Performing studies of consumer behavior determined using electronically-captured consumer location data

Abstract

In embodiments, methods and systems for performing studies of consumer behavior are provided. The consumer behavior may have been determined using electronically-captured consumer location data for multiple consumers. The gathered data may be analyzed to determine behavior patterns or other characteristics of the multiple consumers. Further, inferences or predictions about consumers may be derived based on the characteristics. The inferences and predictions may be the basis of consumer analytics supplied to a business or other entity as results of a study of the consumer behavior.

1 . A method comprising:
 operating at least one programmed processor to carry out a set of acts, the at least one programmed processor being programmed with executable instructions identifying the set of acts, the set of acts comprising:
 for each of a plurality of consumers, receiving a plurality of pieces of location data, each piece of location data identifying a physical location through which a consumer passed; 
 analyzing the location data for each of the plurality of consumers to determine at least one behavioral characteristic of the consumer; 
 predicting, based on the at least one behavioral characteristic of the plurality of consumers, a characteristic of operation of a retail facility when operated at each of one or more locations. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of acts further comprises:
 determining, based at least in part on an evaluation of, for each of the plurality of consumers, at least one setting visited by the consumer, which consumers of the plurality of consumers have an existing relationship with an organization related to the retail facility.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein determining which consumers have the existing relationship with the organization comprises determining whether, for a consumer, the at least one setting includes an existing facility for the organization. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein predicting the characteristic of operating of the retail facility comprises predicting, for each location of the one or more locations, whether the consumers that have the existing relationship will visit the location. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein predicting, for each location, whether the consumers that have the existing relationship will visit the location comprises comparing the location the at least one behavioral characteristic of the consumers to determine a likelihood that, based on the behaviors, the consumers would visit the location and, when the likelihood is above a threshold, predicting that the consumers will visit the location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein predicting the characteristic of operation of a retail facility when operated at each of one or more locations comprises predicting based at least in part on locations of places of residence and/or places of employment for the plurality of consumers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein predicting the characteristic of operation of a retail facility when operated at each of one or more locations comprises predicting, for each location of the one or more locations, based at least in part on at least one behavior characteristic of consumers with respect to routes traveled by the plurality of consumers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein predicting the characteristic of operation of a retail facility when operated at each of one or more locations comprises predicting, for each location of the one or more locations, based at least in part on at least one behavior characteristic of the plurality of consumers with respect to a region including the location. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein predicting the characteristic of operation of a retail facility when operated at each of one or more locations comprises:
 determining, based at least in part on the at least one place, a second organization frequently visited close in time to the organization by the consumer; and   predicting the characteristic for a particular location based at least in part on proximity to a location of a second retail facility for the second organization.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein analyzing the location data for each of the plurality of consumers to determine at least one behavioral characteristic of the consumer comprises reviewing demographic data associated with at least one setting visited by the consumer. 
     
     
         11 .- 22 . (canceled)