METHOD, SYSTEM, AND DEVICES FOR FACILITATING REAL-TIME SOCIAL AND BUSINESS INTERRACTIONS/NETWORKING

• US 20120036181A1
• Filed: 08/09/2010
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eustace P. Isidore
• Original Assignee: Eustace P. Isidore
• Inventors: Isidore, Eustace P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,688,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• 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 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal

Abstract

A personal networking/communication device (PND) enables real-time social and business interactions/networking within a real environment. A first PND associated with a first person/user in the real environment is within communication range of a second PND. The first PND receives (via electronic communication) and displays a social interaction information signature (SIS) of the second PND. The signature includes a physical mapping/location of the second PND relative to the first PND and provides some information about the second PND'"'"'s user. Following a selection of the SIS on the first PND, the first PND electronically transmits one or more “request for interaction or information exchange” (RIIE) to the second PND. When the first PND receives a response to the RIIE from the second PND, the user of the first PND receives real-time unequivocal confirmation of whether the second person is interested in interacting/socializing with the user.

Claims

1. A personal networking device (PND) comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

one or more input/output (I/O) devices that enables interaction with processes executing on the PND; and

a utility executing on the processor that controls the operations of the PND to perform the functions of;

receiving via an electronic medium a signature associated with a second device within a real social/business networking environment (real SoNET);

enabling selection of the signature;

responsive to receipt of a selection of the signature, enabling transmission of a request for interaction and/or information exchange (RIE) to the second device;

receiving a response from the second device indicating whether the RIE was accepted; and

when the response indicates that the RIE is accepted, providing one or more selectable options for facilitating further communication with a user of the second device, wherein said further communication may be conducted electronically or in person.

2. The PND of claim 1, wherein said utility further performs the functions of:

triggering the PND to transmit a unique device signature (UDS) which identifies one or more of the PND and the PND user and which is capable of being detected within the real social/business environment; and

encoding with the unique device signature data associated with one or more user preferences and/or one or more pre-set user criteria, which data represents social interaction information signal (SIS) of the PND user;

wherein the SIS determines a type/form of display of the UDS and what specific information is displayed in association with the UDS on selection of the UDS at a second device that receives the UDS.

3. The PND of claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving electronic communication via an air interface (wireless medium); and

when the RIE response indicates approval of device-to-device electronic communication, said utility further performs the functions of;

initiating one or more of;

(a) localize text/signal information exchange (LTSE) protocol to enable the device-to-device electronic communication; and

(b) activating a texting function of the PND to enable the device-to-device electronic communication via a texting service of a wireless data provider.

4. The PND of claim 1, further comprising:

a local position system (LPS) device that enables a specific location of the PND within the real SoNET to be determined; and

the utility further performs the functions of;

identifying the specific location of the PND on a grid display of the real SoNET;

plotting on the grid display, relative to the PND'"'"'s specific location, a current location of each signature received from other devices within the real SoNET; and

updating the grid display on a periodic schedule to track changes to the signatures being displayed and the location of the signatures relative to the specific location and to the real SoNET.

5. The PND of claim 4, said utility further performs the function of:

detecting one or more transmitter signals throughout the real SoNET; and

mapping a general outlay of the real SoNET based on the received transmitter signals;

wherein the transmitter signals contain specific information about the location at which the transmitter is situated within the SoNET; and

wherein the identifying and plotting of locations of the PND and received signatures on the grid display is perform relative to the general outlay of the real SoNET.

6. The PND of claim 1, the utility performs additional functions comprising:

in response to receipt of an input to block communication from a specific signature;

automatically disabling a selection of the signature for further communication;

updating a blocked signature list with the specific signature;

enabling selection of a period of time for which the block of the specific signature is to remain in place; and

storing the selection along with the specific signature within the blocked signature list.

7. The PND of claim 1, wherein the utility performs additional functions comprising:

in response to receiving a block response to the RIE;

automatically disabling a selection of the specific signature on the PND; and

updating a historical listing of signatures and corresponding responses received to RIEs transmitted to the signatures;

when the PND is later re-activated within a SoNET and the specific signature is detected;

automatically checking a status of a previous response received from the specific signature; and

preventing a selection of the specific signature for transmitting and RIE when the previous response was a block; and

updating the previous response to a non-block response based on one or more of;

receipt of an RIE from the specific signature;

receipt of an un-block signal from the specific signature; and

expiration of a time period associated with the block that was established on the specific signature.

8. The PND of claim 1, wherein the utility further enables the functions of:

receiving an RIE from a second device;

detecting a selection of specific response to the RIE;

transmitting the specific response selected to the second device, wherein the specific response selected is one of a number of pre-established responses comprising;

(a) a block of the signature received from the second device, wherein the block is one of (i) a partial time-limited block, (ii) a specific SoNET block, and (c) a full, unrestricted block; and

(b) an acceptance of the RIE with agreement to perform one or more available interchanges comprising (i) meet with the person, (ii) talk with the person, (iii) interact with the person is a predefined way, (iv) communicate verbally with the person, (vii) exchange contact information with the person, or (viii) engage in a text message communication with the person;

wherein the acceptance may comprise one or more of a time certain or a location for the interchange.

9. The PND of claim 1, further comprising:

a mechanism for connecting to a network having one or more servers with one or more online social networking profiles available for access and/or download; and

the utility performs the functions of;

enabling remote access to an online social networking profile at the one or more servers;

downloading to the PND a specific one of the online social networking profiles; and

sharing one or more of the data within the online social networking profile via transmission of the SIS when the PND is in a publishing mode;

wherein the utility enables a selective toggling of the PND from a publishing mode to a non-publishing mode based on one or more of;

(a) default PND setting;

(b) user modification of a publication mode option;

(c) pre-established criteria for publishing SIS comprising one or more of (i) a specific SoNET in which the PND is located, (ii) a specific receiver or type of receiver of the SIS, (iii) a current status of the specific receiver within a historical listing.

10. The PND of claim 9, said utility further performing additional functions comprising:

receiving location information of a current SoNET in which the PND is located; and

selectively accessing and downloading a first online social networking profile of a plurality of online social networking profiles available for selection for the PND user based on the location information received;

wherein each of the plurality of online social networking profiles are associated with a specific type of SoNET and the selectively accessing and downloading of the first online social networking profile selects the online social networking profile that is associated with the current SoNET.

11. The PND of claim 9, the utility performing the functions comprising:

enabling real time updating of information stored in the online social networking profile based on inputs received and modifications made to data on the PND.

12. The PND of claim 1, said utility further performing additional functions comprising:

when a signature is detected by the PND;

retrieving an SIS associated with the signature;

comparing the signature against a listing of signatures identified in a historical listing of signatures to determine if a specific treatment has been pre-established for handling subsequent receipt of the signature;

when the signature is found within the listing of signatures, providing the specific treatment pre-established for that signature in response to detecting the signature;

screening data from within the SIS against a pre-established set of screening data to determine if a specific treatment has been pre-established for handling receipt of SISes containing specific types of data;

when the data meets a first pre-established criteria, performing a first positive function relative to the SIS and the signature; and

when the data fails to meet the first pre-established criteria, performing a second function relative to the SIS and the signature.

13. The PND of claim 1, wherein said enabling selection of the signature comprises:

outputting the signature for possible selection;

receiving the selection via one of;

(a) dynamically selecting the signature based on a match of the signature to one or more pre-established criteria; and

(b) receiving user toggling and selecting, via an input device, of the signature from among one or more signatures displayed on a display device of the PND.

14. The PND of claim 1, wherein the providing one or more selectable options for facilitating further communication with a user of the second device, wherein said further communication may be conducted electronically or in person, further comprises:

retrieving one or more talking points for use in facilitating the communication; and

outputting the one or more talking points to the PND user.

15. In an electronic device having one or more mechanisms for communicating information with another device, a method for enabling real-time social and business networking, the method comprising:

a processor of the electronic device executing a utility that performs the functions of;

receiving via an electronic medium a signature associated with a second device within a real social/business networking environment;

enabling selection of the signature

responsive to receipt of a selection of the signature, enabling transmission of a request for interaction and/or information exchange (RIE) to the second device;

receiving a response from the second device indicating whether the RIE was accepted; and

when the response indicates that the RIE is accepted;

providing one or more selectable options for facilitating further communication with a user of the second device, wherein said further communication may be conducted electronically or in person;

retrieving one or more talking points for use in facilitating the communication; and

outputting the one or more talking points to the PND user.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

triggering the PND to transmit a unique device signature (UDS) which identifies one or more of the PND and the PND user and which is capable of being detected within the real social/business environment; and

encoding with the unique device signature data associated with one or more user preferences and/or one or more pre-set user criteria, which data represents social interaction information signal (SIS) of the PND user;

wherein the SIS determines a type/form of display of the UDS and what specific information is displayed in association with the UDS on selection of the UDS at a second device that receives the UDS.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the electronic device comprises a transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving electronic communication via an air interface (wireless medium); and

the method further comprises;

when the RIE response indicates approval of device-to-device electronic communication, initiating one or more of;

(a) localize text/signal information exchange (LTSE) protocol to enable the device-to-device electronic communication; and

(b) activating a texting function of the PND to enable the device-to-device electronic communication via a texting service of a wireless data provider.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the electronic device further comprises a local position system (LPS) device that enables a specific location of the PND within the real SoNET to be determined; and

the method further comprises;

detecting one or more transmitter signals throughout the real SoNET;

mapping a general outlay of the real SoNET based on the received transmitter signals;

wherein the transmitter signals contain specific information about the location at which the transmitter is situated within the SoNET;

wherein the identifying and plotting of locations of the PND and received signatures on the grid display is perform relative to the general outlay of the real SoNET;

identifying the specific location of the PND on a grid display of the real SoNET;

plotting on the grid display, relative to the PND'"'"'s specific location, a current location of each signature received from other devices within the real SoNET; and

updating the grid display on a periodic schedule to track changes to the signatures being displayed and the location of the signatures relative to the specific location and to the real SoNET.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

in response to receipt of an input to block communication from a specific signature;

automatically disabling a selection of the signature for further communication;

updating a blocked signature list with the specific signature;

enabling selection of a period of time for which the block of the specific signature is to remain in place; and

storing the selection along with the specific signature within the blocked signature list;

in response to receiving a block response to the RIE;

automatically disabling a selection of the specific signature on the PND; and

updating a historical listing of signatures and corresponding responses received to RIEs transmitted to the signatures;

when the PND is later re-activated within a SoNET and the specific signature is detected;

automatically checking a status of a previous response received from the specific signature; and

preventing a selection of the specific signature for transmitting and RIE when the previous response was a block; and

updating the previous response to a non-block response based on one or more of;

receipt of an RIE from the specific signature;

receipt of an un-block signal from the specific signature; and

expiration of a time period associated with the block that was established on the specific signature.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving an RIE from a second device;

detecting a selection of response to the RIE;

transmitting the response selected to the second device, wherein the response selected is one of a number of pre-established responses comprising;

(a) a block of the signature received from the second device, wherein the block is one of (i) a partial time-limited block, (ii) a specific SoNET block, and (c) a full, unrestricted block; and

(b) an acceptance of the RIE with agreement to perform one or more available interchanges comprising (i) meet with the person, (ii) talk with the person, (iii) interact with the person is a predefined way, (iv) communicate verbally with the person, (vii) exchange contact information with the person, or (viii) engage in a text message communication with the person;

wherein the acceptance may comprise one or more of a time certain or a location for the interchange.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein:

The electronic device comprises a mechanism for connecting to a network having one or more servers with one or more online social networking profiles available for access and/or download; and

the method further comprises;

enabling remote access to an online social networking profile at the one or more servers;

receiving location information of a current SoNET in which the PND is located;

selectively accessing a first online social networking profile of a plurality of online social networking profiles available for selection for the PND user based on the location information received;

wherein each of the plurality of online social networking profiles are associated with a specific type of SoNET and the selectively accessing and downloading of the first online social networking profile selects the online social networking profile that is associated with the current SoNET;

downloading to the PND the first online social networking profile; and

sharing one or more of the data within the online social networking profile via transmission of the SIS when the PND is in a publishing mode;

wherein the utility enables a selective toggling of the PND from a publishing mode to a non-publishing mode based on one or more of;

(a) default PND setting;

(b) user modification of a publication mode option;

(c) pre-established criteria for publishing SIS comprising one or more of (i) a specific SoNET in which the PND is located, (ii) a specific receiver or type of receiver of the SIS, (iii) a current status of the specific receiver within a historical listing;

enabling real time updating of information stored in the online social networking profile based on inputs received and modifications made to data on the PND.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

when a signature is detected by the PND;

retrieving an SIS associated with the signature;

comparing the signature against a listing of signatures identified in a historical listing of signatures to determine if a specific treatment has been pre-established for handling subsequent receipt of the signature;

when the signature is found within the listing of signatures, providing the specific treatment pre-established for that signature in response to detecting the signature;

screening data from within the SIS against a pre-established set of screening data to determine if a specific treatment has been pre-established for handling receipt of SISes containing specific types of data;

when the data meets a first pre-established criteria, performing a first positive function relative to the SIS and the signature; and

when the data fails to meet the first pre-established criteria, performing a second function relative to the SIS and the signature.

23. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

program code on the computer readable medium that when executed in an electronic device that includes a local position system (LPS) device that enables a specific location of the device within a real social/business networking environment (SoNET) to be determined, enables the device to perform the functions of;

receiving via an electronic medium a signature associated with a second device within a real SoNET;

identifying the specific location of the PND on a grid display of the real SoNET;

plotting on the grid display, relative to the PND'"'"'s specific location, a current location of each signature received from other devices within the real SoNET;

updating the grid display on a periodic schedule to track changes to the signatures being displayed and the location of the signatures relative to the specific location and to the real SoNET;

detecting one or more transmitter signals throughout the real SoNET;

mapping a general outlay of the real SoNET based on the received transmitter signals;

wherein the transmitter signals contain specific information about the location at which the transmitter is situated within the SoNET;

wherein the identifying and plotting of locations of the PND and received signatures on the grid display is perform relative to the general outlay of the real SoNET;

when a signature is detected by the PND;

retrieving an SIS associated with the signature;

comparing the signature against a listing of signatures identified in a historical listing of signatures to determine if a specific treatment has been pre-established for handling subsequent receipt of the signature;

when the signature is found within the listing of signatures, providing the specific treatment pre-established for that signature in response to detecting the signature;

screening data from within the SIS against a pre-established set of screening data to determine if a specific treatment has been pre-established for handling receipt of SISes containing specific types of data;

when the data meets a first pre-established criteria, performing a first positive function relative to the SIS and the signature; and

when the data fails to meet the first pre-established criteria, performing a second function relative to the SIS and the signature;

enabling selection of the signature;

responsive to receipt of a selection of the signature, enabling transmission of a request for interaction and/or information exchange (RIE) to the second device;

receiving a response from the second device indicating whether the RIE was accepted;

when the response indicates that the RIE is accepted;

providing one or more selectable options for facilitating further communication with a user of the second device, wherein said further communication may be conducted electronically or in person;

retrieving one or more talking points for use in facilitating the communication; and

outputting the one or more talking points to the PND user; and

when the RIE response indicates approval of device-to-device electronic communication, initiating one or more of;

(a) localize text/signal information exchange (LTSE) protocol to enable the device-to-device electronic communication; and

(b) activating a texting function of the PND to enable the device-to-device electronic communication via a texting service of a wireless data provider;

receiving an RIE from a second device;

detecting a selection of a specific response to the RIE;

transmitting the specific response selected to the second device, wherein the response selected is one of a number of pre-established responses comprising;

(a) a block of the signature received from the second device, wherein the block is one of (i) a partial time-limited block, (ii) a specific SoNET block, and (c) a full, unrestricted block; and

(b) an acceptance of the RIE with agreement to perform one or more available interchanges comprising (i) meet with the person, (ii) talk with the person, (iii) interact with the person is a predefined way, (iv) communicate verbally with the person, (vii) exchange contact information with the person, or (viii) engage in a text message communication with the person;

wherein the acceptance may comprise one or more of a time certain or a location for the interchange.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein said utility comprises program code that performs additional functions comprising:

in response to receipt of an input to block communication from a specific signature;

automatically disabling a selection of the signature for further communication;

updating a blocked signature list with the specific signature;

enabling selection of a period of time for which the block of the specific signature is to remain in place; and

storing the selection along with the specific signature within the blocked signature list;

in response to receiving a block response to the RIE;

automatically disabling a selection of the specific signature on the PND; and

updating a historical listing of signatures and corresponding responses received to RIEs transmitted to the signatures;

when the PND is later re-activated within a SoNET and the specific signature is detected;

automatically checking a status of a previous response received from the specific signature; and

preventing a selection of the specific signature for transmitting and RIE when the previous response was a block; and

updating the previous response to a non-block response based on one or more of;

receipt of an RIE from the specific signature;

receipt of an un-block signal from the specific signature; and

expiration of a time period associated with the block that was established on the specific signature.

25. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein said utility comprises program code that performs additional functions comprising:

enabling remote access to an online social networking profile at one or more servers accessible via the electronic device;

receiving location information of a current SoNET in which the PND is located;

selectively accessing a first online social networking profile of a plurality of online social networking profiles available for selection for the PND user based on the location information received;

wherein each of the plurality of online social networking profiles are associated with a specific type of SoNET and the selectively accessing and downloading of the first online social networking profile selects the online social networking profile that is associated with the current SoNET;

downloading to the device the first online social networking profile;

sharing one or more of the data within the online social networking profile via transmission of the SIS when the PND is in a publishing mode;

wherein the utility enables a selective toggling of the PND from a publishing mode to a non-publishing mode based on one or more of;

(a) default PND setting;

(b) user modification of a publication mode option;

(c) pre-established criteria for publishing SIS comprising one or more of (i) a specific SoNET in which the PND is located, (ii) a specific receiver or type of receiver of the SIS, (iii) a current status of the specific receiver within a historical listing; and

enabling real time updating of information stored in the online social networking profile based on inputs received and modifications made to data on the PND.

26. The computer program product of claim 23, said utility comprises program code that performs additional functions comprising:

triggering the device to transmit a unique device signature (UDS) which identifies one or more of the device and the device user and which is capable of being detected within the real SoNET; and

encoding with the unique device signature data associated with one or more user preferences and/or one or more pre-set user criteria, which data represents social interaction information signal (SIS) of the device user;

wherein the SIS determines a type/form of display of the UDS and what specific information is displayed in association with the UDS on selection of the UDS at a second device that receives the UDS.