How Bluetooth proximity marketing works
Bluetooth is a short-range (30-100 meters) wireless transmission medium supported by many mobile devices. The key features of Bluetooth technology are robustness, low power, and low cost. The process of Bluetooth based proximity marketing involves setting up a Bluetooth broadcasting server at a particular location and then sending information (audio, video, business cards, vCard, java applications) to discoverable Bluetooth enabled devices within range of the broadcast device.
Current mobile phones usually have Bluetooth technology support, and most users leave Bluetooth switched on for quick connection with car kits, headsets, PDA and other wireless devices. In addition, often regions where Bluetooth proximity marketing is in operation are accompanied by posters suggesting people to switch on and put bluetooth in discoverable mode to receive free content.
- The Bluecast server detects discoverable Bluetooth enabled devices within range.
- The Bluetooth broadcasting server sends a message to the mobile phone, requesting permission to transmit multimedia content to it.
- Once user grants permission, the Bluetooth server uploads the mobile content.
- Now user can review received file and either discard it or save it permanenly.
The diversity of mobile handsets is huge. Screen sizes and supported meia formats varies greatly, so it's crucial to send content supported by specific models of mobile phones. There should be a line between 2 and 3 above: the Bluetooth host device recognizes phone model and decides on appropriate content.
