Systems and methods to support sharing and exchanging in a network

US009083728B1
(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,083,728 B1
Lavian et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 14, 2015
(54) SYSTEMSAND METHODSTOSUPPORT g: E: 3. R et- 14 endrey et al.
SEEND EXCHANGING INA 6,618,593 B1 9,2003 Drutman et al.
6,665,389 B1 12/2003 Haste, III
6,735,568 B1 5,2004 Buckwalter et al.
(75) Inventors: Tal Lavian, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Zvi 6,925.381 B2 8/2005 Adamczyk
7,069,308 B2 6/2006 Abrams
Or-Bach, San Jose, CA (US) 7,080,019 B1 7/2006 Hurzeler
7,082,364 B2 7,2006 Ad k
(73) Assignees: Tal Lavian, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Zvi amczy.
Or-Bach, San Jose, CA (US) (Continued)
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 CN 102.202053 A 9,2011
U.S.C. 154(b) by 588 days. EP 2472898 A1 T 2012
(21) Appl. No.: 13/412,619 (Continued)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(22) Filed: Mar. 6, 2012
Corporate Executive Board, “Leveraging Social Media Networking
(51) Int. Cl. Sites in Marketing Communications.” Marketing Leadership Coun
G06F 15/16 (2006.01) cil, Jan. 2008, Issue Brief, Catalog No. CEB17OOBK9.
H04L 29/08 (2006.01) (Continued)
H04L 29/06 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl. Primary Examiner – David XYi
CPC ................ H04L 67/14 (2013.01); H04L 67/38
(2013.01) (57) ABSTRACT
(58) Field ofClassification Search Embodiments ofthe invention provide forprovidingsupport
CPC ....... H04L 67/306; H04L 67/14: H04L 67/38; forsharingandexchangingina network.Thesystem includes
GO6F 15/16 a memory coupled to a processor. The memory includes a
USPC . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . 709/206, 2O7 database comprising information corresponding to first users
See application file for complete search history. and the second users. Each ofthe first users and the second
(56) Ref Cited usersarefacilitatedforsharingorexchangingactivity,serviceeerees e
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5,086,394 A 2/1992 Shapira
5,164,897 A 11/1992 Clarket al.
5,963,951 A 10, 1999 Collins
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100
or product, based on one or more conditions corresponding
thereto. Further, the memory includes one or more instruc
tions executable by the processor to match each of the first
users to at least one of the second users. Furthermore, the
instructions mayinformeachofthefirstusersaboutthematch
with the at least one ofthe second users when all the condi
tions are met by the at least one second user based on the
information corresponding to each ofthe second users.
12 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets

US 9,083,728 B1
Page 2
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7,085,806
7,167,910
7,188,153
7,203,674
7,246,067
7,275,068
7,451,161
7,472,110
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7,627,422
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7,702,685
7,761,386
7,788,249
7,869,945
7,882,039
7,885,901
7,911,335
7,930,098
7,933,856
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7,970.533
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s0023310, Technical report, 2009.

U.S. Patent Jul. 14, 2015 Sheet 1 of 10 US 9,083,728 B1
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S 3

3.
& 3.

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US 9,083,728 B1Sheet 4 of 10Jul. 14, 2015U.S. Patent

|.||
909
009
aseqeqeq

9-61-3
Z
Z
9

702
Register with a system
704
Announced at east one sharable activity service
or product to invite one or more second user
therefore
V JosReceive information corresponding to the second
users, the second users accept at east one of
the announced sharable activity, service or
product
V JoeSelect ateast one second user from the One or
more second users for providing the accepted at
least one ofthe announced sharable activity,
Service or product
Fig-7A

710
-
Provide Rating / Review to the selected second
user based on sharing accepted at least one of
activity, service or product
712
Receive credit ofpre-set number of points for the
accepted at least one of providing the
announcement sharable activity, service or
product
Enable the first user to utilize the credited point
for one of sharing and exchanging at least one of
sharable?exchangeable activity, services or
product announced by other users
Fig-7B

802
Register with a system by a user
V 804.
Search for sharable?
exchangeable activity) resources
announced (requested) by one of
more other user of the system
808
Bid required?
Yes 810
4.
Bid On the announced
activity/resources for
sharing? exchange
thereof
V 312
Enable the userto provide rating
based on shared/exchanged
activity/resources
v 814
Debit pre-set numbers ofpoints
for receiving at least one of
Accept the request
sharable activity/resources
Fig-8

902
Create profile ofa first user
904
-
Enable the first user to announce sharabie?exchangeable
activity/servicefresource and one or more condition
corresponding thereto
906
-
Determine One Or more Second users based On the One Or
more Conditions
908
inform the first user about the determined one or more
SeCond users
910
-
Enable the second users to accept the sharable
exchangeable activity service/resource
912
-
Send feminder to the first user and the One or more Second
users for providing rating to each other based on the
shared/exchanged activity service/resources
V 914Update a value of credit points for the first user and the one
or more second users based on shared/exchanged activityl
Service? resources
Fig-9

US 9,083,728 B1
1.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SUPPORT
SHARING AND EXCHANGING INA
NETWORK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TheinventionrelatestoSocial networkingapplicationsand
more specifically the invention relates to leveraging Social
networks by sharing and exchanging activities, services and
SOUCS.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In current scenario of global inflation, resource manage
ment is increasingly requiredto cut the cost andto overcome
many other problems. For example, the prevalent use of
single occupancy vehicles is known to be a significant cause
of several major economic, Social and environmental prob
lems. The problems embrace increasing cost due to usage of
energy resource for each vehicle, higher parking-space
issues, traffic congestion, increased level ofairpollution and
the like. Further, an alternative to the usage ofsingle occu
pancy vehicles is the useofmulti-occupancy vehicles, where
multiple individuals can share a single vehicle.
For sharing a resource Such as a vehicle, an individual
needsto search forpeople who arewillingtojoin forsharing
a vehicle for riding together to a particular location. This
requires spending time in searching reliable people to share
the ride. Further, in existing systems, a user can post a query
for vehicle sharing. Correspondingto thepost, otherusers of
the system those are interested in sharing the vehicle for the
ride (hereinaftermay bereferredtoas “interestedusers”)can
reply to that query regarding their interests in sharing the
vehicle. However, in these systems, the interested users may
becompletelyunknowntotheuserwhopoststhequery.Thus,
the main problem in such systems is thelackofcredibility, in
the interestedpeople, which typically is the pre-requisite for
many users. Further, in these systems, the user has to wait
until any interested user respond corresponding to the query
of the user. Furthermore, the user may need to contact the
other interested users, either personally or telephonically, to
discuss various parameters for sharing the vehicle. Such
parameters may include, butare not restrictedto, compensa
tion/expense that may be shared between the users, timings,
and various conditions corresponding to the sharing of
vehiclefora ride.This wastesasignificantamountoftimeon
the user's part.
Further, in additionto vehiclesharing, therearesomeother
resources that may notbe shared, generally, with others such
as house, machinery etc. Further, Such non-sharable
resources may be expensive to possess. An individual may
think ofproviding or receiving Such resource in exchange of
any otherresourceorany service. However, exchangingSuch
expensive resources, with any other resource or service
offeredbyanyotherperson, requirea high levelofcredibility
in the offer ofthe other person and vice versa. Further, ifan
individual decides to exchange a resource with a service
offered by the other person then the individual may be
required to keep an eye on the activities performed (corre
sponding to the service) by the other person. This wastes a
significanttimeoftheindividual totracktheserviceprovided
by the otherperson. Forexample, a user may thinkofreduc
ing a cost by borrowing a machinery from any other person
(possessing the machinery) in exchange ofproviding some
service to the other person Such as pets keeping in the
absenceoftheotherperson. Here,theotherpersonhastohave
trust on the individualso as to allow the individual to handle
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2
thepetsintheabsenceoftheotherperson.Thus,credibilityof
any unknown users for exchanging the product/service
remains always under stake.
Inadditiontoresourcesharingandexchanging, manyindi
viduals like to look forpeople for some collective activities,
Such as recreational activities. For any recreational activity,
Suchasplaying,ridingetc., an individualusually searches for
like-minded people. Forexample, an individual may be will
ing to go outto dine with someone or may be willingto play
chess with someone who is goodat (or interested in) playing
chess. For this, the individual may be required to spend a
considerableamountoftimetosearchanypersonaroundwho
is like-mindedandalsocredibletogoalongwith forany Such
collective activity. In such cases, credibility ofany unknown
person is always a question forthe individual.
Based on the aforementioned, there is a need ofa system
anda corresponding methodto Supportresourcesharingwith
credibleusersand without requiring muchtime consumption
ata user'send. Further,thesystemshouldprovidesupportfor
combined or exchangeable activities with credible and suit
able users based on the interest of a user. Furthermore, the
system should support a user for sharing and/or exchanging
services orproducts.Thus,thesystem is required forprovid
ing Support to a user in sharing/exchanging resources/ser
vices and to overcome the shortcoming ofthe related arts.
SUMMARY
Embodiments for the present invention provide a system
forsharingandexchangingina network.Thesystem includes
a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The
memory includes a database comprising information corre
sponding to first users. Eachofthe first users is facilitated for
announcing sharable activity, service or product, and one or
moreconditions correspondingthereto.Thesharableactivity,
service or product is announced for inviting one or more
seconduserstherefor. Further,thedatabaseincludesinforma
tion corresponding to the one or more second users. The
second users are facilitated for accepting at least one ofthe
announced sharable activity, service or product. Further, the
memory includes instructions executableby the processorto
match each ofthefirst users to atleastoneofthe second users.
Furthermore,the memory includesinstructions executableby
theprocessorto informeach ofthefirst usersaboutthe match
with theat leastoneofthesecondusers. Each ofthefirst users
matches with atleast one ofthe second users when all theone
or more conditions are met by the at least one second user
basedonthe information correspondingtoeach ofthesecond
USCS.
Further, embodiments ofthe present invention provide a
system to Support sharing and exchanging in a network. The
system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the
processor. The memory includes a database comprising a list
offirstusers. Eachofthefirstusers willingto provideshareof
at least one ofactivity, service or product, and one or more
conditions corresponding thereto. Further, the database
includesa list ofsecondusers.The secondusers arefacilitated
to accept theshareofactivity, serviceorproduct. Further,the
match each ofthefirst users to atleastoneofthe second users.
Each ofthe first users matches with at least one ofthe second
users whentheoneormoreconditionsaremetbyinformation
correspondingtotheatleast oneofthe secondusers. Further
more, the memory includes instructions executable by the
processorto sendan email tothe first userforcreditofpre-set
numberofpoints.Additionally,the memory includes instruc

US 9,083,728 B1
3
tions executable by the processor to send an email to the at
leastoneofthesecondusers fordebitofthepre-setnumberof
points.
Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention pro
videasystemtoSupportsharingandexchanginginanetwork.
Thesystem includesaprocessorandamemory coupledtothe
processor.Thememory includesadatabasecomprisinglistof
firstusers. Each ofthefirstusers willingtoprovideshareofat
least one of activity, service or product, and one or more
conditions corresponding thereto. Further, the database
includes a list ofsecond users. The second users facilitated to
accept the share ofactivity, service or product. Further, the
match eachofthefirstusers toat least one ofthe second users.
Each ofthe first users matches with at least one ofthe second
users whentheoneormoreconditionsaremetbyinformation
correspondingtotheatleast oneofthe secondusers. Further
more, the memory includes instructions executable by the
processor to send a notification to the first user to provide
review fortheatleastoneofthe seconduser.Additionally,the
send a notification to the at least one of the second users to
provide review for the at least one ofthe first user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus described the invention in general terms, ref
erence will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein
FIG. 1 illustratesanexemplary environment where various
embodiments ofthe present invention are implemented;
FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary environment where
various embodiments of the present invention are imple
mented;
FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary block diagram ofa system to
Support sharing and exchanging, in accordance with an
embodiment ofthe present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary structure of a database for
storing information corresponding to users ofthe system, in
accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;
accordance with another embodiment of the present inven
tion;
accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustratea flow diagram ofa method for
sharing and exchanging at least one ofactivity, service and
product in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram ofa method for sharing
andexchangingatleastone ofactivity,serviceandproductin
a network, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention; and
a network, in accordancewithyetanotherembodimentofthe
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be
describedmorefully hereinafterwith reference to theaccom
panyingdrawings,in whichsome,butnotallembodiments of
theinventionareshown. Indeed,theinventionmaybeembod
5
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45
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60
65
4
ied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment 100 where
various embodiments of the present invention are imple
mented. The environment 100 includes a server 102 con
nected to a pluralityofclientdevices 104a, 104b... 104m via
a network 106. The client devices 104a, 104b . . . 104n
(hereinafter may collectively be referred to as "clientdevices
104) may refer to electronic devices thatmay be utilized by
users toaccess the server 102. Examples oftheclientdevices
104 may include, but are not restricted to, a personal com
puter,amobilephone,aSmartphone,apersonaldigitalassis
tant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop, and the like. The
Network 106 may include, but is not restricted to, a commu
nication network such as Internet, PSTN, Local Area Net
work(LAN), WideAreaNetwork(WAN),MetropolitanArea
Network (MAN), and so forth. In an embodiment, the net
work106 can bea data network such as the Internet. Further,
the server 102 may include a system 108 to support sharing
andexchangeamongtheusersofthe clientdevices 104(here
inafter referred to as “users'). Thesystem 108 may facilitate
the share and exchange of an activity, service or product
among the users through the network 106. Further, the mes
sages exchanged between the server 102 and the client
devices 104 can comprise any suitable message format and
protocol capable of communicating the information neces
saryfortheserver102toprovideadesiredservicetotheclient
devices 104. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, the
messages comprise hypertexttransferprotocol (HTTP) mes
Sages.
In an embodiment ofthe invention, server 102 may be a
host for a social networking website that may utilize the
system 108 for supporting the users ofthesocial networking
website to share and/or exchange various activities and
resources, such as vehicles, equipments, services, among
themselves. Further, in another embodiment, the social net
working may be a partofthesystem 108 that may requirethe
users to register, therewith, for facilitating the users with
various Support services of sharing and exchanging in the
system of social network. Further, in an embodiment, the
users ofthe client devices 104 may need to register with the
system 108forsharingandexchangingatleastoneofactivity,
product, or service (hereinafter activity, product and ser
vice may collectively be referred to as resources) in the
network 106. The user may be registered, to create a profile,
bySubmittinginformation,Suchaspersonalinformation,aca
demic information, professional information and the like, to
the system 108. The personal information of a user may
include, but is not restricted to, name, location, and hobbies.
Further, the academic information ofthe user may include,
butis notrestrictedto, qualification detailsandany academic
achievement. Similarly, the professional information may
include details corresponding to the profession (ifany) Such
as industry, designation and the like, ofthe user. The infor
mation corresponding to the profile ofthe user is explained
further in conjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
In an embodiment, each ofthe registered users may com
municate messages to share or exchange the resources with
other users. In an embodiment, each user may post commu
nication message through his/her profile for public viewing.
Such messages, ifposted by the user, may be shown to all
other users of the system 108. Further, in another embodi
ment, the communication between various users ofthe sys
tem 108 may be through sending messages directly to

US 9,083,728 B1
5
intended users ofthe system 108. Again further, in another
embodiment,theusermay defineoneormoregroups ofusers
on various bases such as types of users, relationships with
users and the like. For example, groups for friends, relatives
andthelike. Further,theuser mayposttherequest/announce
menttoaspecificgroup ofusers.Yetin anotherembodiment,
the users may create particular rooms in their profiles for
sharingactivity orservice with users ofthe system 108. For
example, theusermay create a room forsharing ofresources
Such as vehicle, products and the like.
Similarly, the user may create a room for exchange of
services between users, such as a room for exchanging Ser
vices likebabysittingwith anyproductofservicesofferedby
other users ofthe system 108. For example, ifa user ofthe
system 108 plans to travel from a first location to a second
location,the user maypostthis information on his/hershared
room correspondingto travelling. The informationpostedby
the user may be visible to all other users ofthe system 108
whosharethecommonroom.Thesystem 108mayalso notify
oneor more other users, aboutthetravellingplan ofthe user,
through appropriate means. The one or more users may
include, but are not limited to, users ofthe system 108 who
share the common room orhavingthesame interests (as may
be determined through the users’ profile), for example, but
not limited to, the system may send notification, through an
E-mail,toeach oftheusershavingtheinterestintravellingor
who follow the same route from the first location to the
secondlocation.Theuser mayalso communicatemessagesto
share or exchange activity, product, or service with other
USCS.
In an embodiment, each registered user ofa client device,
such as the client device 104a, may post the information
corresponding to theproduct, service oractivity thatthe user
wantstoshareorexchangewithotherusersofthesystem 108.
Forexample,theuser may announcean activity. Suchasbike
riding, or post a request for resource sharing or exchanging.
Further, the user may post one or more conditions corre
sponding to post or announcement. The conditions may
include, but are not limited to, information or terms corre
sponding to the posted request or announcement for sharing
orexchanging. Forexample,theusermayposttheconditions
Such as time of ride, maximum time window for pick-up,
maximumtimewindowfordropoffcorrespondingto thebike
riding.
Similarly, the user may post a request for ride sharing or
exchange ofservices or equipments. For example, the user
maypostarequestforservicecorrespondingtobabysittingin
exchange ofany other service or product. Further, the user
may post conditions corresponding to Such request, for
example, the user may announce timings for receiving Such
service. Accordingly, the other users ofthe system 108 may
show theirinterestcorrespondingtothepostbyacceptingthe
announcement.
Further, inanembodiment, theusermayaskforbids, from
otherusersofthesystem 108, forprovidingservices basedon
the request/announcement posted by the user. Correspond
ingly, the other users may bid for the share or exchange for
services or product. In an embodiment, the system 108 may
searchforsuitableotherregisteredusers(havingtheirprofiles
ofthesystem 108)basedontherequest/announcementposted
by the user. In this embodiment, in one case, the system 108
may analyze the profiles ofthe registered users ofthesystem
108 based on the request/announcement and corresponding
conditions posted by the user. For example, if the user
announcedanactivityforbikeridingthenthesystem 108may
search for other users having interest in biking or travelling.
In an embodiment, this may be determined by analyzing the
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hobbies ofthe other users. Accordingly, the system 108 may
determine the Suitable users for sharing or exchanging the
activity, serviceorproductbased ontherequest orannounce
ment posted by the user.
Further, it maybeappreciated by aperson skilledin theart
thatthesharingandexchangingthroughthesystem 108inthe
network 106 may not be limited for activity, product and
services. Further, each user may share information in any
form Such as text information, multimedia information and
thelike. Forexample,ifauseris willingto travel fromthefirst
location to a second location and seekingguidance in travel
lingrouteorweatherconditionsforthesecondlocationorany
other information in this regard, then the user may post the
request for corresponding information. Other users of the
system 108maysharetheirexperiences inthesecondlocation
that the user may be willing to know. Further, theother users
mayshareotherinformationtoguidetheuser(whopostedthe
request) regarding short route for travelling to the second
location. In an embodiment, the system 108 may notify the
user regarding other suitable users of the system 108 who
have traveled to the second location and may provide guid
ance to the user. The system 108 may determine about the
suitable users from theprofile created oractivities posted by
the other suitable users. It may beapparent to one skilled in
theart thathere, the user may bethe registered memberofthe
system 108 who announces an activity or posts the request
and otherusers may include otherregistered members ofthe
system 108 who can view the announcement/post and may
accept/reject the request. Further, the system 108 may search
fortheotherusers who may be suitable to share orexchange
of resources. The system 108 is explained further in more
details in conjunction with FIG.3.
FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary environment 200
where various embodiments of the present invention are
implemented. The environment 200 includes a server 202
connectedtoaplurality ofclient devices 204a, 204b... 204n
via a network 206. The client devices 204a, 204b . . . 204n
(hereinafter may collectively be referred to as "clientdevices
204) includecommunication devicesthatmaybeutilizedby
users toaccess the server 202. Examples oftheclientdevices
204 may include, but are not restricted to, a personal com
puter,amobilephone,aSmartphone,apersonaldigitalassis
tant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop, and the like. The
Network 106 may include, but is not restricted to, a commu
nication network such as Internet, PSTN, Local Area Net
work(LAN), WideAreaNetwork(WAN),MetropolitanArea
Network (MAN), and so forth. In an embodiment, the net
work 206 can be a data network such as the Internet.
Further, theserver202 mayincludeasystem 108to support
sharingandexchangingamongtheusers oftheclient devices
204 (hereinafter referred to as “users'). The system 108 may
facilitate the share and exchange of an activity, service or
product among the users through the network 206. In an
embodiment, the users of the client devices 204 may be
required to register with the system 108 for sharing and
exchangingtheactivity,serviceorproduct(hereinafter activ
ity, service or products may collectively be referred to as
resources). Further, the messages exchanged between the
server 202 and the client devices 204 may comprise any
Suitable message format and protocol capable ofcommuni
catingtheinformation necessary fortheserver202 toprovide
a desired service to theclient devices 204. In an embodiment
of the present invention, the messages comprise hypertext
transfer protocol (HTTP) messages.
Further, the environment 200 illustrates links between the
client device 204a, the client device 204b and the client
device 204c. As shown the client device 204a and the client

US 9,083,728 B1
7
device 204b areconnected through a link 208. Similarly, the
client device 204b and the client device 204c are connected
through a link210.Theselinks represents a relation between
the users corresponding to the client devices. Such relations
may include,butare notrestrictedto, friendship, family rela
tion, neighbours, business relation andthelike. Forexample,
the user ofthe client device 204a may bea friend ofthe user
ofclientdevice204b. Similarly, theuserofclientdevice204b
and the userofclientdevice 206C may bebusiness associates
orcolleagues inthesame company. Further, the users maybe
directly or indirectly related to each other. For example, the
userofthe client device 204a (that is shown as connected to
theclientdevice204b)maybea directfriendoftheuserofthe
client device 204b. Similarly, the user of the client device
204b may be a direct friend for the user ofthe client device
204c (as shown connected through a direct link). Therefore,
the user of the client device 204a may be considered as
indirectly related (as friend of friend) with the user of the
client device 204c.
Further, in an embodiment, such links may be tracked by
the system 108 to determine the relations between the users.
Further,each user may limitthepostingorannouncements to
specific users based on the relations. For example, ifa user,
Suchastheusercorrespondingtotheclientdevice204a,posts
apublic requestforsharingaride,then inan embodiment,the
requestmaybeshowntoalltheregisteredusersofthesystem.
Further, ifthe useroftheclientdevice204bwants to show his
postonly tohis/herfriends,thenthesystem 108may makethe
post visible only to friends, such as the user of the client
device 204a and the user ofthe client device 204c. Further
more, ifthe userofthe client device 206b is willing to show
his/herpost only to his/hercolleagues ofa companythen the
system 108 may make the post visible only to the userofthe
client device 204c.
For example, ifa user needs someone to lookafterhis/her
house for one week in his/her absence. The user may want
anybody whom he/she can truston forsuch responsibility of
lookingafterthehouse Suchashis/herfamily members,close
friends and the like. Further, the user may not want this
information (ofhisabsencefromhis/herhouseforoneweek),
to be leakedto any otheruser. In Such situation, theuser may
select one or more credible users (members) of the system
108 or may select a pre-defined group of members (corre
sponding to his/her profile) that may include his/her family
and/orclosefriends. Thesocial networkingwebsite may then
show thepostingofthe userto onlytheselectedmembersand
may strictly hide the information to be leaked to any other
member.
Further,basedontheposting,oneormoreotherusersofthe
system 108 may accept the request posted by the user and
accordingly the resources may actually be shared and/or
exchanged between them. Subsequent to the actual sharing
and/orexchangingbasedontheacceptedrequestcorrespond
ing to thepost, the userand the one or more other users may
provide rating to each other based on their performances
corresponding to sharing/exchanging. User's ratings may be
explained further in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Fur
ther,the system 108may determine thecredibilityofusers for
sharingand/orexchangingresources withafirstuserbasedon
various factors such as their relations with the first user,
ratings received from other users ofthe system 108 and the
like.
FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary block diagram ofa system,
suchasthesystem 108 (asdescribedinconjunctionwith FIG.
1 and FIG. 2), to Support sharing and exchanging, in accor
dance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an
embodiment,thesystem maybeutilizedasaplug-in forother
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system ora Social network. In anotherembodiment, the sys
tem may be implemented as a social networking system. The
system 108 includesa processor302 anda memory 304. The
memory 304 includesa database 306.The database 306 may
store information about users ofthe system 108. Each user
may need to be registered with the system 108 by creating a
profile thereon.Theprofile may becreatedby enteringoneor
moreinformation,such aspersonalinformation,professional
information and the like, corresponding to the user.
The system 108 may facilitate each userfor announcing a
request corresponding to sharable/exchangeable activities,
services or products (hereinafter referred to as resources)
for inviting other users (hereinafter referred to as second
users) of the system 108. Hereinafter the user who posts/
announces any request/information on the system is referred
to as firstuser. Further, hereinafter, the users ofthe system
108 who are invited by the first users, for the posted/an
nounced request/information, may be referred to as the sec
ond users. Furthermore, the users (other than the first user)
who may accept the request posted/announced by the first
user may also be referred to as the secondusers. Further, the
user may post one or more conditions corresponding to the
announcement. The conditions (as posted by the first user
corresponding to the sharable?exchangeableactivity/service?
product) may include, but are not limited to, at least one of
type, time, location, compensation, security collateral or
required skill level corresponding to the sharable activity,
service orproduct. Forexample, ifthe sharable activity, ser
Vice orproduct is vehicle sharing or ride sharing with one or
more second users then the conditions corresponding to the
ride(orvehicle)sharing mayinclude,butarenotrestrictedto,
date ofthe ride, time ofthe ride, maximum time window for
pick-up,and maximumtimewindow fordropoffcorrespond
ing to the ride.
In an embodiment, the conditions maybe mandatory to be
followed by the second users, if the second user accepts a
request corresponding to the announcement. In another
embodiment, the conditions may be negotiable between the
first user and one or more second users who are interested in
the posted/announced request/information. The system 108
may determine about one or more Suitable second users that
may be recommended to the first user corresponding to the
postofthefirstuser. TheSuitableseconduserscorresponding
to the post/announcement may be determined based on
matchingbetweentheprofileofthefirstuserandtheprofileof
each ofthesecond users. In oneembodiment, the system 108
may determinethe matching ofthe first userwith the second
users by matching the one or more conditions with informa
tion(suchasprofileinformation)correspondingtothesecond
users. If the one or more second users meet the conditions
then the second users may be considered as Suitable second
users for the announced activity/service/product.
Furthermore, the memory 304 ofthe system is coupled to
the processor 302 and includes the database 306 to store
information about each ofthe first users and second users of
the system 108. The information corresponding to the first
user and the second user may include, but is not limited to,
personalinformation (suchas name,location,hobbiesandthe
like), professional and educational information (such as
qualification, work industry, designation and the like). Fur
ther,the information correspondingto the firstuser may also
include information corresponding to post/announcements
for sharing/exchanging activities, services or product. The
first user may announce/post request/information and corre
spondingconditionsassociatedwith activities/services/prod
ucts for inviting one or more Suitable second users. The sys
tem 108may facilitate theseconduserstoacceptoneormore

US 9,083,728 B1
sharable?exchangeable activity, service or product that may
be announced/posted by first users.
Further,the memory includesoneor more instructionsthat
may beexecutedby theprocessor302 to provide support for
sharingandexchangingatleastone ofanactivity,a service, a
productor information. Theprocessor302 ofthe system 108
may search for suitable second users of the system 108 by
matching the content and/or type of the announcement or
request made by the first userwith theprofile information of
the other users ofthe system 108. Examples ofthe types of
announcements or requests may include, but are not limited
to,sports,education,health,hospitality,food,transport,Secu
rity, pets, charity, adventure, personal, social orbusiness etc.
Theprofileinformation may include,butis not limited to, the
hobbies/interests, residential/business addresses, recent
activities, public ratings, profilepoints etc. The public rating
represents rating provided by the other users based on the
shared/exchanged activity/service/product between them. In
an embodiment,thepublic rating maybearatingprovidedby
a first user to a second user and Vice-versa for a specific
activityshared/exchangedbetween them. Inanotherembodi
ment, the public rating may be an average rating of a user
(suchas thefirstuserorthesecond user) that may bereceived
from all other users of the system 108 based on sharing/
exchanging/purchasing/selling an activity, a service, a prod
uct or personal item, an information and the like.
Further,theprofilepointsincludepointsthatmaybeearned
by a user based on sharing/exchanging/purchasing/selling
any activity, a service, a product, personal item, or informa
tion with other users ofthe system 108. Further, the earned
profilepoints maybe utilizedby theuserin furthersharingor
purchasing any activity or service or a product with other
users of the system 108. In an embodiment, profile ofeach
user may be initialized with Zero O profile points.
Theprocessor302 maytheninform the firstuseraboutone
ormorematchingprofilesofthesecondusersthatareSuitable
to the announcement or request made by the first user. In an
embodiment,theprocessor302 may selectonly thoseprofiles
ofthe second users ofthe system 108 that satisfies all ofthe
conditions posted by the first user corresponding to his/her
announcement or request for sharing/exchanging/purchas
ing/selling any activity, a service, aproduct orpersonal item,
an information and the like. Further, in anotherembodiment,
the processor may provide information corresponding to the
otherusers (ofthesystem) having less relevancybasedon the
matching (as described above)between theconditions ofthe
firstuserandprofilesofthesecondusers. Inthisembodiment,
the other users may have greater relevancy based on some
othercriteria Such as common interest, location as that ofthe
first user.
Inanexemplaryembodimentoftheinvention,thesharable
activity, service orproduct may include sharing a ride by the
first user with one or more ofthe second users. Forexample,
a first user announces a ride sharing service to be shared a
certain date and time. The first user also adds certain condi
tions corresponding to the ride sharing service. The condi
tions may include, but are not limited to, date on which the
first user is willing to share his/her ride, time ofthe day at
whichthefirstuseris willingtopickuptheseconduser. Initial
locationfrom where thefirstuserwillpickuptheseconduser,
destined location at which the first user will drop off the
second user,and maximum time window selectedby the first
user forpicking up and dropping offthe second user from/to
the destined location. Forexample, the maximum time win
dow for pick up selected by the first user may include a
maximumtimeatwhich the firstuser may pickupthesecond
user. The maximum time window for pick up may also
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includethemaximum timeupto whichthefirstusermaywait
forthe second user tojoin the first user. The maximum time
window for dropping off may include a maximum time to
reach to the destined location ofthe second user.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
sharable activity, service or product may include share of
sports activity or invitation to play any sport. Forexample, a
first user may announce a cricket event on certain date and
time at a specific venue. The first user may also add certain
conditions correspondingtoplayingthesport.Theconditions
may include, but are not limited to, need for experienced
players (secondusers), needtobeincertainuniform,need for
males only, need for the players of a particular age group
(suchas less than thirtyyears).Theprocessor302 may senda
messagetoalloftheusersofthe system 108correspondingto
the announcement made by the first user. In case a user
acceptstoplay with the first user, theprocessor302 may then
notify the first user corresponding to acceptance ofthe invi
tationtoplaycricketbyauser(oraseconduser).Thefirstuser
may then scan the profile of the user and may or may not
approvethe seconduserforbeingapartofthesportsactivity.
If the second user gets approval from the first user, the
processor 302 may then inform the second user about his
selection/approval for the sports activity. Similarly, if the
second user is rejected by the first user then the second user
maybeinformedsuitably by theprocessor302. Further,in an
embodiment, the system 108 may inform other approved
second users (who are already approved by the first user
corresponding to the announced sports activity) about
approval ofanothersecond userforthesharedsportsactivity.
Due to this, the other users may remain updated about the
fulfillmentoftheconditionscorrespondingtothesportsactiv
ity. For example, iffor cricket activity (as posted by a first
user), 11 members are required and 9 members have been
selected (Approved) by the first user and 2 more members
are required. Then by sending the notification to the all 9
approved members abouta new approvedsecondmemberfor
the cricket, the all 9 members may be updated that now
only 1 more member is required to meet the condition (of
11 members) for the activity cricket.
The processor 302 ofthe system 108 may also search for
certain users of the system 108 that lives nearby the venue
specified by the first user in the announcement. Further, the
processor302 mayshortlist theusershaving mentionedabout
cricketin theirprofilesas hobby orinterestsorprofessionetc.
Furthermore, the processor may shortlist the users based on
theirgenderandage.Theprocessor302 maythen suggestthe
shortlistedusers to thefirstuser. Thefirst usermay then view
the profiles ofthe shortlisted users suggested/recommended
by the system 108 and may further filter the suitable users
based on his/her preferences. The processor 302 may then
senda notification toall thesuitable usersaboutthe approval
in participating in the cricket activity. The notification may
include, but not limitedto, thedetailed information aboutthe
sportseventannouncedby the first user.The notification may
also inform the suitable users about the approval ofthe first
user for participating in the activity. Further, in an embodi
ment, the processor302 may directly approve the user, ifthe
Suitableuseracceptsthenotification.Accordingly,thesystem
108 may keep a record (in the database 306) of the final
shortlisted users for the activity (cricket) as posted by the
first user.
Further, based on the record (that may contain a list ofthe
approved second users) and activity information (such as
conditions like when the activity is to be performed), the
processor 304 may determine whether the activity is com
pletedornot. Further,thesystem 108mayaskeach ofthefirst

US 9,083,728 B1
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user and the second users to confirm about the status of the
activity that whether the activity is completed, pending,
extended, expired and the like. The status corresponding
to anyactivity may definethesituation in which theactivity is
present. The status completed or pending may denote that
theactivity is completedorpending respectively. Further, the
days and time for the activity may be extended due to some
reasonsormutualconsentofeachmemberoftheactivitythen
the status may be set as extended. Correspondingly, any or
each membermay updatetheactivityinformationbyentering
the updated date therein.
Based on the status, the processor 304 may send timely
reminders to each ofthe first userand the second users (who
participated in the activity) for providing rating/review to
eachothermemberoftheactivity. Forexample,ifthestatusof
theactivity is completed then theprocessor304 may notify
each ofthe members to provide rating to each otherbasedon
their experiences in sharing the activity (cricket). Accord
ingly, each user may provide rating to other users based on
theirexperiences with others in sharing the activity (Such as
whileplayingthe cricket). Such ratings may add a value to
a user'sprofilethat may beconsideredto determine thecred
ibility oftheuser. Basedonactivity specificrating,anaverage
ratingmaybecalculatedby theprocessor304 that depicts the
overall public rating, for the user, based on ratings received
for all the activities/services/products shared/exchanged
between the users.
Further, based on the rating received by each user, the
processor 304 may determine credit points based on sharing
the activity, service, product with other users. For example,
basedon the rating receivedby a userforaparticularactivity,
the processor 304 may calculate the amount ofpoints that
may be credited or debited to/from the user's account. Fur
ther, theprocessor304 may determine thecreditpointsbased
onvariousfactorssuchasthetypeanddurationoftheactivity/
service shared/exchanged between the users. Furthermore,
the processor304 may credit/debit points to/from the user's
account that may be pre-set between the users who share/
exchangetheactivity/service/product.forexample, ifthefirst
usersharesapersonal item with otheruser(seconduser)then
based on the pre-set amount, the first user may receive 5’
pointsas acreditforsharingthepersonalitemwiththesecond
user. Correspondingly, the 5’points may bedebited from the
accountoftheseconduserforsharingthepersonalitem ofthe
first user. In other words, the 5’ points may be transferred
from the second user's account to the first user's account.
Further, the processor304 may senda notification to the first
userandtheseconduser(s)forcorrespondingcreditand debit
ofpre-setnumberofpointsbasedonsharingatleastoneofthe
activity, serviceorproductbetween them. Inanembodiment,
the processor304 may facilitateeach userofthe system 108
toutilizecreditpoints forsharing/exchanging/purchasingany
activity, service, product or information that may be
announced by one or more other users ofthe system.
Further the processor 304 may send notifications to each
user based on the activity performed corresponding to the
user. Such notification may be sent through various means
such as Email, SMS, profile notification and the like. The
profile notification includes notification to a user (corre
spondingtotheprofile)bypostingthe messageofnotification
within theprofile oftheuser. Forexample, theprocessor304
may sendemailsto first userandthe second users forprovid
ingratingtoeachother.Similarly,theprocessor304 maysend
emailstothe firstuserandthesecondusersforcorresponding
credit or debitofpre-set numberofpoints.
FIG. 4illustratesexemplary structureofa database400 for
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accordancewithanembodimentofthepresentinvention.The
database400 storesinformationcorrespondingtousersofthe
system 108. In an embodiment,theusersareregistered mem
bers ofthe system 108 having profile thereon. Based on the
registration,each usermaybeassignedwith auniqueuserID,
asrepresentedbyuserID402. Foreach user, thedatabase400
may store various information Such as profile information,
information corresponding to announcement, averagepublic
rating, profile points and the like, corresponding to the user.
As illustrated, the database400 includes columns contain
ing information Such as profile information 404, announce
ment/request406, average rating 408 andprofilepoints 410.
Thedatabase400 may storesuch informationforeach userof
thesystem 108. Further,as shown, row 412, row 414androw
416 representinformation correspondingtouser 1,user2and
user3 ofthe system 108 respectively. Here, user 1, user2and
user 3 represent user IDs. Further, for each user, the profile
information404 may include information correspondingto a
profile of a user that may be provided by the user while
registering with the system 108. For example, the profile
information 404 mayinclude,butis not restrictedto,personal
details,as representedbycolumn418, qualificationandother
information, as represented by column 420. The personal
details may include, butare notrestrictedto,information like
name, location, hobby, and the like. Similarly, qualification
and other information may represent non-personal informa
tion Suchas,butarenotrestrictedto,information correspond
ing to education, profession, industry, designation, and
achievements ofa user.
As shown, the personal details 418 (corresponding to the
user 1) include name A, location L1 and hobby H1.
Similarly, the personal details 418 ofthe user 2 represents
name B, location L2 andhobby H1 corresponding to the
user2. Again similar, name, location andhobby ofthe user3
are represented by C. L3 and H3. Here, it may be noted
that hobby ofthe user 2 is same as the hobby ofuser 3, as
shown by H1. Further, each user of the system 108 may
request orannounce an activity, service orproduct that may
besharable orexchangeable with one or more other users of
thesystem.As shown,column406 (forrequests orannounce
mentpostedbyusersofthesystem 108)includes information
corresponding toactivity, serviceorproductand correspond
ing conditions (as represented by column 422 and column
424 respectively). Hereinafter, the activity, the service orthe
productmaycollectivelybereferredtoas theresources.The
users maybefacilitatedtopostarequest orannouncementfor
sharingorexchangingatleastoneoftheresourceswithoneor
more other members (users) of the system. Hereinafter, the
userwho posts the requestorannouncement may be referred
toasthe firstuser andremainingregisteredmembers(users)
ofthe systems may be referred to as the second users.
Inanembodiment,auser(thefirstuser)maypost arequest
orannouncementforallthe secondusers(usersotherthanthe
first user)ofthe system 108. Inanotherembodiment, the first
user maypostarequest fora specific group ofpeople Such as
friends, relatives, business associates and the like. Each user
may be facilitated to define one or more groups by adding
specific people therein. Further, corresponding to each
requestorannouncement,thefirstusermay postone ormore
conditions for sharing/exchanging the at least one of the
resources.Thecolumn422storesdetailscorrespondingtothe
sharable and/or exchangeable resources, for example, as
shown, an exchangeable service Such as House Keeping
may be posted by the user 1. This post is for inviting one or
more second users foraccepting the conditions (as shown by
column 424) corresponding to exchangeable service i.e.
House Keeping. In anembodiment,thefirstuser may make

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the conditions mandatory for accepting the posted sharable/
exchangeable resource(s). In this embodiment, if a second
user accepts the posted information corresponding to a
resource (Service for house-keeping) then it is considered
thatthe second useraccepts all the conditions corresponding
to the post. Further, in another embodiment, ifthe first user
postan announcementforsellingofresourceandasks forbid
for that particular resource, the second user may bid for the
resource based on the announcement.
Further,as shown,a requestpostedbytheuser 1 forhouse
keeping with conditions (represented by column 424) is
stored in the database 400. The conditions may include, but
are notlimited to, timeline required toperform theactivity or
service, date/day for performing the activity or the service,
requirement of number ofVolunteers (second users) to per
form or participate in the activity or service, and place of
performingtheactivity. Specifically,asshown,theconditions
posted by the user 1 for the house-keeping activity/service
includetimelinesuch as 6 AM-7 PM, day forperforming the
activity is Sunday and numberofthe secondusers required
is 1. Similarly, the service posted by the user2 is Babysit
ting with conditions representing the time, date and Volun
teer (Second users) requirement for the User 2. Specifically,
the conditions posted by the user2 include time as 5 AM-11
AM, day as Monday and numbers of the second users
requiredis 1 andthe condition thatseconduserrequiredis a
female for baby-sitting service. Again similar, the posting
corresponding to the user3 includes an activity Cricket and
corresponding conditions representthe time, dateand Volun
teer(Seconduser)requirementtoperform thepostedactivity.
Specifically, as shown, the information stored corresponding
to the user 3 includes activity as “Cricket and conditions
include time to play cricket is 6 AM-10 AM, date of the
activity 22 Feb. 2012, number and type of second users
required is 10 males.
In oneembodiment, thefirstuser may be facilitatedtopost
an activity, service,product(Herein, activity, service,and
product maycollectivelyandintermittently be referredtoas
resource) or information for inviting specific set ofsecond
users (users ofthe system 108 other than the first user). For
this,thefirstusermaybefacilitatedtopostanactivityaccord
ing to the type thereof. For example, the first user may post
cricketas ofthe type sports activity. In an embodiment, the
second users havinghobbyorinterestin sports may directly
searchanypostcorrespondingto sports ifthecorresponding
information ispostedaccordingtothe type oftheactivityby
the first user. Further, this may enable the system 108 to
search forsuitable second users who are suitable and credible
for the posted activity. For example, to search second users
those may be interested in the posted service, in an embodi
ment, the system may determine the type ofposted activity,
serviceorproductandaccordingly,thesystem maysearch for
Suitable second users those may be interested in sharing or
exchangingthe resource(correspondingtothepost)basedon
the hobby or activities of the second users. Further, if the
profile of the second user includes information regarding
his/herhobbyas relatedto sports theninanembodiment,the
system 108 may suggest the first userabout the second users
as Suitable for the activity/service corresponding to the post.
Further, the average public rating (as shown by column
408) represents an average rating receivedby each user from
oneor more otherusers (ofthe system 108) based on his/her
previous experiences in sharing/exchanging resources or
information. Further, as shown average public rating for the
user 1, based on his/herpast experiences with other users, is
3. Herein, therating 3 may be providedby thesystem 108
basedon theindividual ratings received, by the user 1, corre
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sponding to sharing and exchanging ofthe resource or the
information with otherusers. Here, itis understood(basedon
the aforementioned explanation) that the user 1 can receive
individual rating by being eitherthe first user(who posts the
request/announcement) or one of the second users (other
usersofthesystemexcludingthefirstuser)ofthesystem.The
individual rating is explained further (as activity specific
rating) in conjunction with FIG. 6. Similarly,average rating
fortheuser2andthe user3,basedonhis/herpastexperiences
with other users, is 5’ and 1 respectively.
Furthermore, the FIG. 4 shows overall profile points (as
depicted by column 410) that may be accumulated by a user
from all the previous sharing/exchanging ofactivities, Ser
vicesorproduct. Forexample,iftheuser 1 earn 10 pointsby
beingthefirstusertwotimes(considering 5 pointscreditfor
each time ofsharing/exchanging) in previous experience of
sharing/exchanging and further, ifthe user 1 loses 5 points
by acceptingany service offered by any otherfirst user(con
sidering debitof 5 points) then theoverall profile point will
be 5' (10-5)that maybe referredto as overallprofilepoints
for the user 1. In an embodiment, each registered user may
have his/her account containing points earned by the user
through sharing/exchanging activities/resources with other
users ofthe system. These points may further be utilized by
the user for requesting otherusers ofthe system for sharing/
exchanging activities, services, products. Further, it may be
appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the user may
utilizethe earnedpoints in purchasing oneormoreactivities,
services or products. In other words, the user may sell the
points for receiving the services or products from the other
users. Thepoints credit/debit correspondingto activities/ser
vices shared/exchanged is further explained in conjunction
with FIG. 5.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4 ofthe invention, the activity/
service/product corresponding to the column 422 posted by
the user 1 includes service ofhouse-keeping. Further, in con
dition,theuser(first user)postedarequirementofoneperson
who can take care ofhis/her house on the required date/day
(mentioned as Sunday) between 6 AM-7 PM. Other users
(second users) of the system, who can see the post, may
respond to the postby accepting the posted service. Further,
before responding to the post, the other users may check the
averagepublic rating ofthe firstuserto confirm his/hercred
ibility. Accordingly, the other users may decide whether to
accept the requestposted by the useror not. Further, the first
usermay be notifiedifone ormore ofthe second usersaccept
thepost.Accordingly,the firstusermayassigntheservicefor
house-keepingto one ormore second users whoacceptedthe
posted request corresponding to the house-keeping. In an
embodiment, one ofthe second users who accept the posted
service by the first user will be assigned to complete the
posted request. Further, thesystem 108 maysendoneormore
reminders to the accepter to complete the assigned work. In
another embodiment, if multiple second users accept the
request posted by the first user then the first user may be
provided with the details ofthe all such second users who
acceptthepostedservice.Thefirstusermaythenselectoneor
moreusersfromthe seconduserswhoacceptedrequest(here
inafter referred to as the request acceptor). In an embodi
ment, the system 108 may further notify the second users
about the action taken by the first user. For example, the
system may inform thesecondusers (requestacceptor) about
whether they have been accepted or rejected by the first user
who posted the service request.
Inanembodiment ofthe invention,thesystem may inform
one or more second users about the announcement/request
postedby the first user.Theoneor more second users may be

US 9,083,728 B1
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selected by the system 108 based on the hobbies orpersonal
information ofthe second user. Forexample, ifthe first user
posts an activity corresponding to cricket in X ground
(venue) then the system mayanalyzetheprofileinformation,
Such as hobbies and location, ofthe second users. Based on
analysis, ifit is determined by the system that theprofiles of
one or more second users (users other than the first user)
match suitably (hereinafter may be referred to as matched
secondusers)with theactivity andcorrespondingconditions
posted by the first user then the system 108 may provide
information corresponding to those matched second users to
thefirstusers. Forexample,basedonthepostofthefirstuser,
the system may analyze the hobby (ofeach second user) if
matcheswithtypeoftheactivityi.e. sport andlocation ofthe
activity (as posted along with the activity by the first user)
matches with the location ofthe second user then the system
108mayconsiderthatsecond useras suitableforthepostand
accordingly the system 108 may provide information corre
sponding to the second user to the first user.
Further, inanembodiment, thefirstuser maybe facilitated
with an option forrestricting the post from publicizing to all
the second users or for sending the request or post only to
specified group ofsecond users, then in an embodiment the
system may search fora suitable second userfrom the speci
fied group. In this embodiment, the system may not recom
mend other users ofthe system who are not the part ofthe
specified group. Further, in anotherembodiment, the system
may search Suitableusers from alltheregisteredsecondusers
ofthe system and may send the recommendation to the first
user based on the post and corresponding conditions. For
example, ifthe first userhas chosen an option fordisplaying
thepostonly to thefriendsofthe firstuser, then in thiscaseif
none ofthefriends ofthefirst useraccepted or responded for
the post ofthe first user till some pre-fixed time, the system
may start providing recommendations to the first user for
Some Suitable second users. Further, it may be appreciated
that in this case, the system 108 may not display information
correspondingto thepost (thathasbeen restricted,by thefirst
user, to the specific group of friends) to any ofthe second
users to maintain theprivacy ofthe matterpostedby the first
USC.
FIG. 5illustratesexemplary structureofa database500 for
accordance with another embodiment of the present inven
tion. The database 500 stores information corresponding to
users of the system 108. In an embodiment, the users are
registered members of a system, such as the system 108,
having profile thereon. Each user may register himselfor
herselfbycreatingaprofile (anaccount) onthesystem. Based
on the registration, each user may be assigned with a unique
user ID, as represented by user ID 502. For each user, the
database 500 may store various information such as profile
information 504, information corresponding to announce
ment/acceptance506, ratingorreview 508, earnedpoints510
and the like, corresponding to the user.
As explained earlier in conjunction with FIG. 4, corre
spondingto eachregistered userofthe system,suchas user 1,
user2 and user3 (as represented by thecolumn 512, column
514 and column 516 respectively), the profile information
504 may include, but is not limited to, personal details 518.
qualification and otherinformation 520. Theprofile informa
tion 504 maybeprovidedby each userwhile registering with
the system. The personal details 518 may include personal
information Such as name, location, hobby and the like. Fur
ther,qualificationandotherinformation520 may include,but
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not limited to, educational information, professional infor
mation Such as industry, experience, designation, achieve
ments and the like.
Further, the announcement/acceptance 506 may include,
butis notrestrictedto,informationcorrespondingtosharable/
exchangeable activity, service, product, information and the
like that may be posted by a user ofthe system (hereinafter
referredtoas the firstuser) and information aboutstatus for
the post, such as accepted, completed, pending and the like.
Specifically, as shown, the information corresponding to
announcement/acceptance 506 includes an activity/service/
product 522, conditions 524 and a status 526. The activity/
service/product 522 represents at least one of an activity, a
product, a service or information that may be posted or
announcedby the first userforoneor moreotherusersofthe
system. Hereinafter, the one or more second users of the
system maybe referredto as the secondusers. Thefirstuser
may post orannounce for sharing orexchanging an activity,
service, product or information. Further, the conditions 524
may represent the conditions posted by the first user corre
sponding to the posted announcement/request. Further, the
status 526 illustrates the status of the posted sharable?ex
changeable activity/service/product/information. Specifi
cally, the status 526 may include, but is not restricted to,
completed, accepted, pending, and the like.
Specifically, as shown, the user 1, theuser 2 and the user3
havethe namesas A, B and C, locationsas L1, L2 and
L3, and hobbies as H1, H1 and H2 respectively. Here,
it may be noted that the hobby of the user 1 is same as the
hobby of the user 2. Further, the column 522 shows the
activity Bike riding postedbytheuser 1. Further,thecolumn
524 shows the conditions (posted bythe user 1) correspond
ing to the Bike riding such as time 6 AM-7AM. Day as
Sunday for carrying out the activity, and numberofpersons
required is 1. Similarly,as shown, the user3 has posted the
service for Kid Care’ and condition mentioned includes the
time between 8AM-7 PM corresponding to the service. Fur
ther,the user2 has notpostedanyactivity/service/product or
information.
After posting an activity, a service, a product or an infor
mationbytheuser 1, inoneembodiment,thesystem searches
for one or more Suitable second users by analyzing the pro
files ofall registeredsecondusers(otherthan thefirstuser)of
the system to determine a match between profile of each
second user and the conditions corresponding to the post/
announcement ofthe first user. In this embodiment, the sys
tem analyzes the location, qualification, hobby, activities,
post (ifany) and other profile information corresponding to
the second users. Further, the system provides information
aboutthedeterminedSuitablesecondusers (correspondingto
thepostandassociatedconditions)tothefirstuser.Asshown,
thehobby ofthe user 1 (H1) is sameas thehobby (H1) of
the user 2, the system may provide information about the
profile of the user 2 to the user 1. For example, the hobby
(H1) may include travelling, biking or riding that may be
matched with the activity Bike riding posted by the user 1.
Based on Such matching,the system may search one ormore
Suitable second users those can accept the post/announce
ment ofthe first user. Subsequently, the system may provide
notification to the first user (the user 1) to inform him/her
about the suitable second user(such as theuser 2). Similarly,
in anembodiment,thesystem may notifytheSuitablesecond
user (the user 2)about the post ofthe first user (the user 1).
Further, in another embodiment, the user 1 may also be
facilitated to search for one or more suitable second users
relevant for the post/announcement. Furthermore, the user 1
maybefacilitatedtorestrictthesearchtoaparticulargroup of

US 9,083,728 B1
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people. For example, the first user (such as the user 1) may
restrictthepostforsecondusers ofaparticularagegroupthen
the system may search the Suitable second users ofthat par
ticularagegroup.Also,thesecond users maysearchany Such
activity, service posted by the first user.
Further, on receiving the information about thepost by the
firstuser,thesecondusersmayacceptthepostofthefirstuser.
Forexample, ifthe user 2 likes to share the activity of bike
riding withtheuser 1 then theuser2 maychooseanoptionto
accept the activity. Further, the accepted activity may be
carriedoutbytheuser2basedontheconditions.Accordingly,
the status correspondingto the post may be set as accepted
(as shown) in the profile of the user 2 and completed (As
shown) in the profile ofthe user 1. Initially, ifthe post is not
accepted by any of the second users then the status may be
shown as pending.
Based on the activity shared/exchanged by the first user
and one or more second users, the first user and the one or
more second users may provide rating to each other. Ifthey
liked the activity shared/exchange with each other, they can
give more rating and ifthey don’t like, they can give less or
Zero rating based on their experience in carrying out the
activity orservice. Forexample, considering rating from 1
to 5’ where 5’ being the highest and 1 being the lowest
rating, the user 2 has given rating 5 to the user 1 based on
his/her experience ofsharing the bike riding with the user 1
and the user 1 has given rating 4 to the user 2 based on
his/herexperiencewith the user2 (as shown). Ifthe firstuser
gets bad experience in sharing/exchanging any activity/ser
vice/product or feels that the second user (with whom the
activity/service/product was shared by the first user) was not
goodorintellectualorlike-mindedthenthefirstusermaygive
bad/low rating. Further, the system may send periodic
reminders to both the first user and one or more second users
to provide ratings to each othercorresponding to actual shar
ing/exchanging of the activity/service/product between the
first user and the one or more second users.
In one way, the rating provided by a user shows his/her
interest in sharing/exchanging the service/activity/product
again with the same user. Also, the rating received by each
user may be added to his/herprevious ratings received from
otherusers (foranysuchsharing/exchangingactivity/service?
product with the other users) to determine average rating of
the user(asexplainedpreviously inconjunction with FIG.4).
Theaverage ratingoftheusermaybevisibletoallotherusers
ofthesystemthroughtheuser'sprofile. Forexample, ifauser
receives ratingof'4', 2’, 3, and 5' aftersharing/exchang
ing four different activities/services or products with four
different users, then, accordingly, the average rating of the
usermaybeequivalent to 3.5’ thatmay be made visibletoall
the users ofthe system.
Further, in an embodiment, an account (profile) of each
registered user may be initialized with 0 points that may be
increasedordecreasedbasedonsharing/exchanging/sellinga
particular activity/service/product posted by the first user.
These points may be credited or debited from the user's
account based on sharing/exchanging any activity/service?
product. forexample, ifthe first userannounces a service for
car sharing from one location to another and sets 5 credit
points forthe service then 5’ points may be debited from an
account ofasecond person who accepts theposted service of
the first userand correspondingly, 5 points may be credited
to theaccountofthefirstuserforprovidingthe service. In an
embodiment, based on the status of activity, and date of
performing the activity, and rating/review provided by the
users associated with theperformed activity, the system may
determine whether the activity has actually been carried out
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(shared/exchanged)betweenthefirstuserandtheoneormore
secondusers oftheacceptedactivity.Accordingly,thesystem
may provide credit points to the users. For example, ifthe
status ofthe post, corresponding to a service, is completed
andthefirstuser(whoposted theservice)andtheseconduser
(who accepted the service) have given ratings to each other
then it may be determined that the activity has actually been
performed by the users (the first user and the second user).
Accordingly, the system may assign +5 creditpoints to the
first user and -5° credit points to the second user. The +5’
credit points denote credit of 5 points to the first user's
accountand -5 creditpoints denote debitof 5 points from
theavailablepointsintheaccountofthe user. Here, 5 points
may be pre-set by the users before sharing/exchanging the
activity/service/product.
Further, in an embodiment, the system may set minimum
credit points based on type of activity/service/product and
conditions.Thetypeofactivity/service/product may include,
but is not limited to, recreational activity, riding, sports, and
house exchange. Forexample, based on the type ofactivity,
Suchas vehiclesharing, the system may set minimum +5 as
credit points for the first person who shares his/her vehicle
and -5° forthe person who accepts sharingofthe vehicle of
the first user. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the first
user may ask for bid from one or more second users for the
post. The second users may bid based on their interest in the
posted activity/service/product. Accordingly, based on the
bidamountofeach userandcredibilityofeach userbasedon
theirprofile,oneormoresecondusers maybeselectedforthe
posted activity/service/product. Additionally, the first user
may aska compensation amountthat may beprovidedby the
second users for sharing a vehicle. Further, based on the
decidedamount,thesecondusermayprovidesomeofhis/her
points to the first user. For example, if the second user is
willingtoacceptapostforvehiclesharing (from onelocation
to another) forsome X amount/monthand amount X=Y
points. Then thesystem may debit 'Y' points from thesecond
user'saccountand may creditthe Ypoints in theaccountof
the first user. In an embodiment, number ofpoints (say ‘Y”)
forsomeamount(say 'X) maybe fixedby the system andin
anotherembodiment,numberofpointsfortheamountmaybe
decided manually by the first userand the second user.
As shown, the user 1 earns +5’ points and the user 2 is
assignedwith -5’ credit points forthecompletedactivityi.e.
Bike riding (as shown). In an embodiment, such points, as
earned by the firstuserand the seconduser may be a form of
virtual money that may further be utilized in sharing/ex
changing/selling of any activity/service/product with any
other userofthe system. Each user (first useror second user)
may determine credibility ofother user (first user or second
user) before sharing/exchanging an activity/service/product/
information and before setting credit points for any Such
activity/service/product/information. Further, the first and
second users may determine the credibility of each other
based on theirprofiles and rating/review.
Again similarly, as shown, the user3 has posted a service
forKidcarebetween8AM-7PM. Forthis,theuser3 may first
ensure about the credibility ofany second user for assigning
the service of Kid care. The user 3 may be sure about the
credibilityofthe seconduserby viewingthe previous ratings
(of the user 3) and experience in sharing/exchanging/han
dling Such activity, beforeallowingthesecond usertohandle
the kid. Further, it is shown that the post of the user 3 is
pending as the responsibility (activity) of kid care is not
assignedtoanyseconduserandaccordingly,thereis no rating
fortheuser3 forthispostandthuspoints earnedcorrespond
ing to this post (ofkid care) is zero (0).

US 9,083,728 B1
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FIG. 6illustratesexemplary structureofa database 600 for
accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention. The database 600 includes a list offirst users and a
listofsecondusers. The firstusersare members ofthesystem
whopostoneormorerequestsforsharing/exchanging/selling
an activity/service/product/information. The second users
include all members ofthe system other than the first user.
Further, the first user and the second user correspond to a
particular post/announcement. In other words, the first user
for one post may be a second user for any request posted by
anyotherfirstuser. Further, the system may search forone or
more Suitable secondusers, forapost, from the list ofsecond
USCS.
As shown in FIG. 6, the database 600 shows various
requestsposted by various users. Each userhas aunique user
ID, as represented by column 602 (ofthe database 600), that
represents unique identification code ofa user ofthe system.
Further, profile information 604, and announcement/accep
tance 606 are explained earlier in conjunction with FIGS. 4
and5.Anactivity specific rating 608represents rating/review
provided to the second user who completes the specific
active/service (posted by the first user). Further, the database
600includesaccepterIDs 610correspondingtoeachpostthat
has been accepted by one or more second users. Specifically,
the accepter ID includes information corresponding to the
second user who accepts the request posted by the first user.
Furthermore, the database 600 shows a row 612, a row 614
anda row 616 correspondingtoauser 1,a user2 anda user3
respectively.
The profile information column 604 of the database 600
represents personal details (as shown by column 618) and
qualification and other information Such as business details
(as shownby the column 620) oftheeach userofthe system.
Specifically, the personal details corresponding to the user 1
includes name 'A', his/her location L1, and hobby H1.
Further, the qualification and other information includes
qualification, professional, and other information as Q1
Similarlytheuser2hasa name B,location L2,hobby H1
and qualification and other information as Q2. Again simi
larly, theuser3 has name 'C' withlocation ofperforming the
postedactivity as L3, and havinghobbies and qualification
and other information as H2 and Q3 respectively.
Further, as shown Announcement/Acceptance 606 repre
sents details ofrequests orannouncementspostedby the first
users ofthe system. Further, the announcement/acceptance
includes status information corresponding to acceptance of
the posted request/announcement by one or more second
users. Specifically, the announcement/acceptance 606 may
include, butis not restrictedto, information Such asActivity/
Service/Product sharing (represented by column 622), con
dition(asrepresentedby column 624),andstatus correspond
ing totheposted request/announcement(arepresentedby the
column 626). Specifically,theActivity/Service/Productshar
ing (as shown by the column 622) includes information that
the first users may post/announce for sharing/exchanging
with one or more second users. In an embodiment,theActiv
ity/Service/Product sharing (as shown by the column 622)
includes atype ofannouncement/post madeby thefirstusers
of the system. Further, the condition (as shown in column
624) comprises the necessary conditions (corresponding to
the request/announcement posted by the first user) that may
need to be followed by one or more second persons (who
accept the request) for carrying out one or more tasks asso
ciated with the post. Theconditions may include, butare not
limited to, at least one oftype,time, location, compensation,
security collateral or required skill level (ofthe second user
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who accepts the request/announcement associated with the
post) corresponding to the sharable/exchangeable activity,
service or product posted by the first user. Hereinafter, the
second person who accepts the request/announcement,
posted by the firstuser, may be referred toas the acceptor).
The conditions posted by the first user may or may not be
negotiable based on the discretion ofthe first user.
Further, information correspondingto the status (as shown
by column 626) represents whether the announcement or
request posted by the first user is accepted, completed or
pending by the second user. In an embodiment, request or
announcementposted by thefirst user may have an expired
status in case where the date mentioned in the condition
(column 624) is expired and none ofthe second users have
accepted the request or the announcement.
As per FIG. 6, request posted by the User 1 is for house
keeping service. The conditions corresponding to the house
keeping service (as posted by the first user) represents the
timeline (6AM-7 PM) required to perform the housekeeping
service, the date/day (Sunday) on which the housekeeping
serviceis to beperformed,and numberofvolunteers (second
users) to perform orparticipate in the service. Further, status
for the post corresponding to housekeeping represents that
the post corresponding to housekeeping is completed. Fur
ther, theaccepter ID forthis post includes user2 represent
ing that the housekeeping service is completed as per the
mentioned conditions by the user 2.
Similarly,thesharable/exchangeableactivitypostedby the
user2is babysittingwithconditions includingtime(5AM-11
AM), day (Monday) and number and type of the required
users (1 Female)forperformingthe babysitting. Further, the
status corresponding to the post ofthe user 2 represents that
the request or announcement made by the user 2 has been
accepted (but not completed). Further, the acceptor ID, cor
respondingtotheactivitypostedby theuser2,representsthat
the activity posted by the user 2 is accepted by the user 1.
As explained here above, the service (housekeeping)
postedby theuser 1 isacceptedtobeshared/exchangedbythe
user 2 (as depicted, the accepter ID is user 2) and the
activity/service (babysitting) postedby the user2 isaccepted
to be shared/exchanged by the user 1 (as depicted, the
accepter ID is user 1). Accordingly, in an embodiment, this
representsanexchangeofactivity/service (housekeepingand
babysitting) between the user 1 and the user 2. Forexample,
the service posted by the user 1 is exchangeable with the
service of babysitting posted by the user 2. In another
embodiment, this represents individual sharing ofthe activi
ties byboth theuser 1 andtheuser2. Forexample, sharingof
housekeeping service between the user 1 and the user 2 and
sharing ofthebabysittingservice between the user 1 andthe
user 2. Further, as shown (in row 614), the service/activity
posted by the user 2 (babysitting) is just accepted and not
completed by the user 1 (as shown by the status and the
accepter ID), thus the activity specific rating (shown by cell
634) provided (by the user 2) to the user 1 is blank or nil.
Furthermore,as shown (row 612), the service/activity posted
bytheuser1 (housekeeping)iscompletedby theuser2,thus
theactivity specific ratingprovidedby theuser 1 to theuser2
is 5’. Such activity specific rating may be provided by the
user 1 on completing the service (housekeeping) by the user
2.Thus, thecolumn 608 foractivity specific ratingrepresents
the rating that the first userprovides to the second user. Such
rating represents the experience ofthe first user (user 1) in
sharing/exchanging the service/activity with the second user
(user 2). Forexample, the rating of 5’ may representthatthe
experience ofthe user 1 (with the user 2 who completed the

US 9,083,728 B1
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service posted by the user 1) was good (considering 5’ as
highest rating forthehousekeeping service, as completedby
the user 2).
Inanembodimentofthepresentinvention,thesystem may
analyzesuchactivity specific ratingprovidedbythefirstuser
to determine one or more Suitable second users forany Such
future activity/service posted by the same first user. For
example, if the first user provides good rating of 5’ to a
second user for completing an activity (such as babysitting)
then nexttimeifthesamefirstuserpoststhesameactivity,the
system provide the reference ofthe same second user who
received the good rating (5') (from the first user) earlier for
completing the same activity. In an embodiment, the system
may define a common range ofrating (such as 1 to 5) for
sharing/exchanging all type ofactivities/service/product. In
anotherembodiment,thesystem may definearange ofrating
based on the type ofservice posted by the first user. Yet in
anotherembodiment, the system may facilitate the first user
to pre-set the range ofrating while?before posting a request/
announcementcorrespondingto theactivity/service/product.
Further, as shown, the activity posted by the user 3 is
cricket and oftype sport activity. Further, the conditions
provided by the user3 include the time (6 PM-10 PM), date
(22 February, 2012)and required numberand type ofsecond
users for the activity (cricket) i.e. 11 Males. Further, the
status ofthis activity (cricket) is shown as pending denot
ing that the activity (cricket) and the corresponding condi
tions (posted by the User3)is notaccepted byanyuserofthe
system Further, based on the date of the activity (22 Feb.
2012), it may bedeterminedby the system that theactivity is
expired or not. Accordingly, the status of the post may be
shown as 'pending or 'expired. Further, as the activity
posted by the user3 is pending (as perthe status shown) and
not accepted by any of the second users of the system (as
shown by the cell 632, the acceptor ID for the activity
cricket is blank), theactivity specific rating is notprovided
(by the user 3) to any ofthe second user. Thus, the activity
specific ratingforthe activity cricket postedby the user3 is
shown (by the cell 630) as blank or nil.
The rating received by each second user depicts his/her
credibility of performing/completing the activity/service/
product shared or exchanged by the first user. For example,
users (such as the first users who post the request/announce
ment) ofthe system may give low ratings or negative ratings
to other users (such as second users who accepts/completes
the requested/announced activity) in case the second users
eitherhavenotperformedwellortheworkdonebythesecond
users was notsatisfactory. Inaddition, negativeratingscanbe
given to the users in caseoftheirbad behavior, fraud, theft or
violence created while performing orparticipating in any of
theacceptedactivitypostedbyany user. Similarly,thesecond
user may provide rating to the first userafter completing the
activity/service shared/exchanged/assigned by the first user
basedonhis/herexperienceindealingwiththefirstuser. Inan
embodiment, low rating ofany user may not be appreciable
by otherusers ofthesystem as the low rating ofausershows
less credibility ofthe user. Consequently, the low rated users
of the system may get lesser responses, for their posts/an
nouncements, from other users in comparison to the users
having higher or maximum rating value.
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustratea flow diagram ofa method for
sharing and exchanging at least one ofactivity, service and
product in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The method may be understood more
clearly when, the description correspondingto the method,is
read in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The order in
whichthemethodisperformedis notintendedtobeconstrued
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aslimitation,andfurtherany numberofthe methodsteps may
becombined in orderto implement the method oran alterna
tive method without departing from the scope ofthe inven
tion.
At step 702, a user may register with a system, Such as the
system 108(as describedpreviously inconjunction with FIG.
3). In anembodiment,thesystem maybeasocial networking
system. In another embodiment, the system may be utilized
forimplementation within a social network. In this embodi
ment, the user may need to register with a social network
utilizingthesystem. Theusermayregisterwiththesystemby
entering his/her information to create aprofile oran account
thereon. The information may include, but is not limited to,
personal information, information corresponding to qualifi
cation,professional information, andachievements. The per
Sonal information that may be entered by the user includes,
but is not restricted to, name, location, hobbies, activities,
pastimeandthelike.Thequalification may include,butis not
limited to, educational information ofthe user. Similarly, the
user may provide information corresponding to business or
employmentindustryoftheuser, designation,experienceand
the like. Further, the information corresponding to various
achievements ofthe user may be entered by the user. In an
embodiment, the profile ofthe user may be accessible to all
other usersofthe system. In anotherembodiment, theuserof
the profile may be facilitated to make his/her profile acces
sible for some specific set ofthe users.
On registering with thesystem,anaccount may becreated
for the user with some credit points. In an embodiment, the
user's accountmay be initialized with 'O' creditpoints. Each
user may beallowed to post/announce one or more sharable/
exchangeable activities/services/products/information, at
step 704. Hereinafter,theactivities, services,orproducts may
collectively be referred to as resources Hereinafter, theuser
who posts/announces sharable/exchangeable resource or
informationmaybe referredtoasthe firstuser.Theusermay
post one or more resources orinformation forinviting one or
more secondusersofthe system. In oneembodiment,theone
ormoresecondusers may includeallusersofthesystemother
than the first user who posts the request or information. In
anotherembodiment, when the first user posts the request or
information for a specific group of registered users of the
system, then the one or more second users may include the
users ofthe specific group.
Thefirstusermay post/announceinformation correspond
ing to sharable?exchangeable resources/information along
with one or more conditions corresponding to the post/an
nouncement. Forexample, ifa firstuser is interested in play
ing table tennis and need a partnerto play, then the first user
may announce a need for a partner to play table tennis on a
specific date and time. The first user may also require more
than one partner forthe activity and may announce the need
accordingly. Further,forexample, ifthefirstuseriswillingto
gooutfordiningwithalike-mindedperson ofaparticularage
group, the first user may post an activity for dining out on a
particular date with the conditions correspondingto the type
ofthe person required to dine with. Accordingly, the second
users who and interested and meet the conditions posted by
the first user may accept the posted activity.
Further, at step 706, the first user may receive some rec
ommendations for one or more second users who meet basic
conditions (of the post) or who shares some common
attributes(suchashobbies,professional industryandthelike)
withthe firstuser. Inanembodiment,thesystem mayanalyze
profilesofoneormoresecond users to match withtheprofile,
activityandcorrespondingconditions (associatedwithapost/
announcement) ofthefirst userprofile fordeterminingone or

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more Suitable second users forthe posted resource/informa
tion. Inan embodiment,theoneormoreSuitablesecondusers
may be determinedbasedon theirhobbiesand locations. For
example, if the activity posted by the first user is to play a
cricket at a particular location and it is determined (by the
system) that one or more second users have interest in
cricket and reside at the location as mentioned in the post,
then the one or more second users may be recommended as
Suitable forthe post. Thus, information corresponding to the
oneormore suitablesecondusers may beprovided to thefirst
user. In addition, the system may match the content of the
announcement or profile information of the first user with
profile information ofone or more second users (hereinafter
referred to as profile information matching) and based on
the best possible match, the system may recommend most
suitable second users’ profiles to the first user that may be of
some interest for the first user.
Furthermore, at step 706, based on theprofile information
matching, the one or more Suitable second users may also be
notified (by the system)about the announced activity or ser
vice orproduct based on their interests/hobbies. The second
users mayaccepttheannouncedshareableactivity,service or
product based on their likings or interests. Accordingly, the
first user may get notification regarding acceptance of the
postedactivity, serviceorproductby the one ormoresecond
USCS.
Atstep 708, ifthe firstusergets morethan one notification
ofacceptance by more than one second user. The first user
may then check profiles ofall ofthe second users to find a
suitable second user that suits best to first user's needs corre
sponding to the posted activity, service or product. For
example, ifthe number of second users who accepted the
posted activity/service for sharing/exchanging is more than
the required number of second users for performing the
postedactivity/service,then thefirstusermaybefacilitatedto
approve(select)atleastoneoftheseconduserswhoaccepted
the post.Accordingly,thesystem may notify the one ormore
second users (who accepted the posted service or activity)
whether they have been approved/selected (to perform the
activity orservice)by the first userornot. Furthermore, inan
embodiment, the system may also provide the approved sec
ond users with an additional information or conditions (cor
responding to the post) that may be required or helpful in
performing (by sharing/exchanging) the activity, Service or
product.Accordingly,thesecondusers maythenperformand
complete the required activity or service.
At step 710 (as shown in FIG. 7B), the performance or
work done by the second user may be analyzed by the first
user based on his/her expectations or requirements for the
activity/service to be completed. Further, based on experi
ence ofthe first user in sharing/exchanging activity/service?
product with the second user, the first user may provide rat
ings or reviews to theprofile ofthe second user. The system
may use the ratings as additional information in determining
credibility ofthe second user. Similarly, the second usermay
also provide rating to the first user based on his/her experi
ence in sharing/exchanging the activity, service or product
with the first user.
Further, atstep 712,after providingthe ratings, thesystem
may calculate credit points for the first user for sharing/
exchanging the activity with the second user. Similarly, the
credit points may be calculated forthe second userthat may
be given to the second user for Successful completion ofthe
accepted activity/service (as posted by the first user). For
example,iftheservice. Suchas vehiclesharing postedbythe
first user is accepted to be shared by a second user, then +5’
credit points may be provided to the first user for sharing
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his/her vehicle with the second user and -5° credit points
may beassignedto thesecond user forsharingthe vehicle of
the firstuser. In an embodiment,thesystem may utilizesome
pre-setalgorithmsindeterminingthecreditpointsforthefirst
user and the second user(s). For example, the credit points
may be calculated based on the type and duration of the
activity. Further, in another embodiment, the credit points
may be pre-set (by the system) for sharing/exchanging a
particularactivity. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment,
the credit points may be set between the first users and the
second users before sharing/exchanging the activity/service
or product corresponding to the post (as accepted by the
second user).
At step 714, the first user (who receives a credit point for
sharing the service with the second user) may be enabled to
utilizethecreditpoints forsharing orexchangingatleastone
of sharable/exchangeable activity, services or product
announced by other users ofthe system. Similarly, each user
of the system may utilize his/her overall profile points (as
explained earlier in conjunction with FIG. 4). For example,
thesecondusermay usethecreditedpointstoshare/exchange
any service/activity/product orto borrow any item, forsome
days,from otherusers ofthesystem. It maybeappreciatedby
aperson skilled in theartthata user may utilizethepoints at
any time for sharing/exchanging/purchasing at least one of
services, products oractivities with otherusers ofthe system.
Inanexemplaryembodimentoftheinvention,thefirstuser
may invite one or more second users (ofthe system) to share
a service provided by the first user. Aftersharingthe service,
the system may remind the second users to rate the first user
based on the quality of service provided by the first user.
Further, the system may remindthe firstuserofthe system to
rate the second users based on his/herexperience in sharing
theservicewith the secondusers. Further, basedon the rating
providedbythesecondusers,thesystem may creditpoints to
the first user. For example, if a first user of the system
announces that he goes to drop his kid to XYZ School from
locationABCdaily in the morningat8am andhe can carryat
least three more kids from the way to the same school daily.
Then all ofthe second users who show interest in receiving
the service (from the first user) of dropping the kids to the
School may accept the announced service.
Further, the second users may rate the first user based on
theserviceprovidedby thefirst user.Accordingly, thesystem
may provide credit points to the first user for the service he
provided to the secondusers. The points to be credited to the
first user may be calculated based on number ofkids served
by the first userorbasedon the numberofdays forwhich the
service was provided. In an embodiment, the points to be
credited to the first user may depend upon the ratings or
reviews provided by the second users of the system. In
anotherembodiment, thepoints tobecreditedto thefirstuser
may be pre-set by the first userand the second users.
In another embodiment ofthe invention, the user may be
facilitated to exchange services with one or more second
users (hereinafter referred to as service exchange option).
The service exchange option allows a user ofthe system to
provideaservicetoanotheruserofthesystem in exchange of
any other service that may be provided by theother user. For
example,afirstuserofthesystem mayprovideaservicetothe
second user (as a part ofthe service exchange option) and
expectanotherservice from the second userthat may or may
notbe equivalent to the serviceprovided by the firstuser. For
example, ifa first user ofthe system has announced (posted)
an exchange service ofpet sittingonacertain dateasapartof
service exchange option, and if a second user accepts (or
showed interest in) allowing the first user to take care ofhis

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dog on the specified date, then the second user may be liable
to return the favourofthe service by providing sameorsome
other service to the first user.
Additionally, the first user may specify a required type of
service in exchange of pet's sitting initially (with the
announcement)asacondition.A seconduserwhoacceptsthe
service exchange option may then be obliged to follow the
condition of the first user. Ifthe second user ofthe system
negates to full fill thecondition ofthefirstuserafterenjoying
theserviceofthefirstuserthen thesystem mayallow thefirst
userto negativelyratetheseconduserormaytakeanypre-set
actions against the second user. Further, the system may
deductsomepoints oftheseconduserand may also compen
sate the first user by Suitable means. In case of Successful
completion ofservices by both the first and the second user,
the system may facilitate both the users to rate each other.
Accordingly, both the first user and the second user may
receive some creditpoints that may or may notbeequal. The
points may depend upon the ratings or reviews provided by
the users to each other or may also depend on the type of
service provided or may depend on the amount oftime for
which the service wasprovided.
In yet another embodiment ofthe invention, the first user
may announce sharing of a personal item or product with
other users of the system. For example, a first user of the
system may announce a need of a guitar for one week. A
second user having a guitar may accept to share his guitar
(with the first user) forone week by specifying condition on
sharing the guitar that the first user will have to pay for any
damagestotheguitar. In anothersimilarexample,thesecond
user may accept to share his guitar if first user agrees to
transfercertain points to the second user.Again similarly, the
second user may accept to share his guitar if the first user
agrees to sharehis violin orany otherarticle with the second
user for the same time interval. If the first and second user
agrees to each other's conditions then the system may notify
both users about their agreement including time, location,
compensation, security collateral orany othercorresponding
condition.
For example, the system may notify both the users about
the accepted activity of guitar sharing, related information
and corresponding conditions. Furtherforexample, notifica
tion may include information Such as type ofthe activity i.e.
personal item sharing, time of the process i.e. one week,
location Such as theaddress ofthe first userorsecond user or
both, compensation Suchastopay forany damagesto guitar,
security collateral to submit (by the first user) any article as
collateral forguitar, required skill such as theage ofthe first
usertobeabletohandletheguitar.Afterthecompletionofthe
time period of sharing the personal item (i.e. guitar), the
system may send a reminder through suitable means, like
profile notification,emailorSMSandthelike,tobothusersto
provide ratings toeach user. In addition, thesystem may also
provide both the users with an option to extend the time
period for theactivity. Further, the system may send a notifi
cationtoboththeusersaboutanydebitorcreditofpointsafter
completion ofthe activity.
a network, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention. The method may be understood more
read in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The order in
whichthemethodisperformedis notintendedtobeconstrued
aslimitation,andfurtherany numberofthe methodsteps may
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becombined in orderto implement the method oran alterna
tive method without departing from the scope ofthe inven
tion.
In FIG. 8, at step 802, a user may register with a system,
such as the system 108, tocreateand account(profile)onthe
system. The user may submit his/her information to register
with the system. The information may include, but is not
restrictedto, personal information, professional information,
educational information and the like. Each registered user
(memberofthesystem) mayaccessprofilescorrespondingto
other users ofthe system.
At step 804, a user (hereinafter referred to as the second
user) may search (through the profiles ofother users within
the system) for posted/announced/requested (available)
activities, services or products. The available activities, ser
vices or products may be announced or requested by other
users ofthesystem (hereinafter referred to as first users). For
example, the second user may search for any recreational
activity, with some crediblepeople, on weekend. Thesecond
usermaybefacilitatedtosearchforactivities,invariousways
Such as based on the type of activity (for example, recre
ationalactivity),thatmaybepostedby oneormorefirstusers.
Further,thesecondusermay searchforallkindsofannounce
ment or requests for activities or services or products by a
specific firstuser oraspecific group ofusers.Thegroup may
correspond to one of family, friend, business group and the
like.
At step 806,thesecondusermay accepttheannouncement
or request including all the terms or conditions made by the
first user. The first user may then be notified by the system
through Suitable means about the acceptance of his/her
announcement or request by the second user. The first user
may then allow or deny the second user for performing or
participatingin theactivity, serviceorproductthathe/shehas
announced or requested. In an embodiment, the second user
may be assigned with the service/activity corresponding to
the announcement for completion thereof
Further, at step 808, it is determined if the bidding is
required for performing/accepting the announcement for
sharing/purchasing any activity/service/product posted by
the first user. Ifitis determinedthat the first userhas asked for
bid foracceptingthe requestorsharing/exchanging/purchas
ing the service with/from the first user then the method pro
ceeds to step 810 (as shown by Yes’ pointer from step 808).
Further, if it is determined that no bidding is required for
accepting the request or sharing/exchanging/purchasing the
service with/from the first user then the method proceeds to
step806 to accepttheannouncementorrequest (as shown by
No pointer from step 808).
Atstep810, thesecond user may bidto perform orpartici
pateinannouncedactivity/service/product. Further,basedon
thebid, thesecondusermayormay notbeallowedbythefirst
userto perform orparticipate in theactivity, service orprod
luctannouncedbythefirstuser. Inanembodiment,thesecond
user mayalso negotiate ontheterms and conditionsaskedby
the first user of the system. Further, on completion of the
accepted activity/service/request, at step 812, both the first
userandthesecondusermaybenotifiedaboutthecompletion
ofthe activity, service or product and further about require
ment ofproviding ratingtoeach otherbasedonexperience of
the first user and performance ofthe second user.
At step 814, based on the rating/review received from the
firstuser, somepoints maybe debitedfrom theoverall profile
points of the second user. The system may also notify the
second userabout the debited points through suitable means
such as email notification, profile notification, SMS notifica
tion, call notification and the like

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a network, in accordancewithyetanotherembodimentofthe
present invention. The method may be understood more
readinconjunctionwith FIGS. 7and8.Theorderinwhichthe
method is performed is not intended to be construedas limi
tation, and further any number ofthe method steps may be
combined in orderto implementthe methodoran alternative
method without departing from the scope ofthe invention.
In FIG.9, atstep902,aprofilemaybecreatedfora userby
receiving information Such as personal information, profes
sional information, educational information andthelike. The
profileoftheusermayallowhim/herto accessprofiles (infor
mation) correspondingto the otherusers ofa system, Such as
the system 108. At step 904, the user (hereinafter referred to
as the first user) may beenabled to announce any shareable
orexchangeable activity, service orresources forotherusers
ofthe system.The system may alsoallow thefirstusertoadd
conditions (correspondingto theannouncement)that maybe
followed by a second userforperforming orparticipating in
the shareable orexchangeable activity, service or resources.
At step 906, based on the announcement or request made
bythefirstuser,oneormoresecondusers (ofthesystem) may
be determined based on the one or more conditions. Further,
thedetermined second users may be the matched suitably for
theannouncedservice/activity/product.Theoneor moresec
ondusers may be determinedbyanalyzing theprofiles ofthe
second users based ontheconditionsandtypeofthe activity/
service/product. Further, hobbies ofthe second users may be
matched with the hobbies ofthe first user. Furthermore, the
location of the activity/service as may be mentioned in
announcement may be matched with the location of each
second user. Based on the matching of the profile of the
second users with theprofileofthe first userand information
corresponding to the activity/service, one or more Suitable
secondusers maybedeterminedthat mayberecommendedto
the first user.
At step 908, the first user may be notified about the deter
minedprofiles oftheoneormoresecondusers thatmay beof
interestto the firstuser. Further,at step910, the secondusers
(of the system) may be enabled to apply or accept the
announcementorrequest for sharableorexchangeableactiv
ity, service or resources. In an embodiment, ifa second user
applies for(oraccepts)theannouncement orthe requestthen
the first user may be notified about the interest ofthe second
user. Further, the second user may be facilitated to perform
andcompletetheacceptedactivity,serviceorproduct.Atstep
912, after the completion ofthe task (corresponding to shar
able?exchangeable activity, service, product) announced by
the first user, both the first user and the second users may be
notifiedthrough Suitable meansaboutratingeach otherbased
on their performance or participation in the sharable or
exchangeable activity or service or resources. For example,
the system may remind the first user to rate all ofthe second
users based on their performances in sharing/exchanging
activity, service, product. Further,the system may remindall
ofthe second users to rate the first user depending upon the
experience in sharing or exchanging activity, service or
SOUCS.
At step 914, depending upon the rating, type, of the
announced or requested sharable or exchangeable, activity,
service or resources, value ofthe points may be updated for
the particularactivity and thus, for the overall profile points.
In an embodiment, some points may be credited or debited
to/from the first user's account andthe second users’ account
respectively. Forexample, the system may eithercreditsome
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points the first userforprovidinghis services or resources to
second users or mayprovideSomecreditpoints tothesecond
users forprovidingtheir services orresources to first user. In
another embodiment, the system may credit Some points to
both the first user and the second user in case of service
exchangeoption.Yetinanotherembodiment,thesystem may
calculate the points that may be credited/debited to/from the
account of the users based on pre-set algorithms. For
example, the credit points may be calculated based on the
type oftheannouncedorrequestedsharableorexchangeable
activity, service orresource.
Further, the method is not restricted to above information
as mentioned herein. The various embodiments that are
explained in FIGS. 3,4, 5, 6, 7 and8 may be utilized byeach
ofthe methodsasexplainedhereabove. Further,theinvention
is not limited to above-mentioned embodiments and
examplesand manyotherembodimentsandexamplesmaybe
implementedin light ofthe invention without departing from
the scope ofthe invention.
It may be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiments. Further, various otherembodiments may also
beimplemented through the featuresprovidedby thesystem.
Also, the usage ofterminology Such as first user, second
user may notbeconsideredasrestrictiveaspectofthepresent
invention as Such terminologies are usedjust forthe purpose
ofbetterexplanation. Furthermore, a userofthe system, such
as the system 108 (as described previously), not only be
facilitatedto share orexchange resources and information in
thenetwork.Additionally,theusermaybesupportedperform
variousothertaskssuchasselling,purchasing,borrowingone
or more items, service, activities, information and so forth.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a method
and system to Support sharing/exchanging/purchasing/sell
ing any activity/service/product with oneor more users. Fur
ther,thepresentinventionallows each usertoshare/exchange
resources/information with users having some credibility
value. Furthermore, the present invention facilitates the user
to determine the credibility of other users before sharing/
exchanging/purchasing/selling any activity/service/product
therewith. Again further, the present invention enables each
user to announce any activity/service/product that may be
assigned to othercredible users ofthe system. Moreover, the
present invention may provide Suitable matches, of one or
more credible users, forperforming/sharingany activity/ser
vice/product provide rating provides. This saves time con
Sumptionattheuser's endthat mayotherwisebeconsumedin
searching credible and Suitable persons. Additionally, the
presentinventionmayenablethe userstoreceivecreditpoints
forsharing/exchangingactivities/services/product.Thus,this
enableseach userto dotradeactivities,through creditpoints,
without spending time through personal involvement in dis
cussing the corresponding matters. Accordingly, the users
may receive benefit of Social networking while earning the
points.
It may beappreciatedby aperson skilled in the art that the
invention is not limited to the advantages as mentioned here
above. Further many otheradvantages may be understood in
light ofthe description given above without departing from
the scope ofthe invention. Forexample, in an embodiment,
the user may be facilitated to receive notifications when one
or more activities/services are accepted by any user ofthe
system. Due to this, the user who posts any activity/service
need not check time and again for determining whether any
response is received from any suitable user.
Embodiments of the invention are described above with
reference to block diagrams and Schematic illustrations of

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methodsandsystemsaccordingtoembodimentsoftheinven
tion. Itwillbeunderstoodthateachblockofthediagramsand
combinations ofblocks in the diagrams can be implemented
by computerprogram instructions. These computer program
instructions maybe loadedonto oneormoregeneralpurpose
computers, special purpose computers, or other program
mable data processing translator to produce machines. Such
that the instructions that execute on the computers or other
programmable data processing translator create means for
implementing the functions specified in the block orblocks.
Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or
otherprogrammable data processingapparatus to function in
a particular manner, Such that the instructions stored in the
computer-readable memory produce an article of manufac
tureincluding instruction means that implement the function
specified in the block or blocks.
While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and
variousembodiments,itisto be understood thattheinvention
is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the
contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and
equivalentarrangements included within the spiritand scope
ofthe appended claims. The invention has been described in
the general context of computing devices, phone and com
puter-executable instructions, such as program modules,
being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules
include routines, programs, characters, components, data
structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement
particularabstract data types. A person skilled in the art will
appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other
computer system configurations, including hand-held
devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, mini
computers, mainframe computers, and the like. Further, the
invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
worlds where tasks are performed by remote processing
devicesthatarelinkedthroughacommunications network. In
a distributed computing world, program modules may be
located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any
person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including
makingand usingany devices orsystemsandperformingany
incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is
defined in the claims, and may include other examples that
occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are
intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have
structuralelements thatdo notdifferfrom theliterallanguage
oftheclaims,orifthey includeequivalentstructuralelements
with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of
the claims.
The invention claimed is:
1. A system for sharing and exchanging in a network, the
system comprising:
(a) a processor,
(b) a memory coupled to the processor, the memory com
prising:
(1) a database comprising:
(i) information corresponding to first users, each of
thefirstusersbeingfacilitatedforannouncing shar
able activity, service or product, and one or more
conditions corresponding thereto, the sharable
activity, service or product being announced for
inviting one or more second users there for;
(ii) information corresponding to the one or more
second users, the second usersbeing facilitated for
accepting at least one of the announced sharable
activity, service orproduct;
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(2) instructions executable by the processor to match
each of the first users to at least one of the second
users; and
(3) instructions executable by the processor to inform
each ofthe first users about the match with theat least
oneofthesecond users,whereineachofthefirstusers
matches with at least one ofthe second users when all
the one ormore conditions are metby the at least one
second user based on the information corresponding
to each ofthe second users;
(4) instructions, executable by the processor, to send a
notification for crediting at least one first user and
debitingat least one second userwith pre-set number
of points, based on sharing at least one of activity,
service or product between the at least one first user
and the at least one second user, wherein the credited
points being utilized, by the firstuser,foroneofshare
orexchangeofatleastoneofsharableactivity,service
orproductannouncedby oneormoreotherfirstusers;
(5) instructions,executableby theprocessor, for receiv
ingrating fromatleast one ofthefirstusers orat least
oneofthe second users from at least one ofthesecond
users or the at least one ofthe first user respectively,
basedon theacceptedatleastoneofsharableactivity,
service or product.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein one of the
sharableactivity, service orproductcomprise share ofone of
ride in said first user vehicle, sport activity or share of a
personal item.
3.Thesystemaccordingto claim 1,whereintheatleastone
ofthe announced sharable activity, service or product being
accepted to share the at least one ofthe announced sharable
activity, serviceorproductfrom thefirstusers,theatleastone
ofthe announced sharable activity, service or product being
accepted based on the one or more conditions.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or
more conditions comprise atleast oneoftype,time, location,
compensation, security collateral or required skill level cor
responding to the sharable activity, service orproduct.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further
comprisinginstructions, executableby theprocessor, to send
a reminder to the at least one ofthe first users and at least one
ofthe second users forproviding rating to the at least one of
the second users and the at least one ofthe first user respec
tively, basedon the accepted at leastone ofsharableactivity,
service or product.
6. A system to Support sharing and exchanging in a net
work, the system comprising:
(a) a processor,
(b) a memory coupled to the processor, the memory com
prising:
(i) List offirst users, each ofthe first users willing to
provide share ofat least one ofactivity, service or
product,andoneormoreconditionscorresponding
thereto;
(ii) Listofsecondusers,thesecondusersfacilitatedto
acceptthe share ofactivity, service orproduct; and
users, wherein each ofthe first users matches with at
least one ofthe second users when the one or more
conditions are met by information corresponding to
the at least one ofthe second users;
(3) instructions executable by the processor to send an
email to the first user forcredit ofpre-set numberof
points; and
(4) instructions executable by the processor to send an
email to the at least one ofthe second users for debit
of the pre-set number ofpoints; wherein the pre-set

US 9,083,728 B1
31
numberofpointsbeingcreditedand debitedbasedon
sharingatleastoneofactivity, serviceorproductwith
the at least one of the second users; wherein the
memory further comprising instructions executable
by the processorto enable the first userto utilize the
creditedpointsforoneofshareorexchangeofatleast
oneofsharableactivity, serviceorproductannounced
by one or more other users:
(5) instructions, executableby theprocessor, for receiv
ingrating from at leastoneofthe firstusers orat least
oneofthesecond users from at least oneofthesecond
users orthe at leastoneofthe first user respectively,
basedontheacceptedatleastoneofsharableactivity,
service or product.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the memory further
comprising instructions executable by the processor to
inform each ofthe first users about the match with theat least
one ofthe second users.
8. The system according to claim 6, wherein said share of
at least one ofactivity, service or product comprises one of
share ofrideinvehiclecorrespondingto thefirstuser,shareof
one ofsport activity ora personal item.
9. The system ofclaim 6, wherein each ofthe first users
willing to offerexchange ofat least one ofthe serviceor the
product,thesecondusersfacilitatedtoaccepttheexchangeof
theat leastone ofthe service or the product.
10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the one or
more conditionscompriseatleastoneoftype, time, location,
compensation,security collateralandrequiredskill level cor
responding to the at least one ofactivity, service orproduct.
11. A system to support sharing and exchanging in a net
work, the system comprising:
(a) a processor;
(b)a memory coupledto the processor,the memory com
prising:
(i) Listoffirst users, each ofthefirst users willing to
provide share ofat least one ofactivity, service or
product,andoneormoreconditionscorresponding
thereto;
10
15
25
30
35
32
(ii) List ofsecond users,thesecondusersfacilitatedto
acceptthe shareofactivity, serviceorproduct; and
users, wherein each ofthe first users matches with at
least one of the second users when the one or more
conditions are met by information corresponding to
the at least one ofthe second users; and
(3) instructionsexecutable by theprocessorforsending
notificationto the firstuserandthe at leastonesecond
user for corresponding credit and debit of pre-set
numberofpoints basedon sharingofthe activity, the
service or the product, the pre-set number ofpoints
being credit or debited based on accepting the
announced sharable activity, service or product;
wherein the memory further comprising instructions
executable by theprocessorto enable the first userto
utilizethecreditedpoints foroneofshareorexchange
ofat least oneofsharableactivity, serviceorproduct
announced by one or more other users;
(4) instructions executable by the processor for receiv
ingrating from atleastoneofthefirstusers orat least
oneofthe second users from at least oneofthesecond
users orthe at leastone ofthe first userrespectively,
basedontheacceptedatleastoneofsharableactivity,
service orproduct;
(5) instructions executable by the processor to send a
notificationto thefirstusertoprovidereviewfortheat
least one ofthe second user; and
(6) instructions executable by the processor to send a
notification to the at least one ofthe second users to
provide review for the at least one ofthe first user.
12.Thesystemaccordingtoclaim 11,whereinoftheoneor
more conditions comprise at least one oftype, date, time,
maximum time window, maximum time window, location,
compensation, security collateral, and required skill level
corresponding to the share ofactivity, serviceorproduct.
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