Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
This invention relates generally to social networking, and more specifically, to systems and methods for bridging an online space and an offline physical venue. Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in
In one embodiment, the online space 104 is an internet application that permits online communication between a plurality of members 112, 114. In one particular embodiment, the plurality of members 114 create a user account on the online space 104. The user account may include information such as username, password, name, address, age, occupation, criminal record, picture, marital status, gender, citizenship, or any other useful information. In one particular embodiment, the user account includes a membership fee. In a further embodiment, the online space 104 is configurable to permit each of the plurality of members 112, 114 to filter, search, review, and communicate with each other or other members. In various embodiments, the communication is in the form of any of text messaging, electronic mail, telephone, picture messaging, chat, or any other medium of communication. In one particular embodiment, the online space 104 provides limited non-member guest services.
In another embodiment, the physical venue 108 is an offline physical venue that permits physical interaction or communication between a plurality of members 116, 118. In various embodiments, the offline physical venue 108 is any of a bar, restaurant, lounge, club, theatre, event or any other outdoor or indoor venue. In one particular embodiment, the members 116, 118 have established an account on the online space 104 and utilize the account to gain access to the offline physical venue 108. Alternatively, the physical venue 108 offers limited non-member services. Access to the offline physical venue 108 permits the members 116, 118 to participate in entertainment, communication, business negotiations, consuming alcoholic beverages, games, learning, or any other activity. In one particular embodiment, the physical venue 108 further includes member services such as valet parking, personal introductions by staff, private meeting rooms, internet, television, business services, discounts, or other useful service.
In yet another embodiment, the integration system 106 is configurable to integrate the offline space 104 and the physical venue 108. In one particular embodiment, the integration system 106 provides the plurality of members 112, 114 the ability to determine which members 116, 118 are physically present or intending to be physically present at the physical venue 108. The ability to determine which members 116, 118 are physically present at the physical venue 108 provides the plurality of members 112, 114 the opportunity to review information regarding the members 116, 118 and either communicate with, schedule an appointment with, or physically arrive at the physical venue 108 and meet with the members 116, 118. In one particular embodiment, the integration system 106 is configurable to provide automatic notification when a particular member 116, 118 is physically present or intends to be physically present at the physical venue 108. In another particular embodiment, the integration system 106 is configurable to permit members 112, 114 themselves to indicate an intent to be present or actual presence at the physical venue 108. In yet another particular embodiment, the integration system 106 provides certain security measures to optionally limit accessible user information to all or a portion of the information on an individual or aggregate basis.
In a further embodiment, the integration system 106 is configurable to permit the plurality of members 116, 118 to filter, search, and review information and communicate with the plurality of members 112, 114 while present at the physical venue 108. In certain embodiments, the plurality of members 116, 118 are able to respond to incoming communications, schedule appointments for meetings, or invoke security measures to prevent others from accessing information regarding themselves. In a further embodiment, the integration system 106 is configurable to permit the plurality of members 118 to filter, search, and review information and communicate with one another at the physical venue 108 without being required to physically make contact with one another. In certain embodiments, the plurality of members 116, 118 are able to respond to communications, set up a physical meeting, or invoke security measures to prevent further communications or information sharing.
In one embodiment, the capability of determining which members are present at the physical venue 108 is provided by a check-in process prior to entrance. In one particular embodiment, the plurality of members 116, 118 carry an identification to permit other members to access further information about them on the online space 104. In certain embodiments, the identification is an ID contained on a label, glass, or electronic transmitter. In yet a further embodiment, the plurality of members 116, 118 carry a tracking device to assist in determining physical location. In an alternative embodiment, the integration system 106 is configurable to provide status settings so that any of the plurality of members can indicate whether they are available for communication. In other embodiments, any of the plurality of members 112, 114 and 116, 118 may choose to either utilize the physical venue 108 or utilize the online space 104 and there may be fewer or greater members at any given time.
In yet another embodiment, the system 100 generates revenues. In one particular embodiment, the revenues are generated from advertisements. The advertiser 102 may promote their wares either on the online space 104, the physical venue 108, or both. In another particular embodiment, the revenues are generated from partnerships. The partner 110 may be a music, concert, dance, or show production. In yet a further particular embodiment, the revenues are generated from membership fees from members who access the online space 104 or the physical venue 108. In another embodiment, the revenues are generated from the physical venue 108 sales such as liquor, food, or cigarettes.
In one embodiment, the establishing an online space at block 202 includes establishing an internet application that permits online communication between a plurality of members. In one particular embodiment, the internet application is configurable to establish a user account containing personal information for each of the plurality of members. The internet application then provides tools for each of the plurality of members to filter, search, and review the personal information and communicate with one another. In another particular embodiment, the internet application is configurable to accept a membership fee. In an alternative embodiment, the internet application provides for limited guest services such as browsing and free time trials.
In another embodiment, the establishing a physical venue at block 204 includes providing a physical location configurable for at least one of the plurality of members to socially gather, such as with dancing, entertainment, business interacting, games, learning, consuming beverages, enjoying music, conversing, viewing events, or any other activity. In certain embodiments, the physical venue is owned by the same entity that owns the online space. In other embodiments, the physical venue is franchised, leased, or rented. In one particular embodiment, the plurality of members are permitted to gain access to the physical venue after confirming their user account. In one particular embodiment, the physical venue provides limited guest services, such as limited time passes or visits, whereby a non-member is permitted to gain access to the physical venue. In another particular embodiment, the physical venue further includes specialized services such as valet parking, personal introductions by staff, private meeting rooms, internet, television, business services, discounts, or other useful service.
In yet another embodiment, the integrating the online space and physical venue at block 206 includes providing a system whereby a member present at the physical venue can electronically interact with a member not present at the physical venue and a member present at the physical venue can electronically interact with another member present at the physical venue. Thus, the system supplements electronic interactions purely over the online space and physical interaction at the physical venue. In one particular embodiment, the system permits a member not present at the physical venue to determine which members are physically present at the physical venue. The non-physically present member is permitted to review the personal information of the physically present members, communicate with, schedule an appointment with, or physically arrive and meet with any physically present member. In one particular embodiment, the system provides automatic notification to a non-physically present member of a particular member's intent to be physically present or actual arrival at the physical venue. In an alternative embodiment, a non-physically present member may electronically interact with another non-physically present member and optionally schedule a meeting at the physical venue or may indicate an intent to arrive at the physical venue. In another particular embodiment, the system permits a physically present member to manifest a physical presence at the physical venue to permit another member to determine which members are physically present. In certain embodiments, the manifestation is through a check in process prior to entering the physical venue. In another particular embodiment, an identification system is implemented to permit a physically present member to interact with another physically present member. In certain embodiments, the identification system is a visible label or electronic identification. Thus, one physically present member can locate another physically present member, learn about the other member through their personal information associated with their identification, and electronically interact with the other member prior to actually physically meeting. In certain particular embodiments, the method 200 may optionally return to establishing another physical venue at block 204.
In another embodiment, the accepting a plurality of members at block 208 includes establishing a user account having personal information for a plurality of individuals. In certain embodiments, the establishing a user account further includes accepting a fee. In another embodiment, the establishing a user account includes issuing an identification card. In another embodiment, the facilitating the social networking of the members at block 210 includes permitting the members to interact with one another using the online space, the physical venue, and the integration system as outlined above. In yet another embodiment, the accepting revenue at block 212 includes any of accepting membership fees, accepting physical venue revenue, such as for food, drinks, cigars, and music, accepting advertising revenue online or at the physical venue, and accepting partnership revenue. In certain particular embodiments, the method 200 may optionally return to accepting additional members at block 208.
In one embodiment, a member may wear an identification anywhere, including around town, while shopping, at school, on a street, at a coffee shop, at a bar, or any other conceivable physical space. The identification may be either visible or hidden from view and may include an electronic transmission. Another individual can either read the identification visually or with the aid of another device and use the identification information to learn about the member with information stored online. The member can pre-associate their information with the identification so that others can later view the information. Thus, individuals can pass people on the streets, or anywhere else, obtain an identification and look up information on a particular member. The individual can contact that member and possibly arrange a meeting. In certain embodiments, this service includes a fee.
While preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 60/745,370 filed on Apr. 21, 2006. The foregoing application is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60745370 | Apr 2006 | US |