Event Location Map Interface with Privacy Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current event planning systems lack efficient methods for users to select and manage event locations, including parking and entrance points, while maintaining privacy until a reveal time, and do not facilitate seamless communication and coordination among users.

Innovation Solution

The system implements a method for users to select event locations, including main, parking, and entrance points on a map interface, with options to hide the main location until a reveal time, and includes features for users to request and manage changes to event times and locations through a chat interface, facilitating communication and coordination among users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the main location is disclosed to users immediately, then users can navigate to the event location, but the organizer loses privacy control over the location information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidlocation privacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by setting up the location disclosure schedule in advance. The location is prepared to be disclosed at a predetermined reveal time, allowing the organizer to maintain privacy control while ensuring location accuracy is ready when needed. This resolves the contradiction by planning the information release timing beforehand rather than immediately disclosing or permanently hiding the location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The location visibility is made dynamic rather than static. The main location indicator transitions from a hidden state to a disclosed state at the reveal time, allowing the system to adapt to different privacy needs at different times. This dynamic approach enables the organizer to control when location information becomes available while ensuring it is accurate when disclosed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If multiple location indicators (main, parking, entrance) are displayed separately, then users can find specific locations, but the interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation selectionVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple location indicators (main location, parking location, entrance location) are merged into a single map interface view. Instead of requiring separate screens or complex navigation for each location type, all indicators are displayed simultaneously on the same map, allowing users to select any location type without increasing interface complexity. This combining approach maintains ease of operation while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The map interface is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple location types through a single unified interaction model. The same drag-and-drop mechanism works for placing main locations, parking locations, and entrance locations, making the interface multi-functional without requiring separate controls for each location type. This universality reduces interface complexity while maintaining comprehensive location selection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If the location is hidden until reveal time, then organizer privacy is maintained, but users cannot navigate to the event location before the reveal time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation privacyVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having users select and mark their intended destination (home location or alternative location) in advance before the reveal time. This preliminary action allows users to prepare their navigation routes beforehand, so when the location is revealed, navigation can begin immediately without loss of time. The privacy is maintained during the selection phase while navigation preparation occurs simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11360658B2Event organizing systems, software applications, and methods
Publication Date: 2022.06.14 CARTER MILES ELLIOTT
  • US11360658B2 patent drawing
  • US11360658B2 patent drawing
  • US11360658B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Event organizing methods include at least partially facilitating an at least intermittent communicative coupling between one or more servers and first and second computing devices. A map interface and main location indicator are displayed on a display of the first computing device. The one or more servers receive, from the first computing device, a selection by a first user of a main location for an event selected using one or more selectors displayed on one or more user interfaces displayed on the first computing device. A map and the main location indicator are displayed on a display of the second computing device. The main location indicator may include profile images of the first user and/or one or more invitees. In implementations the first user selects a parking location and/or an entrance location in addition to the main location. Event organizing systems include elements configured to facilitate the event organizing methods.