Abstract:
A method of facilitating social communication from a person to a recipient is presented. Initially, a social communication device with a message is selected by the person. The person then attaches the social communication with the delivery device for delivery to the recipient, thus facilitating social communication between the person and the recipient. The message may be pre-existing, randomly generated, or customizable. When the message is customizable, the person customizes the message. The social communication device and the delivery device may be obtained from vendors such as persons, machines, displays, and dispensing racks. The social communication device may be in the form of a sticker with a message and the delivery device may be a beverage container, thus facilitating communication in clubs or public houses.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     (1) Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to facilitating communication between people in a social setting, and more specifically to techniques for facilitating communication between people in a social setting utilizing a messaging device which may be delivered to the recipient of the communication.  
         [0003]     (2) Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Many people feel intimidated when initiating face-to-face social communication with others (particularly with strangers). In fact, most people suffer from some level of social anxiety even in relaxed social settings. Regardless of whether the people are familiar with each other, there exists a need for an invention which would make initial and continued communication between the two people easier.  
         [0005]     Traditional methods of social communication include email, letters, phone calls, online dating services, and face-to-face encounters. However, each of these methods has drawbacks. Email and letters require time to write, send, and respond to, which can be impractical in real-time social situations. Phone calls and face-to-face conversation require that an individual possess a degree of social bravery. Online dating services do not produce real-time results.  
         [0006]     One major drawback to conventional communication is the fear of awkwardness or rejection. Unfortunately, these fears often prevent an individual from initiating social communication with another person with whom they would like to be acquainted. Further, nervousness, anxiety, and other factors may prevent individuals from initiating conversation. These problems are present in current social settings and have not been alleviated by the prior art.  
         [0007]     Current solutions to the problem of initiating contact include personal matchmaking websites and services. These solutions neither facilitate real-time, face-to-face interaction, nor do they allow the initiator to see the recipient&#39;s response. In short, they act as a means of communication in which the participants are isolated from each other, as opposed to facilitating more direct human-to-human interaction, as the present invention does. Also, subscribing to a dating service is a substantial decision that requires additional time and money. Further, doing so may lead to social stigmatization and shame; and, since it may occur in a vacuum of the Internet, it does not allow friends or family members to participate in the social communication between new acquaintances.  
         [0008]     None of the prior methods allow a person, who would not otherwise be inclined to speak to another person, to send a message and observe that other person&#39;s immediate reaction. This invention seeks to overcome these barriers and challenges present in today&#39;s social and dating settings.  
         [0009]     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method of facilitating social communication between people by allowing people to exchange messages from a distance and view real-time results.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0010]     The present invention teaches a method of facilitating social communication from a person to a recipient. In one aspect, the method comprises an act of obtaining a social communication device having at least one message. Next, a delivery device is selected. Subsequently, an act is performed for attaching the social communication device with the delivery device; and delivering the delivery device to the recipient. Thus, social communication is facilitated between people.  
         [0011]     In another aspect, the message is selected by the person, from a group consisting of a pre-existing message, a randomly generated message, and a customizable message. When the message is customizable, an act of customizing the message is performed.  
         [0012]     In still another aspect, the act of obtaining the social communication device is obtained from a vendor.  
         [0013]     In a further aspect, the vendor is selected from a group consisting of a person, a vending machine, the Internet, a display, a computer, and a dispensing rack.  
         [0014]     In still another aspect, the act of selecting a delivery device is obtained from a delivery device source.  
         [0015]     In yet another aspect, the delivery device is selected from a group consisting of a person, a machine, the Internet, a display, and a store.  
         [0016]     In a still further aspect, the act of attaching is performed with a mechanism selected from a group consisting of a detachable attachment and a permanent adhesive.  
         [0017]     In another aspect, the detachable attachment is selected from a group consisting of an adhesive and a hanging attachment.  
         [0018]     In a further aspect, the delivery device is delivered to the recipient by a deliverer.  
         [0019]     In yet another aspect, the deliverer is selected from a group consisting of the person, an agent/representative, and a machine.  
         [0020]     In a still further aspect, the social communication device is selected from a group consisting of a label, a tag, a sculpture, a machine, a figure, a card, and an object.  
         [0021]     In another aspect, the message is selected from a group consisting of a written message, an auditory message, a visual message, a scented message, and a flavored message.  
         [0022]     In a yet further aspect, the delivery device is selected from a group consisting of a smoking device, a drinking device, a contraceptive, a gelatin shot, and a food container.  
         [0023]     In still another aspect, the drinking device is selected from a group consisting of a bottle, a glass, and a novelty shot glass.  
         [0024]     In yet another aspect, the method of facilitating social communication between a person and a recipient in a public establishment comprises: 
        obtaining a social communication device from the public establishment, where the social communication device has at least one message;     ordering a food/beverage item from the public establishment, where the food/beverage item acts as a delivery device;     attaching the social communication device with the delivery device; and delivering the delivery device to the recipient; and     whereby, social communication is facilitated between people.        
 
         [0029]     In another aspect, the 
        the message is selected by the person, from a group consisting of a pre-existing message, a randomly generated message, and a customizable message and when:     the message includes a customizable message, customizing the message.        
 
         [0032]     In still another aspect, the social communication device is obtained from a server acting on behalf of the public establishment.  
         [0033]     In a further aspect, the public establishment is selected from a group consisting of a bar, a restaurant, and a nightclub.  
         [0034]     In a yet further aspect, a delivery device is obtained from a delivery device source.  
         [0035]     In a still further aspect, the act of attaching is performed with a mechanism selected from a group consisting of a detachable attachment and a permanent adhesive.  
         [0036]     In another aspect, the detachable attachment is selected from a group consisting of an adhesive and a hanging attachment.  
         [0037]     In still another aspect the delivery device is delivered to the recipient by a representative of the public establishment.  
         [0038]     In yet another aspect, the social communication device is selected from a group consisting of a label, a tag, a sculpture, a machine, a figure, a card, and an object.  
         [0039]     In a further aspect, the message is selected from a group consisting of a written message, an auditory message, a visual message, a scented message, and a flavored message.  
         [0040]     In still another aspect, the delivery device is selected from a group consisting of a smoking device, a drinking device, a contraceptive, a gelatin shot, and a food container.  
         [0041]     In another aspect, the drinking device is selected from a group consisting of a bottle, a glass, and a novelty shot glass. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0042]     The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:  
         [0043]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart illustrating the acts involved in a method of facilitating social communication according to the present invention;  
         [0044]     FIGS.  2 ( a ) through  2 ( e ) are illustrations of an exemplary application of the acts of the invention, specifically showing the use of the invention in the context of a social meeting place such as a restaurant or bar;  
         [0045]     FIGS.  3 ( a ) through  3 ( c ) are illustrations of examples of mechanisms through which a social communication device may be distributed;  
         [0046]     FIGS.  4 ( a ) through  4 ( c ) are illustrations of two non-limiting examples of labels for use in conjunction with the present invention, with different patterns of application of adhesive material;  
         [0047]     FIGS.  5 ( a ) through  5 ( c ) are illustrations of various examples of social communication devices that may be attached with a delivery device;  
         [0048]     FIGS.  6 ( a ) through  6 ( d ) are illustrations of examples of a message in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0049]     FIGS.  7 ( a ) and  7 ( b ) are illustrations of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments for attaching a social communication device to a delivery device;  
         [0050]     FIGS.  8 ( a ) through  8 ( d ) are illustrations of exemplary delivery devices for use in conjunction of the present invention; and  
         [0051]     FIGS.  9 ( a ) through  9 ( c ) illustrate exemplary placements of social communication devices on various delivery devices. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0052]     The present invention relates to the field of interpersonal communication. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is intended to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.  
         [0053]     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.  
         [0054]     The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.  
         [0055]     Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.  
         [0056]     Before describing the invention in detail, first an introduction is provided to provide the reader with a general understanding of the present invention. Next, a description of various aspects of the present invention is provided to give an understanding of the specific details.  
         [0057]     A flowchart of a method of interpersonal communication is presented in  FIG. 1 . As the method starts  100 , a decision to communicate using a personal message is made. Next, an act of obtaining both a social communication device and an affixed message  102  is performed. Subsequently, an act of selecting a delivery device  104  is performed. Once the social communication device and the message have been obtained, and the delivery device has been selected, an act of attaching the social communication device with the affixed message to the delivery device is performed  106 . Subsequently, in an act of delivering  108 , the delivery device is delivered to the intended recipient of the communication. At this point, the message is communicated and the method ends  110 .  
         [0058]     The method just described can be applied to many situations. To further clarify the acts of the method, a non-limiting example of a person using the method is illustrated in  FIG. 2 ( a ) through  FIG. 2 ( e ). The environment depicted is typical of a public establishment (such as a bar, a restaurant, or a nightclub), where the social communication device is obtained from the establishment (generally through a server acting on behalf of the establishment). The delivery device is in the form of a food/beverage item, also obtained from the establishment (again, generally through a server acting on behalf of the establishment). Either the user or the server may attach the social communication device to the delivery device, and either may deliver the delivery device to the recipient. Below, this scenario is described in greater detail.  
         [0059]      FIG. 2 ( a ) illustrates a person  200  obtaining a social communication device (e.g., an adhesive label)  202  from a vendor  204 . In this non-limiting example, a message (e.g., writing) is pre-affixed with the social communication device  202 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 2 ( b ), a person  200  selects a delivery device  206  (e.g., a beer bottle) from a display of bottle options  208 . Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 2 ( c ), the person  200  attaches the social communication device  202  with the pre-affixed message to the delivery device  206  using an adhesive. Then, as depicted in  FIG. 2 ( d ), the person  200  delivers the delivery device  206 , with attached social communication device  202 , to a recipient  210 .  FIG. 2 ( e ) shows the person  200  and the recipient  210  having an enjoyable conversation as a result of the delivery of the delivery device  206 . Note that although the message was shown as pre-affixed with the social communication device  202 , the message may allow for customization (typically written) by the person, or may be randomly selected. Note further, that although the person  200  delivers the delivery device  206  directly to the recipient  210 , such delivery may also be made through an intermediary (e.g., the vendor  204  may deliver the delivery device to the recipient  210  as an agent/representative or a machine may deliver the delivery device to the recipient  210 ).  
         [0060]     FIGS.  3 ( a ) through  3 ( c ) present non-limiting examples of mechanisms through which a social communication device may be distributed.  FIG. 3 ( a ) illustrates the vendor as a vending machine  300 .  FIG. 3 ( b ) illustrates another alternative in which the vendor is a computer  302 . In this case, the computer  302  could be used as an automated vending machine, installed in a restaurant/bar/club or it could exemplify a user&#39;s personal computer connected with the Internet, in which case, a variety of social communication device-types may simply be downloaded and printed for use (e.g., later at a party) via a user&#39;s computer. Still further,  FIG. 3 ( c ) shows another alternative in which the vendor is a dispensing rack  304 . Note that although shown as a spool-type dispenser, the dispensing rack  304  could take many other forms, a non-limiting example of which is simply a box of labels with a dispensing portion thereon.  
         [0061]     FIGS.  4 ( a ) through  4 ( c ) illustrate two non-limiting examples of labels with different patterns of application of adhesive material. Specifically,  FIG. 4 ( a ) presents an adhesive label  400  in which adhesive material  402  is distributed across the whole label.  FIG. 4 ( b ) presents another adhesive label  400  in which the adhesive material  402  is applied across approximately half of the label. Finally,  FIG. 4 ( c ) presents another adhesive label  400 , where the adhesive material  402  is distributed in stripes on the back of the label, leaving part of the label with a non-adhesive surface.  
         [0062]     FIGS.  5 ( a ) through  5 ( c ) illustrate various non-limiting examples of a delivery device  500  with attached social communication devices and affixed messages.  FIG. 5 ( a ) shows an example of a delivery device  500  having a social communication device in the form of an adhesive label  502  with a message  504 . As shown, the adhesive label  502  is attached directly to the delivery device  500 . In this example, the message  504  is printed on the adhesive label  502 .  FIG. 5 ( b ) illustrates an alternate example of a delivery device  500  with a social communication device in the form of a tag  506  with a printed message  508 .  FIG. 5 ( c ) illustrates still another example of the social communication device, a card  510 . In this example, a message  504  is printed on the card  514 . Although a few examples of social communication devices were shown in  FIG. 5 ( a ) through  5 ( c ), any suitable object may be used, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the examples shown. Note that  FIG. 5 ( b ) through  5 ( c ) show hanging-type methods of attaching the social communication device to the delivery device  500 . Other methods of attachment may easily be envisioned, non-limiting examples of which include by hook-and-loop-type bindings (Velcro™), magnets, etc.  
         [0063]     FIGS.  6 ( a ) through  6 ( d ) are illustrations of non-limiting examples of a message in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 6 ( a ) shows two examples of stickers  600  according to the present invention, where the message thereon is in the form of a written message  602 . This written message  602  may be preprinted in whole or in part, so that a purchaser can add content of his or her choosing.  FIG. 6 ( b ) presents another example, wherein the social communication device  202 , again in the form of a sticker  600 , emits an auditory message  604  (e.g., an audio recording). Recordings such as a song, a phrase, a poem, or a sound effect, may be either prerecorded or recorded by the purchaser before delivery. Further,  FIG. 6 ( c ) illustrates a scented message  606 . Non-limiting examples of scented messages  606  include scents that are continually released and those that are released following an action by a user (i.e., scratch-and-sniff).  FIG. 6 ( d ) illustrates a taste-based (flavored) message  608  (e.g., a flavored sticker or candy). The messages illustrated in FIGS.  6 ( a ) through  6 ( d ) may be combined to create more complex messages.  
         [0064]     FIGS.  7 ( a ) and  7 ( b ) illustrate exemplary and non-limiting embodiments for attaching a social communication device  700  with a delivery device  702 .  FIG. 7 ( a )( 1 ) illustrates the process of attaching a social communication device  700  with a delivery device  702  by adhesion. Here, a social communication device  700 , in the form of a preprinted message, is depicted as attached with a delivery device  702  in the form of a bottle.  FIG. 7 ( a )( 2 ) illustrates the process of removing a social communication device  700  from a delivery device  702 . In this case, where the social communication device  700  is in the form of a sticker and the delivery device  702  is in the form of a beverage container, the user simply peels the sticker off the beverage container. The social communication device  700  may also be removed from the delivery device  702  by dissolving it in water or some other adhesive-dissolving solution.  FIG. 7 ( b ) illustrates the process of attaching a social communication device  700  to a delivery device  702 , where the social communication device  700  is in the form of a tag hung over a portion of the delivery device  702 .  
         [0065]     FIGS.  8 ( a ) through  8 ( d ) illustrate exemplary embodiments of a delivery device  206 . A non-limiting example of a delivery device  206  that may be used is a drinking device  800  such as the bottle shown in  FIG. 8 ( a ). Other non-limiting examples of delivery devices  808  include a smoking device  802  such as a cigarette or a cigar, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ( b ); a contraceptive device  804 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ( c ); and a food container  806  such as a can, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ( d ). It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that this is an extremely limited set of examples, and that many other items may be used as delivery devices  206  (e.g., gelatin shots, ice cream cones, candy, novelty shot glasses (e.g., in the shape of test tubes), shot glasses, and many others). Delivery devices  206  may be obtained from a delivery device source such as a person, a machine (such as a vending machine), the Internet (by ordering online for later use at a party), from a display such as an in-store display, and from a retail store.  
         [0066]     FIGS.  9 ( a ) through  9 ( c ) illustrate exemplary placements of social communication devices  202  on various delivery devices  206 . In  FIG. 9 ( a ), a social communication device  202  in the form of a sticker  900  is attached with a neck of a beer bottle  902 . In  FIG. 9 ( b ), a social communication device  202  in the form of a sticker  900  is attached with a stem of a wine glass  904 . In  FIG. 9 ( c ), a social communication device  202  in the form of a sticker  900  is attached with a straw  906 , where the straw  906  is placed in the mouth of a beverage can  908 . In all of these cases, it is desirable that the social communication device  202  be placed on the delivery device  206  in a manner that makes it readily visible to a recipient.