Patent Publication Number: US-2013238645-A1

Title: System and Method for Facilitating a Spontaneous Social Meeting

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of social networking. More specifically, the present invention comprises a system and method for facilitating a spontaneous meeting between two or more individuals. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Individuals utilize social media networks for various purposes, both personal and business. For example, numerous networks provide dating services, job placement services or simply a method to keep in touch with other individuals. 
     The increasing popularity of these networks has modified social behaviors to the extent that individuals communicate differently, meet in different manners and businesses thus advertise and reach out to consumers using new methods. While social networks provide for increased contact between individuals oftentimes that contact is briefer and less personal. 
     Many social networking sites are designed at connecting individuals using user-identified traits and/or preferences. Thus, these sites allow users to browse information about other individuals and initiate contact only if both parties are interested in beginning on on-line communication. Other sites collect information from all users and use a program to match users together based on whether they have compatible interests or opinions. While these social networking sites provide the ability for individuals to become connected, the meetings are often prescribed and certainly not spontaneous. A spontaneous meeting often allows individuals the ability to recognize non-verbal cues and avoid awkward meetings by assessing interest quickly. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a method or process to track where individuals with similar interests or goals are located at any given time or date, such that an individual can maximize the chance of meeting a desired individual in a spontaneous manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system and method for providing individuals with the opportunity to meet a desired individual in a spontaneous manner. The computer implemented method comprises the steps of first providing multiple users with computing devices connected to a network or networks, with a graphical user interface to enter information relating to demographic data, such as the relationship status or age group of the user. Second, the users are provided a graphical user interface allowing the entry by the users of locational data (consisting preferably of date/time/place). A database stores the information for later use. The users may search the database by locational data to view a particular place and what demographics will be at the particular place at a given date/time in a report output. The users may also search by demographic data to view where particular users of certain demographics will be located at given date/time. Optional additional demographic data may be collected and used (e.g. age, opinion, interests, etc.). All data is reported in a report output on a graphical user interface for easy viewing by the user. However, identifying data for a specific individual is held confidential. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the flow of information in the present system and method. 
         FIG. 2  is a chart illustrating the user steps of the present system and method. 
         FIG. 3  is a screen shot view of a graphical interface illustrating a step within the present system and method. 
         FIG. 4  is a screen shot view of a graphical interface illustrating a step within the present system and method. 
         FIG. 5  is a screen shot view of a graphical interface illustrating a step within the present system and method. 
         FIG. 6  is a screen shot view of a graphical interface illustrating a step within the present system and method. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating the hardware components of the present system and method. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10 present system 
                 12 computer system 
               
               
                 14 first location 
                 16 second location 
               
               
                 18 second users 
                 20 first users 
               
               
                 22 third users 
                 24 first graphical user interface 
               
               
                 26 file server 
                 28 first database 
               
               
                 30 second database 
                 32 computing device 
               
               
                 34 locational data input 
                 36 demographic data input 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 38 second graphical user interface 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 40 fourth graphical user interface 
                 42 search data input 
               
               
                 44 calendar icon 
                 46 report output 
               
               
                 48 demographic data field 
                 50 locational data field 
               
               
                 52 search data field 
                 54 entered locational data 
               
               
                 56 third graphical user interface 
                 58 demographic data search input 
               
               
                 60 link 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system and method for identifying where individuals having particular data associated therewith, will be located at any given date or time. The location identification is determined by collecting information from multiple individuals regarding a particular place, date and time. In its simplest embodiment the present system and method identifies all individuals as single or looking for friends and proceeds to collect data regarding the date, time and location where those individuals will be (“locational data”). The program will then allow other individuals to view the locational data associated with a particular number or group of single individuals. In its most complex embodiment the present system and method collects demographic data and associates group demographic data with the locational data. 
     As an example, a simplified graphical representation of data collected in the present system  10  on a given date and time is shown in  FIG. 1 . Computer system  12  is central to the present system  10 . Individuals or “users,”  18 ,  20 ,  22  access computer system  12  to input locational data. First users  20  have selected a first location  14  on a particular date, while second users  18  have selected a second location  16  at the same particular date. A third group of users  22  can use the computer system  12  to view the number of individuals attending either first location  14  or second location  16  at the given date (first and second users  20 ,  18  would also have access to this data). Thus, users can see that there would be  3  single individuals at first location  14  and  6  single individuals at second location  16  on the relevant date. While the system would not reveal the individuals names, the users would be able to maximize their chance of meeting a single individual by attending the second location versus the first location. In an alternate embodiment of the present system  10  additional demographic data would be collected and shown in connection with the locational data. Therefore, for example, using  FIG. 1  as a guide, a user may search the locational data and find that first users  20 , attending first location  14 , range in age from 20-25 while second users  18 , attending second location  16 , range in age from 30-35. Again, this maximizes the opportunity for an individual to meet a desirable single individual in a more spontaneous manner. While the present system is described as benefitting single individuals it should not be limited to this use. As an example, users may be individuals, in a relationship or not, attempting to identify locations wherein a similar age range or other demographic is located for purposes of developing friendships or camaraderie or identifying family friendly locals. This may also apply to a business, wherein an entrepreneur or established company desires to establish a business or target a particular client network based on the specific demographic data established in the present system. 
       FIG. 2  shows generally the steps of the present method. First, the user either registers or signs in to a secure internet location, such as a web-site on a secure server. The user is directed to enter certain demographic data. In this step, the computer system can either verify or assume that the user is a single individual or collect additional information (age, religion, interests, education, food, language, occupation, smoking, drinking, etc). If the computer system collects additional information the program will direct the server to store the information In a first database (further described below). Next, the user can either proceed to enter known locational data (e.g. time and date that the user will attend particular locals), or, alternatively, search locational data to determine where individuals are located on particular dates and/or times. If the user chooses to enter locational data, the system will store that data in a second database, thereby increasing locational data available to all users. Once the user is done entering locational data, the user can move on to search or sign off. If the user chooses to search locational or demographic data the user will run a query identifying the data requested. The system will produce an output of information showing each location in connection with the number of individuals at that location. The personal information of particular individuals will not be displayed. The output can be presented in a number of different graphical formats, but generally, it would be important to show the number of individuals in a particular grouping in connection with a specific location on a specified date and/or time. 
     The present system may be set up such that the user makes payment to the system either upon registering or upon adding particular locations to search. For example, a user could request to have access to 10 locations in a particular area for a set amount of money or 50 locations in a particular area for a greater amount of money. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the present system, tied to its hardware components. Because such a method must be implemented using a computer system, the description and examples focus on the computer-implemented method attached to the hardware components necessary to affect such method. As illustrated, server  26  is a central component to the present system. Server  26  can be any computer usable medium attached to a network with the purpose of storing computer files, such as computer readable code and databases, wherein “workstations” or computing devices  32  which are attached to the network can access such code, information or data. Thus, the term “server” should not be limiting, and should be read to include a file server or web server alike. Computer readable code, preferably stored on server  26  and run on various computing devices  32  enables the implementation of the present method and system for identifying locations wherein multiple individuals are located at a given date and time. The location identification is determined by collecting information regarding a particular place, date and time from multiple individuals using various computing devices  32 . Computing devices  32  can be any type of device used to access the network, wherein the users of such computing devices  32  can enter and retrieve such information. 
     The collection of the necessary information from the user is best facilitated using a graphical user interface such as the ones illustrated in  FIG. 3-6 . First graphical user interface  24  generally includes open input fields, drop-down boxes, drag bars, selectable icons and check boxes for inputting the information. These specific types of input mechanisms are representative of the types of mechanisms that may be used to capture the information, but are in no way exhaustive of the possibilities. As shown in  FIG. 3 , demographic data field  48 , which is a part of first graphical user interface  24 , is displayed to the user, to prompt the user to enter the described information. In the present embodiment the method allows the user to sign in, and collects demographic data inputs  36 , upon sign in or registration. As previously described, the present system could eliminate the demographic data inputs  36 , simply classifying each user upon “sign in” or registration as “single” or “friend.” However, it is preferable, that such user would be classified using demographic data inputs  36  as illustrated. The demographic data inputs  36  can consist of any informational input, such as, education, food, language, interest, occupation, religion, smoking, drinking, etc. Once the user has completed demographic data fields  48 , the system extracts the demographic data inputs  36  and inserts the data into first database  28 , shown in  FIG. 7 . First database  28  stores the demographic data inputs for multiple users. While not illustrated and not integral to the present system and method, the individual&#39;s user name and password inputs (shown in  FIG. 3 ) would also be stored for future access by that individual alone. 
     Upon sign in, the user would be brought to a second user graphical interface  38 , illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a representative screen shot showing the entry of “locational data.” The interface shows the ability to enter a location or search for a particular location to enter. The user would be prompted by location data field  50  to enter locational data input  34  which would include the date and time that the location would be visited. Once “add location” is clicked, the present system and method would collect locational data inputs  34 , storing such inputs to second database  30 , illustrated in  FIG. 7  (while a second database  30  is illustrated for the storage of locational data inputs, the first database  28  could be used as an alternative to store both sets of inputted information). The user is able to view and edit all of the entered locational data  54  on their profile. Thus, the “offline” summary is provided once a user selects “Add Location” in  FIG. 4 . The user can “delete” a specific locational data if the information changes or is incorrect. This profile specific information would not be visible to all users but only used confidentially to compile the anonymous locational data inputs. 
     Incentives may be used to avoid users simply searching the database as opposed to entering locational data inputs  34 . For example, the system may allow users to see more locations upon entering more locations, thus encouraging users to share information about their future “offline” locational data (e.g. wherein “offline locational data” is a particular location that such user will visit at a date and time in the future; this term is not meant to be limited in meaning such that the identified user must be out of the network in order to qualify locational data as “offline”). 
     A screen shot of third graphical user interface  56  showing a simplified version of a search input screen in  FIG. 5 . The search screen could also be configured to be on the same page as the search results screen. As illustrated, the search may consist of selecting whether to search for singles or friends, by the day or hour, by female or male and a demographic data search input  58 . Additionally, if desired, a link  60  could be provided to bring up additional search options for demographic data. When the user clicks on the link  60 , the user brings up a list of demographic data search options, such as occupation, religion, smoking preference, drinking preference, food interests, etc. If selected the search results will specify where users with the selected preference will be located at the given time/date. 
     A screen shot of fourth graphical user interface  40  showing a simplified version of a search input and output from the present system illustrating “single” as the sole searchable demographic data is shown in  FIG. 6 . While  FIG. 5  illustrates a simplified search interface,  FIG. 6  shows a combined search and output. The user searching is able to choose a particular week of a month in search data field  52  for search data inputs  42 . An optional calendar icon  44  can be shown to the right of the week entry field. The user can choose to identify a percentage of individuals or the exact number in connection with the particular location. Upon entering the search criteria, computer readable code runs a report accessing server  26  and databases  28 ,  30  for stored data relating to the search data inputs  42 , shown in  FIG. 7 . As illustrated the number of individuals attending each location based on the particular day of the week is reported in report output  46  in  FIG. 6 . It is in this manner that the user can view locational data relating to a particular class or sub-class of individuals. The report output  46  can include additional information or data, but is generally presented as shown. 
     The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.