Abstract:
A social network for pets comprising: a computer system wherein a user uploads photos and videos of a user&#39;s pets. The system further comprises images of advertiser&#39;s products and services related to pets. The system provides products comprising pet supplies and pet services.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/959,170 filed on Aug. 16, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a social network for pets. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    US patent publication 2013/0068173 relates to a system for remote interaction with a pet by a home computer connected to a movable turret. The turret has rotary components driven by servo motors to direct a laser to the floor to create shapes depending on the play to be performed. Video and audio including the pet owner&#39;s voice may be introduced to further entertain the pet while he or she is home alone. 
         [0004]    US patent publication 2010/0204984 relates to a virtual pet system, method and apparatus for virtual pet chatting. A virtual pet system includes a virtual pet client, adapted to receive a sentence in natural language and send the sentence to a Q &amp; A server; the Q &amp; A server, adapted to receive the sentence, processes the sentence, and generates an answer, that is sent to the virtual pet client. 
         [0005]    US patent publication 2008/0103784 relates to a method and system for generating an interactive computerized biological network consisting of living and non-living entities based on the multiple relationship types that can exist between entities. The network can consist of multiple node types. Such node types can include persons, places, objects and animals, each connected by one or more linkages associated with a precise linkage type representing the relationship type between a node and any other node type in the same network. Nodes are connected to other nodes in the network by linkages which can have multiple linkage types. Each linkage type represents the actual relationship type between the nodes, such as person, place, object or animal represented by the nodes. 
         [0006]    US patent publication 2013/0073299 relates to a caregiving social network. A server implements a caregiving social network dedicated to coordinating care between caregivers and care recipients. Profile information is recorded to assist in coordinating care, as well as targeting advertising and information material that is highly relevant to an individual user and his community. Users of caregiving social network include, seniors, disabled people, children, parents, volunteers, medical professionals, neighbors, military families and pets. Users can maintain both a caregiver account to assist others, and a care recipient account for receiving assistance. 
         [0007]    US patent publication 2008/0172381 relates to a method and system for connecting service providers with service requesters within a social network. The system and method may operate for no compensation for service requester. The system and method may be based on user feedback and/or a point system. The system and method may be applied to a social network for connecting pet owners with pet sitters for provision of pet sitting services. 
         [0008]    US patent publication 2008/0091556 relates to a web-based communication tool for pet owners. The system and method is directed to interactive communication for associated pet owners. Selection data inclusive of attraction data is first received from multiple pet owners. Selection data with respect to the multiple associated pet owners, is associated with at least one attraction module. In one embodiment, the attraction module is selected from the group consisting of meeting friends, pet advice, veterinarian answers, memorial, postings, weekly pet horoscopes, pet fashions for sale, pets in news, and hero of the week. Next, a user interface is generated in accordance with the performed association, and displayed to the multiple pet owners. Interaction is then accomplished between the multiple associated pet owners via the user interface from remote locations. 
         [0009]    Social networking sites have become engrained in people&#39;s daily lives. They allow the users to share their personal lives and engage with friends, family, coworkers and strangers. People can share aspects of their lives, their thoughts, what they are wearing, where they are shopping, what they ate for lunch, what their plans are for the weekend, and everything in between. 
         [0010]    Many social media users have created profiles of their pets. There are birthday wishes, status updates and pictures posted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is a social media site that caters to pet owners. The present invention provides a place where pet owners can showcase their pets and at the same time expose the users to advertiser&#39;s products and services related to their pets. 
         [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to comprise a computer system comprising an animated site. It is an object of the present invention for a user to post texts, photos, videos, stories about their pets, share web links, share videos from other sites, upload and share videos and/or reply to comments. 
         [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to comprise a computer system that has a site to provide pet supplies to the users. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention for the site to have a virtual city, having virtual buildings. It is an object of the present invention for a user to make a trip to the virtual city by logging onto the site. It is an object of the present invention for the user to explore the various buildings. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention for the user to shop for pet supplies on the site. It is an object of the present invention for the site to have a veterinarian clinic that provides advice for users, provides medications, and provides referrals to veterinarians in their area. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a shelter where a user adopts a pet. 
         [0017]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide charitable institutions for users to donate to an animal charity. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the present invention for users to visit other pet owners in one of the many housing units in the system. It is an object of the present invention for these units to house pet owners of dogs, cats, horses, or fish for example. It is an object of the present invention for the dog housing unit to be a virtual dog house. It is an object of the present invention for the horse housing unit to be virtual stables. It is an object of the present invention for the fish housing unit to be in a pond. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the present invention for each of the virtual housing units to have a virtual lobby to serve as a central gathering place for all pets within a particular class. It is an object of the present invention to provide on the site a bulletin board where all of the users can see what all of their pets are up to. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the present invention to have a virtual mayor or mascot on the site to assist a user in registration for the site, or finding anything on the site. 
         [0021]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to allow users to vote for different positions on the site, such as, mayors, or mascots. It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide a way for users to vote on new functionality for the system. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have its own dictionary of terms and phrases unique to the system. It is an object of the present invention for the system to engage with the users in suggesting words for the site dictionary. 
         [0023]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide to users a daily, weekly, monthly and annual contests. It is an object of the present invention for the system to have holiday themed contests. It is an object of the present invention for winners of the contests to be paid in a currency that is spent on the site. It is an object of the present invention for the currency to be spent at a mall on the site, or donated to one of the charities on the site. 
         [0024]    It is an object of the present invention to create a virtual one stop shop for things having to do with pets. 
         [0025]    It is an object of the present invention to provide to a user a way to purchase pet insurance on the site. It is an object of the present invention to provide to a user a way to purchase pet food on the site. 
         [0026]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a method for registering for the site, including a password. 
         [0027]    It is an object of the present invention for the user to create a profile for the site. 
         [0028]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to walk the user through the registration process, giving screen tips/hints as necessary. It is an object of the present invention for a caricature of an actual pet to provide the screen tips/hints. It is an object of the present invention for the users of the system to vote on the caricature. 
         [0029]    It is an object of the present invention for the user to choose a pet type/residence. It is an object of the present invention for the user to enter pet information into the system. The user will have to enter a human email address and other basic information into the system. 
         [0030]    It is an object of the present invention for the user to enter the breed of the animal if applicable into the system. 
         [0031]    It is an object of the present invention for the user to enter the pet&#39;s birthday into the system. 
         [0032]    It is an object of the present invention for the user to upload a profile picture of the pet into the system. 
         [0033]    It is an object of the present invention for the user to update detailed profile information about their pet, including, favorite food, favorite toy, favorite collar, favorite activity or hobby. It is an object of the present invention for the system to use this information to provide directed marketing to the users. 
         [0034]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide an agreement of acceptable terms to the user, that the user must agree to before the user is allowed on the site. 
         [0035]    It is an object of the present invention that upon registration, the user is brought to the main page of the site. At the main page a user can do a variety of things throughout the city (site). It is an object of the present invention for the site to feature a virtual city with virtual buildings and stores. It is an object of the present invention for the site to have a news feed. It is an object of the present invention for the news feed to include announcements and news articles displayed for all of the users. It is an object of the present invention for the announcements to also include contest announcements, and winners. It is an object of the present invention for the announcements to comprise advertisements. It is an object of the present invention for the announcements to comprise voting instructions. 
         [0036]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to display the posts from the user&#39;s pet friends on the announcements, or on a bulletin board for each residential building. 
         [0037]    It is an object of the present invention to have a residential building for each pet. It is an object of the present invention for the buildings to be pet specific. It is an object of the present invention for the buildings to be for dogs, cats, birds, horses, fish, lizards, snakes and rodents. 
         [0038]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide buildings which have a split screen that show their own room and the lobby of the building. It is an object of the present invention for the room to look like an actual room in an apartment complex. It is an object of the present invention for the user to customize the room with their own pictures, wall colors and other personal items. 
         [0039]    It is an object of the present invention for the lobby of the building to feature a directory of users and show which of the users are online. It is an object of the present invention for the system to show a list of the user&#39;s friends and whether they are online. 
         [0040]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a bulletin board that allows users to interact with other residents of that building through status posts, picture posts, and comments. This is the main communications hub for each residential building. 
         [0041]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a virtual mall that operates as a main sales page of the site. It is an object of the virtual mall to have a design that imitates an actual mall with store fronts and a directory of shops that are located throughout the mall. It is an object of the present invention for the mall to display advertisements. It is an object of the present invention for the mall to list categories and products. It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide a user a way to buy products and/or services that are listed in the virtual mall. 
         [0042]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a doctor&#39;s office where users can visit to find veterinarians, order medications, or find advice on problems that a user&#39;s pet may be having. 
         [0043]    It is an object of the present invention of the system to have a virtual shelter where a user can adopt a pet or donate to their favorite pet charity. It is an object of the present invention for the system within the shelter to list all available adoptions of pets. It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide a user a way to filter through the adoption list, by, for example, pet type, breed, etc. It is an object of the present invention for a user to submit an adoption request for a specific pet within the shelter. 
         [0044]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a virtual stadium which comprises the contest section of the site. It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide a moving virtual blimp where advertisers can display ads, and users can enter a variety of picture and video contests. 
         [0045]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide money that is either spent in the mall or donated to their favorite charity. It is an object of the present invention to keep users engaged and to give them incentives to enter the mall and spend. 
         [0046]    It is an object of the present invention for the main page of the website to display all banner ads for the systems advertisers. 
         [0047]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a place where a user registers to run for mayor when it is election time and also serves as an oversight area for the site. It is an object of the present invention for the system to allow users to report inappropriate conduct, and ask questions. 
         [0048]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have an area where breeders from around the country advertise pets they have for sale, and include information about the animals credentials, awards, contact information, and prices. 
         [0049]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a nursery. The nursery is a place where a user can post pictures of newborn pets. 
         [0050]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a section for groomers, where users are able to find groomers in their area. 
         [0051]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have search capabilities so that a user can search the site for anything pet related. 
         [0052]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide real time notifications and alerts. 
         [0053]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide a way so that the user sends messages to other users or has a chat room where users chat with other users. 
         [0054]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a Youtube API integration. 
         [0055]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a photo gallery of the pets of different users 
         [0056]    It is an object of the present invention for the system to have a video gallery of the pets of different users. 
         [0057]    It is an object of the present invention to have a program that provides a way to invite friends to the site. 
         [0058]    It is an object of the present invention for a user to submit to the system a request for advertising. It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide an administrative control to place ads on any section of the site. 
         [0059]    It is an object of the present invention for the site to have a groomers section, breeders section and veterinary section. It is an object of the present invention for the system to list groomers, breeders, and veterinarians and for a user to search for these persons and be able to be filter the list. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0060]      FIG. 1  shows a version of a main page of a site of the present invention. 
           [0061]      FIG. 2  shows a page of a user being in the system of the present invention. 
           [0062]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of a webpage for sharing and posting photos. 
           [0063]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a webpage for searching breeders by name and/or location. 
           [0064]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a webpage for searching doctors by name and/or location. 
           [0065]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a webpage for sharing and posting photos. 
           [0066]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of a webpage of a town hall of the website of the present invention. 
           [0067]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment showing a registration process of the present invention. 
           [0068]      FIG. 9  shows an embodiment of a webpage for a profile photo, liking and inviting friends. 
           [0069]      FIG. 10  shows the system with an authenticated user section and an anonymous user section. 
           [0070]      FIG. 11  shows a diagram showing different webpages and their different relationships. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0071]      FIG. 1  shows a main screen  10  having a login  12  and a registration  14 . The screen  10  further comprises a profile picture  16 , a message link  18 , and a request link  20 . The screen  10  further comprises a news section  22  which allows a user to input information  24 , tag  26 , picture attachment  28 , and submit function  30 . The screen  10  further comprises houses and residences  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 , pet shelter  44 , pet mall  46 , pet school  48 , and veterinary house  50 . Screen  10  further comprises a place to hold contests  52  where users can submit photos. The screen  10  further comprises a link  54  where a user can enter their personal room. 
         [0072]      FIG. 2  shows the virtual city having a hospital  100 , arena  102 , casino  104 , mall  106 , school  108 , city hall  110 , condos  112 , and farm land  114 . On this page the user can post in writing to others the posts being  116 . The page shows the residence  118  which is shown in  FIG. 2  as a doghouse. The page further allows the user to edit their profile  120 , upload a photo  122 , invite friends  124 , receive messages  126 , receive photos  128  and receive videos  130 . The system also provides views of other pet houses  132 , such as rabbit hole  134 , snake pit  136 , pond  138 , birdhouse  140  and kitty condo  142 . There are different messages sent to the user along with an animated photo of the user sending the text message pictures or video. These animated photos are shown as photos  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150  and  152 . The text messages are shown for example as  154  and the attached photos are shown as  156 . The page also shows the latest information from the mall  160  and shows city hall updates  162 . Further, the page also has information about stadium updates  170  which include polls  172  and the cutest newborn  174 . Further, the page shows a place where the user can advertise  180  with the system of the invention. 
         [0073]      FIG. 3  shows a further page of a user of the present invention wherein the user can share status updates  200  or post a photo  202 . The system provides on this page that the user can edit their profile  204 , upload photos  206  and invite friends to join the site  208 . On this page, the user can attach different size photos  210  with a text  212 . The webpage further provides mall specials from the site  214  and pictures from the local shelter with regards to adoption  216 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 4  shows a webpage wherein a user can search for a breeder by name  300  or search for a breeder by location  302 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 5  is a further page of the system of the present invention which provides a way of searching for a doctor by name  400 , and further provides a way of searching for a doctor by location  402 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 6  shows a page from the system of the present invention which allows a user to share updates  500  and also to share photos  502 . The webpage further provides a program to create new groups  504 , for example poodles and huskies  506 , the kennel club  508  and the breed club  510 . The webpage further provides health centers  512 , doctors office  514 , breeders corner  516  and groomers  518 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 7  shows the town hall page  600  having a photo of the mayor  602 , town hall page  600  allows a user to file a complaint  610  to vote for the mayor  612  or to send a suggestion  614 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 8  shows a webpage showing how to register for the website. It includes a space  700  for a user to enter the first name of their pet, a space  702  for a user to enter the last name of their pet, a space to enter an email address  704 , a space to enter a password  706 , a space  710  in which a user can either enter the type of animal or have a dropdown menu for the user to choose the animal. The webpage further has a space  712  in which the user can either enter the type of animal or a drop down menu to choose the type of breed. The webpage further has spaces  714  in which a user can either enter or have a dropdown menu to enter the birthdate of the animal. There is a further box  716  in which a user must agree to the terms and conditions of the website and further there is a click on  718  wherein the user can register and proceed. 
         [0079]      FIG. 9  shows the system providing a way to upload a profile photo  800 , a way for a user to like another&#39;s photo or comment  802  and a further way to invite friends  804 . The system also provides a guide  806  whether it be an actual photo or an animated photo of a pet that will then guide a user through the registration process. 
         [0080]      FIG. 10  shows the system  900  having an authenticated user section  902  that includes a user wall  904 , user page  906 , pet house  908 , private messages  910 , hall  912 , Stadium  914 , nursery  916 , Mall  918 , advertisements,  920 , doctor&#39;s office  922 , shelter  924 , groomers  926 , breeder&#39;s corner  928 , photo albums  930 , events and event calendar  932 , also having an anonymous user section  934  that includes a log-in  936 , register  938 , static content CMS pages  940 , and open user page  942 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 11  shows the different web pages of the system and how they are interconnected. The following web pages include notifications  1000 , user  1002 , activity-like  1004 , activity  1006 , messages  1008 , files  1010 , log  1012 , CMS-pages  1014 , map-pet house-pet  1016 , groomers  1018 , breeders  1020 , events  1022 , map-album  1024 , photo album  1026 , settings  1028 , relationships  1030 , connections  1032 , pet house  1034 , map-hall-user  1036 , hall  1038 , doctors  1040 , polls  1042 , poll response  1044 , stadium  1046 , map-stadium-user  1048 , shelter  1050 , mall  1052 , map-advertisement-mall  1054 , advertisements  1056 , mall categories  1058 , mall products  1060 .