Cluster-Based Social Networking System and Method

• US 20140344716A1
• Filed: 05/14/2013
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Foster, LLC
• Original Assignee: Foster, LLC
• Inventors: Martin, Christopher, Duan, Hudson, Setzer, Cameron, Walker, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US13/893,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20140344716A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/753
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal

Abstract

A networking system operable on a computerized device, such as a mobile device, with a processor and memory is provided to allow users to share location data and communicate with other users. Users are classifiable as friends, groups, lists, and/or clusters to facilitate data sharing. Data may be displayed on a map. The interface may be classified into panels, each panel including screens. Panels may include a friends panel, clusters panel, happenings panel relating to deals and events, and a communications panel.

Claims

1. A networking system operable on a computerized device with a processor and memory comprising:

an interface to display information and receive data, the data being storable in a database;

panels included in the interface that are usable to access screens, the panels relating to the data accessible by the included screens;

a map to display at least part of the data with relation to a geographic location; and

a location module to determine a present geographic location, the present geographic location being usable to affect a location displayed on the map and the data provided through the panels;

wherein data is receivable and transmittable with additional computerized devices over a network using a network controller;

wherein receipt and transmission of data is conformable to occur within a cluster of users;

wherein an interaction between users is includable in the data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computerized device is a mobile device with a touchscreen, the system being at least partially controllable using the touchscreen.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the computerized device further comprises an accelerometer to measure force about an axis of motion, the system being at least partially controllable using the force.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the computerized device includes a gyroscope, the system being at least partially controllable using the gyroscope.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the map is displayed on the interface from any panel when the device is rotated as detected by the gyroscope.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the touchscreen is used to input a command by positioning a detectible object adjacent to an area of the touchscreen displaying interface that relates to the command.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein hot corner commands are accessible from at least part of the interface by positioning the detectable object adjacent to an area of the interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the location is determinable using GPS, WiFi, or cellular networks.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the panels include screens grouped for a related function, the panels including at least:

a first panel to include the screens for accessing and using the data relating to friends, the friends being associable with the user through the first panel;

a second panel to include the screens for accessing and using the data relating to the clusters, the clusters being definable, viewable, and joinable by the user through the second panel;

a third panel to include the screens for accessing and using deals and events, the events being definable, viewable, and joinable through the third panel; and

a fourth panel to include screens for communicating with the friends, members of the clusters, and other users.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the deals are fundable using points.

11. A networking system operable on a mobile computerized device with a processor and memory comprising:

an interface to display information and receive data;

panels included in the interface relating to the data that is accessible and usable;

a map to display at least part of the data with relation to a geographic location; and

a location module to determine a present geographic location, the present geographic location being usable to affect a location displayed on the map and the data provided through the panels;

wherein data is receivable and transmittable with additional computerized devices over a network using a network controller;

wherein receipt and transmission of data is conformable to occur within a cluster of users;

wherein an interaction between users is includable in the data;

wherein the mobile computerized device includes a touchscreen, the system being at least partially controllable using the touchscreen by positioning a detectible object adjacent to an area of the touchscreen displaying the interface that relates to a command;

wherein the mobile computerized device includes an accelerometer to measure force about an axis of motion, the system being at least partially controllable using the force measured by the accelerometer;

wherein the computerized device includes a gyroscope to measure rotation, the system being at least partially controllable using the rotation measured by the gyroscope;

wherein the map is displayed on the interface from any panel when the device is rotated as detected by the gyroscope.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the data accessible from the panels are presented using screens, the screens being accessible through the panel and usable to access or modify that data.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the data is storable on a database.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein hot corner commands are accessible from the interface by positioning the detectable object adjacent to an area of the interface.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the location is determinable using GPS, WiFi, or cellular networks.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the panels include screens grouped for a related function, the panels including at least:

a first panel to include the screens for accessing and using the data relating to friends, the friends being associable with the user through the first panel;

a second panel to include the screens for accessing and using the data relating to clusters, the clusters being definable, viewable, and joinable by the user through the second panel;

a third panel to include the screens for accessing and using deals and events, the events being definable, viewable, and joinable through the third panel; and

a fourth panel to include screens for communicating with the friends, members of the clusters, and other users.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the deals are fundable using points.

18. A method of providing a networking system using a computerized device with a processor and memory, the system comprising an interface, panels accessible from the interface, screens accessible from the panels, a map, and a location module;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) using the interface to display information and receive data, the data being storable in a database;

(b) providing the panels for accessing and using the data through the screens;

(c) providing the map to display at least part of the data with relation to a geographic location;

(d) using the location module to determine a present geographic location to affect a location that is displayed on the map and the data provided through the panels; and

(e) receiving and transmitting data with additional computerized devices over a network using a network controller;

wherein receipt and transmission of data is conformable to occur within a cluster of users;

wherein an interaction between users is includable in the data.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the computerized device is a mobile device with a touchscreen, the method further comprising the step of:

(f) receiving inputs from the touchscreen to at least partially control the system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the computerized device further comprises an accelerometer to measure force about an axis of motion, the method further comprising the step of:

(g) at least partially controlling the system using the forces.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the computerized device includes a gyroscope, the method further comprising the step of:

(h) at least partially controlling the system using the gyroscope.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

(i) displaying the map on the interface from any panel when the device is rotated as detected by the gyroscope.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the touchscreen is used to input a command by positioning a detectible object adjacent to an area of the touchscreen displaying interface that relates to the command.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein hot corner commands are accessible from the interface by positioning the detectable object adjacent to an area of the interface.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

(j) determining the location using GPS, WiFi, or cellular networks.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

(k) grouping the panels for a related function, the panels including at least;

a first panel to include the screens for accessing and using the data relating to friends, the first being associable with the user through the friends panel;

a second panel to include the screens for accessing and using the data relating to clusters, the clusters being definable, viewable, and joinable by the user through the second panel;

a third panel to include the screens for accessing and using deals and events, the events being definable, viewable, and joinable through the third panel; and

a fourth panel to include screens for communicating with the friends, members of the clusters, and other users.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the deals are fundable using points.