Social marketing and networking tool with user matching and content broadcasting / receiving capabilities

• US 20100280904A1
• Filed: 04/30/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sumit Pradeep Ahuja
• Original Assignee: Sumit Pradeep Ahuja
• Inventors: Ahuja, Sumit Pradeep
• Application Number:
  US12/799,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20100280904A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.58
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting

Abstract

A proximity based social marketing tool/device that is free from a physical location and can be used for matching users and broadcasting messages or data to all or selected users in the proximity. These users can be searched by scanning the selected proximity range and/or by defining various keyword criteria'"'"'s. And it utilizes one or more or a combination of various short-range or long-range wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC, TransferJet, Internet, and others. The X-Path device can locate and store user'"'"'s location details in the X-path server, which can be retrieved and used by users to broadcast messages to a specific category of an audience. It also makes for a great Social networking tool and takes the concept of Social Networking from the Internet out to the real Physical World.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for providing point of interests networking and marketing from a first user to target users on wireless devices, the method comprising:

a. Receiving from the first user at the X-path server or user'"'"'s wireless device the user profile;

b. Creating at least one broadcast message at the X-path server, user'"'"'s wireless device, computer or web portal;

c. Setting criteria for message reception and broadcast on the user'"'"'s wireless device, computer, X-path server or web portal;

d. Setting first user predetermined broadcast and reception range on the user'"'"'s wireless device, X-Path server, computer, or web portal;

e. Selecting at least one telecommunications technology for each specific range by said wireless device or X-Path server;

f. Sending and receiving broadcast signals through a cellular network or through a direct wireless connection between wireless devices;

g. Scanning target user'"'"'s profiles for user criteria fulfillment;

h. Receiving target user'"'"'s information;

i. Analyzing said information for criteria matching;

j. Broadcasting at least one social or marketing message to one or more target users within a specified vicinity or proximity to said first user whom fulfill said first user broadcast criteria;

k. Alerting the target user upon matching message criteria of the broadcast message from the first user and

l. Receiving a reply from said target user.

2. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said computer implemented method is utilized for business purposes.

3. A computer implemented method as in claim 2 wherein said first user is a merchant.

4. A computer implemented method as in claim 3 wherein said merchant broadcasts messages from either a wireless device or the X-path Server.

5. A computer implemented method as in claim 4 wherein said merchant utilizes criteria to broadcast target marketing messages.

6. A computer implemented method as in claim 5 wherein said broadcast criteria is received from either the target user'"'"'s wireless device or from the X-path server.

7. A computer implemented method as in claim 5 wherein said criteria is based on geo-tagging information, historical or current locations visited by target users.

8. A computer implemented method as in claim 5 wherein said broadcast criteria is the target user'"'"'s salary, age, sex, experience, profession, work location, vacation trips, travel plans, marriage status, commuter, user'"'"'s word cloud, or automobile owner.

9. A computer implemented method as in claim 5 wherein said criteria is location targeting.

10. A computer implemented method as in claim 4 wherein said message is a offer of promotional, sales or discount information for target users within a specified physical vicinity of a merchant'"'"'s store.

11. A computer implemented method as in claim 10 wherein said promotion includes the merchant allocating a predetermined number of target users to complete a task prior to receiving said promotion.

12. A computer implemented method as in claim 11 wherein said task includes purchasing a certain item or entering the store prior to a predetermined time frame.

13. A computer implemented method as in claim 10 wherein said sales item is loss-leader merchandise.

14. A computer implemented method as in claim 11 wherein said task includes a merchant questionnaire.

15. A computer implemented method as in claim 2 wherein said message is job postings.

16. A computer implemented method as in claim 2 wherein said message is a personal item for sale.

17. A computer implemented method as in claim 16 wherein said personal item is used car, computer, used clothes, antiques or collectables.

18. A computer implemented method as in claim 16 wherein said message is general advertising for target users within a predetermined vicinity to the first user.

19. A computer implemented method as in claim 2 wherein said message is directed marketing for target users with a specific profile details within a predetermined vicinity to the first user.

20. A computer implemented method as in claim 19 wherein said specific profile details which include user profession, likes, current or historical locations visited.

21. A computer implemented method as in claim 5 wherein said broadcast criteria is based upon the target user'"'"'s location information, either historical location visited, frequently visited locations or the current location of the target user, received from either the target user'"'"'s wireless device or the target user'"'"'s profile data residing on the X-path server.

22. A computer implemented method as in claim 2 wherein said target user is notified by said wireless device of message satisfying reception criteria set by the target user or logging said messages for access by the target user at a later time.

23. A computer implemented method as in claim 10 wherein said offer and sale is completed solely on the target user'"'"'s wireless device without the need for physical interaction between users.

24. A computer implemented method as in claim 2 wherein said broadcast criteria is set to business meeting or networking event.

25. A computer implemented method as in claim 24 wherein said localized message is information contained on a business card or the user'"'"'s resume.

26. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said computer implemented method is utilized for personal purposes.

27. A computer implemented method as in claim 26 wherein said first user is focused on finding new friends or romantic relationships based upon predefined criteria.

28. A computer implemented method as in claim 27 wherein said first user'"'"'s broadcast criteria are sex, Geo-Tag information, word cloud, friend cloud, common interest, sexual orientation, race, hair color, height, favorite locations and profession.

29. A computer implemented method as in claim 27 wherein said predefined criteria is common friends or contacts of both the first user and the target user.

30. A computer implemented method as in claim 2 wherein said first user'"'"'s broadcast are predetermined to find matching target users based upon target locations that the target users are visiting or have visited.

31. A computer implemented method as in claim 27 wherein said first user'"'"'s broadcast are predetermined to find matching target users within the same building, neighborhood or relative vicinity.

32. A computer implemented method as in claim 27 wherein sending messages to matching target users.

33. A computer implemented method as in claim 32 wherein said messages include a predetermined greeting, picture, or request for anonymous contact.

34. A computer implemented method as in claim 33 wherein said messages satisfy said target user'"'"'s predefined reception criteria, said user is notified of the message for viewing or viewing at a later date.

35. A computer implemented method as in claim 32 wherein said contact comprises:

instant messaging, text messaging, tweeting, MMS, phone call, friend request, voice message or video conference.

36. A computer implemented method as in claim 35 wherein said completion of initial contact, the first user and target user may choose to meet in person or exchange of personal information.

37. A computer implemented method as in claim 36 wherein said personal information includes a phone number, email address, facebook profile, add friend request or residential address.

38. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein limited range broadcasts and reception comprise of Bluetooth, Near Field Communications, Transferjet, WLAN, infrared signals, radio waves, and microwave signals.

39. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein long range broadcasts and reception comprise of GSM, 2G, 3G, 4G, GPRS, HSPA, HSUPA, HSDPA, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, and WiBro.

40. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said wireless device comprise of a portable computer, Iphone, cellular phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, laptop, iPad, tablet PC and netbook.

41. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said first user may manually initiate a proximity scan to locate target users of interest.

42. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said target user information is synced onto the X-path server, social networking websites, database, or address management system.

43. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said scanning of proximity of target users comprises:

GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, cellular triangulation, AGPS, and X-path server information.

44. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein criteria matching of the first user and target user consist of comparison of each user'"'"'s word cloud keywords.

45. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said X-path server logs all locations visited by the user.

46. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein said target user X-path server information or device information is synced to the user'"'"'s social networking websites.

47. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein criteria matching of the first user and target user, location data is provided to users.

48. A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein first user and target user communication is carried over either a wireless cellular network or routed directly between the first user'"'"'s device and the target user'"'"'s device without the use of an external network.

49. A computer implemented method for providing point of interests networking and marketing from a first user to target users on wireless devices, the method comprising:

a. Receiving from the first user at the X-path server or user'"'"'s wireless device the user profile;

b. Tracking and logging all locations visited by users on either the wireless device or the X-path server;

c. Creating at least one broadcast message at the X-path server, user'"'"'s wireless device, computer, or web portal;

d. Setting criteria for message reception and broadcast on the user'"'"'s wireless device, X-Path server, computer, or web portal;

e. Said broadcast criteria is the current or past locations visited by the target user;

f. Setting first user predetermined broadcast and reception range on the user'"'"'s wireless device, X-Path server, computer or web portal;

g. Selecting at least one telecommunications technology for each specific range by said wireless device or X-Path server;

h. Sending and receiving broadcast signals through a cellular network or through a direct wireless connection between wireless devices;

i. Scanning target user'"'"'s profiles for user criteria fulfillment;

j. Receiving target user'"'"'s information on device or X-Path server;

k. Analyzing said information for criteria matching;

l. Broadcasting at least one social or marketing message to one or more target users within a specified vicinity or proximity to said first user whom fulfill said first user broadcast criteria;

m. Alerting the target user upon matching message criteria of the broadcast message from the first user and

n. Receiving a reply from said target user.

50. A computer implemented method for providing point of interests networking and marketing from a first user to target users on wireless devices, the method comprising:

a. Receiving from the first user at the X-path server or user'"'"'s wireless device the user profile;

b. Creating at least one broadcast message at the X-path server, user'"'"'s wireless device, computer, or web portal;

c. Setting criteria for message reception and broadcast on the user'"'"'s wireless device, X-Path server, computer, or web portal;

d. Matching broadcast or reception criteria based upon words residing in each user'"'"'s word cloud;

e. Setting first user predetermined broadcast and reception range on the user'"'"'s wireless device, X-Path server, computer, or web portal;

f. Selecting at least one telecommunications technology for each specific range by said wireless device or X-Path server;

g. Sending and receiving broadcast signals through a cellular network or through a direct wireless connection between wireless devices;

h. Scanning target user'"'"'s profiles for user criteria fulfillment;

i. Receiving target user'"'"'s information;

j. Analyzing said information for criteria matching;

k. Broadcasting at least one social or marketing message to one or more target users within a specified vicinity or proximity to said first user whom fulfill said first user broadcast criteria;

l. Alerting the target user upon matching message criteria of the broadcast message from the first user and

m. Receiving a reply from said target user.