Method and system for location based rewards

Abstract

Providing a purchase incentive to a mobile device based for example the user's location, predicted route of travel, and prior transactions. A tracking server computer determines a number of locations of a mobile device as it travels along a route and an associated timeframe when it is at each of the locations. The tracking server computer records the locations and associated timeframes in a location log and analyzes the location log to predict a subsequent location and associated timeframe that the mobile device will be at that location. The tracking server computer then determines a merchant proximate to the predicted subsequent location of the mobile device and generates a purchase incentive for use at the merchant and delivers the purchase incentive to the mobile device. In the alternative, the incentive may be generated by a merchant computer or the mobile device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing a reward to a mobile device comprising:
 a mobile device analyzing GPS coordinate data from a GPS receiver on the mobile device to determine a location of the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;   the mobile device recording the location in a location log stored on the mobile device;   the mobile device automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and   the mobile device displaying the reward on a display screen.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the notification comprises an audible notification. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the notification comprises a visual notification. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the mobile device recording in the location log a timeframe associated with the location. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the mobile device automatically generates the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the mobile device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the mobile device automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of redeeming the reward. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the triggering event comprises a user request. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device accumulates a plurality of rewards. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the mobile device analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and 
 the mobile device generating the reward based on the prior transaction log. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the mobile device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device is a smart card. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer. 
     
     
         25 . A mobile device comprising a GPS receiver, processing circuitry, a display screen, and a memory, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to execute an app on the mobile device which performs the steps of:
 the mobile device analyzing GPS coordinate data from a GPS receiver on the mobile device to determine a location of the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;   the mobile device recording the location in a location log stored on the mobile device;   the mobile device automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and   the mobile device displaying the reward on the display screen.   
     
     
         26 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the app is further programmed to perform the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward. 
     
     
         27 . The mobile device of  claim 26  wherein the notification comprises an audible notification. 
     
     
         28 . The mobile device of  claim 26  wherein the notification comprises a visual notification. 
     
     
         29 . The mobile device of  claim 26  wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification. 
     
     
         30 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the app is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the mobile device. 
     
     
         31 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the app is further programmed to record in the location log a timeframe associated with the location. 
     
     
         32 . The mobile device of  claim 31  wherein the app is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the mobile device. 
     
     
         33 . The mobile device of  claim 31  wherein the app is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the mobile device. 
     
     
         34 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         35 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the app is further programmed to perform the step of redeeming the reward, 
     
     
         36 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         37 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the mobile device automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event. 
     
     
         38 . The mobile device of  claim 37  wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition. 
     
     
         39 . The mobile device of  claim 37  wherein the triggering event comprises a user request. 
     
     
         40 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the app is further programmed to perform the step of accumulating a plurality of rewards. 
     
     
         41 . The mobile device of  claim 25  further comprising the app on the mobile device performing the steps of:
 the mobile device analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and 
 the mobile device generating the reward based on the prior transaction log. 
 
     
     
         42 . The mobile device of  claim 41  wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         43 . The mobile device of  claim 41  wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         44 . The mobile device of  claim 41  wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the mobile device. 
     
     
         45 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the mobile device is a smart card. 
     
     
         46 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         47 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         48 . The mobile device of  claim 25  wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer. 
     
     
         49 . A method of providing a reward to a mobile device comprising a tracking server computer performing the steps of:
 receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from a GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;   determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;   recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;   automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and   delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on a display screen of the mobile device.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the notification comprises an audible notification. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the notification comprises a visual notification. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising the tracking server computer recording in the location log a timeframe associated with the location. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising the step of redeeming the reward. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the triggering event comprises a user request. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the mobile device accumulates a plurality of rewards. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising:
 the tracking server computer analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and 
 the tracking server computer generating the reward based on the prior transaction log. 
 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the mobile device is a smart card. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer. 
     
     
         73 . A system comprising a tracking server computer in wireless communications with a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a GPS receiver, processing circuitry, a display screen, and a memory, wherein the tracking server computer is programmed to perform the steps of:
 receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from the GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route   determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;   recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;   automatically generating a reward as a function of the location of the mobile device; and   delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on the display screen of the mobile device.   
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the mobile device is programmed to generate a notification of the reward. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 74  wherein the notification comprises an audible notification. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 74  wherein the notification comprises a visual notification. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 74  wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations stored in the location log of the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to record in the location log a timeframe associated with the location. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 79  wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe stored in the location log of the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 79  wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of a plurality of locations and associated timeframes stored in the location log of the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at a merchant at the location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of redeeming the reward, 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the tracking server computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event. 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 85  wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 85  wherein the triggering event comprises a user request. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of accumulating a plurality of rewards. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 73  further comprising the tracking server computer performing the steps of:
 analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and 
 generating the reward based on the prior transaction log. 
 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 89  wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 89  wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 89  wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the mobile device is a smart card. 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer. 
     
     
         97 . A method of providing a reward to a mobile device comprising the steps of:
 a tracking server computer receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from a GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route;   the tracking server computer determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;   the tracking server computer recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;   the tracking server computer determining a merchant proximate to the location of the mobile device;   the tracking server computer notifying a merchant computer associated with the merchant to which the mobile device is predicted to be proximate;   the merchant computer generating a reward;   the merchant computer sending the reward to the tracking server computer; and   the tracking server computer delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on a display screen of the mobile device.   
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97  further comprising the step of the mobile device generating a notification of the reward. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98  wherein the notification comprises an audible notification. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 98  wherein the notification comprises a visual notification. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 98  wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 97  further comprising the tracking server computer recording in the location log a timeframe associated with the location. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102  wherein the merchant computer automatically generates the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at the merchant. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 97  further comprising the step of redeeming the reward. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the merchant computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 107  wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 107  wherein the triggering event comprises a user request. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the mobile device accumulates a plurality of rewards. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 97  further comprising:
 the merchant computer analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and 
 the merchant computer generating the reward based on the prior transaction log. 
 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 111  wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 111  wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 111  wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the mobile device is a smart card. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer. 
     
     
         119 . A system comprising a merchant computer and a tracking server computer in wireless communications with a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a GPS receiver, processing circuitry, a display screen, and a memory, wherein the tracking server computer is programmed to perform the steps of:
 receiving from a mobile device a location signal comprising GPS coordinate data obtained from the GPS receiver on the mobile device as the mobile device travels along a route   determining a location of the mobile device from the GPS coordinate data;   recording the location in a location log stored on the tracking server computer;   determining a merchant proximate to the location of the mobile device;   notifying a merchant computer associated with the merchant to which the mobile device is predicted to be proximate;   
       and wherein the merchant computer is programmed to perform the steps of:
 generating a reward; and 
 sending the reward to the tracking server computer; 
 
       and wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to perform the steps of:
 delivering the reward to the mobile device for display on a display screen of the mobile device. 
 
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the mobile device is programmed to generate a notification of the reward. 
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 120  wherein the notification comprises an audible notification. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 120  wherein the notification comprises a visual notification. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 120  wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 120  wherein the tracking server computer is further programmed to record in the location log a timeframe associated with the location. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 124  wherein the merchant computer is further programmed to automatically generate the reward as a function of the location and the associated timeframe. 
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive for use at the merchant. 
     
     
         127 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of redeeming the reward, 
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the reward expires after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the merchant computer automatically generates a reward on the occurrence of a triggering event. 
     
     
         130 . The system of  claim 129  wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined condition. 
     
     
         131 . The system of  claim 20  c wherein the triggering event comprises a user request. 
     
     
         132 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the mobile device is further programmed to perform the step of accumulating a plurality of rewards. 
     
     
         133 . The system of  claim 119  further comprising the merchant computer performing the steps of:
 analyzing a prior transaction log associated with the mobile device, the prior transaction log comprising records of prior transactions executed by the mobile device; and 
 generating the reward based on the prior transaction log. 
 
     
     
         134 . The system of  claim 133  wherein the reward is based on a type of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         135 . The system of  claim 133  wherein the reward is based on a value of prior transactions executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         136 . The system of  claim 133  wherein the prior transaction log is stored on the tracking server computer. 
     
     
         137 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the mobile device is a smart card. 
     
     
         138 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the mobile device is a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         139 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         140 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.