Ohio Patent of the Month – April 2023

LISNR Inc, the leading ultrasonic proximity platform, has developed a method to enable audio transactions in drive throughs.

Drive throughs, and other physical locations, are often limited in their infrastructure. Either a computing network may not exist near the computing devices, or it may be too cumbersome to connect. To address this, LISNR’s technology receives audio signals from a mobile device containing a beacon signal that corresponds to the device. This signal enables the computing device at the drive-through location to determine that the mobile device is located in proximity to the drive-through location, executing an application for fulfilling a request for items provided by the entity.

This technology also enables the computing device to receive a second audio transmission that contains an identifier for the mobile device, as well as an identifier for an offer associated with the request. Using the computing device, the first identifier is validated by comparing it to a list of identifiers stored in a database. If the identifier is valid, the computing device then generates a first confirmation of the offer that will display on the mobile device.

LISNR’s method is unique because it allows users to access offers, discounts, and promotions via their mobile devices without the need for internet connectivity. The offer can be in various forms, such as a digital coupon, advertisement, QR code, promotion, or discount code, among others. Moreover, if the first identifier is valid, a second confirmation will be generated for display on a computing device located within the entity, giving the user an extra layer of confirmation that their order has been processed.

This technology has various potential applications, especially in the fast-food industry, where drive-throughs are a popular choice for customers. LISNR Inc’s innovation will help improve the ordering process, making it more efficient and faster, benefitting both the customers and the entity.

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