US 2,008,248,815 · Filed 2008-03-16

The Location-Tracking Patent That Invented Mobile Ads

Imagine a system that watches where you go on your phone, then sends you ads for businesses near you—and tracks whether you actually visit them. This patent describes the core idea behind location-based mobile advertising, the technology that makes your phone know you're near a restaurant and suddenly show you its menu.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team

The plain-English version

What it protects

The claim covers a system that tracks a mobile device's location over time, stores that location history in a database, analyzes the user's movement patterns and business visits, and then automatically sends targeted ads to that device based on where they've been and where they are now. Critically, it also protects the ability to monitor whether the user actually visits the physical location of the advertised business—creating a feedback loop that proves whether an ad worked.

Why it matters

This patent captures the foundational mechanics of location-based mobile advertising, a multi-billion-dollar industry. By combining location tracking, targeted content delivery, and conversion measurement in one integrated system, it describes the essential architecture that powers apps like Google Maps ads, Yelp promotions, and retail foot-traffic analytics. The ability to prove that an ad caused a real-world visit was revolutionary for advertisers.

Real-world use

When you get a notification for a coffee shop discount while walking past it, or when a store sees foot traffic spike after sending location-targeted ads, you're seeing this patent's core concept in action.

Original USPTO abstract

Methods and systems that record the location of a user and transmit targeted content to a user based upon their current and past location information. A network is configured to include a server programmed with a database of targeted content, a database of location information, a database of user information, a database searching algorithm, and a wireless communication system capable of communicating with the user's mobile device. The location of the mobile device is ascertained and recorded. The location information is analyzed to determine the routes taken by the user, businesses visited by the user, and other behaviors of the user. Targeted content is sent to the mobile device of the user and whether the user visits the physical locations associated with the targeted content is monitored. Payment systems, phone exchange systems, and other features may also be integrated to provide detailed conversion tracking to producers of targeted content and business owners.

Patent details

Publication number: US 2,008,248,815
Filing date: 2008-03-16
Grant date: Application — not yet granted
Assignee: James David Busch
Inventor(s): BUSCH JAMES DAVID
CPC class: G06Q30/0261

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