Patents by Inventor William Don Wortley

William Don Wortley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11665508
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for providing content to a mobile device based on activity in a physical commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Mobile devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked with the use of beacons to determine customer activities in the retail store, including particular areas visited in the store, activities conducted by the customer in the store, and like tracking information. The customer activity and data for the activities and locations in the physical environment may be correlated to an identifier, profile, or other tracking information. This tracking information may be subsequently used by the mobile device to identify the user to an advertising network, or other information service, and obtain customized media content and information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Hurewitz, William Don Wortley
  • Patent number: 11288606
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for tracking customers and employees in a commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Customer devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked to determine customer shopping activities in a retail store, and to obtain promotions or affect targeted results based on the customer's activity and a profile associated with the customer. Employee devices that are operated by an associated employee also may be tracked to identify employee activities and manage the interactions that occur with customers in the retail environment. In-store activities and interactions accordingly may be enhanced as a result of advertising, marketing, and analytics derived from the tracked activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michele Azar, Lisa Hake, Andrew Marble, Brent Shiely, William Don Wortley, Michael Zorn
  • Patent number: 11122393
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for providing content to a mobile device based on activity in a physical commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Mobile devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked with the use of beacons to determine customer activities in the retail store, including particular areas visited in the store, activities conducted by the customer in the store, and like tracking information. The customer activity and data for the activities and locations in the physical environment may be correlated to an identifier, profile, or other tracking information. This tracking information may be subsequently used by the mobile device to identify the user to an advertising network, or other information service, and obtain customized media content and information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Hurewitz, William Don Wortley
  • Publication number: 20200228927
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for providing content to a mobile device based on activity in a physical commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Mobile devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked with the use of beacons to determine customer activities in the retail store, including particular areas visited in the store, activities conducted by the customer in the store, and like tracking information. The customer activity and data for the activities and locations in the physical environment may be correlated to an identifier, profile, or other tracking information. This tracking information may be subsequently used by the mobile device to identify the user to an advertising network, or other information service, and obtain customized media content and information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Hurewitz, William Don Wortley
  • Publication number: 20200210935
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for tracking customers and employees in a commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Customer devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked to determine customer shopping activities in a retail store, and to obtain promotions or affect targeted results based on the customer's activity and a profile associated with the customer. Employee devices that are operated by an associated employee also may be tracked to identify employee activities and manage the interactions that occur with customers in the retail environment. In-store activities and interactions accordingly may be enhanced as a result of advertising, marketing, and analytics derived from the tracked activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michele Azar, Lisa Hake, Andrew Marble, Brent Shiely, William Don Wortley, Michael Zorn
  • Patent number: 10572843
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for tracking customers and employees in a commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Customer devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked to determine customer shopping activities in a retail store, and to obtain promotions or affect targeted results based on the customer's activity and a profile associated with the customer. Employee devices that are operated by an associated employee also may be tracked to identify employee activities and manage the interactions that occur with customers in the retail environment. In-store activities and interactions accordingly may be enhanced as a result of advertising, marketing, and analytics derived from the tracked activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michele Azar, Lisa Hake, Andrew Marble, Brent Shiely, William Don Wortley, Michael Zorn
  • Patent number: 10542380
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for providing content to a mobile device based on activity in a physical commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Mobile devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked with the use of beacons to determine customer activities in the retail store, including particular areas visited in the store, activities conducted by the customer in the store, and like tracking information. The customer activity and data for the activities and locations in the physical environment may be correlated to an identifier, profile, or other tracking information. This tracking information may be subsequently used by the mobile device to identify the user to an advertising network, or other information service, and obtain customized media content and information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Hurewitz, William Don Wortley
  • Publication number: 20190066027
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for tracking customers and employees in a commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Customer devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked to determine customer shopping activities in a retail store, and to obtain promotions or affect targeted results based on the customer's activity and a profile associated with the customer. Employee devices that are operated by an associated employee also may be tracked to identify employee activities and manage the interactions that occur with customers in the retail environment. In-store activities and interactions accordingly may be enhanced as a result of advertising, marketing, and analytics derived from the tracked activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michele Azar, Lisa Hake, Andrew Marble, Brent Shiely, William Don Wortley, Michael Zorn
  • Patent number: 10083409
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for tracking customers and employees in a commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Customer devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked to determine customer shopping activities in a retail store, and to obtain promotions or affect targeted results based on the customer's activity and a profile associated with the customer. Employee devices that are operated by an associated employee also may be tracked to identify employee activities and manage the interactions that occur with customers in the retail environment. In-store activities and interactions accordingly may be enhanced as a result of advertising, marketing, and analytics derived from the tracked activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michele Azar, Lisa Hake, Andrew Marble, Brent Shiely, William Don Wortley, Michael Zorn
  • Patent number: 9921804
    Abstract: A system and method is presented for awarding content to users of mobile devices for attending events, appearing at locations, or viewing audiovisual content. One embodiment also automatically alters the configuration of mobile devices, which is particularly useful in movie theaters. An application on the device recognizes an audible signal provided at the location or in the audiovisual content. The signal can also be used to unlock content. In this way, desired content is available only when the user has attended an event such as an event sponsored by the content creator. The content can relate to the event, and can be synchronized to the event. The signal can also trigger an application or unlock content at a store location. For example, a scavenger hunt can be guided by an application on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald N. Pierce, Jaclyn Knapp, Dan Fox, Ken Slater, Tony Tung, Heather Look, Stacy Anderson, William Don Wortley, Carrie Barclay, Justin Ebert
  • Publication number: 20160227359
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for providing content to a mobile device based on activity in a physical commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Mobile devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked with the use of beacons to determine customer activities in the retail store, including particular areas visited in the store, activities conducted by the customer in the store, and like tracking information. The customer activity and data for the activities and locations in the physical environment may be correlated to an identifier, profile, or other tracking information. This tracking information may be subsequently used by the mobile device to identify the user to an advertising network, or other information service, and obtain customized media content and information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Hurewitz, William Don Wortley
  • Publication number: 20150287066
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for marketing by an affiliate of a retailer using electronic coupons. Data in the electronic coupon may include an affiliate ID, a consumer ID, and an offer to discount one or more products from the retailer. The electronic coupon is accessed by the retailer, either through a point-of-sale system in a store, by accessing information on a mobile device of the consumer, or online. A commission is applied by a processing system to products purchased during the transaction, but the affiliate is responsible to reimburse the retailer for the amount of any discount attributable to the coupon that would otherwise financially impact the retailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: William Don Wortley, Ryan Diehl, Alan Heuring, Matthew Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150235161
    Abstract: Techniques and system configurations for tracking customers and employees in a commercial environment such as a retail store are described herein. Customer devices that are operated by an associated customer may be tracked to determine customer shopping activities in a retail store, and to obtain promotions or affect targeted results based on the customer's activity and a profile associated with the customer. Employee devices that are operated by an associated employee also may be tracked to identify employee activities and manage the interactions that occur with customers in the retail environment. In-store activities and interactions accordingly may be enhanced as a result of advertising, marketing, and analytics derived from the tracked activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Michele Azar, Lisa Hake, Andrew Marble, Brent Shiely, William Don Wortley, Michael Zorn
  • Publication number: 20150205578
    Abstract: A system and method is presented for awarding content to users of mobile devices for attending events, appearing at locations, or viewing audiovisual content. One embodiment also automatically alters the configuration of mobile devices, which is particularly useful in movie theaters. An application on the device recognizes an audible signal provided at the location or in the audiovisual content. The signal can also be used to unlock content. In this way, desired content is available only when the user has attended an event such as an event sponsored by the content creator. The content can relate to the event, and can be synchronized to the event. The signal can also trigger an application or unlock content at a store location. For example, a scavenger hunt can be guided by an application on the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald N. Pierce, JR., Jaclyn Knapp, Dan Fox, Ken Slater, Tony Tung, Heather Look, Stacy Anderson, William Don Wortley, Carrie Barclay, Justin Ebert