Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 1 of 25 PageID #: 2375
`
`Exhibit 6
`
`

`

`(12) United States Patent
`Karam
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`US007831917B1
`
`(54) METHOD, SYSTEM, AND GRAPHICAL USER
`INTERFACE FOR IDENTIFYING AND
`COMMUNICATING WITH MEETING SPOTS
`
`(75) Inventor: Joseph F. Karam, Mountain View, CA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Google Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 536 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/323,115
`(22) Filed:
`Dec. 30, 2005
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 3/00
`(2006.01)
`G06F 15/177
`(2006.01)
`G06F 5/16
`(2006.01)
`G06C 2L/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 715/753,715,733,715.734;
`715/751; 715/758; 709/204; 701/207; 701/208
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`nor. 715/733,
`715/734, 751, 753, 758; 709/204; 701/207,
`701/208
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
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`Primary Examiner Steven P Sax
`Assistant Examiner—Grant D Johnson
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
`LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`One aspect of the invention involves a computer-imple
`thdin which a server computer sen to a E.
`ity of client devices associated with computer users in an
`online discussion information corresponding to: a map, an
`icon for a meeting spot to be overlaid on the map, a plurality
`of icons representing at least Some of the computer users in
`the online discussion, to be displayed at a same time as the
`map, and an icon to initiate online communications between
`a respective client device and a computer associated with the
`meeting spot. The server receives a request to initiate online
`communications between the computer associated with the
`meeting spot and at least one client device in the online
`discussion; and initiates online communications between the
`computer associated with the meeting spot and the at least one
`client device in the online discussion.
`
`19 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`re.
`906
`908
`?t
`u?
`Meeting Spots > Categories
`-be
`
`N -928
`K S2
`
`
`
`91
`
`Fic
`912
`
`14
`
`916
`
`so
`to
`-
`- v -- - -
`Enter all Leavs all
`Userprofile User filter
`920 -922
`-924
`-sav - 4 -
`Street
`Satellite Hybrid (9 User:26
`Other User 1932-1
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 2 of 25 PageID #: 2376
`
`952
`
`Other User 2932-2
`
`Other User 3932-3
`
`Other User 4932-4
`
`Other User 59325
`
`Other User 69326
`
`Other serf 332-7.
`
`Other User 832-8
`
`960
`
`User's meeting
`spots;
`Spot 1
`Spot 2
`Spot 3
`
`954
`
`

`

`US 7,831,917 B1
`Page 2
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`
`

`

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`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 4 of 25 PageID #: 2378
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`100
`
`
`
`108
`
`110
`
`112
`
`104
`
`104
`
`106
`
`Communication Network(s)
`
`
`
`Meeting-Spot-Based
`Networking Server
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 5 of 25 PageID #: 2379
`
`116-1
`
`116-X
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Computer
`asSociated
`With
`meeting
`spot X
`
`102
`Computer
`asSociated
`with
`meeting
`spot 1
`
`Figure 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`210
`212
`
`220
`?
`- 224
`L-226
`|- 228-1
`
`Meeting-Spot-Based
`Networking Server
`102
`
`Memory 206
`s N
`Operating System
`Network Communication Module
`Text messaging module
`Audio module
`Video module
`
`2O2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`204
`
`Network
`Interface
`
`Mapping Engine
`Map database
`Meeting spot database
`Meeting spot 1
`Meeting spot 2
`
`
`
`Meeting spot x
`User database
`
`Presentation module
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 6 of 25 PageID #: 2380
`
`Figure 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`Client 104
`
`CPU(s) L
`
`3O2
`
`3O8
`
`Memory 306
`
`Operating System
`Network Communication Module
`Text messaging module
`Audio module
`Video module
`Presentation Module
`GPS Module
`
`Audio
`Outputs
`p
`
`Network
`Interface
`
`3O4.
`
`Figure 3A
`
`
`
`108
`
`110
`
`112
`
`114
`
`302
`
`
`
`Memory 306
`N
`Operating System
`Network Communication Module
`Text messaging module
`Audio module
`Video module
`Presentation Module
`GPS Module
`Client ASSistant
`Map generator
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AW
`inputs
`Audio
`Outputs
`
`108
`
`110
`
`112
`
`310
`312
`- 314
`- 316
`-/ .
`? 322
`?
`
`
`
`31 O
`312
`314
`316
`318
`320
`322
`324
`326
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 7 of 25 PageID #: 2381
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`114
`
`
`
`NetWork
`Interface
`
`Figure 3B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`
`
`\
`
`Meeting spot ID
`
`GeOCOde
`
`Category(s)
`
`Street address
`
`Phone number
`
`URL
`
`Meeting spot 1
`
`Meeting spot 2
`
`Meeting spot x
`
`228-2
`
`228-X
`
`Reviews
`
`f
`
`402
`
`404
`N-N
`406
`
`408
`
`410
`
`N-N
`412
`N-N
`414
`41 s
`
`418
`
`Meeting Spot
`Database
`226
`A.
`Pictures/video
`-
`N-N Users that Selected
`/
`420 H -- /
`N-N Related meeting spots f
`
`422
`N Events
`
`f
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 8 of 25 PageID #: 2382
`
`Meeting spot x
`228-x
`
`Figure 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`Entered meeting spots
`
`
`
`Tagged meeting spots
`
`Interest profile
`
`508
`Y-N
`510
`N-N Contact information
`512
`N-N
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Contact list
`
`Usery
`240-y
`
`Figure 5
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 9 of 25 PageID #: 2383
`
`Usery
`
`User Database
`238
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`602
`
`Send map and a plurality
`of icons for meeting
`Spots
`
`
`
`
`
`Receive map and a
`plurality of icons for
`meeting spots
`
`Meeting-Spot-Based
`Networking Server 102
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Display map and a
`plurality of icons for
`meeting spots
`
`Client 104
`
`604
`
`606
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 10 of 25 PageID #:
`2384
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`700
`
`702
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`704
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5708-5
`Other User
`
`703-6
`Other USer 6
`
`7 708-7
`
`Other User 8 708-8
`
`
`
`Meeting spot x
`Address
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 11 of 25 PageID #:
`2385
`
`Figure 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`816
`
`
`
`
`
`822
`
`
`
`Receive user-chosen
`meeting spot data
`
`Send information
`concerning at least
`Some of the other users
`
`
`
`
`
`t
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Send user-chosen
`meeting spot data
`
`Receive information
`concerning at least
`some of the other users
`
`814
`
`824
`
`Meeting-Spot-Based
`Networking Server 102
`Figure 8A
`
`Client 104
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 12 of 25 PageID #:
`2386
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`Receive location
`information
`
`
`
`Send location
`information
`
`804
`
`806
`
`808
`
`
`
`816
`
`
`
`818
`
`
`
`820
`
`
`
`822
`
`ldentify meeting spots
`that satisfy parameters
`
`Send data representing
`identified meeting spots
`
`Receive user-chosen
`meeting spot data
`
`Create a meeting-Spot
`based user interest
`profile for the user
`
`-
`
`Determine similarity
`Scores between the user
`and other users
`
`
`
`Send information
`concerning at least
`Some of the other users
`
`802
`
`810
`
`812
`
`814
`
`824
`
`826
`
`828
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:
`
`:
`
`1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Receive data
`representing identified
`meeting spots
`
`Receive user Selections
`for a plurality of meeting
`spots
`
`Send user-chosen
`meeting spot data
`
`Receive information
`concerning at least
`Some of the other users
`
`
`
`Display information
`concerning at least
`some of the other users
`
`Receive a request from
`the user to initiate an
`online discussion with
`one or more of the other
`USeS
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 13 of 25 PageID #:
`2387
`
`Meeting-Spot-Based
`Networking Server 102
`Figure 8B
`
`Client 104
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`900
`Y-
`-o
`
`Meeting Spots >
`
`1N
`
`928
`
`
`
`908
`-at
`
`o
`at
`
`at
`
`so
`Find
`or
`to
`User profile User filter
`Enter all Leave all
`924
`922
`Street 4. Hwbrid
`
`User 926
`
`Other User 1932-1
`
`Other User 2932-2
`
`Other User 3932-3
`
`Other User 4932-4
`
`Other USer 5932-5
`
`Other User 6932-6
`
`Other User 7 932-7
`
`Other User 8932-8
`
`
`
`
`
`960
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 14 of 25 PageID #:
`2388
`
`User's meeting
`SpotS.
`Spot 1
`Spot 2
`Spot 3
`
`Figure 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`
`
`1008
`
`
`
`Send a map, an icon for
`a meeting spot, icons
`representing Computer
`users in an online
`discussion, and an icon
`to initiate
`Communications with the
`meeting spot
`
`1010
`
`Receive map, icon for
`the meeting spot, icons
`representing computer
`users in the Online
`discussion, and icon to
`initiate communications
`with the meeting spot
`
`
`
`
`
`Display map, icon for
`the meeting spot, icons
`representing computer
`users in the online
`discussion, and icon to
`initiate Communications
`with the meeting spot
`
`Initiate Communications
`with the meeting spot
`
`Receive a Consideration
`from an entity
`associated with the
`meeting spot
`
`1018
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Receive request to
`initiate Communications
`with the meeting spot
`
`
`
`102O
`
`N Initiate Communications
`with the meeting spot
`
`-
`
`
`
`1022
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 15 of 25 PageID #:
`2389
`
`
`
`Establish right to receive
`a Consideration from an
`entity associated with
`the meeting spot
`
`Meeting-Spot-Based
`Networking Server 102
`Figure 10
`
`Client 104
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2010
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`1100
`-
`
`1102
`
`
`
`1110
`
`Contact meeting spot
`
`
`
`1112
`
`Other User 11108-1
`
`Other User 21108-2
`
`Other User 3 1108-3
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 16 of 25 PageID #:
`2390
`
`Figure 11
`
`

`

`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`1.
`METHOD, SYSTEM, AND GRAPHICAL USER
`INTERFACE FOR IDENTIFYING AND
`COMMUNICATING WITH MEETING SPOTS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 1 1/323,090, filed Dec. 30, 2005, entitled “Method, Sys
`tem, and Graphical User Interface for Meeting-Spot Maps for
`Online Communications, which application is incorporated
`by reference herein in its entirety.
`This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 1 1/323,142, filed Dec. 30, 2005, entitled “Method, Sys
`tem, and Graphical User Interface for Meeting-Spot-Related
`Online Communications, which application is incorporated
`by reference herein in its entirety.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The disclosed embodiments relate generally to online com
`munications. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments
`relate to methods, systems, and graphical user interfaces for
`meeting-spot-related online communications.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`25
`
`30
`
`People increasingly use online communications to interact
`with their friends and to meet new people. As used herein,
`“online communications' means real-time online communi
`cations technologies, including character-based technologies
`(e.g., text-based instant messaging, but not e-mail), audio
`technologies (e.g., audio chat and Voice over Internet Proto
`col (VoIP) telephony), and video technologies (e.g., video
`chat).
`Numerous techniques have been developed that use online
`communications to improve our Social lives, including social
`networking and online dating services. These techniques
`typically require a user to fill out a personal profile, which can
`be cumbersome and also raises privacy concerns. Thus, it
`would be highly desirable to find new, less cumbersome,
`40
`more intuitive, and more secure ways to use online commu
`nications to interact with friends and to meet new people.
`
`35
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-6 Filed 06/15/21 Page 17 of 25 PageID #:
`2391
`
`The present invention overcomes the limitations and dis
`advantages described above by providing methods, systems,
`and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for meeting-spot-related
`online communications. As used herein, a “meeting spot' is a
`specific physical location where two or more people could
`arrange to meet face to face. Exemplary meeting spots
`include, without limitation, a restaurant, bar, club, library,
`gym, bookstore, park, or store. Note that a meeting spot is
`limited in size so that two people can find (or can reasonably
`be expected to find) each other at the spot. For example,
`Manhattan is too large to be a meeting spot, but the Four
`Seasons restaurant at 99 E. 52nd St. in Manhattan could be a
`meeting spot.
`One aspect of the invention involves a computer-imple
`mented method in which a server computer sends to a plural
`ity of client devices associated with computer users in an
`online discussion information corresponding to: a map, an
`icon for a meeting spot to be overlaid on the map, a plurality
`of icons representing the computer users in the online discus
`Sion, to be displayed at a same time as the map, and an icon to
`initiate online communications between a respective client
`device and a computer associated with the meeting spot. The
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`server receives a request to initiate online communications
`between the computer associated with the meeting spot and at
`least one client device in the online discussion; and initiates
`online communications between the computer associated
`with the meeting spot and the at least one client device in the
`online discussion.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a computer
`implemented method involving a client device associated
`with a computer user. The computer user is engaged in an
`online discussion with other computer users. The client
`device displays a map, an icon for a meeting spot overlaid on
`the map, one or more icons representing at least Some of the
`other computer users in the online discussion, displayed at a
`same time as the map, and an icon to initiate online commu
`nications with a computer associated with the meeting spot.
`The client device initiates online communications with the
`computer associated with the meeting spot in response to the
`computer user selecting the icon to initiate online communi
`cations.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a graphical user
`interface on a computer that includes an icon for a meeting
`spot overlaid on a map; a plurality of icons representing
`computer users in an online discussion, displayed at a same
`time as the map; and an icon to initiate online communica
`tions between a computer associated with the meeting spot
`and at least one computer associated with the computer users
`in the online discussion.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a system that
`includes at least one server. The at least one server is config
`ured to send to a plurality of client devices associated with
`computer users in an online discussion information corre
`sponding to: a map, an icon for a meeting spot to be overlaid
`on the map, a plurality of icons representing at least some of
`the computer users in the online discussion, to be displayed at
`a same time as the map, and an icon to initiate online com
`munications between a respective client device and a com
`puter associated with the meeting spot. The server is config
`ured to receive a request to initiate online communications
`between the computer associated with the meeting spot and at
`least one client device in the online discussion; and to initiate
`online communications between the computer associated
`with the meeting spot and the at least one client device in the
`online discussion.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a client device
`associated with a computer user. The computer user is
`engaged in an online discussion with other computer users.
`The client device is configured to display a map, an icon for a
`meeting spot overlaid on the map, one or more icons repre
`senting at least some of the other computer users in the online
`discussion, displayed at a same time as the map, and an icon
`to initiate online communications with a computer associated
`with the meeting spot. The client device is configured to
`initiate online communications with the computer associated
`with the meeting spot in response to the computer user select
`ing the icon to initiate online communications.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-pro
`gram product that includes a computer readable storage
`medium and a computer program mechanism embedded in
`the computer readable storage medium. The computer pro
`gram mechanism includes instructions, which when executed
`by a server computer, cause the server computer to send to a
`plurality of client devices associated with computer users in
`an online discussion information corresponding to: a map, an
`icon for a meeting spot to be overlaid on the map, a plurality
`of icons representing at least Some of the computer users in
`the online discussion, to be displayed at a same time as the
`map, and an icon to initiate online communications between
`
`

`

`US 7,831,917 B1
`
`3
`a respective client device and a computer associated with the
`meeting spot. The computer program mechanism includes
`instructions, which when executed by the server computer,
`cause the server computer to receive a request to initiate
`online communications between the computer associated
`with the meeting spot and at least one client device in the
`online discussion; and initiate online communications
`between the computer associated with the meeting spot and
`the at least one client device in the online discussion.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-pro
`gram product that includes a computer readable storage
`medium and a computer program mechanism embedded in
`the computer readable storage medium. The computer pro
`gram mechanism includes instructions, which when executed
`by a client device associated with a computer user who is
`engaged in an online discussion with other computer users,
`cause the client device to display a map, an icon for a meeting
`spot overlaid on the map, one or more icons representing at
`least some of the other computer users in the online discus
`Sion, displayed at a same time as the map, and an icon to
`initiate online communications with a computer associated
`with the meeting spot. The computer program mechanism
`includes instructions, which when executed by the client
`device associated with the computer user who is engaged in
`an online discussion with other computer users, cause the
`client device to initiate online communications with the com
`puter associated with the meeting spot in response to the
`computer user selecting the icon to initiate online communi
`cations.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a server computer
`that includes: means for sending to a plurality of client
`devices associated with computer users in an online discus
`sion information corresponding to: a map, an icon for a meet
`ing spot overlaid on the map, a plurality of icons representing
`at least Some of the computer users in the online discussion, to
`be displayed at a same time as the map, and an icon to initiate
`online communications between a respective client device
`and a computer associated with the meeting spot; means for
`receiving a request to initiate online communications
`between the computer associated with the meeting spot and at
`least one client device in the online discussion; and means for
`initiating online communications between the computer
`associated with the meeting spot and the at least one client
`device in the online discussion.
`Another aspect of the invention involves a client device
`associated with a computer user who is engaged in an online
`discussion with other computer users. The client device
`includes: means for displaying a map, an icon for a meeting
`spot overlaid on the map, one or more icons representing at
`least some of the other computer users in the online discus
`Sion, displayed at a same time as the map, and an icon to
`initiate online communications with a computer associated
`with the meeting spot; and means for initiating online com
`55
`munications with the computer associated with the meeting
`spot in response to the computer user selecting the icon to
`initiate online communications.
`Thus, meeting-spot-related online communications pro
`vide more intuitive, less invasive methods, systems, and GUIs
`to interact with friends and to meet new people.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`4
`Embodiments below, in conjunction with the following draw
`ings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding
`parts throughout the figures.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary distrib
`uted computer system in accordance with one embodiment of
`the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a meeting-spot-based
`networking server in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating two exem
`plary clients.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exempla