Abstract:
Methods and systems for registering a relationship between users are disclosed. A first electronic device transmits a request to provide relationship information to a computing device. The computing device generates a transaction code and transmits the code to the first electronic device. The first electronic device generates a symbology corresponding to the code and displays the symbology. A second electronic device scans the symbology and decodes the symbology to obtain the transaction code. The second electronic device transmits the code to the computing device, which associates relationship information for the users of the first and second electronic devices. The first electronic device receives the relationship information for the user of the second electronic device from the computing device, and the second electronic device receives the relationship information for the user of the first electronic device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Recently, the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones and the like, has rapidly increased. This increase has resulted in part from the porting of technologies to mobile electronic devices that were once limited to non-mobile applications. Mobile technologies provide the promise of a more efficient use of time by allowing interactions with other people and institutions at any time and place. 
         [0002]    One way in which people interact in both professional and personal settings is providing contact information to other people. Currently, this is accomplished in a professional environment by providing a business card to a receiving individual and having the information entered into a contact list at a later time. In a social setting, information can alternately be provided by giving out a telephone number, a name and address or the like to another person. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In an embodiment, a method of registering a relationship between users may include receiving, by a first electronic device, a request for providing relationship information for a first user of the first electronic device, transmitting, by the first electronic device, the request to a computing device, receiving, by the first electronic device, data corresponding to the request from the computing device, creating, by the first electronic device, a symbology encoding the data therein, and displaying, by the first electronic device, the symbology. 
         [0004]    In an embodiment, a method of registering a relationship between users may include scanning, by a first electronic device, a symbology displayed on a second electronic device associated with a user, where the symbology encodes data comprising a transaction code and is associated with a relationship request, decoding, by the first electronic device, the data from the symbology, transmitting, by the first electronic device, the data to a computing device, and receiving, by the first electronic device, relationship information for the user of the second electronic device from the computing device. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, a method of registering a relationship between users may include receiving, by a computing device, a request to provide relationship information from a first electronic device associated with a first user having associated first relationship information stored in a database in operable communication with the computing device, creating, by the computing device, data corresponding to the request, transmitting, by the computing device, the data to the first electronic device, receiving, by the computing device, the data from a second electronic device associated with a second user having associated second relationship information stored in the database, transmitting, by the computing device, the first relationship information to the second electronic device, and transmitting, by the computing device, the second relationship information to the first electronic device. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, a system for registering a relationship between users may include a computing device, a database in operable communication with the computing device, and a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium in operable communication with the computing device. The processor-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the computing device to receive a request for providing relationship information from a first electronic device associated with a first user having associated first relationship information stored in the database, create data corresponding to the request, transmit the data to the first electronic device, receive the data from a second electronic device associated with a second user having associated second relationship information stored in the database, receive the first and second relationship information from the database, transmit the first relationship information to the second electronic device, and transmit the second relationship information to the first electronic device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a first and second face of a mobile device according to an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a third face of the mobile device in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a symbology according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of an illustrative communications system between mobile devices and a computing device according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram of illustrative internal hardware that may be used to contain or implement program instructions according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for creating and displaying a symbology used to form a relationship between users according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for scanning a symbology and forming a relationship between users according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope. 
         [0015]    As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0016]    The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this application, the respective meanings set forth below. 
         [0017]    An “electronic device” refers to a device that includes a processing device and tangible, computer-readable memory. The memory may contain programming instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the device to perform one or more operations according to the programming instructions. Examples of electronic devices include personal computers, gaming systems, televisions and mobile devices. 
         [0018]    A “mobile device” refers to an electronic device that is generally portable in size and nature. Accordingly, a user may transport a mobile device with relative ease. Examples of mobile devices include pagers, cellular phones, feature phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cameras, tablet computers, phone-tablet hybrid devices, laptop computers, netbooks, ultrabooks, global positioning satellite (GPS) navigation devices, in-dash automotive components, media players, watches and the like. 
         [0019]    A “computing device” is an electronic device, such as, for example, a computer, a server or components thereof. The computing device can be maintained by entities such as financial institutions, corporations, governments, and/or the like. The computing device may generally contain a memory or other storage device for housing programming instructions, data or information regarding a plurality of users, such as, for example, contact information, personal information, account information, account balances, account numbers and service login information. The computing device may also have data regarding product inventories, billing information, purchase order information, contracts, bills of sale, and/or the like. The data may optionally be contained on a database, which is stored in the memory or other storage device. The data may optionally be secured by any method now known or later developed for securing data. The computing device may further be in operable communication with one or more electronic devices, such as, for example, the mobile devices described herein. The communication between the computing device and each of the mobile devices may further be secured by any method now known or later developed for securing transmissions or other forms of communication. The computing device may further contain a registry of “authorized users” wherein the authorized users are users that have registered to use the systems and methods described herein. Users may obtain “authorized user” status by, for example, providing contact information, account information, and/or the like. 
         [0020]    A “symbology” is a pattern, a symbol, an image or the like, as well as portions and combinations thereof, that is displayed on a substrate, such as, for example, the display depicted in  FIG. 1 . The symbology provides an optical, electronically-readable encoded representation of data. Symbologies can include, without limitation, one-dimensional barcodes, two-dimensional (2D) barcodes or three-dimensional barcodes. Examples of two-dimensional barcodes include data matrix codes, quick response codes, Aztec codes, Maxi codes and the like. Symbologies can also include letters, numbers, punctuation and other symbols. The symbology may be displayed on a display and may be of any geometric shape or size. In this document, the terms “barcode” or “matrix code” may be used in the examples, but the term is intended to include any type of symbology. 
         [0021]    An “application environment” is an embodiment of programming instructions that direct the various components of each electronic device to execute a plurality of steps, such as those described in more detail in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The application environment, when contained in a mobile device, may be referred to as a “mobile application environment.” Similarly, the application environment, when contained in a computing device, may be referred to as a “computing application environment.” The mobile application environment may be a software application or the like, such as a smartphone “app.” The mobile application environment may generally provide a means for reading, decoding, encoding and communicating the data encoded by a symbology. The computing application environment may generally provide a means for communicating with each mobile device, a means for reading, translating and transmitting data, and a means for completing other tasks, as described in greater detail herein. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a mobile device, generally designated  100 , according to an embodiment. The mobile device may have a first face  105  and a second face  115 . The first face  105  may have a display  110 . The display  110  may generally be a component for displaying images, text, video and the like. Examples of displays may include, but are not limited to, electroluminescent displays, electronic paper displays, vacuum fluorescent displays, light emitting diode (LED) displays, cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, liquid crystal (LCD) displays, plasma display panels, digital light processing (DLP) displays, and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. 
         [0023]    The mobile device  100  may be configured to generate a symbology and/or display the generated symbology on the display  110 , as described in more detail herein. The mobile device  100  may generate the symbology by using any methods now known or later developed for creating and encoding symbologies. Alternatively, the mobile device  100  may receive the symbology from another mobile device and/or a computing device. 
         [0024]    The mobile device  100  may further have one or more user interface components  120 , which may be positioned on any face of the device, including, but not limited to, the first face  105  and the second face  115 . The one or more user interface components  120  may generally be configured to elicit one or more commands to the mobile device  100  when actuated. Examples of user interface components  120  may include keypads, switches, buttons and/or the like. 
         [0025]    As an alternative to, or in conjunction with the one or more user interface components  120 , the display  110  may further include a touch sensitive screen, wherein the touch sensitive screen may act as a user interface component. The touch sensitive screen may receive contact based inputs from a user, such as from a user&#39;s fingers. The touch sensitive screen may be adapted for gesture control, thus allowing for a user to tap, pinch, swipe or provide other similar gestures to elicit commands to the mobile device  100 . The touch sensitive screen may further be capable of sending touch commands to the processing device. Examples of touch sensitive screens may include, but are not limited to, resistive touchscreens, capacitive touchscreens, infrared touchscreens and/or other technologies now known or later developed. The mobile device  100  may also be adapted to receive commands via body gestures, voice, audio signals, device movement and/or the like. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a third face  150  of the mobile device  100 , according to an embodiment. The third face  150  may generally have an optical component  160 . The third face  150  may also optionally have an audio component  155  and/or an illumination component  165 . 
         [0027]    The optical component  160  may be any suitable component capable of receiving an optical image and transmitting image information to other components of the mobile device  100  for processing, such as, for example, a camera. The optical component  160  may further have an ability to adjust its focal length and aperture in such a manner that would allow it to zoom and properly focus upon an intended object to be imaged. Such ability may be through mechanical components (such as an optical zoom) or programming (such as a digital zoom). This adjustment may define an “optimal focal distance,” or a range of distances in which the mobile device  100  may be properly positioned from the intended object to be imaged to achieve a clear image. 
         [0028]    While the optical component  160  is depicted on the rear face of the present example, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the optical component  160  may be positioned at any location on or in any face of the mobile device  100 , or may even be external to the mobile device  100  and connected by any means of communication, including, but not limited to, physical cable communication such as universal serial bus (USB), wireless radio communication, wireless light communication, or near field communication technology. 
         [0029]    The optical component  160  may further be configured to receive an optical image on the display of another mobile device, such as, for example, a symbology displayed on the display of the other mobile device, as described in greater detail herein. 
         [0030]    The optional illumination component  165  may be utilized in any light conditions to assist the optical component  160  in completing any of the tasks described herein. Additionally, the illumination component  165  may be independently activated to turn on or off at specific points in time, such as when additional lighting is necessary to capture an ideal image. Other features of the illumination component  165  may include dimming, strobe, constant on and/or the like. 
         [0031]    The illumination component  165  may contain any suitable light source capable of providing illumination, including, but not limited to, magnesium-based flashes, xenon-based flashes, fulminate-containing flashes, light-emitting diode (LED) flashes and the like. While the present figure depicts the illumination component  165  as being integrated with the mobile device  100 , it may be appreciated that the illumination component  165  may be a separate component in communication with the mobile device  100 , such as USB based flashes, hot shoe based flashes, remote slave flash units, or other similar devices. 
         [0032]    The optional audio component  155  may be adapted to emit audio tones and signals. Such audio tones and signals may be used to instruct the user to complete various steps as described herein, and may further indicate to the user that an image has been received by the optical component  160  by emitting a beep, click or other audio signal. Additionally, the audio component  155  may be adapted to receive audio signals. Such audio signals may include, for example, voice commands from a user. 
         [0033]    The mobile device  100  may further have an ability to connect to a communications network, as described in  FIG. 4  herein. The types of communications networks that may be used in accordance with this disclosure are not limited in any manner, and may include any communications network now known or later developed. For example a communications networks may include, but is not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area networks (LAN), a wireless local area networks (WLAN), a storage area networks (SAN) and/or the like. 
         [0034]    The configuration of the mobile device  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is merely an example of a mobile device, and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations and embodiments will be possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  depicts an example of a symbology, generally designated  300 , that may be used in accordance with an embodiment. The symbology  300  may be displayed, for example, on the display  110  of the mobile device  100  ( FIG. 1 ) or affixed to a substrate. 
         [0036]    The symbology  300  may be generated by a mobile device  100 , or may be generated by any other electronic device, such as for example, a computing device. In instances where the symbology  300  is generated by anything other than the mobile device  100 , it may be transmitted to the mobile device  100  for further use, such as for display upon the display  110  ( FIG. 1 ), addition to other documents and/or elements, or for scanning, reading or decoding. 
         [0037]    The symbology  300  may be encoded with data that may generally be used by a computing device to gain access to secured information. Examples of secured information may include, but are not limited to, information regarding a user&#39;s banking account, an amount of money to be sent and/or received, a date and time of transmission of money for future payments, and/or the like. The symbology  300  may further be encoded with other data, such as, for example, information regarding a product or a service, information regarding a payee, purchase payment information, information about a bill and purchase order information. 
         [0038]    The information encoded in the symbology  300  may further be encrypted. In instances where the information encoded in the symbology  300  is encrypted, the symbology  300  may only be read by certain symbology reading devices and/or applications, such as those that contain or maintain access to an encryption key or another similar means for decrypting the information encoded in the symbology  300 . Encryption may be completed by any encryption method now known or later developed. Examples of encryption may include, but are not limited to, manual encryption, transparent encryption, symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption and the like. 
         [0039]    As an alternative to being encrypted, the symbology  300  may be readable by any symbology reading device and/or application. However, the information encoded within the symbology  300  may appear to a user of the symbology reading device and/or application as a random placement of characters, numbers, symbols and the like. However, if the symbology  300  is read using the application environment, the application environment may recognize the characters, numbers, symbols and the like and may perform or complete tasks accordingly, as described in more detail herein. 
         [0040]    The symbology  300  may be a standalone image, or may be incorporated within another object, such as, for example, an additional image, text, icons and/or the like. In instances where the symbology  300  is incorporated within another object, the other object may provide at least a portion of the information encoded by the symbology  300 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of communications between one or more electronic devices and one or more computing devices. A communications network  400  may serve as an information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components. The communications network is not limited by this disclosure, and may include any communications network now known or later developed. Examples of communications networks may include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, wired networks and wireless networks. One or more electronic devices  405 , such as mobile devices, computing devices and the like may connect to the communications network  400 . In embodiments where a plurality of electronic devices  405  are connected to the communications network  400 , each electronic device  405  may be configured to communicate with other electronic devices via the communications network  400 . A computing device  415  may also be connected to the communications network  400 , and may optionally connect through the use of one or more communications ports  410 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram of illustrative internal hardware that may be used to contain or implement program instructions, such as the process steps discussed herein in reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , according to embodiments. A bus  500  serves as the main information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components of the hardware. CPU  505  is the central processing unit of the system, performing calculations and logic operations required to execute a program. CPU  505 , alone or in conjunction with one or more of the other elements disclosed in  FIG. 5 , is an illustrative processing device, computing device or processor as such terms are used within this disclosure. Read only memory (ROM)  510  and random access memory (RAM)  515  constitute illustrative memory devices (i.e., processor-readable non-transitory storage media). 
         [0043]    A controller  520  interfaces with one or more optional memory devices  525  to the system bus  500 . These memory devices  525  may include, for example, an external or internal DVD drive, a CD ROM drive, a hard drive, flash memory, a USB drive or the like. As indicated previously, these various drives and controllers are optional devices. 
         [0044]    Program instructions, software or interactive modules for providing the interface and performing any querying or analysis associated with one or more data sets may be stored in the ROM  510  and/or the RAM  515 . Optionally, the program instructions may be stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a compact disk, a digital disk, flash memory, a memory card, a USB drive, an optical disc storage medium, such as a Blu-ray™ disc, and/or other non-transitory storage media. 
         [0045]    An optional display interface  530  may permit information from the bus  500  to be displayed on the display  535  in audio, visual, graphic or alphanumeric format. Communication with external devices, such as a print device, may occur using various communication ports  540 . An illustrative communication port  540  may be attached to a communications network, such as the Internet or an intranet. 
         [0046]    The hardware may also include an interface  545  which allows for receipt of data from input devices such as a keyboard  550  or other input device  555  such as a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, a remote control, a pointing device, a video input device and/or an audio input device. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for creating and displaying a symbology used to form a relationship between users according to an embodiment. One or more inputs may be received  605  from a user of the first electronic device. The one or more inputs may be in the form of a physical interaction with the electronic device containing the application environment, such as touching any number of user interface components, a touch screen and/or the like, as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more inputs may be in the form of audio commands, gestures, physical movement of the first electronic device and/or the like. The one or more inputs may generally provide information to the application environment regarding the type of operation to perform, such as a request to transfer relationship information. Additional and/or alternate information may also be provided within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0048]    The application environment on the first electronic device may transmit  610  the request for the relationship information from the one or more inputs to a computing device. The computing device may generate  615  data that corresponds to the request. The data may be, for example, a unique transaction code that allows the computing device to match the symbology and/or the transaction code to the request. In an embodiment, the transaction code may be associated with relationship information stored in a user account associated with the first electronic device or the user of the first electronic device. 
         [0049]    The database may be located in the computing device and may only be accessible via the computing device through the use of secure means of communication, such as encrypted communication. Alternatively or additionally, the database may be in a non-transitory memory in operable communication with the computing device or in a remote computing device and may only be accessible via the computing device through the use of secure means of communication. A portion of the information stored in the database may be secured and only accessible by the computing device, and a portion may be unsecured and accessible by other devices, such as, for example, one or more electronic devices. The secured portion may generally contain sensitive information such as account numbers, sensitive personal information, and the like. The unsecured portion may generally contain non-sensitive information, such as the relationship information permitted to be transmitted according to the teachings of this disclosure. In an embodiment, the relationship information may include one or more of a physical address for the user, a telephone number for the user, a user&#39;s name, an email address for the user, a name of a company at which the user is employed or with which the user is associated, a title for the user and/or the like. 
         [0050]    The application environment on the first electronic device may receive  620  the data from the computing device and may generate  625  a symbology based upon the data. In an alternate embodiment, the symbology may be generated at the computing device and securely transmitted to the first computing device. Generation of the symbology may also involve encoding data that provides an indicator to the computing device to access particular relationship information. 
         [0051]    In an embodiment, the symbology may include one or more of a multi-dimensional bar code and a quick response (QR) code, although other symbologies may also be used within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0052]    The symbology may be displayed  630  on the first electronic device. For example, the symbology may be displayed  630  on a graphical user interface of the first electronic device. Alternately, the symbology may be made available for printing, emailing, or other transmission to another electronic device or a physical medium by the first electronic device. 
         [0053]    In an embodiment, the first electronic device may receive  635  relationship information for a second user from the computing device in response to a second electronic device associated with the second user scanning the displayed symbology, as will be discussed further in reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for scanning a symbology and forming a relationship between users according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a second electronic device may scan  705  the symbology displayed on the first electronic device. This may be accomplished by arranging the second electronic device in such a manner so as to allow the application environment on the second electronic device to scan the symbology. Scanning  705  the symbology may be performed by any method of scanning now known or used in the future. In an alternate embodiment, the second electronic device may scan  705  a symbology from a different medium, such as a physical medium, an electronic display, or the like. 
         [0055]    The symbology may encode data, such as a transaction code associated with relationship information. In particular, the data may be associated with a relationship request initiated by the first electronic device or a first user associated with the first electronic device. The second electronic device may likewise be associated with a second user. 
         [0056]    The second electronic device may decode  710  the data from the symbology. For example, the application environment on the second electronic device may be used to decode  710  the data from the symbology. In an embodiment, the application environment may verify that the symbology satisfies a required format prior to performing the decoding  710  operation. 
         [0057]    The second electronic device may transmit  715  the data to a computing device, such as the computing device discussed above in reference to  FIG. 6 . In an embodiment, the second electronic device may receive an authorization to transmit  715  the data to the computing device prior to transmitting the data. 
         [0058]    The computing device may receive the data and compare  720  the data with one or more transaction codes stored in a database. The transaction codes may each represent a unique identifier that directs the computing device to retrieve relationship information for the first user. More particularly, the transaction code may be used to identify the relationship information associated with first user. 
         [0059]    In an embodiment, the computing device may associate  725  the relationship information for the first user with a user account for the second user and the relationship information for the second user with a user account for the first user. The computing device may perform this operation by using the data representing the transaction code to identify the first user and the transmission of the data from the second electronic device to identify the second user. Accordingly, relationship information associated with the first and second users may be associated with the other account as part of, for example, a contact list. Other methods of associating  725  the relationship information for the respective users or establishing a relationship for the users within the computing device will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings of this disclosure. In an embodiment, the relationship information of the first user may include one or more of a physical address, a telephone number, a name, and an email address associated with the user of the first electronic device. In an embodiment, the relationship information of the second user may include one or more of a physical address, a telephone number, a name, and an email address associated with the user of the second electronic device. 
         [0060]    In an embodiment, the computing device may transmit  730  the relationship information associated with the first user to the second electronic device. The second electronic device may receive the relationship information associated with the first user and store  735  it in a local contact list, synchronize the relationship information associated with the first user, or the like. 
         [0061]    In an embodiment, the computing device may transmit  740  the relationship information associated with the second user to the first electronic device. The first electronic device may receive the relationship information associated with the second user and store  745  it in a local contact list, synchronize the relationship information associated with the second user, or the like. 
         [0062]    In an embodiment, if either the first user or the second user updates their relationship information with the computing device, the association at the computing device may cause the updated relationship information to be transmitted to the electronic device associated with the other user. 
         [0063]    Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.