WO2015120380A1 - Self-portrait photograph application and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile application directed to self-portrait content including photographs and videos taken with hand-held devices including a reward accumulation, tracking and redemption program providing a user with the ability to earn rewards.

Description

SELF-PORTRAIT CONTENT APPLICATION AND METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

61/937,569 filed February 9, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/077,999 filed November 11 , 2014, both of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to applications subject to a digital distribution platform. More specifically, the invention relates to a mobile application directed to self-portrait content taken with hand-held devices including a reward accumulation, tracking and redemption program providing a user with the ability to earn rewards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mobile application or "mobile app" is designed to run on computing devices such as tablet computers, smartphones, mobile devices, cellular telephones, to name a few. Apps are usually available through application distribution platforms typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store, and BlackBerry App World.

Public demand for mobile apps and the availability of developer tools drove rapid expansion of mobile apps from general information retrieval such as email, calendar and contact information into categories such as word processing, social media, picture sharing, mobile games, factory automation, Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping and location-based services, banking, networking and file transfer, education, video streaming, order tracking, ticket purchases and recently mobile medical apps.

Popularity of mobile apps is continuously increasing with mobile app usage prevalent across mobile phone users. Thus, there is a continuous need for unique mobile applications including those that provide incentives such as a reward program. The invention satisfies this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a mobile app for taking and sharing self-portrait content, or "selfies". For purposes of this invention, the term "selfie" not only includes static content in the form of self-portrait photographs, but also includes dynamic content in the form of self-portrait videos. Selfies are appealing by the nature of how easy they are to create and share, and the control they give self- photographers or self-videographers over how they present themselves including intentionally-unattractive selfies for comedic purposes.

Selfies are often shared on social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, but nothing more is offered other than creating and sharing selfies. However, the invention not only provides users with the ability to create and share selfies, but also provides users with a reward program for creating and sharing selfies.

According to the invention, a user may upload static content or dynamic content directly from the user's mobile device. The content may be taken using the mobile device or may be pre-existing content such as that from Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. The invention also allows users to archive archive content, delete content, or share content with other user's as specified by the user.

In addition, users may track other users including the ability to stream content from these users. The invention also provides users with the ability to "like" and/or "tag" another username's content. User's may also add "hashtags" to certain content, as well as add or delete comments directed to specific content. According to one embodiment of the invention, the reward program provides users with the ability to earn votes for creating and sharing selfies. Points may be in the form of a numerical expression of the total number of votes or "likes".

Points can be issued by simply signing up with the mobile app in addition to providing profile information such as username, password, name, address, email, etc. It is also contemplated that points can be earned each time the selfie is shared in addition to the mobile app of the invention including on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Furthermore, points can be earned for entering a specific contest administered by either the mobile app or independent entity. Additionally, point may be earned by providing feedback and/or comments on another user's selfie. In addition to the examples provided above, it is contemplated that points can be earned or accumulated real-time for any type of activity.

In one embodiment of the invention, points may be redeemed for goods or services (including discounts on goods or services) as selected by the user, for example, from a reward redemption store. In another embodiment of the invention, a user may earn a reward from an independent entity based on the total number of points accumulated. For example, points may be accumulated according to a particular contest as offered by an independent entity. The user with the most accumulated points at the end of a designated time period wins a specific good or service as determined by the independent entity. However, it is contemplated that the points accumulated by a user may be donated to a particular charitable cause.

Independent reward issuing entities may be any person, company including retailer, manufacturer, and wholesaler that provide any type of goods and services for example, restaurants, clothing retailers, food and beverage providers, etc. According to the invention, users may submit selfies according to predetermined defined categories, for example funny, nature, pets, cars, food, celebrities, although any category is contemplated. Certain prizes may be provided for those selfies that receive the most accumulated points in a certain period of time.

It is also contemplated that the invention may provide various membership levels that may be achieved according to a predefined number of points. As an example, upon accumulation of 10,000 points, the user obtains a "silver" membership status providing access to specialty goods and services or redemption of point at a reduced value for certain goods or services.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the mobile app interacts with a geographical location feature such as that provided by a GPS system. The geographical location feature facilitates communication between the mobile app and particular locations, or "hotspots". When a user arrives near the particular location, the mobile app alerts the user to take and post a selfie. As an example, the hotspot may be a landmark, statue, storefront, sign, etc. Upon posting the selfie to the mobile app, the selfie may be tagged and catalogued with all other selfies posted from the same location.

It is also contemplated that the geographical location feature of the mobile app may execute particular contests based on the user's location. As an example, if a user was determined to be located at Disneyland, the mobile app may prompt the user to take a selfie with Mickey Mouse to earn a specified number of points or to enter a contest for a particular reward.

In embodiments directed to dynamic content, or self-portrait videos, it is contemplated that the invention may be provided with a feature enabling the extraction of static content. The mobile app may record a certain number of seconds prior to and subsequent to taking a selfie photograph. For example, the mobile app records dynamic content for two seconds prior to and two seconds subsequent to the capture of the static content. The user may then choose to post the entire content - both dynamic and static - or only a portion of the content.

The invention and its attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system that may implement one or more techniques of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device that may implement one or more techniques of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of one or more steps that may implement one or more features of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system that may implement one or more techniques of the invention. System 100 may be configured to provide a mobile application directed to self-portrait content including a reward program in accordance with the techniques described herein. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , system 100 includes one or more computing devices 102A-102N, communications network 104, developer site 106, application distribution site 108, and application hosting site 110. Application hosting site 110 may include application interface 112, commerce engine 114, and support engine 116. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , application distribution site 108 and application hosting site 110 may be connected to database 120. System 00 may include software modules operating on one or more servers. Software modules may be stored in a memory and executed by a processor. Servers may include one or more processors and a plurality of internal and/or external memory devices. Examples of memory devices include file servers, an FTP servers, network attached storage (NAS) devices, a local disk drive, or any other type of device or storage medium capable of storing data. Storage medium may include Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, flash memory, or any other suitable digital storage media. When the techniques described herein are implemented partially in software, a device may store instructions for the software in a suitable, non-transitory computer-readable medium and execute the instructions in hardware using one or more processors.

System 100 represents an example of a system that may be configured to allow software applications to be developed, distributed, and executed on a plurality of computing devices, such as computing devices 102A-102N. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , computing devices 102A-102N may respectively include any device configured to transmit data to and receive data from communication network 104. For example, computing devices 102A-102N may be equipped for wired and/or wireless communications and may include desktop, laptop or tablet computers, mobile devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), smartphones, cellular telephones, set-top boxes, and personal gaming devices.

Communications network 104 may comprise any combination of wireless and/or wired communication media. Communication network 104 may include routers, switches, base stations, or any other equipment that may be useful to facilitate communication between various devices and sites. Communication network 104 may form part of a packet-based network, such as a local area network, a wide-area network, or a global network such as the Internet. Communication network 104 may operate according to one or more communication protocols, such as, for example, a Global System Mobile Communications (GSM) standard, a code division multiple access (CDMA) standard, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, an Internet Protocol (IP) standard, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standard, and/or an IEEE standard, such as, one or more of the 802.11 standards, as well as various combinations thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , developer site 106 is connected to communications network 104. Developer site 106 may be configured to enable one or more software developers to author, maintain, update, improve, and/or monitor software applications. Developer site 106 may be part of an organization that provides software applications. In the example where computing devices 102A-102N are mobile devices, such as, for example, smartphones, developer site 106 may be configured to provide software applications for use with a mobile device. Software applications for use with a mobile device may be referred to as apps. Developer site 106 may include one or more developer workstations (not shown) in communication with one another. Developer workstations may include any device such as, a laptop or a desktop computer capable of coding software functions. Developer workstations may include computers running an operation system, such as, for example, Linux, and/or operation systems developed by Microsoft and Apple. Developer site 106 may include any combination of hardware and software that enables developers to code software according to a specified programming language. Examples of programming languages include Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL), Document Style Semantics and Specification Language (DSSSL), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL), Wireless Markup Language (WML), JavaTM, JiniTM, C, C++, Perl, UNIX Shell, Visual Basic or Visual Basic Script, Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML), ColdFusionTM and other compilers, assemblers, and interpreters. In some examples, developers may write software applications using a software development kit (SDK) provided by a device manufacturer or a data service provider.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , application distribution site 108 is connected to communications network 104. Application distribution site 108 may be configured to receive a developed software application and distribute a developed application to computing devices 102A-102N. Further, in some examples, application distribution site 108 may be configured to distribute supporting software to hosting site 110. In the example where one or more of computing devices 102A-102N are mobile devices, application distribution site 108 may be maintained by a mobile device manufacturer, a service provider, and/or a mobile device operating system provider. An application distribution site that is maintained by a mobile device manufacturer, a service provider, or a mobile device operating system provider may be referred to as an "app store". Examples of app stores include Google Play, the Apple App Store, BlackBerry World, Windows Phone Store, Nokia Store, Samsung Apps Store, and the Amazon Appstore.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , application hosting site 110 is connected to communications network 104. Application hosting site 110 is configured to support the operation of a software application on one or more of computing devices 102A- 102N. For example, if a software application provides interaction between two or more of computing devices 102A-102N, application hosting site 110 may be configured to support interaction between computing devices 102A-102N. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , application hosting site 110 includes application interface 12, commerce engine 114, and support engine 116. Application interface 112, commerce engine 114, and support engine 116 may be implemented as any of a variety of suitable circuitry, such as one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), discrete logic, software, software modules, hardware, firmware or any combinations thereof.

Application interface 112 may be configured to provide an interface between application hosting site 110 and one or more of computing devices 102A-102N for a hosted aspect of an application. Commerce engine 114 may be configured to support transactions that may occur when a user uses a software application. Commerce engine 114 may include a number of components required for online commerce. For example, commerce engine 114 may include modules with instructions stored on a computer readable medium that when executed by a processor cause application hosting site 110 to perform functions related to customer accounts, orders, subscriptions, tax, payments, fraud, and credit processing.

Support engine 116 may be configured to provide support services associated with an application. In one example, support engine 116 may be configured to provide updates to an application installed on one of user devices 102A-102N. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , database 120 is connected to application hosting site 110 and application distribution site 108. Database 120 may include any of the memory device described above. Database 120 may store information associated with the operation of an application. For example database 120 may store user account information, multimedia associated with an application, and/or user credentials.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device that may implement one or more techniques of the invention. Computing device 200 is an example of a computing device that may be configured to transmit data to and receive data from communication network 104 and execute one or more applications (e.g., self-portrait content application 220). Computing device 200 may include or be part of a portable computing device (e.g., a mobile device, smartphone, personal data assistant (PDA), or tablet computer) or a stationary computer (e.g., a desktop computer, or set-top box), or may be another computing device. Computing device 200 includes processors) 202, memory 204, storage device 206, input device(s) 208, output device(s) 210, display 212, and network interface 214. Each of processor(s) 202, memory 204, storage device 206, input device(s) 208, output device(s) 210, display 212, and network interface 214 may be interconnected (physically, communicatively, and/or operatively) for inter-component communications. Operating system 216, applications 218, and self-portrait content application 220 may be executable by computing device 200. It should be noted that although example computing device 200 is illustrated as having distinct functional blocks, such an illustration is for descriptive purposes and does not limit computing device 200 to particular hardware architecture. Functions of computing device 200 may be realized using any combination of hardware, firmware and/or software implementations. Processors) 202 may be configured to implement functionality and/or process instructions for execution in computing device 200. Processor(s) 202 may be capable of retrieving and processing instructions, code, and/or data structures for implementing one or more of the techniques described herein. Instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium, such as memory 204 or storage device 206. Processor(s) 202 may be digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry.

Memory 204 may be configured to store information that may be used by computing device 200 during operation. As described above, memory 204 may be used to store program instructions for execution by processor(s) 202 and may be used by software or applications running on computing device 200 to temporarily store information during program execution. For example, memory 204 may store instructions associated with operating system 216, applications 218, and self-portrait content application 220 or components thereof, and/or memory 204 may store information associated with the execution of operating system 216, applications 218, and self-portrait content application 220. Memory 204 may be described as a non- transitory or tangible computer-readable storage medium. In some examples, memory 204 may provide temporary memory and/or long-term storage. In some examples, memory 204 or portion thereof may be described as volatile memory, i.e., in some cases memory 204 may not maintain stored contents when computing device 200 is powered down. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), and static random access memories (SRAM). Storage device 206 represents memory of computing device that may be configured to store relatively larger amounts of information for relatively longer periods of time than memory 204. Similar to memory 204, storage device 206 may also include one or more non-transitory or tangible computer-readable storage media. Storage device 206 may be internal or external memory and in some examples may include non-volatile storage elements. Examples of such non-volatile storage elements may include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories.

Input device(s) 208 may be configured to receive input from a user operating computing device 200. Input from a user may be generated as part of a user running one or more software applications, such as applications 218 and/or self-portrait content application 220. Input device(s) 208 may include a touch-sensitive screen, track pad, track point, mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, video camera, or any other type of device configured to receive input from a user. In one example, input device(s) 208 may generate one or more signals corresponding to the coordinates of a position touched on a touchscreen of computing device 200. These signals may be provided as information to components of computing device 200 (e.g., processor 202, or operating system 216) in conjunction with the execution of applications 218 and/or self-portrait content application 220.

Output device(s) 210 may be configured to provide output to a user operating computing device 200. Output may tactile, audio, or visual output generated as part of a user running one or more software applications, such as applications 218 and/or self-portrait content application 220. Output device(s) 210 may include a touch- sensitive screen, sound card, a video graphics adapter card, or any other type of device for converting a signal into an appropriate form understandable to humans or machines. Additional examples of an output device(s) 210 may include a speaker, a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other type of device that can provide output to a user. In some examples, output device(s) 210 may be external to computing device 200 and may be operatively coupled to computing device 200 using a standardized communication protocol, such as for example, Universal Serial Bus protocol (USB) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, computing device 200 includes display 212. In the example where computing device 200 is a mobile device, display 212 may be an integrated touch-screen display. For example, display 212 may be an LCD or organic light emitting diode (OLED) display configured to receive user touch inputs, such as, for example, taps, drags, and pinches. Thus, display 212 may be considered as a particular type of input and output device of computing device 200. Display 212 may be configured to allow a user to interact with self-portrait content application 220, as describe in detail below.

Network interface 214 may be configured to enable computing device 200 to communicate with external devices via one or more networks, such as communications network 104. Network interface 214 may be a network interface card, such as an Ethernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of device that can send and receive information. Network interface 214 may be configured to operate according to one or more of the communication protocols described above with respect to communications network 104.

Operating system 216 may be configured facilitate the interaction of applications, such as application 218 and self-portrait content application 220, with processor(s) 202, memory 204, storage device 206, input device(s) 208, output device(s) 210, display 212, network interface 214 and other hardware components of computing device 200. Operating system 216 may be an operating system designed to be installed on laptops and desktops. For example, operating system 216 may be a Windows operating system, Linux, or Mac OS. In another example, if computing device 200 is a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, operating system 216 may be one of Android, iOS or a Windows mobile operating system.

Applications 218 may be any applications implemented within or executed by computing device 200 and may be implemented or contained within, operable by, executed by, and/or be operatively/communicatively coupled to components of computing device 200, e.g., processor(s) 202, memory 204, and network interface 214. In one example, an application may be developed by developer site 106 as described above with respect to FIG. 1. Applications 218 may include instructions that may cause processors) 202 of computing device 200 to perform particular functions. Applications 218 may include algorithms which are expressed in computer programming statements, such as, for loops, while-loops, if-statements, do-loops, etc.

Self-portrait content application 220 is a mobile application directed to self- portrait content taken with hand-held devices including a reward accumulation, tracking and redemption program providing a user with the ability to earn rewards. In one example, self-portrait content application 220 may be configured to input/output files compatible with Excel, SAS, Stata, R, and SPSS file formats). In one example, self-portrait content application 220 may be scalable for use with online large-scale electronic databases. FIG. 3 is a flow chart 300 illustrating an example of one or more steps that may implement one or more features of the invention. The invention is a computer- implemented method for capturing self-portrait content by a target user and providing a reward program based on the captured self-portrait content. A user interface includes a plurality of icons (302). Each Icon Is directed to a subject matter category defined by one or more predefined parameters. As an example, the one or more predefined parameters may be one or more features that must be included in the selfie and the deadline for submission of the content. The user selects a category that is registered by a processor (304). In one embodiment, the user may search for a particular category based on one more search terms specified by the user. In yet another embodiment, the invention allows a user to create a subject matter category by defining the parameters. The user submits content related to the selected category (306). The content is reviewed to determine whether or not it meets the one or more predefined parameters. Provided the content meets the predefined parameters, the content is illustrated on the user interface (308). Other users may then issue points directed to the content, which are accumulated (310). The processor calculates the total number of point for the content and publishes the total number of points on the user interface (312). A reward structure is accessed based on the total number of points (314). The reward structure includes one or more goods or services available for the points up to the total number of points. The user may exchange any number of points up to the total number of points for the one or more goods or services (316).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a user interface 400 of a target user according to one embodiment of the invention. The user interface 400 includes an arrangement of components according to the invention. A content component 402 illustrates the content selected by the target user for sharing with other users of the invention. The content selected by the target user meets the one or more predefined parameters of the category. The user interface 400 also includes a user profile component 404. The user profile component 404 may display information such as username, password, name, address, and email for the target user. A points component 406 illustrates the real-time total number of points accumulated for the selfie. Each user interface 400 may further include an entries component 408 that displays the total number of categories the target user has submitted selfies. Two other components of the user interface 400 may include a followers component 410 that illustrates the number of other users tracking the target user and his or her content and a following component 412 that illustrates the number of other users that the target user is tracking.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for capturing self-portrait content by a target user and providing a reward program based on the captured self- portrait content, comprising the steps of:

providing a user interface including plurality of icons, each icon directed to a subject matter category defined by one or more predefined parameters,

registering by a processor a category selected by the target user to obtain a selected category,

submitting content by the target user to a developer site related to the category selected by the target user,

determining by the developer site that the content meets the one or more predefined parameters,

illustrating the content on the user interface,

accumulating points received from one or more non-target users directed to the content,

calculating by the processor a total number of points for the content, publishing to the user interface the total number of points for the content, accessing a reward structure based on the total number of points, the reward structure including one or more goods or services available for the points up to the total number of points, and

exchanging the points up to the total number of points for the one or more goods or services.

2. The computer-implemented method for capturing self-portrait content by a target user and providing a reward program based on the captured self-portrait content according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: searching for a particular category based on one more terms specified by the target user.

3. The computer-implemented method for capturing self-portrait content by a target user and providing a reward program based on the captured self-portrait content according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: creating the subject matter category based on the one or more predefined parameters defined by the user.