Abstract:
A graphical user interface for an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device has a display, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory. The graphical user interface displays a multilayered icon on the display of the electronic device. The multilayered icon is displayed at a location on a location screen, the location being a geographical representation of a user of the electronic device. The multilayered icon has a plurality of indicating portions that indicate a plurality of user-selected preferences of the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The disclosed embodiments relate generally to programs for electronic devices having graphical user interfaces for displaying data. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Social networking and electronic dating applications have not changed in their basic functions and presentation for several years. Social networking applications typically offer the following functionality: (1) searchable databases containing user-entered identifying characteristics; (2) user profile pages containing user images and identifying characteristics of the user; (3) location arrival notifications; and (4) user-to-user messaging. 
         [0003]    Meanwhile, electronic dating applications typically offer the following functionality: (1) searchable databases containing user-entered identifying characteristics; (2) user profile pages containing user images and identifying characteristics of the user; and (4) user-to-user messaging. 
         [0004]    The typical social networking and electronic dating applications are inherently limited in their ability to couple real-time electronic communication with the potential for instant face-to-face interaction. For example, a user of a social networking or electronic dating application may initiate a message while the user is in a public setting and engaged in a public activity. The recipient of the message may reply, and the communicating users may arrange for a face-to-face interaction through a series of messages. There is inherent delay in such a system with regard to achieving a face-to-face interaction. Further, even in existing social networking applications, where users may view the location data of another user, the location data is: 1) limited in scope; and 2) limited to location data of a user&#39;s pre-defined friends. 
         [0005]    The following are several of the major shortcomings in typical social networking and electronic dating applications today: limited ability to interact with users who are not part of a predetermined friend list; limited data available for users that are not a predetermined friend; limited location data; limited, or no, possibility of instant face-to-face interaction; and limited user data on a real-time map. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,223,134, entitled “Portable Electronic Device, Method, And Graphical User Interface For Displaying Electronic Lists and Documents” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, as well as the applications referenced therein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention relates to computer-implemented methods and graphical user interfaces for displaying, manipulating, and grouping user-data in an application for social networking or dating. The methods and interfaces disclosed herein may be performed by and displayed on any computer, such as a desktop, laptop, PDA, smart phone, and wearable or otherwise transportable computing device. In some embodiments, the computing device has a touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen”) with a graphical user interface, one or more processors, memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performing multiple functions. 
         [0008]    The invention relates to computer-implemented methods and graphical user interfaces for displaying, manipulating, and grouping user-data in an application for social networking or dating. The methods and interfaces disclosed herein may be performed by and displayed on any computer, such as a desktop, laptop, PDA, smart phone, and wearable or otherwise transportable computing device. In some embodiments, the computing device has a touch-sensitive display (also referred to as a “touch screen”) with a graphical user interface, one or more processors, memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performing multiple functions. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of the invention, a graphical user interface for an electronic device, the electronic device having a display, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory, is provided. The graphical user interface comprises a multilayered icon displayed on the display of the electronic device. The multilayered icon is displayed at a location on a location screen, the location being a geographical representation of a user of the electronic device. The multilayered icon has a plurality of indicating portions indicating a plurality of user-selected preferences of the user. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the invention, a multilayered icon is displayed in a graphical user interface of an application being executed on one of the aforementioned computing devices. This multilayered icon addresses the problem of the current state of the art in that there is limited data available to a user of an application who is interested in other users that are previously known or are not a predetermined friend. In a typical social networking program that utilizes a user location display, the visual representation of a user is limited to a single layer of icon, such as a pin point or colored dot. This can lead to the undesirable situation where a first user, who is viewing the location data of a second user being displayed on a map, lacks the requisite information to decide whether to initiate a face-to-face meeting with the second user. 
         [0011]    To address this problem, the first aspect of the present invention provides a multilayered icon displayed in a graphical user interface of an application being executed on a computing device. This multilayered icon is further viewable on a location screen that may be a physical map, virtual map, or augmented reality map. The map may be increased or decreased in resolution and scale, and is preferably a size for viewing a single city block or even a single physical establishment, such as a restaurant, bar, or other private or public gathering place. The multilayered icon preferably may represent a plurality of user preferences through a plurality of layers, colors, and/or geometric shapes. Preferably, the multilayered icon is comprised of three layers, with a layer displaying a user&#39;s gender, another layer displaying user&#39;s sexual preferences, and another layer displaying a user&#39;s relationship preferences. 
         [0012]    The multilayered icon thus displays on a graphical user interface a first user&#39;s preferences to at least a second user of the application. In this manner, the multilayered icon of the first user provides a concise summary of that first user to any second user of the application. Thus the second user of the application, utilizing this graphical user interface with a multilayered icon, will possess the requisite information to decide whether to initiate a face-to-face meeting with the first user. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for manipulating the multilayered icon displayed in the graphical user interface of an application being executed on one of the aforementioned computing devices. This method addresses the problem of the current state of the art in that there is no manner in which to alter, in real-time, a user&#39;s location icon, that is viewable on a location screen. In a typical social networking program that utilizes a user location screen, a user&#39;s location icon is limited to a single layer of icon, such as a pin point or colored dot. This icon is further limited in that it that displays static information about the user. This lack of flexibility can lead to the undesirable situation where a user of the application, who is transmitting location data to other users via a location screen, lacks the ability to transmit dynamic information about changed preferences to the other users of the application. 
         [0014]    To address this problem, another aspect of the present invention provides a method for dynamically selecting user information to be displayed as a multilayered icon and dynamically displaying an updated multilayered icon. As previously discussed, the multilayered icon is viewable on a location screen that may be a physical map, a virtual map, or an augmented reality map. The method comprises a step of presenting a user with a plurality of user preferences that correspond to preferences that can be displayed as layers of a multilayered icon. For example, the user may be presented with a choice of gender options, a sexual preference options, and a relationship preference options. The method comprises a step of accepting a user selection of at least one of a plurality of user preferences. The step of accepting the user selection may be accomplished by any interface means, such as touch screen, keyboard, mouse, eye-tracking indication, or verbal input. The method further comprises a step of storing the user selection in computer memory. Another step of the method is updating the multilayered icon with the user selection. An additional step to the method may involve displaying the user selection in a highlighted manner until a user makes a new, mutually exclusive selection, or de-selects a previous selection. 
         [0015]    In this manner, the method of this aspect of the invention allows for dynamic manipulation of the multilayered icon as a user&#39;s real-time interests change. 
         [0016]    In yet another aspect of the invention, another method is provided for manipulating the multilayered icon displayed on one of the aforementioned computing devices. This method addresses the problem of the current state of the art in that there is no manner in which to view, manipulate, and group, in real-time, data related to a user&#39;s location icon being viewed on a location screen. In a typical social networking program that utilizes a user location display, a user&#39;s location icon is limited to a single layer of icon, such as a pin point or colored dot, that displays static information which is further not able to be manipulated on the location display. This can lead to the undesirable situation where a first user of an application, who is viewing the location icon of a second user on a map, lacks the ability to view characteristics of that second user and then manipulate the information related to the second user. 
         [0017]    To address this problem, another aspect of the present invention provides a method of displaying a first user&#39;s multilayered icon, allowing a second user to view the characteristics of a first user by interacting with the multilayered icon, and further allowing the second user to manipulate and group those characteristics. As previously discussed, the multilayered icon is viewable on a location. The method comprises the step of displaying a multilayered icon of a first user. The method further comprises a step of accepting a selection of the multilayered icon by a second user. The step of accepting the second user&#39;s selection may be accomplished by any interface means, such as receiving an input through touch screen, keyboard, mouse, eye-tracking indication, or verbal input. The method comprises another step of storing the second user&#39;s selection. The method further comprises the step of displaying at least one stored characteristic of the first user in response to the selection. This stored characteristic of the first user is preferably an image of the first user, but may be any data such as age, distance, etc. The image of the first user is further preferably an image associated with a profile screen of the first user. The method comprises another step of accepting a manipulating input by the second user. This manipulating input is preferably in the form of a finger touch to a touch screen display and subsequent drag of the stored characteristic toward a designated area. However, in other applications, audible commands, eye-tracking, mouse gesturing, or other physical inputs may alternatively be used as the means for the manipulating input. The method comprises another step of retaining the manipulated stored characteristic in the designated area. In the preferred embodiment, the designated area is a peripheral panel where the stored characteristic is an image and the designated area may retain the images of multiple users whose characteristics have been dragged into the designated area. 
         [0018]    An additional step to the method discussed above may involve accepting a second manipulating input from the second user to remove a stored characteristic from the designated area. The second manipulating input may be of any form previously discussed first manipulating input. In the preferred embodiment, this second manipulating input is in the form of a finger touch to a touch screen display and subsequent drag of the stored characteristic away from the designated area. 
         [0019]    A further optional step to the method discussed above may involve accepting a second selection from the second user of at least one stored characteristic retained in the designated area. The application then highlights the stored characteristic in response to the second selection. The application further includes the step of presenting a communication icon. Selection of the communication icon by the second user enables a communication to be transmitted from the second user to any other user associated with the highlighted characteristic. 
         [0020]    In this manner, the method of this aspect of the present invention allows for dynamic presentation of a stored user characteristic, associated to a multilayered icon, and subsequent manipulation of the stored user characteristic. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a user interface for displaying an access screen for an application on an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first user interface for creating a multilayered icon in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second user interface for creating a multilayered icon in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates a third user interface for creating a multilayered icon in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates a fourth user interface for creating a multilayered icon in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a user interface for creating a user identity in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates a user interface for assigning a user photograph in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates a user interface for creating a user profile in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  illustrates another user interface for creating a user profile in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  illustrates a tutorial screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  illustrates a messaging screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  illustrates a location screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  illustrates a first profile screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  illustrates a second profile screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  illustrates a home screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  illustrates a message board screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  illustrates a search screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  illustrates an entry screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  illustrates a method of displaying a multilayered icon in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  illustrates a method of displaying user information in a designated area in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  illustrates a message screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  illustrates another location screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  illustrates a home screen of a user in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  illustrates another location screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0045]      FIG. 25  illustrates another messaging screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0046]      FIG. 26  illustrates another search screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0047]      FIG. 27  illustrates another creation screen for a multilayered icon in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0048]      FIG. 28  illustrates another location screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0049]      FIG. 29  illustrates another profile screen in accordance with some embodiments; 
           [0050]      FIG. 30  illustrates another profile screen in accordance with some embodiments; and 
           [0051]      FIG. 31  illustrates another home screen in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , exemplary tutorial screens  100 ,  110 ,  120 , and  130  for guiding a user to create a multilayered icon is provided. The components of the multilayered icon are displayed on a graphical user interface of an application being executed by a computer, such as a desktop, laptop, PDA, smart phone, and wearable or otherwise transportable computing device. Preferably, the application is a social networking or electronic dating application on a transportable computing device. An example of a preferred embodiment of the multilayered icon  102  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The multilayered icon  102  is representative of at least one user of the application. This multilayered icon  102  is further viewable on a location screen (e.g.,  104  in  FIG. 12 ,  106  in  FIG. 22 ) that may be a physical map, virtual map, or augmented reality. The map may be increased or decreased in resolution and scale, and is preferably a size for viewing a single city block or even a single physical establishment such as a dwelling, bar, restaurant, etc. 
         [0053]    The multilayered icon  102  preferably may represent a plurality of user characteristics through a plurality of layers, colors, and/or geometric shapes. Preferably, the multilayered icon  102  is comprised of three layers or indicating portions, with one gender component  108  graphically displaying a user&#39;s gender (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), a sexual preference portion  112  graphically displaying a user&#39;s sexual preference (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), and a relationship preference portion  114  graphically displaying a user&#39;s relationship preference portion (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The application displaying the multilayered icon  102  accepts user selections relating to the each portion and thus compiles or displays the multilayered icon  102  accordingly. The multilayered icon  102  thus displays, in a graphical user interface, a first user&#39;s characteristics to at least a second user of the application. In this manner, the multilayered icon  102  of a user provides a concise summary of that user to any other users of the application. 
         [0054]    It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the illustrated embodiments of the multilayered icon need not be limited to a particular color, geometric shape, number of layers, or particular layering order or arrangement. The multilayered icon need not be composed of discrete “layers” when displayed in the graphical user interface, per se, and may in turn be composed of discrete portion residing in the displayed layer, such as portions of a single image file or multiple image files, in the graphical user interface so as to form a composite icon. 
         [0055]    A first method  200  for manipulating the multilayered icon displayed on a graphical user interface of an application being executed by a computer, such as a desktop, laptop, PDA, smart phone, and wearable or otherwise transportable computing device is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . The computing device may include a processor coupled, computer memory, a memory controller, RF circuitry, and a display as mentioned above. The method comprises a step of displaying a plurality of user preferences  202  that correspond to preferences that can be displayed as layers of a multilayered icon. For example, the user may be presented with a choice of gender options, a sexual preference options, and a relationship preference options. The method comprises a step of accepting a user selection  204  of at least one of a plurality of user preferences. The step of accepting the user selection may be accomplished by any interface means, such as touch screen, keyboard, mouse, eye-tracking indication, or verbal input. The method further comprises a step of storing the user selection  206  in computer memory of the computer executing the application. Another step of the method is updating the multilayered icon  208  with the user selection. The step of updating the multilayered icon is performed by the processor of the computer and is preferably transmitted to a centralized server that in turn transmits the updated icon information to other users executing the application. An additional step to the method may involve displaying the user selection in a highlighted manner  210  until a user makes a new, mutually exclusive selection, or de-selects a previous selection  212 , and further removing the highlight  214  associated with the first user selection. 
         [0056]    Another method  240 , illustrated by way of flow diagram in  FIG. 20 , allows for manipulation of the multilayered icon displayed on one of the aforementioned computing devices. This method of displays a first user&#39;s multilayered icon, allowing a second user to view the characteristics of a first user by interacting with the multilayered icon, and further allows the second user to manipulate and group those characteristics. The method comprises the step of displaying a multilayered icon  242  of a first user. The method further comprises a step of accepting a selection of the multilayered icon  244  by a second user. The step of accepting the second user&#39;s selection may be accomplished by any interface means, such as receiving an input through touch screen, keyboard, mouse, eye-tracking indication, or verbal input. The method comprises another step of storing the second user&#39;s selection  246 . The method further comprises the step of displaying at least one stored characteristic of the first user in response to the selection  248 . This stored characteristic of the first user is preferably an image  250  of the first user, as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 12 ,  22 , and  24  but could be any data related to the first user, such as location, age, etc. The image  250  of the first user is further preferably an image associated with a profile overview screen  252  illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 15 and 29 , or a second or full profile screen  254  illustrated in  FIG. 14 ) of the first user. The method comprises another step of accepting a manipulating input  256  by the second user. This manipulating input is preferably in the form of a finger touch to a touch screen display and subsequent drag  258  of the stored characteristic toward a designated area as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . However, in other applications, audible commands, eye-tracking, mouse gesturing, or other physical inputs used to manipulate the displayed stored characteristic may alternatively be used for the manipulating input. The method comprises another step of retaining the manipulated stored characteristic  260  in a designation area. In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  22 , and  24 , the designation area is a peripheral panel  262  where the stored characteristic is an image of the first user and the designation area may retain the images of multiple users associated to other stored characteristics. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , an additional step to the method  240  discussed above may involve accepting a second manipulating input  264  from the second user to remove a stored characteristic from the designation area. The second manipulating input  264  may be of any form previously discussed first manipulating input  256 . In the preferred embodiment, this second manipulating input  264  is in the form of a finger touch to a touch screen display and subsequent drag of the stored characteristic away from the designation area. 
         [0058]    A further optional step to the method  240  discussed above may involve accepting a second selection  266  from the second user of at least one stored characteristic retained in the designated area. The application then highlights the stored characteristic  268  in response to the second selection. The application further includes the step of presenting a communication icon  270 . Selection of the communication icon by the second user  272  enables a communication to be transmitted  274  to any user associated with the highlighted characteristic. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a user may have a limited or first profile  300  and an expanded or second profile  310 . Access to the second profile  310  may be controlled via an invite key icon  314  that allows a first user to enable a second user to view the first user&#39;s profile. The invite key  314  is a means, which may be represented by any graphical icon, to allow a third party to view a user&#39;s profile without requiring that the user designate the third party as a trusted party or friend. An additional feature is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , which is the rating indicator  318  for users of the application disclosed in  FIGS. 1-31 . The rating indicator  318  incorporates a plurality of flags that serve as warnings for users of the application. A flag may be applied by a user of the system in the limited profile screen  300  or full profile screen  310 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 ,  17 , and  26 , the application disclosed herein preferably integrates a traditional searchable profile database with a location display data via a variety of displayed filtering icons  320  and fields  324 . Searchable criteria or data preferably includes, but is not limited to, the age, sex, sexual preference, and group or Shynite  330  preference. The Shynite  330  preference is an invitation to join a group of two or more users. Thus a Shynite  330  of two represents two users joined, and consequently searchable, as a group. The Shynite  330  may appear as a plurality of multilayered icons in a group ( FIG. 28 ). 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , the application disclosed herein preferably allows a user to follow a particular post or message of another user via a follow or subscribe link  340 . When a message has been subscribed to by a user, the message will be retained in a tab area  350  ( FIG. 29 ). The user may receive notifications that the subscribed to message has been updated or has received comments from other users. A user may additionally subscribe to photographs and videos posted by any other user. 
         [0062]    The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.