Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ROOM DESIGN SYSTEM WITH SOCIAL MEDIA INTERACTION
FIELD
[0001] The present specification relates generally to computing devices and
more specifically
relates to a system for a social media platform configured for interconnecting
with a plurality of
disparate content servers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Social media has emerged as a core communication technology. However,
it is still in its
infancy and there are many current technical limitations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system for a social media
platform configured
for interconnecting with a plurality of disparate content servers.
[0004] Figure 2 is a flow chart depicting a method for data record management
and processing.
[0005] Figure 3 is an example screen that can be generated on a client machine
in the system
of Figure 1 according to performance of the method in Figure 2.
[0006] Figure 4 is an example of contents of a furnishings database that can
be used with the
method of Figure 2 and the system of Figure 1.
[0007] Figure 5 is an example of contents of a furnishings database that can
be used with the
method of Figure 2 and the system of Figure 1.
[0008] Figure 6 is an example of contents of a furnishings database that can
be used with the
method of Figure 2 and the system of Figure 1.
[0009] Figure 7 is an example of contents of a furnishings database that can
be used with the
method of Figure 2 and the system of Figure 1.
[0010] Figure 8 is an example of contents of a furnishings database that can
be used with the
method of Figure 2 and the system of Figure 1.
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[0011] Figure 9 is an example set of image renderings that can be associated
with furnishing
108-7 of Figure 6.
[0012] Figure 9 is an example of the room shown in Figure 3 with various wall
furnishings.
[0013] Figure 10 is an example of the virtual room shown in Figure 3 with
various available
furnishings in a tool bar area.
[0014] Figure 11 is an example of the virtual room shown in Figure 3 with
various available
furnishings in a tool bar area.
[0015] Figure 12 is an example of certain available furnishings from the tool
bar area of Figure
11 having been placed within the virtual room shown in Figure 11.
[0016] Figure 13 is an example of one of the furnishings from Figure 11 having
been moved
and rotated to a different location than the location and rotation shown in
Figure 12.
[0017] Figure 14 shows the virtual room of Figure 11 with further examples of
interactions that
can be implemented therewith.
[0018] Figure 15 shows the virtual room of Figure 11 with further examples of
interactions that
can be implemented therewith.
[0019] Figure 16 shows a non-limiting example of how a furnishing can be
imported from a
content server to the central database engine of Figure 1.
[0020] Figure 17 shows the virtual room of Figure 11 with further examples of
interactions that
can be implemented therewith.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Figure 1 a schematic representation of a non-limiting example of a
system 50 for a social
media platform configured for interconnecting with a plurality of disparate
content servers.
[0022] System 50 comprises a central server 54 that connects, via a first link
58 to a profile
engine 62 and via a second link 66 to a central database engine 70. Central
server 54 also
connects to a wide area network 74 such as the Internet.
[0023] Network 74, in turn, interconnects central server 54 with one or more
content servers 78-
1, 78-2 ... 78-n. Generically, these are referred to as "content server 78"
and collectively they
are referred to as "content servers 78". This nomenclature is used elsewhere
herein. Network
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74 also interconnects central server 54 with a financial service clearing
infrastructure 82.
Network 74 also interconnects central server 54 with one or more client
machines 86-1, 86-2 ...
86-p.
[0024] Central server 54 can be based on any desired server-type computing
environment,
including appropriate configurations of one or more central processing units
(CPUs) configured
to control and interact with memory (including volatile memory such as Random
Access Memory
(RAM), and non-volatile memory such as hard disk drives or FLASH drives, or a
Redundant
Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) or cloud-based storage), network interfaces
(to connect to
link 58 and link 66). Central server 54 can also be configured to include
input devices such as a
keyboard or pointing device or output devices such as a monitor or any of or
all of them, to
permit local interaction. Other types of hardware configurations for central
server 54 are
contemplated. For example, central server 54 can also be implemented as part
of a cloud-
based computing solution, whereby the functionality of central server 54 is
implemented as one
or more virtual machines executing at a single data center or in a mirrored
form across a
plurality of data centers. The computing environment of central server 54 can
also include
remote access capabilities in lieu of, or in addition to, any local input
devices or local output
devices. Any desired or suitable operating system can be used in the computing
environment of
central server 54. The computing environment can be accordingly configured
with appropriate
operating systems and applications to effect the functionality discussed
herein. Central server
54 is, amongst other things discussed herein, configured to provide graphical
interfaces on
client machines 86, typically in the form of web pages although other hosting
formats are
contemplated. In general central server 54 is configured to provide a social
media platform as
will be discussed further below.
[0025] Profile engine 62 can be based on a server-type computing environment,
much along
the possible lines of the computing environments described in relation to
central server 54.
Profile engine 62 is configured to maintain profiles 90 associated with
various individual
subscriber accounts 94, which are in turn associated with each client machine
86, the details of
which will be discussed further below. In variations, a plurality of profile
engines 62 (not shown
in the Figures) can be provided which aggregate profile information from a
plurality of different
linked subscriber accounts. For example a FacebookTM subscriber account (not
shown and not
to be confused with subscriber account 94) or mobile telephone subscriber
account (not shown
and not to be confused with subscriber account 94) and each of those accounts
may in turn
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have their own individual profiles, which are then linked to provide a merged
profile 90 that can
be used according to the teachings of this specification. In variants, profile
engine 62 is
incorporated directly into central database engine 70 such that profiles 90
for each subscriber
account 94 are either stored within its respective subscriber account 94, or
locally to each
respective subscriber account 94.
[0026] Central database engine 70 can also be based on a server-type computing
environment,
much along the possible lines of the computing environments described in
relation to central
server 54. Central database engine 70 is configured to store subscriber
accounts 94 including
configuration data 96 that is received via client machines 86. As will be
discussed in greater
detail below, such configuration data in a present embodiment comprises
configuration data 96,
which includes graphical data representation of a room and its furnishings,
where such graphical
data can be modified via client machines 86 that satisfy credential
authentications to perform
modifications of subscriber accounts 94. Central database engine 70 also
maintains a
furnishings database 97 which stores a furnishing inventory of furnishings 108
which will be
discussed further below.
[0027] Link 58 and link 66 can be implemented as part of network 74, but in a
present
implementation it is contemplated that profile engine 62 and central database
engine 70 are
local to central server 54 in which case link 58 and link 66 can be
implemented as part of a local
area network. Alternatively, the functionality of profile engine 62 and
central database engine 70
can be incorporated directly into central server 54 obviating link 58 and link
66 altogether.
[0028] Each content server 78 can be also based on a server-type computing
environment,
much along the possible lines of the computing environments described in
relation to central
server 54. Each content server 78 can maintain third-party furnishings 101
that can be used to
populate the configuration data that is maintained in central database engine
70. Third-party
furnishings 101 can be imported as furnishings 108 into database 97, and this
aspect will be
discussed further below. In certain implementations, each content server 78 is
maintained by
different entities or enterprises and can be based on, in whole or in part,
pre-existing e-
commerce websites that are hosted by those entities. Content servers 78 will
be discussed
further below.
[0029] Each financial service clearing infrastructure 82 is also based on
computing environment
that is configured to finalize financial transactions whereby funds are
exchanged for a particular
good or service. It is contemplated that each financial service clearing
infrastructure can be
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based on pre-existing financial service infrastructures, such as those
maintained by Paypal,
VISA, Mastercard or the like. In general, financial service infrastructures
enable the processing
of financial transactions in relation to e-commerce activities within system
50 and are based on
existing infrastructures. In certain implementations, one or more accounts 94
can be configured
to effect payment transactions via clearing infrastructure 82.
[0030] Client machines 86 can be based on any suitable computing environment,
and the type
is not particularly limited. For example, one or more of client machines 86
can be traditional
client computers, such as a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a laptop
computer, or mobile
computing device. In Figure 1, client machine 86-1 and client machine 86-p are
traditional
desktop computers, responsive to mouse, keyboard and other potential input
methods, while
client machine 86-2 is a tablet computer configured to receive input via a
touch screen,
responsive to touch-gestures and an optional pop-up graphical keyboard
responsive to input
from the touch screen. The teachings herein accommodate such various different
types of
computing environments. A physical printer 95 is also shown, by way of
example, as connected
to client machine 86-p, though a printer may be connectable to any of client
machines 86 for
printing a physical document.
[0031] As noted above, an account 94 can be associated with a client machine
86 by provision
of proper account credentials. Upon provision of such credentials, the means
by which such
association is effected is not particularly limited. However, presently it is
contemplated that each
client machine 86 will include an absolute identifier that is uniquely
associated with each client
machine 86 and a relative identifier that is associated with its respective
account 94 and with the
absolute identifier, thereby providing a logical link between the account 94
and the client
machine 86. Such a linkage can be temporary where a set of credentials can be
used to access
the respective account 94 via the respective client machine 86. The linkage
can also be more
persistent, as is common in the mobile telephony context when client machine
86 is a mobile
telephone that is associated with an account 94 belonging to a particular
subscriber through a
subscriber identity module (SIM) card or similar means depending on the
applicable
telecommunication standard.
[0032] Thus the specific nature of a given relative identifier and a given
absolute identifier can
vary according to the particular computing environment of each client machine
86 and the
nature of its connection to network 74. As a non-limiting example, in a mobile
telephony
context, an absolute identifier can comprise an International Mobile Equipment
Identity (IMEI)
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associated with a given client machine 86 that is implemented as a mobile
smart phone.
Likewise, in the mobile telephony context, relative identifiers can comprise
an International
Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMS!).
[0033] Each account 94, and its corresponding data configuration 96, can thus
be accessed
from any client machine 86 provided proper account credentials (e.g. account
holder name and
password, or the like) are provided at the client machine 86 and validated at
central server 54.
For purposes of further discussion, it will be presumed that account 94-1 is
validly authorized to
be accessed from client machine 86-1, account 94-2 is validly authorized to be
accessed from
client machine 86-2, and account 94-p is validly authorized to be accessed
from client machine
86-p.
[0034] Referring now to Figure 2, a flowchart depicting a method for managing
subscriber
account configuration data is indicated generally at 200. Method 200 can be
performed on
system 50, and for further understanding of the general aspects of system 50
and method 200,
method 200 will be described in relation to its performance on system 50 using
specific but non-
limiting examples. It is to be emphasized, however, that method 200 need not
be performed in
the exact sequence as shown; and likewise various blocks may be performed in
parallel rather
than in sequence; hence the elements of method 200 are referred to herein as
"blocks" rather
than "steps". It is to be understood that method 200 can be implemented on
variations of
system 50 as well.
[0035] Block 205 thus comprises receiving a set of room dimensions. The room
dimensions
are provided at a client machine 86 and stored in configuration data 96
respective account 94
being accessed from that client machine. Three dimensional dimensions are
presently
contemplated. The room dimensions can be received in a variety of ways to
specify the length,
height and width of each wall in the room and the angular relationships
between each of those
walls. Different graphical interfaces can be provided at client machine 86 to
receive these
dimensions. For example, a purely text-based graphical interface could be
provided that
receives numeric dimensions and units for each wall, and a specification for
the angle between
adjoining walls. A visual graphical interface could also be provided that
receives lines,
rectangles, squares, cubes or other geometric shapes, with each side or
surface representing a
wall. Prompts can then be provided for textual entry of the dimensions for
each wall.
Alternatively, "dragging" type hand gestures or mouse inputs can be received
to permit a more
visual dimensional adjustment of the basic shape that is selected. As another
example, in more
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sophisticated implementations, one or more photographs of an actual room could
be provided
that undergo image processing to ascertain, or at least estimate, the room
dimensions and then
provide an opportunity for manual correction or adjustment of those
dimensions. As another
example, block 205 can be configured to import a set of room dimensions from
another software
application such as a computer aided design (CAD) application. Receipt of
dimensions and
other specifications for doors, walls, windows and other structural features
can also be effected
at block 205. Combinations of the foregoing techniques can also be employed or
offered at
block 205.
[0036] Block 210 comprises rendering a graphical representation of a room
according to the
dimensions received at block 205. Example performance of block 210 is shown in
Figure 3,
which shows the generation of a graphical representation of a portion of a
three-dimensional
rectangular room 104-2, with three walls showing and the fourth wall not shown
but implicitly
present as behind the perspective shown in Figure 3. The ceiling is likewise
not shown. In an
implementation, the walls, floors are preferably shown to scale, according to
the dimensions
provided at block 205. While not shown, it is contemplated that the room can
be shown from
different perspectives so that different views of the walls, ceiling and floor
from those
perspectives can be seen according to selected input via touch screen
gestures, keyboard or
mouse or other input device. While not shown as a step in method 200, at this
point a graphical
interface can be invoked to permit further adjustments to the dimensions or
appearance,
thereby offering an opportunity to return momentarily to block 205.
[0037] Block 215 comprises receiving a furnishing inventory from one or more
furnishing
databases. The term "furnishing" is not particularly limited and includes
immovable decoratives
such as trim, moldings, paints, wall papering, floorings as well as movable
decoratives such as
wall hangings, window coverings, chairs, tables, sofas, lounges, benches,
lamps, lights, statues
and other art, stereos, televisions, computers, shelves, racks, fish tanks, as
well as media items
including books, music, and videos. However, in order to provide some
concrete, but non-
limiting examples, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 show
some specific
furnishings 108 that can be part of a furnishing inventory stored within
furnishing database 97.
[0038] The database structure shown in Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7
and Figure 8
contemplates Identifier, Type, Source, Name and Image Thumbnail fields. This
is a non-limiting
example of such a structure and other types of structures will now occur to
those skilled in the
art. The Identifier field is a unique index or other identifier number. For
convenience, the
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example identifiers correspond to other reference characters used herein, but
any type of
unique identifier can be used. The Type field specifies where in room 104-2
(or other room)
such a furnishing may be used. The Source field specifies an entity or an
enterprise that can
provide the particular furnishing. In certain implementations, the data within
the Source field can
reflect an association or correspondence between the present furnishing 108
and a third-party
furnishing 101 that is hosted on a content server 78 and the entity or an
enterprise that operates
that content server 78. Such an association or correspondence can include, for
example, a web
page address (not shown) stored within the Source field that points to a
corresponding third-
party furnishing 101 hosted on a particular content server 78. This is one
manner by which a
linkage can be made between third-party furnishings 101 and furnishings 108
stored within
central database engine 70, and can reflect or track the fact that a
particular furnishing 108 may
have been imported from a third-party furnishing 101. The Name field specifies
a make, model,
brand or other colloquial or friendly name to correspond with the identifier.
The Image
Thumbnail field specifies an image file of a portion or a reduced size of the
particular furnishing
104.
[0039] More specifically, in relation to Figure 4 various flooring options are
shown, which can be
used to modify the appearance of the floor area of room 104-2.
[0040] Figure 5 shows various wall options which can be used to modify the
appearance of one
or more walls of room 104-2.
[0041] Figure 6 shows various movable furnishings that can be used to fill the
living space of
room 104-2. Note that chair furnishing 108-7 and coffee table furnishing 108-8
would be placed
on the floor space of room 104-2, while lamp furnishing 108-9 would be placed
on table
furnishing 108-8. Database 97 can be further configured to include
dependencies, such as by
making lamp furnishing 108-9 dependent on table furnishing 108-8, such that
lamp furnishing
108-9 could only be selected if table furnishing 108-8 was selected.
[0042] Figure 7 shows additional examples of various movable furnishings, all
of which are
similar in nature to lamp furnishing 108-9 in that a database dependency can
be created
requiring the selection of table furnishing 108-8 as a placement surface for
the furnishings
shown in Figure 7. Or, as another example, television furnishing 108-11 can be
made
alternatively dependent on a table furnishing 108-9 or a wall surface of room
104-2 such that it
must be mounted on a wall surface.
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[0043] Figure 8 shows examples of media furnishings in the form of a book
furnishing 108-13,
a movie furnishing 108-14 and a song furnishing 108-15. Of note is that while
the image
thumbnail for book furnishing 1 08-1 3 can be a physical image of the book in
question, the image
thumbnail for movie furnishing 108-14 can be a movie poster or a still frame
from the actual
movie production in the Name column, while the image thumbnail for song
furnishing 108-15
can be an album cover or album artwork for song in the Name column. Again, in
Figure 8,
dependencies can be created so that media furnishings can only be selected
after a logical
corresponding furnishing has already been selected. For example, book
furnishing 108-13 can
be dependent on the selection of table furnishing 108-8 (or a bookshelf
furnishing, not shown)
so that there is a location to place book furnishing 108-13. As another
example, movie
furnishing 108-14 can be dependent on the selection of television furnishing
108-11 (or the
television furnishings or computer furnishings or video player furnishings,
not shown) so that
there is an appropriate device upon which movie furnishing 108-14 can be
shown. As another
example, song furnishing 1 08-1 5 can be dependent on the selection of stereo
furnishing 108-10,
or another furnishing, not shown, that in its physical implementation is
capable of playing music.
[0044] As a further variation, aquarium furnishing 108-12 can have an image
thumbnail showing
it as empty, and dependent furnishings (not shown) can be provided comprising
specific species
of fish that can be placed in the aquarium furnishing 108-12.
[0045] There can be further data stored in relation to each furnishing 108
stored within
database 97 which can then be used to populate the image of room 104-2. For
example, Figure
9 shows eight views of chair furnishing 108-7. Each view shows chair
furnishing 108-7 from
another perspective. Chair furnishing view 108-7-1 shows a right side view of
chair furnishing
108-7. Chair furnishing view 108-7-2 shows a left side view of chair
furnishing 108-7. Chair
furnishing view 108-7-3 shows a right front side perspective view of chair
furnishing 108-7.
Chair furnishing view 108-7-4 shows a left rear side perspective view of chair
furnishing 108-7.
Chair furnishing view 108-7-5 shows a front view of chair furnishing 108-7.
Chair furnishing
view 108-7-6 shows a rear view of chair furnishing 108-7. Chair furnishing
view 108-7-7 shows
a left front side perspective view of chair furnishing 108-7. Chair furnishing
view 108-7-8 shows
a right rear side perspective view of chair furnishing 108-7. Such views can
be used to show
chair furnishing 108-7 in situ within room 104-2.
[0046] Views of the type shown in Figure 9 can be maintained for all physical
furnishings within
database 97, (i.e. all furnishings 108 shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7)
recognizing that a different
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number of views may be stored: for example, lamp 108-9 need not have eight
views since lamp
108-9 appears the same from all lateral directions. Indeed, additional (e.g.
top, bottom) or fewer
views can be provided depending on a desired richness of experience. Such
views can also be
in the form of continuous video showing the particular physical furnishing 108
from all angles.
[0047] For non-physical furnishings, such as movie furnishing 108-14, or song
furnishing 108-
15, then the additional data stored in database 97 in relation to such
furnishings can be in the
form of a data-file representing all or part of the particular media.
Furthermore, book furnishing
108-13 may comprise the views as shown in Figure 9, and may also comprise a
data file
representing the actual contents of the book, i.e. the 'e-book' version.
Alternatively, the
additional data for media furnishings can be linkages to an existing media
database locally
stored on client machine 86, or a cloud based media database account stored on
one or more
content servers 78 or elsewhere on network 74.
[0048] Further dependencies and variations on the foregoing are contemplated.
For example,
just as various wall covering options are shown in Figure 4, so can various
colours, sizes,
materials and other options be provided as dependencies for movable
furnishings shown in
Figure 6 and Figure 7.
[0049] The foregoing provides some specific, but non-limiting examples of how
database 97
can be populated with furnishings 108, and introduces the concept of how
furnishings 108 can
be populated with, or imported from, furnishings 101 from different and
disparate third party
content servers 78. Block 215 thus contemplates that various furnishings 108
can be selected
at a particular client machine 86 (e.g. client machine 86-2) for virtually
decorating a room (e.g.
room 104-2) with those furnishings 108.
[0050] The receiving block at 215 can thus comprise retrieving all or part of
database 97, to be
stored or linked within a respective account 96 (e.g. account 96-2) for later
use in updating or
modifying a room (e.g. room 104-2) corresponding to a respective data
configuration 96 (e.g.
data configuration 96-2). Functionality can be provided to permit browsing of
database 97 from
a client machine 86 to receive individual selections of one or more
furnishings 108 for storage or
linkage from a corresponding account 94.
Other means for effecting block 215 are
contemplated, in addition to, or in lieu of the approach described above. For
example, in a
variation, instructions as to which furnishing(s) 108 to place within a
particular account 96 (e.g.
account 96-2) can be invoked from another account 96 (e.g. account 96-1) that
has been given
permissions to do so. This variation contemplates a virtual "gifting", or
virtual "reward fulfillment"
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by placing of different furnishings 108 in one account 96 via instructions
that are received from
another account 96.
[0051] Block 220 comprises storing furnishing data in relation to room
dimensions. The means
by which such furnishing data is stored is not particularly limited, but
generally contemplates
storing data that can be used to render movable and rotatable images within
the room
dimensions at block 205. More specifically, block 220 contemplates that
images, such as the
views in Figure 9, are scaled proportionately to the room dimensions defined
at block 205. In
one implementation, a plurality of raster images can be stored for one or more
furnishings 108,
as discussed further below, which show a particular furnishing from various
angles. In another
implementation, vectorized representations of for one or more furnishings are
stored. Other
implementations of block 220 will now occur to those skilled in the art.
[0052] Block 225 comprises receiving a furnishing selection. More
specifically, block 225
contemplates receiving a furnishing selection, for subsequent placement within
room 104 at
block 230, and, as appropriate, orientation within room 104 at block 235.
Accordingly, block 230
contemplates receiving a placement instruction of the furnishing selection
within room 104,
while block 235 contemplates receiving an orientation instruction for the
selection within room
104.
[0053] Block 225, block 230 and block 235 can be implemented various ways.
Presently
contemplated implementations of these blocks are illustrated by example in
Figure 10 and
Figure 11. In Figure 10, room 104-2 is shown as having wall furnishing 108-6
(i.e. Pale Yellow
Oil Paint from Henderson Paints) on each wall, and floor furnishing 108-1
(i.e. Checkered
Linoleum Floor from ACME Flooring Co.) on the floor area of room 104-2. The
state of room
104-2 in Figure 10 presumes block 225, block 230 and block 235 were already
performed to
virtually decorate room 104-2 from the state shown in Figure 3.
[0054] Also note that Figure 10 shows a cursor or pointer 116 and a tray
region 120. The
physical presence of pointer 116 may be expressly illustrated, or in the case
of a touch screen
then client machine 86 can be configured to define focus of a non-visible
pointer 116 to be
based on a physical gesture (e.g. the detection of a finger on a particular
location of the display
of client machine 86-2). The dotted line defining tray region 120 may be shown
expressly or
implicit, as desired). Transitioning from Figure 10 to Figure 11, it is
contemplated that when
cursor 116 (be it drawn expressly or be non-visible to simply reflect the
detection of a finger
depressing the touch screen within the area defined by tray region 120), then
in Figure 11 a
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sub-selection of possible furnishings 108 (which, as noted above, can have
been previously
selected from database 97) are shown which can be selected, placed and
oriented within the
virtual representation of room 104-2.
[0055] Transitioning from Figure 11 to Figure 12, it is contemplated that the
various furnishings
108 shown in Figure 11 have each been selected, placed and oriented within the
virtual
representation of room 104-2.
[0056] Note that in relation to orientation block 235, views, such as the
views in Figure 9, can
be used to select a direction or orientation of a furnishing. Indeed, by way
of example,
transitioning from Figure 12 to Figure 13, in Figure 12 it can be seen that
view 108-7-3 was
used to show the seat of the chair facing forward, and that view 108-7-3 was
scaled smaller in
size to show furnishing 108-7 at the back of room 104-2. However, in Figure 13
it can be seen
that view 108-7-3 was used to show the front seat of the chair to the view
shown in Figure 13,
and that view 108-7-8 was scaled larger in size (relative to view 108-7-3) to
show furnishing
108-7 at the front of room 104-2, and with the back of the chair furnishing
108-7 to the view
shown in Figure 13.
[0057] Referring now to block 240 of method 200 in Figure 2, block 240
comprises rendering
the furnishings within the room. The term rendering encompasses a wide variety
of interactive
functions that are logically tied to the "real-world" functionality of the
various furnishings. For
example, in Figure 13, the movie "Perry-Hotter", from movie furnishing 108-14
is shown as
being virtually shown on television furnishing 108-11. By the same token,
other interactive
renderings are contemplated, such as being able to turn lamp furnishing 108-9
"on" or "off' and
thereby animating the lighting effect from that lamp furnishing 108-9. Other
interactive
renderings can include playing song furnishing 108-15 from stereo furnishing
108-10 provided
they were so selected and placed in room 104-2. Likewise, pausing, volume
control, fast
forwarding, media changing and other virtual controls of television furnishing
108-11, or stereo
furnishing 108-10 are contemplated. Other interactive renderings can include,
if provided,
windows with changing daylight, and changes to lighting effect based on
opening or closing of
blinds, curtains or other window coverings. Other interactive renderings can
include zooming in
or zooming out, or virtually walking around room 104-2, or opening (if
selected) book furnishing
1 08-1 3 for zooming in and reading as an e-book.
[0058] Variations, modifications and enhancements to method 200 are
contemplated. One
enhancement is shown in Figure 14 in the form of one or more context windows
112. Such
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context windows 112 can be invoked when a particular furnishing 108 is
selected or brought into
focus. The means by which a furnishing is selected or brought into focus is
not particularly
limited. For example, where client machine 86 comprises a touch screen, then
such selection
can be effected by tapping or pressing on a particular furnishing 108. Where
client machine 86
has a mouse, then a cursor may be used to point to a particular furnishing by
moving the
mouse. Where client machine 86 has a keyboard, then keystrokes may be used to
achieve a
similar result.
[0059] In Figure 14, chair furnishing 108-7 has been brought into focus, and
accordingly context
windows 112 that are specific to chair furnishing are invoked. While Figure 14
shows to specific
examples of context windows 112, it is to be understood that such context
windows are non-
limiting examples. Context window 112-1 provides a menu context window with
four choices:
Rotate, Swap, Remove and Social. Selecting of Rotate from context window 112-2
leads
method 200 back to block 235 where the furnishing orientation can be changed.
Selecting
Swap leads to a sub-menu (not shown) that allows the selection of different
sub-options, in the
forms colours or fabrics or other dependency options that are specific to
chair furnishing 108-7.
Selecting Swap therefore provides different sub-menu options depending on
which furnishing
108 is selected. Selecting Remove deletes the selected furnishing 108 from the
virtual room
104-2. Selecting Social invokes a plurality of potential social networking
functions, the details of
which will be discussed further below. Additional menu options in context
window 112-1 can be
provided, and some of those menu options may be specific to the particular
selected furnishing
108. For example, in relation to lamp furnishing 108-9, context 112-1 can
include the option to
turn on, or off, or dim the virtual light emanating from the lamp furnishing
108-9. As another
example, in relation to movie media furnishing 108-14, context 112-1 can
include the option to
turn play, stop, pause, cue backwards, cue forwards, adjust the volume, go to
full-screen, the
particular movie being shown. Context window 112-2 provides a complete
description of the
selected furnishing 108-7. In the non-limiting example shown, the name of the
chair is shown
and any other data that may be stored in relation to furnishing 108-7 in
database 97.Further
context windows 112 may be provided, and the exact contents and placement and
means of
invocation 112 can be varied and need not be implemented exactly as shown.
[0060] Referring now to Figure 15, the selection of the "Social" menu item
within context 112-1
will now be explained further. The selection of the "Social" menu item within
context menu 112-
1, or any of its sub-items can be part of an enhancement to method 200. In
general, the present
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specification contemplates that system 50 and its variants can be the basis
for a social
networking platform. The teachings up to this point contemplate a technical
structure upon
which the social networking platform can be based. Figure 15 shows an example
social
networking menu 130 that includes a plurality of social networking functions.
It is to be
understood that the social networking functions in menu 130 are a non-
exhaustive list:
additional, fewer or different social networking functions can be included in
menu 130.
Furthermore, those social networking menu functions can even be different for
different
selections of different furnishings 108. However, menu 130 does show a
presently
contemplated list of menu functions, each of which will be discussed in
greater detail below.
[0061] The "Website" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can be
selected to open a
web-page comprising additional data about the selected furnishing 108. The web-
page can be
locally hosted on central server 54, or can be hosted by an appropriate one of
content servers
78. Where the web-page is hosted on a content server 78, then such a content
server 78 can
be hosted by, for example, a brand or manufacturer website, or by a retailer
website that sells
the selected furnishing 108.
[0062] The "Email" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can be selected
to open a
compose-email dialogue box within an email client application on the relevant
client machine 86.
The compose-email dialogue box would automatically include, by way or
attachment or by
embedding into the body of the email, data about the selected furnishing 108.
The compose-
email dialogue box would also accept any additional text and identification of
addressee email
addresses.
[0063] The "Like on Facebook" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can
be selected
to invoke the "Like" function on a Facebook account entry that is associated
with the selected
furnishing 108. The Facebook account entry could be a Facebook account
directly associated
with the relevant account 94-2, or the Facebook account entry could be a
Facebook account
unique to the selected furnishing 108, or it could be a Facebook account entry
hosted by a
manufacturer or retailer of the selected furnishing 108. More generally, this
sub-menu item
contemplates any linkage to another social networking site whereby data
associated with the
selected furnishing 108 would be posted or otherwise attached to social
network site account
that is associated with either account 94-2 or with the selected furnishing or
both. For example,
a "Like on Facebook" sub-menu item could be replaced with, or supplemented by
a "Tweet" sub-
menu item whereby data about the selected furnishing 108 would be posted to a
twitter account
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associated with account 94-2. Other social networking linkages that could be
invoked from
social networking menu 130 will now occur to those skilled in the art.
[0064] The "Compare" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can invoke
one or more
different comparison functions. One such function can be a price comparison
function whereby
a data listing of different retailers that sell the selected furnishing 108 is
provided and generated
on the display of client machine 86-2. Another such function can be an option
comparison
function whereby a data listing of different options are provided and
generated on the display of
client machine 86-2. For example, in relation to chair furnishing 108-7, such
comparison can be
between different colours, finishing and retailers that sell the selected
furnishing 108. As
another example, in relation to television furnishing 108-11, the "Compare"
sub-menu item on
social networking menu 130 can invoke comparison can be between different
sizes and
resolutions of related models to television furnishing 108-11, either from the
same manufacturer
or from different manufacturers.
[0065] The "Discuss" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can invoke a
discussion or
chat page hosted by central server 54 (or elsewhere on network 74) whereby
ongoing chats,
comments and textual threads as provided via different accounts 94 can be
viewed, and also
supplemented via the present account 94-2.
[0066] The "Retailers" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can invoke
a page on
display of client machine 86 listing the various brand owners or manufacturers
or retailers that
sell physical instances of the selected furnishing 108. Such a page can be
similar to the retailer
"Compare" features described above. The list of various brand owners or
manufacturers or
retailers may be automatically narrowed based on the location of client
machine 86 or other
location-based settings.
[0067] The "Buy Now" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can invoke a
page on the
display of client machine 86 leading a virtual checkout, whereby a financial
account associated
with account 94-2 is debited via financial service clearing infrastructure,
which in turn remits
funds to an entity or enterprise (e.g. an entity or enterprise that hosts a
content server 78, or
even the entity or enterprise that hosts central server 54 itself) that sells
physical instances of
the selected furnishing 108, such remitting satisfying funds necessary to
transfer ownership in a
physical instance of the selected furnishing 108 to the owner of the relevant
account 94-2. The
"Buy Now" function can also be associated with a function that arranges for
shipping of the
physical instance of the selected furnishing 108 to a physical address
associated with the
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relevant account 94-2, or can be used to print a voucher at printer 95 which
can be carried to a
premises that stores the physical instance of the selected furnishing 108 and
can be
exchanged for that physical instance of the selected furnishing 108.
[0068] The "Rate" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can be used to
receive data
representing a numeric or other type of rating about the selected furnishing
108, which is then
associated with both the account 94-2 as well as with the selected furnishing
108 within
database 97. Such a rating would then be viewable via other accounts 94, as
well as an
aggregate or average rating can be calculated and stored in database 97 in
relation to the
selected furnishing 108.
[0069] The "Style Match" sub-menu item on social networking menu 130 can be
used to invoke
a tool that compares the selected furnishing 108 with all other furnishings
108, and provides a
measurement or rating as to whether the selected furnishing 108 is considered
a good match
with the other furnishings 108. The algorithm used to determine the
measurement is not
particularly limited, and can, for example be based on scalar values such as
colour. For
example, different colours can be assigned different numbers. A "good" match
score would be
generated if the selected furnishing 108 had a colour number that generally
matched the colour
numbers of other selected furnishings 108. Another algorithm can be based on
multi-
dimensional criteria according to different subjective ratings, each
corresponding to different
general style classifications. Example colloquial names for such style
classifications can
include, "Modern", "Contemporary", "City", "Country" and "Art Deco". Each
furnishing 108 within
database 97 can then be assigned a number that indicates its match to that
particular style
classification. Each account 94, or account profile 90, can then in turn be
associated with such
a style classification. Invocation of the "style match" sub-menu item would
then return a
numeric or textual score indicating how close the selected furnishing 108 was
to the style
classification associated with the relevant account 94 or account profile 90.
[0070] In another variation an import function of third-party furnishings 101
from one or more
content servers 78 is provided. As noted above it is contemplated that content
servers 78
currently host proprietary content including websites and the like that
advertise, sell, rate or
otherwise display third-party furniture 101. Such an import function
contemplates an integration
tool that can be accessed from a given client machine 86 that causes the
importing (or linking)
of a particular third-party furnishing 101 into database 97. The import
function can be fully or
partially automated whereby central server 54 crawls various content servers
78 to locate third
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party furnishings and then as possible, parses third party furnishings 101 and
converts them to
furnishings 108 and stores them in database 97. Where fields or images for a
particular
furnishing 108 cannot be automatically imported, then an exception handling
routine can be
invoked that prompts manual intervention to complete the entry the relevant
fields in database
97. The import function can, in addition or in lieu of a crawling function, be
invoked from a client
machine 86. An example implementation of this implementation is shown in
Figure 16 whereby
a website is shown hosted by content server 78-1. The website identifies the
hosting entity as
called "Johnson's furniture Warehouse" and is shown as a third-party
furnishing 101-1 called
"Foot Stool by Merman Hiller". Client machine 86-2 in turn is shown also as
generating a menu
138 that includes one or more options, one of those options being menu item
139 labeled "Add
to your Furnishing inventory". Receipt of instructions at client machine 86-2
corresponding to
this menu item leads to third-party furnishing 101-1 being converted into
furnishing 108-16 and
in turn imported into database 97 for subsequent use in method 200 or its
variations.
[0071] Note that the menu item 139 in menu 138 can be a purely locally hosted
script or code
on client machine 86-2, or it can be directly incorporated as a script into
the original coding of
the website hosted by content server 78-1 as a social media integration
function that links
directly to the social media platform hosted by central server 54. Again,
where the import
cannot be totally automated due to mismatch in database formatting at content
server 78-1 and
central database engine 70, then an exception can be generated to prompt
manual intervention
to complete the import via an interface hosted at central database engine 70.
However, it is
also contemplated that when a social media integration function that links a
content server 78
directly to the social media plafform hosted by central server 54, then such
an integration
function can include full automation of importing a third party furnishing 101
into database 97 as
furnishing 108-16. Also according to the example in Figure 16, a linkage 142
between
furnishing 108-16 (i.e. the importation of third party furnishing 101) and the
account 96-2 that is
active when menu item 139 in menu 138 is invoked. Note that in variations,
where third-party
furnishing 101 is already imported into database 97, then only linkage 142
will result from
selecting menu item 139.
[0072] A variation on the example of Figure 16 contemplates a greater level of
manual
intervention, whereby any furnishings 101 that are stored on content servers
78 are manually
reviewed or manually converted (e.g. format conversions, normalized image
renderings (e.g.
rasterizations or vectorizations), normalized field content populating) or
both before actual
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storage as furnishings 108 in database 97.
[0073] A still further variation is shown in Figure 17 in the form of a
representation door 134,
which itself can be a unique type of furnishing 108 that can be stored in
database 97 configured
and interacted with according to method 200. Door 134 can also be configured
with a special
social networking menu 130a that includes an additional function labeled
"Visit my neighbours",
referred to hereafter as neighbor networking function. By way of background,
it is contemplated
that a plurality of virtual rooms 104 may be created, at least one for each
account 94. One or
more accounts 94 may be linked as neighbors by way of an email invitation or
other electronic
means. Such linkages are then stored with each accounts 94. The neighbor
networking
function can thus be used to virtually exit door 134, and enter a room 104 of
a neighbor account.
For example, if account 94-1 is linked with account 94-2, then the neighbor
network function
could be used to exit virtual room 104-2 and enter virtual room 104-1 (not
shown) associated
with account 94-1. Typically, when account 94-2 is used to access virtual room
104-1, then
menu 112-1 or menu 130 would include viewing functions or commenting
functions, but not
necessarily placement or orientation functions unless express permissions for
same were
granted.
[0074] The present specification provides a new social network for creating,
using and sharing
personal unique online spaces populated with their favorite products.
In certain
implementations, the first web page is a Sign-up/Sign-in page. Here a short
video tutorial (e.g.
approximately two minutes) can also be provided that explains how the social
network works.
Accounts can be free or charged on a fee basis. Upon account creation, a basic
empty 3-D
room can be generated. Three views of the same room can be available, windowed
(small &
large), and full screen, all of which can be toggled between at any time using
standard screen
sizing icons. In some embodiments a room can consist of a back wall, a
perspective wall on
either side of the back wall, and a floor. Customization of room dimensions is
also
contemplated. Privacy and location settings configurations can also be
provided, preferably
shortly after signing up a new account. It is contemplated however, that
various commercial
partner entities that host content servers 78 may provide financial
incentives, and thus a
reduced level of privacy setting can correlate to more financial incentives.
[0075] It is contemplated that a configured virtual room 104 will maintain its
state after logging
off the relevant account 94, and be available again upon re-accessing the
account.
[0076] It is contemplated that a print function can be provided so a picture
of the room can be
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generated on printer 95 in any state.
[0077] In certain implementations, an account holder is prompted to go to a
virtual "Warehouse"
(e.g. browsing a graphical rendering of database 97) to see the available
furnishings 108 and
then to select a subset of those for subsequent use. Alternatively a search of
the entire
database can always be available for furnishings 108.
[0078] It is contemplated that the majority if not all items in the database
97 are real-world items
that have been rendered in three-dimensions so they can be positioned in any
direction that
makes sense for that item. Furnishings 108 are also preferably normalized in
scale.
[0079] Database 97 can be searchable through a variety of indexes, including
brand, by type of
item (TVs, sofas, lamps, stereos, tables, etc.) and categorized by at least
the following: Art,
Cabinets, Carpets, Chairs, Decorations, Electronics, Lighting, Sofas, Tables,
and Walls.
[0080] Central server 54 is configured to, in addition to generating search
results, suggest
similar models or items. Searching may also include style (art-deco, modern,
classic, etc.)
Another search may be by colour.
[0081] Each furnishing 108 is configured so that, when displayed, a pop-up or
other dialogue
box can be configured to appear with information on the furnishing including
the brand name,
the item name, dimensions, a description of the item and a 'social' option.
[0082] The present specification contemplates a social networking function
consistent
throughout the application and can include one or more of the following
options: 1) a link to the
Brand or artist website, 2) an option to e-mail the item to a friend, 3) a
link to compare the item
with similar items, 4) an option to open or join a discussion about that item
within the larger
network, 5) and a link to local retailer information or website (depending on
if the account holder
has supplied his location in their account settings).
[0083] It is contemplated that accounts can be configured to accommodate
multiple virtual
rooms for each account.
[0084] To add furnishings from a list of previously selected items in the
warehouse into a virtual
room, a furnishing can be selected. If there are upholstery, finish, or other
options available, a
static pop-up will appear above the item and they will select the desired
choice. To eliminate the
popup, the account holder selects their choice or clicks off the menu. In one
embodiment, once
selected, the item appears at the front of the room with the rest of the room
out of focus. The
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account holder will position the item in the room by clicking and dragging it
and the rest of the
room comes back into focus. Items that are meant to logically sit on a table
require a table to
first be placed in the room. The account holder then chooses the surface on
which the item
should sit. If there is no table in the room, a message appears stating,
"There is no tabletop to
place the item on". Some items will have the option of placement on the floor
or on a table.
[0085] Most items can be rotated and positioned within the room on a hidden
grid system. The
higher the number squares on the grid will make transitions smoother. When an
item is in the
room, each item is clickable. When the item is selected in the room, a pop-up
will appear giving
the account holder options unique to the type of item. Also, at this time, the
item information
such as brand name/item name/artist name, dimensions, and item description
will appear
directly under the room frame.
[0086] Furniture options can include: 1) Rotate right or left - using icons,
2) Swap ¨ a drop-down
menu appears for different finishes or upholstery if available, 3) Social ¨ as
described above, 4)
Remove the item from the room. Items can include an "Add to Wishlist" menu
option in the pop-
up associated with that item. Much of the electronics can be virtually
functional. Televisions will
play what the Brand (ex. Sony, Samsung) wish to show. For example, Sony may
wish to show
movie trailers, advertisements, and for higher tiered account holders (account
holders that share
Sony products often, review products often and have their reviews carry
weight, or buy Sony
products through system 50 or its variants), full Sony movies. TV options
include wall mounted
or tabletop models. Wall mounted TV's can be moved anywhere on the walls,
where tabletop
models can only be placed on tables, but are allowed to rotate.
[0087] When an account holder clicks on a TV in their room they have the
following options: 1)
Zoom in - This enlarges the TV to full screen, so videos can be viewed larger.
The room goes
transparent white and the TV drops down from the top with the TV frame intact
as if the were
watching the actual TV. This way the brand and model remain visible, 2) Play -
This drop-down
menu shows all the available videos for each unique account holder, which the
account holder
may choose from by clicking on their selection, 3) Social. - This option
displays a drop-down
menu with the standard social functions, and 4) Remove the item from the room.
[0088] Currently, the demo allows only one TV to be in the room at a time. In
the future, we will
consider allowing more than one TV to be in the rooms, but only one can play
at a time.
[0089] Stereos will play music from the account holders specified playlists,
or link to their choice
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of streaming music sites. How this will work specifically depends on the deals
we can forge with
companies like LastFM, Grooveshark, Apple and/or Spotify. It is also possible
that account
holders create their own playlists unique to their account 94. The stereos
will produce the same
pop-up as TV's except with audio files instead of video. Stereos will also be
allowed to rotate.
[0090] TVs & Stereos will have standard controls for pause, play, stop, volume
and sliders for
current position.
[0091] A playlist can be a sub-menu from the play/stop menu item. Or, there
can be a separate
playlist menu item with the available video/audio titles in the sub-menu.
[0092] Music can be purchased directly from central server 54. Bands will be
able to upload
their own music for sale through an application process. Picture frames can be
furnishings, (as
in digital picture frames one can buy in the real world can function in the
same way within the
plafform. Account holders can be able to upload their own personal pictures
into these picture
frames. These are meant to be seen, but will not be available in database 97
warehouse for
other account holders to find. If the account holder has several pictures, the
images can rotate
at the account holders desired speed and settings.
[0093] Personal snapshots may also be uploaded into a photo album associated
with an
account. This can be configured to appear like any real world photo album the
account holder
creates from templates and can be stored on a shelf or table within that
account holder's room.
[0094] A friend can be notified of new photos loaded into a friend's album or
picture frame if
allowed and desired.
[0095] Bookshelves can be added to an account holder's room and their chosen
books can sit
on these shelves. Just as in the real world, a book may be removed and browsed
through or
read. We may work on an affiliation with Amazon, Indigo or similar enterprises
for this. Shelves
may be customized eventually and perhaps for a price.
[0096] Depending on the permissions an account holder sets, a friend can visit
the account
holder in their room to see what videos they have and listen to the music the
account holder has
in their playlist. Videos and music cannot be transferred from one account
holder to another
without a fee. Videos viewed in a friend's room cannot be enlarged to full
screen.
[0097] Based on what is in the account holder's library, the account holder
can choose to be
notified when a band they like is coming to town. This notification will have
a direct link to
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purchase a ticket and will show up under the 'News' menu item. An extension of
this
(depending on Apple) is to sync the account holder's iTunes library to the
social networking
platform. Again, an account holder's friend can listen to the music within a
friends room, but
may not take it without paying a fee. Another possibility is to sync to a
cloudbased music site
like LastFM or Grooveshark, or another desktop music application like Spotify.
[0098] Lamps can be functional with an on/off state. Eventually, the light
will affect surrounding
objects, but currently only the object itself will be affected. Lighting
variations are also a
possibility, where account holders could pick a "mood".
[0099] Walls, also referred to as wall furnishings, can also be
interchangeable and branded.
Wallpaper and paint enterprises can provide wallpapers and paint colours to
database 97.
When the account holder clicks on the wall, a pop-up appears with the brand
website, the colour
and/or pattern name. Social options and a swap function can also be provided,
though the
rotate and placement functions are logically omitted. The account holder may
purchase
'premium' wallpapers to place in their virtual room. This can be a revenue
stream both for the
content provider and for the operator of the present social networking
platform. This technique
can be extended to all types of furnishings 108.
[00100] Wall pop-ups can have sub groups separating paint, wallpaper and
colour options.
[00101] Wallpaper and paint brands can have a certain amount of patterns and
colours
available at no-charge. Additional papers and colours will have a fee if the
account holder
intends to place them in their virtual rooms 104. The free offerings still
give good brand
exposure, but are limited so the account holder may want to increase their
choices by paying.
This feature can be extended to all types of furnishings 108.
[00102] A magnifying glass can be available for wallpaper, or other
furnishings such as
artwork. If the option is chosen, account holders can mouse over (or in the
future hover, touch)
the area they'd like enlarged for a closer look.
[00103] Floor furnishings can also be interchangeable. Further examples of
floor furnishings
include white, oak, teak, ebony, concrete, Royal red Carpet, black & white
checkered and some
fun options Sand, Grass, Sky, and Water. We will add additional wood and
carpet options.
Floor options can also be branded with a no-fee and premium structure as in
the wall
furnishings.
[00104] Artworks are another type of contemplated furnishing 108. When a piece
of art is
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selected from database 97, it can be placed in virtual rooms 104 as described
above. Framing
can also be an option.
[00105] Central server 54 can also be configured to handle digital rights
management for
songs, books, videos and artwork, including restricting dissemination of
copies and licensing
sales. All artwork remains copywrited to the artist and artist credit is
displayed in the
information. Information on where to buy the art will also be highlighted as
will any additional
information the artist would like to add, such as date, edition, dimensions,
link to artist site, etc.
[00106] In this manner, artists may also utilize central server 54 and
database 97 as a virtual
gallery, showcasing all their work in their own room, which they can set as
accessible to all.
[00107] System 50 can be configured so that once a piece of art is placed in a
virtual room
104, the account holder can click (or double-click) on that piece and a pop-up
will appear with
the standard social functions, the remove function, an option to Swap the
frame if available, and
as in the TV 108-11, the account holder can zoom in (enlarge) on the art. When
Zoom in is
clicked on, everything else on screen disappears and the art drops in full
screen for detail. In
addition, a magnifier will show even more detail when in full screen mode.
[00108] An account holder may select a furnishing 108 directly from their
friends' or
neighbour's virtual room. This can be reported as a specific analytic to the
brand originator (e.g.
an operator of content server 78) of the furnishing 108 and cause an update to
a corresponding
profile 90. The brand originator can have the option to use the profile and
send an electronic
coupon relating to that item in the real world.
[00109] As discussed above in relation to Figure 16, an import feature can be
provided. As a
variation, a form can be completed requesting that a furnishing be added to
database 97 via a
central server 54 interface.
[00110] Rewards and promotions can be recorded in a profile 90 based on
selections and
other interactions with a particular furnishing 108, or if a furnishing 108 is
or shared it with a
friend account. Additional interaction can include signing up for newsletters
from a brand
originator of a particular furnishing 108, or promoting/referring products to
other account
holders.
[00111] The rewards can be determined through the development of an
aggregation strategy
with the brand and its affiliate networks and distribution channels, and could
include coupons,
notification of regional product sales, prizes (a chance to win the real world
product), etc.
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[00112] Accounts 94 can be provided with increased capabilities (as in other
virtual world or
massively multiplayer online role playing games) and earn more prizes for
increased interaction
(such as the weight of their reviews, recommendations, sharing items, etc.).
[00113] The navigation bar at the top of a display generated on a client
machine 86 can
include a personal greeting, an option to view database 97, a drop-down menu
of all the virtual
rooms attached to an account, a list of the associated accounts (i.e.
"friends" or "neighbours"), a
wish list, rewards, mail, news, account settings, a help function and a search
function.
[00114] Account holders can have the option to save rooms and start again from
scratch.
[00115] Account holders may select to have a bedroom, living room and office
for example.
A list of all saved rooms named by the account holder will appear from a drop-
down menu in the
nay bar.
[00116] A door can be a portal in room, which an account holder can go through
to enter
another one of their rooms or a specified friends' room. When the door is
clicked on, it can be
configured to open and a list of the account holder's rooms and/or a list of
friends appears who
have allowed you to visit.
[00117] If an account holder chooses, they may allow anyone to enter their
room, or may
choose to allow only certain friends or neighbours to enter.
[00118] Account holders can also leave a note behind in someone else's room,
which would
be visible to all who enter. The account holder can then delete the note or
store it for others to
comment as well. There will be an icon for stored notes at the top of the
room. When the icon
is clicked on, a list would appear in a white semitransparent box on top of
the room with fields in
which account holders can add comments or new notes.
[00119] Each account holder can have a list of their 'Friends' or people
they share their
information with outside of Brands. Here, account holders can find a
particular friend and
choose to visit that friends' room. They can also leave a public note for that
friend from this
menu as well as from within that friends room using the icon.
[00120] Account holders can also have a 'Wish List', listing the items
they'd like to buy in the
real world. Ideally we would like to have a piggy bank function where account
holders can save
toward purchasing that item, but becoming a bank may have even greater
barriers than creating
a novel social network.
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[00121] Also in the navigation bar, is a drop-down of the account holders
available Rewards.
If a brand has offered a coupon towards a real world purchase it would appear
here. What is
offered depends on each brand individually.
[00122] The 'Mail' option is a private messaging function. Here, friends
can send a private
message to another friend, or a brand can send a newsletter or other
correspondence,
depending on how much the account holder allows.
[00123] A 'News' option can be provided including news involving friend
account holder's
activity. E.g. if "Bob" (account holder one) purchases a new LG TV in real
life and reviews it in
his virtual room (or other context of his account), then his friend "Sandy"
(account holder two
that is linked to account holder one) will receive electronic notification
about that review in
account holder two's virtual room, or within other contexts of account holder
two's account.
Who bought/placed what, friends visiting other friends' rooms, and discussions
between friends
on brands or items all fall under 'News'. Also, as mentioned account holders
may be notified of
their favorite band coming to town, a new movie or trailer available, etc.
[00124] A news feed can also be configured to notify account holders of new
items added to
database 97.
[00125] System 50 can be modified to include a game play like features, where
account
holders can gain additional "reward points" (e.g. a numerical setting in an
account holder's
profile 90) for increased and ongoing interaction with their rooms. Such
points may be
redeemable for coupons or real world instances of furnishings 108 or other
articles or services.
[00126] For example, regular visitation, signing up friends, posting
commentary on product,
visiting friends' rooms, etc. Increased standing will also earn reward points
offered by central
server 54 directly and can include incentives to continue interacting, coupons
or gift cards
toward favorite brands, etc.
[00127] Account holders can also be configured to download YouTube videos to
their TV's.
YouTube videos and all other public domain videos may go full screen.
[00128] Accounts 90 can be corporate or enterprise accounts, hosted and
maintained by for
example Home Depot, Ikea, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, etc. may all have public
rooms to display
decorating hints and ideas.
[00129] Such enterprises may offer terminals in their own physical premises
which can be
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used as client machines 86.
[00130] System 50 can be a stand-alone social network or can be an application
could even
be embedded within another website, blog or within another social networking
site such as
Facebook or Google+, or within an e-commerce site such as Amazon or E-Bay. Or
there can be
networking interconnections between each.
[00131] System 50 may be used as a gift registry. A couple having a baby might
want to set
up a virtual nursery room to show desired furnishings that could be received
as physical gifts. ,
then items are purchased through access to the virtual nursery room by
neighbor accounts, that
furnishing 108 would show as bought and no longer an option. Details on who
bought it may
also be shared. When a gift registry is activated, an affiliate program is
enabled where the
creator of the registry receives compensation for every furnishing sold
through system 50.
[00132] In variations, an avatar can also be provided as designed by the
account holder
which can virtually habit the virtual room. The avatar can be configured can
"walk" around their
rooms, interact with the furnishings items in the room as well as with other
account holders. In
these variations, clothing can be another type of furnishing 108. These
virtual people will also
be able to have conversations through the account holders own voices.
[00133] Virtual pets are also contemplated. Moving, purring, barking pets with
names and
personalities that can be interacted with. A friend can buy you a pet if they
choose.
[00134] As noted a fish tanks can also be a furnishing 108. Account holders
can customize
their tanks with plants and ornaments and select any types of fish based on
whether the tank is
freshwater or saltwater. Fish will swim and be reactive to a mouse or touch.
As you mouse
over, fish will turn to look at you. Fish tanks may also be enlarged to full
screen.
[00135] Note that not every furnishing 108 need necessarily have a real
world analogue in
database 97, but may exist in virtual form only.
[00136] Financial service clearing infrastructure 82 can also be configured
to accommodate
credit cards or other financial facilities issued by the operator of central
server 54.
[00137] It is contemplated that data representations of furnishings 108 can
be provided in
physical premises as QR codes (or other near field communication (NFC)
technique), which are
displayed by the physical instance of such furnishings 108. It is contemplated
that an import (as
a variation on the import discussed in relation to Figure 16) the furnishing
108 to their account
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94 by scanning the NFC code using a mobile computing device such as an iPhone
equipped
with a camera and an application that can perform the import.
[00138] Central server 54 can be configured to charge account fees for
functional items.
[00139] Account holders can also be encouraged to access their accounts 94
through a
lottery, couponing, a chance to win a virtual premium product, buy a ticket to
win an item in the
real world.
[00140] Accounts 94 can be configured to be accessible with a single-sign on
such as Open
ID, to permit provision of credentials in using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or
mySpace account
holder ID.
[00141] While the foregoing provides certain non-limiting example embodiments,
it should be
understood that combinations, subsets, and variations of the foregoing are
contemplated.
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