SYSTEM AND METHODS OF GENERATING SOCIAL NETWORKS IN VIRTUAL SPACE

• US 20110126132A1
• Filed: 11/16/2010
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Gregory Witham, Scott Anthony Menor, Tyler Robert Anderson
• Original Assignee: Michael Gregory Witham, Scott Anthony Menor, Tyler Robert Anderson
• Inventors: Anderson, Tyler Robert, Witham, Michael Gregory, Menor, Scott Anthony
• Application Number:
  US12/947,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20110126132A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/758
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system and method of generating social networks within a virtual space, wherein the virtual space may be defined by the geographic location of the user or a metric based on a user attribute. The present invention permits a user to establish the outermost geographic boundaries of a virtual space, in which the user may establish a communication link for the purposes of social networking. The present invention allows for fixed and user-defined virtual space in which both permanent and terminable social networks may be created. Permanent virtual spaces provide the convenience of archiving and searchable review. The present invention allows for a user to be assigned to an existing virtual space based on a metric, or for a new virtual space to be created for a user based on a metric.

Claims

1. A method of creating a user defined social network comprising:

defining a geographic area, wherein a user establishes an outermost geographic boundary relative to the user'"'"'s current location on a map displayed on the user'"'"'s mobile device;

creating at least one virtual space that facilitates communication among users based on the outermost geographic boundary established by the user; and

establishing a communication link between the user and the at least one virtual space.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, a user defining at least one topic of the at least one virtual space.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, a user defining at least one searchable parameter of the at least one virtual space.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, a user defining accessibility of the at least one virtual space.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, detecting user entry and departure of the at least one virtual space.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising, archiving communication within the at least one virtual space.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, detecting departure of all users and terminating access to the at least one virtual space.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the social network is a chat room.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising, creating an advertisement space within the at least one virtual space.

10. A method of communicating in a user defined searchable social network comprising:

querying, by a server, available virtual spaces based on a user'"'"'s geographic location, wherein the user'"'"'s access to the virtual spaces is determined by previously user defined geographic boundaries;

generating, by the server, a list of available virtual spaces accessible to the user;

selecting at least one virtual space from the list of available virtual spaces;

establishing a communication link between the at least one virtual space and the user.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising, querying, by the server, available virtual spaces based on a predetermined location.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising, querying, by the server, available virtual spaces based on topic.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising, communicating in a chat room within the at least one virtual space.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising, archiving communications within the at least one virtual space.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the communication link established provides an accessibility permission to first a user that is different from an accessibility permission provided to a second user.

16. A system that establishes a social network in a virtual space on a mobile device comprising:

a display having an interactive map that is configured to allow a user to define geographic boundaries within which the user is located, the geographic boundaries defining a zone of accessibility, within which one or more users must be located to access the at least one virtual space; and

a user interface configured to allow the one or more users to communicate within the at least one virtual space, wherein the mobile device is configured to communicate wirelessly.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one virtual space is a chat room.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein a user defines a topic of the at least one virtual space.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein a user defines at least one searchable parameter of the at least one virtual space.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein a user defines accessibility of the at least one virtual space.

21. The system of claim 16, further configured to archive communication within the at least one virtual space.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the user interface is further configured to detect departure of all users and terminate user access to the at least one virtual space.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the display is further configured to display advertisement space within the at least one virtual space.

24. A method of assigning a user to a social network comprising:

generating, by a server, at least one metric comprising at least one user attribute;

assigning, by the server, the at least one user to at least one virtual space that facilitates communication among a plurality of users based on the at least one metric; and

establishing a communication link between the at least one virtual space and the at least one user.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising, creating at least one new virtual space based on the at least one metric.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising, archiving communication within the at least one virtual space.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one user attribute comprises a user'"'"'s location.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one user attribute further comprises a user'"'"'s logon information.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one user attribute further comprises a user'"'"'s past communication with the social network.

30. The method of claim 24 further comprising, at least one user defining a topic of the at least one virtual space.

31. The method of claim 24 further comprising, at least one user defining at least one searchable parameter of the at least one virtual space.

32. The method of claim 24 further comprising, at least one user defining accessibility of the at least one virtual space.

33. The method of claim 24 further comprising, detecting user entry and departure of the at least one virtual space.

34. The method of claim 24 further comprising, detecting departure of all users and terminating access to the at least one virtual space.

35. The method of claim 24 wherein the social network is a chat room.

36. The method of claim 24 further comprising, creating an advertisement space within the at least one virtual space.