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.

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.