System and method for remote device recognition at public hotspots

摘要

Described are various embodiments of a system and method in which device-identifying data can be used to uniquely recognize and optionally track and report on device activity at one or more hotspot locations by way of the creation and management of a device profile uniquely associated with such devices and stored in a network accessible knowledge base.

主权项

1. A method for recognizing a wireless device across multiple hotspot locations, the method comprising:
detecting, using one or more hardware processors, at one of the multiple hotspot locations a wireless transmission sent by the wireless device; extracting a unique device identifier of the detected device from said wireless transmission, said unique device identifier automatically embedded within said wireless transmission by the detected device without user input; cross-referencing said extracted device identifier with a network accessible database of stored device profiles, each of said device profiles having a respective stored device identifier associated therewith; recognizing the detected device upon matching said extracted device identifier with one said stored device identifier; otherwise automatically creating a new device profile in said database as a function of said extracted device identifier such that the device is recognized upon subsequent detection at any of said multiple hotspot locations; tracking the device via said device profile to recognize, within a designated time period, returning devices at any of the multiple hotspot locations; automatically identifying users of said returning devices as frequent or loyal customers; automatically offering preferential services to said frequent or loyal customers via said returning devices; compiling a number or percentage of recognized devices multiply identified during said time period; and outputting said at least one number or an indicia representative thereof.