WO2019000027A1

WO2019000027A1 - A communications networking system

Info

Publication number: WO2019000027A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/050638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manuel Balistoy LAZAM
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-27
Filing date: 2018-06-25
Publication date: 2019-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-27

Abstract

A communications networking system, comprising: a server for hosting data relating to members of the system; and a program running on a device of a user for accessing the server, the program comprising: an interface for allowing the user to select at least one preferred aspect of members; and, a user profile for displaying members, the members selected automatically by the program in real time on accessing the server based on the users at least one preferred aspect of members, the geographical location of the user, the geographical location of the member and an approval rating of the member.

Description

A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to communication systems and, more particularly, to a professional social networking system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Social networking systems such as Linkedin™ and Facebook™ are available for individuals and businesses. These social networking systems provide a medium for people to provide a summary of their professional profile. Facebook also provides a means of "liking" a person. However, these social networking tools are not adapted to provide a means for people to rate the likeability, performance or other aspects of individuals and/or organisations, or aspects of their particular goods and services.

[0003] When people search for professionals in a certain area, currently available search engines (such as Yellow Pages™) and other social networking tools do not rank the search results by the likeability or performance of the professional or business. Accordingly, a person searching for professional assistance has no means of knowing the likeability, performance or other aspects of a person or businesses, or distinguishing those ratings for those aspects.

[0003a] Furthermore, some known applications utilise Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to make members search for each other and find the 'perfect match'. However, these systems require internet connections for both the searcher and the one being searched (e.g. the best member or business). If the searcher disconnects from the internet, then the search process won't be completed. Whilst, if the best member/business is offline then the GPS might resort to searching and recommending the second best online member or business. If the second-best member or business is offline then the system may search for the third best online member or business and so on. The end result is that the system recommends low -performing service providers due to the high-performing service providers being offline at the time of the real-time search.

[0004] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved communications networking system that addresses or at least ameliorates the aforementioned disadvantages or provides a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] With the foregoing in view, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communications networking system, comprising:

(a) a server for hosting data relating to members of the system;

(b) a program running on the device of a user for accessing the server, the program

comprising:

i. an interface for allowing the user to designate their opinion of different aspects of any member, the designation occurring by selecting a "like" or "dislike" button on the interface regarding one or more aspects of the member.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a communications networking system, comprising:

(a) a server for hosting data relating to members of the system; and

(b) a program running on the device of a user for accessing the server, the program comprising: i. an interface for allowing the user to select at least one preferred aspect of members; and,

ii. a user profile for displaying members, the members selected automatically by the program in real time on accessing the server based on the users at least one preferred aspect of members, the geographical location of the user, the geographical location of the member and the approval rating of the member.

[0007a] In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a communications networking system, comprising:

(a) a server for hosting data relating to members of the system; and

(b) a program running on a device of a user for accessing the server, the program comprising:

i . an interface for allowing the user to select at least one preferred aspect of members; and,

i i . a user profile for displaying members, the members selected automatically by the program in real time on accessing the server based on the users at least one preferred aspect of members, the geographical location of the user, the geographical location of the member and a ranking of the member.

[0008] The program may be adapted to calculate an approval rating for each member of the system based on the number of likes, dislikes and/or testimonials received by the system for the member. More preferably, the program has a search facility to allow users of the system to search for members by profession and/or geographical area. In some embodiments, the geographical area include may a given post code area. In some embodiments, the geographical area may include a given post code and/or one or more first degree or surrounding post codes. In some embodiments, the geographical area may include a given post code, one or more first degree or surrounding post codes and/or one or more second degree post codes. In some embodiments, the geographical area may include a given post code, one or more first degree or surrounding post codes, one or more second degree post codes and/or one or more third, fourth, fifth etc degree post codes. In some embodiments, the search facility will continue to increase the geographical area until at least one result, i.e. at least one member, is displayed. Advantageously, the program is adapted to recommend members located relatively close to a user.

[0008a] In some embodiments, the geographical area may be determined automatically by enabling a "Location Services" function on a computational device, for example a mobile phone, or by using an existing global positioning system (GPS) function of the computational device. Alternatively, the geographical area may be entered into the program. Advantageously, in instances where GPS or location data is unavailable the program may still perform a search based on a post code. In some embodiments, the post code may be manually entered into the system.

[0008b] In some embodiments, the geographical area may be determined using a combination of GPS location and a post code. Accordingly, the system is able to recommend one or more of the members (e.g. professionals) or products/services of a businesses based on the GPS location and the post code. Advantageously, search results are not limited to only online members and/or businesses. Instead, the system is able to recommend offline members based on post code and/or online members based on post code and current GPS position.

[0008c] In preferred forms of the invention, the program is further adapted to only display members in the search results which have a certain approval rating. For example, the program may adapted to only display members which have an approval rating which is between 30% and 70% of the average approval rating of all members, in a given post code area, on the system. [0009] For the purposes of the specification the term "aspect" is a desired attribute of at least one member. The preferred aspects of the member(s) may depend on the type of member. For example, in the case of a professional, the aspects may be the performance and/or the personality of the professional. In preferred forms of the invention, the member maybe an individual or an organisation. If the member is an organisation, then relevant aspects may be applicable depending on the industry of the organisation. For example, relevant aspects of a restaurant may be its food, service and atmosphere. If the member is a beauty salon, relevant aspects of the organisation may be its hair dressing, manicuring or make-up services.

[0010] The program may also comprise additional features such as a facility to allow users to post testimonials about members, or allow members to post events applicable to their industry, or even place advertisements for their goods/services on the system.

[0010a] In some embodiments, members may unlimitedly rate other members and/or businesses and/or unlimitedly publish written testimonials relating to other members and/or businesses during a particular period. In alternative embodiments, members are limited to the number of times they are able to rate other members and/or a business, and/or limited to the number of times they are able to publish written testimonials relating to other members and/or businesses during a particular period. In some embodiments, the period may be a day, a week a fortnight or a month. In other embodiments, the period may any particular period suitable for discouraging spamming. In some embodiments, the limited number of times a member is permitted to rate or publish a written testimonial relating to another member and/or business may be the same for each period. In alternative embodiments, the limited number of time a member is permitted to rate or publish a written testimonial relating to another member and/or business may be different for each period.

[0011] The second embodiment of the present invention enables automatic generation of ranked members in real time and display on the user profile. For the purposes of the specification "real time" means the automatic selection by the program of highly recommended service providers and their automatic display on the user's profile based on the users at least one preferred aspects of members; the user geographical location (such as a post code); and the approval rating of the member. A user's location can be determined automatically either by enabling the "Location Services" function on the mobile device or by using an existing global positioning system (GPS) function of the device. The search results are generated automatically and shown on the user profile every time the user moves to a different post code area. In this way, this embodiment obviates the need for the user to manually enter preferred aspects of members before every search. [0012] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings by way of examples only as follows:

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the components of the communications networking system of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 is a representation of a login interface of the present invention as shown in Figure 1.

[0016] Figure 3 is a representation of a search interface according to a first embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 4 is a representation of a bell curve showing the relative distribution of approval ratings of people and businesses recorded in the system of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 is a representation of a rating interface according to a first embodiment of the present invention for a registered nurse called Jane Smith.

[0019] Figure 6 is a representation of a rating interface according to a first embodiment of the present invention for an Italian restaurant called Amor Amor.

[0020] Figure 7 is a representation of a rating interface according to a first embodiment of the present invention for a beauty salon called Hair Attack.

[0021] Figure 8 A is a representation of a user profile according to a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1. [0022] Figure 8B is a close up representation of the search results on the user profile as shown in Figure 8A.

[0022a] Figure 9 is an illustration showing various degrees of locations relative to a member's post code according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022b] Figure 10A is an alternative representation of a user profile according to a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1.

[0022c] Figure 10B is an alternative close up representation of the search results on the user profile as shown in Figure 10A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a preferred form of the present invention in the form a communications networking system generally indicated by arrow 10. An operator 12 communicates with users of the system 10 using portable computing devices such as a mobile telephone 14, tablet 16 and laptop 18 via the internet 20. The system is hosted on a server 22.

[0024] The users log into the system 10 via a login interface 24 on any computing device, such as the mobile phone 14 as depicted in figure 2. The user is required to insert their username (in the form of an email address) and password into the login interface 24 to access their account on the system 10, or set up a new account on the system 10.

[0025] Upon entry into the system 10, the user is presented with a search interface 26 (see figure 3). The search interface 26 has search input fields 28 and 30 which enables a user to input the business type or name (of either a business or an individual) into the system 10 via the search input field 28 on a mobile telephone 14. The search interface 26 also allows a user to insert the name of their area of interest, or the postcode of the area of interest, to refine the search results. This enables the user to restrict the search results to businesses or professionals who are located in their local area.

[0026] Similarly, service providers can register as a member on the system (10) by entering a name and geographical location in the form of a post code. In some embodiments, the geographical location of a service provider can be automatically updated in real time, for example, if a service provider moves from one geographical location to another geographical location, then the service provider's geographical location (eg. post code) on the system will be updated to the new geographical location (eg. post code) where the service provider moved to, such that the service provider will now show up in searches made by a user of the system in the same geographical location (eg post code) where the service provider moved to.. Members can be displayed on the system (10) when the member has at least one approval rating.

[0027] The search interface 26 also displays the results of the search. As shown in figure 3, the user of the system 10 has searched for hair salons located in or near the area defined by post code 2037. The 133 search results are listed in order of their approval rating (from most approved to least approved).

[0027a] In the preferred embodiment, only the post code of the user and each member is retrieved by the system. It is then up to the user and/or the member to exchange exact locations. Advantageously, this increases privacy protection as the exact location of each user and member is not logged within the system.

[0028] The approval rating is determined using the rating interfaces shown in figures 5, 6 and 7. Figure 5 shows a rating interface 32 for a registered nurse called "Jane Smith" who works in the Royal South Shore Hospital, New South Wales (NSW), 2255 Australia. A picture 34 of Jane is shown on the rating interface 32 on a tablet 16. The rating interface 32 provides the user with the ability to designate whether they like the personality and/or the performance of Jane. Jane has zero likes for her personality (i.e., no one likes her) and twenty six people actively dislike her. She has five positive ratings (or "likes") for her performance and five negative ratings (or "dislikes") for her performance.

[0029] A user of the system 10 may draw the conclusion that both the performance and personality of Jane are not well liked. This could provide employers or customers with means of evaluating Jane as an employee or identifying areas for her improvement. For example, she may need more training on how to better engage with customers and/or staff.

[0030] The approval rating for the member is also shown on the rating interface 32. The approval rating can be calculated in different ways. For example, the approval rating could be calculated as follows:

Number of Likes

Approval Percentage x 100

Number of votes cast [0031] The formula for the approval percentage is the preferred method of calculating the approval rating. Applying the above formula to the case of Jane, her approval rating would calculated as follows:

Personality Approval

Rating (Percentage)

^'ma nee Approval 5

g (Percentage) x^■ = 50^

10

Overall Approval _ 5 _..; ,_»©>

Rating (Percentage) ^~ 3$ ^{x 1 00 " 1 3}"^S9 ~ ¹⁴

[0032] A program operating within the system of the present invention can be adapted to only display members with a certain approval rating. For example, the program could adapted to display neither low performers nor high performers in the search results. In that instance, the system may only display the average performers in order to make them high performers and boost their level of business. The low performers have to improve their approval rating before the system will present them to the user on the search interface 26 as a recommendation. By way of example, a high performer can be defined as a person or business with an approval rating of greater than 75%, a low performer has an approval rating of up to 25% and an average performer has an approval rating of between 26% and 74%.

[0033] Another method of calculating the approval rating which is within the scope and ambit of the present invention is shown in the following formula:

(Number of Likes - Number of Dislikes)

Approval Index — ~ ™ ; ~ ^'■ x 100

Number of imtes cast

[0034] If the formula for the approval index is applied to the case of Jane, then her approval rating would be calculated as follows:

(5 - 31 ) -26

Approval Index = x 10(5 « 100 = -72.2272 ~

36 -— x - 72

36

[0035] Once the Approval Rating and/or the Approval Index is calculated, the search results should be displayed according to an algorithm based on a bell curve as shown in figure 4. [0036] Figure 6 shows a rating interface 36 for an Italian restaurant called "Amor Amor" in Glebe, NSW, Australia 2222. A picture 38 of the restaurant is shown on the rating interface 36 on a tablet 16. The rating interface 36 provides the user with the ability to designate whether they like the food, atmosphere and service of the restaurant. The restaurant has twenty five likes for its food and ten dislikes. It has fifteen likes for its atmosphere and one dislike. It also has no likes for its service and five dislikes. The approval ratings for the restaurant is then calculated as:

Food Approval

= |x 100 = 71%

Rating (Percentage) 35

Atmosphere Approve

= ϋ χ 100 = 94%

Rating (Percentage) 16

Sen/ice Approval

Rating (Percentage) = -x 100 = 0%

5

Overall Approval

Rating (Percentage) I? 100 = 71%

[0037] A user of the system 100 may draw the conclusion that the restaurant has good food and atmosphere, but does not have good service. The owner of the restaurant could benefit from this feedback by employing staff which are friendlier, or training his/her existing staff on how to improve their service. Accordingly, both customers and business owners could benefit from the feedback provided by the system 10 of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 shows a rating interface 40 for a beauty salon called "Hair Attack" in Glebe. A representative picture 42 of the salon is shown on the rating interface 40 on a tablet 16. The rating interface 40 provides the user with the ability to designate whether they like the services provided by the beauty salon, namely, its hair dressing, make-up and manicure services. The beauty salon has twenty five likes and no dislikes for its hair dressing services. It has two likes and thirty dislikes for its make-up services. It also has five likes and no dislikes for its manicure services. The approval rating for the beauty salon is then calculated as: Hair Approval

— x 100 = 100%

Rating (Percentage) 25

Make U Approval

Rating (Percentage) — x 100 = 6%

32

Manicure Approval

Rating (Percentage) — x 100 = 100%

b

Overall Approval

Rating (Percentage) — x 100 = 52%

62

[0039] A user of the system 100 may draw the conclusion that the beauty salon provides good hair dressing services, but bad make up services. The owner of the beauty salon may want to reward the hair dressers who provide good service, but terminate the employment of the make-up artist due to the poor feedback. The low amount of ratings for the manicuring services may indicate to the owner that it needs to advertise its manicuring services.

[0040] Figures 8A and 8B show a user profile (43) in a second embodiment of the present invention for a registered nurse Edwards Smith (44). The user profile (43) provides the user with the ability to receive highly recommended service providers with a certain approval rating based on pre- set user information such as at least one preferred aspect of members; the user and/or members' geographical location (such as post code) and; the approval rating of the member. Location can be determined automatically by enabling the "Location Services" function on the mobile device or by using an existing global positioning system (GPS) function of the device. The user Edwards Smith has a post code 1897 which has resulted in the search algorithm of the program of the present invention providing six recommended services providers based on a certain approval rating e.g. between 30% and 70% of the average approval rating of all members in the particular post code area. One result for each of six service types in the form of food, make up, beverages, body tattoo, religious organisations and men's haircuts is shown in Figures 8A and 8B. Figures 10A and 10B also show a different set of results for six services types in the form of food, dentist, beverages, body tattoo, plumber and men's hair cuts. Each search result consists of a service provider name, type of service and likability rating (as shown in Figures 8B and 10B). The search results are shown on the user profile (43). Every time the user moves to a different post code area, another set of ranked search results are generated automatically and displayed in real time on the user profile (43). If at least one recommended service provider cannot be located in the particular post code area of the user, then the search algorithm of the program will expand the search to one or more first degree or surrounding post codes and/or second, third etc. degree post codes (as shown in Figure 9) until at least one recommended service provider is located that satisfies the search algorithm.

[0041] A user wanting to access the automatic search function on their mobile device will have to follow the below steps: a. Enable location services or use an existing global positioning system (GPS) function of the device; b. Choose at least one preferred aspect of a member type; and c. Enable automatic display of the search results on the user interface.

[0042] These steps obviate the need for the user to manually enter preferred aspects of service provider types before every search.

[0043] Thus preferred embodiments have a number of advantages over the prior art including:

^■ Improved ease of use in identifying highly recommended service providers in a geographical area (post code); and

^■ Improved reliability in identifying quality service providers based on user preference.

[0044] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0045] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0046] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A communications networking system, comprising:

(a) a server for hosting data relating to members of the system; and

(b) a program running on a device of a user for accessing the server, the program comprising: i. an interface for allowing the user to select at least one preferred aspect of members; and,

ii. a user profile for displaying members, the members selected automatically by the program in real time on accessing the server based on the users at least one preferred aspect of members, the geographical location of the user, the geographical location of the member and an approval rating of the member.

2. A communications networking system, comprising:

(a) a server for hosting data relating to members of the system; and

ii. a user profile for displaying members, the members selected automatically by the program in real time on accessing the server based on the users at least one preferred aspect of members, the geographical location of the user, the geographical location of the member and a ranking of the member.

3. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the program has a search facility to allow users of the system to search for members by profession and/or geographical area.

4. The system as claimed claim 3, wherein the geographical area of the member is the same geographical area as the device of the user.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, where if no results are returned, then the system searches one or more first or surrounding geographical areas, one or more second degree areas and/or one or more third degree areas and so on until at least one result is returned.

6. The system as claimed in claims 3 to 5, wherein each geographical area is defined by at least one postcode.

7. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the program has a facility to allow users to rate at least one aspect of the member.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one aspect is a performance characteristic of, product, or service offered by, the member.

9. The system of any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein rating is in the form of selecting a "like" or "dislike" button on the interface.

10. The system of any one of the preceding claims, where the location of the user is updated in real time.

11. The system of any one of the preceding claims, where the location of each member is updated in real time.

12. A communications networking system, comprising:

(a) a server for hosting data relating to members of the system; and

(b) a program running on a device of a user for accessing the server, the program comprising: i. an interface for allowing the user to designate their opinion of different aspects of any member, the designation occurring by selecting a "like" or "dislike" button on the interface regarding one or more aspects of the member.

13. The system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 12, wherein the program is adapted to calculate an approval rating for each member of the system based on a number of likes, dislikes and testimonials received by the system for the member.

14. The system of claim 13 when dependent upon claims 1 or 2, wherein the program is further adapted to only display members which have a certain approval rating.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the program is further adapted to rank each member of the system against other members of the system using a normal distribution curve.

16. The system of claim 15 when dependent upon claims 1 or 2, wherein the program is further adapted to only display members which have a certain ranking.