Electronically capturing consumer location data for analyzing consumer behavior

摘要

In embodiments, methods and systems for electronically capturing consumer location data for consumer behavior analysis may be provided. The location data may be gathered for one or more consumers from any suitable source. In some cases, the location data may be gathered using electronic devices associated with consumers, such as mobile phones. The gathered data may be analyzed to determine behavior patterns or other characteristics of the one or more consumers. Further, inferences or predictions about consumers may be derived based on the characteristics. The inferences and predictions may be the basis of consumer analytics supplied to a business or other entity.

主权项

1. A method for controlling mobile devices to obtain data regarding locations of a plurality of consumers, wherein each mobile device of the mobile devices is associated with a consumer of the plurality of consumers, the method comprising, for each of the plurality of consumers, the act:
operating at least one programmed processor to perform a set of acts, the at least one programmed processor being programmed with executable instructions identifying the set of acts, the set of acts comprising:
(A) assigning, for a mobile device associated with a consumer of the plurality of consumers, a time interval between attempts to obtain location data for the consumer;(B) upon expiration of the time interval:
(i) communicating with the mobile device to obtain location data for a current location of the consumer;(ii) storing the location data for the current location of the consumer in at least one storage medium, the at least one storage medium storing other location data received for at least one other consumer;(iii) adjusting the time interval for the mobile device associated with the consumer based at least in part on first information determined based at least in part on the current location of the consumer and second information, wherein adjusting the time interval based at least in part on the first information comprises adjusting the time interval based on a proximity of the consumer to a known setting and one or more current behavior characteristics for the consumer regarding one or more behaviors in which the consumer is engaged at the current location; and(C) assigning the adjusted time interval to the mobile device associated with the consumer and repeating the act (B)(i) of communicating with the mobile device to obtain new location data for a new current location, the act (B)(ii) of storing, and the act (B)(iii) of adjusting the time interval for the mobile device associated with the consumer.