FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to mobile applications and web based networking platforms in which social and business connections are triggered via audio tags.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Social media platforms are a valuable tool for businesses reaching out to a market place. Once a user has connected with a business it is easy for the business to promote their wares to the user by various promotional activities such as having advertorial content injected into the users feed or direct emailing. It is usually easy for a user to establish a connection with a business through the same platform that they became aware of the business at the time the business’ content is presented to them, however the user may not initiate the connection straight away, or a user may become aware of a business through different means, either other social media platforms or more traditional means such as a television broadcast, a billboard poster or even a conversation with a friend. When the user decides to make a non-immediate or a cross platform connection they will need to find the business, either through the search feature of a specific platform, or a general search site. Quite often a user is deterred from making a connection as they have to type in the name of the business. A further problem is that the user may not recall the exact name of the business, making it hard to find the business and the user may give up trying to make a connection. A bigger problem is that the user may get diverted to other similar businesses, either through organic search results, or more likely through targeted advertising. Even with the originally targeted business presented, the user may investigate alternative businesses and decide not to connect with the originally targeted business.

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide a networking platform in which connections are made easily and in a controlled manner to alleviate the above problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In a first aspect the invention provides a system comprising: a non-transitory memory; and one or more hardware processors coupled to the non-transitory memory and configured to read instructions from the non-transitory memory to cause the system to perform operations comprising: generating an audio tag encoded with data to identify a first user; playing the audio tag in audible range of an audio receiving device of a second user; receiving the audio tag on the audio receiving device and decoding the data to determine the identity of the first user; and establishing a connection between the first user and second user.

[0005] Preferably the audio tag is played by an internet enabled device.

[0006] The system may perform the further operation of inserting the audio tag into any one of: a radio transmission, an internet stored file, or a television transmission.

[0007] Preferably the system performs the further operation of presenting the second user with a presentation of the first user before establishing the connection between the first user and second user.

[0008] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 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 as follows.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the invention from an enterprise user perspective connecting a business with a user using audio tags.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of two users connecting using an audio tag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the

accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0013] The present invention provides a networking platform that allows for easy and controlled connections between a user and a business without the opportunity for the user to be diverted away from making the connection. Preferably audio tags are used to establish connections, although other means are supported. Audio tags may be either audible or supersonic, and can be played locally or broadcast over television, radio or the internet. Tags played locally are suitable for use in stores or at venues to target a local audience. Broadcast tags are aimed at a wider audience. To establish a connection a user will enable listening for connection requests on their mobile device or internet enabled device. The associated application will then present the sender’s preferred presentation to the user, after which the user may choose to make a connection with the sender. The platform includes various other features to distinguish it from traditional social media platforms. The invention is targeted mainly at connecting businesses to users, but can also be used as a user to user platform.

[0014] The invention is implemented as a Software as a Service (SAAS) platform with a server storing data and providing services to users through web pages or dedicated applications on their smart devices. Users are encouraged to adopt the dedicated application as it provides further features including push notifications and connecting with other users using sound tags. The platform could be implemented with a variety of different software technologies as is known in the art. The present implementation is written mainly in C++, Swift, Larivel and PHP.

[0015] A key aspect of the system is the ability to connect users using audio tags, either on a user to user basis for when users are interacting with each other in close proximity, or a business to user basis where an audio tag of a business is broadcast to multiple users at the same time, either by loud speaker or over broadcast media such as television, radio or the internet. Tags‘broadcast’ over the internet may be in streaming media, or embedded in video or audio files accessed on demand by users from services such as YouTube or Spotify. Using audio tags ensures that connections are made in a controlled manner. This is particularly important for business users as the potential connecting user is presented with a single option, i.e. exchange

information with the sender or not. They are not presented with other businesses with similar names or products as they would be if they had to search to initiate the connection either in a specific application or through a general internet search facility. [0016] Each user in the system has what is known as a screen. A screen is analogous to a personal web page and is presented to another user when they make a connection with a user or look them up in the systems application or web site. A user has full control of the content of their screen. A screen for a business would typically be a mix of static content such as, brief details of who they are and what they offer and links to their website and other platforms, and dynamic content such as sales promotions and discount vouchers. Links to other complementary businesses may also be shown. Users may have multiple screens, with the individual screens presented to different categories of connections, e.g. different screens for family, friends, business acquaintances and other connections.

[0017] The system maintains a database of users, user screens, connections between users and records of all system interactions by users. Individual users will typically have a free account with limited functionality. Business users will typically have a paid for enterprise account providing increased functionality such as analytical reporting, the ability to broadcast sound tags and the management of multiple users.

[0018] Figures 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing how connections between users are made using audio tags. Figure 1 shows an individual user making a connection with an enterprise user with the aid of a broadcast audio tag from the enterprise user, whilst Figure 2 shows a first individual user making a connection with a second individual user with the aid of an audio tag played by the first user’s smart device.

[0019] Figure 1 shows how users can connect with an enterprise user. The enterprise user generates an audio tag which is uploaded to the platform server. The tag is encrypted using AES encryption to prevent spoofing. The tag may either comprise a tag identification number which is associated with other data in a system database, or the data itself. Data that may be associated with an audio tag include user identification, delivery method and campaign details so that connections made with the tag can be traced back to a particular campaign. Preferably a new audio tag is generated for each mode of delivery. The audio tag is then distributed to the broadcast means, which could be a TV advert, a radio advert, an online video or audio file, or a broadcast by loudspeaker. A user in range of the broadcast may choose to receive connection requests by enabling such in the application. Doing so enables receipt of connection requests for a fixed period of time, typically 3 minutes. On receipt of the sound tag by the second user the contents of the sound tag are sent to the server for decryption and verification, and determination of the user’s identification. The second user is then presented with the enterprise user’s screen, and asked if they wish to make a connection. If confirmed a connection is established between the users’ accounts.

An audio tag broadcast by television may be part of an advertisement, which would display a logo and perhaps include dialogue indicating that an audio tag is about to be broadcast to prompt the user to launch the application and enable the receipt of connection requests. The advertisement may offer incentives for the user to connect, such as a discount voucher, which would be accessed once a connection has been made. The system keeps track of the audio tags used to make a connection, the media, and the time and place of the connection. This information is available to the enterprise user, allowing them to assess the value of individual campaigns.

[0020] In Figure 2 a first user wishes to initiate a connection with a second user.

The first user accesses the application on their smart device to generate and then play a sound tag. The tag data in this case may also include the type of connection to be made, e.g. family, friend, acquaintance or other. The second user accesses the application on their smart device and enables the receipt of sound tags. On receipt of the sound tag by the second user the contents of the sound tag are sent to the server for decryption and verification, and determination of the first user’s identification. The second user is then presented with the first user’s screen, and asked if they wish to make a connection. If confirmed a connection is established between the users’ accounts. For users not in close physical proximity connections can also be made via in-application invitations sent between users.

[0021] For a user to make a connection with a non-user, the user can send the non user a connection request via email or SMS including a link to the platforms web page. The non-user will be shown the user’s screen and prompted to become a user and if on a mobile platform install the application.

[0022] When a connection is made it may be automatically added to a compatible CRM system.

[0023] If a user no longer wishes to be connected to a second user they can unwind their connection, removing all traces of it to the second user.

[0024] As per most networking platforms, it is desirable to have a large number of users. To attract a large user base, individual users are allowed to join for free, but with limited functionality. A small fee is charged for small businesses, giving them the ability to be found in search and proximity based listings. A larger fee is charged to enterprise users to broadcast audio tags and who may have control over many individual user accounts and are provided with a web panel for retrieving analytical data about their connections. Enterprise users can broadcast audio tags externally to the system, e.g. over media such as radio, television and the internet, which are then decoded by the system. Enterprise users may also control the content of the screens of their individual users, including global editing, and transfer accounts between users to handle staff changes or absentees.

[0025] The application allows users to search for other users by keywords and/or location. A street view mode provides search results overlaid on a location, either a map or image, showing a user nearby users of the system such as cafe’s or

restaurants. Users may choose to connect to the users, and in return may receive special offers. Geolocation services may also be used to push notifications to users regarding nearby businesses. Businesses may also broadcast sound tags within their premises, facilitating quick and easy new connections to patrons, or potential patrons passing by.

[0026] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a networking platform using audio tags to facilitate the establishment of connections between users in an easy and controlled manner.

[0027] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0028] 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.