WO2016046792A1

WO2016046792A1 - System and method for creating and interacting with information objects

Info

Publication number: WO2016046792A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eben-Haeser GREYLING
Original assignee: Greyling Eben-Haeser
Priority date: 2014-09-26
Filing date: 2015-09-25
Publication date: 2016-03-31
Also published as: ZA201701726B

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating interactive information objects in a user network (1000), for discovering such objects, and for interacting with the objects. A user (1035, 1040, 1045) may use an electronic communication device (1020, 1025, 1030) to create new interactive information objects, define desired actions and tags to be associated therewith, and publish the object to a user network. Other users (1035, 1040, 1045) of the network may discover the information object in the network via their electronic communication devices (1020, 1025, 1030) in order to interact with the information object, or to contact and interact with the creator of the interactive object (1035, 1040, 1045).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND INTERACTING WITH INFORMATION

OBJECTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to South African provisional patent application number 2014/07000 filed on 26 September 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technology described in this application relates to electronic computer-implemented systems and methods for creating and interacting with information objects.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Online search engines, especially search engines associated with websites which offer information about specific items listed on the website, often do not provide search results that are as relevant as a searching user desires. A desired result may not be returned at all, or may be returned a significant way down a list of search results. This may require a searching user to perform further searches, or may require the user to filter through the search results until they locate the desired result. Search results which are not as relevant as the user desires may be referred to as inaccurate or noisy search results.

Inaccurate and noisy search results may simply be the result of a particular search algorithm employed by the search engine, or it may be the result of inaccurately used keywords by the searching user. Alternatively, especially for classified advertisement sites, information about available items may not be efficiently set up at a time of listing the item on the website, resulting in an inability of searching users to locate a specific item. This may be particularly problematic when classification terms are used during initial classification of an item that will not typically be used by a searching user. If a searching user uses synonyms of the classification terms, the user may not obtain a desired item as a search result. Location-based search results may in some instances provide more relevant search results due to the proximity of the advertisement approximating that of a searching user, yet a user is typically not provided the opportunity to decide the importance of information about the search results. Furthermore, should a user wish to engage with a poster or owner of a particular item in search results, the user may be provided with a phone number or email address of the creator. Often, telephone numbers and/or email addresses provided on the website may be out of date, resulting in significant problems in contacting the creator.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a method for creating discoverable interactive information objects in a user network, carried out on an electronic communication device and comprising the steps of:

creating a new interactive information object with a designated title;

defining a desired action to be associated with the information object;

defining one or more tags to be associated with the information object, the tags describing features of the information object; and

publishing the information object to a user network in which the information object can be discovered by other users who search for the tags.

Yet further features provide for the method to include the steps of, prior to defining one or more tags to be associated with the information object, receiving a list of existing tags to choose from; and, prior to defining a desired action to be associated with the information object, receiving a list of desired actions to choose from.

Yet further features provide for the desired action to be selectable from the list comprising: an offer to sell; an offer to buy; an offer to rent; an offer to meet; an offer to interact with; an offer to swop; and an offer to give away.

Still further features provide for the method to include the step of associating at least one digital image or a digital video relating to the information object with the information object. A further feature provides for the tags to be hashtags. The invention extends to a system for creating discoverable information objects in a user network, the system including an electronic communication device of a user in communication with a server system, the electronic communication device including:

an inputting component for inputting a title of a new interactive information object; a desired action to be associated with the information object; and one or more tags to be associated with the information object, the tags describing features of the information object;

a transmitting component for transmitting the title, desired action and tags to the server system, the server system adding the new interactive object including the title, desired action and tags to a user network; and

a displaying component for displaying a user interface facilitating operation of the system.

Further features provide for the system to include an associating component for associating at least one digital image or digital video with the information object; and for the transmitting component to be configured to transmit the at least one digital image or digital video to the server system.

Still further features provide for the system to include a receiving component for, prior to a user inputting a desired action or tag, receiving a list of selectable desired actions or tags allowed by the server system.

Yet further features provide for the system to include a location determining component for determining a location of the user; and for the transmitting component to be configured to transmit a current location of the user at the time of transmitting the title, desired action and tags to the server.

Further features provide for the system to include a messaging component for, in response to a searching user searching for information objects on the user network indicating that they wish to enter into a private messaging session in relation to the interactive information object, facilitating a private messaging session between the user and the searching user.

The invention extends to a computer program product for creating discoverable information objects in a user network, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having stored computer-readable code for performing the steps of:

creating a new interactive information object with a designated title;

defining a desired action to be associated with the information object;

defining one or more tags to be associated with the information object, the tags describing features of the information object; and publishing the information object to a user network in which the information object can be discovered by other users who search for the tags.

The invention extends to a method for creating discoverable interactive information objects in a user network, carried out by a server system and comprising the steps of:

receiving, from an electronic communication device of a user, details of a new interactive information object, the details including a title, a desired action, and one or more tags describing features of the information object;

publishing the new information object including the details to a user network in which the information object can be discovered by other users who search for the tags.

Further features provide for the step of receiving details to include receiving location information relating to the location of the electronic communication device at a time that the details were input into the electronic communication device by the user; and to include receiving at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object.

Still further features provide for the method to include the step of transmitting to the electronic communication device a list of existing tags to choose from; and a list of desired actions to choose from.

A yet further feature provides for the method to include the step of, in response to receiving a tag which does not yet exist, adding the tag to the list of existing tags.

A system for creating discoverable information objects in a user network, the system including a server system in communication with an electronic communication device of a user, the server system including:

a receiving component for receiving, from the electronic communication device, details of a new interactive information object, the details including a title, a desired action, and one or more tags describing features of the information object; and

a publishing component for publishing the new interactive information object including the details to a user network in which the information object can be discovered by other users who search for the tags.

Further features provide for the receiving component to be configured to receive location information relating to the location of the electronic communication device at the time that the details were input into the device by the user; and to receive at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object. Still further features provide for the system to include a transmitting component for transmitting to the electronic communication device a list of existing tags to choose from; and a list of desired actions to choose from. A yet further feature provides for the system to include a tag adding component for, in response to receiving a tag which does not yet exist, adding the tag to the list of existing tags.

The invention extends to a method for interacting with information objects in a user network, carried out on an electronic communication device and comprising the steps of:

entering one or more keywords relating to desired information objects;

adjusting a relevance filter, the relevance filter filtering information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects; and interacting with an information object in order to view features of the information object.

Further features provide for the step of interacting with an information object to include viewing at least one digital image or a digital video relating to the information object.

The invention extends to a system for interacting with information objects in a user network, the system including an electronic communication device of a user in communication with a server system, the electronic communication device including:

an entering component for entering one or more keywords relating to desired information objects;

a transmitting component for transmitting the keywords to the server system;

a receiving component for receiving a number of filtered relevant information objects; a displaying component for displaying a user interface facilitating operation of the system, including displaying the number of filtered relevant information objects to the user;

a relevance filter adjusting component for adjusting a relevance filter, the relevance filter filtering information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects; and

an interaction component for allowing a user to interact with an information object in order to view features of the information object. Further features provide for the interaction component to be configured to allow a user to view at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object. Still further features provide for the system to include a messaging component for, in response to the user indicating that they wish to enter into a private messaging session in relation to an information object, facilitating a private messaging session with the creator of the information object.

The invention extends to a computer program product for interacting with information objects in a user network, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having stored computer-readable code for performing the steps of:

entering one or more keywords relating to desired information objects;

The invention extends to a method for interacting with information objects in a user network, carried out by a server system and comprising the steps of:

receiving, from an electronic communication device of a user, keywords relating to desired information objects;

transmitting, to the electronic communication device, a filtered list of relevant information objects and a relevance filter value indicator;

receiving, from the electronic communication device, an adjusted relevance filter value; updating the filtered list of relevant information objects in accordance with the change in the adjusted relevance filter value so as to include or exclude relevant information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects; transmitting the updated filtered list of relevant information objects to the electronic communication device; and

in response to a user interacting with an information object in the list, transmitting features of the information object to the electronic communication device.

Further features provide for the step of transmitting features of the information object to include transmitting at least one digital image or digital video of the information object.

The invention extends to a system for interacting with information objects in a user network, the system including a server system in communication with an electronic communication device of a user, the server system including:

a first receiving component for receiving keywords relating to desired information objects; a first transmitting component for transmitting a filtered list of relevant information objects and a relevance filter value indicator;

a second receiving component for receiving an adjusted relevance filter value indicator; an updating component for updating the filtered list of relevant information objects in accordance with the change in the relevance filter value so as to include or exclude relevant information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects

a second transmitting component for transmitting an updated filtered list of relevant information objects; and

a third transmitting component for, in response to a user interacting with an information object in the list, transmitting features of the information object.

Further features provide for the first and second receiving component to be the same receiving component; and for the first, second and third transmitting component to be the same transmitting component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying representations in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for creating and interacting with interactive information objects in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a mobile phone for use in creating an interactive information object in the system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of operation of the mobile device of Figure

2;

Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of a method followed by a user during operation of the mobile device of Figure 2;

Figure 5 shows a server for use in creating an interactive information object in the system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of a method of operation of the server of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a mobile phone for use to interact with an information object in the system of Figure 1 ; Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of a method of operation of the mobile phone of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram of a method performed by a user during operation of the mobile phone of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows a server to interact with an information object in the system of Figure 1

Figure 1 1 shows a method of operation of the server of Figure 10;

Figure 12A to 12D are screenshots of exemplary user interfaces showing various stages of sign-up for use of the system;

Figure 13A to 13D are screenshots of exemplary user interfaces showing various stages of the method illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 14A to 14D are screenshots of exemplary user interfaces showing various stage of the method illustrated in Figure 8;

Figure 15A to 15D are further screenshots of exemplary user interfaces showing various stages of the method illustrated in Figure 8; and

Figure 16 illustrates an example of an electronic communication device in which various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system (1000) for creating and interacting with interactive information objects in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system (1000) includes a server system (1005) in communication with a plurality of electronic communication devices over a communication network, in the present embodiment the internet (1010). A database (1015) is associated with the server system (1005). In the present embodiment, three electronic communication devices (1020, 1025, 1030) are shown, each communication device belonging to an associated user (1030, 1035, 1040). Although only three devices are shown, it is envisaged that a large number of device may be included in the system. Furthermore, it is envisaged that a mobile application operating on the electronic communication devices will facilitate operation of the system, although it need not be limited to such an application.

It should be noted that any suitable electronic communication device may be used, including, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a personal desktop computer, a tablet, or the like. In the description, the electronic communication device of a user will be described as a mobile phone in the form of a smart phone.

Figure 2 shows a mobile phone (1 100) for use in the system of Figure 1 , and Figure 3 shows a flow diagram (1200) illustrating a method of operation of the mobile phone (1 100) of Figure 2. The mobile phone (1 100) includes an inputting component (1 1 10), a transmitting component (1 1 15), and a displaying component (1 120). The mobile phone also includes an associating component (1 125), a receiving component (1 130), a location determining component (1 135), and a messaging component (1 140).

In a first step (1205) as shown in Figure 3, the mobile phone (1 100) receives input, via the inputting component (1 1 10), from the user indicating that they wish to create a new information object in the user network. The user designates the new information object with a title.

In a next step (1210) the mobile phone receives, from the server system, a list of desired actions and a list of existing tags that may be associated with the information object via the receiving component (1 130). The list of actions and tags are displayed on a displaying component (1 120) in a next step (1215). The displaying component also displays a user interface which facilitates operation of the method.

In a next step (1220), the user inputs or selects the desired actions and tags, which is also received by the mobile phone via the inputting component (1 1 10).

In a next step (1225), the location determining component (1 135) determines a current location of the mobile device and associates the location with the information object. It is envisaged that the user may be presented with an opportunity to modify the location if, for example, the user would like a different location to be associated with the information object.

In a next step (1230), the association component (1 125) associates multimedia in the form of at least one digital image or at least one digital video with the information object. It is envisaged that the user may be afforded the opportunity to select an image or video from an existing gallery on the mobile phone, or may be afforded the opportunity to capture images or videos of the device to associate with the information object. In a next step (1235), the mobile phone transmits all information relating to the information object to the server system. This includes the name, the desired action, the tags, the location information and the images and/or video. The server is then able to add the new information object to the user network. When a searching user on the user network would like more information on the information object, the user may be provided with an option to initiate a messaging session with the user that created the information object in a next step (1240). In such a case, the messaging component (1 140) will initiate and facilitate such a messaging session between the user and the searching user. Figure 4 shows a flow diagram (1300) of a method followed by a user during use of the mobile phone (1 100) of Figure 2. In a first step (1305), the user creates a new information object. The object is provided with a designated title.

In a next step (1310), the user defines a desired action to be associated with the information object. It is envisaged that the desired action may be an offer to sell, an offer to buy, an offer to rent, an offer to meet, an offer to interact with, and an offer to give away. The action will typically be any action known in the art as an action associated with a classified advertisement system, a dating system, or the like. The user will typically be presented with a possible list of desired actions, as explained with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3.

In a next step (1315) the user defines one or more tags to be associated with the information object. The tags describe features of the information object, for example a price, a condition, a colour, an age, a usage history, or the like. Also as explained above with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the user may be presented with a list of possible tags to choose from. It is envisaged that the tags may be in the form of hashtags being a descriptive word or phrase following a number sign (#). In a next step (1320), the user associates digital images or digital videos with the information object. The digital images or videos may already be stored on the mobile device, or the user may take the pictures or videos using a camera of the mobile device for immediate use.

In a final step (1325), the user publishes the information object to the user network. In the present embodiment, the user indicates on the mobile device that he or she wishes to publish the new information object, after which the mobile device transmits the information to the server system as explained above.

It should be noted that a mobile application operating on the mobile phone (1 100) may facilitate operation of the method as performed by the user, and the method performed by the mobile phone. The mobile application may be referred to as a computer program product, which comprises a computer-readable medium having stored computer-readable code thereon.

Figure 5 shows a server (1400) for use in the system of Figure 1 , and Figure 6 shows a flow diagram (1500) illustrating a method of operation of the server (1400) of Figure 5. The server includes a receiving component (1405), a transmitting component (1410), a tag adding component (1415), and a publishing component (1420). A database (1425) is associated with the server. In a first step (1505) as shown in the flow diagram (1500), the server system receives, from the mobile device of a user and via the receiving component (1405) a designated title of a new information object.

In a next step (1510), the server system transmits, via the transmitting component (1410) a list of desired actions and a list of existing tags to the mobile device. The desired actions and tags may be stored on the database (1425).

In a next step (1515), the server system receives, via the receiving component (1405) details including the desired action and tags the user has selected, as well as location information relating to the location of the electronic communication device at the time that the details were input in to the mobile phone by the user, and at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object.

In a next step (1520), the server system checks whether the user has entered a new tag which is not yet stored in the list of existing tags. If the tag is new, the server system adds the tag to the existing list via the tag adding component (1415) in a next step (1525). After this step (1525), or if the tag is not new, the method proceeds to a final step (1530).

In the final step (1520), the server publishes the new interactive information object to the user network via the publishing component (1420) by storing the information object and its associated details in the database (1425) associated with the server. Searching users may discover the new information object when searching for a tag associated with the information object.

Figure 7 shows a mobile phone for use in the system of Figure 1 (1600) for interacting with information objects in the user network. A plurality of information objects are stored in the database associated with the server, and users of the user network may search the database to discover information objects. The information object may have been added to the database as described above with reference to Figures 2 to 6. Figure 8 shows a flow diagram (1700) of a method of operation of the mobile phone of Figure 7.

The mobile phone (1600) includes an entering component (1605), a transmitting component (1610), a receiving component (1615), a displaying component (1620), a relevance filter adjusting component (1625), an interaction component (1630), and a messaging component (1635). As before, operation of these components are facilitated by a mobile application operating on the mobile phone (1600).

In a first step (1705) of the method as shown in Figure 8, a user who wishes to search for an information object enters at least one keyword relating to the desired object using the entering component (1610). The keywords may need to be entered in an appropriate field on a graphical user interface associated with the mobile application and displayed by the displaying component (1620).

In a next step (1710), the mobile phone transmits the keywords and location information of the mobile device to the server system via the transmitting component (1610), and receives a number of filtered relevant information objects back from the server, via the receiving component (1615), in a next step (1715). The location information may be static location information stored on the mobile device, or may be captured by a location determining component of the mobile device at the time of the user entering the keywords.

In a next step (1720) the displaying component (1615) displays the number of filtered relevant information objects to the user. The results are filtered according to the keywords entered and tags associated with the information objects. The displaying component (1615) also displays a relevance filter.

In a next step (1725), the user adjusts the relevance filter using the relevance filter adjusting component (1620). The adjusted value of the relevance filter is transmitted to the server system via the transmitting component (1610).

The mobile device receives an updated list of filtered relevant search results from the server system in a next step (1730). The list may be updated based on the adjustment in the relevance filter, which sets a desired relationship for filtering objects based on the location of the user and the associated location of the information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects.

In a next step (1735), the user interacts with a filtered information object displayed on the displaying component, using the interaction component (1630). Interaction with an information object may allow the user to view images or videos associated with the object, or any details of the object not visible in the list. The transmitting component (1610) may be used to transmit an interaction indicator to the server, and the receiving component may be used to receive the details not visible in the list. In a final step (1740), the user indicates that he or she wishes to message the creator of the information object. The messaging component (1635) initiates a private messaging session between the searching user and the creator of the information object. Such a messaging session may be used to discuss the information object, transactions or agreements relating to the information object, or any other topic the user wishes.

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram (1800) of a method followed by a user during use of the mobile phone (1600) of Figure 7. In a first step (1805), the user enters keywords relating to a desired information object.

After being presented with a list of relevant information objects, the user adjusts a relevance filter in a next step (1810). When a user locates an information object of interest, the user interacts with the object in a next step (1815) to view more details thereof. The details may include a digital image or video associated therewith. In a final step (1820), the user messages the creator of the information object in order to further discuss the information object.

It should be noted that, as before, a mobile application operating on the mobile phone may facilitate operation of the method as performed by the user, and the method performed by the mobile phone. The mobile application may be referred to as a computer program product, which comprises a computer-readable medium having stored computer-readable code thereon.

Figure 10 shows a server (1900) for use in the system of Figure 1 , and for interacting with information objects in the user network. Figure 1 1 shows a flow diagram (2000) illustrating operation of the server of Figure 10. The server includes a first receiving component (1905), a first transmitting component (1910), a second receiving component (1915), an updating component (1920), a second transmitting component (1925), a third receiving component (1930) and a third transmitting component (1935). A database (1940) having information objects stored thereon is associated with the server. In a first step (2005) of the method shown in Figure 1 1 , the server system receives keywords relating to desired information objects from a mobile phone of a searching user via the first receiving component (1905). Location information of the mobile phone is also received. The server filters the information objects stored in the database (1940) by the location of the user and an associated location of the information objects, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects. In a next step (2010), the server transmits a filtered list of relevant information objects to the mobile phone using the first transmitting component (1910). In a next step (2015), the server receives, via the second receiving component (1915) an adjusted relevance filter value. The adjusted relevance filter value is used to update the filtered list of relevant information objects using the updating component (1920) in a next step (2020). The updated list is transmitted to the mobile device in a next step (2025) via the second transmitting component (1925).

When a user interacts with an information object, the mobile phone transmits an interaction indicator to the server, which receives the interaction indicator in a next step (2030) via the third receiving component (1930). The interaction indictor indicates that a searching user wishes to view additional details relating to the information object which is not visible in the list of information objects. In a final step (2035), the third transmitting component (1935) transmits additional details to the mobile phone. The details may include at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object in the database (1940), but may be any details relating to the information object not visible in the list of information objects.

It should be noted that in the system and method described with reference to Figure 10 and 1 1 , the first, second, and third receiving components may be the same, single receiving component, and the first, second and third transmitting component may be a single transmitting component.

It is envisaged that the relevance filter may be adjustable by a user between a maximum and a minimum position, with many intermediate positions possible. A maximum relevance filter value may filter the results such that only information objects in the immediate vicinity of the user are displayed in the list, or that only information objects having tags corresponding to all the keywords entered by the user are displayed. A minimum relevance filter value may result in information objects that only have a single tag matching a keyword entered by the user, but also other keywords which do not match those entered by the user, being displayed. Similarly, information objects located remotely of the user may be included by a minimum relevance filter value.

A user may therefore adjust the relevance filter to a relatively high value to remove information objects which are not significantly relevant to his or her search or located remote of their location. Conversely, a user may decrease the relevance filter value to receive more results, should the user want to view results which are not necessarily exactly what he or she is looking for, but may be sufficient. This may allow a user to control the extent of noise in or relevance of search results. It is envisaged that the search results may be provided to a user in an order relating to their specific relevance. Information objects with more tags corresponding to the keywords used by the user in their search, and items located closer to the user, than others, will typically be listed nearer to the top of the search results. Furthermore, information objects created by users who have features similar to the user may also be given preference in the sorting of the search results. Additionally, the date on which an information object was created or modified may impact its position, with more recently modified or created objects typically favoured to be higher up the list. Furthermore, contact with a creator of an information object may be simplified by providing users with the opportunity to open a private messaging session with the creator of an information object. This may at least partially alleviate current issues experienced with incorrect phone numbers or email addresses.

In the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 2 to 1 1 , a single server having a single database associated therewith was described. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that many servers, as well as many databases, may be employed in the system. Although the embodiments described above included that the server transmit a list of possible actions and tags to a mobile phone, this step need not be mandatory. The user may simply choose an action or keyword without any suggestion made to them by the server.

It is envisaged that users of the user network will have to sign up for use of the system, and at a time of signing up may be required to provide tags identifying attributes of themselves. Users themselves may be discoverable, or may be visible upon a searching user discovering an information object of a user. Tags associated with users of the user network may also be used to filter search results.

The systems and method described above may be used to create interactive information objects, or to search for information objects. The systems and method may be particularly suitable for users wanting to sell, buy, swop, rent or give away goods or services. Additionally, the systems and methods may be suitable for lifestyle applications, particularly for matchmaking or dating services, hobby websites, particular business interests or themes, or a social networking application, including discussions on forums or chats in general. An interactive information object may relate to a particular item or service, or it may relate to a profile of the creating user him of herself. In applications for, for example, matchmaking sites, tags will be used to describe a user him or herself, while keywords searched for will return users who have used similar tags in describing themselves.

A maximum number of tags may be specified which a user may use to describe attributes of an interactive information object. A proposed maximum number is six, although a different maximum, or no maximum, may be preferred in some embodiments. Limiting the number of available tags may aid in user functionality, as limited variables may serve to simplify operation of the system to a user. It may also avoid the possibility of a user associating fewer relevant tags to their object in order to attract users to the object when the object is in actual fact not particularly relevant to their search.

Figures 12A to 12D show screenshots of a mobile phone (2100) operating an application facilitating operation of the system and method during initial registration for use of the user network. In Figure 12A, a start-up screen (2105) is shown. In Figure 12B, a user is provided with an email field (21 10) and a password field (21 15) for signing in, should they already be registered for use of the user network. If the user selects "Sign Up" (2120), the user is presented with a "Create Your Profile" screen as shown in Figure 12C. The user may enter a variety of information relating to a user profile that they wish to set up. A user profile title field (2125), a location field (2130), and a tag field (2135) is shown in the present figure. Tags relate to attributes that a user ascribes themselves, to identify characteristics of themselves to other users of the user network.

Figure 12D shows a "My Profile" screen, where a user can view their profile, including their setup profile title (2140), a primary email account (2145) associated with their profile, a location (2150), and tags (2155) associated with their profile. Figures 13A to 13D show screenshots of a mobile phone (2200) operating an application facilitating operation of the system and method during creation of an interactive information object. In Figure 13A, a screen is shown with interactive information objects related to the user. Only one information object is shown. By selecting a "+" option (2205) on the screen, a user is provided with a new information object configuration screen as shown in Figure 13B.

The user is provided with a title field (2210), a plurality of tag fields (2215), an "Add picture" option (2220), a "My location" option (2225), and an "A different location" option (2230). The user enters a title for their information object in the title field (2210), and provides a plurality of tags in the tag fields (2215). The tags relate to features of the information object. One tag field is reserved for a desired action to be associated with the information object, in the present embodiment that the object is offered for sale. The remaining tag fields may be used for additional features, in the present embodiment which relates to a washing machine, a colour of the washing machine, the brand, the weight limit, the type, and the price. The "Add picture" option (2220) may be used to associate pictures stored on the mobile phone with the information object. If the user wishes to associate their present location with the information object, they may choose the "My location" option (2225). This will allow the mobile device to retrieve current location information for the mobile device that will be associated with the information object. If the user wishes to manually enter a location, the may choose the "A different location" option (2230) to do so. Once all the information has been entered, a user is provided with a preview (2235) of the information object, as shown in Figure 13C. The preview is substantially identical to the information of the information object that will be visible to other users in the user network searching for information objects.

Once the user approves the preview, the new information object is added to the screen with information objects relevant to the user, as can be seen in Figure 13D. The screen includes information objects pushed to the user by other users of the user network, for example a listed item which the user may be interested in due to the tags associated with their profile, or an information object relating to a profile of another user who wishes to connect or chat with the user.

Figures 14A to 14D show further screenshots of a mobile phone (2300) during operating of an application facilitating operation of the system and method described above. In Figure 14A, information objects have been grouped according to a classification provided to them by the user. A user may group information objects relating to them based on the relevant interest field, the relevant action associated with them, or the like. This may allow a user more control over their relevant information items. In Figure 14B, a search window is shown. A user has searched for an information object with specific tags using specific keywords (2305). In the present example, the keywords used in the search was "Mercedes-Benz", "C-class", "+-R250000", "White", "<30000km" and "Gauteng". A list (2315) is shown with relevant results of the search in the form of the user's matching the keywords searched for. A relevance filter (2310) is shown, which can be adjusted to adjust the relevance of the results provided in the list as described above.

Figure 14C shows a screenshot where the list (2315) has been expanded to view more results at a time. Figure 14D shows a menu item (2320) which may be provided by the application to allow a user to alternate between different functions of the application.

Figures 15A to 15D show further screenshots of a mobile phone (2400) during operating of an application facilitating operation of the system and method described above. In Figure 15A, a user has selected a search result, and is presented with details relating to the information object. The details include data relating to the information object. The application may provide the user with options to save the information object as a favourite, or to engage with the creator of the information object. In Figure 15B, a user has selected a profile of a user, and is presented with a profile picture and tags relating to the user. In Figure 15C, the user has initiated a private messaging session with the user shown in Figure 15B. Figure 15D shows a list of open messaging sessions that the user has with other users. Such a list may allow a user to easily reconnect or continue a conversation with a previously contacted user.

It is envisaged that a commercial entity may also create information objects. Such information objects may allow a business, marketer, promoter, brand or the like to contact a multitude of users in the user network. A commercial entity may be required to pay for commercial use of the system, especially for use of location based marketing to users located in the vicinity of the business. Similar to information objects created by users of the system, a commercial entity may be allowed to create information objects with a plurality of tags associated therewith, which may in one embodiment be more tags than is allowed for normal users so that the commercial entity's information object is more likely to show up in search results.

The commercial entity may also be allowed to initiate private messaging sessions with users, or may be allowed to send mass messages to users, possibly in the form of a large scale messaging session involving a multitude of users in a single messaging session. Typically, users will need to indicate that they are interested in the specific commercial entity or a relevant information object before such messaging may be allowed.

Commercial users may be allowed statistics as to the interaction of users with their information objects, including a number of users having tags matching tags of the information object, number of messages sent and received, number of information objects added as favourites by user, of number of information objects removed as favourites by users, number of times messaging sessions have been denied by users, or the like. It is also envisaged that administrative users may be able to access usage statistics of both normal users and commercial users, and may be allowed to block access to the system in certain circumstances, edit users, remove user, or the like. Furthermore, administrative users may be allowed to manage tags allowed in the system, view usage statistics of tags, or the like. FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of an electronic device (1600) that may be used in embodiments of the disclosure. The electronic device (1600) may be a mobile cell phone, a feature phone, a smart phone, a satellite phone, or a computing device having a phone capability. The electronic device (1600) may include a processor (1605) (e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functions of the electronic device (1600) and a display (1620) to allow a user to see the phone numbers and other information and messages. The electronic device (1600) may further include an input element (1625) to allow a user to input information into the device (e.g., input buttons, touch screen, etc.), a speaker (1630) to allow the user to hear voice communication, music, etc., and a microphone (1635) to allow the user to transmit his or her voice through the electronic device (1600). The processor (1610) of the electronic device (1600) may connect to a memory (1615). The memory (1615) may be in the form of a computer-readable medium that stores data and, optionally, computer-executable instructions. The electronic device (1600) may also include a communication element (1640) for connection to communication channels (e.g., a cellular telephone network, data transmission network, Wi-Fi network, satellite-phone network, Internet network, Satellite Internet Network, etc.). The communication element (1640) may include an associated wireless transfer element, such as an antenna. The communication element (1640) may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) in the form of an integrated circuit that stores an international mobile subscriber identity and the related key used to identify and authenticate a subscriber using the electronic device (1600). One or more subscriber identity modules may be removable from the electronic device (1600) or embedded in the electronic device (1600).

The electronic device (1600) may further include a contactless element (1650), which is typically implemented in the form of a semiconductor chip (or other data storage element) with an associated wireless transfer element, such as an antenna. The contactless element (1650) may be associated with (e.g., embedded within) the electronic device (1600) and data or control instructions transmitted via a cellular network may be applied to the contactless element (1650) by means of a contactless element interface (not shown). The contactless element interface may function to permit the exchange of data and/or control instructions between mobile device circuitry (and hence the cellular network) and the contactless element (1650).

The contactless element (1650) may be capable of transferring and receiving data using a near field communications (NFC) capability (or near field communications medium) typically in accordance with a standardized protocol or data transfer mechanism (e.g., ISO 14443/NFC). Near field communications capability is a short-range communications capability, such as radio- frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, infra-red, or other data transfer capability that can be used to exchange data between the electronic device (1600) and an interrogation device. Thus, the electronic device (1600) may be capable of communicating and transferring data and/or control instructions via both a cellular network and near field communications capability.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. Some portions of this description are in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work effectively to others skilled in the art. These operations, while described functionally, computationally, or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs or equivalent electrical circuits, microcode, or the like. The described operations may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combinations thereof.

The software components or functions described in this application may be implemented as software code to be executed by one or more processors using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++, or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a non- transitory computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). Any such computer-readable medium may also reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network. Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may be performed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, a software module is implemented within a computer program product comprising a non-transient computer-readable medium containing computer program code, which can be executed by a computer processor for performing any or all of the steps, operations, or processes described herein.

Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may be performed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, a software module is implemented with a computer program product comprising a non-transient computer-readable medium containing computer program code, which can be executed by a computer processor for performing any or all of the steps, operations, or processes described. Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Throughout the specification and claims unless the contents requires otherwise the word 'comprise' or variations such as 'comprises' or 'comprising' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A method for creating discoverable interactive information objects in a user network, carried out on an electronic communication device and comprising the steps of:

creating a new interactive information object with a designated title; defining a desired action to be associated with the information object;

2. The method as claimed in Claim 1 which includes the steps of:

prior to defining one or more tags to be associated with the information object, receiving a list of existing tags to choose from; and

prior to defining a desired action to be associated with the information object, receiving a list of desired actions to choose from.

3. The method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the desired action is selectable from the list comprising: an offer to sell; an offer to buy; an offer to rent; an offer to meet; an offer to interact with; an offer to swop; and an offer to give away.

4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes the step of associating at least one digital image or a digital video relating to the information object with the information object

5. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tags are hashtags.

6. A system for creating discoverable information objects in a user network, the system including an electronic communication device of a user in communication with a server system, the electronic communication device including:

an inputting component for inputting a title of a new interactive information object, a desired action to be associated with the information object, and one or more tags to be associated with the information object, the tags describing features of the information object;

a transmitting component for transmitting the title, desired action and tags to the server system, the server system adding the new interactive object including the title, desired action and tags to a user network; and a displaying component for displaying a user interface facilitating operation of the system.

7. The system as claimed in Claim 6 which includes an associating component for associating at least one digital image or digital video with the information object.

8. The system as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the transmitting component is configured to transmit the at least one digital image or digital video to the server system.

9. The system as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8 which includes a receiving component for, prior to a user inputting a desired action or tag, receiving a list of selectable desired actions or tags allowed by the server system.

10. The system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 which includes a location determining component for determining a location of the user.

1 1 . The system as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the transmitting component is configured to transmit a current location of the user at the time of transmitting the title, desired action and tags to the server.

12. The system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 1 1 which includes a messaging component for, in response to a searching user searching for information objects on the user network indicating that they wish to enter into a private messaging session in relation to the interactive information object, facilitating a private messaging session between the user and the searching user.

13. A computer program product for creating discoverable information objects in a user network, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having stored computer-readable code for performing the steps of:

14. A method for creating discoverable interactive information objects in a user network, carried out by a server system and comprising the steps of: receiving, from an electronic communication device of a user, details of a new interactive information object, the details including a title, a desired action, and one or more tags describing features of the information object; and

15. The method as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the step of receiving details includes receiving location information relating to the location of the electronic communication device at a time that the details were input into the electronic communication device by the user.

16. The method as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the step of receiving includes receiving at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object.

17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 which includes the step of transmitting to the electronic communication device a list of existing tags to choose from and a list of desired actions to choose from.

18. The method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 which includes the step of in response to receiving a tag which does not yet exist, adding the tag to the list of existing tags.

19. A system for creating discoverable information objects in a user network, the system including a server system in communication with an electronic communication device of a user, the server system including:

20. The system as claimed in Claim 19 wherein the receiving component is configured to receive location information relating to the location of the electronic communication device at the time that the details were input into the device by the user.

21 . The system as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the receiving component is configured to receive at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object.

22. The system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 which includes a transmitting component for transmitting to the electronic communication device a list of existing tags to choose from and a list of desired actions to choose from.

23. The system as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22 which includes a tag adding component for, in response to receiving a tag which does not yet exist, adding the tag to the list of existing tags.

24. A method for interacting with information objects in a user network, carried out on an electronic communication device and comprising the steps of:

entering one or more keywords relating to desired information objects;

adjusting a relevance filter, the relevance filter filtering information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects; and

interacting with an information object in order to view features of the information object.

25. The method as claimed in Claim 24 wherein the step of interacting with an information object includes viewing at least one digital image or a digital video relating to the information object.

26. A system for interacting with information objects in a user network, the system including an electronic communication device of a user in communication with a server system, the electronic communication device including:

a transmitting component for transmitting the keywords to the server system; a receiving component for receiving a number of filtered relevant information objects;

a displaying component for displaying a user interface facilitating operation of the system, including displaying the number of filtered relevant information objects to the user; a relevance filter adjusting component for adjusting a relevance filter, the relevance filter filtering information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects; and

an interaction component for allowing a user to interact with an information object in order to view features of the information object.

27. The system as claimed in Claim 26 wherein the interaction component is configured to allow a user to view at least one digital image or digital video associated with the information object.

28. The system as claimed in Claim 26 of Claim 27 which includes a messaging component for, in response to the user indicating that they wish to enter into a private messaging session in relation to an information object, facilitating a private messaging session with the creator of the information object.

29. A computer program product for interacting with information objects in a user network, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having stored computer-readable code for performing the steps of:

entering one or more keywords relating to desired information objects;

30. A method for interacting with information objects in a user network, carried out by a server system and comprising the steps of:

receiving, from the electronic communication device, an adjusted relevance filter value;

updating the filtered list of relevant information objects in accordance with the change in the adjusted relevance filter value so as to include or exclude relevant information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects;

transmitting the updated filtered list of relevant information objects to the electronic communication device; and

in response to a user interacting with an information object in the list, transmitting features of the information object to the electronic communication device. The method as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the step of transmitting features of the information object to include transmitting at least one digital image or digital video of the information object.

A system for interacting with information objects in a user network, the system including a server system in communication with an electronic communication device of a user, the server system including:

a first receiving component for receiving keywords relating to desired information objects;

a first transmitting component for transmitting a filtered list of relevant information objects and a relevance filter value indicator;

a second receiving component for receiving an adjusted relevance filter value indicator;

an updating component for updating the filtered list of relevant information objects in accordance with the change in the relevance filter value so as to include or exclude relevant information objects based on at least one of: the location of the user and an associated location of an information object, and the correspondence between the keywords and tags associated with the information objects;

The system as claimed in Claim 32 wherein the first and second receiving component are the same receiving component and the first, second and third transmitting component are the same transmitting component.