CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/910144, filed November 29, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

61/9100145, filed November 29, 2013. The above-identified priority patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD The present technology is a system for attracting consumers to a data collector, which is a contest, on a computing device. More specifically, the technology is a system and method for gathering and analysing consumer data to assist businesses in their marketing decisions, while providing advertising to the consumer. The consumer's identity is private and their data anonymous. The technology may utilizes Quick Response (QR) or Augmented Reality (AR) codes to direct consumers to the datum initiator thereby collecting data.

BACKGROUND

Advertising and marketing are incredibly important tools for selling products and services. Many companies use the internet and other computer-based tools to reach their audience. US Publication No. 20090197582 discloses an end-to-end mobile advertising system that characterizes user behavior (e.g., location, interaction with advertisements on a mobile communication device, etc.) in order to select micro-targeted advertisements. A marketplace platform handles the formatting required for presentation suitable for mobile communication devices in accordance with negotiated tags for a desired audience ("reach"), for a suitable number of presentations ("frequency") and for an effective duration ("time") within a particular scheduled window. A condition of schedule for a tinned coupon advertisement campaign is supported. Effectiveness is gauged even in the instance of impression advertisements by monitoring user location and/or interaction with the communication device to see a change in behavior (e.g., does not go to a competitor as forecasted, does go to a location of the advertiser, calls the advertiser, clips the advertisement for future reference, etc.). The marketplace platform secures user identification for privacy reasons from advertising entities that provide the advertisements. This approach is intrusive and requires that usage of the mobile communication device is tracked, as are activities of the user. The system only offers advertising and does not attempt to engage a consumer.

US Publication No. 20110246270 discloses a computer implemented marketing system that disseminates information about a product or service over a computer network to a plurality of users who are encouraged to provide the marketer with their contact information in exchange for the possibility of obtaining a reward. Utilizing the relationships among users to encourage them to provide their information in an exponential, potential reward structure, the system contacts a large number of users in a short time. The user who wins the reward, and the user's referring party(ies), receive a reward for their participation and referrals. The method utilizes a computer network to generate identification codes for each user, validate the information of each user, and select the winner from among the referred users and the winner's referring party(ies).

Embodiments relate to a social network marketing system, in which information about a product or service is disseminated to a plurality of users who are encouraged to provide their contact information to the marketer in exchange for the possibility of obtaining a reward from the marketer. The system utilizes relationships among the users to encourage them to provide their information to the marketer, in a multi-level, exponential, potential reward structure. The result is that a large number of users can be contacted in a very short time, reducing the costs to the marketer. The user who wins the reward, and the user's referring party(ies) who meet eligibility criteria, receive a reward for their participation and referral of others. The method describes how to utilize the power of these relationships in a multi-level exponential reward structure. This approach suffers the deficiency that not all consumers want to be involved in social media. Absent these relationships, the methods of technology fall short of delivering. Further, the methods do not attempt to engage the consumer, nor is there a focus on providing the client with useful data for mining.

Other approaches direct users to advertising by having them participate in contests. For example, US Publication No. 20100030632 discloses a promotional web site hosting a plurality of contests or promotions wherein prizes are awarded. A link to the web page in the promotional site featuring a specific contest or promotion are inserted into a plurality of media sponsor sites. The links are typically configured as symbols and are embedded within the media sponsor sites. Traditional media advertisement are then used to tie a contest or promotion to the indicant on the media sponsor site. Participants responding to the traditional media advertisement will look for the indicant in the media sponsor sites, and upon finding the indicant and selecting the indicant, the participant is linked to the promotional website. A registration process is then performed wherein the participant is asked to provide some personal information such as their name, email address, home address, and telephone number. Upon completion of this registration form, the participant then submits the registration form, and is then forwarded back to the same media sponsor site from which they came. This system is intrusive and cumbersome as the participant has to provide personal information. Further, there are simply links to the sponsor website, without any approaches to engage the user. Finally, data are not provided to the sponsor.

Prizebox™ (Prizebox.me) offers businesses a method of marketing and driving customers to the businesses by offering sweepstakes to customers. The promotions are submitted to PrizeBox for approval and publication to the application. Customers download the application and then enter the sweepstakes. Repeat customers improve their chances to win. Customers share on Facebook and Twitter to claim promotions, and the businesses therefore expand their reach to the customer's network. Hence, this approach requires that the user is willing to have their connection to the business made public, and this is something that certain demographics are not in favour of doing. Further to this, the database for the data being collected must be very large and complex and any application programming interface (API) required to analyze the data are similarly complex. Further, as there is no means for filtering out "contest players" from consumers who are genuinely interested in a given product or service, the system is limited to marketing and driving customers to businesses, and offers no data collection and analysis capabilities.

Woobox™ (Woobox.com) also offers businesses a method of marketing and driving customers to the businesses by offering sweepstakes to customers. The offer businesses the opportunity to create fan-only coupons, run photo contests, create Facebook ^® , Twitter ^® , Pinterest ^® and other social media page tabs that show different content to fans and non fans and run video contests. This approach clearly relies upon the customer base publicly sharing their social media pages and their connection to the businesses, again, something that some demographics do not want to do.

Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube ^® all also run contests for consumers to participate in. Once again, they rely upon the users sharing their social media pages.

Contest Canada (contestcanada.net) is an online advertising site that does not appear to require customers to share their information on social media sites. The contests relate directly to advertising. Users must log into the site and scan it in order to enter contests to win the product or service that the advertising is offering. The businesses do not generate their own contests, nor are there any analytics associated with the service. Additionally, as the user has to log into the site, only those users who know about the site will login. Recently, Augmented Reality (AR) game cards have been introduced for gaming devices. Pointing the camera of a suitable game device at an AR game card causes the game device screen to display the game. AR game cards were initially used only for entertainment purposes. More recently, AR codes have been used to advertise, as an AR card can integrate direct advertising with the code. With this approach, the AR card additionally directs traffic to a sponsor site, which may be a webpage displaying a menu, or promotions or the like.

US Publication No. 20130297407 discloses an interactive delivery of advertising on a mobile device. Receivable codes are captured by the mobile device, for example by a camera. The codes may be QR codes, codes with fiduciary markers, or the like. Plural interactive value offers are generated, each directed toward a product or service associated with at least one code. The interactive value offers are adjusted in response to each other, and presented via a user interface. Other features include: providing navigation directions from a current location to a location where a value offer can be fulfilled, processing location information to gauge an effect of the interactive value offer on the user and adjusting the offer based on said effect, adjusting the offer based on a current interest in the offer, and providing social networking opportunities in conjunction with the offer.

A system and method that allows for collection of anonymous consumer information is needed. The anonymous consumer information would preferably be subjected to analytics for determining trends and forming predictions with regard to consumer behaviour. It would be advantageous for the consumer to be able to select a contest based on their geographical location. It would be of a further advantage for the consumer to know when a contest opens and closes. It would be of advantage to the business to obtain data reflective of consumer behaviour and not including consumer personal data. Providing advertising for the sponsors offering contests would assist in driving consumers to a business. It would be of further advantage if a dashboard was provided that allows consumers to engage with businesses on multiple levels, including a variety of social media avenues, email, or a direct link to the clients website and contact information. This would provide further information for the sponsoring business, as data could be correlated to the different platforms.

Summary

The present technology is a system and method that collects anonymous consumer information. It also collects and transiently stores personal information which can be an email address, a Facebook page, a Twitter page, a phone number, a physical address, and any other piece of information that allows the system or the sponsor to contact a consumer. This is primarily to notify the consumer of a win. The anonymous consumer information can be subjected to analytics for determining trends and forming predictions with regard to consumer behaviour. Therefore the sponsoring business is able to obtain data reflective of consumer behaviour and not including consumer personal data. The consumer is able to select a contest based on their geographical location. The consumer knows when a contest opens and closes. The sponsors offering contests are also able to advertise to assist in driving consumers to their business. A dashboard is provided that allows consumers to engage with businesses on multiple levels, including a variety of social media avenues, email, or a direct link to the clients website and contact information. This provides the sponsoring business with data that can be correlated to the different platforms, thus providing a metric of effectiveness of each platform, which can then be related to timing, geography, user behaviours and the like.

In one embodiment, a system for assessing consumer use patterns is provide, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored thereon instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to: initiate a dashboard including a plurality of interactive activities, the plurality of interactive activities including an at least one contest, on an at least one remote computing device; receive an at least one input generated at the remote computing device, the input being directed to the contest; generate an at least one anonymous datum associated with the input to provide generated data; close the contest; aggregate the generated data to provide a database; and mine and process the data in the database.

In the system, the processor may be configured to receive a user request to participate in the contest.

In the system, the processor may be configured to receive personal information associated with the user and transiently retain the personal information in the database.

In the system, the remote computing device may be a mobile device.

In the system, the interactive activities may include at least one of a game, an audio source, a video, a quiz, an upload capability and a chatroom.

In the system, the user request may be from a Quick Direction (QR) code, an Augmented Reality (AR) code or a graphic object.

The system may further comprise an Application Programming Interface (API).

In the system, the memory or API may further comprise instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to generate an at least one geographical datum associated with the input to provide generated geographical data; aggregate the generated geographical data; and mine and process the generated data to provide a geographical location versus number of inputs report. In the system, the memory or API may further comprise instructions, that when executed on the processor, cause the processor to register the user request and to deny a further request from the remote computing device for the contest.

In the system, the contest may be associated with a sponsoring entity.

In the system, the sponsoring entity may provide a prize to a winner.

In the system, the winner may be notified by a push email to the email address of the user.

In the system, the memory or API further may comprise instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to provide an icon on the dashboard, the icon associated with the sponsoring entity.

In the system, the icon may be linked to a webpage for the sponsoring entity.

In the system, the memory or API may further comprise instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to carry out the contest independent of a social media site.

In another embodiment, computer-readable storage medium is provided having stored thereon instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to execute a contest, the instructions comprising instructions to: associate a sponsoring entity with a contest via a dashboard on an at least one remote device, the dashboard including an at least one interactive activity, the interactive activity selected from the group consisting of a game, a video, a quiz, music, and a chatroom; initiate the interactive activity on the at least one remote device; initiate the contest on the at least one remote device; receive an at least one input generated at the remote device, the input being directed to the contest; generate an at least one datum associated with the input; close the contest; aggregate the generated data; and mine and process the generated data.

In the computer-readable storage medium, the interface may be configured to allow the sponsoring entity to select the contest and set-up parameters associated with the contest including contest duration, rules, and prizes.

In the computer-readable storage medium, the interface may be configured to allow the sponsoring entity to receive analytics associated with the contest, wherein the analytics comprise a time versus number of contestants report.

In the computer-readable storage medium, the analytics may further comprise a geographic location versus number of contestants report.

In the computer-readable storage medium, the analytics may further comprise a geo- temporal versus number of contestants report.

In the computer-readable storage medium, the data may be anonymous.

The computer-readable storage medium may further comprise instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to provide an icon associate the sponsoring entity via the dashboard on the at least one remote device.

The computer-readable storage medium may further comprise instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to link a webpage of the sponsoring entity to the icon.

In another embodiment, a method of collecting anonymous data by hosting a contest on a remote computing device is provided, the method executed on a computing device and comprising: (i) providing an application on an interface of the remote computing device wherein the application is configured to engage a user by providing a plurality of interactive activities and a contest; initiate the contest; receive an at least one input, the input being directed to the contest; and send the input and an at least one datum associated with the input to the computing device to provide generated data; (ii) closing the contest; and (iii) aggregating the generated data, thereby collecting anonymous data by hosting a contest.

In the method, the application may be further configured to scan an AR code or a QR code.

In the method, the generated data may be temporal data.

In the method, the generated data may be geographic data.

In the method, the generated data may be geo-temporal data.

The method may further comprise; (iv) mining and processing the generated data.

The method may further comprise providing a behavioural use pattern.

The method may be independent of a social media site.

The method may further comprise advertising.

In yet another embodiment, a method of engaging a plurality of users and providing data to a sponsor is provided, the method comprising providing the system described above to the plurality of users, allowing the users to interact with the interactive activities; and collecting a plurality of anonymous data; providing a time, a date and the data to the sponsor. In one aspect of the present technology, QR or AR cards are used to drive traffic to a data collector for collecting consumer behaviour data on a mobile or portable device, while optionally driving consumer traffic to the sponsor site. In the case of the AR cards, they simultaneously provide direct advertising. As the AR cards are associated with a location, geographical data about the users can also be gathered. The data are associated to a time, hence each of geographic, temporal and geo-temporal data can be collected.

Also, because this information is collected and stored, the system may have the capability of functioning as a data clearing house for proprietary performance information.

Further, the system may collect information from a sufficient number of establishments to be able to provide consumer population-based information. Such information may be used to target consumers, to attract new commercial ventures to a given location and to provide valuable feedback for use in advertising and marketing.

According to another embodiment, predictive mechanisms may be used to optimally to predict consumer habits in a given location, or for a given time frame.

A large number of consumers could be tracked. The database may be segmented to allow for more rapid data analysis.

The collected information associated with a consumer population may be processed by a scoring engine to produce a score for that population. In one implementation, analytical methods may be used such as predictive analytics functions to produce a predicted score for the population. Based on the computed score, a number of different actions may be performed such as targeting particular consumer population. Further, one or more predictive scores may be associated and stored with the model of the consumer population. Further embodiments relate to delivering consumers to an establishment. Direct advertising associated with a data collector may do this. The incentive of participating in a data collector with the potential to win a prize can also bring consumers to an establishment. Yet another goal relates to improving the customer experience.

The prizes awarded can be non-cashable credit (NCC), coupons, vouchers, and the like.

In general, the present technology relates to improved methods for attracting and retaining consumers. The first level is to attract their attention through direct advertising and the offer to participate in a data collector. The second level is to gather information on the consumers to analyse their consumer habits and to then tailor marketing and advertising efforts to their habits. This includes timing of specials, drink offers, meal offerings at different times in the day, and the like.

Data may be collected in real time, and real-time decisions can be made regarding consumer habits.

According to one aspect of the present technology, a computer-implemented method for collecting consumer data is provided.

According to another aspect, a computer readable medium is provided that comprises computer-executable instructions that when executed on a processor performs a method for collecting consumer data.

According to another aspect, a computer-implemented method for collecting consumer data information is provided, the system comprising collecting information relating to a plurality of consumers; and storing, in a database, the collected information. According to another aspect, a computer-implemented method for analysing data representative of a plurality of consumers is provided.

According to another aspect, a computer-implemented method for predicting behaviour of a plurality of consumers is provided.

According to another aspect, a computer-implemented method for collecting population data information is provided, the system comprising collecting information relating to a sample representative of at least a portion of a population; and storing, in a database, the collected information.

According to another aspect, a computer-implemented method for analysing population data information is provided.

According to another aspect, a computer-implemented method for predicting population behaviour is provided.

In one embodiment a method of collecting consumer behaviour data via a mobile device is provided, the method comprising: a) capturing a receivable code presented to the mobile device; b) delivering a datum initiator associated with a product or service associated with the receivable code to the mobile device; c) presenting the datum initiator to a consumer via a user interface of the mobile device; and d) collecting the datum from the consumer in a remote memory, thereby collecting consumer behaviour data.

In the method, the receivable code may be an optically scannable code.

In the method, the optically scannable code may be an augmented reality (AR) code that displays an advertisement. In the method, the datum may be a temporal datum.

The method may further comprise generating a controlling time frame for delivery of the datum initiator, thereby associating the datum with a time.

The method may further comprise obtaining location information for the mobile device, thereby associating the datum with a location.

In the method, the location information may be provided via the AR code.

In the method, the location information may be provided by the mobile device.

In the method, the datum initiator may be a contest.

In the method, a plurality of datum initiators may be presented to a plurality of mobile devices to collect a data set.

The method may further comprise aggregating and analysing the data set.

The method may further comprise presenting advertising associated with the product or service associated with the receivable code to the consumer via the interface on the mobile device.

The method may further comprise collecting a plurality of data from a plurality of datum initiators presented to a plurality of mobile devices to collect a data set, the data set comprising geo-temporal data. In another embodiment, a system for collecting consumer behaviour data is provided, the system comprising: a) a mobile device comprising: a timing module; a location module; an image capturing module; a user interface; and a memory component for storing a mobile application; and b) a processor configured to execute an operating system and the mobile application; wherein the mobile application is configured to operate a consumer behaviour data collector, the collector configured to: capture an at least one receivable code presented to the mobile device; render a datum initiator on the user interface; optionally render an advertisement associated with a product or service associated with the at least one receivable code; receive an input from a user; and transmit the input from the mobile device to a remote processor coupled with a memory.

In the system, the mobile application may be configured to determine a start time and a stop time for rendering the datum initiator on the user interface. In the system, the mobile application may be further configured to generate the consumer behaviour data collector for use on an at least a second mobile device.

In the system, the collector may be configured to render the advertisement associated with the product or service associated with the at least one receivable code.

In the system, the receivable code may be an AR code.

In the system, the datum initiator may be a contest. In another embodiment, a system for collecting consumer behaviour data is provided, the system comprising: a) a mobile device comprising: a timing module; a location module; an image capturing module; a user interface; and a memory component for storing a mobile application; b) a processor configured to execute an operating system and the mobile application; wherein the mobile application is configured to operate a consumer behaviour data collector, the collector configured to: capture an at least one receivable code presented to the mobile device; render a datum initiator on the user interface; optionally render an advertisement associated with a product or service associated with the at least one receivable code on the user interface; receive an input from a user; and transmit the input from the mobile device to a remote processor coupled with a memory; and c) an at least one receivable code.

In the system, the receivable code may be an AR code.

In the system, the AR code may be presented on a substrate.

In the system, the substrate may be a coaster or place mat.

In the system, the mobile application may be configured to determine a start time and a stop time for rendering the datum initiator on the user interface.

In the system, the mobile application may be further configured to generate the consumer behaviour data collector for use on an at least a second mobile device.

In the system, the datum initiator may be a contest.

In the system, the consumer behaviour data collector may be configured to render the advertisement associated with the product or service associated with the at least one receivable code on the user interface. Figures

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the structure of the present technology.

Figure 2 is block diagram showing the logic of offering, initiating and closing a contest.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the logic of running the contest.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the processor logic of data generation and processing.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the API instructions running a contest.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the API instructions for data generation and processing.

Figure 7A and 7B are block diagrams showing processor logic and API instructions, respectively, for offering a contest to a sponsor.

Figure 8A and 8B are block diagrams showing processor logic and API instructions, respectively, for providing advertising for a sponsor.

Figure 9 is a block diagram of a user engaged in the user interface of the present technology.

Figure 10 is a block diagram of the user interface of the present technology.

Figure 11 is a block diagram of the Contest Management System of the present technology. Figure 12 is a block diagram of the objectives and goals of the present technology.

Figure 13 is block diagram showing the logic of offering, initiating and closing a data collector.

Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the logic of running the data collector.

Figurer 15 is a block diagram showing the processor logic of data generation and processing.

Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the API instructions running a data collector.

Figure 17 is a block diagram showing the API instructions for data generation and processing.

Figure 18A and 18B are block diagrams showing processor logic and API instructions, respectively, for offering a data collector to a sponsor.

Figure 19A and 19B are block diagrams showing processor logic and API instructions, respectively, for providing advertising for a sponsor.

Description

Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description, claims and drawings): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms "a", "an", and "the", as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term "about" applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words "herein", "hereby", "hereof", "hereto", "hereinbefore", and "hereinafter", and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) "or" and "any" are not exclusive and "include" and "including" are not limiting. Further, The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.

To the extent necessary to provide descriptive support, the subject matter and/or text of the appended claims is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the example embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential. a. Definitions

In the context of the present technology, an "application programming interface" or "API" is a set of one or more computer-readable instructions that provide access to one or more other sets of computer-readable instructions that define functions, so that such functions can be configured to be executed on a computer in conjunction with an application program.

In the context of the present technology, a dashboard is a user interface that organizes information and access points in a user friendly manner.

In the context of the present technology, a remote computing device includes, for example, but not limited to, a mobile device, including a smart phone, a tablet or a laptop, or a personal computer.

In the context of the present technology, "Push email" is a method of having email received for a user on a server automatically forwarded to a mobile device. This works by keeping an active connection open between the mobile device and the server so that the server can notify the mobile device immediately when new email has arrived. In the context of the present technology, "social media" refers to media such as Facebook, Twitter and the like, and the use of social media is meant to mean that a customer or user's identity is disclosed on the social media site. "Independent of social media" means that the user's identity is not published on a social media site by the sponsor or the present technology.

In the context of the present technology, "private" refers to not disclosing a user or customer's identity to a social media site.

In the context of the present technology, "anonymous" refers to datum that is not tracked to a specific user or consumer. Personal information may be transiently stored, but it is not released to social media sites.

In the context of the present technology, "datum" and "data" refer to number and numbers. The data are obtained from contests. These can be processed and statistically analysed to provide consumer behaviour patterns, including, for example, but not limited to, temporal (date, time of day, day of week, month, year) geographic, negative interaction (x consumer play the contest and Y consumers do not go to the business website), positive interaction (X consumers play the contest and this leads to Y consumers going to the business website) and user behaviour patterns.

In the context of the present technology, user behaviour patterns are demographics that are inferred and based upon other consumer behaviours. They are not based on actual demographic information, but on numbers. b. Description

A data collector system, generally referred to as 10 is shown in Figure 1. The system 10 comprises an entry point 12 to a contest, which is a host webpage. A dashboard 14 is displayed on the webpage 12. A mobile or remote computing device 18, for example, but not limited to a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop or a personal computer, has an interface 20. The dashboard 14 is displayed on the interface 20. A server 24 with a processor 26 has a memory 28 to provide instructions. The processor 26 is in communication with the mobile or remote device 18. An application programming interface (API) 30 is included in the system 10 and assists in providing instructions.

The server 24 may also be a general-purpose computer system, or systems, or any other type of computer system capable of performing the functions of the present technology. The server 24 includes one or more network interfaces 31 that couples the server 24 to a network 26. Further, the server includes a database or other storage entity 28.

As shown in Figure 2, in block 40 a user opens the dashboard 14. Block 42 shows the user selecting a geographical menu from the dashboard, listing geographical locations of contests. Advantageously, the geographical locations can be listed in order of proximity as shown in block 44, based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) locating of block 46. Alternatively, as shown in block 48, the menu is a temporal menu showing contest opening times and closing times. When the user selects from the dashboard, the memory 28 instructs the processor 30 (block 50) to provide the contest or other data collector to the user on the interface, as shown in block 52. Once the user participates in the contest, the data point is entered, as shown in block 54 into the database. Once the end of the contest is reached, the data are aggregated in block 58 and can then be mined and processed, as shown in block 60.

As shown in Figure 3, the processor is configured to run the contest. It receives a user request to participate in the contest at block 62. At block 64 the processor receives personal information associated with the user, which is preferably an email address. At block 66, the processor denies a further entry from the same email. At block 68, a winner is selected by the processor and at block 69 the winner is notified by push email from the processor. At block 71, the processor removes the user's email from the database once a winner has been announced. In this manner, the user or customer's identity is kept essentially private. Unlike other systems, social media is not informed.

Data generation and processing is shown in Figure 4. The processor collects the numerical data in block 70. It then generates an at least one geographical datum associated with the input to provide generated geographical data at block 72. The processor then aggregates the generated geographical data at block 74 and mines and processes the generated data at block 76 to provide a geographical location versus number of inputs report at block 78. Similarly, the processor generates a temporal datum associated with the input to provide generated time data at block 80. The processor then aggregates the generated time data at block 82 and mines and processes the generated data at block 84 to provide a time versus number of inputs report at block 86. Using both the geographic and temporal data, the processor generates geo-temporal data at block 90, then aggregates the generated geo-temporal data at block 92 and mines and processes the generated geo-temporal data at block 94 to provide a geo-temporal versus number of input report at block 96. Processing is directed by instructions from the memory, at block 100.

In an alternative embodiment, an API is configured to provide instructions to run the contest, as shown in Figure 5. It receives a user request to participate in the contest at block 162. At block 164 the API receives personal information associated with the user, which is preferably an email address. At block 166, the API instructs to deny a further entry from the same email. At block 168, a winner is selected under instructions from the API and at block 169 the winner is notified by push email under instructions from the API. At block 171, the API instructs removal of the user's email from the database once a winner has been announced. In this manner, the user or customer's identity is kept essentially private. Unlike other systems, social media is not informed. In an alternative embodiment, the API contains instructions for the data analysis and processing, as shown in Figure 6. The API instructs collection of the numerical data in block 170. It then instructs generation of an at least one parameter datum, for example, a geographical datum associated with the input to provide generated geographical data at block 172. The API then instructs the aggregation of the generated geographical data at block 174 and the mining and processing of the generated data at block 176 to provide a geographical location versus number of inputs report at block 178. Similarly, the API instructs generation of a second parameter datum, for example a temporal datum associated with the input to provide generated time data at block 180. The API then instructs the aggregation of the generated time data at block 182 and the mining and processing of the generated data at block 184 to provide a time versus number of inputs report at block 186. Using both the geographic and temporal data, the API instructs generation of geo-temporal data at block 190, then aggregation of the generated geo- temporal data at block 192 and mining and processing the generated geo-temporal data at block 194 to provide a geo-temporal versus number of input report at block 196. Processing is directed by instructions from the memory, at block 200 or is directed by instructions retained in the API at block 300.

As shown in Figure 7A, the processor is configured to provide contests to a sponsoring entity at block 302. This allows them to select the contest and set-up parameters associated with the contest including contest duration, rules, and prizes at block 303. The processor is directed by instructions from the memory at block 306. As shown in Figure 7B, the API is configured to provide instructions for contests to a sponsoring entity at block 304. This allows them to select the contest and set-up parameters associated with the contest including contest duration, rules, and prizes at block 305. The processor is directed by instructions in the API at block 308.

As shown in Figure 8A, the processor is configured to provide advertising from the sponsor on the mobile device at block 310. The advertising is stored on the server in block 312. An icon is displayed on the mobile device interface for the sponsor at block 314. In response to a user selecting the icon, the processor retrieves a webpage corresponding to the icon stored on the server at block 316. The processor is directed by instructions from the memory at block 318 for advertising activities.

As shown in Figure 8B, the API is configured to provide instructions for advertising from the sponsor on the mobile device at block 410. The advertising is stored on the server in block 412. An icon is displayed on the mobile device interface for the sponsor at block 414. In response to a user selecting the icon, the processor retrieves a webpage corresponding to the icon stored on the server at block 416. The processor is directed by instructions from the API at block 420 for advertising activities.

As shown in Figure 9, the general steps for a customer/user/participant are as follows: User opens 510 the dashboard. User enters 512 email address. The email address is added 514 to the entrants list. The user interacts 515 with the content of the dashboard, which may be, for example, but not limited to, one or more of the following operations: viewing a video 516, viewing photographs 518, viewing sponsor advertising 520, chatting 522 in the chatroom, uploading 524 videos, uploading 526 photographs, reading 528, answering trivia questions 530, connecting 532 to sponsor webpage, listening to music 534, uploading 536 music, or playing 538 a game. The user enters 540 at least one contest. The Content Management System (CMS), which is the processor 26 and optionally the API 30 randomly chooses 542 a winner. Notification is sent 544 to administrator. The administrator approves 546 or rejects 548. The winner receives 550 an email notification stating they have won. The winner completes 552 requested information including address, phone, skill testing question and release of liability. The winner is notified that their prize has been shipped and they receive the prize 554. The personal information of the user/winner is not released to the public, social media or the like. An example dashboard 610 is shown in Figure 10 as a block diagram. The user can select any of the following: a video 616; photographs 618; first sponsor advertising 620, second sponsor advertising 622; third sponsor advertising 624; a chatroom 626; upload platform for videos 628; upload platform for photographs 630; trivia questions 632; first sponsor webpage link 634; book 636; second sponsor webpage link 638; music 640; games 642; upload platform for music 644; third sponsor webpage link 646; first sponsor contest 648; second sponsor contest 650; third sponsor contest 652; social media links 654; and other platforms that encourage engagement of the user 656, for example, but not limited to a drawing platform.

The functions of the CMS for a client can be summarized as follows: Set up the contest 710, set start and finish time 712, automatically load the client contest and contest rules to the client website on the page the client requests (via widget code generated by the CMS) 714, start contest 716, record each entry and date and time of entry 718, identify each of unique entrants and repeat entrants 720, end contest 722, remove contest image from the client website 724, push an email notification to the contest host (client/sponsor) that there is a winner 726, wait for approval from the sponsor 728, once approved, send an email notification to the winner 730, once the winner completes their address, phone, email and skill testing question and agree to the release of liability, formulate the information 732 and send a notice to the winner in response to the sponsor clicking on a fulfil button 734.

CMS features include:

1. Contest platform on hosting website;

2. Mobile application;

3. Automated code generation for clients/businesses running contests off their webpage but they using the dashboard;

4. Loads trivia, ads, contests and the like from the CMS dashboard to the mobile application and host webpage; 5. The CMS dashboard includes client mini dashboards. The client/business/sponsor mini dashboards are restricted to the client/business's user/consumer information only. The clients can see the following for 24 hours: Date; Time to begin; Time to end; Description of the contest; Details of the contest; Contest rules; Social media; Contest images; Entrants; Unique entries; Total entries; Date of entries; Time of entries; Audit details; Emails; Winner lists; Winner contact information including address, phone, and email; and Skill testing question. There is a record of all contests run on their mini dashboard and it allows for the clients to compare strategies and source of entries. This information is for archived contests as well as new contests. They have access to all their contest details, their code, current and expired contests, unique entrants, total entries, charts of numbers of contestants over a given time frame, for example, but not limited to the hour of the day, day of the week, week of the month, hours on a given day, hours on a given day of a given week, and so on. This is information is not for release to the public nor is it for the purposes of direct marketing.

The sponsor can analyze participation, measure success of all contests, measure participation at tradeshows, events, traffic into a store, measure the traffic coming from various locations re: website, social media, mobile app. They can do a variety if things with the information including, deciding how to staff at tradeshows, deciding the best time to put ads in front of people on social media, what social media strategies are needed to increase their effectiveness at reaching their target market, deciding on the form of advertising, and so on.

6. The CMS has chatroom capability, allowing users to create an account with the hosting webpage and verified through information provided to the hosting webpage or social media. The chatroom allows people to communicate, upload photos, videos and the like, for example, music, and pay for services, memberships and the like;

7. The CMS provides for the hosting webpage and the application to post trivia questions; 8. The CMS provides for the hosting webpage and application to post polling questions;

9. The CMS provides the hosting webpage and application to post ads;

10. The CMS provides support for sponsors to create content on the webpage and application;

11. The CMS shows the administrators sponsors, contests, winners, entrants, rule templates, subscribers, contest requests, contact information, memberships, skill testing questions, posts, unique entrants, jobs, users, audit of all contest activities and changes, membership plans, winner instructions, widget code, api vl, api v2 search options, logout and API calls. It also shows the administrators charts of numbers of contestants over a given time frame, for example, but not limited to the hour of the day, day of the week, week of the month, hours on a given day, hours on a given day of a given week, and so on.

11. The CMS allows for administrators can be added for the process;

12. The CMS is configured for contests to be run on mobile apps and websites;

13. The CMS provides links to the administrator website and links to social media.

Figure 12 shows the basic steps and goals of the present technology. A user is engaged 810 by providing an interactive dashboard that includes sponsored contests, and the features described above. The user enters 812 the contest. A datum is produced 814 by the user entering the contest. The number of users is determined 816 and the numbers related 818 to metrics including time, date, geographical location, type of contest, and type of business. The administrators can additionally access 820 user information that allows them to provide 822 data (numbers) to the sponsors with regard to how many of the total enter other contests, they can provide time of day, day of week, week of month and so on, versus numbers for the other contests, for other businesses, for related businesses and so on. In other words, the system provides for data analysis based on numbers. This then provides 822 a behavioural profile of the users of interest to the sponsor, simply based on the numbers that the sponsor is provide with and the analysis of those numbers. The sponsor can then use that information to alter 824 their business practises.

In an alternative embodiment, in Figure 1, the entry point is an AR or QR code. In one embodiment, the AR or QR is preferably presented on a substrate, such as, but not limited to a coaster or a place mat 14, but may be presented on an interface 16 in a location. A mobile or remote device 18, for example, but not limited to a smart phone, a tablet or a laptop has a mobile device interface 20 and a camera 22. A server 24 with a processor 26 that has a memory 28 to provide instructions is in communication with the mobile or remote device 18. An application programming interface (API) 30 is included in the system 10 and assists providing instructions.

The server 24 may also be a general-purpose computer system, or systems, or any other type of computer system capable of performing the functions of the present technology. The server 24 includes one or more network interfaces 30 that couple the server 24 to a network 26. Further, the server includes a database or other storage entity 28.

As shown in Figure 13, in block 940 a user captures the AR or QR code 12. The memory 928 then instructs the processor 930 (block 950) to provide the data collector or other data collector to the user on the mobile interface, as shown in block 952. Once the user participates in the data collector, the data point is entered, as shown in block 954 into the database. Once the end of the data collection time is reached, the memory instructs the processor to end the data collection, by closing the datum initiator, as shown in block 956. The data are aggregated in block 958 and can then be mined and processed, as shown in block 960.

As shown in Figure 14, the processor is configured to run the datum initiator. It receives a user request to participate in the data collector at block 962. At block 964 the processor receives personal information associated with the user, which is preferably an email address. At block 966, the processor denies a further entry from the same email. At block 968, a winner is selected by the processor and at block 969 the winner is notified by push email from the processor. At block 971, the processor removes the user's email from the database once a winner has been announced. In this manner, the user or customer's identity is kept essentially private. Unlike other systems, social media is not informed.

Data generation and processing is shown in Figure 15. The processor collects the numerical data in block 970. It then generates an at least one geographical datum associated with the input to provide generated geographical data at block 972. The processor then aggregates the generated geographical data at block 974 and mines and processes the generated data at block 976 to provide a geographical location versus number of inputs report at block 978. Similarly, the processor generates a temporal datum associated with the input to provide generated time data at block 980. The processor then aggregates the generated time data at block 982 and mines and processes the generated data at block 984 to provide a time versus number of inputs report at block 986. Using both the geographic and temporal data, the processor generates geo- temporal data at block 990, then aggregates the generated geo-temporal data at block 92 and mines and processes the generated geo-temporal data at block 994 to provide a geo-temporal versus number of input report at block 996. Processing is directed by instructions from the memory, at block 1000.

In an alternative embodiment, an API is configured to run the data collector, as shown in Figure 16. A user captures the AR or QR code 12 at block 1062. At block 1064 the API receives personal information associated with the user, which is preferably an email address. At block 1066, the API denies a further entry from the same email. At block 1068, a winner is selected by the API and at block 1069 the winner is notified by push email from the API. At block 1071, the API removes the user's email from the database once a winner has been announced. In this manner, the user or customer's identity is kept essentially private. Unlike other systems, social media is not informed. In an alternative embodiment, the API contains instructions for the data analysis and processing, as shown in Figure 17. The API collects the numerical data in block 1070. It then generates an at least one geographical datum associated with the input to provide generated geographical data at block 1072. The API then aggregates the generated geographical data at block 1074 and mines and processes the generated data at block 1076 to provide a geographical location versus number of inputs report at block 1078. Similarly, the API generates a temporal datum associated with the input to provide generated time data at block 1080. The API then aggregates the generated time data at block 1082 and mines and processes the generated data at block 184 to provide a time versus number of inputs report at block 1086. Using both the geographic and temporal data, the API generates geo-temporal data at block 1090, then aggregates the generated geo-temporal data at block 1092 and mines and processes the generated geo-temporal data at block 1094 to provide a geo-temporal versus number of input report at block 1096. Processing is directed by instructions from the memory, at block 1200 or is directed by instructions retained in the API at block 1300.

As shown in Figure 18A, the processor is configured to provide data collectors to a sponsoring entity at block 1302. This allows them to select the data collector and set-up parameters associated with the data collector including contest duration, rules, and prizes at block 1303. The processor is directed by instructions from the memory at block 1306. As shown in Figure 18B, the API is configured to provide instructions for data collectors to a sponsoring entity at block 1304. This allows them to select the data collector and set-up parameters associated with the data collector including contest duration, rules, and prizes at block 1305. The processor is directed by instructions in the API at block 1308.

As shown in Figurel9A, the processor is configured to provide advertising from the sponsor on the mobile device at block 1310. The advertising is stored on the server in block 1312. An icon is displayed on the mobile device interface for the sponsor at block 1314. In response to a user selecting the icon, the processor retrieves a webpage corresponding to the icon stored on the server at block 1316. The processor is directed by instructions from the memory at block 1318 for advertising activities.

As shown in Figure 19B, the API is configured to provide instructions for advertising from the sponsor on the mobile device at block 1410. The advertising is stored on the server in block 1412. An icon is displayed on the mobile device interface for the sponsor at block 1414. In response to a user selecting the icon, the processor retrieves a webpage corresponding to the icon stored on the server at block 1416. The processor is directed by instructions from the API at block 1420 for advertising activities.

Advantages of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in this written description. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims below. While example embodiments have been described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is understood that numerous other modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the example embodiment.

While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.