transmission to a customer based upon the determined occupancy; and a communication link connected to the computer system to transmit the selected advertisement to a mobile device or customer computer.

13. The system of claim 1 2 wherein the environment sensor comprises:

a visual recording device;

a portable computer adapted to receive a recorded image from the visual recording device; and

a communication link for transmitting the recorded image to the computer system.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the visual recording device comprises a camera and wherein the occupancy data comprises a visual image of the business establishment.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the communication link comprises a mobile communication link adapted to transmit the advertisement to the mobile device.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the business establishment comprises a dining or drinking establishment.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the advertisement comprises a drink or food special coupon or drink or food special announcement.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the drink or food special couponcomprises a unique one-time use code.

19. The system of claim 12 further comprising a business establishment computer in communication with the computer system to receive and transmit advertisement parameters from the business establishment to the computer system.

20. The system of claim 12 wherein the occupancy data comprises a visual image and wherein the environment sensor comprises:

a camera adapted to record the visual image of the business establishment at a preselected interval; and

a communication link adapted to transmit the visual image to the computer system.