Method and Apparatus to Enable Safer Meetings and Dates

• US 20120246089A1
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Questcourse, LLC
• Original Assignee: VisionSync, Inc. (NG Intermedia ApS)
• Inventors: Sikes, Steven Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/069,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20120246089A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/325
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1093 Calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 2001/085 Partner search devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for verifying persons'"'"' profiles that reside within the databases of online dating, location-based and social networking sites, platforms and applications. The method includes an interface for inputting and modifying settings, including inviting selected contacts, transmitting data about the individual whom the user will be meeting, the scheduled date, time and location for the meeting, and messaging delivered at requested times and intervals. Said user also may auto-transmit pre-set messages at determined times, visually record a meeting for real-time delivery to selected contacts, and utilize a Blue-tooth-enabled device to activate a distress signal and messaging via his or her mobile communication device, as well as transmitting pre-created messages to contacts that reside on directories or support workers. The invention also facilitates utilizing nearby user contacts, as a peer-to-peer buddy network, to render aid and to escalate security measures wherein the user may be in distress.

Claims

1. A method for authenticating and verifying a person'"'"'s profile within an online dating, social networking, location-based services site, platform or application, comprising:

Comparing the person'"'"'s profile with the s person'"'"'s self-provided description;

Searching for key words in a person'"'"'s profile'"'"'s description that may trigger clues to inaccuracies;

Utilizing a support group that has access to the site, application, or platform database, as well as a peer group of contacts, to verify data and information, including but not limited to country of origin or location by way of IP address, profile info wherein searching a database of photos often used by scammers, and identifying contextual clues in the profile'"'"'s verbiage that often trigger red flags and suggest a potential scammer;

Capturing the user'"'"'s profile and utilizing that image on a search engine in the category of images, or conducting a visual search comprising a database of fake profiles, scammers, and fraudulent and deceitful individuals;

Contacting other members who have interacted with said individual, or contacting a database support worker to request information about said individual;

Requesting the host or technical support of an application, platform or website to verify and check if the user'"'"'s profile which includes his or her country of origin matches the country or location of the IP address captured upon registration.

The method of claim 1, wherein said storage information and content about a particular member or user of a social media or online dating application, platform or website, is determined using database mining, pattern analysis, and location via geo-fencing in combination with a wireless network.

2. A method for selecting a plurality of prospective guardians or supporters from personalized directories that reside on a user'"'"'s network and firmware, including but not limited email accounts, microblogging and location-based service platforms, and social media apps and websites, to engage in monitoring and messaging during a user'"'"'s encounter or date with an individual.

The method of claim 2, wherein users select contacts from their networks'"'"' directories and send invitations or requests to perform the role of guardian or supporter, during designated times and to send messaging at scheduled times and intervals.

The method of claim 2, further comprising a user selecting a plurality of contacts, who are in or will be in the vicinity of the scheduled date, encounter, or meeting, from location-based service applications and microblogging platforms to transmit information about a user'"'"'s location and periodic updates in real-time.

The method of claim 2, further comprising the user transmitting information and content pertaining to a person'"'"'s profile, the scheduled day and time for the meeting or encounter, and the designated location for the meeting or encounter.

The method of claim 2, wherein said location and said user and said person whom the user will be meeting are generated utilizing geo-targeting or geo-fencing, via an advanced geo-mapping system in combination with a wireless network.

The method claim 2, wherein a user'"'"'s plurality of contacts receive updates and notifications about the user'"'"'s activities and for said contacts who are within the vicinity of the user'"'"'s designated location for the encounter or meeting, to engage in a peer-to-peer buddy system to facilitate a safer meeting or encounter, or provide greater peace of mind for the user, while knowing that contacts are nearby if said user is in distress relating to the said encounter or meeting, and that said nearby contacts may render or facilitate aid in the event of a potentially dangerous encounter.

The method of claim 2, wherein the user selects a specific locale or venue for the designated meeting or encounter, after receiving notification that a user'"'"'s contact(s) will be in the identical location or at a nearby locale or venue.

The method of claim 2, further comprising the user providing the contact number and location of said venue or place for the designated meeting or encounter to a plurality of selected contacts.

The method of claim 2, wherein a user may check in to a venue, locale, or establishment and post this information to a platform or network for a plurality of selected user contacts to view.

3. A method for requesting messaging and communication from selected contacts or supporters, and the type of message or communication and at what specified times and intervals during a date or encounter, to receive said messaging and communication.

The method of claim 3, wherein a user pre-sets a self-generated message, which may include but not be limited to a call, chat or text message, and pre-set for delivery at a specific time during a date, meeting or encounter with an individual.

The method of claim 3, further comprising a way for users to set incoming messaging, including texts or calls, with specific ring-tones.

The method of claim 3, wherein a user may activate a distress alert or notification to friends and contacts wherein a location-based application network or platform reflects that said contacts are in the vicinity of the user.

The method of claim 3, wherein a user may request a guardian to provide continual monitoring or to safeguard the user'"'"'s residence, once a network of individuals, including but not limited to followers, persons utilizing the same network of contacts, are cognizant of the user'"'"'s whereabouts and real-time activities and feeds and posts.

The method of claim 3 which utilizes an algorithm for transmitting automated messaging to a plurality of contacts that reside on a user'"'"'s directory of networks, as well as to remote support workers, in the event that certain factors, including but not limited to a non-response from the user, an inability to locate and establish communication with said user, or data that reveals the person whom the user is meeting has been determined to be deceitful, fraudulent, or dangerous.

The method of claim 3, further comprising specified actions for guardians and supporters to take in the event that they have received no response from the user, or the communication from the user suggests potential danger, red flags or distress.

The method of claim 3, wherein a user may pre-set the sounding of an alarm on a mobile, wireless, or handheld communication device at a particular time, with a pre-recorded distress message delivered at this specified time.

The method of claim 3, further comprising prioritizing and escalating messaging and notifications to a user'"'"'s directory of contacts, who are in the vicinity of the user'"'"'s scheduled meeting and encounter, with concomitant messaging and notifications to personnel who work at the locale, establishment or venue of the meeting.

4. What is claimed:

An apparatus for transmitting signals, via Blue-tooth, for example, a key fob, to activate a mobile, wireless, or handheld device, which subsequently sends and transmits a distress call or messaging to a plurality of selected contacts and remote support personnel who are designated user guardians.

The method of claim 4, wherein the user'"'"'s location may be indentified and calculated via a heat-map visual representation in real-time.

The method of claim 4, further comprising an apparatus that activates a wireless signal to send pre-created distress messages, from a mobile communication device, to emergency services.

5. What is claimed:

An apparatus for visually recording an encounter with an individual and transmitting said visual representation to a plurality of selected contacts and remote support workers.

The method of claim 5, wherein the user may utilize the apparatus to video capture a meeting in real-time and simultaneously transmit said visual representation of the date, encounter, and meeting.