FIE LD OF THE INVE NTI ON

The present invention relates to location based systems and methods. In preferred forms both monitoring systems and coupons systems are provided.

Priority is claimed from Australian Application 2012200737 filed 8 February 2012 and entitled 'Monitoring Systems'. All parts and elements of Australian Application 2012200737 are hereby fully incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BAC KGROUND T O T HE INVE NTI ON

The inability to categorize the movement of individuals within a shopping complex and determine traffic flow presents a number of problems. In addition, it is difficult to provide coupons to the individuals to encourage the purchase of goods and services. It would accordingly be advantageous if the present invention could provide an improved system, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

S UMMARY O F T HE INVE NTI ON

According to a first aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a coupon system comprising: an association facility for associating coupons and mobile electronic devices; the association facility being adapted to award coupons based on general locations connected with each mobile electronic device being involved in installing or communicating with an application that provides a coupon management facility.

Preferably the coupon system includes a plurality of physical displays each associated with a display location, at which the physical display is provided, and a coupon; the association facility being adapted to award coupons on the basis that a coupon associated with a display location is awarded when a mobile electronic device, in the vicinity of the display location, is involved in installing or communicating with software providing a coupon management facility. Preferably the association facility is adapted to award coupons based on the general location at which each mobile electronic device installs a mobile application providing a coupon management facility.

Preferably the association facility is adapted to award a coupons based on the general location at which each mobile electronic device registers on a cloud based coupon management facility.

Preferably the coupon system as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the association facility is configured to award only one coupon to each mobile electronic device.

Preferably the coupon system includes a tracking facility for tracking the mobile electronic devices.

Preferably the coupon system includes a history facility for making use of an inbuilt GPS/location services facility to determine a last predetermined location of mobile device before installing or registering with an application that provides a coupon management facility. According to a second aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a method of providing coupons, the method comprising: providing coupons to individuals having mobile electronic devices, the coupons being provided based on general locations connected each mobile electronic device being involved in installing or communicating with an application that provides a coupon management facility.

Preferably the method includes providing a plurality of physical displays each associated with a display location, at which the display is provided, and a coupon; and providing coupons on the basis that a coupon associated with a display location is provided when a mobile electronic device, in the vicinity of the display location, is involved in installing or communicating with software providing a coupon management facility.

Preferably the method includes providing coupons based on the general location at which each mobile electronic device installs a mobile application providing a coupon management facility. Preferably the method includes providing coupons based on the location at which each mobile electronic device registers on a cloud based coupon management facility.

According to a third aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a system for providing coupons comprising: a plurality of physical displays each having an initiation component associated with a coupon; each initiation component being adapted to interact with a mobile electronic device of an individual as part of an initiation request made, using the mobile electronic device, by the individual; to direct the device to provide a download and installation interface allowing an application associated with the initiation component to be installed on the mobile electronic device of the individual; the system further including an association facility for assisting with identifying the mobile electronic device, in the system, based on the mobile electronic device's location relative to the physical displays and awarding a corresponding coupon.

Preferably the association facility is adapted to selectively award a coupon depending on whether the mobile device is in the vicinity of the corresponding physical display closest to the location of the mobile electronic device.

According to a fourth aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a system for providing coupons comprising a plurality of physical displays each having visually scannable code or near field device associated with a coupon; each scannable code or near field device being adapted to interact with a mobile electronic device of an individual to serve to direct the device to provide a download and installation interface allowing an application associated with the corresponding scannable code or near field device to be installed on the individuals mobile electronic device; the system further including an association facility for assisting with identifying the mobile electronic device, in the system, based on the mobile electronic device's location relative to the physical displays and awarding a corresponding coupon.

According to a fifth aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a method of providing coupons comprising: providing a plurality of physical displays each having an initiation component associated with a coupon; each initiation component being adapted to interact with a mobile electronic device of an individual as part of an initiation request made, using the mobile electronic device, by the individual; directing the device to provide a download and installation interface allowing an application associated with the initiation component to be installed on the mobile electronic device of the individual; and using an association facility to assist with identifying the mobile electronic device, in the system, based on the mobile electronic device's location relative to the physical displays; and awarding a corresponding coupon.

According to another aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a monitoring system for monitoring individuals in a defined space comprising:

(i) a querying arrangement comprising a plurality of nodes for being distributed in the defined space for querying personal devices of the individuals in the defined space; and

(ii) a processing facility for processing data collected by the querying arrangement for determining whether one or more of the individuals visited one or more areas within the defined space, the processing facility comprising a traffic facility for determining traffic data associated with the defined space.

Preferably the defined space comprises a shopping complex, the personal devices of the individual persons comprise smart phones or other personal electronic devices and the traffic facility includes a calculation facility for calculating time data associated with the time individual persons spent or were likely to have spent in or in connection with particular areas in the shopping complex.

Preferably the defined space comprises a shopping complex and the traffic facility includes a calculation facility for calculating time data associated with the time individual persons spent or were likely to have spent in or in connection with particular stores in the shopping complex.

Preferably the traffic facility comprises a pathway facility for determining the pathways of individual persons moving through the shopping complex.

Preferably the pathway facility is adapted to provide information using which the calculation facility is able to determine visit information. Preferably the calculation facility provides a loyalty facility for determining the number of return visits made by individual persons to or in connection with particular stores in the shopping complex.

Preferably the traffic facility includes a manufacture identification facility for determining the manufacture of the personal devices of the individuals and providing manufacture based visit information to provide useful demographic information associated with the individual persons.

Preferably the querying arrangement provides an interrogator system for interrogating the personal devices of the individuals such that the personal devices provide unique identification information to the querying arrangement.

Preferably the interrogator system is adapted to query the personal devices to determine identifiers uniquely identifying the personal devices themselves.

Preferably the interrogator system includes a support facility adapted to query the personal devices to determine identifiers uniquely identifying devices to which the personal devices were previously coupled.

Preferably the monitoring system includes an alert facility adapted to place nodes of the querying arrangement along particular pathways into an special querying mode.

Preferably the special querying mode is a mode in which interrogations make use of personal device data previously collected by the querying arrangement.

Preferably the defined space comprises a shopping complex and the traffic facility comprises a pathway facility for determining the pathways of individual persons moving through the defined space.

According to a second aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a monitoring system for a plurality of defined spaces comprising:

(i) a querying arrangement for each defined space, each querying arrangement comprising a plurality of nodes for being distributed in the corresponding defined space for querying personal devices of individual persons moving through the corresponding defined space; and (ii) a processing facility for processing data collected by the querying arrangements for determining whether one or more of the individual persons visited one or more areas associated with the defined spaces, the processing facility comprising a traffic facility for determining traffic data associated with the defined spaces.

Preferably the defined spaces each comprise a shopping complex and the processing facility is adapted to provide traffic data relating to the behaviour of the individual persons in relation to each shopping complex.

Preferably the processing facility is adapted to provide information relating to traffic data indicative of the behaviour individual persons in relation to individual shops in each shopping complex.

According to another aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a method for monitoring the movement of individuals in a defined space comprising:

(i) querying personal devices of the individuals in the defined space using a querying arrangement comprising a plurality of nodes distributed in the defined space; and

(ii) processing data collected by the querying arrangement to determine whether one or more of the individual persons visited one or more areas within the defined space and determine traffic data associated with the defined space.

Preferably the method includes collecting loyalty information using the querying arrangement and using a push facility to push advertising based on the collected loyalty information to the personal devices of individuals.

Preferably the method includes monitoring the flow of traffic through a plurality of defined spaces and benchmarking the traffic in the defined spaces.

Advantageously several preferred embodiments of the present invention are considered to provide for:

1) Pedestrian movement & leasing and tenant strategies

Successful spaces are reliant on creating areas of high pedestrian traffic. Being able to measure pedestrian traffic is one component to creating effective leasing and tenancy mix strategies. Preferred systems utilise the one piece of technology almost everyone has in their possession, namely, a mobile phone. Preferred systems of the present invention monitor not only the number of people who enter a space, but also how long they use the space, where they enter and exit the space, pedestrian traffic flow and even how often they return to the space.

In preferred arrangements, effective and evidence based strategies are created for leasing and tenancy mix. For example measures of which tenants receive the highest pedestrian traffic and insight in to areas of the space (including spaces that need to attract additional pedestrian traffic). 2) Promotion

Preferred systems advantageously make use of built-in identifying code of conventional mobile electronic devices along with additional information concerning the manufacturer of the device. Preferred systems obtain the unique anonymous code from devices and log this information and other applicable (but non-personal) details, and then store and process this information live on an online database. Results are displayed securely online with GPS coordinates.

Preferred systems measure data over the long term. This allows the tracking of trends and impacts of specific promotions and activities, as well as gaining a more thorough and accurate understanding of how people use the space. This allows allow accurate and objective measurement of the success of current promotions and activities and most importantly increases the understanding of the way people currently use the space, and the way they would like to use the space in the future.

3) Reporting

Preferred systems may provide information on pedestrians that visit the retail space and how they use this space. Due to the increasing trend towards greater use of smart phones, quarterly benchmarking is provided in preferred systems to ensure estimates remain reliable.

4) Unique Visitor Monitoring Preferred systems may estimate on the total number of visits to a retail space, as well as total number of unique visitors. This information can be provided for a specific day or event or aggregated over a week, month or year.

5) Length of Visitation

Preferred systems may record the length of visitation to provide valuable insight into how people use the retail space. This information could be provided for total visits or total unique visitors.

6) Loyalty to the Retail Space

Preferred systems may measure the level of loyalty the customers have to the retail space by analysing the number of times an individual visits this space within a specified period of time. This is considered to be a good indicator for the level of engagement the customer has with this space, and is useful in the development of future marketing strategies and activities. Preferred systems increase the understanding of the number of users as well as the scope of the potential customer base.

This level of analysis may be applied to day or night activity, to the defined areas of the retail space and aggregated over a period of a week, month or year.

7) Pedestrian Flow

Preferred systems may help identify what are the key destinations within the retail space and what are the tenants, activities and promotions that attract customers.

This information can be provided for total visits or total unique visitors and can be aggregated over an agreed period of time, such as a week, month or year.

8) Peak and Off-Peak

Preferred systems may provide the ability to measure the peak and off peak times of the retail space by providing reliable comparisons of visitors per hour, over time.

This can be provided for total visits, total unique visitors, length of visitation or for specified areas of the retail space. This data can also be provided for each day or aggregated over a week, month or year. 9) Entry and Exit Points

Preferred systems may measure the peak and off peak times of the retail space by providing reliable comparisons of visitors per hour, over time. This may be provided for total visits, total unique visitors, length of visitation or for specified areas of the retail space. This data may also be provided for each day or aggregated over a week, month or year.

10) Key Trends

Preferred systems may continually record data to produce high level information to demonstrate long term trends in how customers use the retail space. This includes measuring changes in peak and off-peak periods, changes in activity in each area of the retail space, changes in number of return visitors, changes in the key entry and exit points and the effect of changing tenants.

11) User Demographics

Preferred systems preferably collect the unique code and the manufacturer of the device to provide information on the demographics of the people who own that device.

12) Benchmarking against retail centers

Preferred systems may benchmark pedestrian numbers and activity between the varied retail centers allows allow customers to determine valuable information about how to tailor their businesses.

13) Assist Police in potential investigations through cross referencing with CCTV

Preferred systems may provide for law enforcement purposes serving to assist with proving that an offender was at the scene of the crime. Cross referencing with existing CCTV networks may increase the ability of the police to secure a conviction.

It is to be recognised that other aspects, preferred forms and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the present specification including the detailed description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DE SCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, several preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 provides an illustration of a monitoring system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 provides another illustration of the monitoring system show in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 to 8 illustrate the operation of the monitoring system shown in Figure 1; Figures 8 to 10 illustrate yet further arrangements and methods of the monitoring system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 11 provides an illustration of a coupon system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 provides an illustration of a method of providing coupons according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 provides an illustration of a method according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 14 provides an illustration of a system according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DE SCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments is specifically described and that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature or element of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to any feature of a number of the embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a monitoring system 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The monitoring system 10 advantageously monitors the movement of individuals in a defined space provided by and in the form of a shopping complex 12. The monitoring system 10 includes a querying arrangement 14 comprising a plurality of nodes 16. The nodes 16 are distributed in the shopping complex 12 for querying the personal devices 18 _. of a number of individuals 2 _. 0 in the shopping complex 12.

The monitoring system 10 further includes a processing facility 22 for processing data collected by the querying arrangement 14 for determining whether one or more of the individuals 20 visited one or more areas within the shopping complex _. 1 _. 2, In this regard the processing facility 22 comprises a traffic facility 24 for determining individual traffic through the shopping complex .12.

As shown the traffic facility 24 includes a calculation facility 26 for calculating traffic data 28 associated with the time individuals spent or were likely to have spent in or in connection with particular areas 3 _. 0 in the shopping complex _. 1 _. 2. More particularly the calculation facility 26 is provided for calculating traffic data 28 associated with the time individuals 20 spent or were likely to have spent in or in connection with particular stores 32 in the shopping complex 12. The traffic data 28 is divided into thoroughfare data and destination data. Thoroughfare data represents individual passing by stores in the shopping complex _. 1 _. 2. Destination data represents individuals browsing within the stores rather than merely passing by. The calculation facility 26 is also able to calculate entrance data and exit data highlighting the likelihood of a doorway 34 being used as either as an entrance or an exit. Among other things the calculation facility 26 is advantageously able to plot entry and exit data in the aggregate, or otherwise, over time.

The traffic facility 24 comprises a pathway facility 36 for determining the pathways 38 of individuals moving through the shopping complex 12. This includes sub-pathways inside the shopping complex _. 12 and full pathways entering and exiting the premises of the shopping complex (as would be apparent the defined space includes the nearby vicinity of the shopping complex 12 including parking lots). A number of pathways 38 through the shopping complex 12 are illustrated in Figure 3.

A first pathway 40 passes a node A, a node B, a node C, a node D and a node I. The first pathway 40 can accordingly be represented as pathway 'ABCDF. A second pathway 42 comprises a pathway 'AEDF. A third pathway 44 comprises pathway 'HFGFF. The nodes .1.6 are advantageously adapted to determine signal strength and /or direction and this information is used by the querying arrangement 14 to limit erroneous pathways possibly being determined by the calculation facility 26.

As shown in Figure 1, the system also advantageously includes a mapping facility 46. The mapping facility 46 is advantageously adapted to exclude impossible and unlikely paths in the determination of traffic data 28. As a result the pathway facility 36 is adapted to provide information using which the calculation facility 26 is able to determine desirable visit information.

The calculation facility 26 provides a loyalty facility 48 for determining the number of return visits made by individuals 20 to or in connection with particular stores 32 in the shopping complex 12.

The traffic facility 24 includes a manufacture identification facility 50 for determining the manufacture of the smart devices .18 of the individuals 20 and for providing manufacture based visit information. The manufacture based visit information provides useful demographic information associated with the individuals 20.

The monitoring system 10 further includes an alert facility 52 that is adapted to place the nodes .1.6 of the querying arrangement 14 along particular pathways into an advanced querying mode.

This is illustrated in Figure 4 where an individual 54 having a smart phone 56 moves along the first pathway 40. The monitoring system 10 advantageously determines pathway ABCDI and excludes other pathways using the mapping facility 46. The mapping facility 46 includes a triangulation ability to locate a smart device.

More particularly when detected by node A, the querying arrangement 14 places nodes B and E in an advanced querying mode which attempts to make contact with the smart phone 56. The advanced querying mode is a mode in which interrogations make use of smart phone data previously collected by the querying arrangement 14. In this embodiment the alert facility 52 uses collected MAC addresses.

Once detected by node A, nodes E and B are each provided with an alert 58 to place the nodes E & B in the advance query mode for the smart phone 56. When the pathway 40 is determined as ΆΒ' nodes C, F & H are sent alerts 60. When the pathway 40 is determined as 'ABC node D is sent an alert 62. When the pathway 40 is determined as 'ABCD' nodes E&I are sent alerts 64. The alerts contain a d indicator representative of the MAC address and details of the detecting node.

The detecting node remains in the advanced querying mode for the smart phone 56 after sending an alert and is disabled once a subsequent node determines there is not direct route back to the prior detecting node. As shown in Figure 5 node C sends a release alert 66 to node A and a release alert 68 to node E to release the nodes from the advanced querying mode for the smart phone 56. In this matter the system accordingly acknowledges that nodes D or B would have to detect the smart phone 56 for the path to be valid. Further release alerts are shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 6 the querying arrangement 14 provides an interrogator system 70 for interrogating the smart devices 18 of the individuals 20 such that the smart devices 18 provide unique identification information 72 to the querying arrangement 14.

In the embodiment the unique identification information 72 comprises the MAC addresses of the smart devices 18. In order to determine the unique identification information 72 the interrogator system 70 applies an interrogation algorithm 74.

In the embodiment the MAC address is used to both uniquely identifies each smart phone and determine corresponding manufacturers. In the system 10 the manufacturer details are stored in a database (not shown) forming part of the monitoring system 10. The manufacture data is advantageously used as detailed below.

Referring to Figure 7 the interrogator system includes a support facility 76 adapted to query the smart devices 18 to determine unique identifiers identifying devices 78 to which the smart devices 18 were previously coupled. This is considered likely to be particularly useful for some devices which do not readily provide a MAC address. Referring to Figure 8, the monitoring system 10 is advantageously adapted to monitor a plurality of related defined spaces comprising a plurality of geographically distinct shopping complexes 80. The querying arrangement 14 comprises a plurality of 'sub' querying arrangements 82 that query each individual space. The processing facility 22 is centralised and processes data collected by the querying 'sub' arrangements 82. The processing facility 22 is adapted to provide information relating to visit data indicative of the behaviour of individuals in relation to individual shops in each shopping complex 80.

Although distributed systems are possible, the monitoring system comprises a centralised server and a distributed series of nodes 16 positioned throughout the shopping complexes 80 where traffic is to be monitored. While various arrangements are possible the nodes 16 include custom hardware and software.

More particularly nodes 16 are connected to the server via one or a combination of the following technologies (depending on the site topology): i) Ethernet cabling; ii) network switches; iii) wireless networking (802.11 a/b/g/n); and iv) GPRS / 3G / 4G / LTE internet / VPN. All data relating to individual devices is encrypted in the server database and nodes identify individual devices through the detection / probing of communications methods on each mobile device (through a combination of the several protocols). The combination of protocols used may vary from site to site depending on environmental issues and individual demographics. In the present embodiment the protocols used include: wireless networking (802.11); Bluetooth; GSM (mobile); RFID (radio frequency identification); and GPRS / 3G / 4G / LTE internet connectivity.

In terms of the connection to the server nodes connect to the server using standard node server protocols. Custom protocols could of course be used. In employing the monitoring system 10, a method of monitoring the flow of traffic through a defined space is utilized. The method forms a further embodiment of the present invention.

The method involves: (i) querying the smart devices of individuals comprising pedestrian moving the defined space using a querying arrangement comprising a plurality of nodes; and (ii) processing data collected by the querying arrangement to determine whether one or more of the individuals visited one or more areas within the defined space and determine individual traffic through the defined space.

The method further includes collecting loyalty information using the querying arrangement and using a push facility to push advertising based on the collected loyalty information to the smart device's of individuals. The flow of traffic through a plurality of defined spaces is monitored and advantageous benchmarking data is provided.

The method also employs an alert process 84 illustrated in Figure 9. At block 86 the alert process 84 detects a smart phone at a node 88. At block 90 nodes on possible pathways are located. At block 92 the nodes on the pathways are sent a detection alert. As a result the nodes start advance querying at block 94. If the smart phone is detected at block 96, pathways are searched again. As detailed in Figure 5 deactivation alerts may be sent at block 98,

Figure 10 details the process at block 90 for a store .100 shown in Figure 2. Possible pathways 102 are determined to comprise ...AE... and ...BE... and ...DE... (only some of which are shown in Figure 10). At block 104 the method calculates visits accounting for erroneous paths, duplicates and thoroughfare. At block 106 this results in the generation of data 108,

It is considered that the embodiments discussed advantageously provide a mechanism for monitoring and recording the path of a mobile device (telephone or other) as it moves through a defined space such as a shopping centre. Analysis of the collected data using custom reporting techniques and algorithms provides an insight into traffic flows in, out and around the defined space which can be used for various purposes. The ability to collect data for forecasting and predictive purposes as well as just for historical reporting is considered advantageous.

In particular embodiments individual persons are tracked via the unique hardware identifier ("MAC address") provided by their mobile device. The system advantageously determines points of entry and exit; path(s) through a space; time spent in areas of the space; and return visits/loyalty and establishes trends using parameters including: time period; day of week; marketing campaigns; and seasonal events / variations.

In addition trends for individual sites can be combined to provide "global" data. In one preferred embodiment: an individual's visit to multiple shopping centres is monitored, to allow for additional marketing based on time/date of visit; geographical location; and/or seasonal events/variations. It is to be appreciated that the defined or monitored spaces (site) do not need to be physically enclosed. Furthermore nodes could be used around the perimeter and throughout a public area, e.g. sporting arena, theme-park or playground. Advantageously different mechanisms of device detection are used to maximise the depth of penetration, reliability and accuracy of the system.

In the embodiment an automated reporting systems provides both static and dynamic views of global trends or localised data from entry exit points and specific areas within a space. Live interrogation of a central depository allows for the determination of when a known device (associated with an individual) enters or exits a defined space. Using various facilities the brand of each device is established, and the corresponding data is used for marketing purposes, either distinctly or in conjunction with other traffic data. Push marketing messages to mobile devices are sent providing individuals with the option to connect to a localised wireless network branded with an identifier. The push marketing is advantageously combined with historical data to offer targeted messages to individual devices, e.g. on the 10th visit the individual is presented with a coupon for a free coffee.

As part of advantageous methods, once a device enters the site, the system becomes aware of its presence. Following this, as the device is detected by a node, its unique address is passed to the adjacent nodes. When one of these nodes detects the device it will pass the address to its adjacent nodes, and so forth. When a node is aware of a device, it is able to communicate directly with its unique network address and the presence of the device is be used (possibly in conjunction with historical visit/trend data) to determine the context of targeted messages. Similarly to entry the system will detect when the device leaves the site, and ceases direct communications. The system may be used in combination with facial recognition and may interact/integrate with other databases & systems to provide additional functionality. One embodiment could for example advise law enforcement when a known device enters a monitored space; or advise law enforcement of devices present at the scene of a crime. It is also envisaged that additional mobile device communication protocols may be integrated with the system as they are developed/being widespread. Referring to Figure 11 there is provided a coupon system 10 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The coupon system 10 includes an association facility 12 that is considered to advantageously associate coupons 14 and mobile electronic devices 16. The association facility 12 is adapted to award the coupons 14 based on general locations 18 connected with each mobile electronic device 16. Coupons are provided and the mobile electronic devices 16 are used in connection with installing or communicating with an application 20 that provides a coupon management facility 22.

In the present case the association facility 12 is adapted to only award coupons in connection with installing the application 20 as a mobile application 24. Notably other embodiments may provide coupons based on the location at which a mobile electronic device 16 registers on a coupon management facility available on the Internet and accessible through the mobile device. In such a circumstance the mobile application is not installed but registration occurs via the cloud. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the coupon system 10 includes a plurality of physical displays 26 each positioned at respective display locations 28 in a shopping centre. Each physical display 26 provides an advertising sign 30 containing a QRCode 32. An individual is able to use his or her mobile electronic device 16 to scan a QRCode 32. In response to the scan, when initiated by the individual, the corresponding mobile device 1.6 uses the QRCode 32 to go to the mobile phone store and accept the download of the mobile application 24. After accepting the invitation, provided by the mobile application store, the mobile application 24 is downloaded and installed on the mobile device 16.

When the application 24 installs, it connects to the association facility 12 via the Internet and provides a unique phone identifier 34 associated with the corresponding mobile device 16. In this embodiment the unique identifier is the MAC address of the mobile device 16.

The coupon system 10 includes a tracking facility 36 for tracking the mobile electronic devices 1.6 in the shopping centre. The tracking facility 36 provides the association facility 12 with the general locations of the mobile devices 16. Each physical display 26 is associated with a respective coupon 14 and a display location 28. The association facility 12 is adapted to determine: (i) the closest display location 28 to a mobile device 16 at the time of the installation of the mobile application 24 on the mobile device; and (ii) and whether the mobile device is in the vicinity of that display. Once the corresponding physical display 26 is located, and if in the vicinity of the display, the corresponding coupon 14 is awarded to the mobile device 16.

If the tracking system is not able to track a mobile device 16, the application 24 requests access to the inbuilt GPS / location services of the mobile device lj5 to determine the mobile device's general location during installation of the mobile application. The association facility 12 may accordingly be adapted to award a coupon based on the general GPS location at which a mobile electronic device installs the mobile application.

Referring to Figure 12, there is provided a method 38 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The method 38 advantageously comprises providing coupons 40 to individuals having mobile electronic devices 42. At block 44, the method 38 tracks the locations of the mobile electronic devices 42. At block 46, the method determines the general location 48 of a mobile device 50 that installs a mobile coupon application 52 . At block 54, the method provides a coupon 56.

Referring to Figure 12, the method 38 includes providing a plurality of physical displays 58 each associated with a display location 60 (at which the display is provided) and a coupon 62. The displays 58 are provided as an electronic advertising sign.

As part of block 54, the coupon 56 is provided on the basis that the coupon 56 is the corresponding coupon associated with the closest display location 60 to the mobile device 50 when installing the mobile application 52.

Advantageously each physical display 58 (electronic sign) is provided with a clearly marked initiation component. The initiation component is provided in the form of a near field communication device 64

Each near field communication device 64 is associated with a coupon 40. When an individual uses his or her mobile electronic device 42 to interact with a near field communication device 64 this directs the mobile electronic device 42 to provide a download and installation interface. This allows a mobile application associated with the NFC device 64 to be installed on the mobile electronic device 64.

Upon the application being installed, a server is sent the MAC address from the mobile electronic device 56. An association facility of the server uses the MAC address and the location of the mobile electronic device 50 to determine the closest display. The corresponding coupon is then associated with the mobile device 50 (i.e. awarded).

By sending the MAC address the system knows the identity of mobile phones that have installed the mobile application. In embodiments, by determining whether the mobile phone is in the vicinity of a display, it can be assumed that the associated NFC device has been used to download the application. While this may not have been the case the method assumes this was the case an awards a coupon regardless.

It will be appreciated that preferred embodiments assist an individual with downloading a smartphone application onto the user's device, and presenting a relevant voucher/offer to the user. The offer is ultimately redeemed by presenting the smartphone voucher to retailer.

In yet a further embodiment, shown in Figure 13 the pathway of an individual is tracked by the tracking facility 36 of the coupon system 10. Upon it being determined that it would be advisable to incentivise the individual, an offer is provided to the individual on a display 66. Notably this done when the individual is about to exit a shopping area 68 without having visited a shop the individual would normally visit. This provides a 'turn around feature' that is considered to advantageously discourage 'lost sales', and increase conversion rates. An example is provided below.

"Example 1"

In a retail environment A.1) Person with a device is detected and a shopper profile is built.

A.2) Profile is tagged by the system automatically for notable and relatable terms, for example:

"Entrance 3, Thursday PM, Woolworths, East Wing, Big W, Dotti, Exit 3, (x) minute total visit" "Entrance 1, Weekend, Boost Juice, Just Jeans, Muffin Break, (x) minute total visit, Saturday AM, Exit 1, (x) minute total visit"

"Perth Arena, Basketball, Perth Wildcats, Friday night, present (x) minutes before event start time"

A.3) Customer is 'known' or 'predicted' to have interest in 'shop a', but upon entering retail environment, either

- deviates from common path and is deemed likely to exit retail space before going to 'shop a', or

- path is deemed unlikely to visit 'shop a', whether usual or otherwise

- time spent walking past 'shop a' was deemed less than adequate to complete sales process

A.4) Based on historical path of device and profile built over time, the system pushes highly targeted, relevant advertising to display screen(s) installed within the retail environment to influence this person's behaviour. These displays can be within the retail space, or at the entry/exit points.

In the event that the user does not have the application already installed:

B. l) Display contains code (bar code, QR code, URL, NFC) to direct user to download smartphone app to receive offer shown on display.

B.2) The sends relevant offers/advertising to the smart phone application tied to common unique device identifier.

When the application is already installed:

C. l) The systems sends relevant offer/advertising to the device automatically, in addition to, or external to the display system previously described. This can also be set to 'push' to the user's smartphone, when enabled.

Notably, in the event of more than one device detected within 'zone' of display, the system will send most relevant advertising, based on averages, trends, predictions and other aggregated data to display to the group of persons within the 'zone'. In general the systems and methods described are considered to assist with providing: (i) highly relevant advertising to the user; and (ii) higher engagement for advertisers, increased return on investment over traditional advertising methods.

The system is able to make use of unique device identifier information and build user profile from user behaviour, algorithmically. With advertiser profiles it is possible to match the user. The system can display appropriate advertising and make offers at the appropriate time and duration to encourage adoption.

This is considered to have application in several areas including retail environments, public open spaces, hospitals, airports, office buildings, events, indoor/outdoor sites and venues.

The system may utilise a network of (global) advertisers (external to specific retailers), and push relevant advertising to users either within the shopping centre or anywhere in the world.

In this embodiment all locations are general locations within the accuracy of the hardware and software of the system as configured.

Referring to Figure 18 there is shown a schematic diagram of a computer system 420 that is configured to provide preferred arrangements of systems and methods described herein. The computer system 420 is provided as a distributed computer environment containing a number of individual computer systems 422 (computers/computing devices) that cooperate to provide the preferred arrangements. In other embodiments the computer system 420 is provided as a single computing device.

As shown, a first one of the computing devices 422 includes a memory facility 424. The memory facility 424 includes both 'general memory' and other forms of memory such as virtual memory. The memory facility 424 is operatively connected to a processing facility 426 including at least one processor. The memory facility 424 includes computer information in the form of executable instructions and/or computer data. The memory facility 424 is accessible by the processing facility 426 in implementing the preferred arrangements.

As shown each of the computing devices 422 includes a system bus facility 428, a data store facility 430, an input interface facility 432 and an output interface facility 434. The data store facility 430 includes computer information in form of executable instructions and/or computer data. The data store facility 430 is operatively connected to the processing facility 426. The data store facility 430 is operatively connected to the memory facility 424. The data store facility 430 is accessible by the processing facility 426 in implementing the preferred arrangements.

Computer information may be located across a number of devices and be provided in a number of forms. For example the data store facility 430 may include computer information in the form of executable instructions and/or computer data. The computer data information may be provided in the form of encoded data instructions, data signals, data structures, program logic for server side operation, program logic for client side operation, stored webpages and so forth that are accessible by the processing facility 426.

On one level, input interfaces allow computer data to be received by the computing devices 422. On another level, input interfaces allow computer data to be received from individuals operating one or more computer devices. Output interfaces, on one level, allow for instructions to be sent to computing devices. On another level, output interfaces allow computer data to be sent to individuals. The input and output interface facilities 432, 434 provide input and output interfaces that are operatively associated with the processing facility 426. The input and output facilities 432, 434 allow for communication between the computing devices 422 and individuals. The computing devices 422 provide a distributed system in which several devices are in communication over network and other interfaces to collectively provide the preferred arrangements. Preferably there is provided at least one client device in the system of computing devices 422 where the system is interconnected by a data network.

The client device may be provided with a client side software product for use in the system which, when used, provides systems and methods where the client device and other computer devices 422 communicate over a public data network. Preferably the software product contains computer information in the form of executable instructions and/or computer data for providing the preferred arrangements.

Input interfaces associated with keyboards, mice, trackballs, touchpad's, scanners, video cards, audio cards, network cards and the like are known. Output interfaces associated with monitors, printers, speakers, facsimiles, projectors and the like are known. Network interfaces in the form of wired or wireless interfaces for various forms of LANs, WANs and so forth are known. Storage facilities in the form of floppy disks, hard disks, disk cartridges, CD-ROMS, smart card, RAID systems are known. Volatile and non- volatile memory types including RAM, ROM, EEPROM and other data storage types are known. Various transmission facilities such as circuit board material, coaxial cable, fibre optics, wireless facilities and so forth are known.

It is to be appreciated that systems, components, facilities, interfaces and so forth can be provided in several forms. Systems, components, facilities, interfaces and so forth may be provided as hardware, software or a combination thereof. The present invention may be embodied as computer readable memory, a personal computer and distributed computing environments.

In addition the present invention may be embodied as: a number of computer executable operations; a number of computer executable components; a set of process operations; a set of systems, facilities or components; a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing computer implemented methods and/or providing computer implemented systems; and so forth. In the case of computer executable instructions they preferably encode the systems, components and facilities described herein. For example a computer-readable medium may be encoded with one or more facilities configured to run an application configured to carry out a number of operations forming at least part of the present arrangements. Computer readable mediums preferably participate in the provision of computer executable instructions to one or more processors of one or more computing devices.

Computer executable instructions are preferably executed by one or more computing devices to cause the one or more computing devices to operate as desired. Preferred data structures are preferably stored on a computer readable medium. The computer executable instructions may form part of an operating system of a computer device for performing at least part of the preferred arrangements. One or more computing devices may preferably implement the preferred arrangements. The term computer is to be understood as including all forms of computing device including servers, personal computers, smart phones, digital assistants and distributed computing systems.

Computer readable mediums and so forth of the type envisaged are preferably intransient. Such computer readable mediums may be operatively associated with computer based transmission facilities for the transfer of computer data. Computer readable mediums may provide data signals. Computer readable mediums preferably include magnetic disks, optical disks and other electric/magnetic and physical storage mediums as may have or find application in the industry. Components, systems and tasks may comprise a process involving the provision of executable instructions to perform a process or the execution of executable instructions within say a processor. Applications or other executable instructions may perform method operations in different orders to achieve similar results. It is to be appreciated that the blocks of systems and methods described may be embodied in any suitable arrangement and in any suited order of operation. Computing facilities, modules, interfaces and the like may be provided in distinct, separate, joined, nested or other forms arrangement. Methods will be apparent from systems described herein and systems will be apparent from methods described herein.

As would be apparent, various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents.

There is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is to be construed beneficially to the applicant and the invention given its full scope.

In the present specification, the presence of particular features does not preclude the existence of further features. The words 'comprising', 'including' and 'having' are to be construed in an inclusive rather than an exclusive sense.

It is to be recognised that any discussion in the present specification is intended to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that the material discussed formed part of the prior art base or relevant general knowledge in any particular country or region.