Web-Based Interactive Meeting Event Facility

• US 20110289142A1
• Filed: 01/20/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Meetup Incorporated (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Meetup Incorporated (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Boenigk, Richard, Glusman, Emilio Andres, Burns, Gary, Meeker, Matthew, Heiferman, Scott, Kamali, Peter, Whalin, Gregory P.
• Application Number:
  US13/009,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20110289142A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A computer implemented method for organizing a network of affiliated live events, the method comprising: providing an event management resource to a promoter through a web-based meeting event facility, wherein the event management resource enables the promoter to initiate and manage a grouping of a plurality of affiliated in-person gatherings as live events in an event container controlled by the promoter, and where at least one such live event is allowed to be controlled at least in part by a leader associated with such live event in the event container subject to event criteria set by the promoter.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for organizing a network of affiliated live events, the method comprising:

providing an event management resource to a promoter through a web-based meeting event facility, wherein the event management resource enables the promoter to initiate and manage a grouping of a plurality of affiliated in-person gatherings as live events in an event container controlled by the promoter, and where at least one such live event is allowed to be controlled at least in part by a leader associated with such live event in the event container subject to event criteria set by the promoter.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving meeting event criteria from the promoter for at least one such event, receiving an indication of interest from at least one individual for at least one event, providing to the individual at least a location indication of the event based on the event criteria, and enabling the promoter to accept the individual to attend the event and to manage the event management resources for the event through the web-based meeting event facility.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the individual becomes the leader for the event.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the leader is enabled to alter at least one of the venue, date, and time of the event subject to the event criteria set by the promoter.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the individual can request to become the leader for the event.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the indication of interest and information about the individual is received from a social networking site through which the individual signed up for the event.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the event management resources enable the promotion of the event across web-based social media.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the event management resources include a graphical user interface for managing the plurality of affiliated events.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface presents information about the plurality of affiliated events including at least one of a graphical map resource, location of the event, listing of individuals intending to attend events, listing of past events, a guide for initiating a new event, time of each event, and date of each event.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the graphical map resource depicts information about each event.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the graphical map resource provides links to individual event pages.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the event management resources provide a facility that allows third party websites to embed a graphical map resource on their site.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the embedded graphical map resource includes active links to an event page managed by the promoter through the web-based meeting event facility.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the meeting event resources include a webpage for each event depicting information about and resources for the event.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the resources for the event includes communications resources for the event.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the communications resources include at least one of email, SMS, chat, and micro-blogging communication services for communicating amongst individuals signed up to be attendees of the event.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the communications resources include email contact resources for communications between the leader and the promoter.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication resources include the ability to share communications through social networking sites.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the resources for the event include locations of other affiliated events within a specified distance of the event.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the resources for the event include a link to the main webpage for the network of affiliated events.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the leader is provided at least some control over the webpage for the event they lead.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the meeting event criteria is at least one of a location, a date, and a time for at least one of the plurality of events.