Tracking purchases in a location-based services system

Abstract

A system and method for tracking purchases in a location-based services system is disclosed wherein a request for information on a particular product is received from a consumer using a remote terminal. A geographically tailored response to the request is then generated with the location-based services system. At least one offer is then displayed to the consumer based on the geographically tailored response. An acceptance of a respective offer made by the consumer is then processed by the location-based services system and information is stored about the transaction in a usage data file or database.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60 / 286,916, filed Apr. 27, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to location-based services systems, and more particularly, to tracking purchases that were offered or advertised to consumers through the location-based services system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Wireless communication devices have recently evolved from a technology used by an elite segment of the population to a technology that is used by the masses. In the year 2000, it has been estimated that well over 100 million people in the United States alone subscribed to at least one type of wireless communication service. Worldwide, the number of wireless communication device users has reached a staggering number and is growing all of the time. In the near future, it is envisioned that almost everyone will own or use some sort of wireless communication device that is capable of performing a vari...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient tracking of purchases and delivery of targeted business information to users based on their geographic location, enhancing user experience and providing businesses with analytics on advertising effectiveness.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, most of these devices are only used by a small segment of the population due, in large part, to the fact that there are a limited number of applications and services available for such devices.

Generally speaking, one of the problems associated with searching for business information on specific products and services using the Internet is being able to locate relevant business information for products and services that are available in a geographic area that is located near the user.

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