Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a social media platform and, in particular, to interactions between registered users of a social media platform.

Background

[0002] Social media platforms are mobile and web-based technologies that facilitate interactions among people through the creation of virtual communities and networks. Such social media platforms typically offer interactive devices that allow registered users to create, share, and comment on content and events. The content includes, for example, text messages, audio files, video files, and images. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Psnterest, Vine, Snapcbat, MySpace, eibo, Kik, and the like.

[0003] Social media platforms provide users with the ability to communicate with large numbers of people in a very quick and effective manner. Consequently, many people and companies use the immediacy and reach of social media to engage with customers, potential customers, friends, and fans.

[0004] Social media platforms typically enable a registered user to establish a network of social media contacts. The social media contacts may be people with whom the registered user has an existing relationship, such as a family member, friend, relative, school friend, work colleague, or the like. Depending on the particular social media platform and privacy settings of the registered users of the platform, a registered user can extend a personal network of social media contacts to include contacts of contacts. Thus, a registered user can extend a personal network to include one or more contacts of a friend of the registered user. Further, it is common for social media platforms to allow a registered user to follow or like another registered use or event.

[0005] Social media platforms may provide functionality to enable a registered user to invite another registered user to "like" a person, event, brand, or product, or to attend a social gathering or event, Social media platforms may also provide functionality that allows registered users to communicate with each other, through messages and emails. However, social media platforms currently do not provide functionalit that enables a registered user to create and send a customised greeting card to another registered user.

[0006] Existing social media platforms provide a list of friends and contacts and may provide a registered user with the number of contacts associated with that user. Further, some social media platforms allow a user to classify contacts into groups of contacts. This allows a user to group contacts into family, work colleagues, and other groups. For example, a user can establish a group for close friends only. However, social media platforms do not provide a visual indication of the strength of a reiationshtp between two users of a social media platform.

[0007] Thus, a need exists to provide an improved method and system for preparing and sending a communication between registered users of a social media platform.

Another need exists to provide an improved method and system for providing an indication of the strength of a relationship between users of a social media platform.

Summary

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a social media platform that provides functionality for preparing and sending a communication to a selected recipient, wherein the communicatio includes one or more greetings and/or virtual gifts from a set of senders. The present disclosure also relates to a system and method for providing a graphical representation of a relationship between users of a social media platform.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for sending a virtual greeting card in a social media platform, comprising the steps of:

a sender selecting a recipient for said virtual greeting card, wherein said sender is a registered user of said social media platform;

customising said virtual greeting card by said sender;

inviting a set of co-senders to join said greeting card;

customising said virtual greeting card by at least one of said co-senders; and delivering said virtual greeting card to said recipient.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of displaying a graphical representation of a relationship between a first user of a social media platform and a second user of the social media platform, comprising the steps of: providing an interface adapted to facilitate communications between said first user and said second user;

displaying a first graphical object in association with said interface;

modifying said first graphical object over time, in response to communications between said first and second users; and

allocating points to each of said first user and said second user, based on communications between said first and second users, wherein said points are redeemable within the social media platform.

[001 i] in a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a social media platform comprising;

a customer database for storing information relating to registered users, wherein said information includes a user profile associated with each registered user;

an object database for storing graphics, said graphics relating to at least one of an interface adapted for communication between registered users, characters selectable by said registered users, games, and customisation of virtual greeting cards;

a greeting card module adapted to:

receive sending information from a sender in relation to a virtual greeting card, said sending information including a recipient, a set of co-senders, and a scheduled delivery time, wherein the sender, the recipient and each co-sender is a registered user and further wherein each co-sender is a contact of said recipient in the user profile associated with said recipient;

customise said virtual greeting card using graphics stored in said object database, in response to instructions from at least one of said sender and a co- sender; and

deliver said virtual greeting card to said recipient at said scheduled delivery time.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a social media platform comprising:

a customer database for storing information relating to registered users, wherein said information includes a user profile associated with each registered user;

an object database for storing graphics, said graphics relating to an interface adapted for communication between registered users;

a relationship module adapted to: configure an interface to facilitate communication between first and second registered users;

display a graphical representation in association with said interface, wherein said graphical representation is derived from said stored graphics; and modify said graphical representation, based on communications between said first and second registered users, via said interface.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for sending a virtual greeting card in a social media platform, said system comprising:

a server associated with said social media platform, said server including:

a memory for storing data and a computer program;

a processor coupled to said memory for executing said computer program stored in said memory; and

a virtual greeting card application forming part of said computer program, said virtual greeting card application including instructions for performi g the method steps of:

receiving, from a sendee a selected recipient for said virtual greeting card, wherein said sender is a registered user of said sociai media platform;

customising said virtual greeting card in response to first input by said sender;

sending an invitation to a set of co-senders to join said greeting card, wherein each co-sender is a contact associated with said recipient within said sociai media platform;

customising said virtual greeting card in response to second input b at least one of said co-senders; and

delivering said virtual greeting card to said recipient,

[0014] In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for displaying a graphical representation of a relationship between a first user of a social media platform and a second user of the social media platform, comprising:

a server associated with said social media platform, said server including:

a memory for storing data and a computer program;

a processor coupled to said memory for executing said computer program stored in said memory; and a social media application forming part of said computer program, said loyalty scheme application including instructions for performing the method steps of:

providing an interface adapted to facilitate communications between said first user and said second user;

displaying a first graphical object in association with said interface; modifying said first graphical object ove time, in response to communications between said first and second users; and

allocating points to each of said first user and said second user, based on communications between said first and second users, wherein said points are redeemable within the social media platform.

[0015] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for implementing any one of the aforementioned methods.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program product including a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for implementing any one of the methods described above.

[0017] Other aspects of the present disclosure are also provided. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure wiil now b described by way of specific example(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic biock diagram representation of a system that includes a general purpose computer on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised;

[0020] Fig. 2 is a schematic biock diagram representation of a system that includes a general smartphone on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure ma be practised;

[0021] Fig, 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of preparing and sending a communication to a selected recipient registered with a social media platform;

[0022] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a system on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised; [0023] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a welcome screen providing a user of a social media platform with a first set of functions;

[0024] Fig, 6 is a schematic representation of a set of themes offered by a social media platform In relation to a virtual greeting card;

[0025] Fig, 7 is a schematic representation of a set of backgrounds offered by a social media platform in relation to a virtual greeting card;

[0026] Fig, 8A is a schematic representation of a user interface for selecting a female character from a set of characters offered by a social media platform in relation to a virtual greeting card;

[0027] Fig, 8B is a schematic representation of a user interface for selecting a male character from a set of characters offered by a social media platform in relation to a virtual greeting card;

[0028] Fig, 9 is a schematic representation of an interface presented by the social media platform to a display of a computing device to enable a first user to select a virtual gift from a set of virtual gifts;

[0029] Fig, 10 is a schematic representation of a greeting card presented by the social media platform to a user to preview;

[0030] Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of a window displayed by the social media platform to a sender when a greeting card has been transmitted by the social media platform to a recipient;

[0031] Fig, 12A is a schematic representation of a greeting card delivered by the social media platform to a reci ient;

[0032] Fig. 12B is a schematic representation of a greeting card delivered by the social media platform to a recipient;

[0033] Fig, 12C is a schematic representation of a greeting card delivered by the social media platform to a recipient, illustrating activation of a present and greeting message associated with a sender;

[0034] Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a home page of the Friendship Tree functionality;

[0035] Figs 14A-D are schematic representations of a home page for the Love Cottage functionality; [0036] Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of a home page for the Love Cottage functionality;

[0037] Fig, 16 is a schematic representation of a screenshot illustrating a first and second user exchanging a virtual gift of a teddy bear;

[0038] Fig, 17 is a graph illustrating a bonus score scheme in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure;

[0039] Fig, 18 is a graphical representation of a screen display showing a tree under attack from insects;

[0040] Fig, 19 a graphical representation of a screen display showing a Love Cottag under attack from insects; and

[0041] Fig. 20 is a graphical representation of a screen display showing a Couple Boat under attack from sharks.

Detailed Description

[0042] Method steps or features in the accompanying drawings that have the same reference numerals are to be considered to have the same function(s) or operation(s), unless the contrary intention is expressed or implied.

[0043] The present disclosure provides a social media platform that allows controlled interaction among registered users. One aspect of the soda! media platform provides a facility for preparing and sending a communication, in the form of an electronic greeting card, to a selected recipient, wherein the greeting card includes one or more greetings and/or virtual gifts from a set of senders, In one arrangement, each recipient and sender is associated with an avatar that is displayed in the greeting card, in another

arrangement, there is a link between a virtuai gift associated with the greeting card and a corresponding real-life gift. For example, the greeting card may include a virtual gift of a bunch of flowers, which is displayed on a computing device used by the recipient, and the sending of the greeting card is also associated with delivery of a corresponding bunch of flowers, in real-life, to the recipient,

[0044] In one arrangement, the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for sending a virtual greeting card in a social media platform. A sender, being a registered user of the social media platform, selects a recipient for the virtual greeting card, wherein the recipient is also a registered user of the social media platform. The sender customises the virtual greeting card. Such customisation may include, for example, selecting a background, selecting characters to represent the sender and the recipient, adding a greeting message, and animating the characters. The sender then invites a set of co-senders to join the greeting card, Each co-sender is also able to customise the greeting card. Once the card has been completed, th social media platform delivers the virtual greeting card to the recipient.

[0045] In one scenario, each co-sender is a contact associated with the recipient within said social media platform _* In another scenario, each co-sender is a registered user of the social media platform, in another scenario, a co-sender is not a registered user of the social media platform, whereby on receipt of the invitation from the sender, the non- registered co-sender is Invited to register with the social media platform in order to participate in sending the greeting card.

[0046] In an alternative arrangement, the present disclosure provides a computer- implemented method for sending a virtual greeting card in a social media platform. A sender, being a registered user of the social media platform, selects a recipient for the virtual greeting card, wherein the recipient is not a registered user of the social media platform. The sender customises the virtual greeting card. Such customisation may include, for example, selecting a background, selecting charadbers to represent the sender and the recipient, adding a greeting message, and animating the characters. The sender then invites a set of co-senders to join the greeting card, in one scenario, each co- sender is a contact associated with the recipient within the social media platform. Each co-sender is also able to customise the greeting card. Once the card has been

completed, the social media platform delivers an invitation to the recipient to view the virtual greeting card. In one scenario, each co-sender is a contact associated with the recipient within said social media platform. In another scenario, each co-sender is a registered user of the social media platform. In another scenario, a co-sender is not a registered user of the social media platform, whereby on receipt of the invitation from the sender, the non-registered co-sender is invited to register with the social media platform in order to participate in sending the greeting card. The invitation may be sent, for example, via email, Short Message Service (SMS) message, Multimedia Message Service (MMS), iMessage or other communications means and optionally includes a link to the virtual greeting card. On activating the link, the recipient is asked to register with the social media platform in order to view the virtual greeting card. Once the recipient registers with the social media platform, the virtual greeting card is displayed by the social media platform to the recipient.

[0047] A second aspect of the social media platform provides a graphical representation of a relationship between registered users of the platform. In one implementation, the graphical representation is based on the nature of communications between the registered users over time. Thus, the graphical representation may reflect the quantity or frequency of communications between registered users.

[0048] In one arrangement, the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of displaying a graphical representation of a relationship between a first user of a social media platform and a second user of the social media platform. The social media platform provides an interface adapted to facilitate communications between said first user and said second user. The interface may be, for example, a web page hosted by the social media platform that each of the first user and the second user can access. The method displays a first graphical object in association with the interface and modifies the first graphical object over time, in response to communications between said first and second users. Thus, the first graphical object is a representation of the strength of th relationship between the first user and the second user. The method allocates points to each of said first user and said second user, based on communications between those users, wherein said points are redeemable within the social media platform.

[0049] The social media platform of the present disclosure may be practised using a computing device, such as a general purpose computer or computer server, in a client-server architecture, wherein the computing device implements a social media portal and one or more remotely located computing devices act as clients that communicate the social media portal via a communications network. In one arrangement, the social media platform includes a social media portal hosted on a server connected to a communications network, wherein the social media portal provides users with an interface to interact with each other. The social media portal optionally provides a software application ("app") for download to a computing device accessed by a user, wherein the software application communicates with the social media platform and other instances of the software installed on computing devices accessed by other users registered with the social media platform. Each of the server hosting the social media portal and the computing devices accessed by the users may be practised using a general purpose computer, wherein the general purpose computer may be a single device or a group of devices arranged to act together, such as in a distributed computer network.

[0050] Fig, 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system 100 that includes a general purpose computer 110. The genera! purpose computer 110 includes a plurality of components, including; a processor 112, a memory 114, a storage medium 116, input/output (I/O) interfaces 120, and input/output (I/O) ports 122. Components of the general purpose computer 110 generally communicate using a bus 148.

[0051] The memory 114 may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The storage medium 116 may be implemented as one or more of a hard disk drive, a solid state "flash" drive, an optical disk drive, or other storage means. The storage medium 116 may be utilised to store one or more computer programs, including an operating system, software applications, and data. In on mode of operation, instructions from one or more computer programs stored in the storage medium 116 are loaded into the memor 114 via the bus 348. Instructions loaded into the memory 114 are then made available via the bus 148 or other means for execution by the processor 112 to effect a mode of operation in accordance with the executed instructions.

[0052] One or more peripheral devices may be coupled to the general purpose computer 110 via the I/O ports 122. In the example of Fig, 1, the general purpose computer 110 is coupled to each of a speaker 124, a camera 126, a display device 130, an input device 132, a printer 134, and an externa! storage medium 136. The

speaker 124 may include one or more speakers, such as in a stereo or surround sound system. In the example in which the general purpose computer 110 is utilised to implement a computing device for communicating with a social media platform, one or more peripheral devices may relate to webcams, phone cameras, cameras, microphones, or storage devices connected to the I/O ports 122.

[0053] The camera 126 may be a webcam, or other still or video digital camera, and may download and upload information to and from the general purpose computer 110 via the I/O ports 122, dependent upon the particular implementation, For example, images recorded by the camera 126 may be uploaded to the storage medium 116 of the general purpose computer 110. Similarly, images stored on the storage medium 116 may be downloaded to a memory or storage medium of the camera 126, The camera 126 may include a lens system, a sensor unit, and a recording medium. [0054] The display device 130 ma be a computer monitor, such as a cathode ray tube screen, plasma screen, or liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The display 130 may receive information from the computer ί 10 in a conventional manner, wherein the information is presented on the display device 130 for viewing by a user, The display device 130 may optionally be implemented using a touch screen, such as a capacitive touch screen, to enable a user to provide input to the general purpose computer 110.

[0055] The input device 132 may be a keyboard, a mouse, or both, for receiving input from a user. The external storage medium may be an external hard disk drive (HDD), an optical drive, a floppy disk drive,, or a flash drive.

[0056] The I/O interfaces 120 facilitate th exchange of information between the general purpose computing device 110 and other computing devices. The I/O interfaces may be implemented using an internal or externa! modem, an Ethernet connection, or the like, to enable coupling to a transmission medium. In the example of Fig. 1, the I/O interfaces 122 are coupled to a communications network 13S and directly to a computing device 142. The computing device 142 is shown as a personal computer, but may be equally be practised using a smartphone, laptop, or a tablet device. Direct

communication between the general purpose computer 110 and the computing device 142 may be effected using a wireless or wired transmission link,

[0057] The communications network 138 may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless transmission links and may include, for example, a dedicated communications link, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a

telecommunications network, or any combination thereof. A telecommunications network may include, bu is not limited to, a telephony network, such as a Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN), a mobile telephone cellular network, a short message service (SMS) network, or any combination thereof. The genera! purpose computer 110 is able to communicate via the communications network 138 to other computing devices connected to the communications network 138, such as the mobile telephone handset 144, the touchscreen smartphone 146, the persona! computer 140, and the computing device 142.

[0058] The general purpose computer 110 may be utilised to implement a server acting as a social media portal for a social media platform in accordance with the present disclosure. In such an embodiment, the memory 114 and storage 116 are utilised to store data relating to registered users of the social media platform, templates for greeting cards, and graphical images and videos for representing the strength of relationships between registered users of the social media platform. Software for implementing the functionality of the social media platform is stored in one or both of the memory 114 and storage 116 for execution on the processor 112. The software includes computer program code for effecting method steps in accordance with the method of creating and sending an electronic greeting card and the method of providing a graphical

representation of the strength of a relationship between registered users of a social media platform as described herein. The software optionally includes one or more software applications available for download to computing devices accessed by users of the social media platform. As indicated above, the social media porta! may be hosted on one or more genera! purpose computers 110 acting as servers in a distributed architecture.

[0059] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the general purpose computer 110 or any of the components of the general purpose computer 110 may be implemented in a physical form or in virtualised form.

[0060] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a system 200 on which one or more aspects of a social media platform of the present disclosure may be practised. The system 200 includes a portable computing device in the form of a smartphone or tablet computing device 210, which may be used by a registered user of the social media platform. The smartphone 210 includes a plurality of components, including: a processor 212, a memory 214, a storage medium 216, a battery 213, an antenna 220, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver 222, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card 224, a speaker 226, an input device 228, a camera 230, a display 232, and a wireless transmitter and receiver 234. Components of the smartphone 210 generally communicate using a bus 248 or other connections therebetween. The smartphone 210 also includes a wired connection 245 for coupling to a power outlet to recharge the battery 218. The wired connection may include one or more connectors and may be adapted to enable uploading and downloading of content to and from the memory 214 and SIM card 224.

[0061] The smartphone 210 may include many other functional components, such as an audio digital-to-analogue and analogue-to-digital converter and an amplifier, but those components are omitted for the purpose of clarity. However, such components would be readily known and understood by a person skilled in the relevant art.

[0062] The memory 214 may include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The storage medium 216 may be implemented as one or more of a solid state "flash" drive, a removable storage medium, such as a Secure Digital (SD) or microSD card, or other storage means. The storage medium 216 may be utilised to store one or more computer programs, including an operating system, software applications, and data. In one mode of operation, instructions from one or more computer programs stored in the storage medium 216 are loaded into the memory 214 via the bus 248. Instructions loaded into the memory 214 are then made available via the bus 248 or other means for execution by the processor 212 to effect a mode of operation in accordance with the executed instructions. In one arrangement, the instructions relate to a software application associated with the social media platform, wherein the software application provides an interface to the user and communicates via a communication network 260 with a social media portal hosted on a server associated with the social media platform.

[0063] The smartphone 210 also includes an application programming interface (API) module 236, which enables programmers to write software applications to execut on the processor 212. Such applications include a plurality of instructions that may be pre- installed in the memory 214 or downloaded to the memory 214 from an external source, via the RF transmitter and receiver 222 operating in association with the antenna 220,

[0064] The smartphone 210 further includes a GPS location module 238. The GPS location module 238 is used to determine a geographical position of the smartphone 210, based on GPS satellites, cellular telephone tower triangulation, or a combination thereof. The determined geographical position may then be made available to one or more programs or applications running on the processor 212.

[0065] The wireless transmitter and receiver 234 may be utilised to communicate wirelessly with external peripheral devices via Bluetooth, infrared, or other wireless protocol. In the example of Fig. 2, the smartphone 210 is coupled to each of a printer 240, an external storage medium 244, and a computing devic 242. The computing device 242 may be implemented, for example, using the genera! purpose computer 110 of Fig > 1,

[0066] The camera 226 may include one or more still or video digital cameras adapted to capture and record to the memory 214 or the SIM card 224 still images or video images, or a combination thereof. The camera 226 may include a lens system, a sensor unit, and a recording medium. A user of the smartphone 210 may upload the recorded images to another computer device or peripheral device using the wireless transmitter and receiver 234, the RF transmitter and receiver 222, or the wired connection 245.

[0067] In one example, the display device 232 is implemented using a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The display 232 is used to display content to a user o the smartphone 210. The display 232 may optionally be implemented using a touch screen, such as a capacitive touch screen, to enable a user to provide input to the

smartphone 210.

[0068] The input device 228 may be a keyboard, a stylus, or microphone, for example, for receiving input from a user.

[0069] The SIM card 224 is utilised to store an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and a related key used to identify and authenticate the user on a cellular network to which the user has subscribed. The SIM card 224 is generally a removable card that can be used interchangeably on different smartphone or cellular telephone devices. The SIM card 224 can be used to store contacts associated with the user, including names and telephone numbers. The SIM card 224 can also provide storage for pictures and videos. Alternatively, contacts can be stored on the memory 214.

[0070] The RF transmitter and receiver 222, in association with the antenna 220, enable the exchange of information between the smartphone 210 and other computing devices via a communications network 260. In the example of Fig. 2, RF transmitter and receiver 222 enable the smartphone 210 to communicate via the communications network 260 with a cellular telephone handset 250, a smartphone or tablet device 252, a computing device 254 and the computing device 242. The computing devices 254 and 242 are shown as personal computers, but each may be equally be practised using a smartphone, laptop, or a tablet device.

[0071] The communications network 260 may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless transmission links and may include, for example, a cellular telephony network, a dedicated communications link, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telecommunications network, or any combination thereof. A telecommunications network may include, but is not limited to, a telephony network, such as a Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN), a cellular (mobile) telephone cellular network, a short message service (SMS) network, or any combination thereof. [0072] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 of preparing and sending a communication to a selected recipient. In the example of Fig. 3, the communication is a greeting card. The method 300 begins at a Start step 305 and proceeds to step 310, in which a user registers with a social media platform. In one arrangement, the user registers with a social media platform over the telephone, in person, or by using a computing device. In one arrangement, the user uses a computing device coupled to a communications networks to interact with a website hosted in relation to the social media platform, wherein the website acts as part or all of a social media portal. In one implementation, registration is performed using one or more webpages relating to that website. In another implementation, the user downloads a software application from the website to the computing device accessed by the user. Registration is performed using the application, wherein the user provides information to the application and the application transmits that information to the website to complete the registration of the user with the social media platform.

[0073] Depending on the implementation, the user provides a set of personal information to be stored by the social media platform in a user profile associated with the user. The user profile may include, for example, name, contact details, banking details, and the like. In one implementation, the social media platform issues a username and password to enable the user to log in to the system using a computing device coupled to a communications network, wherein the social media platform is implemented using a computing device, such as a server or grou of servers, coupled to the communications network.

[0074] In this example, the social media platform provides a website that allows registered users to communicate with each other, using text, images, videos, and the like. The social media platform may also act as a portal that stores or provides a link to a software application that is available for download and installation on a computing device accessed by the registered user, such as the smartphone 210 of Fig. 2. In one

arrangement, registration may include the step of the user downloading one or more software applications to execute on a processor of a computing device of the user, wherein the software applications are client applications that interact, via a

communications network, with the server used to implement the social media platform. In the scenario in which the user has already registered with the social media platform, in step 310 the registered user logs in to the social media platform. [0075] In step 315, the social media platform displays a screen with at least one available function to the registered user. Depending on the implementation, content displayed on the screen may be provided by a software application executing on the computing device accessed by the user, or by a software application executing on a server implementing a social media portal associated with the social media platform, which pushes content to a software application executing on the computing device accessed by the user, or a software application executing on a server implementing a social media portal associated with the social media platform, wherein content is provided in a browser window viewable by the user. The number of functions displayed and the arrangement of the functions presented on a display of a computing device of the user- are optionally controlled by user settings stored in a user profile. The user profile may be stored on the computing device of the user, on a central server, or a combination thereof. In this example, the at least one available function includes a greeting card function, In step 320, the user selects the greeting card function and the user is referred to as the "sender" of the greeting card.

[0076] Control passes to an optionai step, step 325, in which the user customises the greeting card. Depending on the implementation, the social media platform may provide various options relating to a theme, background, characters, and gifts associated with the greeting card. Control passes to step 330, in which the user selects a recipient for the card. In one arrangement, a set of possible recipients is restricted to other users registered with the social media platform. In an alternative arrangement, the user is able to select a recipient who is not registered with the social media platform. In such a scenario, the recipient receives notification of the greeting card and is presented with an opportunity to register with the social media platform in order to view the greeting card. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the relevant art that one or more of the steps of the method 300 may occur in a different order or in parallel. For example, step 330 in which the user selects the recipient could occur before the user customises the greeting card or at any point up until the greeting card is scheduled for delivery, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0077] Control passes from ste 330 to step 335, in which the sender schedules a delivery date and time for the greeting card to be delivered to the recipient. Control then passes to decision step 340, which determines whether the user expands a set of senders by inviting other registered users of the social media platform to join the greeting card as "co-senders". If the sender decides not to invite other "co-senders", No, control passes to step 355. However, if the sender decides to invite other ^w co-senders", Yes, control passes from step 340 to step 345, in which the sender invites a set of co-senders to join in the sending of the greeting card. In one scenario, each co-sender is a registered user of the social media platform. In another scenario, the sender is able to invite a non-registered user of the social media platform, wherein the invitation includes a link for the invited co- sender to register with the social media platform in order to participate in sending the greeting card.

[0078] In one arrangement, the social media platform restricts co-senders to registered users of the social medial platform that are associated with the recipient, in one implementation, the social media platform only allows registered users categorised as "friends" or contacts of the recipient to be invited as co-senders. In another

implementation, the social media platform only allows registered users categorised as friends or friends of friends of the recipient to be invited as co-senders. The exact "association" or relationship with the intended recipient depends on the particular implementation.

[0079] Control passes from step 345 to step 350, in which each user in the set of co-senders is able to customise the greeting card. In one arrangement, the sender or the social media platform defines a first predefined period during which each user in the set of co-senders is able to view and customise the greeting card. In one arrangement, each user selects a character or avatar to represent that user. The characters or avatars may be selected from a set of characters defined by the social media platform or the sender. Alternatively, a co-sender is able to provide an image to be used to represent that co- sender. The image may be a photograph, graphical representation, or the like.

[0080] Each user optionally provides a greeting message to be displayed to the recipient. The greeting message may include, for example, text, images, video, audio, or any combination thereof. Each user optionally selects a virtual gift to b presented to the recipient in association with the greeting card. In one implementation, each co-sende is able to select a virtual gift from a set of virtual gifts. The virtual gifts may include, for example, graphical representations of flowers or a present.

[0081] In one arrangement, the sender and co-senders constitute a set of senders. Each user in the set of senders is optionally able to select a real-life gift associated with a selected virtual gift. For example, a co-sender selects a virtual gift of a bunch of flowers to be displayed to the recipient. The social media platform offers the co-sender the ability to select a corresponding real-life gift, in the form of a real bunch of flowers to be delivered to the recipient. Other virtual and real-life gifts may include, for example, chocolates, stuffed animals, champagne, bottles of wine, gift certificates, and the like. The social media platform optionally includes a store that enables a registered user to purchase virtual gifts or objects for use in the social media platform, as well as real-life gifts. Virtual gifts and objects may include, for example, virtual cards, virtual flowers, avatars, games, images, and the like.

[0082] The social media platform monitors the first predefined period and, at the end of the first predefined period, finalises the greeting card for delivery to the recipient. In one implementation, the social media platform distributes the finalised greeting card to each sender and co-sender for review. Once the scheduled delivery time arrives, the social media platform delivers the virtual greeting card t the recipient.

[0083] The social media platform provides a notification to the recipient that a greeting card has been sent The notification may be a message, email, wall posting, or similar. In one implementation, the notification includes a link for the recipient to activate. The recipient activates the link, such as by using an input device associated with a computing device, and the social media platform transmits the greeting card to a visual display of the computing device accessed by the recipient, The greeting card displays all of the customisation provided by the set of senders, including greeting messages, virtual gifts, and characters associated with the set of senders. In the scenario in which the recipient is not already a registered user of the social media platform, the notification includes an invitation for the recipient to register with the social media platform. For example, the invitation may be a link to a website page of the social media platform.

[0084] Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram representation of a system 400 embodying a social media platform 401 in accordance with the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 4, the social media platform 401 is hosted on a server 440, which may be

implemented by the general purpose computer 110 of Fig. 1. As described in relation to the general purpose computer 110, the server 440 may be implemented as a physical device or as a virtual machine.

[0085] The server 440 hosts a website associated with the social media platform. The website provides functionality that allows users to register with the social media platform and communicate with other registered users. The website optionally forms part or all of a social media portal, hosting links to software available for download, facilitating communication among registered users, and storing information relation to registered users. It will be appreciated that the server 440 may be implemented using one or more instances of the general purpose computer 110 of Fig. 1. The server 440 may equally be practised using a virtual server, a group of virtual servers, or any combination of general purpose computers 110 and virtual servers.

[0086] The server 440 includes a customer database 444 for storing information relating to each registered user, in one implementation, the customer database 444 stores a user profile for each registered user, wherein the user profile includes the name and contact details of the user. The user profile may also include information relation to contacts or friends of the user within the social media platform. The user profile may further include personal information, such as age, sex, geographical location, education history, and the like. The server 440 optionally stores user settings for each registered user, which may contain information relating to customised user interface settings, preferences, themes, and the like.

[0087] The server 440 for hosting the social media platform afso includes an object database 442 for storing layouts and graphics available for use within the social media platform. In relation to the virtual greeting card described above with reference to Fig. 3, the object database 442 stores backgrounds, characters, avatars, virtual gifts, and details relating to real-life gifts in the form of images, graphics, videos, audio files, music, ring tones, links to real-life gifts or merchants, items in a social media store, and the like. The object database 442 optionally stores templates that provide pre-built designs of virtual cards, The object database 442 can be populated by an administrator of the social media platform, a user, or a combination thereof.

[0088] The server 440 further includes an accounts module 446 for storing information relating to financial transactions associated with the social media platform. For example, in one arrangement the social medial platform facilitates the purchase of real gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, gift certificates and the like and the accounts module 446 is adapted to receive relevant billing information. Such billing information may include credit card details, electronic funds transfer, PayPal transactions, and the like. Further, the social media platform may allow advertising, in which case the accounts module handles financial transactions relating to the display of advertising on the website associated with the social media platform. The accounts module 446 is also adapted to facilitate the purchase of additional virtual gifts, cards, games, images, and the like for use within the social media platform. The accounts module 446 is optionally adapted to facilitate the purchase of real gifts and cards to be sent from registered users of the social media platform.

[0089] In the example of Fig. 4, the social media platform 401 also includes a storage medium 470, shown as a database. The storage medium 470 may be an external storage medium or integrated with the server 440. The storage medium 470 may be used to store information relating to the social media platform, including contact information, statistics, analytics, event information, and the like. It will be appreciated that each of the object database 442, customer database 444 and the storage medium 470 may be implemented as a single device, such as a hard disk drive, r as a distributed structure involving multiple devices, such as an array of hard disk drives. Eac of the object database 442, customer database 444 and the storage medium 470 may also be implemented as an internal storage with the server 440, or as a direct-attached storage (DAS), or as a network-attached storage (NAS), Each of these implementations potentiall increases the availability of data by using a redundant array of independent disks (RAID). Each of a DAS and NAS implementation can also use clustering.

[0090] The server 440 is coupled to a communications network 405, such as the communications networks 133, 260. A first user uses a first computing device 410 coupled to the communications network 405 to interact with the social media platform 401. The first computing device 410 may be implemented, for example, using the general purpose computer HO, the smartphone 210, or a tablet computing device, in one arrangement, the user accesses a website associated with the social media platform 401 and registers with the social media platform. Depending on the

implementation, the social media platform 401 may transmit a software application ("app") to the computing device 410 for execution on a processor of the computing device 410.

[0091] In the exampl of Fig. 4, the first computing device 410 is coupled to a printer 415, a camera 435, and an external storage medium 425. The first user can use each of the printer 415, camera 435, and external storage medium 425 to create content to be uploaded to the social media platform 401 and to store or record content downloaded from the social media platform 401.

[0092] The system 400 further includes second, third, fourth, and fifth computing devices 450, 460, 480, 490 accessed by second, third, fourth, and fifth users,

respectively, registered with the social media platform 401, [0093] The first user uses the first computing device 410 to interact with the soda! media platform 401. The social media platform 401 displays a welcome screen to a display of the first com uting device 410, wherein the welcome screen includes a first set of functions. Fig, 5 is an example of a welcome screen 500 that includes a first set of functions, including a Celebration function 510, a Friendship Tree function 520, a

Love Cottage function 530, and a Couple Boat function 540..

[0094] The Celebration functio 510 enables a first registered user of the social media platform to create and send a virtual greeting card to a recipient. The recipient may be another registered user of the social media platform or altemativeiy may be invited to join the social media platform in order to view the virtual greeting card. The Celebration function 510 allows the first registered user, the sender, to customise the greeting card with a message and one or more images.

[0095] The Friendshi Tree function 520 provides an interface for a first registered user of the social media platform to manage interactions with other registered users of the social media platform. The first user can group other users into groups of contacts, such as friends, family, work colleagues, and the like.

[0096] The Couple Boat function 540 provides an interface for two registered users o a social media platform who are involved in a real-life relationship to interact with one another,

[0097] The Love Cottage function 530 provides an interface for two registered users of a social media platform who are married or life partners in a real-life relationship to interact with one another.

[0098] The first user selects the Celebration function 510, which is adapted to allow a first registered user of the social media platform 401 to create and send a virtual ("electronic'') greeting card to a recipient. In one implementation, the recipient is a second registered user of the social media platform 401. The social media platform 401, in respons to the first user selecting the celebration function 510, presents the first user with a set of themes for the greeting card. Fig. 6 is an example of a set of themes 600, including: birthday 610, wedding 620, baby 630, graduation 640, anniversary 650, and festivals 660. Selecting a theme allows the first user to customise the virtual greeting card for a particular occasion or event. [0099] In this example, the first user selects the birthda theme 610. Fig. 7 is an example of a set of backgrounds 700 that the social media platform 401 may provide to enable the first user to customise the greeting card, in response to the first user selecting the birthday theme 610. The backgrounds may be static images or animated images to appear as a background of the virtual greeting card. In this example, the set of backgrounds 700 includes a beach background 710, a stage background 720, a sea background 730, a Christmas background 740, a forest background 750, and a Hollywood background 760. A person skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that many different backgrounds may be used and the set of backgrounds 700 is indicative only and is not limiting. The first user selects the sea background 730,

[00100] The social media platform 401 then allows the first user to select a character or avatar to represent the first user on the virtual greeting card. Depending on the implementation, the first user provides an image or is able to choose from a set of images provided by the social media platform. Fig, 8A is an example of characters displayed by the social media platform and available for selection by the first user, using a user interface screen 800. In this example, the first user is able to use buttons 810, 820 to select a male or female character,

[00101] One implementation groups characters as a series, ranging across different ages within each series. For example, in regards to the images shown in Fig. 8A, if the first user swipes to the left, the social media platform displays an infant version of the blonde girl. If the first user swipes to the right, the age of the character within the series increases and the girl becomes a teenager, then a woman, then an elderly woman. As the 'series' is completed, a new series starts. For example, series of characters relating to a female may include representations of a business woman, a royal family, a circus, animals, and the like. Having chosen a female character in the example of Fig. 8A, the first user then uses buttons 830, 840 or swipes a touchscreen to browse through a set of female characters. Similarly, Fig 8B is a graphical representation of a user interfac screen 850 for selecting a male character.

[00102] One arrangement allows the user to customise one or more attributes of the selected character. Such attributes may include, for example, but are not limited to, the face, clothing, height, and skin tone. The social media platform optionally provides one or more animated features associated with the character, such as blinking, smiling, twitching, dancing, and swaying. [00103] The first user also selects a character for an intended recipient of the greeting card. Depending on the implementation the social media platform offers a single set of characters available for selection for the sender and recipient of the virtual greeting card. In an alternative implementation, the social media platform offers a first set of characters available for selection for the sender and a second set of characters available for selection for the recipient. A further set of characters may be made available for any co-senders associated with the virtual greeting card,

[00104] Once the first user has selected a character to represent the sender on the virtual greeting card, the social media platform provides the first user with the option of selecting a virtual gift. Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an interface presented by the social media platform to a display of the computing device 410 to enabie the first user to select a virtual gift 910 from a set of virtual gifts 920. In one arrangement, the social media platform creates the set of virtual gifts 920 from a superset of stored virtual gifts, based on information provided by the first user about the recipient For example, if the first user selects a male character for the intended recipient, the social media platform provides a set of virtual gifts 920 that are suitable for a male.

[00105] Fig, 10 is a schematic representation of a greeting card 1000 presented by the social media platform to the first user to preview. In this example, the greeting card 1000 is a Happy Birthday greeting card with a sea background 730. The

recipient 1010 is represented by a character depicting a young girl. The sender 1020 is represented by a character depicting a muscle man. The sender 1020 is associated with the virtual present 910. The first user, as the sender, is able to preview the greeting card 1000 and decide whether the change any aspect of the greeting card, such as the selected characters, the virtual present associated with the first user, the background, and the like.

[00106] The social media platform provides the first user, as the sender, with the option of inviting other registered users of the social media platform to join the greeting card as co-senders. In one arrangement, the social media platform restricts the set of co-senders to registered users that are connected to the recipient. In one implementation, the first user sends an invitation within the social media platform to a set of co-senders. The invitation may be a posting on a message wall, a link, an email, or other communication. In a further implementation, the social media platform provides th first user, as the sender, with the option of inviting non-registered users of the social media platform to join the greeting card as co-senders. Any invitation to a non-registered user may include a link for the non-registered user to register with the social media platform in order to participate in sending the greeting card.

[00107] Each co-sender is then able to preview the virtual greeting card, select a character to represent themselves, select a gift and a greeting message to be displayed to the recipient. As users are able to invite more people to join in this card, more characters will appear in this final card. As the number of characters depicted in the greeting card increases, the greeting card adapts to display the relevant characters. In one

arrangement, the greeting card displays the sender, recipient and co-senders around a table. As the number of characters increases, the length of the table increases proportionately to accommodate all of the characters,

[00108] Once the sender and the set of co-senders have customised the greeting card, the greeting card is ready to be delivered to the recipient. In one arrangement, the sender nominates a deliver time. The delivery time may be a specific date and time. Alternatively, the delivery time may be a predefined period of time after the greeting card is completed, such as immediately, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week. When the delivery time occurs, the social media platform transmits the greeting card to a user account associated with the recipient. The greeting card is then available for viewing by the recipient the next time that the recipient logs into th social media platform. Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of a window 1100 displayed by the social media platform to the sender when the greeting card has been transmitted by the social media platform to the recipient.

[00109] Fig. 12A is a schematic representation 1200 of a greeting card delivered by the social media platform to a recipient. The greeting card 1200 shows the recipient depicted as a young girl, with a set of co-senders represented by a mermaid, a princess, an old lady, a muscle man, a boy, and an artist. Each of the sender and co-senders is associated with a virtual gift, displayed as presents on the table. The recipient is able to click on each character to receive any greeting message that the sender corresponding to the character may have sent, in one arrangement, the recipient clicks or taps on a floating speech icon that appears above the head of each character. Only those senders who have typed a personal message have a floating speech icon associated with their respective character. [00110] The recipient is also able to activate each present by hovering a cursor over the present or clicking on the present. Activating the present unwraps the present and displays the contents of the virtual present to the recipient. In one arrangement, the present bursts open with animated confetti and the gift is displayed.

[00111] In one arrangement, each character is animated with various motions. These motions will be activated upon selection of the character by the recipient to view a message or present associated with that character, or at a randomised time, or a combination thereof.

[00112] Fig, 12B is a schematic representation of a greeting card 1210 delivered by the social media platform to a recipient. A user selects a character 1215 representing a sender of the card, in order to receive a greeting associated with the sender and to activate a present associated with the sender. Fig. 12C shows the greeting card 1210 after the user has activated the sender, wherein the present is opened and a message associated with the sender is displayed.

[00113] Returning to Fig. 5, a user is able to activate the Friendship Tree

functionality 520 by clicking on the Friendship Tree icon. The Friendship Tree provides an interface for a user of the social media platform 401 to arrange contacts into different groups. Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a home page 1300 of the Friendship Tree functionality 520. The home page 1300 provides a graphical representation of different groups of contacts associated with the user. In this example, each group of contacts is displayed as an apple on a tree. The user is able to add, delete, o modify groups of contacts,

[00114] In the example of Fig. 13, the Friendship Tree has a plurality of different groups of contacts: school friends 1310, family 1320, close friends 1330, peers 1340, work mates 1350, Group A 1360, and Group B 1370. Depending on the implementation, the social media platform may enable the user to place the different groups of contacts within the Friendship Tree. In an alternative implementation, the social media platform places the groups of contacts. In the example of Fig. 13, the social media platform places the groups of contacts, with groups of contacts with which the user has more frequent communication located closer to the trunk of the Friendship Tree. Arranging the groups of contacts in this manner provides a visual indication of the relative importance of each group of contacts to the user. [00115] The social media platform provides an Add Group function 1380 that allows the user to add a new group of contacts. The user clicks on the Add Group function 1380, which sends a message to the social media platform 401 requesting a new group of contacts. The social media platform 401 then displays a new apple for the user to populate with one or more contacts. In one arrangement, tine social media platform 401 stores a user profile for each user. Each user profile includes including information relating to the contacts associated with each user. Each contact is another user registered with the social media platform. Th social media platform 401 allows the user to group the contacts into one or more groups of contacts. Thus, a contact may be a member of the School Friends group 1320 and the Close Friends group 1330.

[00116] In one arrangement, a user taps an apple on the Friendship Tree once to enlarge the apple, and taps the apple again to select the group of contacts represented by the apple. Alternatively, the social media platform requires the user to double tap an apple to select the group of contacts. In one implementation, a user changes the name of a grou of contacts by tapping the associated apple and holding for a predefined period of time, such as 2 seconds. As the number of apples accumulates on a Friendship tree, the size of each apple shrinks to accommodate the increased number of apples representing an increase in the number of groups of contacts.

[00117] The Friendshi Tree 1300 provides a Send All button 13S5, which allows the user to send a message to all contacts associated with the user. When the user presses the Send All button 1385, the social media platform 401 displays a message template to the user to populate. Depending on the arrangement, the message template may allow the user to provide, text, images, audio, video, documents, or any combination thereof and may define one or more portions of a display to receive content. In such a scenario, the portions of the display may be arranged in a predefined configuration, such as a greeting card having a first portion for a general greeting message, and a second portion for a sender or co-sender to enter a name. Other portions may relate to virtual or real-life gifts, sounds, images, and the like.

[00118] In one implementation, a user selects a group of contacts and the social media platform provides a message template that allows the user to type a message, attach a photo with caption, or share a video for that group. There is also the option of sending a particular message to an additional group on the bottom of the pop u screen. Once the user has completed the message, the user presses the SEND button 1390. [00119] If the user wants to interact with the contacts associated with a group, the user clicks on the corresponding apple. Thus, to interact with work mates, the user clicks on the work mates apple 1350. In response, the social media platform 401 displays ali of the contacts that have been grouped to the work mates group. The user can then interact with the work mates contacts, such as by sending messages and sharing documents, audio files, video files, image files, URL links, and the like.

[00120] An additional feature of the Friendship Tree is the Friendship Garden, When first and second users of the social media platform 401 have made contact with each other more than a predefined number of times, say 100, the social media platform 401 provides the first and second users with an option of a further interface to interact with one another, represented by a private garden setting with their own tree. Initially, the social media platform represents the relationship between the first and second users in the private garden as a sapling and a watering can. Users are also able to provide a name for the sapling. Each time the first user is in contact with the second user, the watering can pours water onto the sapling to instigate incremental growth. When the first and second users have interacted a predefined number of times, the sapling representing the relationship between the first and second users becomes a tree, As the sapling grows through interactions between the first and second users, the social media platform 401 allocates points or tokens to each user. The points or tokens can be reimbursed for in-game purchase of items,

[00121] In one arrangement, the social media platform 401 changes the graphical representation of the private garden to reflect challenges to the relationship between the first user and the second user. For example, the tree in the private garden may meet some challenges that require interactions by each of the first user and the second user to solve. The purpose of these challenges is to emulate the challenges faced in real life and to hel users understand the importance of teamwork, trust, and sharing within a relationship, The tree itself is very symbolic of the relationship between the first user and the second user and will help establish a healthy relationship.

[00122] Occasionally certain insects such as termites, caterpillars, and snails will attempt to eat away and cause damage to the tree. For example, Fig. IS is a graphical representation of a screen display showing a tree under attack from insects. If left unattended, these creatures wi!i eventually demolish the tree, representing neglect of the relationship b the first user and the second user. The first and second users may remove the creatures with the right chemicais for the job. In one arrangement, the social media platform 401 provides a 'HELP' ico on the top right and the first user and the second user are able to select the appropriate chemicals to treat the threats to the tree.

[00123] In another arrangement, the social media platform 401 provides an explanatory dialog box stating the point system for a given game within the private garden; if the creatures are eradicated with the right chemical on the first attempt the social media platform awards 10 points, second attempt 5 points, third attempt 3 points, and 1 point for any number of attempts afterwards. As each critter is only vulnerable to one chemical, users must be careful and remember the correct chemical in order to receive the highest number of points. In the beginning stages of the growth of the tree, the tree has immunity against all critters. Only when both the first and second users have reached a certain level within the relationship will certain creatures approach the tree.

[00124] Users may also be rewarded with additional creatures within the private garden as benefits, if the users take care of the tree. Such graphical representations reflect the care that a user has put into a relationship and may be, for example, birds of various species, nesting mammals, a phoenix, or other adornment of the private garden. As the garden grows the property will obtain more items. Such items may include, for example, a tree house, a gazebo, a table for High Tea, hot air balloon and a pet,

[00125] A further adornment that may be awarded by the social media platform may include a tree house. The tree house is a further interface through which the first and second users can interact, including displaying photos and decorating the inside. Users may purchase extra decorations and renovations from the social media platform with their accumulated points from inside the game.

[00126] In one arrangement, the sociai media platform displays the strength of a relationship between the first and second users by providing High Tea within the privat garden. High Tea is depicted using animated avatars for each of the first and second users, drinking and talking at a high class table under the tree.

[00127] In a further arrangement, the privat garden provides a gazebo, which is a public area within the private garden for inviting different friends into the private garden. The gazebo allows the first and second users to share events and things with other registered users, wherein registered users invited to the gazebo can interact with the first and second users and other invited guests to play games, share files, and communicate with each other. The games may inciude, for example, activities such as a BBQ, fishing by the lake, and picnics.

[00128] A further arrangement enables users to purchase pets, once users have reached a Ievel of communication with one another in the private garden. For example, a large tree, representing a strong relationship between first and second users, enables a large bird to be purchased, but a small tree only supports the purchase of a small bird.

[0Q129] A yet further arrangement enables first and second users to purchase a hot air balloon. Once a relationship between the first and second users has reached a certain Ievel, the tree house includes a roof where a hot air balloon is available to purchase. The purpose of the balloon is to explore a much larger virtual world and 'settle in' a new country by building a new tree house from the start. The benefits of this feature include a change of background and a new series of purchasable in-game items related to that country. For example, the first and second users could use accumulated points to purchase a hot air balloon and then explore a virtual world and can then settle in a new area, such as Paris or Tokyo, and start a new private garden with pets and adornments aligned with the new area. In one arrangement, the social media platform rewards the first user and the second user with travel points for travelling around the virtual world, wherein the travel points are redeemable for real life flights or travel benefits.

[00130] Returning to Fig. 5, a user is able to activate the Love Cottage functionality 530 by clicking on the Love Cottag icon. Th Love Cottage provides an interface for a user of the social media platform 401 to interact with another registered user of the social media platform to whom the user is married or in a permanent relationship. Figs 14A - D are schematic representations of a home page for the Love Cottage functionality. The social media platform 401 enables a first user and a second user in a permanent relationship, such as marriage, to register for a Love Cottage, The social media platform issues each of the first user and the second user a username and password to access the allocated Love Cottage, which acts as a virtual house in which the first user and second user can Interact.

[00131] The Love Cottage allocated to the first user and second user is adapted to change, depending on the nature of communications between the first user and the second user. The social media platform 401 changes the graphical representation of the Love Cottage, based on interactions between the first user and the second user. When the first user and second user login to the Love Cottage and interact with one another on a frequent basis, the Love Cottage fiourishes. For exampie, the social media platform 401 may incrementally expand the size of the Love Cottage, add a fence and garden to the Love Cottage, or change the weather to sunny. However, if the first user and the second user do not interact via the Love Cottage on a frequent basis, the Love Cottage deteriorates. Thus, th Love Cottage may develop cracks, the weather may change to rain, or a gate may fall of its hinge.

[00132] In one arrangement, the social media platform 401 monitors communications between the first and second users and awards points to the first and second users, based on the communications between the first and second users. Such communications may include, for example, sending virtual gifts and performing virtual services for each other, Virtual services ma include, for example, making tea, drawing a bath, making dinner, and the like. The first and second users can exchange accumulated points for upgrades to the Love Cottage and to purchase new in-game items.

[00133] Depending on the implementation, the Love Cottage provides an interface that allows the first user and the second user to share files and images, play games, or exchange messages. In one implementation, the social media platform records the amount of time spent in the Love Cottage by each of the first user and the second user and rewards the first user and second user with tokens or points that can be redeemed by the first user and second user to play games or enhance the appearance of the Love Cottage.

[00134] In one arrangement, the social media platform allows users to set up various rooms within a Love Cottage in which the users can showcase photos and keep a record of certain memories, Much like photo albums, each room has a limited amount of space to hang images on walls and store objects. Points accumulated through interactions conducted via the social media platform can be used to expand rooms.

[00135] In one arrangement, the social media platform is configured to present one or more challenges to occupants of a Love Cottage. The challenges may be presented at periodic intervals or randomly. Such challenges require interaction from each of the first and second users to overcome the challenge. Such challenges may include, for example, a leaking roof, a broken tap, peeling paint, tornadoes, wolves, possums, and vines. The challenges not only symbolise events in real life, but will also get worse if left unattended and may result in the deterioration of a Love Cottage, [00136] One example of a challenge is a wolf. Fig. 19 is a graphical representation of a screen display showing a Love Cottage under attack from a wolf. At a certain time, the social media platform presents a woif to a Love Cottage associated with a first user and a second user, The wolf first gnaws a hole in a fence of the house and the couples must fix this hole as soon as possible. If left unattended, th wolf progresses into the garden, ruins flowers, breaks the window, and eventually enters the house to cause maximum damage, The couple associated with the Love Cottage must work together to eradicate the wolf by participating in a game provided by the social media platform. The game may involve, for example, a step by ste process with different elements that link to a positive aspect within a relationship, such as trust, love, understanding, and compassion,

[00137] The first and second users associated with a Love Cottage need to protect the Love Cottage through both prevention and cure. Prevention entails the daily care of the house by the first and second users. This includes upgrading their house with better working materials (e.g., timber, brick, iron) to creat a stronger exterior. Having a strong house prevents outside challenges, such as the wolf described above, from breaking into the house. Users may also use points accumulated during game play within the social media platform to buy a security camera to warn of incoming challenges. In such an example, the social media platform issues a warning to the first and second users before a challenge is presented. The warning may be. an audible or visual warning on a display screen to logged in users, an email, SMS text message, MMS message, or other notification. When the users receive the warning, there is an opportunity to interact with each other using the Love Cottage interface, thus strengthening their relationship. The strengthening of the relationship is displayed through a Love Cottage having more features and able to withstand external threats.

[00138] The "cure" requires the first and second users to collaborate during a game to thwart a challenge presented whilst they interact via the Love Cottage. Successfully overcoming a challenge results in the social media platform issuing points to each of the first and second users.

[00139] Returning to Fig. 5, a user is able to activate the Couple Boat functionality 540 by clicking on the Couple Boat icon. The Couple Boat provides an interface for a user of the social media platform 401 to interact with another registered user of the social media platform with whom the user is in a dating relationship. [00140] The Couple Boat provides an interface for a first user of the social media platform 401 to interact with a second registered user of the social media platform with whom the first user is in a courting relationship, commonly referred to as "dating". Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of a home page for the Love Cottage functionality. The social media platform 401 enables a first user and a second user in a courting relationship to register for a Couple Boat. The social media platform issues each of the first user and the second user a use name and password to access the allocated Couple Boat, which acts as a virtual boat in which th first user and second user can interact. The first user and second user optionally select a character to represent themselves within the Couple Boat interface,

[00141] The Couple Boat allocated to the first user and second user is adapted to change, depending on the nature of communications between the first user and the second user. The social media platform 401 changes the graphical representation of the Couple Boat, based on interactions between the first user and the second user, The interactions may include, for example, sending each other messages, sharing photos, videos, emoticons, voice messages and virtual gifts. Fig. 16 is a schematic representation of a screenshot 1600 illustrating a first and second user exchanging a virtual gift of a teddy bear. When the first user and second user login to the Couple Boat and interact with one another on a frequent basis, the Couple Boat flourishes. For example, the social media platform 401 may incrementally expand the size of the Couple Boat, change the weather to sunny, and add dolphins to the sea. However, if the first user and the second user do not interact via the Couple Boat on a frequent basis, the Couple Boat

deteriorates. Thus, the Couple Boat may spring a leak, the weather may change to rain with rough seas, or sharks may circle the Couple Boat.

[00142] Depending on the implementation, the Couple Boat provides an interface that allows the first user and the second user to share files and images, play games, or exchange messages. In one implementation, the social media platform records the amount of time spent in the Couple Boat by each of the first user and the second user and rewards the first user and second user with tokens or points that can be redeemed by the first user and second user to play games or enhance the appearance of the Couple Boat.

[00143] The social media platform optionally provides the first and second users with challenges to be solved as a team. Such challenges may include emptying water from the boat, rowing against a current, whirlpools, thunderstorms, sharks, or rocks. Fig. 20 is a graphical representation of a screen display showing a Couple Boat under attack from sharks, pelicans, and a squid. The social media platform monitors an input from each of the first and second users in a game environment to determine whether the first and second users have contributed as a team in a sufficient manner to overcome the challenge. On successfully overcoming a challenge, the social media platform awards the first and second users with points that may iater be redeemed for enhancements to the boat or during game play.

[00144] Once first and second users associated with a Coupfe Boat progress their relationship to a proposal and a iong term relationship, the first and second users can apply to register for a Love Cottage. In one arrangement, the sociai media platform depicts the maturity of the relationship by displaying the Couple Boat landing at a wharf or land and the first and second users arrive at a new Love Cottage.

Score Calculations for friendship communication

[00145] In one arrangement, the social media platform determines a score for communications between registered users of the social media platform. The scor is used to allocate points, which the users can redeem within the social media platform

environment.

[00146] In one implementation, the sociai media platform uses a first scoring method for communications over 1 hour in duration and a second scoring method for communications less than l hour in duration.

Score calculation: lhr+

[00147] The score equation consists of two parts:

(i) A baseline score; and

(ii) A bonus score.

The baseline score is simply a straight gradient. The bonus score adds an incentive to communicate more often. The bonus grows in value as users communicate more often. Any period longer than 24 hours scores the same points.

F is the max score - Φ is the number of hours in a day

- ^ή is the time difference (hours) from the last communication

- β is the bonus score multiplier

Example of the Equation

- F = IS, Ά = Tims Mffsrms&s Φ - :24, | = 2

Time Difference (hrs) Linear Score Actual Score Bonus

24 10,00 10.00 0,000

23 9.58 9.58 0.000

22 9-17 9.17 0.001

21 8.75 8.75 0.004

20 8,33 8.34 0,011

19 7.92 7.94 0.021

18 7.50 7.54 0.036

17 7.08 7.14 0.056

16 6.67 6.75 0.084

15 6.25 6.37 0.120

14 5.83 6.00 0.164

13 5.42 5.64 0.219

12 5.00 5,28 0.284

11 4.58 4.94 0.361

10 4.17 4.62 0.451

9 3.75 4.30 0.555

8 3.33 4.01 0.673

7 2.92 3.72 0.808

6 2.50 3.46 0,959

5 2.08 3.21 1,127

4 1.67 2.98 1.315

3 1.25 2.77 1.522

2 0.83 2.58 1,750

1 0.42 2.42 2.000

[00148] Fig. 17 is a graph illustrating a bonus score scheme in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure.

Score calculation: lhr+

[00149] The score is a decreasing linear function with respect to time. This is a modification to the original equation to prevent users from spamming messages to accumulate a score. The smallest time difference is 1 second. For shorter time periods, the score for 1 second will be used. This means users can "spam", but in terms of score, it will be negligible. Equation

24 «· .3 *80

is the total score

is the tim difference (seconds) from the last communication

Example of the Equation

- Γ ~ 48, § ~ Time Biffsprntce (ssss)

Time Difference (mins) Score rime Difference (sees) Score

60 2,42 60 0,040

58 2.34 58 0,039

56 2.26 56 0.038

54 2.18 54 0,036

52 2.09 52 0.035

50 2.01 50 0.034

48 1.93 48 0,032

46 1.85 46 0,031

44 1.77 44 0.030

42 1.69 42 0,028

40 1.61 40 0.027

38 1.53 38 0.026

36 1,45 36 0.024

34 1.37 34 0.023

32 1.29 32 0,021

30 1.21 30 0,020

28 1.13 28 0.019

26 1.05 26 0.01

24 0,97 24 0,016

22 0.89 22 0,015

20 0.81 20 0.013

18 0.73 18 0.012

16 0.64 16 0.011

14 0.56 14 0.009

12 0.48 12 0.008

10 0.40 10 0,007

8 0.32 8 0.005

6 0.24 6 0.004

4 0.16 4 0.003

2 0.08 2 0.001 Industrial Applicability

[00150] The arrangements described are applicable to the computer and social networking industries.

[00151] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive,

[00152] In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" and its associated grammatical constructions mean "including principally but not necessaril solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of". Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

[00153] As used throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", ^" "fourth", etc., to describe common or related objects, indicates that reference is being made to different instances of those common or related objects, and is not intended to imply that the objects so described must be provided or positioned in a given order or sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[00154] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention ma be embodied in many other forms.