AU2001100226B4 - The luv buzz - Google Patents

Description

Australia Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

INNOVATION

PATENT

"AUTOMATIC RELATIONSHIP

INITIATOR"

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it know to me/us:

TITLE

AUTOMATIC RELATIONSHIP INITIATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic relationship initiator for initiating personal contact between two people by assessing pre-determined common interests.

The present invention more particularly relates to initiating a relationship with a complete stranger of the opposite sex, same sex, or similar adult intentions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The initiation of a relationship between two people has been a source of stress and worry throughout the ages.

Some cultures dealt with the problem by insisting that there be a formal introduction between two people. This required that there be a person who knows both of the introducees to perform the task of the introduction. In modem times where there are many more people and many more chances to meet someone you do not know this introduction system is no longer workable.

More recently introduction agencies have emerged to attempt to meet the challenge of introducing people who have similar interests and intentions. However, such agencies are usually directed at matching life partners with a view to marriage, are relatively expensive services and therefore are not widely used.

Some attempts have been made to develop automatic electronic devices for establishing a contact with a person that one has not met before. These are exemplified in US Patent 6,150.937; PCT Applications WO 01/35360; WO 00/23957; WO 99/28877; WO 97/24627; European Patent 347491; and Spanish Patent 2105941. All but the first of these devices rely upon some kind of storage of data relating to preferences and/or characteristics of a number of people in a group who have an intention to meet some one else within that group.

US Patent 6,150,937 is an "ice breaker" device that in its simplest form has no data relating to preferences and/or characteristics of its user. It has one device for males and another for females with different programming and operating on different frequencies. The devices operate in a substantially random manner and have a probability between 0 and 75% of activating a "match" light when a male device is in front of female device. A separate remote control is also provided for activating or deactivating the device if either of the users definitely does not want to talk to the person in front of them. The purpose of this device is to force people to talk to each other, whilst giving them the option of not talking all in a realm of randomness so that non-activation of the "match" light does not necessarily mean rejection of by the other user.

The ice breaker of US Patent 6,150,937 has the problem that different devices must be made for males and females and each must have a remote control device. That means three devices are required in order to introduce two people to each other.

PCT Application WO 01/35360 discloses a paging system based on a public telephone network, global positioning systems and using external computer software a database for identifying persons of similar interests in close proximity to each other. The paging system is preprogrammed with astro logical data, personal interests of users. The external software monitors the users and their geographical position and sets of a light. sound or vibration when there is a match of high similarity between two people in close proximity.

The paging system of WO 0 1/35360 has the problem that it is extremely complex. relying upon quite expensive techniques that require monthly access fees and continual 24 hour monitoring.

PCT Application WO 00/23957 discloses an automatic electronic date/mate finder into which preferences and characteristics of the user are programmed as answers to predetermined questions. The answers are compared between devices in close proximity (less than 150 metres) and a visible or vibrating alarm set off in the event that there is a percentage of match above a predetermine amount. The devices have a display for use by the user in entering answers to the predetermined questions and for entering optional personal details and preferences and/or characteristics. The device also has an ON/OFF switch to allow deactivation if the user does not wish to be found.

The date/mate finder of WO 00/23957 has the problem that it is too slow in that it requires the entering of answers to questions and hence loses the spontaneity of the introduction and increases the time taken in determining a possible match.

PCT Application WO 99/28877 discloses a system and a communication device for establishing interacting contact between persons. The devices are pre-programmed wit preferences and characteristics of their users and there is an automatic exchange of this information between devices in close proximity to each other and an audio alarm set off when a suitably high match is detected. The degree of match is then display.

A problem of the device of WO 99/28877 is that it is still relatively complex and requires a display and navigation buttons to input preferences and characteristics.

PCT Application WO 97/24627 discloses a person identifier for finding "kinsmen" who are members of the same community. No other information is pre-programmed into the device.

Vibrating segments of a ribbon alert the user of a kinsman in the vicinity.

A problem of the device of WO 97/24627 is that it cannot be turned off in the event that a kinsman wishes to be temporarily anonymous.

European Patent 347491 discloses an electronic parent search device used by men and women to find a potential partner. The devices for men and women operate at different frequencies and use different hardware. The signal from the male device is mixed with the signal in the female device and then retransmitted back to the male device. In the event that the mixed signal received by the male device is sufficiently similar to the original signal then both devices sound an audio alarm.

A problem of the device of EP 347491 is that it cannot be turned off in the event that a person does not want to be matched with a partner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic relationship initiator for initiating contact between two people having similar intentions or interests.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided An automatic relationship initiator for initiating a relationship between two people each of whom carry an automatic relationship initiator on their person, the automatic relationship initiator including: a housing sized for convenient carrying on a person's body; a selection criteria means pre-selectable by the said person for representing a preference and/or characteristic of the said person or sought by the said person in a potential second person; a transmitter means for transmitting the selection criteria over an area proximate the first said person for receipt by another substantially identical automatic relationship initiator used by the said second person; a receiver means for receiving a return signal from said substantially identical automatic relationship initiator used by the said second person; a decision making means for automatically determining the existence or absence of a match between the preferences and/or characteristics of the two said people stored in the two automatic relationship initiators, and for generating a reply signal from the return signal and retransmitting said reply signal to confirm the existence of a match with the second said automatic relationship initiator; and, a vibrating alarm means for vibrating to indicate to the two said people of the existence of a match between the preferences and/or characteristics stored in the two automatic relationship initiators.

In the context of the present invention the term "proximate" in relation to the location of two users of the device of the present invention is taken to be within the same general area. More particularly proximate is taken to mean within an area of about 13 metres.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a plan view of an automatic relationship initiator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 2 is a side view of the automatic relationship initiator of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S) In the drawings there is shown an automatic relationship initiator 10 in accordance with the present invention.

The automatic relationship initiator 10 includes a housing 12, a transmitter 14, a receiver 16 and an ON/OFF switch 18.

The housing 12 is typically sized to fit conveniently in a pocket of a person's clothing. Typically the housing 12 is shaped similarly to a car alarm key ring. Typically, the housing 12 has a relatively flat back 20, a substantially dome shaped front 22 and substantially egg shaped sides 24 (when viewed in plan). The back 20 includes a battery access panel 26 for receiving a battery to power the transmitter 14 and the receiver 16.

The housing 12 is also conveniently provided with a hole 28 for attachment to a ring of keys or the like.

Typically the housing 12 is made from plastics materials although it could be made of other suitable materials.

The ON/OFF switch 18 is located in the housing 12 for convenient hand operation. In the exemplary embodiment the switch 18 is located proximate one end of the housing 12.

The transmitter 14 and the receiver 16 are also located in the housing 12. Typically the transmitter 14 and the receiver 16 are located on opposite sides 24 of the housing 12.

Conveniently the transmitter 14 and the receiver 16 operate at about 46 megahertz (UHF band) and transmit in a range of between about 0.3 to 13 metres. That is the transmitter 14 has a relatively low power range. It is envisaged that other transmission frequencies could also be used, such as. for example, satellite or infrared frequencies. The transmission type could by analogue or digital in nature.

The receiver 16 is configured to compare a received signal with the signal that is used by its associated transmitter 14. Where these two signals are the same the receiver 16 converts the incoming signal and creates a triggering signal.

The automatic relationship initiator 10 also includes a vibrating mechanism (not shown) located inside the housing 12. The vibrating mechanism is controlled by the triggering signal from the receiver 16 to vibrate indicating that a similar automatic relationship initiator 10 is located nearby.

The automatic relationship initiator 10 of the present invention typically comes in three types, being Luv Buzz Hetro (for use by people with heterosexual preferences), Luv Buzz Gay (for use by people with same sex preferences), and Luv Buzz XXX (for use by people with X rated preferences).

The three types of automatic relationship initiator 10 operate on different frequencies or with different transmission signals so that only same type initiators 10 can detect each other and respond with operation of the vibrating mechanism. Hence, a Luv Buzz Hetro type initiator will only respond to another Luv Buzz Hetro type initiator 10 and not to a Luv Buzz Gay or XXX type initiator That is the operation of the initiator 10 is designed so that different types of initiators 10 cannot detect each other and thereby initiating a relationship with a complete stranger is made easier and safer since the initiator 10 takes care to only introduce people with the same relationship preference.

In use, a person chooses which one of the three initiators 10 represents his or her relationship preference. For example, a person with a heterosexual preference would choose the Luv Buzz Hetro type of initiator The initiator 10 is activated by operating the ON/OFF switch 18. This causes the transmitter 14 to transmit a signal indicating that the user is interested in starting a relationship with a stranger.

When the initiator 10 is in the range of say less than about 13 metres of another initiator 10 of the same type the receiver 16 receives the signal transmitted from the first mentioned initiator Where the received signal matches the relationship preference indicated by the transmitting frequency of the transmitter 14 of the first mentioned initiator 10 an activating signal is created, which activates the vibrating mechanism to generate vibrating sequences to indicate that an initiator 10 of the same preference is in the area.

In the event that an initiator 10 of a different type is in the range of the receiver 16 the activating signal is not created and the vibrating mechanism is not activated.

Once an introduction has been successfully completed the initiator 10 can be deactivated by turning off the switch 18. Alternatively the switch 18 can be turned off at any time that the user decides that he/she does not want to be introduced to a stranger. This may occur when the area is overcrowded with the same type of initiators The automatic relationship initiator 10 of the present invention has the advantage that it simplifies the process by which strangers can meet each other. The initiator 10 does this by bringing together only people who have the same relationship preference.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered within the scope of the present invention. For example, the relationship preferences could include preferences other than the three discussed hereinabove, for example, the preferences could include certain sports or leisure preferences or the like.

Claims (4)

1. An automatic relationship initiator for initiating a relationship between and first person and a second person amongst a group of people, the automatic relationship initiator including; a housing sized for convenient carrying on the body of any one of the people in the said group of people; means for transmitting a signal representing the preferences of one of the said people; means for receiving a signal representing the preferences of another person from the said group; means for creating a match signal when the transmitted signal and the received signals are substantially the same; vibration means configured to respond to the match signal for indicating the presence of a match in the relationship preferences of two people in the group of people; wherein the automatic relationship initiators are configured in groups corresponding to like relationship preferences, whereby only automatic relationship initiators with substantially the same preferences are capable of generating said match signals.

2. An automatic relationship initiator according to Claim 1. in which the preferences and/or characteristics are represented by different transmission frequencies.

3. A method of initiating relationships between a first and a second person in a group of people; the method including the steps of: configuring automatic relationship initiators so that people, such as the said first and second persons, having like relationship preferences use like automatic relationship initiators; supplying some or all of the people in the said group with automatic relationship initiators according to their respective relationship preferences, each of the automatic relationship initiators having like relationship preferences being able to communicate with others in the said group; and, respective automatic relationship initiators transmitting and receiving signals, comparing received signals with transmitted signals and activating a vibrating means in the event that the received signals are substantially the same as the transmitted signals for indicating a match in the relationship preferences of two of the automatic relationship initiators in the group. such as used by the said first and second persons.

4. A relationship initiating system for initiating a relationship between and first person and a second person amongst a group of people, the relationship initiating system including a plurality of automatic relationship initiators, the automatic relationship initiators each including: a housing sized for convenient carrying on the body of a person, including the said first person; a transmitter means located in the housing and configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the relationship preferences of the said first person: a receiver means located in the housing and configured to receive a signal transmitted by a transmitter of another said automatic relationship initiator used by the said second person, the said received signal corresponding to the relationship preferences of the said second person: a decision making means for comparing the said signal received by the receiver with the said relationship preferences in the first said transmitter; and a vibrating means for vibrating when the signal in the transmitter means substantially matches with the signal received by the receiver means to indicate a match between the preferences of the said first and second person; and. the automatic relationship initiator being programmed into groups of like relationship preferences so that only automatic relationship initiators with the same preferences are capable of generating matches between the transmitted and received signals. An automatic relationship initiator substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. lan Donovan McTavish September 2002