IT201900000557A1 - System and method for managing a social network site - Google Patents

Description

Description of the Patent Application for Industrial Invention with TITLE:

"System and method for managing a social network site",

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention refers to a system and a method for the management of a social network site with the aid of computers for the development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas in the form of posts.

In the following, the term "idea" is used in its broadest meaning, to indicate the content of what can be made public by a user on a social network site. This content can consist of a plurality of text passages, multimedia files, links to resources publicly available on the world wide web (www) or on local and / or private networks and / or any other content can be made available to all users on a social networking site via a computer-managed digital data connection network.

Therefore, in the following, given the widespread use made of them on social networks, the terms "idea" and "post" are to be understood as synonyms and their respective meanings as interchangeable with each other.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

From the state of the art, so-called social sites are known in which users connected to each other via a telematic network, for example the Internet, share ideas, information, intuitions, moods, etc. with each other. in the form of text passages and / or files of various nature (artistic, scientific, cultural, relational, etc.) and format (links, images, videos, audio, pdf, etc.). Users of these social sites are also given the opportunity to express their own comments and / or their own evaluation on the proposed contents with the attribution of "likes" which are counted by number and type.

A disadvantage of these social sites is that said sharing ends in reporting the list of posts published by each user and / or the number of comments to each post and / or the number of likes, in the case divided by type, without reaching no particular result for the user who entered the posts other than the same number of comments and / or likes received by the single post.

There are also so-called "crowd funding" sites, in which one or more users are given the opportunity to propose new projects and other users, other than the first, in the face of various kinds of benefits, to finance said projects with the restriction or not of reaching a minimum threshold, beyond which the project is actually financed.

These "crowd funding" sites have the disadvantage that the proposed idea must necessarily go through different and complex distinct phases of proposition, evaluation, approval, financing, implementation, etc. while for the most part ideas that fail to overcome even only some of these phases are precluded.

There are also known so-called "prize competitions" where, in the face of specific areas of competition, eg. sports, artistic, scientific, cultural, social, commercial, political, etc. “prizes” are assigned to candidates, which have been made available by particular organizations, on the basis of particular participation requirements and award procedures.

Said "prize contests" have the disadvantage that the areas of assignment of said prizes are very specific, pre-established in advance, just as the same prizes are reserved only for some particular categories of users and the evaluation "juries" are also particular for the awarding of prizes. There are also so-called "lotteries" and / or "betting" sites, in which prizes are awarded on the basis of particular combinations between certificates issued to users and the occurrence or otherwise of particular events such as the random drawing of a sequence of numbers and / or a particular sequence of sporting, artistic, social results, etc.

A disadvantage of these "lotteries" and / or "betting" sites is that the prizes are awarded mostly on the basis of random events and the idea itself consists mostly in the mere prediction of such events.

Efforts are also known for the creation of so-called "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) systems for the assessment of situations and / or the proposal of solutions to certain problems in order to obtain a particular result through algorithms and systems managed predominantly by computer.

According to the conviction of the applicant for this patent, said "Artificial Intelligence" systems have the disadvantage that the "ideas" proposed by said systems are in any case subject to the limits imposed by machines, bound to specific characteristics and algorithms, pre-established in advance, to to which, on the contrary, the versatility, creativity and expressiveness of the human mind are contrasted, witnessed, in the widest and most diversified forms, by millennia of history in the most diverse spheres and conditions.

There are also known procedures developed by States for the issue of legal titles, so-called "patents" or other, with which intellectual property rights are conferred on the inventors of new ideas.

In the conviction of the applicant for this patent, said procedures for the issue of intellectual property titles have the disadvantage that limitations are placed on the proposal of ideas inherent in the procedures and in the requirements themselves envisaged for the issue of such titles, the procedures are in any case complex, they mostly require the assistance of people specialized in the management of these procedures, they can be remarkably expensive in the face of an uncertain final economic result.

Overall, these systems have the disadvantage of combining complex procedures, in any case in specific areas, connecting to sequences of events that are sometimes very particular, other times random, without favoring the exchange, refinement, evaluation and selection of ideas about basis of arguments, motivations and different fields, according to how these ideas can be perceived and formulated by users who are also very different from each other.

AIMS OF THE INVENTION

Faced with this basic scenario, the basis of the invention is therefore the purpose of providing a management system of a social network site for the free development of human thought, without geographical restrictions, such as to require reduced economic resources to users. of the site and without particular technical specializations required of the latter, capable of constituting an environment full of opportunities and methods of use, stimulating, interesting, intriguing, rewarding, fun for the users of the site themselves, in order to give the opportunity to anyone, in any field, to see their ideas and proposals rewarded, aimed at the development, proposal, fine-tuning, research, evaluation, selection of ideas both new and already known but in any case re-proposed and / or reworked in new contexts and / or with new and / or different perspectives.

A further purpose of the invention is to allow each of the users of the social network site to develop and propose ideas, in the most diverse fields, based on a plurality of simple but at the same time very broad methods.

A further object of the invention is to provide a management system for a social network site capable of allowing each of the users to contribute to the evaluation and selection of ideas by formulating a ranking of ideas for the assignment of prizes to particular users of the site.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a management system for a social network site capable of rewarding users on the basis of the ideas they have developed and proposed.

A further purpose of the invention is to favor the development of ideas, new or in any case reworked, which are to the advantage of everyone, not just the users of the site, thanks to the awarding of prizes and on the basis of a plurality of working methods. able to stimulate the development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

These and further purposes and advantages of the invention are achieved by means of a system for managing a social network site according to claim 1, as well as by means of a method for managing a social network site according to claim 10.

According to claim 1, a system is provided for the management of a social network site by means of computers for the development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas in the form of posts, the system including:

- a management body of the social network site that oversees all the operations necessary for the full and appropriate functionality of said social network site as well as to establish and make known, to all users of said social network site, the terms general and / or specific use of said social network site,

- a central computer device (server), on which, through a database management system (DBMS), the data of a database relating to individual users and individual posts / ideas entered by said users are stored,

- a plurality of peripheral computers (clients), through which individual users have access to database data via a data connection network and specific dynamic pages designed for entering, viewing and editing said database data,

in which

- access to said system is restricted to users uniquely registered on said DBMS,

characterized by the fact that

- said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site are fixed or variable over time, on the basis of what is established by said management body of the social network site, - full access to all functions offered by the system is limited only to users who have certain requirements specifically provided for in said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, in such a way that each user (521, 531, etc.) acquires the status of user "regular",

- each regular user is offered the possibility of entering into the system, through appropriate input means, a plurality of distinct posts / ideas, each consisting of a plurality of text passages and / or files of various kinds (artistic, scientific, cultural, relational, etc.) and format (links, images, video, audio, pdf, etc.),

- each single post / idea entered by each single regular user belongs to the single user who entered that single post / idea,

- each regular user has the possibility of expressing, by means of data entry means, a plurality of numerical evaluation values, each variable between a minimum value, even negative, and a maximum value, even positive, for each individual post / idea entered by any other user of the system, according to validity criteria set out in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site,

- the system assigns to each single post / idea an overall numerical evaluation value equal to the algebraic sum of all the single valid numerical evaluation values expressed by the single users,

- at predefined time intervals, the system formulates a classification of ideas on the basis of the overall evaluation value of each individual post / idea, according to the methods of formulating said classification of ideas indicated in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, - on the basis of said classification of ideas and said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, a plurality of prize vehicles are assigned to a plurality of individual users to whom each of said single post / idea is pertinent, said plurality of single users being variable between a value equal to one and a value greater than one.

According to claim 10, a method is provided for the computer-assisted management of a social network site for the development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas in the form of posts, the site of social networks including a system consisting of:

- a management body of the social network site that oversees all the operations necessary for the full and appropriate functionality of said social network site as well as to establish and make known to all users of said social network site,

- a central computer device (server), on which, through a database management system (DBMS), the data of a database relating to individual users and to individual posts / ideas entered by said users are stored (521, 531, etc.),

- a plurality of peripheral computers (clients), through which individual users have access to database data via a data connection network and specific dynamic pages designed for entering, viewing and editing said database data,

in which

- access to said system is restricted to users uniquely registered on said DBMS,

the method being made up of the phases of:

- arrange to make these general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site fixed or variable over time, on the basis of what is established by said management body of the social network site,

- limit full access to all the functions offered by the system to users who have specific requirements specifically provided for in said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, in such a way that each user acquires the status of user "regular",

- offer each regular user the possibility of entering into the system, through appropriate input means, a plurality of distinct posts / ideas, each consisting of a plurality of text passages and / or files of various kinds (artistic, scientific, cultural , relational, etc.) and format (links, images, video, audio, pdf, etc.),

- assign the relevance of each single post / idea entered by each single regular user to the single user who entered that single post / idea,

- offer each regular user the possibility of expressing, by means of data entry means, a plurality of numerical evaluation values, each variable between a minimum value, even negative, and a maximum value, even positive, for each individual post / idea entered by any other user of the system, according to validity criteria set out in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site,

- assign to each single post / idea an overall numerical evaluation value equal to the algebraic sum of all the single valid numerical evaluation values expressed by the individuals,

- arrange to formulate, at predefined time intervals, a classification of ideas based on the overall evaluation value of each individual post / idea, according to the formulation methods of said classification of ideas indicated in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site,

- assign, on the basis of said classification of ideas and said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, a plurality of prize means to a plurality of individual users to whom each of said individual post / idea is of pertinence, said plurality of single users being variable between a value equal to one and a value greater than one.

The purposes underlying the invention are thus completely resolved.

Further advantageous forms of implementation of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

Since the site management system includes in its fundamental architecture elements that are substantially already known and freely available in their basic characteristics, such as a site management body that supervises all the operations necessary for the functionality of said site as well as establishing and managing make known to all users the general and / or specific terms of use of said site, a central computer (server) with a database management system (DBMS) for data storage and a plurality of peripheral computers (clients) from which users can access said data through a data connection network, in which access to the system is restricted to users uniquely registered on the DBMS, the system has the advantage of using consolidated technologies with which to allow a large number of users to carry out the more specific activity of developing, proposing, researching, evaluating and selecting ideas through insi total heme of the characterizing elements of the present invention.

The fact that said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site are fixed or variable over time, based on what is established by said social network site management body, offers the advantage of being able to define, stimulate and update the performance of users' activities on the basis of any new needs of the users themselves, the reality of the site and / or anything else that may occur.

The fact of limiting full access to the functions offered by the system to users with the status of "regular", in addition to registering univocally on the DBMS, offers the advantage of placing additional requirements on users, based on the provisions of the '' site management body, in particular as regards the security of the site itself, the correctness of user behavior, the satisfaction of an appropriate use of the site, with reference for example to the most prominent part of the users' operation on the system , such as posting posts, evaluating other users' posts, formulating a ranking of ideas, awarding and receiving prizes.

The fact that each regular user is offered the possibility of entering a plurality of distinct posts / ideas into the system, without constraints of nature and format, and that said posts / ideas are relevant to each user, has the advantage of laying the foundations for the subsequent assignment of prizes to said individual users by virtue of the numerical evaluation values expressed by each user of the system and the consequent classification of ideas formulated by the system based on them.

The fact that every regular user has the possibility to express, by means of data entry, a plurality of numerical evaluation values, each variable between a minimum value, even negative, and a maximum value, even positive, for each single post / idea entered by any other user of the system, according to validity criteria set out in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, has the advantage of allowing only regular users to express an evaluation, on a numerical basis, on posts / ideas of all users, in order to select the ideas considered best, and therefore the users, to be rewarded.

The fact that the system assigns to each individual post / idea an overall numerical evaluation value equal to the algebraic sum of all the single valid numerical evaluation values expressed by the individual users has the advantage of leaving the system with the task of obtaining, algebraically, an overall numerical evaluation value, resulting from the individual evaluation values expressed by users, on the basis of which to formulate a ranking of ideas for their subsequent awarding, and to take into account in an overall manner the evaluation of all users.

The fact that at predefined time intervals, the system formulates a classification of ideas on the basis of the overall numerical evaluation value of each individual post / idea, according to the formulation methods of said classification of ideas indicated in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site has the advantage that deadlines are established for the awarding of prizes, on the basis of the methods of formulating said ranking of ideas established by the management body of the social network site.

The fact that on the basis of said classification of ideas and said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, a plurality of prize vehicles are assigned to a plurality of individual users to whom each of said individual posts / idea is of relevance offers the advantage of rewarding the ideas, and therefore the users, which were deemed most deserving based on the overall evaluation of the users of the social network site.

In the conviction of the applicant, this patent is of fundamental importance here, in order to favor the development, proposal, development, research, evaluation, selection and / or in any case the deepening of ideas both new and under form of ideas already known but still proposed in new contexts, the fact that prizes are assigned to users in relation to their respective posts / ideas of relevance, based on a ranking of ideas resulting from the sum of the evaluations of individual users. In this way, a stimulus mechanism is developed to encourage the development of ideas which involves users in equal measure both in the proposal and / or evaluation phases of the ideas as well as in those of awarding and / or receiving prizes. The ideas considered to be the best thus have a way, so to speak "consequent", to find the resources and methods to be adequately promoted and possibly implemented, while users are at the same time gratified both by having participated in the selection of the ideas deemed best than from having themselves promoted the idea eventually rewarded.

Furthermore, the fact that users can graduate their numerical evaluation, for each single post / idea entered by any other user of the system, between a minimum value, even negative, and a maximum value, even positive, allows users to intervene in way to both reduce and increase the algebraic sum that constitutes the overall numerical value of evaluation of the individual posts / ideas, in order to improve but also lower the position of the individual posts / ideas in the ranking of ideas for the allocation of means to prize.

Furthermore, the fact that a plurality of prize vehicles is assigned to a plurality of individual users varying between a value equal to one and a value greater than one offers the advantage of rewarding both the user, whose post / idea has been classified. in first place in the ranking of ideas, both other users, whose posts / ideas are classified in different order, so as to further stimulate the participation of users in the activity of the social network site.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is also preferred if restrictions are placed on the total number of evaluation numerical values which can be received and / or assigned by a single user with reference to the overall number of evaluation numerical values respectively assigned and / or received from said individual user.

Here it is advantageous that with these restrictions it is possible to create a close relationship between the total number of evaluation numerical values that can be received and / or assigned by a single user and the total number of evaluation numerical values that, vice versa, can be assigned and / or received by the same user. In this way, the system acts as a stimulus for an active action of development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of posts / ideas by individual users, called to carry out an active evaluation action on the posts / ideas of other users, in order to increase the number of evaluations on their posts / ideas. A "virtuous circle" is established, so to speak, between the evaluations assigned by a user on the posts / ideas of other users and the evaluations received by said user on their own posts / ideas.

In a further form of setting up the invention, it is also preferred if the restrictions on the total number of numerical evaluation values that can be received and / or assigned by a single user include that:

- for each numerical evaluation value assigned by a user with reference to the posts / ideas entered by a generic other user, said user can receive no more than k1 numerical evaluation values on their posts / ideas from other generic users, being k1 any numeric value,

- for each numerical evaluation value received by a user on his post / idea from another generic user, said user can assign no more than k2 numerical evaluation values with reference to the posts / ideas entered by other generic users, being k2 any numeric value,

- at predetermined time intervals, a generic user receives, from the management body of the social network site, the ability to receive a further predetermined quantity n1 of numerical evaluation values from other users and the ability to assign a further quantity n2 of numerical evaluation values to other users, n1 and n2 being any numerical values.

Advantageous here is the fact that the maximum number of ratings that can be received by a user is linked to the number of ratings assigned by that user by means of the proportionality factor k1 and / or the maximum number of ratings that can be assigned by a user. it is linked to the number of evaluations received by said user through the proportionality factor k2, with k1, k2 which can act as reductive, neutral or multiplicative factors with respect to the activity carried out by the generic user on the social network site. Said in even simpler words, a condition arises whereby, with k1 and k2 greater than 1, thus acting as multiplicative factors, the more a user assigns ratings, the more they can receive and at the same time the more they receive the more they can allot, but no more. Conversely, with k1 and k2 both equal to 1, a user can assign as many ratings as he receives and can receive as many ratings as he assigns, but no more.

Furthermore, the fact that the management body of the social network site in any case assigns, at predetermined time intervals, further predetermined quantities n1, n2 of numerical evaluation values respectively to be received and / or assigned to other users, makes so that all this constitutes a further factor of regulation and stimulus for the overall activity of developing, proposing, researching, evaluating and selecting ideas carried out by individual users on the social network site.

In a further form of preparation of the invention it is also preferred if

- the numerical evaluation value, which every regular user has the possibility to express for each single post / idea entered by any other user of the system, varies between a minimum value of -10 and a maximum value of 10,

- the numerical values of k1 and k2 are respectively equal to 3 and the numerical values of n1 and n2 are respectively equal to 100.

Here it is advantageous that these values appear, in the applicant's opinion, so to speak particularly "natural" and sufficiently "broad" to constitute the expression of a weighted evaluation by users and an adequate factor of regulation and stimulus for the activity of the users themselves.

In a further form of preparation of the invention, it is also preferred if the certain requirements, specifically provided for in said general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site, in such a way that each user acquires the status of "regular" user , are selected, in number of one or greater than one, starting from a plurality of requirements consisting of:

- the payment of a sum of money to the management body of the social network site based on a limited amount of data entered in the Database and / or a limited period of time of connection to the site and / or a limited period of time of access to the site,

- being linked with the management body of the social network site through an employment relationship,

- being linked with the management body of the social network site through a commercial relationship,

- being linked with the management body of the social network site through an associative relationship,

- being linked with the management body of the social network site through a relationship of various kinds,

and if the plurality of prize vehicles is selected from a plurality of prize vehicles including: - cash prize means,

- premium funds in goods and / or services,

- prize vehicles in recognition and / or honors. Here it is advantageous that this plurality of requirements are able to allow the social network site to be managed independently, with reference to the availability of the financial resources necessary for its proper functioning and / or the type of users who use the services made available, varying from the vast audience of internet users or similar to the narrower range of users linked to the social network site by a working and / or commercial and / or associative and / or various type of relationship.

It is also beneficial that the ways in which users can access regular user status are further diversified.

It is also advantageous that user activity is further stimulated by the wide diversification of the consistency of premium vehicles.

In a further form of preparation of the invention, it is also preferred if the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site include, among others, in relation to the formulation of the classification of ideas and / or the allocation of means at a premium, one or more terms selected from a plurality of terms including:

- the expiration date of the rankings of ideas for the assignment of the plurality of prize vehicles,

- the consistency of the plurality of prize vehicles, - the number of different posts / ideas that are entitled to each prize money,

- restrictions regarding the scope of posts / ideas, - restrictions regarding the date of insertion of posts / ideas,

- restrictions on the activity or status of users on the social network site.

Here it is advantageous that the general and / or specific terms of use of the social network site, possibly also referring to several files that report the content, indicate, among others, both the general terms for the use of the site. that those more specific for the formulation of the ranking of ideas and / or for the assignment of a particular prize, such as the expiry date, the consistency and / or the number of prizes that are awarded, any particular areas (artistic, scientific, technical, political, cultural, etc.) for the winning ideas of the awards, the date of insertion of the posts / ideas, restrictions on the activity and status of the users, such as a minimum or maximum number of posts / ideas and / or comments and / or ratings entered in a certain time interval by users in order to access the rewards.

In a further form of setting up the invention, it is also preferred if in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site additional prize means are provided which are assigned to users in ways other than the methods envisaged for the formulation of the ranking. of ideas, said different modalities being constituted by one or more modalities selected starting from a plurality of modalities comprising:

- assignment of prize vehicles to a predetermined absolute number of users who were the first to express, in chronological order, an evaluation of any value or particular values on the posts / ideas to which prize vehicles are assigned according to the ranking of ideas,

- assignment of prize vehicles to a number of users who were the first to express, in chronological order, an evaluation of any value or particular values on the posts / ideas to which prize vehicles are awarded according to the ranking of ideas, said number of users constituting a predetermined fraction of the total number of users who have expressed an evaluation of any value or particular values on said posts / ideas to which prize means are assigned according to the ranking of ideas,

- allocation of prize vehicles to users based on a ranking of the overall numerical value resulting from a mathematical operation weighted on the individual numerical evaluation values received from all or part of the posts / ideas of individual users,

- assignment of prize vehicles to a predetermined number of users by drawing lots for said users who meet minimum restrictions regarding the activity or status of said users on the social network site,

- assignment of prize vehicles to a predetermined number of users on the basis of other predetermined mathematical operations on the data relating to individual users that are stored in the database of the social network site.

Here it is advantageous that the additional prize vehicles, which are assigned to users in ways other than the methods envisaged for the formulation of the ranking of ideas, can further stimulate and / or in any case the activity of the fine-tuning users, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas.

In particular, these methods are selected starting from the plurality of methods indicated above.

In a further form of preparation of the invention it is also preferred if

- the overall numerical evaluation value is assigned on the basis of a weighted mathematical operation on a selected number of valid numerical evaluation values expressed by individual users and assigned to each individual post / idea, as indicated in the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site,

- the ranking of ideas is formulated on the basis of the overall numerical evaluation value of each individual post / idea, in descending order, from the highest value to the lowest value.

Here it is advantageous that in this way users can also express a plurality of valid numerical values of evaluation on the individual posts / ideas of other users. The overall numerical evaluation value used for formulating the classification of ideas is then assigned on the basis of a more general mathematical operation weighted on a selected number of said valid numerical evaluation values.

Furthermore, here it is advantageous that the ranking of ideas is formulated, in an explicit and particular way, on the basis of the overall numerical evaluation value of each individual post / idea, in descending order, from the highest value to the lowest value. In a further form of setting up the invention, it is also preferred if the predefined time deadlines at which the system formulates the classification of ideas are fixed and selected from a plurality of frequency intervals including fractions or multiples of:

- minutes,

- hours,

- days,

- weeks,

- months,

- years.

Here the advantage is that the system provides to formulate a plurality of classifications of ideas for the assignment of the prize vehicles on the basis of a plurality of fixed time limits with frequencies equal to multiples or fractions of: minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is self-evident that the characteristics indicated above and those following still to be illustrated of the invention can be used not only in the combination indicated each time but also in other combinations or in a stand-alone set-up, without abandoning the domain of the present invention .

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate some exemplary and non-limiting forms of implementation, in which:

Fig. 1 is a user page of a social network site containing a ranking of ideas according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a user page of a social network site bearing an idea according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is another user page of a social network site bearing an idea according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is another user page of a social network site used for inserting an idea according to the invention;

Fig. 5 is the diagram of a typical client-server architecture of a system for the management of a social network site according to the invention with the aid of computers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to Figs. from 1 to 5, a system is shown for the computer-assisted management of a social network site 500 for the development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas 140, 160, etc. in the form of a post according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, page 100 shows, on the client 522 of a generic user 521 (see Fig. 5), connected to site 500, a ranking of ideas 121, where ideas 140, 160, etc. are reported. which have been proposed by a plurality of users 521, 531, etc. of said 500 social network site.

The page 100 comprises a region 110 for displaying specific and synthetic information 112 of a particular prize 111, made available and assigned to a plurality of winning users 521 in the manner indicated in said information 112, and a region 120 for displaying the ranking of ideas 121, in which ideas 140, 160, etc. have been proposed by a plurality of users 521, 531, etc., said classification of ideas 121 being the result on the basis of the overall numerical evaluation value 241 obtained from the site management server 510 500 on the basis of the individual numerical evaluation values 242 expressed from individual users 521, 531, etc.

Line means 131 separate the display regions 110, 120 from each other and other line means 132 separate the ideas 140, 160, etc. from each other. which appear in the classification of ideas 121 and which have been proposed by the plurality of users 521, 531, etc.

Scrolling means 101 allow you to scroll down 102 and / or up 103 the content of page 100 in order to view ideas 140, 160, etc. of the ranking of ideas 121.

The specific and concise information 112 may show, but are not limited to, a particular type of reward 113, indicated by alphanumeric codes 114, 115 further subdivided into scheme 114 and type 115, the cash amount 116 of the bonus 111, the expiry date 117 for the awarding of the prize 111, the most significant restrictions 119 on the methods of awarding the prize 111, a link to a file 118 containing the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site 500, relating in particular to prize 111 and the respective methods of assignment, including, but not limited to, any restrictions relating to the operation of the winning user and / or evaluating users, at the date of entry 146 of the idea into the system, evaluation of ideas 140, 160, etc., on the basis of what was specified and made known in advance, with respect to the expiry date 117 for the assignment of the prize 111, by the organization d i management 501 of the social network site 500 for the award of the prize 111.

In the region 120 the ideas 140, 160, etc. they are briefly displayed according to the order of the ranking of ideas 121 in such a way that, through appropriate link means, it is possible to access the display of further details.

With reference to the display of a generic idea 140, in said region 120 the ranking position 141 of said idea 140, summary data 142 relating to the user who entered said idea 140, are displayed in an exemplary but not restrictive manner, overall numerical evaluation value 241 reported by said idea 140, the content 144 of said idea 140, the number of comments 145 that have been released by users 521, 531, etc. with reference to said idea 140, the date of insertion 146 of said idea 140 on the site 500, button means 147 for activating an access link to a specific page 200a, 200b of more detailed display of said idea 140. Appropriate display means show the title 411 of the idea and the respective text 421. Further link means 148, 149, 150, 431, 152, etc. in said region 120 allow rapid access to further details of the content 144 of said idea 140, through the immediate activation of means, for example in a new page, for rendering images 148, audio files 149 and / or videos 150, links 431 to internet pages, files in pdf format 152 and / or other types of content.

By activating the link 147, bearing the wording "OPEN", the system opens a page 200a, Fig. 2, on the client 522 of the user 521 connected to the site 500. By means of separation means 232, the page 200a of Fig. 2, or alternatively page 200b of Fig. 3, is divided into further regions 220, 240, 260, 280, through which the user 521 obtains further information relating to the idea 140 and / or can enter own information about the idea 140.

In region 220, data display means 221 show any specific information relating to the user 531 who entered the idea 140, such as for example the respective username 221a, name and / or surname and / or motto 221b, his status 221c of "regular" user or not, if the user 531 is "observing" or not ("OBSERVING") 221d the user 521 currently connected or if he is in turn "observed" ("OBSERVED") 221e or not by the user 521 currently connected, a possible specific image 221f relating to the user 531, the overall numerical value 221g received from all the posts / ideas of the user 531 and / or other specific information relating to the user 531.

In region 240 the content 144 of said idea 140 is again reported with the relative link means, when present, 148, 149, 150, 431, 152, etc. for the immediate opening of additional pages for the respective specific rendering.

In the region 240, further data input means 243 allow the connected user 521 to express his own evaluation on said idea 140, said evaluation being constituted by a numerical evaluation value 242. In particular, in Fig. 2, the input means data 243 are constituted by cursor means 244 sliding on ruler means 245. By sliding the cursor means 244 on the ruler means 245 in an intermediate position comprised between a minimum numerical value 246 and a maximum numerical value 247, the user 521 it assigns a numerical evaluation value 242 to its evaluation on said idea 140. The numerical evaluation value 242 is immediately shown to the user 521 at the display means 242a. When the user 521 is sure of the validity of his evaluation, said user 521 activates the data transmission means 248 by which said numerical evaluation value 242 is transmitted to the site management server 510 500. Through the database management system (DBMS) 512, the server 510 associates the numerical evaluation value 242 of the connected user 521 to the idea 140 previously entered by a generic user 531.

The server 510 then proceeds to algebraically add all the numerical evaluation values 242 thus entered by the users 521, 531, etc. of the site 500, in accordance with the provisions of file 118 of the general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site 500 and awarding of the prize 111, in order to obtain the overall numerical evaluation value 241 used for the formulation of the ranking of ideas 121, obtained according to a decreasing numerical order of said overall numerical evaluation value 241, from the highest value to the lowest value.

In the event that the user 521 is given to express a limited plurality of numerical evaluation values 242 on the idea 140, at the display means 249 the number 250 of single numerical evaluation values 242 already expressed or again from to express.

The numerical evaluation values 242 expressed by the users with reference to the idea 140 are shown in the region 260 according to different data search methods indicated in correspondence with the data search means 255, for example, by date of insertion, by username of the user of insertion, in ascending or descending order, etc. With the activation of the data transmission means of the search 256, the command with which the search is started on the basis of the data thus set is sent to the server 510 and the relative page 200a is thus set up and displayed again. In correspondence with the display means 258 ("LIKES" or "COMMENTS") it is briefly remembered which region 260, 280 is shown on page 200a or 200b and which respective information: region 260 on page 200a shows the numerical evaluation values 242 ( “LIKES”) expressed by users 521, 531, etc., while region 280 on page 200b shows comments 252 (“COMMENTS”) entered by users 521, 531, etc.

By activating the data transmission means 259, the user selects which page 200a or 200b to display with the respective region 260 or 280. By means of the data entry means 251, the user 521 can enter a comment 252 relating to the idea 140. With the activation of the data transmission means 254, said comment 252 is transmitted to the server 510, which associates it with the idea 140 in the Database 512 by means of the database management system 511.

252 individual comments entered by different users 521, 531, etc. are displayed on page 200b at the comment display means 253.

By activating the means of data transmission 281, 282, user 521 who has entered a comment 252, and only said user 521, can access additional forms for editing 281 or for removing 282 of his comment.

In region 260, the numerical evaluation values 242 expressed by users 521, 531, etc. are shown according to the modes selected in correspondence with the data search means 255, 256. As a particular case, in correspondence with Fig. 2, a plurality of numerical evaluation values 242 expressed by the same user 531 are shown on a same line 261 of display of a user's ratings. The region 260 may have a plurality of display lines 261 of user ratings 521, 531, etc.

In the case of Fig. 2, in which users 521 are given the possibility of expressing a plurality of numerical evaluation values 242, highlighting means 262, consisting of a transparent rectangle with border line, highlight the particular numerical value of evaluation 242 used for the formulation of the classification of ideas 121. In the case of Fig. 2, the numerical evaluation value 242 used for the formulation of the classification of ideas 121 is constituted by the most recent value in order of time that has been expressed by the generic user 531. In other words, the use of the most recent value for the formulation of the classification of ideas 121 can be understood as the result of a weighted mathematical operation of the various numerical evaluation values 242 expressed by a generic user 531, where the weight of the most recent value is equal to one and the weight of the previous values is equal to zero. Other types of mathematical operations weighted on user data are obviously well known to the person skilled in the subject. The date of insertion of each numerical evaluation value 242 is shown in correspondence with the display means 263.

In the region 220, further data display means 222 show further specific information relating to the user 531 who entered the idea 140. In particular, in the event that restrictions are placed on the number of individual evaluation numerical values 242 that can be overall received and / or assigned by individual users 521, 531, etc. on the basis of the number of individual numerical evaluation values 242 which have actually been assigned and / or received, said data display means 222 show, with reference to the user 531 who has entered the idea 140, respectively, the number (8) 222a of single evaluation numerical values 242 which have actually been assigned overall by the user 531, the number (111) 222b of single evaluation numerical values 242 which can still be received overall by the user 531, the number (13) 222c of single evaluation numerical values 242 which have actually been received overall by the user 531, the number (131) 222d of single evaluation numerical values 242 which may still be assigned overall by the user 531.

In the specific case of Fig. 2, it has been assumed that for each individual evaluation numerical value 242 assigned 222a, the generic user 531 can receive, 222b, k1 evaluation numerical values 242, and that for each individual evaluation numerical value 242 received 222c, the generic user 531 can assign, 222d, k2 numerical evaluation values 242, with k1 equal to 3 and k2 equal to 3. Furthermore, it is also assumed that, at predetermined time intervals, the generic user 531 has in any case received, independently, from the management body 501 of the social network site 500, the ability to receive a quantity n1 of numerical evaluation values 242 equal to 100 and to assign a quantity n2 of numerical evaluation values 242 equal to 100.

Therefore, in formulas, the above values hold:

(a) 222a = 8

(b) 222b = n1 k1x222a - 222c = 100 3x8 - 13 = 111 (c) 222c = 13

(d) 222d = n2 k2x222c - 222a = 100 3x13 - 8 = 131

In Fig. 4 an idea entry page 400 is shown 140, in which said page 400 presents a plurality of data entry means 410, 420, 430, 440 and information display means 415, 425 by means of which the 521 user connected to site 500 is enabled to enter an idea 140.

In particular, with reference to an idea 140, the relevant user 521 can insert the text of a title 411 in correspondence with the data entry means 410 of the title, he can enter a text 421 in correspondence with the data entry means 420 of the text, can input a plurality of links 431 to URL pages at the link data input means 430, can input a plurality of multimedia files 148, 149, 150, 152 at the data input means 440 of multimedia files.

The information display means 415, 425 show the user 521, who intends to enter an idea 140, any restrictions on the size, number, time frequency and / or other in relation to the data of the idea 140 to be entered in the 500 site.

With the activation of the data transmission means 450 of an idea 140, the command is sent to the server 510 with which the plurality of data 411, 421, 431, 148, 149, 150, 152 constituting the idea 140 is stored in the Database 512 by means of the appropriate instructions of the database management system 511.

In Fig. 5, the diagram of a typical client-server architecture of a system for the management of a social network site 500 is shown.

A plurality of users 521, 531, etc. are connected to site 500, each by means of a specific client 522, 532, etc. Clients 522, 532, etc. they are connected to the site management server 510 500 via a suitable data connection network (LAN or WAN) 530. An appropriate database management system (DBMS) 511 is installed on the server 510 for entering, updating and searching the data, stored in a corresponding Database 512. In addition, appropriate programs and / or programs are active on the server 510. o data management modules (web server type Apache or NginX, programming languages such as PHP and / or Pearl and / or others) which process, synchronously and / or asynchronously, the requests for data 540 entered by users 521, 531, etc., interact with the database management system (DBMS) 511 and prepare suitable data to be transmitted 550 (eg in HTML and / or other format). Said data to be transmitted 550 are subsequently displayed to users 521, 531, etc. on clients 522, 532, etc. in the form of pages 100, 200a, 200b, 400, etc. by means of suitable "browser" programs active on said clients 522, 532, etc. A site management body (Site Manager) 501 oversees all the operations necessary to ensure that the overall environment 502 is set up to respond to user requests 521, 531, etc. offers the full and appropriate functionality of all the features provided for the social network site 500 as well as to establish and disclose 521, 531, etc. to all users. of said social network site 500, the 118 general and / or specific terms of use of said social network site 500.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. System for the computer-aided management of a social network site (500) for the development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas (140, 160, etc.) in the form of posts, the system including: - a management body (501) of the social network site (500) which supervises all the operations necessary for the full and appropriate functionality of said social network site (500) as well as to establish and disclose to all users (521, 531, etc.) of said social network site (500), the general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), - a central computer device (server) (510), on which, by means of a database management system (DBMS) (511), the data of a database (512) relating to individual users are stored (521, 531 , etc.) and to individual posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) posted by said users (521, 531, etc.), - a plurality of peripheral computers (clients) (522, 532, etc.), through which individual users (521, 531, etc.) have access to the data of the Database (512) through a data connection network (530) and specific dynamic pages (100, 200a, 200b, 400, etc.) prepared for the entry, display and modification of said database data (512), in which - access to said system is restricted to users (521, 531, etc.) uniquely registered on said DBMS (511), characterized by the fact that: - said general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500) are fixed or variable over time, on the basis of what is established by said management body (501) of the social network site ( 500), - full access to all the functions offered by the system is limited only to users (521, 531, etc.) who have certain requirements specifically provided for in these general and / or specific terms (118) for the use of said social network site (500), in such a way that each user (521, 531, etc.) acquires the status of "regular" user, - each regular user (521, 531, etc.) is offered the possibility of entering into the system, by means of suitable input means (410, 420, 430, 440), a plurality of posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) ) distinct, each consisting of a plurality of text passages (411, 421) and / or files (431, 148, 149, 150, 152) of various nature (artistic, scientific, cultural, relational, etc.) and format (links, images, video, audio, pdf, etc.), - each single post / idea (140, 160, etc.) entered by each single regular user (521, 531, etc.) belongs to the single user (521, 531, etc.) who entered said single post / idea (140, 160, etc.), - every regular user (521, 531, etc.) has the possibility of expressing, by means of data entry means (243), a plurality of numerical evaluation values (242), each variable between a minimum value, even negative, (246 ) and a maximum value, even positive, (247), for each single post / idea (140, 160, etc.) entered by any other user (521, 531, etc.) of the system, according to the validity criteria indicated in the terms (118) general and / or specific use of said social network site (500), - the system assigns to each single post / idea (140, 160, etc.) an overall numerical evaluation value (241) equal to the algebraic sum of all the single valid numerical evaluation values (242) expressed by the single users ( 521, 531, etc.), - at predefined time intervals (117), the system formulates a classification of ideas (121) on the basis of the overall numerical evaluation value (241) of each individual post / idea, according to the formulation methods of said classification of ideas ( 121) indicated in the general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), - on the basis of said classification of ideas (121) and of said general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), a plurality of prize vehicles (111) are assigned to a plurality of individual users (521, 531, etc.) to whom each of said individual posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) belongs, said plurality of individual users (521, 531, etc.) being variable between an equal value to one and a value greater than one. 2. System according to claim 1, further characterized by the fact that - restrictions are placed on the total number of numerical evaluation values (242) that can be received (222b) and / or assigned (222d) by a single user (521, 531, etc.) with reference to the total number of numerical values (242) respectively assigned (222a) and / or received (222c) by said single user (521, 531, etc.). 3. System according to claim 2, further characterized by the fact that - restrictions on the total number of numerical evaluation values (242) that can be received (222b) and / or assigned (222d) by a single user (521, 531, etc.) include that: - for each numerical evaluation value (242) assigned (222a) by a user (521) with reference to the posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) entered by a generic other user (531), the user (521) can receive (222b) no more than k1 numerical evaluation values (242) on their posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) from other generic users (531), k1 being any numerical value, - for each value evaluation number (242) received (222c) by a user (521) on their posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) from another generic user (531), the user (521) can assign (222d ) no more than k2 numerical evaluation values (242) with reference to the posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) entered by other generic users (531), k2 being any numerical value, - at predetermined time intervals, a generic user (521, 531, etc.) receives, from the management body (501) of the social network site (500), the ability to receive (222b) a further predetermined quantity n1 of numerical values of use (242) by other users (521, 531, etc.) and the ability to assign (222d) an additional predetermined quantity n2 of numerical evaluation values (242) to other users (521, 531, etc.), n1 and n2 being any numeric values. 4. System according to claim 1 or according to claim 3, further characterized by the fact that - the numerical evaluation value (242), which each regular user (521, 531, etc.) has the possibility to express for each single post / idea (140, 160, etc.) entered by any other user (521, 531 , etc.) of the system, varies between a minimum value (246) equal to -10 and a maximum value (247) equal to 10, - the numerical values of k1 and k2 are respectively equal to 3 and the numerical values of n1 and n2 are respectively equal to 100. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that - the specific requirements, specifically provided for in said general and / or specific terms (118) for the use of said social network site (500), in such a way that each user (521, 531, etc.) acquires the status of user " regular ", are selected, in number of one or greater than one, starting from a plurality of requirements consisting of: - the payment of a sum of money to the management body (501) of the social network site (500) based on a limited amount of data entered in the Database (512) and / or a limited period of time of connection to the site (500) and / or a limited period of time to access the site (500), - being linked with the management body (501) of the social network site (500) through an employment relationship, - being linked with the management body (501) of the social network site (500) through a commercial relationship, - being linked with the management body (501) of the social network site (500) through an associative relationship, - being linked with the management body (501) of the social network site (500) through a relationship of various kinds, and by the fact that - the plurality of prize vehicles (111) is selected from a plurality of prize vehicles comprising: - cash prizes, - premium funds in goods and / or services, - prize vehicles in recognition and / or honors. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that - the general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500) include, among others, in relation to the formulation of the ranking of ideas (121) and / or the allocation of prize vehicles ( 111), one or more terms selected from a plurality of terms including: - the expiration dates (117) of the rankings of ideas (121) for the assignment of the plurality of prize vehicles (111), - the consistency of the plurality of premium vehicles (111), - the number of different posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) that are each entitled to receive the prize money (111), - restrictions regarding the areas of posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.), - restrictions regarding the date of insertion of posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.), - restrictions on the activity or status of users (521, 531, etc.) on the social network site (500). 7. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, further characterized by the fact that - in the general and / or specific terms (118) for the use of said social network site (500), additional prize vehicles (111) are provided, which are assigned to users (521, 531, etc.) according to methods other than the methods envisaged for the formulation of the classification of ideas (121), said different modalities being constituted by one or more modalities selected starting from a plurality of modalities comprising: - assignment of prize vehicles (111) to a predetermined absolute number of users (521, 531, etc.) who were the first to express, in chronological order, an evaluation of any value or particular values on the posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) to which prize vehicles are awarded according to the classification of ideas (121), - assignment of prize vehicles (111) to a number of users (521, 531, etc.) who were the first to express, in chronological order, an evaluation of any value or particular values on the posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) to which prize vehicles are assigned according to the classification of ideas (121), said number of users (521, 531, etc.) constituting a predetermined fraction of the total number of users (521, 531, etc.) who have expressed an evaluation of any value or particular values on said posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) to which prize means are assigned according to the classification of ideas (121), - allocation of prize vehicles (111) to users (521, 531, etc.) on the basis of a ranking of the overall numerical value (221g) resulting from a mathematical operation weighted on the individual numerical evaluation values (242) received by all o part of the posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) of individual users (521, 531, etc.), - assignment of prize vehicles (111) to a predetermined number of users (521, 531, etc.) by drawing lots for said users (521, 531, etc.) who meet minimum restrictions regarding the activity or the status of said users (521, 531, etc.) on the social network site (500), - assignment of prize vehicles (111) to a predetermined number of users (521, 531, etc.) on the basis of other predetermined mathematical operations on the data relating to individual users (521, 531, etc.) which are stored in the Database ( 512) of the social network site (500). System according to one of claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that - the overall numerical evaluation value (241) is assigned on the basis of a weighted mathematical operation on a selected number of valid numerical evaluation values (242) expressed by individual users (521, 531, etc.) and assigned to each individual post / idea (140, 160, etc.), as indicated in the general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), - the classification of ideas (121) is formulated on the basis of the overall numerical evaluation value (241) of each individual post / idea, in descending order, from the highest value to the lowest value. System according to one of claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that - the predefined deadlines at which the system formulates the classification of ideas (121) are fixed and selected starting from a plurality of frequency intervals including fractions or multiples of: - minutes, - hours, - days, - weeks, - months, - years. 10. Method for the computer-aided management of a social network site (500) for the development, proposal, research, evaluation and selection of ideas (140, 160, etc.) in the form of posts, the social network site (500) including a system consisting of: - a management body (501) of the social network site (500) which supervises all the operations necessary for the full and appropriate functionality of said social network site (500) as well as to establish and disclose to all users (521, 531, etc.) of said social network site (500), the general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), - a central computer device (server) (510), on which, by means of a database management system (DBMS) (511), the data of a database (512) relating to individual users are stored (521, 531 , etc.) and to individual posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) posted by said users (521, 531, etc.), - a plurality of peripheral computers (clients) (522, 532, etc.), through which individual users (521, 531, etc.) have access to the data of the Database (512) through a data connection network (530) and specific dynamic pages (100, 200a, 200b, 400, etc.) prepared for the entry, display and modification of said database data (512), in which - access to said system is restricted to users (521, 531, etc.) uniquely registered on said DBMS (511), the method being made up of the phases of: - make these general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500) fixed or variable over time, on the basis of what is established by said management body (501) of the social site network (500), - limit full access to all the functions offered by the system only to users (521, 531, etc.) who have certain requirements specifically provided for in these general and / or specific terms (118) for the use of said social network site ( 500), in such a way that each user (521, 531, etc.) acquires the status of "regular" user, - offer each regular user (521, 531, etc.) the possibility of entering into the system, through appropriate input means (410, 420, 430, 440), a plurality of posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) distinct, each consisting of a plurality of text passages (411, 421) and / or files (431, 148, 149, 150, 152) of various nature (artistic, scientific, cultural, relational, etc.) and format ( links, images, video, audio, pdf, etc.), - assign the relevance of each single post / idea (140, 160, etc.) entered by each single regular user (521, 531, etc.) to the single user (521, 531, etc.) who entered said single post / idea (140, 160, etc.), - offer every regular user (521, 531, etc.) the possibility of expressing, by means of data entry means (243), a plurality of numerical evaluation values (242), each variable between a minimum value, even negative, ( 246) and a maximum value, even positive, (247), for each single post / idea (140, 160, etc.) entered by any other user (521, 531, etc.) of the system, according to the validity criteria reported in the general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), - assign to each single post / idea (140, 160, etc.) an overall numerical evaluation value (241) equal to the algebraic sum of all the single valid numerical evaluation values (242) expressed by individual users (521, 531, etc.), - to formulate, at predefined time intervals (117), a classification of ideas (121) on the basis of the overall numerical evaluation value (241) of each individual post / idea, according to the formulation methods of said classification of ideas (121 ) indicated in the general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), - assign, on the basis of said classification of ideas (121) and said general and / or specific terms (118) of use of said social network site (500), a plurality of prize vehicles (111) to a plurality of individual users (521, 531, etc.) to whom each of said individual posts / ideas (140, 160, etc.) belongs, said plurality of individual users (521, 531, etc.) being variable between an equal value to one and a value greater than one.