Harvest Customer Tracking Information

Abstract

An embodiment of a system comprises one or more processors; and one or more memories adapted to store machine-readable instructions which when executed by the processor(s) cause the system to: receive tracked user device information from a distributed network of sensors configured for tracking user device information associated with one or more user devices of corresponding users in a proximity of the distributed network of sensors, wherein the user device information is tracked even when the corresponding users have not opted in the one or more user devices to be tracked by the distributed network of sensors; store the tracked user device information in a tracking database, wherein the tracked user device information is stored even for corresponding users that have not been identified and is for later use when such corresponding users are identified; and analyze the tracked user device information to infer interests of the corresponding users.

1 . A system comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more memories in communication with the one or more processors and adapted to store a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by the one or more processors are adapted to cause the system to:   receive tracked user device information from a distributed network of sensors configured for tracking user device information associated with one or more user devices of corresponding users in a proximity of the distributed network of sensors, wherein the distributed network of sensors detects and tracks the user device(s) of the corresponding users, and wherein the user device information is tracked even when the corresponding users have not opted in the one or more user devices to be tracked by the distributed network of sensors;   store the tracked user device information in a tracking database, wherein the tracked user device information is stored even for corresponding users that have not been identified and is for later use when such corresponding users are identified; and   analyze the tracked user device information to infer interests of the corresponding users.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to store identification information of the corresponding users of the one or more user devices. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to receive detected user device information from one or more sensors located at a place of business. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to receive detected user device information from the one or more sensors located at the place of business augmented by detected information from a user device having a downloaded tracking application that detects information associated with other nearby user devices. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distributed network of sensors detect user device information of user device(s) in the proximity of the sensors based on the user device(s) unique identification signals or unique network identifiers. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to receive, from a user device associated with a user that has opted in or registered the user device and has downloaded an application, user device information detected from other user devices located in a proximity of the user device having the downloaded application. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to receive, from the user device having the downloaded application, uploads of user device information associated with the other user devices located in the proximity. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to offer one or more incentives to users associated with the user device having the downloaded application for running the application and uploading the user device information. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to offer one or more incentives to associate user identity information with the user device information at a point of sale. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to cause the system to offer one or more incentives to associate user identity information with the user device information by receiving registration information from users of associated user devices. 
     
     
         11 . They system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable instructions are further adapted to analyze the tracked user device information to determine specific items or services of interest to a particular user at one or all business locations that the particular user visits. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 receiving, electronically by a processor, user device information associated with one or more user devices of corresponding users located proximate to and tracked by a distributed network of sensors, wherein the distributed network of sensors detects and tracks the user device(s) of the corresponding users, and wherein the user device information is tracked even when the corresponding users have not opted in to participate;   storing, electronically by the processor, the tracked user device information in a tracking database, wherein the tracked user device information is stored even for corresponding users that have not been identified and is for later use when such corresponding users are identified; and   analyzing the tracked device information to infer interests of the corresponding users.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising downloading, by the processor at a server at a remote location, an application on the user device(s) of the corresponding users, wherein the application tracks and uploads user device information of one or more other users as the corresponding users come into proximity of the one or more other users. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising offering one or more incentives to the corresponding users associated with the user device(s) having the downloaded application for running the application and uploading the user device information. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising identifying the corresponding users of the one or more user devices and storing identification information of the corresponding users. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising receiving the user device information from one or more sensors located at a place of business, wherein the sensor(s) located at the place of business are supplemented by one or more user devices comprising a downloaded application from a processor at a server at a remote location, wherein the application tracks and uploads user device information of one or more other nearby users. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the analyzing further comprises determining specific items or services of interest to a particular user at one or all business locations that the particular user visits. 
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer readable medium on which are stored computer readable instructions and, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 receive user device information associated with one or more user devices of corresponding users located proximate to and tracked by a distributed network of sensors, wherein the distributed network of sensors detects and tracks the user device(s) of the corresponding users, and wherein the user device information is tracked even when the corresponding users have not opted in to participate;   store the tracked user device information in a tracking database, wherein the tracked user device information is stored even for corresponding users that have not been identified and is for later use when such corresponding users are identified; and   analyze the tracked device information to infer interests of the corresponding users.   
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the user device information from one or more sensors located at a place of business, wherein the sensor(s) located at the place of business are supplemented by one or more user devices having a downloaded application that tracks other nearby user devices. 
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, determine user identity information associated with the user device information, and determine specific items or services of interest to a particular user at one or all business locations that the particular user visits.