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`US 20150178784Al
`
`(19) United States
`02) Patent Application Publication
`Oliver et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0178784 Al
`Jun. 25, 2015
`(43) Pub. Da te:
`
`(54) LEAD GENERATION TOOL
`
`(71) Applicant: See Inside, Inc., Dallas, TX (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Christopher Oliver, Dallas, TX (US);
`PJ Putnam, Dallas, TX (US); Dawn
`Melfert, Schenectady, NY (US); Amy
`Anderson, Allen, TX (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/578,108
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 19, 2014
`
`Related U.S. AppUcation Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61 /919,348, filed on Dec.
`20, 20 13.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06Q30/02
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ........ G06Q30/0267 (2013 .01); G06Q30/0277
`(20 13.0 1)
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Disclosed herein are techniques for a Lead Generation Tool
`that create a passive entity, such as a QR code or NFC tag
`associated with a promotion, and that generate a prepopulated
`message on a user's colllJllunications device when it is
`scanned, read, or othenvise input to activate the passive entity.
`As used herein, a "passive entity" is defined to include
`images, codes, tags, or any other unique identifiers that may
`be encoded with uniquely identifying information and codes.
`The term "activating" is defined to include either an action by
`a user that scans, reads, or othenvise inputs the unique infor(cid:173)
`mation contained in the passive entity into a device operated
`by the user or the mere presence of a user near a passive entity
`while equipped with a passive entity receiver, which will
`input the unique information contained in the passive entity
`into a device operated by the user. After activating the passive
`entity, the user is only required to tap SEND to respond to the
`promotion.
`
`200 ,
`
`r
`
`(
`
`)
`
`add) ~
`
`3:30 PM
`New Message
`
`210 ---1
`
`To: 543-21,
`
`'
`
`tc::::J
`Cancel
`@
`
`This is where the message
`goes and ID=### Info etc. ~
`To receive your reward TAP
`[Q) SEND!
`
`Send
`
`_
`
`- 220
`
`~8000000(£]0
`00000000~
`~ 000000G ~
`I 1231rn1 space 10 01 return 1
`@
`
`001
`
`POSTSCRIPT 1011
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 1 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`100,
`
`200,
`
`1/'
`
`FIG. I
`
`(
`
`]
`
`"''
`
`I
`I
`210 J
`
`iddl~
`
`3:30 PM
`
`New Message
`
`To: 543-21,
`
`tc::::J
`Cancel
`@
`
`This is where the message
`goes and ID=### info etc. --
`To receive your reward TAP
`SEND!
`
`Send
`
`_
`
`-220
`
`~8000~00~0
`00~0@]000~
`~ 00000GB ~
`I 123 IWI space H~□I return I
`@
`
`FIG. 2
`
`002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 2 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`Promotion Sign Generator
`
`WEB APPLICATION
`
`310
`
`,300
`
`305
`
`User Selects Specific
`Property ( or other
`promotion) and clicks
`generate sign link
`
`315
`
`Database
`Lookup
`
`GENERATE
`Message
`body
`
`320
`
`330
`
`Create message body for pre
`populat_ed text message which
`CONTAINS PARAMETERS for specific
`promotion and location of sign
`
`Generate
`QR Code based
`on SMS body and
`destintion
`shortcode or
`phone number.
`
`335
`
`WEB
`SERVICE
`
`310
`
`WEB APPLICATION
`
`_ _ _ _ _ _ _j
`I
`
`345
`
`FILE SYSTEM
`
`340
`
`FIG. 3
`
`325
`PHP image manipulation
`places QR code onto
`background image and renders
`additional text from variables
`onto background image to generate
`complete sign
`i
`I
`I
`_ _ _ _ _J
`
`305
`
`USER
`
`003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 3 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`,400
`
`____ "" SCANS QR
`CODE
`
`410
`
`405
`
`405
`
`SMS MESSAGE
`pre-populated ready
`for user to send
`
`415
`
`420
`
`SMS
`MESSAGE
`
`425
`
`435
`
`445
`
`USER PHONE PROMO ID
`and REWARD ID
`TIMESTAMP SAVED Optional
`eligibility checks
`
`GENERATED
`Reward DATA
`
`450
`
`FIG. 4
`
`WEB APPLICATION
`
`440
`
`TO 440
`(FIG. 5)
`
`004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 4 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`WEB APPLICATION
`
`440
`
`I
`
`~ 4 5 0
`
`430
`
`WEB SERVICE
`Generated
`Shortened URL
`
`440
`
`WEB APPLICATION
`
`470
`
`Generate Reply
`SMS message
`
`REPLY SMS
`MESSAGE TEXT SENT
`TO WEB SERVICE
`
`480
`
`430
`
`REPLY SMS MESSAGE
`TEXT WITH LINK TO REWARD
`Sent to User
`
`485
`
`405
`
`FIG. 5
`
`005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 5 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`USER
`
`405
`
`605
`
`HTTP REQUEST
`SHORTCODE
`(HYPERLINK)
`
`610
`
`SHORTCODE CONVERTED TO FULL
`hyperlink with parameters ID, user phone
`and optional single or multiple use
`"token(s)" Browser redirected to Original
`(non shortened) URL
`
`Promo ID, Reward ID
`USER PHONE TIMESTAMP
`EXTRACTED FROM URL PARAMETERS
`optional "token" used to unlock reward
`
`620
`
`WEB APPLICATION
`
`440
`
`Redemption Info Saved
`to database
`
`USER
`VIEW DATA
`
`625
`
`HTTP RESPONSE
`WEB PAGE WITH
`REWARD
`BACK TO USER
`
`630
`
`405
`
`FIG. 6
`
`006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 6 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`The Pre-populated SMS
`message contains one or
`more special parameters
`that are used to identify
`the promotion and the
`specific code being scanned
`
`@
`
`CUSTOMER TAPS SEND
`720\
`
`SMS Message received by
`WEB SERVICE.
`Processed and forwarded
`to WEB APPLICATION
`for processing Reward(s)
`determined and generated
`response SMS Text
`message(s) sent to WEB
`SERVICE and delivered to
`USER and SALES AGENT
`
`Using API can interface with any data system
`Using API can perform reverse lookup
`or background check on cell phone #
`To get name, address, age, gender, and more
`
`Optional Email sent
`to SALES AGENT
`
`eceives S
`nks to reward
`ting, link to p
`e listings nea
`
`Receives SMS with link to
`listing scanned - link to call
`customer who scanned. May contain
`actual phone number or a link goes
`to website to check for opt out
`first - then displays hotlink
`phone number
`
`0
`NOTE: Hype,lloks ~ SMS ,ecelved by 61 •----.n
`~ w ~
`
`USER and AGENT or (other)
`are shortened (bit.ly style) hyperlinks
`which redirect to trackable parameterized
`URLS (GET string). Parameters are
`processed by web application (links track
`phone # that taps the links)
`
`1r----~11 ' - 740
`@
`
`SALES AGENT ALERT
`
`FIG. 7
`
`007
`
`

`

`User Scans ScanTapp QR Code ,-..._ 805
`with mobile device using any QR
`Code Reader App
`
`..rll =(cid:173)
`.aw ~
`
`3:30 PM
`
`tc::::J
`
`rs10
`The QR Code
`instructs the
`mobile device
`to open the SMS/
`TEXT App and
`pre-populates a
`ready to send
`text message
`
`@
`
`Q Q User Taps SEND and
`~ok.... n 1 message is sent to Pre(cid:173)
`
`populated Shortcode
`or phone number
`'-sis
`
`rs20
`Pre-populated text message
`containing parameters (unique
`identifiers) to identify the
`ad campaign and the specific
`QR Code within the campaigns
`sent to the pre-populated
`telephone network shortcode
`or phone number
`
`TO
`(FIG. 9)
`
`"----soo
`
`iddlW
`
`To: 543-21,
`
`3:30 PM
`
`New Message
`
`Tap SEND to See Inside NOW!
`
`@ Property ID# is ID=5=2= Send
`
`~8000~00~0
`00000000~
`~ 00000GB ~
`I 123 l~[[ll space
`II return I
`@
`
`FIG. 8
`
`""O
`~ .....
`
`(')
`
`~ .....
`
`(')
`
`~ .....
`
`('D = ..... t "e -....
`.... 0 = ""O = O" -....
`.... 0 =
`2'
`?
`N
`~Ul
`N
`
`Ul
`
`('D
`('D
`
`0 ....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`-....J
`0 ....
`....
`....
`
`c
`rJJ
`N
`0 ....
`Ul ---0 ....
`
`-....J
`QO
`-....J
`QO
`.i;...
`
`> ....
`
`008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 8 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`FROM
`(FIG. 8)
`
`Message
`received
`by WEB
`SERVICE
`
`rs3o
`Message contents
`and sender phone
`number are routed
`to web application
`
`825
`
`Pre-populated SMS/
`Text message
`and sender info
`
`415
`
`440
`
`rs35
`Web Application extracts parameters from
`Optional API calls to web
`pre-populated text message sent by user
`services can interface
`and uses them in database queries and
`and integrate with any
`conditional logic to determine the
`data system to pass scan
`promotion and code scanned, Tracking
`data. Optional reverse
`data including but not limited to scan
`lookup/background
`time, promotion ID, Code ID and user's
`phone number are stored .--.--------1 WEB APPLICATION - - - - search on phone number
`to determine detailed
`840
`in database and rewards
`information about the
`are determined
`I
`user that scanned the
`I
`code. This info may be
`I
`delivered to sales agent
`I
`by email or SMS
`I
`'-----------, r850
`845
`Web Application generates
`parameterized trackable URLs
`for the USER's rewards and
`reference links for the SALES
`AGENT. The URLs are
`shortened using an API call
`to a service like Bit.ly to save
`character space in response
`SMS messages.
`
`Database
`
`Conditional Logic
`
`Additionally images may be
`pulled from web application
`server file system, database
`or any online location and
`included in either of the
`SMS responses
`
`TO
`(FIG. 10)
`
`FIG. 9
`
`009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 9 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`I ---440---------------.
`865
`OPTIONAL EMAIL ALERT TO SALES AGENT(s)
`
`FROM
`(FIG. 9)
`
`WEB APPLICATION
`
`L _ _ _
`
`API Call to Web SERVICE to send
`SMS message to SALES AGENT(s)
`
`860
`
`API Call to Web SERVICE to
`send SMS message to USER
`
`855
`
`r870
`
`I
`SMS Message including shortened URLS
`which are parameterized URLS to
`rewards There may be several URLs
`including reward link, cross promotion
`sales link, link to video or coupon.
`(links are trackable parameterized links
`to web application) (URLs are
`shortened using URL shortening service
`to save characters in SMS/Text message
`
`'/
`
`r880
`
`I
`SMS Message including USER's
`phone number or opt info to identify
`the promotion and code. May contain
`actual phone number or a shortened
`parameterized URL that goes to web
`application to check to make sure the
`USER has not opted out before
`displaying their phone number to
`SALES AGENT as a "tap to call"
`phone number dial link. If USER has
`opted out - then a message appears
`informing the SALES AGENT
`appears on the webpage instead
`of the "tap to call" phone dial link
`
`*c::::J
`
`Details
`
`aidll~
`< Back (21)
`
`3:30 PM
`
`581-63
`
`*c::::J
`
`Details
`
`Scan Tapp Listing Agent Alert
`4696446447
`Just Scanned this property:
`http:/ /j.mp/ 1xXblbT
`
`< Back (21)
`
`3:30 PM
`
`581-63
`
`See Inside Video Tour
`http:/ /j.mp/ 1xXbKVI
`
`More info: http://j.mp/1xXbKVp
`
`Similar nearby or crosspromotion:
`http://j.mp/1xXbLbH
`
`Call Agent: 4696446447
`
`@
`
`Send
`
`@
`
`Send
`
`0
`
`0 @
`tii~
`
`875 _/
`
`USER MOBILE DEVICE
`
`@
`SALES AGENT LG TO
`
`/,
`
`~
`
`890 _j
`FIG. 10 MOBILE DEVICE
`
`(FIG. 1l)
`-
`
`[
`
`010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 10 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`®
`
`FROM
`CffiilO)
`
`rs9o
`--------1--LJSER receives SMS Text message
`
`y
`
`8 7 5 __,,......
`
`(
`
`)
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`3:30 PM
`
`cadl -a,
`'8
`< Back (21)
`See Inside Video Tour
`http:/ /j.mp/ lxXbKVI
`
`581-63
`
`,,
`
`.c:::J
`
`Details
`
`More info: http://j.mp/1xXbKVp
`
`Similar nearby or crosspromotion:
`http://j.mp/1xXbLbH
`
`Call Agent: 4696446447
`
`@
`
`Send
`
`0
`~
`
`@
`
`~
`
`~
`USER MOBILE DEV ICE - - - - - - •~
`
`_/,I
`
`FIG. 11
`
`011
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 25, 2015 Sheet 11 of 11
`
`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`/;
`
`890 _.,,--..
`I
`I i:dO)-S-1t
`< Back (21)
`I
`
`-
`
`.c::::J
`
`Details
`
`(
`
`)
`
`3:30 PM
`
`581-63
`
`Scan Tapp Listing Agent Alert
`4696446447
`Just Scanned this property:
`http:/ /j.mp/ lxXblbT
`
`@
`
`~
`
`-
`
`Send
`
`0
`
`@
`
`-
`/.
`
`...
`
`SALES AGENT MOBILE DEVICE
`FIG. 12
`
`012
`
`

`

`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`Jun.25,2015
`
`1
`
`LEAD GENERATION TOOL
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`[0001] The present disclosure is a non-provisional conver(cid:173)
`sion of, and thus claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 61/919,348, filed Dec. 20, 2013, the entirety
`of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all
`purposes.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to tech(cid:173)
`niques for responding to promotions, and more particularly to
`systems and methods for creating a passive entity associated
`with a promotion that generate a prepopulated message on a
`user's communications device when it is scanned or read.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] The use of passive entities or identifiers by busi(cid:173)
`nesses as a means of presenting promotions for their products
`and services has historically helped those businesses expand
`consumer awareness and boost sales. Currently, passive enti(cid:173)
`ties ( e.g., QR codes, Near-Field Communication (NFC) tags,
`Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, Short Message
`Service (SMS) messages, and such similar entities) are used
`on promotional displays and items as a means to navigate a
`consumer to a particular place in the digital world, for
`example to navigate the consumer to a website via a browser
`on the consumer's communications device. In these situa(cid:173)
`tions, a person typically takes an action to activate such a
`passive entity, and such action creates a simple "one-way
`trip" for the person to a digital location designed/created by
`the business having the promotion. In addition, the business
`that created that passive entity may not even know that anyone
`has taken an action towards activating one of their passive
`entities.
`[0004] Additionally, some businesses employ a lead cap(cid:173)
`ture system that requires users to manually type in a message
`and text it to a specific receiving number or short code, which
`is also manually typed by the user. This conventional tech(cid:173)
`nique is in use by a number of businesses for lead capturing;
`however, this approach is typically cumbersome and prone to
`errors, often due to typographical errors by the consumers.
`Even in situations where businesses can detect that consum(cid:173)
`ers have activated a passive entity, that detection is typically
`limited to logging a simple "activity" count, that is, how many
`times the passive entity was activated and possibly a times(cid:173)
`tamp of when each such activation occurred. As a result, those
`businesses have only passed along some information to each
`user, but the businesses have not acquired any contact infor(cid:173)
`mation (e.g., telephone number) from the persons who acti(cid:173)
`vated the passive entities, and which may be used for targeted
`advertisements or other two-way interaction with responding
`consumers.
`[0005] With regard to SMS-based techniques for respond(cid:173)
`ing to merchant promotions, current methods of SMS mar(cid:173)
`keting require consumers to take action in response to a sign,
`a radio or TV message, or to print media by sending a specific
`SMS message to a specific number or short code. This tech(cid:173)
`nique requires a user to correctly type both the destination
`number or short code, as well as the specific verbiage in the
`body of the SMS message before the message can be sent
`successfully. Without typing both the destination number and
`message body correctly, the action by the user will have no
`
`effect. Moreover, the precision of the verbiage in the message
`body is also important because many different promotions
`often share the same destination numbers with only the mes(cid:173)
`sage body differentiating them.
`[0006] Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a technique
`for responding to promotions involving passive entities, such
`as SMS message-based responses that is more streamlined
`than, and alleviates the potential errors found in, conventional
`techniques. Additionally, what is needed is a technique that
`logs responding consumer contact information for use in both
`targeted marketing efforts and to track future consumer inter(cid:173)
`actions resulting from the initial response to the passive
`entity. The disclosed principles provide such a solution.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0007] Disclosed herein are systems and related methods of
`a Lead Generation Tool that create a passive entity, such as a
`QR code or NFC tag associated with a promotion, and that
`generate a prepopulated message on a user's communications
`device when the passive entity is scanned, read, or informa(cid:173)
`tion therefrom is otherwise input to activate the passive entity.
`As used herein, a "passive entity" is defined to include
`images, codes, tags, or any other unique identifiers that may
`be encoded with uniquely identifying information. As used
`herein, the term "activating" is defined to include either an
`action by a user that scans, reads, or otherwise inputs the
`unique information contained in the passive entity into a
`device operated by the user or the mere presence of a user near
`a passive entity while equipped with a passive entity receiver,
`which will input the unique information contained in the
`passive entity into a device operated by the user. After acti(cid:173)
`vating the passive entity, the user is only required to tap SEND
`to respond to the promotion. In an embodiment, when the user
`scans the passive entity, a message is automatically generated
`to the user that encourages the user to tap SEND to obtain
`something that may be of value to the user.
`[0008] Once the user sends the message, the response mes(cid:173)
`sage and user information are routed to a web-based or net(cid:173)
`work-based application, that can include cloud-based appli(cid:173)
`cations. The network-based application can then log the
`consumer's response and associated contact information, and
`provide a response message containing promotional informa(cid:173)
`tion to the user. For example, in one embodiment, when the
`disclosed principles create an SMS message in response to
`scanning a passive entity, the user simply sends the message
`to the destination phone number or short code specified in the
`prepopulated text message. The message body, user's phone
`number ( or other identifying information of the user and/or
`his device), and destination phone number or short code
`specified in the prepopulated text message, as well as a unique
`identifier associated with the promoted item of value, are
`routed via a communications network, such as the Internet, to
`the network-based application for processing. The applica(cid:173)
`tion captures the user's response to the promotion and contact
`information (e.g., phone number), and a SMS message
`response with the promotional reward or other information
`can then be returned to the user.
`[0009] Moreover, in addition to acquiring the date & time
`of the user's activation, a business can obtain the telephone
`number that activated the passive entity and, therefrom, the
`user's name and address. Meaningful communication
`between the person and the business can then take place by
`text message, phone call, mail, or other means derived from
`knowledge of the mobile phone number acquired when the
`
`013
`
`

`

`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`Jun.25,2015
`
`2
`
`user responds to the promotion in the disclosed manner.
`Using the Lead Generation Tool, a person opts-in when the
`passive entity is activated with a response to the promotion,
`and the user is rewarded for such activation. By encoding the
`passive entity with the destination number/short code used for
`a response, and automatically populating a response message
`with this information, the disclosed principles provide for
`accurate communication of responses to promotion by elimi(cid:173)
`nating potential typographical errors. Additionally, the dis(cid:173)
`closed principles streamline the response process by simply
`requiring only two actions by the user: the scan or other
`means of activating the passive entity, and the action of send(cid:173)
`ing the prepopulated message generated by the activation of
`the passive entity.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed principles
`are described herein with reference to the following draw(cid:173)
`ings, in which like numerals identify similar components, and
`in which:
`[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary
`QR code containing text strings and other information used to
`generate a response communication by scanning the QR code
`in accordance with the disclosed principles;
`[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary
`SMS application having the prepopulated message appear on
`the screen of a communications device in accordance with the
`disclosed principles;
`[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary
`process by which a QR code containing a prepopulated text
`message and destination telephone number or short code for
`use in responding to a promotion may be generated in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the disclosed principles;
`[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary
`process of a user responding to a promotion employing a QR
`code in accordance with the disclosed principles;
`[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary
`process for providing a promotional reward to a user via a
`response message, in accordance with the disclosed prin(cid:173)
`ciples;
`[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary
`process for accessing a reward webpage using a link provided
`in a response message, in accordance with the disclosed prin(cid:173)
`ciples;
`[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a broad overview of an exemplary
`process of a user employing a message pre-population tech(cid:173)
`nique in accordance with the disclosed principles;
`[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a more specific embodiment of an
`exemplary process of employing a QR code for a message
`pre-population technique in accordance with the disclosed
`principles;
`[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a continuation of the exemplary
`process flow introduced in FIG. 8;
`[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a continuation of the exemplary
`process flow introduced in FIGS. 8 through 9;
`[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a continuation of the exemplary
`process flow introduced in FIGS. 8 through 10; and
`[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a continuation of the exemplary
`process flow introduced in FIGS. 8 through 11.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0023] As introduced above, the disclosed principles pro(cid:173)
`vide a streamlined technique for users to respond to a promo-
`
`tion by only requiring the user to scan, read, or otherwise
`activate a passive entity created for the particular promotion,
`and then sending a prepopulated message generated by the
`activation of the passive entity using the user's device. The
`disclosed principles can employ any type of response medium
`when activating a passive entity. For example, instead of
`generating a prepopulated SMS message on a user's commu(cid:173)
`nications device used to scan the passive entity, the disclosed
`principles may alternatively cause a prepopulated email to be
`generated via the communications device. Of course, other
`types of prepopulated communications media may also be
`provided by the disclosed principles when the passive entity
`is activated. In such embodiments, the consumer identifier
`associated with the prepopulated communication medium
`can be used to log the consumer's information for later inter(cid:173)
`action with, or tracking activity by, the consumer. Further(cid:173)
`more, the disclosed principles may be extended to any future
`replacement for consumer identifiers like telephone numbers
`should the traditional phone number be replaced with some(cid:173)
`thing else.
`[0024] Moreover, any number and type of passive entity,
`either now existing or later developed, may be employed with
`the disclosed principles. For example, QR codes utilize an
`open-standard and thus the need for a proprietary application
`to be installed on a user's communications device is negated.
`Thus, this type of passive entity provides a "cross platform"
`solution and utilizes a common, ubiquitous application or
`feature available on any type of communications device in the
`form of a "QR Code Reader." Also, NFC tags may be
`employed as passive entities, which employ wireless signals,
`such as an RFID signal, rather than a visual recognition
`pattern to provide the encoded data discussed herein. Further(cid:173)
`more, passive entities may also be employed, if desired. For
`example, Microsoft® Tags may be employed, which operates
`in the same manner as a QR code, albeit proprietary to
`Microsoft Tag reader applications or devices. Similarly,
`Image Recognition Encoding may also be employed with the
`disclosed principles, which also operates in the same manner
`as a QR code, albeit proprietary to specific mobile applica(cid:173)
`tions.
`[0025] Still further, the promotional information associated
`with a promotion presented with the disclosed principles is
`not limited to any particular type of promotion. For example,
`the promotional information provided to a user (i.e., a reply
`message) in response to his response to a passive entity as
`disclosed herein could be some form of reward. Such rewards
`could be in the form of a virtual tour for a real estate promo(cid:173)
`tion ( e.g., via a link provided in the reply message), coupons
`or discount codes delivered to the user either by response
`message or a later time, instant-win game chances, sweep(cid:173)
`stakes entries, milestones in augmented reality games and/or
`marketing promotions, videos, digital gifts, instant connec(cid:173)
`tion to tech support and customer service, registration of a
`purchased product, etc. In short, any type of promotional
`information may be provided to consumers in response to
`their activation of a passive entity in accordance with the
`disclosed principles.
`[0026] To further understand how the disclosed principles
`provide the above-mentioned advantages in promotional situ(cid:173)
`ations, multiple exemplary embodiments are discussed
`below. A first exemplary embodiment employs a QR code as
`the passive entity and a user's communications device is used
`to activate the QR code to automatically generate an SMS
`message response for the promotion. More specifically, a
`
`014
`
`

`

`US 2015/0178784 Al
`
`Jun.25,2015
`
`3
`
`system or method in accordance with the disclosed principles
`creates a QR code that contains a destination number, such as
`a telephone number or short code, as well as a pre-written text
`message. The pre-written message could provide an instruc(cid:173)
`tion for the user to simply press send to receive a promotional
`item or other item of value. Thus, when the QR code is
`scanned by the user's communications device, the informa(cid:173)
`tion provided by the QR code opens the SMS client on the
`communications device used to scan the QR code. In addi(cid:173)
`tion, the "To" field ( e.g., message header) of the text or other
`type of message is automatically prepopulated with the des(cid:173)
`tination number, and the "Message Body" field is automati(cid:173)
`cally populated with the necessary response verbiage or infor(cid:173)
`mation specified in the QR code. Both the message header
`and body information may be derived from the passive entity,
`using the scanning or other technique for gathering informa(cid:173)
`tion from the passive entity.
`[0027] An exemplary QR code containing text strings and
`other information used to generate a response communication
`by scanning the QR code 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1, and an
`exemplary screen shot 200 of a communications device's
`SMS application having the prepopulated message is illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 2. Exemplary text strings (210,220) that maybe
`encoded into a QR code and automatically populated into a
`device's SMS client via simply scanning the QR code 100 are
`set forth below:
`[0028]
`smsto: 543-21: This is where the message goes
`and ID=### info etc. To receive your reward TAP
`SEND!
`[0029] Message Body: This is the location on the user's
`communications device's screen where the message is dis(cid:173)
`played and ID=### info etc. To receive your reward TAP
`SEND!
`By scanning the QR code 100, the pre-coded message body
`220 and destination number or short code 210 will populate
`the user's screen 200 using the device's SMS application.
`Once the scan of the QR code 100 is complete (which takes
`less than a second), the user's only action required is to press
`or tap "Send."
`[0030] The prepopulated text message 220 can also contain
`unique identifiers such as promotional identifiers and/or spe(cid:173)
`cific keywords that can be extracted by the network applica(cid:173)
`tion to determine promotional information (e.g., reward
`information), and the location where the scanning interaction
`took place (by virtue of using a unique identifier within the
`message field of the QR code 100) allowing for location
`tracking Importantly, both of these are provided by the dis(cid:173)
`closed principles without the need for an application to be
`installed on the user's communications device, and without
`the need for the User to "ALLOW LOCATION SERVICES"
`within an application or on the device in general. Moreover,
`the unique identifier, which has been previously associated
`with the item of value that is the subject of the promotion, may
`be included in any part of the message, and it may be visible
`to the user or not visible, and instead embedded within the
`prepopulated message. This is also the case with any other
`information being transmitted using the prepopulated mes(cid:173)
`sage, such as the user identification information, the "To"
`address of the message, or any other information.
`[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary process 300 for gen(cid:173)
`erating a QR code (e.g., a passive entity as used herein)
`containing a prepopulated text message for use in responding
`to a promotion in accordance with the disclosed principles. In
`this illustrated process, the "user" 305 is considered the per-
`
`son or organization creating the QR code for use with a
`promotion associated with a particular property, such as real
`property offered for sale, and thus information regarding the
`real property would be an item of value to a user as provided
`herein. Thus, the "user" in this aspect may be a merchant,
`advertiser, distributor, etc. of the item of value. As shown, the
`user 305 may employ a web application 310 implemented as
`disclosed herein to generate the unique QR code by selecting
`the property to be promoted, and then electing to generate a
`sign link (i.e., a sign comprising a passive entity and a unique
`identifier associated with an item of value). A "web applica(cid:173)
`tion" as used herein is a software application executed via a
`web server that uses tools like databases and server-side
`scripting programming languages, such as PHP or ASP.Net,
`to deliver experiences beyond the standard web page or web
`form for clients using web browsers. In the embodiments
`discussed herein, the web application 310 may be imple(cid:173)
`mented by a distinct entity offering the disclosed principles as
`a service to merchants, advertisers, and marketers of property,
`goods, and services.
`[0032] The web application 310 employs a database 315
`used for storing the properties or other items that may be the
`subject of a promotion. In addition, the database 315 may
`store the specific unique identifier for the property to be
`promoted by the QR code's generated text message body 320.
`Once the specific property and identifying information are
`retrieved from the database 315 or otherwise determined, the
`web application 310 may then generate a text message body
`330 that will be used in the process of generating the QR code.
`[0033] Once a text message body is created, if applicable,
`the web application 310 also engages the web service 325 to
`generate the unique QR code 335. In such embodiments, the
`web service 325 is an independent service employed for
`creating such unique signs embedded with selected informa(cid:173)
`tion. Thus, in these embodiments, a "web service" is a spe(cid:173)
`cialized service that allows software developers to, for
`example, programmatically generate graphic images such as
`QR Codes, make and receive phone calls and send and receive
`text messages using its web service APis. Other types of
`messages may also be employed. Examples of the web ser(cid:173)
`vice 325 include, but are not limited to, Google Charts.
`Twilio, Ribbit, Jaduka, Skype, Cloudvox, Tropo, Teleku,
`QuickFuse, Bitly, etc. (Any trademarks used herein are the
`property of their respective owners). In other embodiments,
`the web application 310 may be configured to generate the
`QR code 335 itself. In either embodiment, in accordance with
`the disclosed principles, the unique QR code 335 (or other
`generated sign/passive entity) is created. More specifically,
`the generated sign is embedded with the destination address
`(e.g., short code, phone number, etc.), as well as message
`body data for use in prepopulating a response message in a
`consumer's device when the QR code 335 is scanned. For
`example, destination information ( e.g., an address for use in
`the header of a message) and predetermined text or other
`infor