Preference-Driven Advertising Systems and Methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a person's personal preferences. These personal preferences are detected or determining according to several different systems and methods and based on these preferences personal services are provided to the person. Certain embodiments of the invention utilize a “so-called” smart card, including a card with EMV contacts, for determining those preferences and/or for providing services.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling information provided to a purchaser, the system comprising:
 a card in possession of the purchaser the card storing information related to purchaser-selected personal purchasing preferences;   a device for receiving the card and for retrieving the preferences from the card; and   the device for controlling presentation of information to the purchaser, the information related to the preferences.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the device is disposed within a retail establishment and preferences retrieved are associated with items or services for purchase within the retail establishment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the device controls an image display, a video display, a bulletin board, an electronic menu, a video playback device, an audio play back device, a multi-media device, or an RF (radio frequency) device for controlling information presented. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the information comprises advertisements for products or services related to the preferences. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the preferences relate to preferential food items, preferential menu items, preferential beverage items, or preferential overnight accommodations. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second device for providing personalized services responsive to the preferences. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the device is disposed within a facility providing overnight accommodations, and wherein the information comprises downloading a room key to the card or the information configures the card to function as a room key. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a display for viewing by the purchaser, the display controlled by the device, wherein the device changes content of the display responsive to at least one preference retrieved from the card when the purchaser is detected proximate the display. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a display for viewing by the purchaser, the display controlled by the device, wherein a content of the display is derived from an aggregate of preferences received from more than one card. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a display in a shopping area, wherein the device controls the information presented responsive to a preference retrieved from the card when the purchaser is detected at a predetermined distance from the display. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the preferences is assigned a weight, and wherein content and quantity of the information provided to the purchaser is responsive to the weight. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the preferences retrieved from the card or r the information presented related to the preferences are governed by authentication and encryption requirements. 
     
     
         13 . A system for providing information to a purchaser, the system comprising:
 a first device in possession of the purchaser operable to a sleep state and an awake state;   a second device, not under control of the purchaser, for storing purchaser-selected personal purchasing preferences; and   the second device responsive to a presence of the first device within a predetermined distance of the second device and responsive to the first device in the awake state, the second device for providing information to the purchaser customized to the preferences, the information further comprising any one or more of an image on a display, sound from a speaker, video images, still images, and sound on a multimedia device.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first device is one of a smart card, a smart wallet, a smart phone, a wearable device, a mobile device or a portable device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the information comprises advertisements for products related to the preferences. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the information or the personal preferences relate to a preferential food item, a preferential menu item, a preferential beverage item, or preferential overnight accommodations. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a third device for providing personalized services responsive to the personal preferences. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the second device is disposed within a facility providing overnight accommodations, and wherein the information comprises downloading a room key to the first device or configuring the first device to function as a room key. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the purchaser comprises a shopper and the second device changes the content of the display when the shopper is detected at a distance less than a predetermined distance from the display or the shopper is detected at a predetermined time prior to reaching the display. 
     
     
         20 . A system for controlling information provided to a user, the system comprising:
 a first device in possession of the user, the first device for storing preferences and instructions of the user;   second devices each one of the second devices operable to perform a function associated with one of the preferences or instructions;   each one of the second devices for performing a respective function responsive to receiving a preference or an instruction from the first device when the first and one of the second devices are in communication range; and   each one of the second devices for providing respective information to the user responsive to receiving a preference or an instruction from the first device when the first device and one of the second devices are in communication range.