WO2018071957A1

WO2018071957A1 - Vehicle registration based public profile platform, and system and method for effecting same

Info

Publication number: WO2018071957A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/000226
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerarda Mader
Original assignee: Olinet Pty Ltd On Behalf Of Oliwood Family Trust
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2017-10-20
Publication date: 2018-04-26

Abstract

A system (100) for effecting a public profile platform includes a server 1 -10 and a database 1- 15 communicatively connected to the server 1 -10. Further included in the system (100) are access portals 1 -20A, 1 -20B, 1 -20C, with which the server 1 -10 is configured to receive information from and transmit information to, and electronic computing devices 1 -40, 1 -50, 1- 60. The database 1 -15 stores therein an identifier (300) for uniquely identifying a vehicle (305), and a public profile (400) associated with the unique identifier. The public profiles (400) stored in the database 1 -15 include one or more of Name of the business/organisation/individual, Contact details (410) (phone numbers, email) of the business/organisation/individual, URL link to company website (412), URL link to one or more social media platform profiles of the business/organisation/individual (e.g. Facebook™ (414), Linkedln™ (416), Google+™ (418), Twitter™ (420), Pinterest™ (422), Instagram™, (424), YouTube™, etc). Each social profile (400) stored in the database 1 -15 is correlated with one or more identifiers that uniquely identify a vehicle, for example the vehicle's number plate.

Description

VEHICLE REGISTRATION BASED PUBLIC PROFILE PLATFORM, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFECTING SAME

Field of the Invention

[1 ] The present invention relates to an online public profile platform and a system for effecting an online public profile platform.

Background of the Invention

[2] Online social media platforms, such as Facebook™, Twitter™, and Instagram™ allow users of the platforms to establish a profile by which to communicate to an audience. Such platforms are commonly used by businesses and individuals to establish a profile by which to communicate to existing and prospective customers or a certain audience. Informing existing and prospective customers and specific audiences of the existence and address of a business' or individual's profile including phone numbers, email address and websites, can however be challenging.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate this challenge, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[5] In one aspect, the present invention provides a public profile system comprising: a database storing a plurality of separate public profiles,

a respective vehicle identifier associated with a respective one of the public profiles, and

a server configured to search the database for a public profile associated with a respective vehicle identifier, and to make the associated public profile available for display on a first electronic device.

[6] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a first access portal, the first access portal accessible by the first electronic device and configured to receive via the first electronic device the vehicle identifier.

[7] In another embodiment, the first access portal is configured to display the public profile on the first electronic device. [8] In another embodiment, the respective public profile contains links to one or more social media profiles for a respective individual, company or organisation.

[9] In another embodiment, the vehicle identifier is a number plate of a vehicle or a code associated with the vehicle.

[10] In another embodiment, the first access portal is a web page accessible by the first electronic device via a network.

[1 1] In another embodiment, the first access portal is a software application installed on the first electronic device.

[12] In another embodiment, the software application comprises a save function where the links to the one or more social media profiles are saved in respective social media application software in the first electronic device.

[13] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of accessing a public profile comprising:

storing in a database a public profile and a vehicle identifier associated with the public profile; and

searching the database for a public profile associated with the vehicle identifier, and to making the public profile available for display on a first electronic device.

[14] In one embodiment, the method further comprises receiving, via the first electronic device, the vehicle identifier, providing, via a first access portal, the vehicle identifier to a server, and conducting the search of the database via the server using the vehicle identifier provided thereto.

[15] In another embodiment, the method further comprises displaying the public profile on the first electronic device via the first access portal.

[16] In another embodiment, the public profile contains links to one or more social media profiles, and the method further comprises accessing one or more of the social media profiles via the links contained in the public profile.

[17] In another embodiment, the vehicle identifier is a number plate of a vehicle.

[18] In another embodiment, the first access portal is a web page accessible by the first electronic device via a network.

[19] In another embodiment, the first access portal is a software application installed on the first electronic device.

[20] In another aspect, the present invention provides a public profile system comprising: a database storing a plurality of separate public profiles for individuals, companies or organisations, each public profile comprising one or more of contact information and social media accounts for the respective individual, company or organisation,

a respective unique identifier associated with a respective one of the public profiles, and

a server configured to search the database for a public profile associated with a respective unique identifier, and to make the associated public profile available for display on a first electronic device.

[21] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[23] Figure 1 illustrates a system for effecting a public profile platform according to the present invention;

[24] Figure 2 illustrates an operation of the system to create and maintain a public profile;

[25] Figure 3 illustrates an operation of the system to look up a public profile

[26] Figure 4 shows an example search page of a profile searcher portal;

[27] Figure 5 shows an indicator attached adjacent a number plate to notify users of the availability of a profile via the profile platform;

[28] Figure 6 shows an example company public profile; and

[29] Figure 7 illustrates the functions of the system of Figure 1 .

Description of Embodiments

[30] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[31] A system 100 for effecting a public profile platform according to the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7. The system 100 includes a server 1-10 and a database 1 -15 communicatively connected to the server 1 -10. The server 1 -10 is operable to record data in, and retrieve data from, the database 1-15. While illustrated as single devices, it is to be understood that both the server 1 -10 and the database 1 -15 may have a distributed arrangement, and in a preferred embodiment are provided and managed by a 3^rd party service provider such as, for example, Amazon Web Services. [32] Further included in the system 100 are access portals 1-20A, 1 -20B, 1 -20C, with which the server 1 -10 is configured to receive information from and transmit information to, and electronic computing devices 1 -40, 1 -50, 1 -60. The electronic computing devices 1 -40, 1-50, 1 -60 are each configured to receive information from and transmit information to one or more of the access portals 1 -20A, 1 -20B, 1 -20C. The access portals 1 -20A, 1 -20B, 1-20C may be accessible by the electronic computing devices 1 -40, 1-50, 1 -60 via a network 1 -30, such as the Internet, through a browser, and/or locally installed in and executable by each of the electronic computing devices 1 -40, 1-50, 1 -60 as a software application (mobile device app).

[33] The electronic computing devices 1 -40, 1-50, 1-60 may be smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, desktop computers, or other network capable electronic computing device and are operated respectively by users 1 -45, 1-55, 1 -65. The users 1 -45, 1-55, 1 -65 of the system 100 include a profile owner 1 -45 responsible for setting up and managing the public profile of a business, organisation, or individual, a standard user 1 -55 who desires to search for and view specific public profiles, and an administrator 1 -65 of the public profile platform.

[34] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the database 1-15 stores therein an identifier 300 for uniquely identifying a vehicle 305, and a public profile 400 associated with the unique identifier. In the preferred embodiment, the identifier for uniquely identifying the vehicle 305 is a number plate 300 of the vehicle. The public profiles 400 stored in the database 1-15 include one or more of:

• Name of the business/organisation/individual

• Contact details 410 (phone numbers, email) of the business/organisation/individual

• URL link to company website 412

• URL link to one or more social media platform profiles of the business/organisation/individual (e.g. Facebook™ 414, Linkedln™ 416, Google+™ 418, Twitter™ 420, Pinterest™ 422, Instagram™, 424, YouTube™, etc)

[35] Additionally, each social profile 400 stored in the database 1 -15 is correlated with one or more identifiers that uniquely identify a vehicle, for example the vehicle's number plate.

[36] Referring back to Figure 1 , the access portals 1 -20A, 1-20B, 1-20C of the system 100 include a profile owner portal 1 -20A, a profile searcher portal 1 -20B, and a system administration portal 1 -20C. The profile owner portal 1 -20A is accessible by the profile owner 1 -45 to set up and manage a public profile 400. The profile searcher's portal 1-20B is accessible by the standard user 1 -55 to search for and view a public profile 400 using a unique vehicle identifier. The system administration portal 1 -20C is accessible by an administrator of the system 100 to setup a public profile 400 and to make changes as needed.

[37] With reference to Fig. 2, an operation 200 of the system 100 by the profile owner 1-45 to register and create a public profile is described.

[38] The operation 200 to register and create a public profile 400 is facilitated by the profile owner portal 1 -20A and includes a step 2-10 of the profile owner 1 -45 operating the electronic device 1 -40 to access the profile owner portal 1 -20A.

[39] Once accessed, and at step 2-15, a public profile population page may be displayed on the electronic device 1 -40 by the profile owner portal 1 -20A. The public profile population page facilitates the receipt of basic and customized information from the profile owner 1 -45 via the electronic device 1 -40 and profile owner portal 1 -20A. The basic and customized information may include, but is not limited to, a graphical banner, a logo, contact details such as a telephone number, a mobile phone number, a fax number, an email address, a physical address, and the like, and a brief description of the business/organisation/individual.

[40] Additionally, the public profile population page facilitates the population of the public profile with links to the social media pages belonging to the business/organisation/individual. Exemplary social media pages that may be linked to the public profile include Facebook™, Twitter™, Instagram™, Pinterest™, Snapchat™, Google+™, Linkedln™, YouTube™ and the like.

[41] Once accessed, and at step 2-20, a vehicle identifier registration page (which may be an extension or a part of the public profile population page) may also be displayed on the electronic device 1 -40 by the profile owner portal 1 -20A. The vehicle identifier registration page facilitates the association of the public profile with one or more unique vehicle identifiers, which in the preferred embodiment is a number plate of a vehicle.

[42] Association of the public profile with a unique vehicle identifier involves a step 2-25 of prompting the profile owner 1 -45 to enter the unique vehicle identifier, and receiving the unique vehicle identifier from the profile owner 1 -45 through the profile owner portal 1 -20A.

[43] Additionally, at step 2-30, one or more confirmatory vehicle identifiers may be optionally requested. The confirmatory vehicle identifiers may include a vehicle identification number (i.e. VIN or chassis number), a registration certificate, notice, label, or tag (hereinafter referred to collectively as a registration certificate), and the like.

[44] At step 2-35, the confirmatory vehicle identifiers, if provided, are cross checked against the vehicle identifier received at step 2-25. In one embodiment, the server 1 -10 accesses an official database (e.g. Department of Motor Vehicles, Road Transport Authority, etc.) to cross check the confirmatory vehicle identifiers with the vehicle identifier provided at step 2-25. Alternatively or additionally, if one of the confirmatory vehicle identifiers is a registration certificate, the certificate may be analysed to confirm that the vehicle identifier provided at step 2-25 is associated with the confirmatory vehicle identifiers (e.g. VIN) provided at step 2-30.

[45] At step 2-40, if the confirmatory vehicle identifiers (if provided) successfully cross check with the vehicle identifier provided at step 2-25, the public profile is associated with the vehicle identifier through an appropriate recordation thereof in the database 1 -15.

[46] A public profile 400 may be associated with one or more multiple unique vehicle identifiers (number plates) 300.

[47] With reference to Figs. 3 to 5, an operation 300 of the system 100 by the standard user 1 -55 to search for and view a public profile is described.

[48] At 3-10, a unique vehicle identifier, for example a number plate 300, is entered into a search box 510 by the standard user 1 -55 into the profile searcher portal 1 -20B via the electronic device 1 -50. In one embodiment, the unique vehicle identifier is displayed on the vehicle together with an indicia (indicator) 320 indicating that the unique vehicle identifier is one that is associated with a public profile of the system 100. If the unique vehicle identifier is for example a number plate 300, the number plate may be framed within a frame that indicates that the plate number is associated with a public profile. Labels or stickers 320 may also be used to provide similar indications. Preferably, the vehicle itself is also decorated with graphics or other markings indicative of the business that the public profile relates to.

[49] At 3-20, the unique vehicle identifier entered by the standard user 1 -55 is sent by the profile searcher portal 1 -20B to the server 1 -10. The server 1 -10 then searches the database 1 -15 for the unique vehicle identifier, and if found, retrieves the public profile 400 associated with the unique vehicle identifier 300.

[50] At 3-30, the public profile 400 associated with the unique vehicle identifier is displayed to the standard user 1 -55 by the profile searcher portal 1 -20B. In particular, the contact information and links to the social media profiles belonging to the business are displayed, such that the standard user 1 -55 may click on the links to navigate to the profiles.

[51] By way of the operation 300 and the system 100, the standard user 1 -55 can easily locate and navigate to all social media profiles belonging to the business simply by knowing the unique vehicle identifier. The unique vehicle identifier is typically shorter than a link or other identifier for identifying a social media profile, and thereby makes the process of finding and viewing a social media profile quicker and more reliable. [52] Moreover, rather than having to remember different links and/or identifiers for the various different social media profiles for a single business/organisation/individual, the standard user 1 -55 needs to only know the one unique vehicle identifier to access the public profile of the business, which public profile then links to all social media profiles owned by the business. The user only needs to identify the unique vehicle identifier which is shorter than phone numbers, weblinks and email addresses of the entity. The user for example can take a photograph of the vehicle number plate via their mobile phone camera. The user portal can be adapted to accept an image as input for the search via character recognition, or via voice recognition and activation.

[53] The present invention is particular suited to existing forms of advertising which utilize vehicles for exposure. The requirement to remember only a relatively short unique vehicle identifier is particular convenient for this form of advertising, in view that such vehicles are typically in motion and a standard user 1 -55 may only have a small window of opportunity in which to assimilate the information displayed by the vehicle. The use of a number plate as the unique vehicle identifier is particular suited to jurisdictions in which custom number plates are available for vehicles.

[54] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, while it is described above that photos are uploaded to the server and stored in the user's account, the photos may instead be stored locally on the electronic device 210.

[55] The system can also be adapted to record the Global Positioning (GPS) data or tag of the mobile device where vehicle was seen and where the user performed a search. This provides geographical data of exposure and effectiveness for advertisers and the profile owner.

[56] In another embodiment, the vehicle identifier can be another code unique to the company profile. For example, the vehicle identifier can be a code word, number or any combination of characters. The indicator 320 for example can include the vehicle identifier code therein.

[57] The unique identifier for the public profile 400 can alternatively be a code that is not a number plate or associated with the number plate or vehicle. The unique identifier can be a unique name or alpha numeric code identified by the user's or service provider's logo or mark. This code can then be used by users such as companies and travellers on T-shirts, backpacks, suitcases etc. to identify and link to their online public profile 400. This allows users to use the unique identifier (e.g. their logo and ID code) anywhere to link people to their internet public profile. [58] The unique identifier can also be a QR code or barcode.

[59] The system preferably incudes a 'save' function, wherein the contact details (phone numbers, email, address, etc) and social medial links to the specific individual, company or organisation associated with the public profile are recorded in the user's mobile device if desired. A 'save profile' button for example can be provided to the profile page which then saves all the contact information and links to the respective social media apps (e.g. Facebook profile is 'liked' in the Facebook app, Instagram profile is 'followed' in Instagram app, phone numbers and email address are saved as a new Contact in Contacts app, etc.)

[60] The system app also preferably includes a 'favourites' function where the user can compile a list of favourited profiles to be followed.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 . A public profile system comprising:

a database storing a plurality of separate public profiles, a respective vehicle identifier associated with a respective one of the public profiles, and

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a first access portal, the first access portal accessible by the first electronic device and configured to receive via the first electronic device the vehicle identifier.

3. The system according to claim 2, where in the first access portal is configured to display the public profile on the first electronic device.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the respective public profile contains links to one or more social media profiles for a respective individual, company or organisation.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle identifier is a number plate of a vehicle or a code associated with the vehicle.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first access portal is a web page accessible by the first electronic device via a network.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first access portal is a software application installed on the first electronic device.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein the software application comprises a save function where the links to the one or more social media profiles are saved in respective social media application software in the first electronic device.

9. A method of accessing a public profile comprising: storing in a database a public profile and a vehicle identifier associated with the public profile; and

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising receiving, via the first electronic device, the vehicle identifier, providing, via a first access portal, the vehicle identifier to a server, and conducting the search of the database via the server using the vehicle identifier provided thereto.

1 1. The method according to claim 10, further comprising displaying the public profile on the first electronic device via the first access portal.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the public profile contains links to one or more social media profiles, and the method further comprises accessing one or more of the social media profiles via the links contained in the public profile.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle identifier is a number plate of a vehicle.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first access portal is a web page accessible by the first electronic device via a network.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first access portal is a software application installed on the first electronic device.

16. A public profile system comprising:

a database storing a plurality of separate public profiles for individuals, companies or organisations, each public profile comprising one or more of contact information and social media accounts for the respective individual, company or organisation,

a respective unique identifier associated with a respective one of the public profiles, and a server configured to search the database for a public profile associated with a respective unique identifier, and to make the associated public profile available for display on a first electronic device.