AU2019101128A4 - A Social Networking System to Promote Altruism - Google Patents

Abstract

A social networking system comprising: a server for hosting user data, one or more devices for accessing the server via the internet and a software application for connecting the devices with the server; wherein the software application is adapted to allow users to pass compliments to each other and allow the recipient to rate the compliment. Check-in to send and receive good vibes! Or 16 Type location for stationary check-in Or Checking in simply let's others know you are here, so they can send you vibes. 20 Figure I

Description

A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM TO PROMOTE ALTRUISM

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to online social networking tools and, more particularly to online social networking tool which promotes altruism.

BACKGROUND [0002] The successful apps of the world can be divided into two categories; those that solve a basic human need, and those that amplify human behaviour, giving users an outlet they did not even know they needed.

[0003] Uber™ and Airbnb™ are apps fall into the former category; they facilitate basic human needs of transport and shelter. Facebook™, Instagram™, Twitter™ and Snapchat™ are apps that fall into the latter category; they amplify basic human interactions, each with their own unique hook. Twitter’s hook is to broadcast a short thought to the world. Snapchat’s hook is to broadcast an ephemeral thought to the world. Instagram’s hook is to broadcast a visual thought to the world.

[0004] There is one other basic human interaction that has not yet been amplified by an app. What is something every person does, when in a large room with other people (e.g. gym, airport, restaurant, beach, club)? They watch other people. They admire other people. They do not just admire external beauty, but also charisma, a laugh, a smile, charm and general vibrancy. For the most part, this admiration is carried out internally. Most people are too shy to speak to a complete stranger, let alone compliment them. Everyone remembers the warm and fuzzy feeling they had when they received a valentine from a complete stranger back at school. This app takes that concept and applies it even more liberally.

[0005] Do you ever pass a woman or man on the street and think “Damn, they are beautiful”? Of course, you do. But positive thoughts such as these do not just extend to beauty. Have you ever been at the gym and remarked: “wow, that guy has really come a long way!” Or you have been at a coffee shop and thought: “that barista is always so bubbly. It really makes my day.” All these positive thoughts stay locked up in your mind. That guy at the gym might be having an off day and here you are thinking something positive about him that he will never know. Imagine if he could hear that thought and not care about the person

2019101128 30 Sep 2019 who thought it, but simply revel in the positivity of the thought itself?

[0006] And that barista at the coffee shop might have had an argument with their boss that day and not be feeling the best. And here you are being grateful for how wonderful they are. How might that barista’s day be turned around by the power of that one positive thought? There is a world of untapped positivity out there, locked up in people’s minds. Liberating that positivity could make the difference to many people’s lives. In an ideal world, this transference of positive thoughts would take place seamlessly - almost telepathically - such that the identity of the sender or receive is not obvious.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a way for anyone in the world to send out a real-time, customized, positive thoughts to any other stranger in their immediate vicinity. Another object of the invention is to provide a means of allowing anyone to receive positive thoughts from complete strangers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a social networking system comprising:

(a) a server for hosting user data;

(b) one or more devices for accessing the server via the internet; and (c) a software application for connecting the devices with the server;

wherein the software application is adapted to allow users to pass compliments to each other and allow the recipient to rate the compliment.

[0009] Preferably users may unlock received compliments by sending compliments. A user may take a snapshot of other users within the same location for later viewing. The users may share compliments they receive on an online forum. Users may filter other users of the system by their attributes.

[0010] Users may accrue points based on the rating assigned to their compliment. The cost in points of unlocking a compliment is based on the average compliment rating of the sender. The compliments may be customized.

2019101128 30 Sep 2019 [0011] Users may see popular locations on a map to send and receive compliments. The attributes may be automatically obtained from the user images. Users may designate their approachability as an attribute using the software application. Users obtain an average rating based on their compliments.

[0012] The system may monitor the customized compliments to ensure they are not offensive. Users may engage in conversations using the software application after passing compliments to each other. Users may choose to reveal their identity to users they have complimented.

[0013] Users may have an online forum. Users may see public comments an online forum for a particular location. Users may be anonymous in the online forum. Users may spend points accrued through compliments on an online shop associated with the software application. Users may transfer points to each other.

[0014] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0015] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a check-in page that allows the user to become visible as a recipient to other users.

[0017] Figure 2 is a page that displays a map of all locations within a certain proximity in which there are high concentrations of users.

[0018] Figure 3 is a page that displays a list of all incoming compliments (opened and unopened).

[0019] Figure 4 is a page that displays a subset of the page shown in Figure 3, after a user opts to open a compliment.

[0020] Figure 5 is a rating page for a user to rate a compliment they have received.

[0021] Figure 6 is a page displaying all activities associated with a particular user.

2019101128 30 Sep 2019 [0022] Figure 7 is a page displaying the action that occurs when a user goes to send a compliment.

[0023] Figure 8 is a page displaying the forum aspect of the system, where users can post comments and make comments anonymously.

[0024] Figure 9 is a profile page of a user.

[0025] Figure 10 is the list of potential recipients a user is presented with when they go to send a compliment.

[0026] Figure 11 is a selected recipient to which a user wishes to send a compliment.

[0027] Figure 12 is a page that displays a user’s current balance of points.

[0028] Figure 13 is a page that is displayed after a user opts to send points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0029] Figure 1 shows a device 10 running a check-in page 12 of the software application of the present invention. The check-in page 12 provides options for the user to specify their location by selecting a roaming button 14, typing in their location 16 (which is then matched with Google’s catalogue of locations), or selecting the current location button 18 to automatically locate them using GPS. The user can then select the check-in button 20 to designate their location. At any point in time, the user may select a button 22 to view hotspots (locations with high numbers of users) within their vicinity, which takes the user to the page shown in Figure 2.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a device 24 running a hotspots page 26 of the software application of the present invention. The hotspots page 26 provides an interactive map 28 with locations where large numbers of users are congregated. The hotspots page 26 also advertises business locations where users can earn bonus points by sending compliments to others at those business locations. Businesses can pay advertising fees to the proprietors of the system to be listed as one of these bonus locations within the software application.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a device 30 running a received compliments page 32 of the software application of the present invention. The received compliments page 32 displays a reverse chronological list of all received compliments. An example of a compliment 34

2019101128 30 Sep 2019 received by a sender who also opted to reveal their identity 36 is shown in Figure 3. The user has the option of viewing the location 38 at which they received the compliment. The user also has the option 40 of selecting: (1) rate the compliment, (2) delete the compliment, (3) reply, (4) sort by location A to Z, (5) sort by location Z to A, (6) report compliment as inappropriate, (7) block the sender, and (8) share the compliment using platforms provided via the device. An example of a compliment received by a sender who opted to remain anonymous 42 in figure 3. The user has the option of sending a reply 44 to the sender.

[0032] What then motivates someone to send a compliment? There will of course be individuals out there that need no motivation, and simply spread goodwill out of sheer altruism. But assuming the majority of people will behave as such is naive. The question one needs to ask then is not “who would want to send a compliment?” but rather “who would want to receive a compliment?” The answer to the latter is: everyone. Thus, the motivation for sending compliments should be linked to the desire to receive compliments. That is, an individual should be able to see how many compliments are ‘waiting’ for them, but they cannot unlock them until they send out a corresponding number of compliments to others themselves. In a pseudo-pay-it-forward fashion, a network of compliments will flourish, and keep active due to the pass-it-on nature of the system.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the same page 32 from Figure 3, where the user has opted to unlock the new compliment 46 waiting for them. When the ‘unlock’ button is selected, options for how to view the compliment are displayed 48: (1) by spending points from the internal points system (where the cost of unlocking the compliment is dependent upon the sender’s average rating), or (2) by immediately sending a compliment to another user.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a device 50 running a compliment rating page 52 of the software application of the present invention. The compliment sender will accrue points in direct proportion to the rating the receiver assigns their compliment 54. The compliment sender’s average rating will also be updated to reflect the newly rated compliment. The system monitors compliments sent to ensure they do not contain offensive material.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a device 56 running a page 58 listing all activities associated with the user. Any action or event associated with a user’s account is recorded in reverse chronological order in the feed 60.

[0036] Figure 7 shows a device 62 where the user has opted to send a compliment 64.

2019101128 30 Sep 2019

The user is then presented with the option to send a compliment to a particular user or to broadcast a secret thought to users within their vicinity 66. When the option to broadcast is selected, the user is shown the page in Figure 8.

[0037] Figure 8 shows a device 67 running a page of thoughts 68 broadcast by users within a particular geographical radius and timeframe. The user has the option to widen or narrow the radius 70 (. The thoughts are listed in reverse chronological order 72.

[0038] Figure 9 shows a device 74 running a profile page 76 of a user. The user’s activity within the system (total compliments sent 78 and average rating 80) is visible, as well as their attributes (gender, distinguishing features, approachability). Distinguishing features can be sourced automatically from photos uploaded by the user 82. The user can also specify their approachability as an attribute 84.

[0039] Figure 10 shows a device 86 running on a page 90 that appears after a user has chosen to send a compliment to another user in their proximity. This page 90 displays all potential recipients (other users) currently in their proximity. The user has the option to view this list in thumbnail or tile form 88. The user has the option to filter the list by physical attributes, approachability, location status and other keywords 92. The user can also view current hotspots by selecting the icon 96. There is also an option to take a snapshot of the current list of users at that particular location 94.

[0040] Figure 11 shows a device 98 running on a page 100 that appears after a user has selected a recipient from the list 90 shown in Figure 10. The user has the option to send the compliment to that recipient anonymously, or to reveal their identity with the compliment 102. Once the user has specified such a requirement, they can type a custom compliment and select send 104.

[0041] Figure 12 shows a device 106 running a page 108 that displays the user’s current points balance. Points can be accrued by sending compliments, where the number of points awarded is directly proportional to the rating given to the compliment by the recipient. A user may at any time send some of their points to another user 110, which would display the page shown in Figure 13.

[0042] Figure 13 shows a device 112 running a page 114 that appears after a user has opted to send some of their points to another user. The user must specify the number of

2019101128 30 Sep 2019 points to send 116, the recipient’s identifier 118 and select send 120.

Concluding Remarks [0043] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0044] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0045] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. A social networking system comprising:

(a) a server for hosting user data;

(b) one or more devices for accessing the server via the internet; and (c) a software application for connecting the devices with the server;

wherein the software application is adapted to allow users to pass compliments to each other and allow the recipient to rate the compliment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein users can unlock received compliments by sending compliments.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein users can broadcast their status for receiving compliments within a certain radius, based on their current location.

4. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users can accrue points based on the rating assigned to their compliment.

5. The system of any one of the preceding claims, where users can cam bonus points by sending compliments to others also at that location.

6. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users obtain an average rating based on their compliments.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the cost in points of unlocking a compliment is based on the average compliment rating of the sender.

8. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a user can take a snapshot of other users within the same location for later viewing.

9. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a user can view a feed of all activity associated with them as a participating user in the network of connected users.

10. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the users can share compliments they receive on an online forum.

2019101128 30 Sep 2019

11. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users can filter other users of the system by their attributes.

12. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compliments can be customized.

13. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users can see popular locations on a map to send and receive compliments.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the attributes can be automatically obtained from the user images.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein users can designate their approachability as an attribute using the software application.

16. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system monitors the customized compliments to ensure they are not offensive.

17. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users can engage in conversations using the software application after passing compliments to each other.

18. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users can choose to reveal their identity to users they have complimented.

19. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users can post comments to an online forum.

20. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein users can transfer points to each other.