Patent Application
20170061392
Field of the Invention
The embodiments described herein are generally directed to the fully-automated or semi-automated creation of events, and, more particularly, events featuring talent (e.g., chef and/or musician), a venue, and patrons.
Related Art
In the restaurant industry, successful bars and restaurants are created through a combination of multiple features, including the cuisine, chef, location, ambiance, availability of live music, price, menu, customer service and reputation. However, even the most successful bars and restaurants often need to continuously update their menus, ambiance, decor, chefs, and other features to maintain interest among their customer base. Many bars and restaurants fail due to their inability to update these features, in particular the menus, cuisine, chefs, and ambiance.
An even more basic problem is the need for bars and restaurants to drive business consistently every day of the week. Certain weeknights are notoriously slow for bars and restaurants, and the bars and restaurants usually respond with specials or discounts only on those nights. However, consumers eventually tire of the same special offers after a long period of time, as the offers are simply no longer “special,” but mundane.
A further challenge is the basic competition between restaurants for the same customer. The techniques used to fill tables on slow nights involves one strategy, while the techniques used to fill tables on a popular dining night—such as Valentine's Day or New Year's Eve—may involve a completely different strategy. Further still is the challenge to remain relevant, as the restaurant industry constantly goes through changing trends in food or cuisine. Many restaurants can do nothing but watch while newer, trendier restaurant concepts spring up and steal business.
The food industry as a whole has seen a recent resurgence in interest, from an increased emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients to the increased visibility of chefs and restaurants, due in part to the use of social media. The use of online reviews alone has required the restaurant industry to focus on a subset of customers whose reviews command more respect and attention than a seasoned food critic. A well-executed social media campaign can drive business to a restaurant indefinitely, as customers are relying more and more on online content to provide them with information on the best restaurants and special events. Many customers create online profiles that provide valuable insight into dining trends and preferences. However, aggregating and analyzing the massive amount of online content is a challenge.
Therefore, it is desirable to develop systems and methods to utilize online content and identify trends to create and maintain interest in a bar and/or restaurant.
Similarly, it is desirable to develop systems and methods to utilize online content and identify trends to create and maintain interest in a musician and/or chef.
In an embodiment, a method is disclosed. The method comprises using at least one hardware processor to: create a plurality of talent profiles, wherein each talent profile comprises information for a talent; create a plurality of venue profiles, wherein each venue profile comprises information for a venue; compare information in one or more of the plurality of talent profiles to information in one or more of the plurality of venue profiles to identify at least one match between a first talent and a first venue; generate a representation of an event based on the at least one match between the first talent and the first venue, wherein the event comprises at least one action performed by the first talent at the first venue; identify one or more potential patrons of the event; and invite the one or more potential patrons to the event.
In another embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system comprises: at least one hardware processor; and at least one software module configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, create a plurality of talent profiles, wherein each talent profile comprises information for a talent, create a plurality of venue profiles, wherein each venue profile comprises information for a venue, compare information in one or more of the plurality of talent profiles to information in one or more of the plurality of venue profiles to identify at least one match between a first talent and a first venue, generate a representation of an event based on the at least one match between the first talent and the first venue, wherein the event comprises at least one action performed by the first talent at the first venue, identify one or more potential patrons of the event, and invite the one or more potential patrons to the event.
In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is disclosed. The non-transitory computer-readable medium has instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: create a plurality of talent profiles, wherein each talent profile comprises information for a talent; create a plurality of venue profiles, wherein each venue profile comprises information for a venue; compare information in one or more of the plurality of talent profiles to information in one or more of the plurality of venue profiles to identify at least one match between a first talent and a first venue; generate a representation of an event based on the at least one match between the first talent and the first venue, wherein the event comprises at least one action performed by the first talent at the first venue; identify one or more potential patrons of the event; and invite the one or more potential patrons to the event.
Embodiments described herein provide systems, methods, and media for matching talent (e.g., chefs and/or musicians) restaurants, bars and customers to create customized, exclusive music and/or dining events. The system utilizes complex profiles and schedules of restaurants, bars, talent, and customers to create suggested pairings that manifest into an exclusive, one-time dining and/or live music experience where the paired talent and bar or restaurant create a unique menu, musical performance, etc. based on their collective skill sets, which can then be marketed to a targeted set of customers. The system may include one or more computing devices where the talent, restaurant, bar, and/or customer each interact within an application or website to create a profile of their skills, interests, capabilities, preferences, and/or availability, which is then stored in and analyzed by a remote server to produce recommended matches. Ratings and reviews may also be utilized to determine the recommended matches. Once a match is created, additional profile information is used to guide the talent and bar or restaurant in creating a menu based on the capabilities, supplies, and/or capacity of the bar or restaurant and talent. The menu is then broadcast to interested customers who, based on their membership level or participation, may buy tickets or book reservations in advance.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. While the talent will be primarily referred to herein as chefs or musicians, it should be understood that embodiments may be adapted to suit other types of talent.
The structure and operation of the present invention will be understood from a review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:
Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide for matching chefs, musicians, restaurants, bars, and customers based on profile information to create exclusive events. For example, one method disclosed herein provides for matching profile information of chefs and restaurants to create and plan an exclusive, one-time dining event, including a customized menu, which is then broadcast to a target set of customers who are interested in the particular match. The chefs, restaurants, and customers utilize memberships to obtain particular benefits, and provide reviews and rankings that influence future matches.
One embodiment of a system 100 for creating and matching profiles of musicians, chefs, bars, restaurants, and customers is illustrated in
After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.
I. Profiles
In order to create an event, each of the participants will maintain a profile within the system. The profile for the restaurant, bar, chef, musician, and customer all contain unique profile categories based on the type of information needed to create a match. The profiles may be created by a user on a computing device, as described above in
In one embodiment, a restaurant profile may include information on the restaurant name, location, cuisine, price range, seating capacity, kitchen equipment, current chef and staffing capabilities, supplies, and availability for dining events. Reviews and ratings of the restaurant may also be included in the restaurant profile, and may be obtained from third party sources or from customer reviews and rankings in addition to the restaurant's own submitted rankings and ratings. The restaurant profile may also include information on a desired dining event, such as a desired type of cuisine, chef or menu. For example, a restaurant can select a particular chef—either from a list of all chefs or a list of chefs available for a particular date.
Similarly, a chef profile may include information on the chef such as the chef's name, location, training, experience, culinary skills, preferred cuisine, and availability. The chef may link his or her online calendar with an availability calendar run by the inventive system in order to better track availability and scheduled events. The chef may also link his or her profile to a third party review or rankings site, or even a social media profile page to help build followers of the chef. As with the restaurant profile, the chef profile may include the chef's preferences for a dining event, such as a city, restaurant, type of cuisine, or menu that the chef would like to work on. In one embodiment, the chef may create a sample menu of types of dishes that he or she is interested in serving in order to gain more interest from a particular restaurant or customer base.
In another embodiment, a bar profile may include information on the bar name, location, cuisine availability, live-music availability, price range, seating capacity, kitchen equipment, current chef, current liquor offerings, current staffing capabilities, supplies, and availability for dining and live music events. Reviews and ratings of the bar may also be included in the bar profile, and may be obtained from third party sources or from customer reviews and rankings in addition to the bar's own submitted rankings and ratings. The bar profile may also include information on a desired event, such as a desired type of cuisine, music genre, chef, musician, or menu. For example, a bar can select a particular musician and/or chef—either from a list of all chefs and/or musicians or a list of chefs and/or musicians available for a particular date.
Similarly, a musician profile may include information on the musician such as the musician's name, band name, location, training, experience, skills, music genre, and availability. The musician may link his or her online calendar with an availability calendar run by the inventive system in order to better track availability and scheduled events. The musician may also link his or her profile to a third party review or rankings site, or even a social media profile page to help build followers of the musician or band. As with the bar profile, the musician profile may include the musician's preferences for an event, such as a city, bar, music genre, that the musician would like to perform for.
A customer profile is utilized more for identifying potential customers for an existing match as much as it is used for determining an actual match for a dining event. However, the customer profile will still include the customer's name, location, but primarily include a list of favorites, including cuisine, price range, restaurants, chefs menu items. Furthermore, the customer may link their profile to a third party site, such as a restaurant review site like Yelp!® or their social media profile. The system may then incorporate their reviews and ratings on third party sites when determining particular matches that the customer may enjoy. The customer may also include their own suggestions for events between restaurants, bars, musicians and chefs, either at a categorical level (such as suggesting a sushi chef for a French restaurant) or at an individual level (such as suggesting their favorite celebrity chef or band for their favorite local restaurant or bar).
The users can continuously update their profiles, which may then result in new recommended matches. The restaurant, bar, chef, musician and customer profiles will also be updated continuously to track their participation in events, which can be used to generate new rankings and reviews of the dining event and as a rewards system for frequent users.
In addition to the users' own profiles, the system may produce a profile for each restaurant, bar, chef, musician or customer based on its own criteria and information. More specifically, the system may incorporate reviews and assessments of the participating chefs, musicians, bars and restaurants to ensure that they possess the skills, experience and capabilities advertised on their profiles. This internal profile information may be incorporated into the participants' reviews, or be reflected with a special certification that will help the participant obtain a better match for an event.
Another aspect of the profile for each participant is a membership level, which may be offered to each type of participant based on a level of experience or for a price. For example, a highly rated restaurant, bar, musician, or chef may be provided a complimentary membership, while a new restaurant or novice chef or musician may need to pay to join and participate. For all participants, a level of membership will provide varying levels of rights and privileges. Higher level restaurants, bars, musicians and chefs may receive exclusive match recommendations with other high level members, and correspondingly, high level customers may receive exclusive opportunities to attend dining events with the high level restaurants, bars, musicians, and chefs. If the membership level is based on experience or ratings, the membership level may change depending on the ratings and reviews or amount of participation in events.
II. Matching
Once the restaurant, bar, chef, musician, and customer profiles are created, the system uses the information in the profiles to create recommendations for matches, using basic matching techniques and complex comparative algorithms to identify similarities between individual and varying categories. Each recommended match can also include a ranking or score for the match that indicates a predicted level of success for the match, based on a number of similar categories or the strength of a match in a few key categories that may be weighted to have more influence on the recommended matches (such as geographic location) The ranking or score may be utilized by the system to only produce results above a certain score, or by an individual restaurant, bar, chef, musician or customer to use as a custom threshold for selecting a match. The ranking or score may be published along with the event to advertise the desirability of the event.
Each of the categories of the profiles that are evaluated may be given a weight that corresponds to a perceived value of that category. As mentioned above, location may have a high weight value because of the difficulty of arranging for a matched chef or customer to travel to a different location for a dining event. Additional weights may be based on the credibility or reputation of a chef, musician, bar or restaurant, so that a highly-rated chef and/or musician who requests an event at a highly-rated bar or restaurant is given a large weight value, while a novice or inexperienced chef and/or musician requesting a highly-rated bar or restaurant is given a low weight value.
In one embodiment, the recommended matches may be based on availability of one or more of the participants. For example, if a chef inputs into their calendar profile that they will be traveling to a particular city on a particular date, the system may utilize this information to suggest new recommended matches for restaurants in that city that the chef may be interested in. Customers may also receive similar calendar and location-based suggestions. Restaurants may also receive location-based suggestions for traveling chefs or even traveling restaurants, such as a food truck.
Similarly, if a musician inputs into their calendar profile that they will be traveling to a particular city on a particular date, the system may utilize this information to suggest new recommended matches for bars and/or restaurants in that city that the musician may be interested in.
Once recommended matches are generated, the participants are notified and given information about the match or matches. If multiple matches are recommended, the participants may be given a list in order of a determined score or ranking and details of how the ranking or score was calculated so the participants can determine on their own if the ranking or score is reflective of a good match.
Regardless of whether the availability and calendar information is used to select a recommended match, the next step in selecting a recommended match is using a calendar interface to determine a date for a dining event to take place. If either the chef, musician, bar, or restaurant previously selected a specific date and the other party accepted, the event can be immediately scheduled. Otherwise, the participants will utilize the user interface to select and agree upon a certain date. The calendar interface will provide for the musician, chef, bar, or restaurant to select dates or date and time ranges when they are interested in participating, not available, open or booked, including recurring availabilities. Additional options include suggesting a type of cuisine desired for a certain night, and/or a music genre. The user may change the status of any one day or time slot, but may need to confirm the change if it requires the restaurant and/or bar to cancel reservations. When a request is sent from one party to another, a notification is provided to the receiving party of the request.
When a match is agreed upon by a restaurant and a chef, a dining event is created, and the system will look for customer matches for that particular dining event. The customer matches may be based simply on a location of the dining event in comparison with the location of the customers, but can of course also be based on matches with the detailed customer profile information, such as the customer's favorite chefs, restaurants, cuisine, price range, etc. As mentioned above, the membership level of the customer may also be utilized to offer certain type of matches to certain levels of members.
When a match is agreed upon by a bar or restaurant and a musician, an event is created, and the system will look for customer matches for that particular event. The customer matches may be based simply on a location of the event in comparison with the location of the customers, but can of course also be based on matches with the detailed customer profile information, such as the customer's favorite musicians, restaurants, cuisine, music genre, price range, etc. As mentioned above, the membership level of the customer may also be utilized to offer certain type of matches to certain levels of members.
III. Event Planning
When a dining event is agreed upon by a restaurant and a chef, the system provides additional tools to plan the event. These tools may include a menu generator tool which helps the chef prepare a menu for the dining event. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided with a list of ingredients, nutritional values, portions, restaurant equipment, staff experience, seating capacity, desired price points, and revenue. The chef may even be able to book equipment and tools so the staff of the restaurant knows what needs to be done in preparation for the dining event.
When a music event is agreed upon by a restaurant or bar and a musician and/or chef, the system provides additional tools to plan the event. These tools may include a list of required equipment, staff experience, seating capacity, desired price points, and revenue.
On the bar and restaurant side, the bar or restaurant may be provided with a list of needed ingredients, staff and other needed items that will help the bar or restaurant identify what is needed for the event. The list may be integrated with the restaurant's existing supply chain software to automatically upload the information to vendors and suppliers in preparation for the event.
In one embodiment, the system includes a communication tool that allows the participants in the dining event to easily communicate with each other for planning and marketing of the event. This includes direct communication and sharing of contact information between the chef and restaurant, as well as marketing messages that can be sent out to potential customers to invite them to the event or allow them to book reservations, buy tickets, review the event, etc. The system may provide the chef and restaurant with marketing materials and information to post to social media and other profiles to promote the event internally within the system and externally to third party sites.
Similarly, the system includes a communication tool that allows the participants in an event to easily communicate with each other for planning and marketing of the event. This includes direct communication and sharing of contact information between the musician and bar, as well as marketing messages that can be sent out to potential customers to invite them to the event or allow them to book reservations, buy tickets, review the event, etc. The system may provide the musician and restaurant with marketing materials and information to post to social media and other profiles to promote the event internally within the system and externally to third party sites.
IV. Test Kitchen
In one embodiment, a restaurant may deem itself a dining event test kitchen, where the restaurant continuously provides only matched dining events. The restaurant may be given a specialized title and category within the system to indicate its special status, and could be given the same name across different locations to create a brand that helps to tie the test kitchen matching concept into a particular name.
In another embodiment, the “test kitchen” title may refer to a special type of dining event where a novice chef without a significant amount of experience or reviews may be invited to participate. The novice chef may be invited along with other novice chefs or experienced chefs to participate in a competition amongst the customers to determine which chef prepared the best menu or menu items. These results may be incorporated into the chef and restaurant profile.
V. Reviews and Rankings
As previously mentioned, existing rankings and reviews of musician, chefs, bars and restaurants, such as those from third party services, may be utilized in the profiles of the participants. In addition, the participants can generate reviews and rankings within the system that are utilized to influence future matches and determine certain membership privileges for participants. For example, a restaurant or chef which hosts or participates in a certain number of dining events and which receives a certain number of positive reviews may achieve a special review or membership status, which will then allow the participant to obtain preferred matches with other preferred members. Similarly, customers may also obtain special membership levels based on the number of events they participate in, and then receive special invitations to exclusive events or advanced notifications of certain events, greater influence over suggested matches, etc.
VI. User Applications
Various examples of the matching system and its application to restaurants, bars, musicians, chefs and customers are described in the tables below. The examples describe additional features and user interfaces available that implement the matching, scheduling, event planning and reviewing described above.
VII. Multivariate Statistical Analysis
As illustrated in
As an example analysis, multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may review a profile for a restaurant venue. The profile may include or reference a list of prior events, involving talent, that have occurred at the restaurant and a list or number of patrons who attended those events. Multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may review the list of prior events and attending patrons to determine characteristics of events that were successful (e.g., a large number of attending patrons, a large percentage of accepting patrons to invited patrons, a large profit, etc.) and characteristics of events that were unsuccessful or less successful (e.g., a low or lower number of attending patrons, a lower percentage of accepting patrons to invited patrons, less or no profit, etc.). From this, multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may determine a correlation between specific characteristics (e.g., cuisine type, music genre, specific menu item, time of event, etc.) and the success or lack of success of events at the particular venue. These correlations may then be used in the future to identify events which are more likely to be successful (e.g., having a cuisine type, music genre, specific menu item, or time of a previously successful event). Only events which have a likelihood of success (e.g., as indicated by the ranking or score discussed elsewhere herein) above a predetermined threshold may be recommended to the venue, or events may be ordered or otherwise prioritized (e.g., in search results) based on the determined likelihood of success.
Similarly, multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may review a profile for a talent (e.g., chef or musician). The profile may include or reference a list of prior events, in which the talent participated, and a list or number of patrons who attended those events. Multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may review the list of prior events and attending patrons to determine characteristics of events that were successful (e.g., a large number of attending patrons, a large percentage of accepting patrons to invited patrons, a large profit, etc.) and characteristics of events that were unsuccessful or less successful (e.g., a low or lower number of attending patrons, a lower percentage of accepting patrons to invited patrons, less or no profit, etc.). From this, multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may determine a correlation between specific characteristics (e.g., cuisine type, music genre, specific menu item, time of event, etc.) and the success or lack of success of events for the particular talent. These correlations may then be used in the future to identify events which are more likely to be successful (e.g., having a cuisine type, music genre, specific menu item, or time of a previously successful event). Only events which have a likelihood of success (e.g., as indicated by the ranking or score discussed elsewhere herein) above a predetermined threshold may be recommended to the talent, or events may be ordered or otherwise prioritized (e.g., in search results) based on the determined likelihood of success.
As another example, multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may review a profile for a potential patron. The profile may include or reference a list of prior events, in which the patron participated or to which the patron was invited. Multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may review the list of prior events to determine characteristics of events that were or were not of interest to the patron. From this, multivariate statistical analysis module 410 may determine a correlation between specific characteristics (e.g., cuisine type, music genre, specific menu item, time of event, location of event, venue of the event, talent involved, etc.) and the events to which the patron accepted and/or declined invitations. These correlations may then be used in the future to identify events in which the patron is more likely to be interested, and therefore, to which the patron is more likely to accept an invitation. Only events which have a likelihood of acceptance (e.g., as indicated by the ranking or score discussed elsewhere herein) above a predetermined threshold may be recommended to the patron, or events may be ordered or otherwise prioritized (e.g., in search results) based on the determined likelihood of acceptance.
VIII. Computer-Enabled Embodiment
The system 550 preferably includes one or more processors, such as processor 560. Additional processors may be provided, such as an auxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a special-purpose microprocessor having an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processor), a slave processor subordinate to the main processing system (e.g., back-end processor), an additional microprocessor or controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processors may be discrete processors or may be integrated with the processor 560.
The processor 560 is preferably connected to a communication bus 555. The communication bus 555 may include a data channel for facilitating information transfer between storage and other peripheral components of the system 550. The communication bus 555 further may provide a set of signals used for communication with the processor 560, including a data bus, address bus, and control bus (not shown). The communication bus 555 may comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture such as, for example, bus architectures compliant with industry standard architecture (“ISA”), extended industry standard architecture (“EISA”), Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) local bus, or standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), IEEE 696/S-100, and the like.
System 550 preferably includes a main memory 565 and may also include a secondary memory 570. The main memory 565 provides storage of instructions and data for programs executing on the processor 560. The main memory 565 is typically semiconductor-based memory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or static random access memory (“SRAM”). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), Rambus dynamic random access memory (“RDRAM”), ferroelectric random access memory (“FRAM”), and the like, including read only memory (“ROM”).
The secondary memory 570 may optionally include a internal memory 575 and/or a removable medium 580, for example a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc (“CD”) drive, a digital versatile disc (“DVD”) drive, etc. The removable medium 580 is read from and/or written to in a well-known manner. Removable storage medium 580 may be, for example, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, SD card, etc.
The removable storage medium 580 is a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software) and/or data. The computer software or data stored on the removable storage medium 580 is read into the system 550 for execution by the processor 560.
In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 570 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded into the system 550. Such means may include, for example, an external storage medium 595 and an interface 570. Examples of external storage medium 595 may include an external hard disk drive or an external optical drive, or and external magneto-optical drive.
Other examples of secondary memory 570 may include semiconductor-based memory such as programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar to EEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage media 580 and communication interface 590, which allow software and data to be transferred from an external medium 595 to the system 550.
System 550 may also include an input/output (“I/O”) interface 585. The I/O interface 585 facilitates input from and output to external devices. For example the I/O interface 585 may receive input from a keyboard or mouse and may provide output to a display. The I/O interface 585 is capable of facilitating input from and output to various alternative types of human interface and machine interface devices alike.
System 550 may also include a communication interface 590. The communication interface 590 allows software and data to be transferred between system 550 and external devices (e.g. printers), networks, or information sources. For example, computer software or executable code may be transferred to system 550 from a network server via communication interface 590. Examples of communication interface 590 include a modem, a network interface card (“NIC”), a wireless data card, a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, an infrared interface, and an IEEE 1394 fire-wire, just to name a few.
Communication interface 590 preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards, such as Ethernet IEEE 802 standards, Fiber Channel, digital subscriber line (“DSL”), asynchronous digital subscriber line (“ADSL”), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”), integrated digital services network (“ISDN”), personal communications services (“PCS”), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (“TCP/IP”), serial line Internet protocol/point to point protocol (“SLIP/PPP”), and so on, but may also implement customized or non-standard interface protocols as well.
Software and data transferred via communication interface 590 are generally in the form of electrical communication signals 605. These signals 605 are preferably provided to communication interface 590 via a communication channel 600. In one embodiment, the communication channel 600 may be a wired or wireless network, or any variety of other communication links. Communication channel 600 carries signals 605 and can be implemented using a variety of wired or wireless communication means including wire or cable, fiber optics, conventional phone line, cellular phone link, wireless data communication link, radio frequency (“RF”) link, or infrared link, just to name a few.
Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) is stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received via communication interface 590 and stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described.
In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used to refer to any non-transitory computer readable storage media used to provide computer executable code (e.g., software and computer programs) to the system 550. Examples of these media include main memory 565, secondary memory 570 (including internal memory 575, removable medium 580, and external storage medium 595), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled with communication interface 590 (including a network information server or other network device). These non-transitory computer readable mediums are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, and software to the system 550.
In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded into the system 550 by way of removable medium 580, I/O interface 585, or communication interface 590. In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into the system 550 in the form of electrical communication signals 605. The software, when executed by the processor 560, preferably causes the processor 560 to perform the inventive features and functions previously described herein.
The system 550 also includes optional wireless communication components that facilitate wireless communication over a voice and over a data network. The wireless communication components comprise an antenna system 610, a radio system 615 and a baseband system 620. In the system 550, radio frequency (“RF”) signals are transmitted and received over the air by the antenna system 610 under the management of the radio system 615.
In one embodiment, the antenna system 610 may comprise one or more antennae and one or more multiplexors (not shown) that perform a switching function to provide the antenna system 610 with transmit and receive signal paths. In the receive path, received RF signals can be coupled from a multiplexor to a low noise amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the received RF signal and sends the amplified signal to the radio system 615.
In alternative embodiments, the radio system 615 may comprise one or more radios that are configured to communicate over various frequencies. In one embodiment, the radio system 615 may combine a demodulator (not shown) and modulator (not shown) in one integrated circuit (“IC”). The demodulator and modulator can also be separate components. In the incoming path, the demodulator strips away the RF carrier signal leaving a baseband receive audio signal, which is sent from the radio system 615 to the baseband system 620.
If the received signal contains audio information, then baseband system 620 decodes the signal and converts it to an analog signal. Then the signal is amplified and sent to a speaker. The baseband system 620 also receives analog audio signals from a microphone. These analog audio signals are converted to digital signals and encoded by the baseband system 620. The baseband system 620 also codes the digital signals for transmission and generates a baseband transmit audio signal that is routed to the modulator portion of the radio system 615. The modulator mixes the baseband transmit audio signal with an RF carrier signal generating an RF transmit signal that is routed to the antenna system and may pass through a power amplifier (not shown). The power amplifier amplifies the RF transmit signal and routes it to the antenna system 610 where the signal is switched to the antenna port for transmission.
The baseband system 620 is also communicatively coupled with the processor 560. The central processing unit 560 has access to data storage areas 565 and 570. The central processing unit 560 is preferably configured to execute instructions (i.e., computer programs or software) that can be stored in the memory 565 or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received from the baseband processor 610 and stored in the data storage area 565 or in secondary memory 570, or executed upon receipt. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described. For example, data storage areas 565 may include various software modules (not shown) that are executable by processor 560.
Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.
Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and method steps described in connection with the above described figures and the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit to another without departing from the invention.
Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
Additionally, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium including a network storage medium. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can also reside in an ASIC.
The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 62/213,129, filed on Sep. 2, 2015, and titled “Systems and Methods for Pairing Chefs, Musicians, Bars, Restaurants and Customers to Create Exclusive Events,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62213129 | Sep 2015 | US |
