Augmented beacon and geo-fence systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing augmented beacons are described. In one implementation, an augmented beacon server receives a definition of an augmented beacon defining a geographical area of interest, where digital content is associated with the augmented beacon. Based on a determination that a target device is within the geographical area of interest of the augmented beacon, the augmented beacon server provides an unique identifier associated with the augmented beacon to the target device, where the unique identifier comprises an indication that the digital content associated with the augmented beacon can be displayed by the target device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 defining an augmented beacon comprising a geographical area of interest;   receiving a request to authorize a transaction occurring at a physical location within the geographical area of interest of the augmented beacon, wherein the transaction appears to be initiated by a particular user;   in response to receiving the request, determining whether a device associated with the particular user is located within the geographical area of interest of the augmented beacon; and   authorizing or declining the transaction based on the determining of whether the device is located within the geographical area of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the geographical area of interest comprises geographical coordinates and a defined area based on the geographical coordinates. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying an object in motion associated with the augmented beacon;   determining geographical locations of the object moving over time; and   updating the definition of the augmented beacon based on the geographical locations of the object.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of a vehicle, a person, and a mobile device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein determining the location of the object comprises periodically receiving location data associated with the object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein determining the location of the object comprises determining an approximate location of the object based on a predefined schedule. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising issuing a fraud alert in response to declining the transaction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining that the device is located within the geographical area of interest and, based thereon, providing a unique identifier associated with the augmented beacon to the device to indicate that digital content associated with the augmented beacon can be displayed by the target device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the digital content comprises at least one of a text message, an image, a digital credential or certificate, machine-readable code, a videographic message, and a multi-dimensionally-projected message. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target device is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, smart glasses, a laptop, a vehicle, a stand-alone sensor, an appliance, and a robot. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an application for creation and configuration of the augmented beacon. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the definition of the augmented beacon is editable by a defined group of users. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing information associated with the augmented beacon to a geographical mapping interface on the target device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising whitelisting a source of the digital content based on a preexisting association of a user of the target device with the source of the digital content. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising geographically collocating a physical beacon with the augmented beacon. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 at least one memory for storing computer-executable instructions; and   at least one processor for executing the instructions stored on the at least one memory, wherein execution of the instructions programs the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
 defining an augmented beacon comprising a geographical area of interest; 
 receiving a request to authorize a transaction occurring at a physical location within the geographical area of interest of the augmented beacon, wherein the transaction appears to be initiated by a particular user; 
 in response to receiving the request, determining whether a device associated with the particular user is located within the geographical area of interest of the augmented beacon; and 
 authorizing or declining the transaction based on the determining of whether the device is located within the geographical area of interest. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the geographical area of interest comprises geographical coordinates and a defined area based on the geographical coordinates. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 identifying an object in motion associated with the augmented beacon;   determining geographical locations of the object moving over time; and   updating the definition of the augmented beacon based on the geographical locations of the object.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of a vehicle, a person, and a mobile device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein determining the location of the object comprises periodically receiving location data associated with the object. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein determining the location of the object comprises determining an approximate location of the object based on a predefined schedule. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise issuing a fraud alert in response to declining the transaction. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise determining that the device is located within the geographical area of interest and, based thereon, providing a unique identifier associated with the augmented beacon to the device to indicate that digital content associated with the augmented beacon can be displayed by the target device. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the digital content comprises at least one of a text message, an image, a digital credential or certificate, machine-readable code, a videographic message, and a multi-dimensionally-projected message. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target device is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, smart glasses, a laptop, a vehicle, a stand-alone sensor, an appliance, and a robot. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise providing an application for creation and configuration of the augmented beacon. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the definition of the augmented beacon is editable by a defined group of users. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise providing information associated with the augmented beacon to a geographical mapping interface on the target device. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise whitelisting a source of the digital content based on a preexisting association of a user of the target device with the source of the digital content. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise geographically collocating a physical beacon with the augmented beacon.