Meeting Spot Map Interface for Privacy-Safe User Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online communication methods for meeting new people are often cumbersome and invasive, requiring detailed personal profiles and raising privacy concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system and graphical user interface that allows users to select meeting spots on a map, initiating the display of information and online communications with other users who have selected the same spot, using a server to send map and icon information to client devices, enabling intuitive and secure interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users are required to fill out detailed personal profiles for online communication, then the system can provide more personalized matching and communication features, but the operation becomes cumbersome and privacy concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cumbersome personal profile filling process from the online communication setup and replaces it with automatic location-based user identification. The system only requires users to input their location information, automatically retrieving other necessary data, thereby reducing operational burden while maintaining personalization capabilities through location-based matching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces location information as an intermediary element that mediates between user identity and communication matching. Instead of directly requiring detailed personal profiles, the system uses location as an intermediate key to automatically identify users and enable communication, thus reducing privacy concerns and operational complexity
2Measurement precision
If detailed personal profiles are required for online communication, then more accurate user matching can be achieved, but privacy concerns and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sensitive personal information from the user matching process and replaces it with location-based identification. By removing the requirement for detailed personal profiles and using only location data for initial matching, the system maintains matching accuracy while significantly reducing privacy concerns and exposure of sensitive user information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using location-specific information rather than global personal profile data for user matching. The system tailors the identification approach to use only locally relevant location data, thereby achieving accurate local matching without requiring comprehensive personal information, thus reducing privacy risks
3Productivity
If the system displays information about other users who selected the same meeting spot, then online communication initiation is facilitated, but information security and user control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filtering and controlling which user information is made available before communication initiation. The system prepares and displays only predetermined, controlled information about other users who selected the same meeting spot, enabling efficient communication initiation while maintaining security through pre-established information boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that allow users to control information disclosure dynamically. The system provides feedback loops where users can manage what information is displayed about them and what they receive from others, thus balancing communication efficiency with information security and user control
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and graphical user interface for meeting-spot maps for online communications are disclosed. A “meeting spot” is a specific physical location where two or more people can arrange to meet face to face. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a server computer sends information corresponding to a map to a client device and sends information corresponding to a plurality of icons for meeting spots to be overlaid on the map. In some embodiments, selection of an icon in the plurality of icons by a user at the client device initiates the display of information about other users that have also selected the icon. In some embodiments, selection of an icon in the plurality of icons by a user at the client device initiates online communications with one or more other users that have also selected the icon.