Messaging systems for sharing location specific information

• US 10,178,507 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2017
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TipTags, Inc.
• Original Assignee: TipTags, Inc.
• Inventors: Roberts, Timothy G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sarwar, Babar
• Application Number:
  US15/475,923
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented messaging system for sharing location specific information. Users of the messaging system may provide a message about a specific location. The message can be displayed as a tag. The messaging system can comprise a map-based interface, and a plurality of tags on the map-based interface. The tags may be (i) positioned adjacent to a specific location and (ii) oriented to point towards the specific location. The tags may be configured to display at least a portion of a message about the specific location.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for sharing location specific information, comprising:

(a) receiving, over a computer network, at a messaging system programmed to facilitate sharing of location specific information, a first message about a first location from a first user;

(b) providing, to said first user, a first tag for display on a map-based interface, wherein said first tag displays at least a portion of said first message, wherein said map-based interface displays to said first user a map containing said first location;

(c) receiving, from said first user, a position instruction and an orientation instruction for placement of said first tag on said map-based interface, wherein said first tag is (i) positioned adjacent to said first location in accordance with said position instruction, and (ii) oriented to point towards said first location in accordance with said orientation instruction, which orientation instruction permits placement of said first tag along an orientation selected by said first user; and

(d) providing, over said computer network by said messaging system, (i) said first tag placed on said map-based interface for display to a second user, which first tag is placed on said map-based interface according to said position and orientation instructions from said first user, (ii) and a second tag placed on said map-based interface for display to said second user, wherein said second tag displays at least a portion of a second message about said first location, and wherein said first tag and said second tag have different positions and different orientations on said map-based interface.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at said messaging system, a first rating of said first message from said second user.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining, by said messaging system, an aggregate rating of said first message, wherein said aggregate rating is a compilation of all individual ratings received for said first message from users of said messaging system, including said first rating.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said first tag displays at least said aggregate rating of said first message.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said aggregate rating is a numerical score.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first message comprises at least a title of said first message and a category and/or a description of said first location.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said first tag displays at least one of (i) said title of said first message and (ii) said category of said first location.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said first tag is displayed with a first color, wherein said first color is determined based at least in part on said category of said first location.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a connection between said first user and said second user in said messaging system, wherein said connection is initiated by either said first user or said second user, and wherein said connection is stored in said messaging system.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a current location of said second user for display to said second user on said map-based interface.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing, on said map-based interface, direction instructions between said current location of said second user and said first location.

12. The method claim 1, further comprising providing, on said map-based interface, direction instructions between said first location and a second location.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing all of said first message, for display to said second user, upon a request by said second user to said messaging system.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising machine-executable code that, upon execution by one or more computer processors, implements a method for sharing location specific information, said method comprising:

(a) receiving, over a computer network, at a messaging system programmed to facilitate sharing of location specific information, a first message about a first location from a first user;

(b) providing, to said first user, a first tag for display on a map-based interface, wherein said first tag displays at least a portion of said first message, wherein said map-based interface displays to said first user a map containing said first location;

(c) receiving, from said first user, a position instruction and an orientation instruction for placement of said first tag on said map-based interface, wherein said first tag is (i) positioned adjacent to said first location in accordance with said position instruction, and (ii) oriented to point towards said first location in accordance with said orientation instruction, which orientation instruction permits placement of said first tag along an orientation selected by said first user; and

(d) providing, over said computer network by said messaging system, (i) said first tag placed on said map-based interface for display to a second user, which first tag is placed on said map-based interface according to said position and orientation instructions from said first user, (ii) and a second tag placed on said map-based interface for display to said second user, wherein said second tag displays at least a portion of a second message about said first location, and wherein said first tag and said second tag have different positions and different orientations on said map-based interface.

15. A system for sharing location specific information, said system comprising:

a communications interface in communication with a first electronic device of a first user and a second electronic device of a second user over a computer network; and

one or more computer processors operatively coupled to said communications interface, wherein said one or more computer processors are individually or collectively programmed to;

(a) receive, over said computer network, a first message about a first location from said first user;

(b) provide, to said first user, a first tag for display on a map-based interface, wherein said first tag displays at least a portion of said first message, wherein said map-based interface displays to said first user a map containing said first location;

(c) receive, from said first user, a position instruction and an orientation instruction for placement of said first tag on said map-based interface, wherein said first tag is (i) positioned adjacent to said first location in accordance with said position instruction, and (ii) oriented to point towards said first location in accordance with said orientation instruction, which orientation instruction permits placement of said first tag along an orientation selected by said first user; and

(d) providing, over said computer network by said messaging system, (i) said first tag placed on said map-based interface for display to a second user, which first tag is placed on said map-based interface according to said position and orientation instructions from said first user, (ii) and a second tag placed on said map-based interface for display to said second user, wherein said second tag displays at least a portion of a second message about said first location, and wherein said first tag and said second tag have different positions and different orientations on said map-based interface.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said one or more computer processors are individually or collectively programmed to establish a connection between said first user and said second user in said system, wherein said connection is initiated by either said first user or said second user, and wherein said connection is stored in said system.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said one or more computer processors are individually or collectively programmed to provide a current location of said second user for display to said second user on said map-based interface.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said one or more computer processors are individually or collectively programmed to provide, on said map-based interface, direction instructions between said first location and a second location.