Abstract:
A social media that enables the user to create a personal space affiliated with an interest, in which the user may share individual data. The user may interact with other users who share the interest, in a virtual interaction area. The user may be allowed to permit escorted or unescorted friends limited access to the user&#39;s personal space and the interaction spaces to which they belong. The user may also interact with other users who share a related interest, but prefer an alternate competitor entity in the field of interest. Alternate competitor interaction may provide users from each competitor entity limited special insight into the particular competitor entity, to enrich the interaction experience of users from both entities. The user may establish multiple personal spaces, and link their individual interests through one personal space to another, so as to share insight into those other interests with the other users.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/619,407, filed 2 Apr. 2012 by the present inventors, Alaina Moon and Tracy Moon. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The subject matter of the present application relates to web-based social networking and more particularly relates to a method establishing a web-based social network oriented on shared support and appreciation of a particular interest. 
         [0004]    The Internet has given rise to web-based social networking and electronic communication. A user of any of a variety social networking platforms may maintain connections with friends, and communicate with these friends, post electronic media such as photos, videos, and the like, and express thoughts and opinions for those friends and others to view and comment upon. 
         [0005]    A variety of social media platforms provide opportunities for people to establish an online persona and forge connections to other individuals and groups. Web-based systems, such as Facebook®, MySpace®, and Google+®, permit a person to create an entity profile and then focus on connection to the individual or organizational profiles of other entities. These profiles provide a viewer of their profile a wide-range of information about the entity. Additionally, the entity, or viewer, may communicate and contribute thoughts that may be become additions to either or both entities&#39; profile. Additionally, an alternative web-based system, such as Pinterest®, permit a person to create an entity profile to which the entity may post images of items of interest to the entity to demonstrate to others who may view the profile what the entity is experiencing, and typically perceiving as favorable. Current web-based systems principally orient on enabling people to create an individual virtual persona, and interact as that persona with other virtual persona, and secondarily express a connection to or interest in a particular interest, such as an individuals, activities, sports, cause, and organizations. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to have a web-based system focused primarily on facilitating an individual&#39;s connection to a particular interest, such as an individuals, activities, sports, cause, and organizations, and then secondarily to other individuals who either share the particular interest, or have a mutual friendship. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The current social media system is virtual networks oriented on a central theme of competition and competitors, where the user&#39;s interaction is as a proponent of an entity in which the user has a strong interest. The system enables the user to create a personal space affiliateable with an interest, in which the user may post individual facts that they care to share. From the user&#39;s personal space the user may interact with other users who share the interest, in a virtual interaction area. The user may be allowed to permit either escorted or unescorted friends to have limited access to the user&#39;s personal space and the interaction space to which the user belongs. The user may also interact with other users who share a related interest, but prefer an alternate competitor entity in the field of interest. Alternate competitor interaction would provide users from each competitor entity limited special insight into the particular competitor entity, to enrich the interaction experience of users from both entities. Additionally, the user may establish other interests, for example multiple personal spaces, and link those individual interests through their personal space, so as to share insight into those other interests with the users they interact with. 
         [0008]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary social media system of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interest office of the exemplary social media system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary personal page of the exemplary social media system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary subject-themed space of the exemplary social media system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of an exemplary sign-in and enrollment template for an exemplary social media system of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of an exemplary personal page update template for an exemplary social media system of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of an exemplary personal page for an exemplary social media system of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of an exemplary team page for an exemplary social media system of the present disclosure; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of an exemplary other interests page for an exemplary social media system of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    In an exemplary embodiment, the components of the social media system may have name designations relating to sports, such as a user may be called a “Fan,” the user&#39;s virtual personal space may be called a “Locker,” and a virtual subject-themed space may be called a “Stadium.” Similarly, in an exemplary embodiment, an interest may be called a “Team,” and an interest office may be called a “Team Office.” Similarly, in an exemplary embodiment, a friends who may be given limited access may be called an “Ally,” a user of a competitor entity may be called a “Rival,” and a personal space for other interests may be called “OT” or “Over Time.” 
         [0019]    A “Fan” area is where the user comes into their “locker room.” The user&#39;s personal space begins with a free “locker” for their personal information. The user volunteers any personal information they choose in their “&#39;stats,” or “statistics” page. They are able to choose any favorite team, player, organization that they want to be a fan each category (professional, college, high school, etc.). This automatically links to all the fans that have chosen the same favorite entity. In their locker they can upload a “roster” picture and have a limited number of free other pictures, and of course have the ability to share their thoughts. At this point the fan can keep a free locker or pay a monthly fee to decorate their locker with a background of team emblems, borders, pictures, team music, sounds, etc. 
         [0020]    The “Ally” area is a virtual space for users who have no team connection to a specific user, but could be the Fan&#39;s family, friends, co-workers, and etc. The Fan would be able to acquire “Ally” passes for access to the site and related activities, so they can selectively share their virtual experience with family and friends. 
         [0021]    The “Rival” area is a communication area in the platform that permits a Fan special insight and interaction with an opposing entity, such as an pending opposing team or business competitor. Such information for a sports team may be team roster, coach, and key player stats. For a business competitor it could be the structure and composition of the management team, the annual sales statistics, and recent relevant news articles in which the competitor was mentioned. The Rival area can be a forum for playful banter, posturing, and psychological gamesmanship, all for fun and entertainment purposes. 
         [0022]    The “O.T.” area is an area for links to the user&#39;s other interests and activities, and may include a link to the other entities with which the user is connected. Such links can be to the user&#39;s other “lockers” or other entity “stadiums” where the user expresses their close connection to that other interest. 
         [0023]    When a fan clicks on one of his favorite team logos, he enters that team&#39;s “stadium” page. Inside the stadium the user is allowed to “announce” (post) notes to the team and fellow fans, and collectively interact with them, to include things like post video, audio, and etc. The user is also able to post on the team&#39;s forum. The team can post updates, stadium directions, ticket information or sales links, general merchandise, advertising, video, audio, and etc. The team and the fan can also post classified advertisements of interest to the fan base. 
         [0024]    A social media method and system will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary social media system  10  employing an exemplary interaction facilitation system  100  is depicted. The social media system  10  permits a number of entities, including user  1   110 , user  2   112 , user n  114 , guest  116 , organization  1   120 , organization  2   122 , and organization n  124  to access and interact with the interaction facilitation system  100  through a network  130 . Network  130  may be a suitable interconnected communication environment, such as the Internet. Users  1 ,  2 , and n ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 ), guest  116 , and organizations  1 ,  2 , and n ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 ) may access the network by personal computing devices, and the exemplary interaction facilitation system  100  access the network  130  via server  140 . The exemplary interaction facilitation system  100  is configured to permit users  1 ,  2 , and n ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 ), guest  116 , and organizations  1 ,  2 , and n ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 ) to share data, and may be in the form of a controlled access page on the World Wide Web. 
         [0025]    The exemplary interaction facilitation system  100  manages and manipulates the experience and interaction of the users  1 ,  2 , and n ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 ), guest  116 , and organizations  1 ,  2 , and n ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 ). The interaction facilitation system shown in  FIG. 1  has an administrator  102 , an input/output module  104 , and a processing system module  106 . The administrator  102  controls the operation and function of the input/output module  104 , and the processing system module  106 . The input/output module  104  provides an interface with the network  130 , to send communication, such as electronic instructions, to the network  130 , and receive data transmissions from the network  130  that contain the data regarding responses and activity of the users  1 ,  2 , and n ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 ), guest  116 , and organizations  1 ,  2 , and n ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 ). The particular data from users  1 ,  2 , and n ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 ), guest  116 , and organizations  1 ,  2 , and n ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 ), are received as distinct communication through input/output module  104 , and passes to the processing system module  106 . The administrator  102  provides the instructions that coordinate what communication the input/output module  104  has with the network  130 , and directs the verification and transfer of the incoming data into the processing system  106  based on the authorization and access the particular users  1 ,  2 , and n ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 ), guest  116 , and organizations  1 ,  2 , and n ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 ) is supposed to have within the interaction facilitation system  100 . 
         [0026]    In an exemplary sports-centered embodiment, users  1 ,  2 , and n ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 ) are referred to individually as a fan, and collectively as fans. With respect to user n  114 , user  1   110  is a fan of a team that is liked by the perspective of user n&#39;s  114  interest in his team. With respect to user n  114 , user  2   112  is a fan of a team that is disliked by the perspective of user n&#39;s  114  interest in his team. 
         [0027]    In an exemplary sports-centered embodiment, organizations n  124  is a sports team user n  114 , fan n  114 , is interested in, organization  1   120  is a team the fan n  114  likes in the perspective of the fan n&#39;s  114  interest in the fan n&#39;s team, organization n  124 , and organization  2   122  is a sports team the fan n  114  dislikes in the perspective of the fan n&#39;s  114  interest in the fan&#39;s team, organization n  124 . In an exemplary sports-centered embodiment, a guest may be one type of an ally, as may be organization  1   120 , and fan  1   110 , a fan of organization  1   120 . In an exemplary sports-centered embodiment, organization  2   122 , and fan  2   112 , a fan of organization  2   122 , may be referred to as a rival. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a suitable exemplary entity space  202  may be referred to as a team office  202 . Team office  202  may have a variety of information and data components that may be identified individually. In the exemplary team office  202  there is a data component for team personnel information  204 , informational posts  206 , media for fans  208 , ticket information and purchases  210 , gift shop items  212 , an ally area  214 , a rival area  216 , and a miscellaneous area  218 . The personnel area  204  is where the team n  124  may post information about the team and the team&#39;s people that fan n  114  would be interested in and might enrich the fan&#39;s experience of supporting the team. This information may include stats on players and the lineup, potential trades, coach and manager information and exchanges, employment opportunities, and other potentially important or entertaining information about the team&#39;s people. 
         [0029]    The information posts area  206  may be a place for the team to provide other information about upcoming events that fans would be interested in and might enrich the fan&#39;s experience of supporting the team. The media for fans  208  may be various forms of media packaged for fan viewing or use, such as photos, sound bites, ring tones, video clips, logos, and screen shots. 
         [0030]    The ally area  214  and the rival area  216  are sections of the team office  202  where the fan n  114  can interact with fan  1   110  and fan  2   112 . The team n  124  may use the miscellaneous area  218  for a variety of controlled interaction with fan n  114 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary personal space  302  may be referred to as a locker  302 . Locker  302  may have a variety of information and data components that may be identified individually. In the exemplary locker  302  there is a data component for the fan&#39;s personnel information  204 , photos  306 , items identifying the fan&#39;s interests  308 , credentials for guests the fan is or has sponsored  310 , and links to the fan&#39;s other interests  312 , which in the exemplary embodiment may be referred to as the fan&#39;s overtime area  312 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary subject-themed space  402 , continuing the exemplary sports theme, may be referred to as the particular place where a particular subject activity, or the exemplary sporting event, may typically be found. Given an exemplary subject of football, the corresponding particular subject place might be a stadium, so the exemplary subject-themed space may be referred to as a stadium  402 . The exemplary stadium  402  may have a variety of information and data areas, and an interaction space  404 , which may be referred to in the corresponding exemplary embodiment as field  404 . An exemplary stadium  402  may host interaction for team n  124 , and fan n&#39;s  114  locker  302 a. Exemplary stadium  402  may host team office  202  that fans n  114  may view. Other fans of team n  124  will have individual lockers ( 302 b,  302 c) that fan n  114  may view. Additionally, fan n  114  may exchange communication and media with other fans of team n  124  on the field  404 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary sign in and sign up page is offered. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary update and change page is offered. Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary personal page  302  or locker  302  is offered. Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an exemplary subject-themed page  402  or stadium  402  is offered. Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an exemplary O.T. page  312 , or links  312  to other aspects of the fan n&#39;s  114  life that the fan desires to share. 
         [0034]    In alternate exemplary embodiments, the subject-themed space  402  or Stadium  402  may be named other subjects, which may include activities venues, such as Raceway, Arena, Pitch, Field, Diamond, Park, Bowl, Rink, Ring, Floor, Hall, Court, Stage, Concert Hall, Mat, Gym, Pool, Alley, Course, Boardroom, Exchange, and other areas where competitors compete. Similarly, in alternate exemplary embodiments, the Locker may be referred to other personal places, such as the Pit, Green Room, Paddock or Stable, Slip or Marina, Trailer, Office, Clubhouse, and other areas where competitors prepare. The lexicon of other subjects may be competitive groupings, for example, sports, leagues, divisions, conferences, classes, industries, recording studios, market exchanges, markets, etc., may be used to create a virtual competitive activity environment still within the scope of the envisioned and disclosed system and method. A non-exhaustive list of subjects that are interests may fall in the fields of sports, entertainment fields, business, affiliations and organizations, pastimes, hobbies and interests, and may include: 
         [0035]    Sports—Professional/National/Collegiate/High school/Club: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 Football leagues (NFL (AFC &amp; 
               
               
                   
                 NFC), CFL, Arena, AFL, NCAA) 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Football teams 
               
               
                 3. 
                 Basketball leagues (NBA, WNBA) 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Basketball teams 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Hockey leagues 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Hockey teams 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Baseball leagues 
               
               
                 8. 
                 Baseball teams 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Golf (PGA, LPGA) 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ECW) 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Racing (auto, motorcycle, 
               
               
                   
                 snowmobile, truck, sail &amp; power 
               
               
                   
                 boats, BMX, horse, dog, airplane) 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Racing Teams 
               
               
                 13. 
                 Soccer leagues 
               
               
                 14. 
                 Soccer teams 
               
               
                 15. 
                 Tennis 
               
               
                 16. 
                 Boxing 
               
               
                 17. 
                 Ultimate fighting 
               
               
                 18. 
                 Martial arts 
               
               
                 19. 
                 Rugby 
               
               
                 20. 
                 Volleyball (indoor, beach) 
               
               
                 21. 
                 Surfing 
               
               
                 22. 
                 Cheerleading 
               
               
                 23. 
                 Cheerleading squads 
               
               
                 24. 
                 Gymnastics 
               
               
                 25. 
                 Lacrosse 
               
               
                 26. 
                 Cricket 
               
               
                 27. 
                 Polo (traditional, water, team) 
               
               
                 28. 
                 Bands 
               
               
                 29. 
                 Drill teams 
               
               
                 30. 
                 Olympics (Winter &amp; Summer) 
               
               
                 31. 
                 X-Games 
               
               
                 32. 
                 Triathlon 
               
               
                 33. 
                 Running 
               
               
                 34. 
                 Fishing 
               
               
                 35. 
                 Skiing (snow, water) 
               
               
                 36. 
                 Snowboarding 
               
               
                 37. 
                 Skateboarding 
               
               
                 38. 
                 Billiards 
               
               
                 39. 
                 Bowling 
               
               
                 40. 
                 Wheelchair and Ambulatory sports 
               
               
                 41. 
                 Poker &amp; Gambling 
               
               
                 42. 
                 Body building 
               
               
                 43. 
                 Shows &amp; Exhibitions 
               
               
                 44. 
                 Animals 
               
               
                 45. 
                 Drivers &amp; Jockeys 
               
               
                 46. 
                 Individual athletes 
               
               
                 47. 
                 Individual coaches &amp; trainers 
               
               
                 48. 
                 Team owners &amp; managers 
               
               
                 49. 
                 Team mascots 
               
               
                 50. 
                 Sports writers 
               
               
                 51. 
                 Sports networks &amp; media outlets 
               
               
                 52. 
                 Sports shows 
               
               
                 53. 
                 Media personalities 
               
               
                 54. 
                 Fantasy leagues 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0036]    Events/Bowls/Play-offs/Tournaments: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 Super Bowl 
               
               
                 2. 
                 World Series 
               
               
                 3. 
                 World Cup 
               
               
                 4. 
                 College Bowl Games 
               
               
                 5. 
                 FCS Tournaments 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Olympics (Winter &amp; Summer) 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Goowill Games 
               
               
                 8. 
                 NCAA Tournaments 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Triple Crown 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Golf&#39;s Grand Slam Events 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Tennis&#39; Grand Slam Events 
               
               
                 12. 
                 The Masters 
               
               
                 13. 
                 The Shell Houston Open 
               
               
                 14. 
                 Rodeo Nationals 
               
               
                 15. 
                 Houston Livestock Show &amp; Rodeo 
               
               
                 16. 
                 Individual Competitors &amp; Teams 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]    Entertainment: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 Music 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Movies 
               
               
                 3. 
                 Theater 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Books 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Television 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Radio 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Singer 
               
               
                 8. 
                 Author 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Actor 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Musician 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Dancer 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Announcer 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    Business: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 1. Industries 
               
               
                   
                 2. Markets 
               
               
                   
                 3. Exchanges 
               
               
                   
                 4. Institutions 
               
               
                   
                 5. Professions 
               
               
                   
                 6. Geographic distinctions 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0039]    Affiliations and Organizations: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 Religion 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Politics 
               
               
                 3. 
                 Race 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Gender 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Nationality 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Country 
               
               
                 7. 
                 State 
               
               
                 8. 
                 City 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Language 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Foundations 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Civic organizations 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Clubs 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0040]    Pastimes, Hobbies, and Interests: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 Art 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Crafts 
               
               
                 3. 
                 Camping 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Fishing 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Climbing 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Sky Diving 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Diving 
               
               
                 8. 
                 Para-sports 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Philately 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Collecting 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Jewelry making 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Couponing 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0041]    The format is conducive to a variety of monetization avenues, which may include: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 Tiered subscriptions of users and 
               
               
                   
                 organizations 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Advertising sales 
               
               
                 3. 
                 User posted classified ads 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Organizational ads 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Media distribution royalties 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Ticket distribution royalties 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Licensed merchandise distribution 
               
               
                   
                 royalties 
               
               
                 8. 
                 Sporting equipment sales 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Tournament Organization fees 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Program &amp; event streaming 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Subscription options to permit 
               
               
                   
                 enhanced personal information 
               
               
                   
                 control 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0042]    The foregoing disclosure and description is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Any present invention should only be limited by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents. The allowed claims should be given their broadest interpretation, given the reasonable meanings of the words used herein, combined with the reasonable interpretation of one having ordinary skill in the art of web-based social networking. The inventor trusts and relies on these legal principle, in order to avoid being unnecessarily repetitive and verbose. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claims.