SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR VERIFYING CONSUMER ACTIVITY AND PROVIDING VALUE TO CONSUMERS BASED ON CONSUMER ACTIVITY

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses and methods of verifying consumer activity and providing value to consumers based on consumer activity are provided. In some examples, consumer activity may occur on a mobile electronic device and verification of the activity on the mobile electronic device may be performed. Value may be provided to the consumer after the activity is verified. Numerous types of activity may be performed by the mobile electronic device such as, for example, entering a location, scanning a product or image, or purchasing a product. Such activity may be verified in a variety of manners including, but not limited to, a verification element or rescanning a purchased product at a designated location. Systems, apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may also be utilized with other applications (“Apps”) to provide value to users of the other App.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/421,380, filed Dec. 9, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to providing value to consumers based on their consumer activity and verifying the consumer activity and, more particularly, to providing value to consumers performing consumer activity with their mobile electronic devices and verifying the consumer activity performed with the mobile electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Currently, people are taking their mobile electronic devices everywhere with them in their daily lives and, therefore, uses and applications of mobile electronic devices are increasing at a rapid pace to accommodate people anywhere throughout their daily lives. Users of mobile electronic devices are also consumers and many of the new uses and applications of mobile electronic devices are in some manner associated with the consumer activity of the users. In some instances, a consumer may opt to use the mobile electronic device during consumer activity.

Thus, a need exists for systems, methods, and/or apparatuses that encourage and verify authenticity of the consumer's activity. In addition, a need exists for systems, methods, and/or apparatuses that provide value to consumers based on their consumer activity.

SUMMARY

In one example, a system is provided for providing value to a consumer based on consumer activity.

In another example, a system is provided for verifying consumer activity.

In yet another example, a method of providing value to a consumer based on consumer activity is provided.

In still another example, a method of verifying consumer activity is provided.

In a further example, an apparatus is provided for providing value to a consumer based on consumer activity.

In yet a further example, an apparatus is provided for verifying consumer activity.

In still a further example, a method of providing value to a consumer is provided and includes performing an action with a mobile electronic device, generating data associated with the action, communicating the data to a server via a network, storing the data in a storage device, identifying value using the data, and providing the value to a consumer.

In another example, a method of providing value to a consumer is provided and includes performing a first action associated with a mobile electronic device, communicating data associated with the first action to a server, performing a second action associated with the mobile electronic device, communicating data associated with the second action to the server, verifying authenticity of at least one of the first action and the second action using the data associated with the first action and the second action, and providing value to the consumer if the at least one of the first action and the second action is determined to be authentic.

In yet another example, a method of verifying a location of a mobile electronic device is provided and includes providing a verification element in a location, the verification element including a memory, a plurality of unique communications stored in the memory, and a broadcast element, broadcasting one of the plurality of unique communications with the broadcast element, receiving the one of the plurality of unique communications with the mobile electronic device, communicating the one of the plurality of unique communications to a server with the mobile electronic device via a network, and verifying the one of the plurality of unique communications is associated with the verification element.

In a further example, a method of verifying a location of a mobile electronic device is provided and includes providing a verification element in a location, the verification element may include a memory, a unique id and secret key for generating non-predictable codes from an algorithm, a battery backup clock, a plurality of unique codes generated on the fly or stored in the memory, and a broadcast element broadcasting and periodically changing one of the plurality of unique codes with the broadcast element, receiving the one of the plurality of unique codes with the mobile electronic device, communicating the one of the plurality of unique codes to a server with the mobile electronic via a network, and verifying the one of the plurality of unique codes is associated with the verification element.

In still another example, a method of providing value to a consumer is provided and includes performing an action with a mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is without access to a network, the mobile electronic device including a data storage device, generating data associated with the action, storing the data in the data storage device in the mobile electronic device, gaining access to a network with the mobile electronic device, communicating the data to a server via the network when the mobile electronic device has access to a network, and providing value to the consumer.

In a further example, a method of providing value to a consumer is provided and includes communication data to a mobile electronic device via a network when the network is accessible by the mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device including a data storage device, storing the data in the data storage device of the mobile electronic device, wherein the data is associated with an action opportunity, prompting a consumer via the mobile electronic device of the action opportunity when the mobile electronic device does not have access to a network, performing an action, with the mobile electronic device, associated with the action opportunity when the mobile electronic device does not have access to a network, and providing value to the consumer.

In still a further example, a method of providing value to a consumer is provided and includes operating an application on a mobile electronic device, performing an action with the mobile electronic device when the application is not operating on the mobile electronic device, generating data associated with the action, communicating the data to a server via a network, identifying value using the data, wherein the value is associated with the application, and providing the value to the consumer.

In yet a further example, a method of verifying product interaction is provided and includes providing a product, capturing an image associated with the product with a mobile electronic device, transmitting the image over a network for verification, and verifying that the image is associated with the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system that may be used for verifying consumer activity and providing value to consumers based on consumer activity, among other things;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of verifying consumer activity and providing value to consumers based on consumer activity;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of creating an account and verifying a user device;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of action generation;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of performing an action to determine whether or not a consumer will receive value;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another exemplary process of performing an action to determine whether or not a consumer will receive value;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of yet another exemplary process of performing an action to determine whether or not a consumer will receive value;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of still another exemplary process of performing an action to determine whether or not a consumer will receive value;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a further exemplary process of performing an action to determine whether or not a consumer will receive value;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of verifying consumer activity;

FIG. 10A is a flowchart of another exemplary process of verifying consumer activity;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of yet another exemplary process of verifying consumer activity;

FIG. 11A is a flowchart of a further exemplary process of verifying consumer activity;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of still another exemplary process of verifying consumer activity;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a further exemplary process of verifying consumer activity;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of value redemption;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an exemplary verification element that may be used with the system;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of another exemplary verification element that may be used with the system;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of enabling a user to receive value when the user's mobile electronic device lacks communication with one or more networks;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of another exemplary process of enabling a user to receive value when the user's mobile electronic device lacks communication with one or more networks; and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of marketing to a consumer based on the consumer's own activity.

Before any independent features and embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for interacting with consumers during consuming activity, providing value to the consumers based on their consumer activity, and verifying the authenticity of the consumer activity. The disclosed systems, methods, and apparatuses may also be used to strategically market to and/or survey the consumers based on their consumer activity and/or based on stated or implied preferences.

With reference to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary system 20 of the present invention is illustrated. In this illustrated exemplary embodiment, the system 20 includes a user electronic device 24, a global positioning system (“GPS”) 28, a first network 32, a second network 36, a plurality of accessible servers 40, a storage device or database 44, a verification element 48, and a point of sale (POS) system 52. It should be understood that the exemplary elements of the system 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 are provided for illustrative and exemplary purposes to assist with an understanding of at least some of the many aspects of the present invention. These exemplary elements are not intended to be limiting upon the present invention and the present invention is capable of having various other elements, which are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the user electronic device 24 may be any type of user electronic device such as, for example: a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a touch screen music player, a miniature laptop or tablet, etc.; a personal computer or laptop; a combination of a personal computer and a digital camera; or any other type of user electronic device. While the systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present invention are capable of utilizing any user electronic device, a “mobile electronic device” will be used hereinafter when referring to user electronic devices in order to provide a common theme throughout the description, simplify the following description, and for the sake of brevity. However, it should be understood that the use of “mobile electronic device” is not intended to be limiting upon the disclosure of the present invention. The illustrated exemplary mobile electronic device 24 includes a microprocessor 56 and memory 60. While the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the mobile electronic device 24 is shown only with a microprocessor 56 and memory 60, it should be understood that the mobile electronic device 24 is capable of having all necessary elements to carryout the present invention.

The exemplary system also includes a conventional GPS 28, which is well known in the art and, therefore, will not be described herein in great detail. The mobile electronic device 24 communicates with the GPS 28 to determine the global coordinates of the mobile electronic device 24. Cellular tower and/or WI-FI triangulation via the internet may be utilized to determine the location of the mobile electronic device 24. Such triangulation is also well known in the art and will not be described herein in great detail. These methods for determining the location of the mobile electronic device 24 may be used individually or may be used in any combination.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the exemplary system 20 includes a first network 32 and a second network 36. The first and second networks 32, 36 may be similar types of networks or may be different type of networks. For example, the first network may be the internet and the second network may be a cellular network. The mobile electronic device 24 may communicate with one or both of the first and second networks to send and receive data. Also, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first and second networks may communicate with each other to send and receive data. Further, the mobile electronic device 24 may utilize a cellular network, a WI-FI network, or a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as, for example, first and second networks 32, 36, in addition to or in lieu of the GPS 28 to determine the global coordinates of the mobile electronic device 24.

The plurality of servers 40 illustrated in the exemplary system of FIG. 1: may be specifically designated for cooperation with the systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present invention; may be utilized in a cloud computing type atmosphere; or may cooperate with the systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present invention in any other manner. The illustrated exemplary servers 40 each include a microprocessor 64 and a memory 68. While the illustrated exemplary servers 40 are shown only with a microprocessor 64 and memory 68, it should be understood that the servers 40 are capable of having all necessary elements to carryout the present invention. It should also be understood that the systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present invention may include any number of servers, including one, to carryout the present invention.

With further reference to the exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary database 44 for storage of data is illustrated. While exemplary FIG. 1 only illustrates a single database 44, the systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present invention are capable of including any number of databases 44 for storage of data and the one or more servers 40 are capable of communicating with the one or more databases 44 as needed to carryout the present invention. In addition, while the following description and accompanying figures may not specifically identify communication between the one or more servers 40 and the one or more databases 44, communication between the one or more servers 40 and the one or more databases 44 may occur as needed to carryout the present invention.

The exemplary verification element 48 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be a wide variety of verification elements 48, which will be described in greater detail below. The mobile electronic device 24 and verification element 48 communicate with each other to verify the authenticity of the mobile electronic device 24, the location of the consumer, and consumer activity carried out by the consumer with the mobile electronic device 24. In some exemplary embodiments, the verification element 48 may have a finite communication range. Thus, in such exemplary embodiments, the mobile electronic device 24 may store or cache its communications and communicate with the verification element 48 once it is within the communication range of the verification element 48.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary POS system 52 may be a wide variety of POS systems 52 and POS systems 52 may generally be systems implemented at venues selling products and/or services to track sales, track consumer activity, perform various tasks associated with completing sales transactions, perform calculations using sales figures, accept loyalty cards and/or programs, process payments, provide sales receipts, and a variety of other tasks. Such POS systems 52 may include, for example, cash registers, auto-checkout devices, more advanced networked sales programming and devices, or any other programming and/or devices.

A variety of systems, methods, and apparatuses may be used to verify authenticity of consumer activity and provide value to consumers based on their consumer activity. The following description includes only some of the many systems, methods, and apparatuses capable of verifying authenticity of consumer activity and providing value to consumers based on their consumer activity, and is included for exemplary and illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart illustrates an exemplary overview of providing value to consumers based on their consumer activity, verifying the authenticity of the consumer activity, and redeeming value accumulated by a consumer. Initially, a consumer creates or activates an account 72. After creating an account, action generation occurs 76, which requires the consumer to perform an activity or take a particular action. Next, action verification occurs 80, which includes the system verifying the authenticity of the consumer activity. After action verification, value redemption occurs 84, which includes the consumer redeeming value obtained as a result of performing the consumer activity. More details pertaining to each of the above steps will be described below.

It should be understood that the steps provided in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2-14 are only exemplary and the present invention is capable of including additional or fewer steps than those illustrated in FIGS. 2-14 and be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that the order of steps illustrated in FIGS. 2-14 are only exemplary and the steps may be performed in different orders relative to each other and be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 3, step 72 of FIG. 2 relating to a consumer creating or activating an account will be addressed in more detail. The following steps for creating an account are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for creating an account are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Initially, a consumer accesses one or more networks with the mobile electronic device 88. For example, the consumer may access the internet and/or a cellular network with their mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device retrieves data 92 from one or more servers and/or the database via one or more networks. The retrieved data is associated with performing the present invention. After data retrieval, the mobile electronic device downloads and stores the data in the memory 96. The microprocessor assists with retrieval, downloading, and storage of the data. Upon completion of the data download, the mobile electronic device may send a confirmation 100 to one or more servers via one or more networks indicating that the download was successful. Alternatively, the one or more servers may send a confirmation to the mobile electronic device via one or more networks to determine if the download was successful. After the necessary data (e.g., operating software, etc.) is downloaded to the mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device may access one or more networks 104 in order to communicate with and receive data from the one or more servers and one or more databases pertinent to the present invention. The consumer may enter relevant personal information 108 such as, for example, name, age, gender, home address, username, password, referral code, phone number, loyalty program, etc., which is sent to the one or more servers via one or more networks and stored in the memory of one or more servers or, in the alternative or in combination, stored in the one or more databases. This personal information may be retrieved at a later time for various reasons. After submission of the personal information, the system verifies authenticity of the consumer's information and the consumer's mobile electronic device 112.

The consumer's information and mobile electronic device may be authenticated in a variety of different manners and at a variety of different times such as, for example, during account creation, during location declaration, before, during or after consumer activity, during purchases, during value redemption, etc. The following exemplary embodiments of authentication are for illustrative and exemplary purposes and are not intended to be limiting. Other authentication embodiments are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, verification may be transparent to the consumer such that verification occurs without their active involvement. In other words, information and device verification occurs in the background. For example, upon establishing communication between the mobile electronic device and the one or more servers via the one or more networks, the one or more servers may communicate with the consumer's mobile electronic device to verify that the device is authentic. Various types of background verifying communication may occur between the one or more servers and the mobile electronic device. These may include communications relying on an active connection to a mobile telecommunication carrier's network to ensure that the electronic device is active, unique, and corresponds with the identifying information provided by the user. For example, a push notification or short message service (SMS) may be sent to the device 24 using its device token, UDID, telephone number, telephony ID, MAC address, etc. This allows verification via a unique identifier on the network. It also eliminates multiple accounts on a verified device 24 and permits permanent banning of fraudulent accounts. This verification enables banning of a particular device, which is not feasible on personal computers via the internet. Personal computers are not tied to their communication platform with a unique identifiable number. While a particular IP address can be isolated on a network with a personal computer, the personal computer itself can be moved to a new network connection or a proxy server to generate a new IP address.

In another exemplary embodiment, upon establishing communication between the mobile electronic device and the one or more servers via one or more networks, the one or more servers may send a communication to the mobile electronic device that is displayed on the mobile electronic device and requires a response from the consumer. Such communications may include, but are not limited to, emails, short message service (SMS) communications such as text messages, or any other type of communication. In such exemplary embodiments, a challenge activity may be presented to the consumer and the consumer must respond in a particular manner in order for the mobile device to be authenticated. For example, the consumer may be required to answer a question, input a passcode, take a picture of himself/herself, take a picture of a particular item, scan a barcode that may be recorded for future verification via automated or manual methods, etc. If the consumer responds properly, then the mobile electronic device is authenticated and may be used in accordance with the present invention. If the consumer responds improperly or does not respond, the mobile electronic device is not authenticated and may not be used in accordance with the present invention until such time that it is authenticated.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, upon establishing communication between the mobile electronic device and the one or more servers via the one or more networks, the one or more servers may send an automated telephone call to the mobile electronic device or an individual may place a manual call to the mobile electronic device (i.e., if the mobile electronic device is enabled for telephone communication). The consumer is required to respond to the automated or manual telephone call in a particular manner in order for the mobile device to be authenticated. For example, the consumer may be required to answer a question, provide additional information, enter a code, etc. If the consumer provides a proper response, then the mobile electronic device is authenticated and may be used in accordance with the present invention. If the consumer provides an improper response or the telephone call is not answered, the mobile electronic device is not authenticated and may not be used in accordance with the present invention until such time that it is authenticated.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the consumer may be near a verification element 48 and the verification element 48 may authenticate the consumer's information and mobile electronic device as an authentic device. For example, the verification element may verify that the mobile electronic device is at a certain location through the use of modulating unpredictable communications or codes (described in more detail below). By this method, individuals cannot predict the verification element's current communication or code and misreport their presence. The mobile electronic device will receive, process, and transmit the securitized communication or code from the verification element to the one or more servers via the one or more networks. The one or more servers will compare the transmitted securitized communication or code, the location, and time transmitted to the expected code in order to verify the mobile electronic device's presence.

Referring now to FIG. 4, step 76 of FIG. 2 relating to action generation will be addressed in more detail. As indicated above, action generation requires a consumer to perform an activity or take a particular action. The following steps for action generation are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for action generation are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Initially, a consumer may log into the system 116. This can occur automatically or a consumer may input a password or passcode, which is sent via one or more networks to one or more servers to indicate that the consumer is ready to initiate consumer activity. Next, the location of the consumer is identified 120 by identifying the location of the consumer's mobile electronic device. The location of the consumer's mobile electronic device may be identified in a variety of manners. In one exemplary embodiment, the GPS system may communicate with the mobile electronic device to identify its location and, subsequently, the location of the mobile electronic device is sent to one or more servers via one or more networks. In another exemplary embodiment, a cellular network or a WI-FI signal is capable of identifying the mobile electronic device's location and the identified location is sent to one or more servers via the cellular network and/or the internet. In still another exemplary embodiment, one of the location verification methods may be coupled with a product scan to verify the location of the mobile electronic device. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the location of the mobile electronic device may be identified by a verification element located in the vicinity of the mobile electronic device.

The verification element 48 may be a wide variety of different verification elements and the following examples of verification elements are not intended to be limiting. The system is capable of including other verification elements and such other verification elements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 15, an exemplary verification element 48 is illustrated. This exemplary verification element 48 is powered by a power supply 137 such as, for example, an alternating current (AC) power supply, and communicates with at least one network such as, for example, the internet. The verification element includes memory 138, an integrated circuit 139, a timing device 141, a broadcast element 142, an adjustable output strength device 143, a user interface 145, and a secondary power supply 146. In this exemplary illustrated embodiment, a large quantity of codes may be communicated to the verification element from one or more servers via the at least one network and stored in the verification element's memory. Such a conveyance of codes from the one or more servers to the verification element may occur a single time, in which case all the necessary codes would be communicated to the verification element in the single transfer of codes, or the one or more servers may periodically communicate codes to the verification element via the at least one network as desired.

The integrated circuit cooperates with the timing device, such as a clock, to retrieve codes from the memory at appropriate times and communicates the retrieved codes to the broadcast element for interaction with a user and his/her mobile electronic device. The integrated circuit retrieves and broadcasts codes in a manner that is unpredictable to users, but is understood by the one or more servers such that when the user's mobile electronic device communicates verifying data to the one or more servers via the one or more networks, the one or more servers recognizes the verifying data and verifies the authenticity of the user's mobile electronic device.

The integrated circuit may retrieve codes from memory and communicate the codes to the broadcast element in any time increment and be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the integrated circuit may retrieve a new code from memory and communicate the new code to the broadcast element every 10 minutes, 30 minutes, hour, day, week, month, or any other period of time. Continually modulating verification codes inhibits fraudulent activity.

Instances may arise where the main power supply is not available for the verification element. The on-board secondary power supply may provide sufficient power to the verification element in order to maintain a desired level of operability. In some exemplary embodiments, the secondary power source may power the verification element in a manner that facilitates complete operability of the verification element. In other exemplary embodiments, the secondary power source may only power the timing device to ensure that the timing device continues to run and keep accurate time in instances where the main power supply is not available.

It should be understood that broadcasting a unique code is only one of the many manners of communication between the verification element and a mobile electronic device. Many other types of unique and secure communication may occur between the verification element and a mobile electronic device and be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, other types of unique and secure communication between the verification element and a mobile electronic device include visual images, sonic communications through in-audible high frequency sound, changing WIFI identification such as, for example, MAC address, through IP based communication, RFID or NFC, etc.

The verification element may be located in a wide variety of venues having a wide range of spaces. It may be desirable to have the verification element broadcast codes in an area complementary to the area of the venue in which the verification element is positioned. A big box store may have a large retail space footprint, while a small convenience store may have a small retail space footprint. It may not be desirable to have the broadcast element output a signal of similar strengths for the big box retail store and the small convenience store. Thus, the verification element may include an adjustable output strength device for adjusting the output strength of the signal broadcast by the broadcast element. The adjustable output strength device may be appropriately adjusted so that the verification element broadcast a stronger signal for a big box store and a weaker signal for a small convenience store, thereby coordinating the strength of the broadcast signal with the environment in which the verification element is located. The adjustable output strength device may be adjustable in a variety of manners such as, for example, manually via a user interface, automatically with the integrated circuit, through the network from a location other than the venue in which the verification element is located, or any of a variety of other manners, all of which are intended to be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another exemplary verification element 48 is illustrated. This exemplary verification element 48 is powered by a power supply 137 such as, for example, an alternating current (AC) power supply, and includes an integrated circuit 139, a unique identifier 147, an encryption key 149, a timing device 141, a broadcast element 142, an adjustable output strength device 143, a user interface 145, and a secondary power supply 146.

In this exemplary illustrated embodiment, the integrated circuit cooperates with the unique identifier, the encryption key, and the timing device to generate unpredictable codes, apply an encryption to the codes, and communicate the codes to the broadcast element for interaction with a user and his/her mobile electronic device. The integrated circuit retrieves, encrypts, and broadcasts codes in a manner that is unpredictable to users, but the broadcast codes will match unpredictable codes derived by one or more servers utilizing a similar process and algorithm such that when the user's mobile electronic device communicates verifying data to the one or more servers via the one or more networks, the one or more servers recognizes the verifying data and verifies the authenticity of the user's mobile electronic device.

Each verification element has a unique identifier and encryption key which are never broadcast. The integrated circuit transforms the unique identifier using the encryption key and the precise time to regularly modulate unpredictable codes. Since it is not possible for someone receiving the unpredictable code to determine the original unique identifier and encryption key, all codes remain unpredictable except to the servers that can generate its own matching codes because they have the unique identifier, encryption key, and current time. Periodically, the server may compare the received unpredictable code to its expected and internally generated unpredictable code at a particular date and time. If the code does not match exactly for the particular time, but matches another expected code in a designated window before or after, the server may incorporate a time offset to sync the verification element's clock with its own. For example, the timing device of the verification element may not be in sync with the timing device of the one or more servers (e.g., the timing devices may be off a few seconds, minutes, hours, etc). Thus, the code generated by the verification element and communicated by the user's mobile electronic device may not match the code generated by the one or more servers. This syncing capability accommodates such inconsistent codes and may still authenticate the code sent by the user's mobile electronic device, thereby ultimately authenticating the user's mobile electronic device.

The integrated circuit may retrieve, encrypt, and communicate codes to the broadcast element in any time increment and be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the integrated circuit may retrieve, encrypt, and communicate a new code to the broadcast element every 10 minutes, 30 minutes, hour, day, week, month, or any other period of time. Continually modulating verification codes inhibits fraudulent activity.

Instances may arise where the main power supply is not available for the verification element. The on-board secondary power supply may provide sufficient power to the verification element in order to maintain a desired level of operability. In some exemplary embodiments, the secondary power source may power the verification element in a manner that facilitates complete operability of the verification element. In other exemplary embodiments, the secondary power source may only power the timing device to ensure that the timing device continues to run and keep accurate time in instances where the main power supply is not available.

Similarly to the exemplary verification element illustrated in FIG. 15, the exemplary verification element illustrated in FIG. 16 may be located in a wide variety of venues having a wide range of spaces. The exemplary verification element illustrated in FIG. 16 includes all the same structure and operability as the exemplary verification element illustrated in FIG. 15 in order to adjust the broadcast strength of the broadcast element. Thus, for the sake of brevity, such structure and operability will not be repeated herein. Rather, reference is made to the description above pertaining to the exemplary verification element illustrated in FIG. 15.

The broadcast element described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 may be a variety of different types of elements for broadcasting the modulating unpredictable codes. For example, the broadcast element may be a WI-FI, WLAN, or other antenna enabled device for broadcasting a signal, a sonic device, or an electronic display or monitor.

The following is an example of a WI-FI, WLAN, or antenna enabled broadcasting device. A periodically modulating SSID verification element may be a wireless router type of device capable of automatically changing its wireless network name (service set identifier, SSID, etc.) or MAC address, which can be picked up and transmitted via a WI-FI, WLAN, or other antenna equipped electronic device to one or more servers. These strings may correspond to a code periodically and securely sent to the verification element over one or more networks such as, for example, the internet. Alternatively, without need for a network or internet connection, these strings may be a non-predictable code that is independently algorithmically generated both at the one or more servers and the verification element from a fixed code and encryption key, corresponding to the electronic mobile device, and one or more dynamic variables, based on the current time. The one or more servers compare the non-predictable code to the code sent from the electronic mobile device to verify if the electronic mobile device is near a particular verification element at a given time. Alternatively, the verification element and one or more servers may have a preset schedule of codes unique to each particular verification element at a given time. This signal can be transmitted by the electronic mobile device to one or more servers for verification. The modulating SSID verification element may also include a method to calibrate the intensity of signal transmission so that the range of the verification element may be adjusted to fit the eligible parameters of the venue. This modulating SSID verification element may take the form of a wireless router with the notable exception that it does not need to be connected to the internet as it only needs to broadcast its identifying information via SSID and/or MAC address to the electronic mobile device. The modulating SSID verification element may include an internal clock, battery, and preset unique codes. The modulating SSID verification element may also include a method to calibrate the intensity of signal transmission so that the range of the device may be adjusted to fit the eligible parameters of the venue. By way of example, a large store with the verification element in the middle of the store might have the signal intensity set to a maximum. A small store or one with the verification element placed near an entryway might have the transmission intensity set to a minimum.

The following is an example of a sonic broadcasting device. A periodically modulating high frequency sonic verification element is a device capable of generating ultrasound outside of human hearing at particular pitches in particular patterns. These patterns correspond to a code that can be modulated automatically as described below. This auditory signal can be picked up via microphone on a mobile electronic device and transmitted to one or more servers for verification via one or more networks. The sonic verification element may also include a method to calibrate the intensity of signal transmission so that the range of the verification element may be adjusted to fit the intended eligible parameters of the venue. By way of example, a large store with the verification element in the middle of the store might have the signal intensity set to a maximum. A small store or one with the verification element placed near an entryway might have the transmission intensity set to a minimum.

The following is an example of the broadcasting device comprising an electronic display or monitor. A periodically modulating barcode producing verification element may include a display that displays a periodically changing barcode. This barcode may be a one dimensional barcode, a QR code, a two dimensional barcode, a universal product code (UPC), etc. The consumer may scan the displayed barcode with the mobile electronic device's on-board camera and the mobile electronic device may send the captured scan to one or more servers via one or more networks for identification. The system will be able to verify the location of the mobile electronic device based on the scanned barcode. It should be understood that the periodically changing barcode may be modulated at any desired increment. It should also be understood that the barcode may instead be other images and such other images may be modulated at any desired increment.

As used herein, the term “scan” may be interpreted to include any type of scanning technology for scanning any type of image and/or may be interpreted to be any type of digital imaging such as, for example, a digital picture taken with a digital camera. In addition, a “scan” may be, among other things, an image captured with a user electronic device and may include a digital picture of the image as well as the decoded string of data from the image. Further, a “scan” may be any image or any data captured by a user electronic device.

Modulating codes transmitted by verification elements protect against fraudulent reproduction of their signal to gain undeserved value. Such verification elements are modulated in a manner so that the one or more servers can match a particular code from a particular verification element at a particular time, while other people cannot predict that code. Several methods exist to synchronize these codes and such methods are unpredictable so that fraudulent value is not obtained. These strings may correspond to a code periodically and securely sent to the verification element over one or more networks such as, for example, the internet. Alternatively, without need for an internet connection, these strings may be a non-predictable code that are independently algorithmically generated both at the one or more servers and the verification element from a fixed code, corresponding to the electronic mobile device, and one or more dynamic variables, based on the current time. The one or more servers compare its non-predictable code to the code sent from the electronic mobile device to verify if the electronic mobile device is near a particular verification element at a given time. Alternatively, the verification element and one or more servers may have a preset schedule of codes unique to each particular verification element at a given time. These methods may require a clock, battery power supply for the clock, active or passive storage for underlying code, list of codes, and/or algorithm for generating codes. In addition, a method for calibrating the one or more servers and the timing device may need to occur. This code will be transmitted by the mobile electronic device to one or more servers for verification via one or more networks.

Once the system identifies the location of the consumer, the mobile electronic device may display the action opportunities 124 near the location of the consumer. For example, if the consumer is near a grocery store, one of the displayed action opportunities may relate to performing an action associated with the grocery store. Once the action opportunities are displayed on the mobile electronic device, the consumer selects one or more of the action opportunities 128. Next, the consumer satisfactorily performs the action(s) associated with the selected action opportunity(ies) 132. Satisfactorily performing actions associated with action opportunities will be described in more detail below. Upon satisfactory performance of the action, the consumer receives value 136. Such value may be a wide variety of different types of value including, but not limited to, advertising, redeemable/reward points, coupons, special offers, gift certificates, money, consumer goods, charitable contributions, sweepstakes entries, airline miles, features in an App, product review information, storing grocery list, sweepstakes, or anything else of value.

Exemplary consumer activity relating to FIG. 4 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. For example, a consumer may be in a particular city and may activate/log into the system. The system will identify the consumer's location in the particular city and display numerous action opportunities on the consumer's mobile electronic device. A few exemplary action opportunities may include a nearby restaurant, a coffee shop, a grocery store, a convenience mart, etc, and a map, directions, and/or a distance from the action opportunities may also be displayed on the mobile electronic device. As an example, the consumer may choose to go to the nearby grocery store. One or more particular actions such as, for example, checking into a grocery store, scanning a particular product, etc., may be associated with the chosen grocery store. If the consumer satisfactorily performs the one or more actions, the consumer will receive value such as, for example, points, coupons, gift certificates, money, consumer goods, charitable contributions, any of the other types of value disclosed herein, or anything else of value.

A variety of different types of actions may be generated and such actions may have different requirements for performing and/or completing the actions satisfactorily. The following paragraphs relating to FIGS. 5-9 describe a few exemplary actions generated and a few exemplary manners of satisfactorily performing the exemplary actions. The following exemplary actions and manners of satisfactorily performing the actions are for exemplary and illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. A wide variety of other actions and manners of satisfactorily performing the actions are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary manner of satisfactorily performing a selected action, which is generally represented as step 132 in FIG. 4, is illustrated and will be described in more detail. After a consumer selects an action (see step 128 in FIG. 4), a consumer is prompted via the display 140 on the mobile electronic device if he/she wishes to perform the action 144. If the consumer does not wish to perform the action, the consumer does not receive any value 148. If the consumer wishes to perform the action, the consumer initiates the action 152 and completes the action 156. Upon completion of the action, the system determines if the action was completed successfully 160. If the consumer does not complete the action satisfactorily, the consumer does not receive value 164. If the consumer completes the action satisfactorily, the consumer receives value 168. Step 168 in FIG. 5 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary consumer activity relating to FIG. 5 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. In some instances, a consumer may be asked if they would like to perform a particular action such as, for example, go to a grocery store and scan a particular item. If the consumer does not want to go to the grocery store, then the consumer will not receive value. If the consumer does wish to go to the grocery store and scan the particular item, the consumer travels to the grocery store and scans the particular item. Then, the system determines if the consumer went to the grocery store and scanned the item. If the consumer did not go to the grocery store or did not scan the particular item, the consumer will not receive value. If the consumer does travel to the grocery store and scans the particular item, the consumer will receive value.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another exemplary manner of satisfactorily performing a selected action, which is generally represented as step 132 in FIG. 4, is illustrated and will be described in more detail. In some instances, the selected action does not require a significant investment of time and effort by the consumer. FIG. 6 illustrates such an instance. In this exemplary instance, the consumer is not required to perform any additional activity 172 after selection of the action in order to receive value 176. In other words, the consumer may automatically receive value associated with certain actions. In some exemplary embodiments, authentication of the electronic mobile device may occur prior to receipt of value. The mobile electronic device may be authenticated in any of the authentication or verification manners described herein or any other possible manner. After authentication, the consumer receives value 176. Step 176 in FIG. 6 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary consumer activity relating to FIG. 6 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. An exemplary instance where a consumer may receive value for performing no additional activity may include activating an account. After activating an account, the consumer may receive value without performing any action.

Referring now to FIG. 7, yet another exemplary manner of satisfactorily performing a selected action, which is generally represented as step 132 in FIG. 4, is illustrated and will be described in more detail. Similarly to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 illustrates one of many possible exemplary instances where the selected action does not require a significant investment of time and effort by the consumer. However, as illustrated in FIG. 7, some instances requiring little activity by the consumer may include activity in the background possibly without explicit consumer action in order for the consumer to receive value. For example, in FIG. 7, the system may desire to confirm the consumer's location 180 prior to the consumer receiving value 184. The system identifies the consumer's location by identifying the location of the consumer's mobile electronic device. The location of the consumer's mobile electronic device may be identified in any of the variety of manners described herein or any other possible manner. After the consumer's location is identified, the consumer receives value 184. Step 184 in FIG. 7 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary consumer activity relating to FIG. 7 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. An exemplary action may require a consumer to “check-in” at a particular venue such as, for example, a grocery store. All the consumer needs to do to receive value is travel to the grocery store. The system will identify that the consumer is at the grocery store by identifying the location of the consumer's mobile electronic device. Upon arrival of the consumer at the grocery store, the consumer will receive value automatically (i.e., without actively performing a significant quantity of other steps or actions).

Referring now to FIG. 8, still another exemplary manner of satisfactorily performing a selected action, which is generally represented as step 132 in FIG. 4, is illustrated and will be described in more detail. After the consumer selects an action (see step 128 in FIG. 4), the system displays the instructions on the display of the mobile electronic device 188 that are required for satisfactorily performing the action. Next, the consumer performs an action 192 and the system determines if the instructions were followed 196 when the consumer performed the action. If the consumer performed an action in accordance with the displayed instructions, the consumer receives value 200. If the consumer performs an action that does not follow the displayed instructions, the consumer does not receive value 204. Step 200 in FIG. 8 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to the step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary consumer activity relating to FIG. 8 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. An exemplary action pertaining to FIG. 8 may include displaying instructions on a consumer's mobile electronic device that instruct the consumer to travel to a particular venue such as, for example, a grocery store, and perform particular activities at the grocery store. For example, the instructions may instruct the consumer to go to the store, find a particular brand of cereal, and purchase the cereal. In response to the instructions, the consumer performs an action or actions. The system then determines if the consumer satisfactorily followed the instructions with his/her action(s). If the consumer did not satisfactorily follow the instructions, the consumer does not receive value. If the consumer satisfactorily follows the instructions, the consumer receives value.

Other exemplary consumer activities that may relate to FIG. 8 include, but are not limited to, displaying instructions for downloading a particular application and downloading the particular application to receive value, displaying instructions to complete a survey and responding to the survey to receive value, displaying instructions for publicizing actions or messages to one or more social networks and publicizing actions or messages to the one or more social networks to receive value, displaying instructions to enter a promotional code and entering a promotional code to receive value, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a further exemplary manner of satisfactorily performing a selected action, which is generally represented as step 132 in FIG. 4, is illustrated and will be described in more detail. After the consumer selects an action (see step 128 in FIG. 4), the system may display a plurality of secondary action opportunities associated with the selected action 208. The consumer then selects one of the secondary action opportunities 212. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, after the consumer selects the secondary action opportunity, the camera on the mobile electronic device activates 216. After activation of the camera, the consumer takes a picture or scans an item or a portion of the item, such as, for example, a barcode, associated with the selected secondary action opportunity 220. The consumer then receives value 224. Step 224 in FIG. 9 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to the step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary consumer activity relating to FIG. 9 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. For example, a consumer may be at a convenience store and one or more action opportunities associated with the convenience store may be displayed on the consumer's mobile electronic device. One such displayed action opportunity may include, for example, finding a particular brand of potato chips, scanning the bag of potato chips, and receiving value for scanning the bag of potato chips.

As indicated above, a variety of different actions and value opportunities exist beyond the exemplary actions and value opportunities described herein. Another exemplary action and value opportunity includes receiving value for referring another user to the system. Referral actions and value receipt for the referral actions may be achieved in a variety of different manners. For example, a current user may provide a referral code to a new prospective user and, upon registration of the new user, the new user enters the referral code and the current or first user receives value. Also, for example, a current user may provide a registration link to a new prospective user and the new prospective user may follow the registration link to ultimately register as a new user. If the new user follows the link and becomes a new registered user, the current or first user receives value.

Unfortunately, in instances where consumers receive any type of value, there will be those people who perform fraudulent activity in order to deceive the system and receive value to which they are not entitled. Thus, the present invention includes numerous systems, methods, and apparatuses to provide an audit trail of actions, verify authentic consumer activity, provide value for such authentic activity, and also identify fraudulent activity and withhold value for such fraudulent activity. The following examples of verifying authentic activity are provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the following examples are only some of the many possible manners of verifying authentic activity, all of which are intended to be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 10, an exemplary manner of verifying authentic activity, which is generally represented as step 80 in FIG. 2, is illustrated. The following steps for action verification are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for action verification are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the system verifies authentic activity after a consumer satisfactorily performs an action 228 (also see step 136 in FIG. 4). As a consumer satisfactorily performs an action, the system identifies the consumer's location 232 by identifying the location of the consumer's mobile electronic device. The location of the consumer's mobile electronic device may be identified in any of the manners described herein or any other possible manner. The identified location of the mobile electronic device is sent to one or more servers via one or more networks 236. The one or more servers determine if the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the selected action 240. One example where the location of the mobile electronic device may correspond to the selected action is if the selected action relates to a consumer venue and the mobile electronic device is identified to be in or near the particular consumer venue. If the location of the mobile electronic device does not correspond to the selected action, the consumer does not receive value 244. If the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the selected action, the consumer receives value 248. Step 248 in FIG. 10 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to the step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary verification of consumer activity as it relates to FIG. 10 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. For example, if a consumer satisfactorily performs an action such as, for example, scanning or purchasing a particular brand of ice cream at a grocery store, the system determines the consumer's location to ensure that the consumer is actually at the grocery store. If the consumer is not at the grocery store corresponding to the ice cream just scanned or purchased, then the consumer does not receive value. If the consumer is located at the grocery store where the ice cream was just scanned or purchased, then the consumer receives value. This type of verification may be used to verify scans or purchases originating at the actual location. Mobile electronic devices may be fraudulently manipulated to create fraudulent scans or purchases in an effort to receive undeserved value. Such fraudulent scans or purchases may be generated from a location other than at the actual location (e.g., grocery store). The present verification activity will identify that the mobile electronic device is not at the actual location (e.g., grocery store) and will know that the scan or purchase is fraudulent.

As indicated above, the examples provided herein for verifying authentic activity are only exemplary and many other examples of verifying authentic activity are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the steps provided in the example illustrated in FIG. 10 may be performed in a different order. One such example is illustrated in FIG. 10A.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10A, another exemplary manner of verifying authentic activity, which is generally represented as step 80 in FIG. 2, is illustrated. The following steps for action verification are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for action verification are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the system verifies authentic activity by identifying the consumer's location 232A by identifying the location of the consumer's mobile electronic device. The location of the consumer's mobile electronic device may be identified in any of the manners described herein or any other possible manner. The identified location of the mobile electronic device is sent to one or more servers via one or more networks 236A. The one or more servers determine if the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the selected action 240A. One example where the location of the mobile electronic device may correspond to the selected action is if the selected action relates to a consumer venue and the mobile electronic device is identified to be in or near the particular consumer venue. If the location of the mobile electronic device does not correspond to the selected action, the consumer does not receive value 244A. If the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the selected action, a consumer may satisfactorily perform an action 228A (also see step 136 in FIG. 4). As a consumer satisfactorily performs an action, the consumer receives value 248A. Step 248A in FIG. 10A pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to the step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary verification of consumer activity as it relates to FIG. 10A will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. The present example will utilize a grocery store environment. For example, the system determines the consumer's location to ensure that the consumer is actually at the grocery store. If the consumer is not at the grocery store corresponding to a particular brand of ice cream that is associated with the action, then the consumer does not receive value. If the consumer is located at the grocery store where the ice cream associated with the action is located, then the consumer needs to satisfactorily perform the action associated with the ice cream which may include, for example, scanning or purchasing the particular brand of ice cream at a grocery store. If the consumer satisfactorily scans or purchases the ice cream, the consumer receives value. This type of verification may be used to verify scans or purchases originating at the actual location. Mobile electronic devices may be fraudulently manipulated to create fraudulent scans or purchases in an effort to receive undeserved value. Such fraudulent scans or purchases may be generated from a location other than at the actual location (e.g., grocery store). The present verification activity will identify that the mobile electronic device is not at the actual location (e.g., grocery store) and will know that the scan or purchase is fraudulent.

With reference to FIG. 11, another exemplary manner of verifying authentic activity, which is generally represented as step 80 in FIG. 2, is illustrated. The following steps for action verification are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for action verification are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the system verifies authentic activity after a consumer satisfactorily performs an action 252 (also see step 132 in FIG. 4). After a consumer satisfactorily performs an action, the system identifies the consumer's location 256 by identifying the location of the consumer's mobile electronic device. The location of the consumer's mobile electronic device may be identified in any of the manners described herein or any other possible manner. The identified location of the mobile electronic device is sent to one or more servers via one or more networks 260. The one or more servers determine if the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the selected action 264. One example where the location of the mobile electronic device may correspond to the selected action is if the selected action relates to a consumer venue and the mobile electronic device is identified to be in or near the particular consumer venue. If the location of the mobile electronic device does not correspond to the selected action, the consumer does not receive value 268. If the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the selected action, the consumer may be required to purchase a product corresponding to the selected action 272. One example where a purchased product corresponds to a selected action may occur in a consumer venue such as a grocery store. In such an example, the selected action may relate to a particular product in the grocery store and the consumer must purchase the particular product from the grocery store in order to eventually receive value.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, a consumer travels to a second location 276 such as, for example, the consumer's home, after purchasing the product. At the second location, the consumer takes a picture or scans the purchased product 280. For this example, the consumer's picture or scan at the second location may be a second picture or scan of the product. As part of satisfactorily performing an action (see step 252 and step 132 in FIG. 4), the consumer may have been required to take a first picture or scan of the product (see step 220 in FIG. 9). Thus, the picture or scan of the product occurring at step 280 in FIG. 11 may be a second picture or scan of the product. After the second picture or scan occurs, the system may determine if the second picture or scan occurred within a designated time limit 284. The time limit may be any quantity of time and be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention. Exemplary time limits may include, but are not limited to, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc. If the second picture or scan does not occur within the time limit, the consumer may not receive value 288. If the second picture or scan occurs within the time limit, the mobile electronic device sends the second picture/scan to the one or more servers via one or more networks 292. The one or more servers then determine if the second picture/scan is taken of the same product from which the first picture or scan was taken 296. If the second picture/scan is not of the same product, then the consumer does not receive value 300. If the second picture/scan is of the same product, then the system identifies the location of the mobile electronic device at the second location 304. The location of the mobile electronic device may be determined in any of the manners described herein or any other manners and be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention. An additional exemplary manner of determining the second location of the mobile electronic device may include a second verification element at the second location. The second verification element can identify the second location of the electronic mobile device in similar manners to that described herein in connection with the first verification element. Continuing, the system then determines if the location of the mobile electronic device at the second location is the same as the predetermined designated location 308. As indicated above, for example, the designated location could be the consumer's home. A user's home may be verified in a variety of manners including, for example, from information provided by the user upon account activation, professional or certified installation of the second verification element discussed above, credit card billing address, US mailing address, frequently visited GPS coordinates, or any other manner. If the second location of the mobile electronic device is at the designated location, then the consumer receives value 312. If the second location of the mobile electronic device is not at the designated location, the consumer does not receive value 316. Step 312 in FIG. 11 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to the step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

It may also be desirable to verify the authenticity of the scan taken by the camera of the mobile electronic device. Fraudulent scans may be an artificially generated barcode, picture of a product barcode instead of the actual barcode on the product, or other fraudulent manners attempting to receive undeserved value from fraudulent activity. Authenticity of the scan may be verified in a variety of different manners. The following exemplary embodiments are provided for illustrative and exemplary purposes, and are not intended to be limiting. Other exemplary embodiments of authenticating scans taken by a mobile electronic device are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

With respect to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, multiple scans may require authentication. It should be understood that the verification of the authenticity of scans of the present invention may be performed in connection with any scan taken with a camera of a mobile electronic device. However, for illustrative and exemplary purposes, the following exemplary embodiments of scan verification relate to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11.

In one exemplary embodiment, the authenticity of a scan may be performed manually. In such an embodiment, step 292, as well as any other scanning or picture taking step, may be replaced or followed by a step of an individual visually inspecting the second scan. If the individual believes the second scan is authentic, the individual will then determine if the second scan is taken of the same product from which the first scan is taken. This manual determination occurs at query step 296 in FIG. 11. After this manual verification at step 296, the process continues as illustrated in FIG. 11. Alternatively, manual verification may occur after value is credited or it may occur at certain value thresholds to target certain behavioral patters of users.

In another exemplary embodiment, the authenticity of a scan may be performed automatically by a computer system without manual interaction. For example, such a computer system may include network, servers, storage media with databases of scanned pictures, CPU, memory, temporary drive or memory for performing image comparisons. In such an exemplary embodiment, step 292, as well as any other scanning or picture taking step, may be replaced by or followed by a step of automated image duplication detection. This detection discovers if one or more users are submitting similar scans of a picture of a product or a generated barcode rather than an actual product barcode. Methods of verifying authenticity include ensuring uniqueness by comparing the entire image to scans of the same product submitted by the same and/or other users to detecting identical shading and lighting (this will occur if a user is scanning the same photograph of a barcode that he or another user submitted). Uniqueness may also be confirmed by comparing scans of the same product submitted by the same and/or other users by examining portions of the image in the background outside of the barcode. This method will detect if multiple scans of the same photograph of a barcode are submitted. To increase the possibility that portions of the background are included in the image taken by the camera of the mobile electronic device, the display or screen of the mobile electronic device seen by the consumer shows less than the full image that will be captured by the camera when the camera takes the image. For example, the image displayed on the screen of the mobile electronic device will be smaller than the actual size of the image captured by the camera. That way, the consumer will be unaware that more image will be captured then he/she expects. Yet another method for verifying the authenticity of a scan may include comparing the scan to one or more known verified versions of the product. This will confirm that the barcode is not artificially generated via a fraudulent method such as reproducing a barcode via a printer, electronic monitor, etc. Since the scans of true products will appear similar because packages are the same, artificially created barcodes will not match the actual product. Artificially created barcodes may be of the wrong color, and/or include pixilation, may not include background images from packaging, etc. Thus, this method will find scans that are not of the actual product. Using these methods of verifying similarity to actual products and/or dissimilarity to previously submitted scans, automated methods can rate the fraudulent likelihood of a given scan. To make an actual comparison, the one or more servers may divide up an image into a set of many smaller images and compare similarity of the entire image, a subset of only the barcode portion, or a subset excluding the barcode portion.

Exemplary verification of consumer activity as it relates to FIG. 11 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. For example, a consumer may have an action involving traveling to a grocery store and purchasing a particular brand of shampoo. By traveling to the grocery store and purchasing the shampoo, the consumer satisfactorily performs the action. Next, the system determines if the consumer is actually at the grocery store and has purchased the shampoo. Verification of the consumer's location is performed to determine that the consumer is at the grocery store and the consumer may scan the particular shampoo to confirm an interaction and begin confirming purchase of the shampoo. If the consumer is not at the grocery store or has not scanned the particular shampoo, the consumer does not receive value. After purchasing the particular shampoo, the consumer travels to a designated second location such as, for example, his/her home, to unload the shampoo along with any other purchased products. In some instances, it may be desirable to disqualify particular locations as appropriate designated second location. For example, the system may disqualify locations within a particular radius of the venue from which the product was purchased or may disqualify locations within a particular radius of venues offering the same product. Returning to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the consumer may take a second scan of the shampoo at the designated second location. If the consumer does not take the second scan within a particular time limit such as, for example, 1 hour, the consumer does not receive value. If the consumer performs the second scan within 1 hour, the mobile electronic device sends the second scan of the shampoo to one or more servers. The system determines if the second scan of the shampoo is of the same bottle of shampoo from which the first scan was taken. If the scans are not of the same bottle of shampoo, the consumer does not receive value. If the scans are of the same bottle of shampoo, the location of the consumer is determined by determining the location of the consumer's mobile electronic device. If the consumer is in fact at his/her designated second location, the consumer receives value. If the consumer is not at his/her designated second location, the consumer does not receive value. If the designated second location is a user's home, verification of the user's home may occur by comparison with a credit card address, US mail address, a post card send to the user's home, any other home and address verification manner described herein, or other types of home and address verification manners not explicitly disclosed herein, but intended to be within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.

As indicated above, the examples provided herein for verifying authentic activity are only exemplary and many other examples of verifying authentic activity are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the steps provided in the example illustrated in FIG. 11 may be performed in a different order. For example, with reference to FIG. 11A, the consumer's satisfactory performance of an action 252A may be performed after the mobile electronic device's location is determined to correspond to the action opportunity (i.e., step 252A may be performed between step 264A and step 272A). Also, for example, the location of the consumer may be determined 304A and compared to the designated location 308A at various times in the process. One example illustrated in FIG. 11A establishes that the location of the consumer may be determined 304A and compared to the designated location 308A after the consumer travels to the second location 276A and prior to scanning the product a second time 280A. These examples are only a few examples of the many possibilities for alternative step orders and the illustrated and described process steps are not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. Rather, the steps may occur in any order and additional or less steps may be included in the process.

With reference to FIG. 12, yet another exemplary manner of verifying authentic activity, which is generally represented as step 80 in FIG. 2, is illustrated. The following steps for action verification are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for action verification are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the system verifies authentic activity after a consumer satisfactorily performs an action 320 (also see step 132 in FIG. 4). After a consumer satisfactorily performs an action, one or more servers communicate with a point of sale (POS) system associated with the consumer activity via one or more networks 324. The POS system may be any of a variety of different POS systems including, but not limited to, a cash register, payment processing system or pinpad, self-checkout system, loyalty program system, near field communication system, transaction confirmation screen, etc. In one example, the consumer activity may relate to a consumer venue and the POS system may be incorporated with the consumer venue to track consumer activity such as, for example, product purchases within the consumer venue. In this example, the one or more servers communicate with the POS system to determine if the consumer made a purchase associated with the action 328. If the consumer did not make a purchase associated with the action, the system may continuously or intermittently recheck to determine if the consumer has made the purchase. If the consumer makes the purchase, the consumer receives value 332. Step 332 in FIG. 12 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to the step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary verification of consumer activity as it relates to FIG. 12 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. For example, an action may require a consumer to travel to a grocery store and the consumer satisfactorily performs that action by traveling to the grocery store. To receive value, the consumer may also be required to purchase a particular product at the grocery store. When the system identifies that the consumer is at the grocery store, it communicates with a POS system of the grocery store to determine if the consumer has purchased the particular product. If the POS system has not yet indicated that the consumer has purchased the particular product, the system and the POS system may periodically communicate to determine if the consumer has purchased the particular product. If the consumer purchases the particular product, the POS system and the system communicate to verify the consumer's purchase of the particular product and the consumer receives value.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a further exemplary manner of verifying authentic activity, which is generally represented as step 80 in FIG. 2, is illustrated. The following steps for action verification are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for action verification are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the system verifies authentic activity after a consumer satisfactorily performs an action 336(also see step 132 in FIG. 4). After a consumer satisfactorily performs an action, the consumer may decide to purchase a product associated with the satisfactorily performed action 340. Upon purchasing a product, a point of sale (POS) system associated with the venue from which the product was purchased generates an image 344. In some exemplary embodiments, the image may be preprinted on the receipt paper and such preprinted receipt paper may be provided to the venue in the form of a triggered coupon, an image on the consumer POS terminal, etc. The venue then loads the registers with the preprinted receipt paper and prints relevant information on the receipt paper as consumers purchase products. In other exemplary embodiments, the image is not preprinted on the receipt paper and is instead printed on the receipt paper as the receipt is being generated for the consumer's purchase. In this embodiment, the POS system prints an image on the receipt paper during generation of the receipt for the consumer.

The image may be a wide variety of types of images. For example, the image may be a barcode, a code consisting of letters, numbers, and/or characters, an image of a product (either the product being purchased or some other product), an image associated with the venue (e.g., a trademark associated with the venue, abbreviation or acronym of the venue, etc.), a QR code, or two-dimensional barcode, or any other type of image.

After receipt generation, the consumer receives the image 348. The consumer activates his/her camera 352 on the mobile electronic device and performs a scan of the image on the receipt with the camera 356. Then, the mobile electronic device sends the scan of the receipt image 360 to one or more servers via one or more networks for verification 364. The authenticity of the receipt image may be verified in any of the manners described herein such as, for example, manually, automatically, etc., or any other manner, all of which are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. This verification step attempts to determine if the receipt image corresponds to the purchased product and/or the venue of purchase 368. If the receipt image corresponds to the purchased product and/or venue, the consumer receives value 372. If the receipt image does not correspond to the purchased product and/or the venue, the consumer does not receive value 376. Step 372 in FIG. 13 pertaining to the consumer receiving value may correspond to the step 136 in FIG. 4 of the consumer receiving value.

Exemplary verification of consumer activity as it relates to FIG. 13 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. The example used above to illustrate FIG. 12 will be relied upon herein with reference to FIG. 13 at least in connection with the similar elements between the two flowcharts. For example, an action may require a consumer to travel to a coffee shop and the consumer satisfactorily performs that action by traveling to the coffee shop. To receive value, the consumer may also be required to purchase a particular coffee drink. Upon the consumer purchasing the particular coffee drink, the POS system of the coffee shop generates a receipt for the consumer's purchase of the particular coffee drink. An image such as, for example, a barcode is included on the receipt. After the consumer receives the receipt, the consumer activates the camera on his/her mobile electronic device and performs a scan of the barcode on the receipt. The consumer then sends the scan of the barcode for verification. The system verifies authenticity of the barcode by determining if the barcode corresponds to the particular coffee drink and/or the coffee shop. If the barcode in the scan does not correspond to the particular coffee drink and/or the coffee shop, the consumer does not receive value. On the other hand, if the barcode in the scan does correspond to the particular coffee drink and/or the coffee shop, the consumer receives value.

Now that numerous examples of action generation and action verification have been described, at least one example of value redemption will be described herein. The exemplary value redemption described herein is not intended to be limiting. Many other manners of value redemption may be performed and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, a general representation of value redemption is illustrated at step 84. Referring now to FIG. 14, an exemplary manner of value redemption is illustrated in more detail. Initially, the consumer indicates that value redemption is desired 380. The consumer may accomplish this by selecting, on the mobile electronic device, that value redemption is desired. The mobile electronic device then communicates with one or more servers via one or more networks to indicate the consumer's desire to redeem value. The one or more servers then send appropriate data back to the mobile electronic device relating to value redemption. The mobile electronic device then displays one or more value redemption opportunities by category 384. The consumer then determines if a desired category is displayed 388. If a desired category of value redemption is displayed, the consumer selects the desired value redemption category 392. After selection of a category, one or more specific value redemption opportunities within the category are displayed on the mobile electronic device 396. The consumer selects one of the value redemption opportunities 400 and the mobile electronic device may display additional information relating to the selected redemption opportunity 404. After displaying the additional information, the consumer executes redemption of the value 408. The mobile electronic device communicates with the one or more servers via the one or more networks to indicate the redemption of value performed by the consumer 412.

It should be understood that the consumer may redeem value on user electronic devices other than mobile electronic devices such as, for example, personal computers, laptops, or any other electronic device capable of communicating with the one or more servers via one or more networks.

Returning to step 388, if the consumer does not see a desired redemption opportunity displayed on the mobile electronic device, the consumer may initiate a search for value redemption opportunities 416. In the alternative, the consumer may desire to perform a search for value redemption opportunities at the onset of attempting to redeem value. Such an alternative may be desirable if the consumer does not want to look through the full list of redemption opportunities. After initiation of the search, the consumer enters information into the mobile electronic device related to a desired redemption opportunity 420. The consumer then executes the search 424 with the mobile electronic device after entering desired information. The mobile electronic device communicates the entered search criteria to one or more servers via one or more networks 428. The one or more servers communicate search results related to the search criteria to the mobile electronic device via one or more networks 432. The mobile electronic device then displays the search results for viewing by the consumer 436. Next, the consumer determines if a desired value redemption opportunity is displayed 440. If not, a new search may be initiated 444. If a desired value redemption opportunity is displayed, the consumer selects the desired redemption opportunity as illustrated at step 400 in FIG. 14. Then, steps 404-412 are followed in a similar manner to that described above.

An example of value redemption as it relates to FIG. 14 will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. As an example, the consumer has accrued sufficient reward points from satisfactorily performing various consumer activities and wishes to redeem at least a portion of the reward points for a product or service. The consumer begins by indicating on his/her mobile electronic device that he/she desires to redeem points. The consumer's mobile electronic device displays redemption opportunities by category such as, for example, gift cards, gadgets, e-delivery, charity, coupons, etc. For purposes of this example, we will assume the consumer desires to redeem points for a gift card. The consumer sees the gift card category displayed on the mobile electronic device and selects the gift card category. Next, the mobile electronic device displays more specific gift card redemption opportunities. The consumer selects one of the gift card redemption opportunities and, if necessary, the mobile electronic device displays additional information about the selected gift card redemption opportunity such as, for example, an expiration date, use and location restrictions, etc. The consumer executes the redemption reward points for the gift card via the mobile electronic device, which then communicates the redemption to the one or more servers via the one or more networks. Returning to the point in this example where the categories of redemption opportunities are displayed on the mobile electronic device, if the consumer does not see a desired category or does not want to survey the entire list of categories, the consumer may initiate a search for a particular type of redemption category. For purposes of this example, let's assume the consumer wants to redeem reward points for a digital music player. The consumer enters the words “digital music player” into the mobile electronic device and the consumer executes the search. The mobile electronic device sends the search criteria to the one or more servers, which return the search results to the mobile electronic device pertaining to “digital music player”. The mobile electronic device displays the search results relating to digital music players. If the displayed search results are not satisfactory to the consumer, he/she can initiate a new search. If the search results contain a desirable digital music player, the consumer selects the desired digital music player, executes the redemption of reward points, and the redemption of points for the digital music player is complete.

The system is capable of having real-time or substantially real-time operation and nonreal-time operation. Real-time or substantially real-time operation may occur when the user electronic device is capable of communicating with one or more networks and the one or more networks are continuously or substantially continuously available. With these capabilities, the system is capable of performing necessary steps and actions as such steps and actions are required. The system may operate in a nonreal-time manner for a variety of reasons. Some exemplary reasons include, but are not limited to, when one or more networks are not available (e.g., no internet access, poor or no cellular coverage, etc.), when the user electronic device is capable of communicating with only a particular type of network (e.g., iPod Touch™ is not cellular capable and is only internet capable) and such particular type of network is not available (e.g., internet not available), or a variety of other reasons.

In instances where non-real time operation is necessary, the system stores or caches data to allow the user to utilize his/her mobile electronic device to receive value associated with the present system. The system is capable of storing or caching data in a variety of different manners and the following described manners are only exemplary manners of storing or caching data. While not explicitly described herein, the system is capable of performing other manners of storing or caching data and such other manners are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, an instance may arise where the consumer is in an area having poor or no cellular coverage and no WI-FI or WLAN availability. In such an instance, the user's mobile electronic device may not communicate with one or more servers via one or more networks. However, the user may be in a location where an action may be performed to receive value.

With reference to FIG. 17, an exemplary manner of enabling a user to obtain value when in a location lacking communication with one or more networks is illustrated. The following steps are only exemplary steps presented in an exemplary order, and a variety of other steps, orders, and manners for enabling a user to obtain value when in a location lacking communication with one or more networks are possible and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, an action is performed 500 such as, for example, mobile electronic device communication with a verification element, user satisfactorily performs an action, etc. Data is obtained as a result of the action 504. Communication between the mobile electronic device and one or more networks needs to be determined 508. If the mobile electronic device is in a location with access to one or more networks, the data associated with the action is communicated via one or more networks 512. Subsequently, the user receives value 516. If the mobile electronic device is in a location without access to one or more networks, the data is stored or cached in the mobile electronic device 520. The mobile electronic device may check for the availability of one or more networks on a periodic or continuous basis 524. When one or more networks become available, the mobile electronic device communicates the stored or cached data via the one or more available networks 528. Subsequently, the user receives value 516.

A real-world example of enabling a user to obtain value when in a location lacking communication with one or more networks will be described herein for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. The present example will utilize a grocery store environment and a user attempting to scan a particular product to receive value. Before the user enters the grocery store, the mobile electronic device may communicate with a verification element and the mobile electronic device may store or cache data in its memory associated with the verification element for use when a network is not available. The user may then proceed to an aisle in a store with a network not available, view stored or cached opportunities, and scan the barcode of a particular item. The mobile electronic device may store or cache transmission data associated with the scanned item when a network is not available. The user may then decide to purchase the scanned item and leaves the grocery store. As the user travels home, the user may drive into an area having good cellular coverage. After entering the good cellular coverage area, the mobile electronic device communicates the stored or cached data associated with the verification element and the stored or cached data associated with the scanned item to the one or more servers via the now available cellular network. Upon the one or more servers' receipt and verification of the stored or cached data, the user receives the deserved value. Had the mobile electronic device not stored or cached data of the opportunities available and/or the user action when it was out of communication with one or more networks, the user would not have received value obtained during the period of non-communication.

As another example, the user may have a mobile electronic device that is only win internet capable and is not cellular capable (e.g., tablet computer, iPod Touch™, etc.). In such an instance, the user may have internet access at home, but may not have internet access away from his/her home. When the user is at home, the mobile electronic device may store or cache data or preload data into its memory associated with actions and value receiving opportunities within a particular area. Such a particular area may be, for example, a particular radius from the user's home, a particular city, county, state, nation, or any other area. In the present example, the predetermined area will be a 50 mile radius from the user's home. Thus, the system stores or caches data associated with all the actions and value receiving opportunities within the 50 mile radius of the user's home.

When the user leaves his/her home and travels within the 50 mile radius, the various actions and value receiving opportunities are displayed on the user's mobile electronic device. The user may desire to perform an action and a value receiving opportunity within the 50 mile radius. For exemplary purposes, assume the user is in a grocery store within the 50 mile radius and the user wants to scan a particular product to receive value. When the user enters the grocery store, the mobile electronic device may communicate with a verification element and the mobile electronic device may store or cache data in its memory associated with the verification element. The user may then proceed to a particle aisle and scan the barcode of a particular item. The mobile electronic device may store or cache data associated with the scanned item. The user may then decide to purchase the scanned item and leaves the grocery store for home. As the user arrives at his/her home, the user enters into his/her WI-FI, WLAN, or other network range. After entering the user's network range, the mobile electronic device communicates the stored or cached data associated with the verification element and the stored or cached data associated with the scanned item to the one or more servers via the now available home network. Upon the one or more servers' receipt and verification of the stored or cached data, the user receives the deserved value. Had data not been stored or cached or preloaded into the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device was in communication with the internet and had the mobile electronic device not stored or cached data when it was out of communication with the internet, the user would not have received value for his/her activities performed out of communication with the internet.

As consumers move from place to place, the mobile electronic device will gain and loose access to networks. The present invention accommodates such gain and loss of networks and still facilitates proper functionality. With reference to FIG. 18, another exemplary manner of enabling a user to obtain value when access to one or more networks is unavailable is illustrated. The illustrated exemplary embodiment is only one of many different manners of enabling a user to obtain value when access to one or more networks is unavailable and all of such manners are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Initially, the mobile electronic device determines if one or more networks is available 532. If a network is available, the mobile electronic device accesses a server via the accessible network and stores opportunities in the storage device of the mobile electronic device 534. At some point after the opportunities are stored on the mobile electronic device, a user may attempt an action 536. Returning to step 532, if a network is not available, the mobile electronic device cannot access a server over a network and the mobile electronic device must use one or more of the opportunities previously stored in the storage device of the mobile electronic device 538. Subsequently, a user may attempt one of the previously stored opportunities 536. The mobile electronic device again determines if one or more networks is available 540. If a network is available, the consumer will receive value if the action is verified 542. If a network is not available, data associated with the action is stored on the mobile electronic device until a network is available 544. When a network becomes available, the data is communicated and the consumer receives value if the action is verified 542.

With reference to FIG. 19, as consumers perform various activities 550 in commerce, data associated with the consumers' activities may be generated 554, collected, stored, and utilized for a variety of reasons 558. In some exemplary embodiments, consumer data may be utilized to effectively market to the consumer 558. If the consumer is presented with value and/or opportunities 562 such as, for example, display advertising, videos, coupons, digital coupons, grocery list creation, discounts, highlighted products, special offers, etc., based on the consumer's own activity, the value and/or opportunities are more likely to be relevant to and desired by the consumer. In some exemplary embodiments, the system may present value and/or opportunities relating to products the consumer purchased or products in which the consumer is otherwise interested. In other exemplary embodiments, the system may present value and/or opportunities similar to or relating to competitors (e.g., having a different brand) of those products the consumer purchased or is otherwise interested in. In further exemplary embodiments, the system may present value and/or opportunities relating to one or more demographics of a consumer such as, for example, age, sex, race, household income, geographic location, marital status, with or without children, etc.

An exemplary manner of marketing to a consumer based on the consumer's own activity is described herein. The exemplary manner is not intended to be limiting and many other manners of marketing to consumers based on the consumers' own activity are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the steps provided in the illustrated exemplary embodiment may occur in a variety of different orders and the illustrated exemplary manner of marketing to a consumer may include more or fewer steps, all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, a consumer may be presented with an activity to scan specific products or specific categories of products at a designated location such as, for example, the consumer's home. The consumer may scan specific products or categories of products for value which, along with other data, may trigger targeted advertisements, action opportunities, and/or other forms of value. In some instances, it may be desirable for the system to discern a designated location from a nearby store. The system may choose to make ineligible a designated location within a radius of the venue from which products were purchased by the consumer, or within radii of venues offering the same product. The designated location, if it is a consumer's home, may be verified in a variety of manners such as, for example, credit card address verification, a postcard send, and/or other address confirmation methods. When a consumer scans previously purchased products at home, data associated with the scanned products will be stored in a history of that consumer's purchases along with the time scanned. These purchases made by the consumer may be combined with database information from POS systems and verified shopping trips to create a more comprehensive buying history. This database may also be combined with demographics of the consumer. Based on these demographics and/or buying history and/or immediate scans, triggers can be created resulting in customized experiences for particular consumers. These triggers may result in targeted advertisements, action opportunities, and/or other forms of value that could appear immediately or at a later time such as, for example, when a consumer enters a location, when the consumers is in other smartphone Apps on the mobile electronic device, when the consumer is performing smartphone web browsing on the mobile electronic device, and/or upon scanning a future purchased product. Triggers, by way of example, may include marketing a competing brand of soda to a consumer that scanned a different brand at home. Another trigger may be identifying a coffee drinker and marketing a new type of instant coffee to the coffee drinker. Another trigger may be identifying a family with baby food in the house and marketing a brand of diaper. Another trigger may include identifying an elderly user via demographics and offering value upon completing a survey on vitamins designed for older individuals. These are only a few of the many possible types of marketing triggers and are provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes only. Any possible triggers are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The many possible manners of marketing to consumers based on their own activity may allow targeted advertisements to reach a consumer based on specific demographics, product ownership, and/or location visits. Additionally, these manners of marketing to consumers do not require, but may work with, connection to a POS system. Consumers may receive the targeted value, action opportunities, etc., at many times such as, for example, when the consumer is actively shopping or before a purchase is made. Reaching consumers prior to purchase may be a more effective manner of marketing than targeting a consumer post-sale as the consumers are leaving the store and are less likely to retain any value, coupons, etc. for a return visit. Consumers also have opportunities to earn value without making a purchase by, for example, scanning a product, entering a particular location, etc. Engaging a consumer without requiring a purchase may increase the likelihood that a consumer will take an action such as, for example, scanning a product, entering a location, etc. Upon finding a product, entering a location, etc., the consumer is further down the purchasing path and can be marketed again to evaluate the offer and ultimately make a purchase. With this process, the consumer may be motivated to at least travel to the product or location, collect value, and gain more information about the product's fit for the consumer. To the contrary, post-purchase targeting such as coupons for random products may be simply and outright dismissed by the consumer because the consumer is not interested in the product. The process of target marketing consumers based on the consumer's activity facilitates surveying of consumer activity at critical decision making times in response to triggers.

Further, users may receive value in response to purchase interest or history. Users may interact with products they have purchased within product categories to provide value. Users may also indicate interest in products, services, or stores via clicks or selections on digital coupons, offers, grocery list creation, loyalty card history, specific stores visited, etc. Value received by the user may include triggered value advertising or offers targeted to specific categories of products and/or stores through mobile electronic experiences. Such triggered value may occur immediately after a triggering event or it may occur at a later time. Such triggered value may also occur in another application (App) on the mobile electronic device or on another electronic device in a household. Such value may occur outside of the system or application where the action occurred and may include, for example, targeted messaging or advertising appearing via push, SMS message, email, in another application, on a web browser, or another device within the same household. The triggered value may be triggered by a specific store, a specific product, or a range of stores and products. Also, the triggered value may attempt to market the user a competing, a complementary, or a similar category.

As can be seen above, a user may be required to perform any number of steps in order to satisfactorily perform an action and receive value. In some instances no steps and/or actions are required to receive value, while in other instances numerous steps and/or actions are required to receive value. It should be understood that, in instances where numerous steps are required, a user may receive value only after satisfactorily performing all steps, a user may receive value after satisfactorily performing each step, or a user may receive value after satisfactorily performing any number of the various required steps. In instances where a user may receive value after satisfactorily performing individual steps or other numbers of steps less than the total number of steps, the user may receive value even if the user does not satisfactorily perform all the steps.

Many other applications (also referred to as “Apps”) exist that may be operated on mobile electronic devices or other electronic devices. The systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein may be utilized with other Apps to provide users of the other Apps with value. Such other Apps may be developed by an application developer, which may be any of an individual person, a company or business entity, a software or program capable of developing Apps. The systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein may be utilized with the other Apps in a variety of different manners and value may be provided to users of the other Apps and/or to the application developer in a variety of different forms and manners. For example, value provided to a user may include currency in a game app, phone minutes, advertising removal, etc. Also, for example, value that may be provided to an application developer may include monetary value. The following exemplary scenarios are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting upon the present invention. Rather, any possible utilization between the systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein and other Apps, and any manner of providing value to users of the other Apps are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In some exemplary embodiments, an exemplary secondary or other App may include free operation and may include upgraded operation requiring payment to gain access to the upgraded operation. Rather than make a monetary payment for the upgraded operation, a user of the secondary App may have the option to perform functionality associated with the systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein. For example, a user of the secondary App may be able to perform an action such as, for example, checking into a location, scanning product(s) at a particular location, or scanning product(s) at home, etc., similarly to those manners described and illustrated herein, and the user may receive access to the upgraded operation by satisfactorily performing such an action(s). In addition, the application developer of the secondary App may receive monetary value from business entities when the user performs the above listed actions.

It should be understood that the present disclosure may be incorporated with any other or secondary Apps, may be incorporated into other or secondary Apps in any manner, and may provide value to users of the other or secondary Apps in any form, all of which are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should also be understood that a variety of different manners of interaction between mobile electronic devices and products are disclosed herein, and many other manners of interaction between mobile electronic devices and products are contemplated and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, mobile electronic devices may interact with a product by taking a picture of the product or a portion of the product, scanning a barcode or 2D code on the product, radio frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) interaction, etc.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The descriptions were selected to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although particular constructions of the present invention have been shown and described, other alternative constructions will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of providing value to a consumer, the method comprising:

receiving notification an action was performed by a user with a mobile electronic device;

authenticating that the action was performed in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria;

identifying value associated with performance of the action; and

providing the consumer with the value if the action was performed in accordance with the one or more predetermined criteria.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes interacting with a product.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the action includes at least one of a scan of a barcode on a product, a picture of the product, RFID communication, and near field communication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes the consumer indicating interest in one of products and stores through at least one of coupons, offers, grocery lists, loyalty card history, receipt, point of sale system, and stores visits.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes entry of the mobile electronic device into a venue.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes purchasing a product.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is a cellular network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is the internet.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the value includes at least one of an advertisement, an offer, reward points, a feature in an application, a coupon, price comparison information, product review information, discount, removal of advertising, storing grocery list, and sweepstakes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the advertisement occurs at one of immediately after performing the first action, at a later time after performing the first action, in a distinct application on the mobile electronic device, and on another electronic device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the value is associated with the action.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the action and the value are similar in type and brand.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the action and the value are similar in type and are different in brand.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the action is of a related interest type as the value.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the action relates to a diaper and the value relates to baby food.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the action relates to interacting with a romantic comedy DVD and the value relates to an advertisement for a theatrical release of a romantic comedy playing near the consumer.

17. A computer implemented method of providing value to a consumer, the method comprising:

receiving notification that a first action was performed by a mobile electronic device;

receiving notification that a second action was performed by the mobile electronic device;

using performance of the second action to verify whether or not the first action was performed in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria; and

providing value to the consumer if an action was performed in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first action includes purchasing a product and the second action includes scanning the purchased product with the mobile electronic device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein verifying if the criteria is met further comprises verifying that the scanned product is the same as the purchased product.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein verifying that the scanned product is the same as the purchased product is performed manually.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein verifying that the scanned product is the same as the purchased product is performed automatically.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein providing value further includes providing value associated with the product.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the product is a first product, and wherein the value includes an advertisement for a second product.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second product is the same type and brand as the first product.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the second product is of the same type and different brand than the first product.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the second product is of a related interest type as the first product.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first product is a tortilla chip bag and the second product is a salsa.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein the product is purchased at a first location and the product is scanned at a second location different than the first location.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein verifying further comprises verifying that the second location is different than the first location.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein verifying further comprises verifying that the second location is a designated location.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the first location is a venue of commerce and the second location is a residence.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the second location must be beyond a predefined distance from the first location in order to provide value to a consumer.

33. The method of claim 17, wherein the first action includes identifying a location of the mobile electronic device and the second action includes one of scanning a product and purchasing a product.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein verifying further comprises verifying the second action occurred at the location of the mobile electronic device.

35. The method of claim 17, wherein the first action includes one of scanning a product and purchasing a product and the second action includes identifying a location of the mobile electronic device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein verifying further comprises verifying the first action occurred at the location of the mobile electronic device.

37. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing an image with a point of sale system subsequent to performing the first action and prior to performing the second action.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the first action includes purchasing a product and the second action includes scanning the image with the mobile electronic device.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein providing an image includes one of preprinting the image on receipt paper before the first action, printing the image on receipt paper after performing the first action, displaying the image on a display.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the image is one of a barcode, a code containing letters, a code containing numbers, a code containing characters, a QR code, associated with a product, and associated with a venue of commerce.

41. A computer implemented method of verifying a location of a mobile electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a verification element in a location, the verification element including a memory, a plurality of modulating communications stored in the memory, and a broadcast element;

broadcasting one of the plurality of modulating communications with the broadcast element;

receiving the one of the plurality of modulating communications with the mobile electronic device;

communicating the one of the plurality of modulating communications to a server with the mobile electronic device via a network; and

verifying the one of the plurality of modulating communications associated with the verification element.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the plurality of modulating communications are a plurality of modulating codes, and wherein the verification element further includes an integrated circuit, an identifier unique to the verification element, an encryption key, and a timing device that cooperate to generate the plurality of modulating codes and apply an encryption to the plurality of modulating codes.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the network is one of a cellular network and the internet.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the verification element further includes an adjustable output strength device for adjusting broadcast strength of the broadcast element.

45. The method of claim 41, further comprising broadcasting a second one of the plurality of modulating communications subsequent to broadcasting the one of the plurality of modulating communications.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the plurality of modulating communications are broadcast based on time.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein the plurality of modulating communications are one of a plurality of modulating codes, a plurality of modulating images, a plurality of modulating sounds, a plurality of modulating WIFI identifications, a plurality of modulating IP based communications, a plurality of modulating RFID communications, and a plurality of modulating near field communications.

48. A computer implemented method of providing value to a consumer, the method comprising:

providing a mobile electronic device including a data storage device;

storing first data in the data storage device, wherein the first data is associated with an action opportunity;

prompting a consumer via the mobile electronic device of the action opportunity even if the mobile electronic device does not have access to a network;

performing an action, associated with the action opportunity, with a mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is without access to a network;

generating second data associated with the action;

storing the second data in the data storage device in the mobile electronic device;

gaining access to a network with the mobile electronic device;

communicating the second data to a server via a network when the mobile electronic device has access to a network;

authenticating that the action was performed in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria; and

providing value to the consumer if the action was performed in accordance with the one or more predetermined criteria.

49. A computer implemented method of providing value to a consumer, the method comprising:

operating an application on a mobile electronic device;

performing an action with the mobile electronic device;

generating data associated with the action;

communicating the data to a server via a network;

identifying value using the data, wherein the value is associated with the action;

authenticating that the action was performed in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria; and

providing the value to the consumer, provided that the action was performed in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria, through use of another application on one of the user's electronic devices.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the value is triggered advertising including at least one of a push message, an SMS message, an email, a banner advertisement, and a video.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein one of the user's electronic devices can include, but is not limited to, one of the same application, another application on the mobile electronic device, a web browser on the mobile electronic device, another application on another mobile electronic device, and a web browser on another mobile electronic device.

52. A computer implemented method of providing a first value to an application user and a second value to an application developer, the method comprising:

creating an application by an app developer;

operating the application on a mobile electronic device by the application user;

performing an action with the mobile electronic device;

generating data associated with the action;

communicating the data to a server via a network;

identifying a first value and a second value using the data;

providing the first value to the application user; and

providing the second value to the application developer.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the first value is one of virtual currency in a game, ring tones in a communication app, voice communication minutes, unlocked content, advertising removal, badges, price comparison information, a discount, an advertisement, an offer, reward points, features in an application, coupons, product review information, storing grocery list, and sweepstakes.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the second value is monetary value.

55. A computer implemented method of providing value to a consumer, the method comprising:

providing a product interaction opportunity at a location;

interacting with the product with a mobile electronic device;

communicating data associated with the product interaction to a server;

verifying authenticity of the product interaction using the data associated with the product interaction; and

providing value to the consumer if the product interaction is determined to be authentic.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein interacting with the product further includes capturing an image associated with the product with the mobile electronic device, the method further comprising transmitting the image over the network for verification, and verifying that the image is associated with the product.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the image is a captured image and the mobile electronic device includes a screen, and wherein prior to capturing the captured image the method further comprises displaying a displayed image associated with the product on the screen of the mobile electronic device, and wherein a perimeter of the displayed image is cropped smaller than a perimeter of the captured image.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein verifying the image further comprises manually verifying that the image correctly corresponds to the product interaction opportunity.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein verifying the image further comprises verifying that the image correctly corresponds to the product interaction opportunity with an automated system.