Map based neighborhood search and community contribution

• US 8,738,545 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2013
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raj Abhyanker
• Original Assignee: Nextdoor.com Incorporated (nextdoor Ltd.)
• Inventors: Abhyanker, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): FEENEY, BRETT A
• Application Number:
  US14/144,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20140115671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 147 Days
• US Class Current: 705/325
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system of map based neighborhood search and community contribution are disclosed. In one embodiment, a neighborhood communication system is described. This embodiment includes a privacy server to apply an address verification algorithm associated with each user of the online community to verify that each user lives at a residence associated with a claimable residential address of an online community formed through a social community module of the privacy server using a processor and a memory. The privacy server automatically determines a set of access privileges in the online community associated with each user of the online community by constraining access in the online community based on a neighborhood boundary determined using an algorithm of the privacy server. The privacy server may constrain the particular user to communicate through the online community only with a set of neighbors having verified addresses using the privacy server.

Claims

1. A neighborhood communication system comprising:

a privacy server to verify that each user lives at a residence associated with a claimable residential address of the online community formed through a social community module of the privacy server using a processor and a memory;

a network; and

a mapping server communicatively coupled with the privacy server through the network to generate a latitudinal data and a longitudinal data associated with each claimable residential address of the online community associated with each user of the online community,

wherein the privacy server to automatically determine a set of access privileges in the online community associated with each user of the online community by constraining access in the online community based on a neighborhood boundary determined using a Bezier curve algorithm of the privacy server,

wherein the privacy server to optionally extend the threshold radial distance to an adjacent boundary of an adjacent neighborhood based a request of the particular user,

wherein the privacy server to generate a separate login to the online community designed to be usable by at least one of a police department, a municipal agency, a neighborhood association, and a neighborhood leader associated with the particular neighborhood,

wherein the separate login to permit at least one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader to;

invite residents of the particular neighborhood themselves using the privacy server using a self-authenticating access code that permits new users that enter the self-authenticating access code in the online community to automatically join the particular neighborhood as verified users,

generate at least one of a virtual neighborhood watch group and an emergency preparedness group restricted to users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server,

conduct high value crime and safety related discussions from local police and fire officials that is restricted to users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server,

broadcast information across the particular neighborhood, and

receive and track neighborhood level membership and activity to identify leaders from the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server.

2. The neighborhood communication system of claim 1:

wherein the privacy server to transform the claimable residential address into a claimed address upon an occurrence of an event,

wherein the privacy server to instantiate the event when a particular user is associated with the claimable residential address based on a verification of the particular user as living at a particular residential address associated with the claimable residential address using the privacy server,

wherein the privacy server to constrain the particular user to communicate through the online community only with a set of neighbors having verified addresses using the privacy server,

wherein the privacy server to define the set of neighbors as other users of the online community that have each verified their addresses in the online community using the privacy server and which have each claimed residential addresses that are in a threshold radial distance from the claimed address of the particular user; and

wherein the privacy server to apply an address verification algorithm associated with each user of the online community.

3. The neighborhood communication system of claim 2:

wherein the privacy server to constrain the threshold radial distance to be less than a distance of the neighborhood boundary using the Bezier curve algorithm,

wherein the privacy server to permit the neighborhood boundary to take on a variety of shapes based on at least one of an associated geographic connotation, a historical connotation, a political connotation, and a cultural connotation of neighborhood boundaries, and

wherein the privacy server to apply a database of constraints associated with neighborhood boundaries that are imposed on a map view of the online community when permitting the neighborhood boundary to take on the variety of shapes.

4. The neighborhood communication system of claim 3:

wherein the privacy server to generate a user-generated boundary in a form of a polygon describing geospatial boundaries defining the particular neighborhood when a first user of a particular neighborhood that verifies a first residential address of the particular neighborhood using the privacy server prior to other users in that particular neighborhood verifying their addresses in that particular neighborhood places a set of points defining the particular neighborhood using a set of drawing tools in the map view of the online community.

5. The neighborhood communication system of claim 4:

wherein the privacy server to permit each of the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server to;

share information about a suspicious activity that is likely to affect several neighborhoods,

explain about a lost pet that might have wandered into an adjoining neighborhood,

rally support from neighbors from multiple neighborhoods to address civic issues,

spread information about events comprising a local theater production and a neighborhood garage sale, and

solicit advice and recommendations from the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood and optionally in the adjacent neighborhood.

6. The neighborhood communication system of claim 5:

wherein the privacy server to flag a neighborhood feed from the particular neighborhood and optionally from the adjacent neighborhood as being inappropriate, and

wherein the privacy server to suspend users that repeatedly communicate self-promotional messages that are inappropriate as voted based on a sensibility of any one of the verified users of the particular neighborhood and optionally from the adjacent neighborhood.

7. The neighborhood communication system of claim 6:

wherein the privacy server to personalize which nearby neighborhoods that verified users are able to communicate through based on a request of the particular user, and

wherein the privacy server to permit the neighborhood leader to communicate privately with leaders of an adjoining neighborhood to plan and organize on behalf of an entire constituency of verified users of the particular neighborhood associated with the neighborhood leader.

8. The neighborhood communication system of claim 7:

wherein the privacy server to filter feeds to only display messages from the particular neighborhood associated with each verified user, and

wherein the privacy server to restrict posts only in the particular neighborhood to verified users having verified addresses within the neighborhood boundary.

9. The neighborhood communication system of claim 8 wherein the address verification algorithm of the privacy server utilizes a set of verification methods to perform verification of the particular user through any of a:

a postcard verification method through which the privacy server generates a physical postcard that is postal mailed to addresses of requesting users in the particular neighborhood and having a unique alphanumeric sequence in a form of an access code printed thereon which authenticates users that enter the access code to view and search privileges in the particular neighborhood of the online community,

a credit card verification method through which the privacy server verifies the claimable residential address when at least one a credit card billing address and a debit card billing address is matched with an inputted address through an authentication services provider,

a privately-published access code method through which the privacy server communicates to user profiles of at least one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader an instant access code that is printable at town hall meetings and gatherings sponsored by any one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader,

a neighbor vouching method through which the privacy server authenticates new users when existing verified users agree to a candidacy of new users in the particular neighborhood,

a phone verification method through which the privacy server authenticates new users whose phone number is matched with an inputted phone number through the authentication services provider, and

a social security verification method through which the privacy server authenticates new users whose social security number is matched with an inputted social security number through the authentication services provider.

10. The neighborhood communication system of claim 9:

wherein the privacy server to initially set the particular neighborhood to a pilot phase status in which the online community of the particular neighborhood is provisionally defined until a minimum number of users verify their residential addresses in the particular neighborhood through the privacy server, and

wherein the privacy server to automatically delete profiles of users that remain unverified after a threshold window of time.

11. The neighborhood communication system of claim 10 wherein the neighborhood communication system is designed to create private websites to facilitate communication among neighbors and build stronger neighborhoods.

12. A method of a neighborhood communication system comprising:

verifying that each user lives at a residence associated with a claimable residential address of the online community formed through a social community module of the privacy server using a processor and a memory;

generating a latitudinal data and a longitudinal data associated with each claimable residential address of the online community associated with each user of the online community;

determining a set of access privileges in the online community associated with each user of the online community by constraining access in the online community based on a neighborhood boundary determined using a Bezier curve algorithm of the privacy server;

optionally extending the threshold radial distance to an adjacent boundary of an adjacent neighborhood based a request of the particular user;

generating a separate login to the online community designed to be usable by at least one of a police department, a municipal agency, a neighborhood association, and a neighborhood leader associated with the particular neighborhood;

permitting at least one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader to at least one;

invite residents of the particular neighborhood themselves using the privacy server using a self-authenticating access code that permits new users that enter the self-authenticating access code in the online community to automatically join the particular neighborhood as verified users,

generate at least one of a virtual neighborhood watch group and an emergency preparedness group restricted to users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server,

conduct high value crime and safety related discussions from local police and fire officials that is restricted to users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server,

broadcast information across the particular neighborhood, and

receive and track neighborhood level membership and activity to identify leaders from the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server.

13. The method of claim 12:

transforming the claimable residential address into a claimed address upon an occurrence of an event;

instantiating the event when a particular user is associated with the claimable residential address based on a verification of the particular user as living at a particular residential address associated with the claimable residential address using the privacy server;

constraining the particular user to communicate through the online community only with a set of neighbors having verified addresses using the privacy server;

defining the set of neighbors as other users of the online community that have each verified their addresses in the online community using the privacy server and which have each claimed residential addresses that are in a threshold radial distance from the claimed address of the particular use; and

applying an address verification algorithm associated with each user of the online community using a privacy server.

14. The method of claim 13:

constraining the threshold radial distance to be less than a distance of the neighborhood boundary using the Bezier curve algorithm;

permitting the neighborhood boundary to take on a variety of shapes based on at least one of an associated geographic connotation, a historical connotation, a political connotation, and a cultural connotation of neighborhood boundaries; and

applying a database of constraints associated with neighborhood boundaries that are imposed on a map view of the online community when permitting the neighborhood boundary to take on the variety of shapes.

15. The method of claim 14:

generating a user-generated boundary in a form of a polygon describing geospatial boundaries defining the particular neighborhood when a first user of a particular neighborhood that verifies a first residential address of the particular neighborhood using the privacy server prior to other users in that particular neighborhood verifying their addresses in that particular neighborhood places a set of points defining the particular neighborhood using a set of drawing tools in the map view of the online community.

16. The method of claim 15:

permitting each of the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server to;

share information about a suspicious activity that is likely to affect several neighborhoods,

explain about a lost pet that might have wandered into an adjoining neighborhood,

rally support from neighbors from multiple neighborhoods to address civic issues,

spread information about events comprising a local theater production and a neighborhood garage sale, and

solicit advice and recommendations from the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood and optionally in the adjacent neighborhood.

17. The method of claim 16:

flagging a neighborhood feed from the particular neighborhood and optionally from the adjacent neighborhood as being inappropriate; and

suspending users that repeatedly communicate self-promotional messages that are inappropriate as voted based on a sensibility of any one of the verified users of the particular neighborhood and optionally from the adjacent neighborhood.

18. The method of claim 17:

personalizing which nearby neighborhoods that verified users are able to communicate through based on a request of the particular user; and

permitting the neighborhood leader to communicate privately with leaders of an adjoining neighborhood to plan and organize on behalf of an entire constituency of verified users of the particular neighborhood associated with the neighborhood leader.

19. The neighborhood communication system of claim 18:

filtering feeds to only display messages from the particular neighborhood associated with each verified user; and

restricting posts only in the particular neighborhood to verified users having verified addresses within the neighborhood boundary.

20. The method of claim 19:

utilizing a set of verification methods to perform verification of the particular user through;

generating a physical postcard that is postal mailed to addresses of requesting users in the particular neighborhood and having a unique alphanumeric sequence in a form of an access code printed thereon which authenticates users that enter the access code to view and search privileges in the particular neighborhood of the online community;

verifying the claimable residential address when at least one a credit card billing address and a debit card billing address is matched with an inputted address through an authentication services provider;

communicating to user profiles of at least one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader an instant access code that is printable at town hall meetings and gatherings sponsored by any one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader;

authenticating new users when existing verified users agree to a candidacy of new users in the particular neighborhood;

authenticating new users whose phone number is matched with an inputted phone number through the authentication services provider; and

authenticating new users whose social security number is matched with an inputted social security number through the authentication services provider.

21. The method of claim 20:

initially setting the particular neighborhood to a pilot phase status in which the online community of the particular neighborhood is provisionally defined until a minimum number of users verify their residential addresses in the particular neighborhood through the privacy server; and

automatically deleting profiles of users that remain unverified after a threshold window of time.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the neighborhood communication system is designed to create private websites to facilitate communication among neighbors and build stronger neighborhoods.

23. A neighborhood communication system comprising:

a privacy server to verify that each user lives at a residence associated with a claimable residential address of the online community formed through a social community module of the privacy server using a processor and a memory;

a network; and

a mapping server communicatively coupled with the privacy server through the network to generate a latitudinal data and a longitudinal data associated with each claimable residential address of the online community associated with each user of the online community,

wherein the privacy server to automatically determine a set of access privileges in the online community associated with each user of the online community by constraining access in the online community based on a neighborhood boundary determined using a Bezier curve algorithm of the privacy server,

wherein the privacy server to transform the claimable residential address into a claimed address upon an occurrence of an event,

wherein the privacy server to instantiate the event when a particular user is associated with the claimable residential address based on a verification of the particular user as living at a particular residential address associated with the claimable residential address using the privacy server,

wherein the privacy server to constrain the particular user to communicate through the online community only with a set of neighbors having verified addresses using the privacy server,

wherein the privacy server to define the set of neighbors as other users of the online community that have each verified their addresses in the online community using the privacy server and which have each claimed residential addresses that are in a threshold radial distance from the claimed address of the particular user,

wherein the privacy server to optionally extend the threshold radial distance to an adjacent boundary of an adjacent neighborhood based a request of the particular user,

wherein the privacy server to generate a separate login to the online community designed to be usable by at least one of a police department, a municipal agency, a neighborhood association, and a neighborhood leader associated with the particular neighborhood,

wherein the separate login to permit at least one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader to;

invite residents of the particular neighborhood themselves using the privacy server using a self-authenticating access code that permits new users that enter the self-authenticating access code in the online community to automatically join the particular neighborhood as verified users,

generate at least one of a virtual neighborhood watch group and an emergency preparedness group restricted to users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server,

conduct high value crime and safety related discussions from local police and fire officials that is restricted to users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server,

broadcast information across the particular neighborhood, and

receive and track neighborhood level membership and activity to identify leaders from the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server.

24. The neighborhood communication system of claim 23:

wherein the privacy server to constrain the threshold radial distance to be less than a distance of the neighborhood boundary using the Bezier curve algorithm,

wherein the privacy server to permit the neighborhood boundary to take on a variety of shapes based on at least one of an associated geographic connotation, a historical connotation, a political connotation, and a cultural connotation of neighborhood boundaries,

wherein the privacy server to apply a database of constraints associated with neighborhood boundaries that are imposed on a map view of the online community when permitting the neighborhood boundary to take on the variety of shapes,

wherein the privacy server to apply an address verification algorithm associated with each user of an online community, and

wherein the privacy server to generate a user-generated boundary in a form of a polygon describing geospatial boundaries defining the particular neighborhood when a first user of a particular neighborhood that verifies a first residential address of the particular neighborhood using the privacy server prior to other users in that particular neighborhood verifying their addresses in that particular neighborhood places a set of points defining the particular neighborhood using a set of drawing tools in the map view of the online community.

25. The neighborhood communication system of claim 24:

wherein the privacy server to permit each of the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood using the privacy server to;

share information about a suspicious activity that is likely to affect several neighborhoods,

explain about a lost pet that might have wandered into an adjoining neighborhood,

rally support from neighbors from multiple neighborhoods to address civic issues,

spread information about events comprising a local theater production and a neighborhood garage sale, and

solicit advice and recommendations from the restricted group of users verified in the particular neighborhood and optionally in the adjacent neighborhood.

26. The neighborhood communication system of claim 25:

wherein the privacy server to flag a neighborhood feed from the particular neighborhood and optionally from the adjacent neighborhood as being inappropriate,

wherein the privacy server to suspend users that repeatedly communicate self-promotional messages that are inappropriate as voted based on a sensibility of any one of the verified users of the particular neighborhood and optionally from the adjacent neighborhood,

wherein the privacy server to personalize which nearby neighborhoods that verified users are able to communicate through based on a request of the particular user,

wherein the privacy server to permit the neighborhood leader to communicate privately with leaders of an adjoining neighborhood to plan and organize on behalf of an entire constituency of verified users of the particular neighborhood associated with the neighborhood leader,

wherein the privacy server to filter feeds to only display messages from the particular neighborhood associated with each verified user, and

wherein the privacy server to restrict posts only in the particular neighborhood to verified users having verified addresses within the neighborhood boundary.

27. The neighborhood communication system of claim 26:

wherein the privacy server to initially set the particular neighborhood to a pilot phase status in which the online community of the particular neighborhood is provisionally defined until a minimum number of users verify their residential addresses in the particular neighborhood through the privacy server,

wherein the privacy server to automatically delete profiles of users that remain unverified after a threshold window of time,

wherein the neighborhood communication system is designed to create private websites to facilitate communication among neighbors and build stronger neighborhoods, and

wherein the address verification algorithm of the privacy server utilizes a set of verification methods to perform verification of the particular user through any of a;

a postcard verification method through which the privacy server generates a physical postcard that is postal mailed to addresses of requesting users in the particular neighborhood and having a unique alphanumeric sequence in a form of an access code printed thereon which authenticates users that enter the access code to view and search privileges in the particular neighborhood of the online community,

a credit card verification method through which the privacy server verifies the claimable residential address when at least one a credit card billing address and a debit card billing address is matched with an inputted address through an authentication services provider,

a privately-published access code method through which the privacy server communicates to user profiles of at least one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader an instant access code that is printable at town hall meetings and gatherings sponsored by any one of the police department, the municipal agency, the neighborhood association, and the neighborhood leader,

a neighbor vouching method through which the privacy server authenticates new users when existing verified users agree to a candidacy of new users in the particular neighborhood,

a phone verification method through which the privacy server authenticates new users whose phone number is matched with an inputted phone number through the authentication services provider, and

a social security verification method through which the privacy server authenticates new users whose social security number is matched with an inputted social security number through the authentication services provider.