Abstract:
The present invention disclosed overcomes the disadvantages of existing introduction systems and methods by providing an on-premise personal introduction facilitation system and a method for using an on-premise personal introduction facilitation system to facilitate personal introductions in a variety of venues and applications. Various embodiments of the system allow a user to enter and search for personal/professional information relevant to a desired on-premise personal introduction. The system may be disposed at locations to facilitate timely personal introductions. The system may utilize various electronic technologies including portable message transceivers, data processing and storage systems, data acquisition and display devices to facilitate timely interactive communications. The system includes administrative controls and authentication terminals and software modules that allow an administrator to control who uses the system and the duration of use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/536,457 entitled “System And Method For Facilitating On-Premise Personal Introductions” by Gary M. Schneider, filed Jan. 13, 2004, the entire contents of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference for all it discloses and teaches. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     a. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to interactive data processing, and more particularly to personal introductions using interactive data processing.  
         [0004]     b. Background of the Invention  
         [0005]     In an effort to meet people in social, recreational or business functions people visit various venues and attend various events. One way to meet people in these situations is through personal introduction. However, given the large number of people at many venues and the limited time of an event or limitations on individuals&#39; own available time, an individual will not usually meet more than a small percentage of the people at a nightclub, convention, conference, resort or sporting event.  
         [0006]     Further, existing systems and methods for meeting people with common interests are focused towards only remote communications between the users. Existing systems allow users to meet on-line over a period of hours, days, or longer, after which they may have an in-person meeting at a time and location that they must determine and for which they must make arrangements.  
         [0007]     Given a person&#39;s desire to meet someone at the venue or event in which they have common interests or attractions in a limited amount of time, a need exists for a system that overcomes the above-stated disadvantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the disadvantages and limitations of various existing system by providing a system that allows individuals to quickly identify users with similar interests who are present at a specific location at a specific time, notify and contact users interactively, and arrange for an immediate in-person meeting.  
         [0009]     The invention may therefore comprise an on-premise personal introduction facilitation system that includes: a data processing and storage system that stores and processes personal information from a first user and a second user; at least one client data input/output device that is electronically connected to the data processing and storage system, and that collects and displays typed personal information and photographic images from a first user and a second user, the client data input/output device located on-premise at a target location; an authentication mechanism within the data processing and storage system that validates the personal information of the first user and the second user and confirms an authorization status of the first user and the second user to access the data processing and storage system; database processing software operatively disposed in the data processing and storage system that allows the first user to query a database containing the personal information of the second user and determines information to display which facilitates an on-premise personal introduction between the first user and the second user; at least one notification device that is electronically connected to the data processing and storage system that delivers messages regarding a desired introduction from the first user to the second user, and from the second user to the first user.  
         [0010]     The invention may further comprise a method of facilitating timely on-premise personal introductions that includes: providing an on-premise personal introduction facilitation system that includes a data processing and storage system which is electronically connected to at least one client data input/output device that captures and displays personal information and photographic images, the data processing and storage system being further electronically connected to at least one notification device; registering a first user and a second user by assigning an electronically encoded identifier; collecting and editing personal information and photographic images of a first user and a second user using the client data input/output device; storing the personal information and photographic images of the first user and the second user in a database within the data processing and storage system; authenticating credentials of the first user and the second user using the data processing and storage system; enabling the first user to search the database and display personal information and photographic images of the second user; notifying the second user, using the notification device, that the first user desires a personal introduction to the second user; displaying to the second user, through a client data input/output device, the personal information and photographic images of the first person; and notifying the first user of the second user&#39;s interest in a personal introduction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an on-premise introduction facilitation system.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating the basic steps for using an on-premise introduction facilitation system.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a data flow diagram.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a functional flow of an on-premise introduction facilitation system.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a registration screen.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a first personal/professional information screen.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates a second personal/professional information screen.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a third personal/professional information screen.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates a fourth personal/professional information screen.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates a fifth personal/professional information screen.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates a personal quote.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates a profile confirmation screen.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  illustrates a main menu.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates a search menu.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates a search results screen.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  illustrates a message entry screen.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  illustrates an administrative control screen.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of an on-premise introduction facilitation system  100 . The on-premise introduction facilitation system may comprise a data processing and storage system  102  that is electronically connected to at least one client data input/output terminal such as the client data input/output terminal  104  and  106 . In one embodiment of the invention, a first client data input/output terminal  106  is a kiosk that may include a card reader  128  that is capable of reading an authorization card  120 , a touch screen display  126  that permit a user to enter and view data, a photographic image capturing device such as a digital camera  130 , a microphone/speaker  132 , and an electronic interface to connects to the data processing and storage system  102 .  
         [0029]     In one embodiment, the data processing and storage system  102  is a server that has a Linux or Windows operating system and application software and hardware that is capable of receiving, storing, processing and transmitting data that facilitates an on-premise introduction of a first user  110  and a second user  108 .  
         [0030]     An authorization card  120  may be obtained by a first user  110 . There are various ways an authorization card may be obtained. For example, in a nightclub, the authorization card  120  may be purchased from the bartender or from an automated vending machine. Alternatively, at a professional conference, the authorization card may be given to the conference participants at registration time. The authorization card  120  may be activated manually or automatically using a point-of-sale activation terminal  134 . Prior to first use, the authorization card  120  may contain authorization information. The first user  110  swipes or inserts the authorization card  120  into a card reader of the client data input/output terminal. Data from the card is transmitted to the data processing and storage system  102  through an electronic wireless connection  124 . The data processing and storage system  102  checks the data to verify that the user is authorized and then sends a signal back to the client input/output terminal  106  that permits the user to proceed with the registration process which is described in more detail below.  
         [0031]     A second user  108  may use the same first client data input/output terminal  106  or a second client data input/output terminal such as the client data input/output terminal  104 . The second client data input/output terminal  104  may be similar to the first client data input/output terminal  106 . In some situations such as a one-time event like a cruise, it may not be necessary to store any personal or professional data entered to a card for use at a later time. If desired, an authorization password  122  that uniquely identifies the user may be used rather that an authorization card  120 .  
         [0032]     After a first user and a second user are authorized and have entered personal or professional data and data regarding interests and intent into the system, the first user  110  uses the client data input/output terminal to search for someone to meet. One embodiment of the data entry and search process is described below. The first user may select a screen name of a person he wants to meet, based on viewing information about a second user  108 , and enter a short text message and/or audio message. The selection and message are transmitted to the data processing and storage system  102  which in turn may transmit the message to a notification terminal that is accessible to the user selected. The touch screen display  126  may act as a notification terminal to notify a first user  110  that a second user  108  would like to meet. However, to keep the client data input/output terminal available as much of the time as possible, alternative notification terminals such as an electronic sign  114  and portable message transceiver  112  may be used. For example, electronic sign  114  may be disposed above the bar or in any noticeable place to provide short messages. The first user  110  may use the client data input/output terminal to enter a short message that is then transmitted to the data processing and storage system  102 . The data processing and storage system then transmits the message to the electronic sign  114  through the electronic connection  118 . Input devices may include touch-screens, keyboards, pagers, cellular telephones, PDA or other electronic data entry device. Date input may also be performed using voice recognition software. Any of the electronic connections between the client data input/output devices may be wireless or wired as desired. Further, a second notification device  112  may a portable message transceiver such as a PDA with a wireless connection, a pager, or a cellular telephone. Notification devices such as cellular telephones provide a way for text messages or audio messages to be exchanged. Some pagers, cellular telephones and PDAs also provide a vibratory alert that may be well suited for venues that are very noisy or venues where an audible alert would be inappropriate. Upon received a vibratory alert, a user could check for a text message. In some applications, it may be desirable to provide a live attendant that demonstrates how to use the on-premise introduction facilitation system. A live attendant may invite people to try the system. A live attendant may also answer user questions. A live attendant may provide point-of-purchase services. A live attendant may assume the role of electronically introducing people to each other.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating the basic steps for using an embodiment of an on-premise introduction facilitation system. In step  202 , a user obtains system access authorization. The step of obtaining system access authorization ensures that each user is uniquely identified and verifies that user is authorized to use the system. At step  204 , a user enters personal or professional information. Personal or professional information entered may include a screen name, interests, descriptive information, objective and other information as desired. At step  206 , a user searches for someone to meet. The software of the data processing and storage system allows a user to select desired attributes of a person he would like to meet. For example, at a ski resort, a user who is a snowboarder may search for another snowboarder to share a lift ride or to snowboard together. At step  208 , a first user, after doing step  206  search for someone to meet and finding a possible match search, sends notification to a second user that he would like to meet. At step  210 , a second user receives notification from a first user that desires to meet. At step  212 , after receiving notification from the first user, the second user may access a client data input/output device to send a message to the first user. The first user and second user may communicate interactively using a chat application to exchange additional information or they may arrange to meet.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates a data flow diagram  300  for various functions within an embodiment of an on-premise introduction facilitation system. The user interface level  302  includes a register function  310  wherein users register to use the system. Registering to use the system may comprise for a first time user, entering personal/professional information, capturing digital photographic and audio data, obtaining authorization to use the system by providing a debit or credit card or by swiping a pre-purchased card or entering a password. Data from the register function  310  flows through a communication interface  324  to a database function  330  where the data is stored for retrieval. The communication interface  324  may be for example a local area network, a wireless network, the Internet, or any communication infrastructure desired. A search function  312  allows a first user to search for a second user to meet based on the first user&#39;s preferences and responses to questions. Preferences and responses to questions from the search function  312  flows through communication interface  324  to a database query function  326 . The database query function accesses information in a database  330 . The results of the database query flow from the database  330  through the communication interface  324  to a first view function  314 . The first user may view information including text, audio, and photographic images relating to a second user or to any user whose data matches the search criteria. A send message function  316  allows a first user to send a message to a second user. The message may be interactive such as a chat function or it may a short text or audio message that can be transmitted to a notification device or stored for retrieval in a check message function  318 . If the user is using a notification device such as a pager, a cellular telephone, an LED display, then the check message function may be manual i.e. looking at the notification device or it may be an electronically transmitted database query  328  that utilizes the communication interface  324 . The check message function may allow the user to check for a message sent earlier. If a stored or interactive message exists, a second view function  320  allows a user to retrieve information that may include text, audio, and photographic information. A second user then may use a send response function  322  to send a message to first user to communicate further or to initiate an introduction. A network function  332  may be connect to the database function  330  that allows similar data elements  334  from other systems at an external data level  308  to flow to and from the database  330 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a functional flow of an on-premise introduction facilitation system  400 . In a point-of-sale and activation function  402  a user purchases a card or password or similar authorization device. An introduction screen  404  provides instructions on how to use the system. The user is then prompted to indicate if he is registered on the system. If the user is registered, he is prompted to check in  430  or log in. If the login information is invalid or the user is not authorized to use the system, the user is instructed to return to the point-of-sale and activation  402  to obtain authorization. If the registered user is authorized then he is allowed to proceed to the main menu  412 . If the user is not yet registered, for example, if this is the first time the user has used the system, then he is provided with a register screen  408  that gives instructions on how to register. The user then enters personal/professional information  410  and the program proceeds to the main menu  412 . From the main menu  412 , the user proceeds to the navigation menu  414 . The navigation menu allows the user to indicate what he wants to do next. In one embodiment, the user has the choices of exiting  416  the program, modifying  413  his personal/professional information, checking for contacts  418  in the form of messages that have been left, or searching  422  for someone. If there are contacts, i.e. messages have been left, the user may view the contact details and respond  420 , after which he is returned to the main menu  412 . After a search  422 , the user may view the search results  424  and if desired send a message  426  after which the user is returned to the main menu  412 .  
         [0036]     An administrative menu  434  allows an administrator to set/modify administrative controls and settings  436  such as the start and stop time of a session.  
         [0037]     More detailed examples of the content, navigational controls, appearance and data entry formats of the menu screens for one embodiment of the invention are described below. However, any desired content, controls, appearance, formats or navigation elements may be used with the system that provides information to facilitate an on-premise personal introduction. For example, any of the screens may include promotions or advertisements that are selected from a database based on information obtained from the user.  
         [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates a registration screen  500  for one embodiment of the invention that may include instructions  502 , a data entry area  504 , a touch screen keyboard  506 , and navigation controls  508 . The user may choose any screen name desired which may alleviate concerns the user may have about providing a real name at this point to other users. The user reads the instructions  502  and enters data into the data entry area  504  using the touch screen keyboard  506 . After entering the data, the user uses the navigation controls  508  to go to the next screen or to go back to the previous screen.  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  illustrates a first personal/professional information screen  600 . The personal/professional information screen  600  may include instructions  602 , category descriptor  604 , introduction objectives  606 , and navigation controls  608 . In the example illustrated a first user is instructed to describe, by selecting from the choices displayed, his or her gender, the gender of a second user who the first users would like to meet and the type of interaction the first user is seeking. After entering the data, the user uses the navigation controls  608  to go to the next screen or to go back to the previous screen.  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  illustrates a second personal/professional information screen  700  that includes instructions  702 , characteristics  704 , and navigation controls  706 . In the example illustrated, a first user is instructed to describe certain physical characteristics. After entering the data, the user uses the navigation controls  706  to go to the next screen or to go back to the previous screen.  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  illustrates a third personal/professional information screen  800  that includes instructions  802 , characteristics  804 , and navigation controls  806 . In the example illustrated, a first user is instructed to describe additional physical characteristics and indicate a smoking preference. After entering the data, the user uses the navigation controls  806  to go to the next screen or to go back to the previous screen.  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  illustrates a fourth personal/professional information screen  900  that includes instructions  902 , interests  904 , and navigation controls  906 . In the example illustrated, a first user is instructed to describe his interests. The user may select as many interests as desired or the system may be designed to limit the number of interested selected to a desired limit as illustrated in instructions  902 . After entering the data, the user uses the navigation controls  906  to go to the next screen or to go back to the previous screen.  
         [0043]      FIG. 10  illustrates a fifth personal/professional information screen  1000  that includes instructions  1002 , quotes  1004 , and navigation controls  1006 . In the example illustrated, a first user is instructed to select from various quotes or to write his own quote as a way to communicate more about his personality. After entering the data, the user uses the navigation controls  1006  to go to the next screen, to go back to the previous screen, or to exit the system.  
         [0044]      FIG. 11  illustrates a personal quote screen  1100  for writing the users own quote as described in above with respect to  FIG. 10 . The personal quote screen  1100  includes a data entry area  1102 , a touch screen keyboard  1104  and navigational controls  1106 . After entering the data, the user uses the navigation controls  1106  to go to the next screen, to go back to the previous screen, or to exit the system.  
         [0045]      FIG. 12  illustrates a profile confirmation screen  1200  that displays information collected from the previous screens. The profile confirmation screen instructs the user to read the information and to use the navigation controls  1202  to go back to the previous screen, forward to the next screen or revise to modify data directly on the profile confirmation screen  1200 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 13  illustrates a main menu  1300  which has instructions  1302  and navigation controls that allow the user to search for someone using the search control  1304 , modify his profile using modify control  1306 , or exit the system using exit control  1308 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 14  illustrates a search menu  1400  that includes instructions  1402 , search criteria selections  1404 , and navigation controls  1406 . In the embodiment illustrated, the search selection criteria  1404  allows a first user to select age range, body type, and smoking preference of a second user with whom they desire an introduction. After selecting search criteria, the user uses the navigation controls  1406  to go to the next screen, to go back to the previous screen, or to exit the system.  
         [0048]      FIG. 15  illustrates a search results screen  1500 . The search results screen includes instructions  1502 , screen names  1504  and information  1506  of users whose personal/professional information match search criteria entered by a first user. The search results screen includes navigation controls  1508 . In the embodiment illustrated, the search results screen instructs the first user to select a name of a user with whom to have an introduction. After selecting a name, the user will be taken to message entry screen described below. The user may alternatively use the navigation controls  1508  to go back to the previous screen or to exit the system.  
         [0049]      FIG. 16  illustrates a message entry screen  1600  that includes information about a selected user  1602 , a message entry area  1604 , a touch screen keyboard  1606 , and navigation controls  1608 . In one embodiment illustrated, a first user enters a message using the touch screen keyboard  1606  indicating that an on-premise introduction is desired. After entering the message, the first user uses the navigation controls to proceed to the next screen if desired. If the user navigates to the next screen, the message entered into the message entry area  1604 , is stored with other personal information and available for viewing by the second user.  
         [0050]      FIG. 17  illustrates an administrative control screen  1700  that includes a session schedule area  1702 , a session duration entry area  1704 , a purge database control  1706 , profanity screening control  1708 , a touch screen numeric pad  1710 , an apply changes control  1712  and navigation controls  1714 . To navigate to the administrative controls screen  1700 , an administrator enters authentication data using the client data input/output terminal or using a portable data storage device such as a magnetic stripe card. In one embodiment illustrated, an administrator uses the numeric pad  1710  to enter a session start time and a session end time into the session schedule area  1702 . An administrator may further enter a duration into the session duration entry area  1704 . For example, in a bar or nightclub application an administrator may schedule the sessions to begin at 7:00 PM with first session having a total duration of 60 minutes and each user having 10 minutes per use. When a user&#39;s minutes per use have expired, an application logs the user off and allows a second user to use the system. Later in the evening, a second session having a duration of 60 minutes may be scheduled. An administrator may, if desired, reduce the minutes per use for each user to, for example, five minutes. Limiting the minutes per use enables more users to access the system within a given session duration. The database purge control menu  1706  allows an administrator to purge the screen names and personal/professional information if desired or to schedule a time at which the database will be purged. Alternatively, data for inactivated users may be retained in a database and may be reactivated at any time desired. The profanity screen control  1708  allows an administrator to screen or prohibit profanity from the text messages. If profanity screen control is set to “yes” then words entered into any of the text entry areas are compared with a list of prohibited words and a message is displayed that profanity is not allowed and the user is allowed to re-enter a message. When an administrator has entered data into any of the areas of the administrative control screen, he may select the apply changes control  1712  which saves the state of the selected administrative controls. An administrator may use the navigation controls  1714  to return to the previous menu or to exit the system.  
         [0051]     The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.