WO2019094638A1

WO2019094638A1 - Communications platforms for use with a closed network of mobile devices

Info

Publication number: WO2019094638A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/059888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ryan OGLE
Original assignee: Ripple App Corporation
Priority date: 2017-11-08
Filing date: 2018-11-08
Publication date: 2019-05-16

Abstract

Disclosed herein are computer-implemented communications systems for use with a network of mobile devices comprising: a digital processing device comprising a communications application comprising: a software module allowing a user to swipe only a portion of a digital people card to view different categories of information of a person on the people card; a software module allowing a user to initiate a request for introduction comprising an area and a type of help; a software module querying a central sever with the request to: identify current connections of the user as possible introducers wherein the possible introducers is blinded to the user; notify the possible introducers allowing each of them to select potential introductions that can be introduced to the user; notify each selected potential introductions allowing selected potential introductions to accept or deny the introduction to the user; and connect the selected potential introductions who accepted the introduction.

Description

COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORMS FOR USE WITH A CLOSED NETWORK

OF MOBILE DEVICES

CROSS-REFERENCE

[001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/583,378, filed Novemeber 08, 2017, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Communications systems or platforms allow users to connect to relevant people, get updates about interesting happenings in their industry, find professional events to attend, and exchange information related to specific professional topics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] Existing communications systems connecting relevant people for exchanging

professional information have numerous disadvantages. For example, getting introduced to relevant people today in existing communications system is a one-to-one process and often requires the user to manually draft a message to a stranger. As a result, the process is

tremendously inefficient and puts undue pressure on both parties. Another disadvantage of existing communications systems is that the relevant users or content are simply sorted by last active when they are presented to the user which exert additional effort on the user to manually extract out the most important and valuable information that he or she should act on. Additional disadvantages associated with the existing communications systems, especially those on mobile devices, include lacking of a method or mechanism that can efficient provides highlights about a potential connection without prompting the user to go into one or more different interfaces. In current communications system, the user may have to go back and forth among different interfaces in order to grasp highlights in different categories of the potential connection thus it is time-consuming and inconvenient for the user. Further, upon initial connection of two users in existing communications system, one or both users are pressured to find relevant topics or information to initiate effective communication which may require additional time and effort. Thus, there is unmet need for communications systems that allow people to connect and communicate more efficiently, conveniently with less manual effort from the user.

[004] The communications systems, methods, and media disclosed herein effectively overcome the disadvantages of the existing communications systems and greatly facilitate professional connections and communications not only between already connected users but also between users and their potential connections. The communications systems, methods, and media herein advantageously select content that are relevant to both of the connected users and present them as pinned content in a chat interface between the two users so that either of two users can easily and conveniently utilizes the pinned content as a conversation starter, especially when the two users are just connected and manually selection of conversation starters can be very time consuming and ineffective. Further, the communications systems, methods, and media herein advantageously allow the user to browse most important information about a potential connection without the need to go into a different interface or a separate view so that the browsing experience is made simpler and more efficient. For example, a user can browse a potential connection's experience and education by changing only a portion of the current interface but without going into a completely different interface. As a result, the user can easily refer to the unaltered portion of the same view for other key information of the potential connection, such as the potential connection's picture, name, current title and employer. Mostly importantly, the communications systems herein advantageously make the request for professional introduction to a stranger more effective and less difficult for a user. In specific, the communications systems herein enables introduction by automatically generating candidates of middle men from the user's existing connections and prompt the middle men to select one or more potential introductions from their connections for the user making the request. Such introduction process herein eliminates the pressure on different parties involved as the middle men are blinded to the user, and the potential introductions are also blinded to the user. Other advantages in introduction process herein include less manual effort from any parties in the process and high efficiency in approaching multiple potential introductions via one single request for introduction from the original user. Further, the communications systems allows the user to advantageously browse connections and information in a stack of digital cards so that only a portion or the entirety of the card may be changed with the user's interaction with the card indicating some user feedback toward the content displayed on the card.

[005] In some embodiments, disclosed herein are computer-implemented communications systems, for use with a network of mobile devices comprising: a digital processing device comprising: at least one processor, an operating system configured to perform executable instructions, a memory, and a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create a communications application comprising: a software module allowing a user of a communications network to review a stack of digital cards on a mobile device of the user, each digital card comprising information pertaining to one or more industries and skills that the user is interested in, the stack of digital cards comprising one people card, and one or more of: a news card, an event card, and a social media posting card; a software module allowing a user to swipe only a portion of the people card via user interaction with an input device to view different categories of information of a person featured on the people card, the person within the communications network; a software module allowing a user to initiate a request for introduction, the request for introduction comprising an area and a type of help that the user seeks; a software module querying a central sever with the request for introduction, via a communications element, to: automatically identify one or more current connections of the user as one or more possible introducers, information of the one or more possible introducers matching the area and the type of help that the user seeks, wherein the one or more possible introducers is blinded to the user and is within the communication network; automatically notify the one or more possible introducers, the notification allowing each of the one or more possible introducers to select one or more potential introductions that can be introduced to the user, each of the one or more potential introductions being a current connection to the possible introducer making the selection and being selected by the central server based on a matching algorithm; automatically notify each of the selected potential introductions, the notification allowing each of the selected potential introductions to accept or deny the introduction to the user via a swipe; and automatically connect the user to all or a subset of the one or more selected potential

introductions, the all or subset of the one or more selected potential introductions accepted the introduction. In some embodiments, the communications systems herein further comprises a software module allowing a user to review prioritized information in a chat interface, the prioritized information automatically generated by the central server and based on common interests of the user and one or more other users in the chat. In some embodiments, the communications systems herein further comprises a software module allowing a user to review a plurality of connections and one or more action items related to one or more of the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections are presented in a customizedly ranked list automatically generated by the central server based on the one or more industries and skills that the user is interested in.

[006] In some embodiments, disclosed herein are non-tangible computer readable media for use with a network of mobile devices comprising: a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create a communications application comprising: a software module allowing a user of a communications network to review a stack of digital cards on a mobile device of user, each digital card comprising information pertaining to one or more industries and skills that the user is interested in, the stack of digital cards comprising one people card, and one or more of: a news card, an event card, and a social media posting card; a software module allowing a user to swipe only a portion of the people card via user interaction with an input device to view different categories of information of a person featured on the people card, the person within the communications network; a software module allowing a user to initiate a request for introduction, the request for introduction comprising an area and a type of help that the user seeks; a software module querying a central sever with the request for introduction, via a communications element, to: automatically identify one or more current connections of the user as one or more possible introducers, information of the one or more possible introducers matching the area and the type of help that the user seeks, wherein the one or more possible introducers is blinded to the user and is within the communication network; automatically notify the one or more possible introducers, the notification allowing each of the one or more possible introducers to select one or more potential introductions that can be introduced to the user, each of the one or more potential introductions being a current connection to the possible introducer making the selection and being selected by the central server based on a matching algorithm; automatically notify each of the selected potential introductions, the notification allowing each of the selected potential introductions to accept or deny the introduction to the user via a swipe; and automatically connect the user to all or a subset of the one or more selected potential

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[007] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present subject matter will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments and the accompanying drawings of which:

[008] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to select one or more industries and one or more skills of interests;

[009] Fig. 2A shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to review a digital card stack of content relevant to the one or more industries and/or skills of interests; [010] Fig. 2B shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to review a card stack of contents relevant to the one or more industries or skills of interests.

[Oil] Fig. 3A shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to review a card stack of people cards by scrolling an entire card or only a portion thereof;

[012] Fig. 3B shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to review a card stack of people cards by scrolling an entire card or only a portion thereof;

[013] Fig. 4A shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to initiate a request for introduction to people not in the user's connection list;

[014] Fig. 4B shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allow an automatically-selected introducer to review the introduction request;

[015] Fig. 4C shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows an introducer to select one or more potential introductions among his/her connections;

[016] Fig. 4D shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allow a user to review an introduction message from an introducer;

[017] Figs. 5A-5B shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to view the connections or potential connections in a automatically-ranked list and the system-suggested action items towards the connections or potential connections;

[018] Fig. 6A shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to view pinned content in the chat interface between any two people, the pinned content automatically generated based on mutual interests of the two people;

[019] Fig. 6B shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to view pinned content and initiate chat using the pinned content in the chat interface between any two people, the pinned content automatically generated based on mutual interests of the two people; [020] Fig. 7A shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user to view professional groups and join one or more groups;

[021] Fig. 7B shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an interface that allows a user view and send group messages based on the connection ranking of user;

[022] Fig. 7C shows an exemplary embodiment of the platforms and systems disclosed herein; in this case, an exemplary connection ranking of users;

[023] Fig. 8 shows a non-limiting schematic diagram of a digital processing device; in this case, a device with one or more CPUs, a memory, a communication interface, and a display;

[024] Fig. 9 shows a non-limiting schematic diagram of a web/mobile application provision system; in this case, a system providing browser-based and/or native mobile user interfaces; and

[025] Fig. 10 shows a non-limiting schematic diagram of a cloud-based web/mobile application provision system; in this case, a system comprising an elastically load balanced, auto-scaling web server and application server resources as well synchronously replicated databases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[026] Existing communications systems connecting relevant people for exchanging

[027] The communications systems, methods, and media disclosed herein effectively overcome the disadvantages of the existing communications systems and greatly facilitate professional connections and communications not only between already connected users but also between users and their potential connections. The communications systems, methods, and media herein advantageously select content that are relevant to both of the connected users and present them as pinned content in a chat interface between the two users so that either of two users can easily and conveniently utilizes the pinned content as a conversation starter, especially when the two users are just connected and manually selection of conversation starters can be very time consuming and ineffective. Further, the communications systems, methods, and media herein advantageously allow the user to browse most important information about a potential connection without the need to go into a different interface or a separate view so that the browsing experience is made simpler and more efficient. For example, a user can browse a potential connection's experience and education by changing only a portion of the current interface but without going into a completely different interface. As a result, the user can easily refer to the unaltered portion of the same view for other key information of the potential connection, such as the potential connection's picture, name, current title and employer. Mostly importantly, the communications systems herein advantageously make the request for professional introduction to a stranger more effective and less difficult for a user. In specific, the communications systems herein enables introduction by automatically generating candidates of middle men from the user's existing connections and prompt the middle men to select one or more potential introductions from their connections for the user making the request. Such introduction process herein eliminates the pressure on different parties involved as the middle men are blinded to the user, and the potential introductions are also blinded to the user. Other advantages in introduction process herein include less manual effort from any parties in the process and high efficiency in approaching multiple potential introductions via one single request for introduction from the original user. Further, the communications systems allows the user to advantageously browse connections and information in a stack of digital cards so that only a portion or the entirety of the card may be changed with the user's interaction with the card indicating some user feedback toward the content displayed on the card.

[028] In some embodiments, disclosed herein are computer-implemented communications systems, for use with a network of mobile devices comprising: a digital processing device comprising: at least one processor, an operating system configured to perform executable instructions, a memory, and a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create a communications application comprising: a software module allowing a user of a communications network to review a stack of digital cards on a mobile device of the user, each digital card comprising information pertaining to one or more industries and skills that the user is interested in, the stack of digital cards comprising one people card, and one or more of: a news card, an event card, and a social media posting card; a software module allowing a user to swipe only a portion of the people card via user interaction with an input device to view different categories of information of a person featured on the people card, the person within the communications network; a software module allowing a user to initiate a request for introduction, the request for introduction comprising an area and a type of help that the user seeks; a software module querying a central sever with the request for introduction, via a communications element, to: automatically identify one or more current connections of the user as one or more possible introducers, information of the one or more possible introducers matching the area and the type of help that the user seeks, wherein the one or more possible introducers is blinded to the user and is within the communication network; automatically notify the one or more possible introducers, the notification allowing each of the one or more possible introducers to select one or more potential introductions that can be introduced to the user, each of the one or more potential introductions being a current connection to the possible introducer making the selection and being selected by the central server based on a matching algorithm; automatically notify each of the selected potential introductions, the notification allowing each of the selected potential introductions to accept or deny the introduction to the user via a swipe; and automatically connect the user to all or a subset of the one or more selected potential

[029] In some embodiments, disclosed herein are non-tangible computer readable media for use with a network of mobile devices comprising: a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create a communications application comprising: a software module allowing a user of a communications network to review a stack of digital cards on a mobile device of user, each digital card comprising information pertaining to one or more industries and skills that the user is interested in, the stack of digital cards comprising one people card, and one or more of: a news card, an event card, and a social media posting card; a software module allowing a user to swipe only a portion of the people card via user interaction with an input device to view different categories of information of a person featured on the people card, the person within the communications network; a software module allowing a user to initiate a request for introduction, the request for introduction comprising an area and a type of help that the user seeks; a software module querying a central sever with the request for introduction, via a communications element, to: automatically identify one or more current connections of the user as one or more possible introducers, information of the one or more possible introducers matching the area and the type of help that the user seeks, wherein the one or more possible introducers is blinded to the user and is within the communication network; automatically notify the one or more possible introducers, the notification allowing each of the one or more possible introducers to select one or more potential introductions that can be introduced to the user, each of the one or more potential introductions being a current connection to the possible introducer making the selection and being selected by the central server based on a matching algorithm; automatically notify each of the selected potential introductions, the notification allowing each of the selected potential introductions to accept or deny the introduction to the user via a swipe; and automatically connect the user to all or a subset of the one or more selected potential

Certain terms

[030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. [031] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to "or" herein is intended to encompass "and/or" unless otherwise stated.

[032] As used herein, the term "about," "approximately," or "near" refers to an amount that is near the stated amount by about 10%, 5%, or 1%, including increments therein.

Skill Picker

[033] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein include a skill Picker. In some embodiments, the skill picker is used upon first installation or initialization of a user's account on the communications platform. In some embodiments, the skill picker is used upon first installation or initialization of a user's profile on the communication platform. In some embodiments, the user's profile includes name, current and past job title, employer, location, contact information, digital business card, professional groups, work experience, professional activities, publications, patents, awards, professional membership, professional area and possible sub-areas of interests, professional industry, and possible sub-industry of interests. In some embodiments, the user's profile includes access to third-party websites or webpages.

[034] In some embodiments, the communications platform includes a central server comprising a digital processing device. In some embodiments, the communicaitons platform includes more than one mobile device. In some embodiments, the communications platform and each mobile device includes a wired or wireless communications element, for example, a radio transceiver with an antenna or connection for an external antenna. In some embodiments, the

communications element is a built-in or attached wired or wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the wired or wireless communications element enables data communications among connected devices. In some embodiments, the communications element is configured to enable data communication either in one direction or in both directions (i.e., transmission and receiving.) Non-limiting examples of the types of data communication include: phone-line connection, networking cable connection, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Near field communication (NFC), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), long- term evolution (LTE), cellular network signal, satellite signal, radio frequency signal, microwave signal, wireless local area networks (WLANs). Non-limiting example of communications cable include: twisted pair, phone-line, DSL, power line, USB, auxiliary, and fiber optic cables.

[035] In some embodiments, the skill picker includes a user interface that allows a user to select one or more industries he or she is in or one or more industries where his or her professional interests reside in. In some embodiments, one or more industries may include at least one sub- level. In some embodiments, one or more industries include more than two sub-levels. In some embodiments, the user's selection of one or more industries at the main level, and/or at one or more sub-levels is used by a central server to delivery better recommendations to the user. Such recommendations, for instances, include who to connect with, what industry news is relevant to the user, what events the user might be interested in, and what professional groups the user might be interested in. Referring to Fig.l, in particular embodiments, a user interface allows a user to visualize a mosaic of tiles representing industries or professional areas of interests 101 to the user. In some embodiments, selecting one tile 101 causes a "ripple" through the other tiles and results in flipping over and emanating of the other tiles from the point of selection. In these particular embodiments, when the tiles flip over, the sub-level items associated with the selection are displayed 102. For example, when the user selects "Tech" tile via user interaction with an input device, sub-levels of "tech," such as mobile development, artificial intelligence, biotech, etc are presented for the user's selection. Optionally the user selects mobile development 102. In some embodiments, multiple industries, industry sublevels/skills may be selected, which are displayed as a long list of tiles that the user may scroll/swipe down and then users may go back to the top by selecting "add more skills" In some embodiments, when complete, the user hits the complete button, industries, skills of interests may be integrated into the user's preferences or profile, and then the user moves on to the next step of onboarding.

[036] In some embodiments, the user interaction disclosed herein includes one or more of: a touch, a click, a tap, highlighting, circling, contouring, a gesture, pointing, swiping, pressing, and crossing.

[037] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein include an input device to receive information from a user. In some embodiments, the input device is a keyboard. In some embodiments, the input device is a pointing device including, by way of non-limiting examples, a mouse, trackball, track pad, joystick, game controller, or stylus. In some

embodiments, the input device is a touch screen or a multi-touch screen. In other embodiments, the input device is a microphone to capture voice or other sound input. In other embodiments, the input device is a video camera or other sensor to capture motion or visual input. In some embodiments, the input device is a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, inertial sensor, resistance sensor, a capacitance sensor, or an inductance sensor. In further embodiments, the input device is a Kinect, Leap Motion, or the like. In still further embodiments, the input device is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

Feeds

[038] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein include feed of content. In some embodiments, the feed of content includes one or more digital feed cards. In some embodiments, the feed of content includes one or more types of digital feed cards. In some embodiments, the feed of content includes a card stack of relevant content to the user's professional interests or career. In some embodiment, the feed or feed type includes one or more people, events, news stories, social media postings, and medium articles. In some embodiments, one or more types of feed may be includes in one single digital card. In some embodiments, one type of feed may be includes in more than one feed cards. In some embodiments, the central server automatically selects one or more feed cards to be presented to a user based on the user's input of industries or skills. In some embodiments, the feed of content allows a user to: identify people in his/her industry that can be potential connections to the user; stay up to date with what's happening in his/her industry; find events to attend to continue networking, and more. In some embodiments, the feed may include more than one stack of digital cards, each stack containing one or more digital cards based on the relevance of the feed. In some embodiments, the user may be able to select one stack of cards among multiple stacks via a user interaction with the input device. For example, the user may swipe to switch among multiple card stacks by visualizing the top most card in the card stack, after the user selects a card stack, he/she then can review individual cards in the stack via a different interaction with the input devices. In some embodiments, a digital card herein fits the digital display of a mobile device of the user so that the user does not need to scroll left/right/up/down to review information of the entire card. In some embodiments, the stack of cards may be organized based on relevance to the user's interests and/or industry, last update, or other possible ranking factors disclosed herein.

[039] Referring to Figs. 2A-2D, in particular embodiments, the feed of content is presented to the user as a stack of digital cards, the digital cards can have multiple card types including a people card 201 which features a person on the card with information. In some cases, the person is a current connection or a potential connection of the user. In these particular embodiments, such information includes a photo, a name, a title, and a variety of sub-categories related to the user. In some embodiments, a subcategory includes mutual connections (with the browsing user), experience, education, interests, and events. In some embodiments, the digital cards may include a news story card 202 which includes a title of the story, a picture, a body of the story, a company related to the story. In some embodiments, the digital cards may include an event card 203 and a social media posting card 204, for example, a tweet from other users that are current or potential connections of the user. In some embodiments, different cards may be grouped into the same stack of cards or different stacks.

Quick Scroll [040] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein include a quick scroll. In some embodiments, quick scroll is a method of getting more information about a person's profile without going into a completely separate or different view. In some embodiments, quick scroll allows a user to view a person's profile, the person doesn't have to be a current connection to the user on the communications platform. In some embodiments, quick scroll allows a user to only scroll a portion of the person's profile via a user interaction with an input device. In some embodiments, the person's profile is presented on a single digital card. In some embodiments, the quick scroll of only a portion of a digital card is equivalent to a "mini scroll." In some embodiments, a quick scroll allows a user to access important information about a person before going into the details. In some cases, the details may be represented on the back of the card. In some embodiments, the details are represented on separate card(s). In some embodiments, five main mini scroll categories include mutual connections (with the browsing user), experience, education, interests, and events. In some embodiments, user interaction with any sub-content of a category, such as tapping, reveals the full details of that sub-content. For example, if a user taps on an event presented on a people card, 307, detailed information of the event is shown on the back of the card or a different card. In some embodiments, the entire digital card may be swiped away so that the user can view a different card, for example featuring a user different as the one on the current people card.

[041] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein include one or more a dynamically changeable digital cards. In some embodiments, content within a portion of a dynamically changeable digital card may be altered by the user's interaction at an input device. In some embodiments, content within a portion of a dynamically changeable digital card may be altered automatically after a predetermined time period has lapsed. In some embodiments, the portion of the dynamically changeable digital card is in the top half or bottom half of the digital card. In some embodiments, the digital card is a people card. In some embodiments, the digital card is an event, news, or social media posting card. In some embodiments, content within a portion of a dynamically changeable digital card may be tappable, clickable, or otherwise interactive by user's interaction with it. In some embodiments, the user's interaction with content in the dynamically changeable digital card brings detailed information of that content.

[042] Referring to Figs. 3A-3B, in particular embodiments, the user views a person's profile as a digital card. The digital card includes a top section where the user's picture, name, and title 301 are shown and a bottom section where the user's connections 303 are shown and the connection icon 302 is highlighted. In some embodiments, the user may swipe the bottom portion of the digital card via touching and swiping an area within the changeable portion of the digital card to easily and conveniently swipe away the connections information. In the same embodiments, the same swipe interaction brings in new information of the person for display under the person's experience category 304 while the experience icon gets highlighted. Such quick scroll only changes the bottom portion of the digital people card but does not affect the picture, name, and title areas 302 in the top section of the card. In some embodiments, the user can use quick scroll to change the bottom portion to show education 305, skills 306, and events that the person is participating 307. In some embodiments, the quick scroll shows succinct information to a user about another user and contextually relevant information is highlighted. In some embodiments, the user also has the option to swipe the entire card. In some embodiments, the quick scroll may include a user's interaction with the input device via swiping right/left revealing more information about the person featured on the people card.

Introductions

[043] Current process of getting introduced to relevant people today can be terrible. Not only is it a manual and one-to-one process, but also a tremendously inefficient process which puts undue pressure on both parties. In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein allows introductions within the communications network without all of those issues by leveraging the connections of the users.

[044] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein provide an interface and allow the user to interact with a request for introduction button. In some embodiments, the user is presented an interface 401 in Fig. 4A where the user can select the area(s), industries, or skills they need help in. In some embodiments, the user optionally specifies the type of help, for example, hiring, learning, networking, etc. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the "ask for introductions button" before or after the selection of area(s) and type(s) of help. In some embodiments, the user's request for introduction is transmitted to the central server, optionally via a communications element. In some embodiments, the central server includes one or more algorithms that take the request for introduction and the user's selection of type of help and areas/industries of help as input and goes through all existing connections of the user and search for those with connections matching the user-specified area(s)/type(s) of expertise so that the user do not need to manually make the request of introduction to any of his/her connections. In some cases, the central server prompt those matching connections of the user (equivalent as middle man or possible introducer herein) (who have relevant connections) to make introduction for the original user. In some embodiments, the middle man receives an automatic notification from the central server 402 in Fig. 4B that a connection of the middle man, i.e., the user requested introduction, and the automatic notification optionally shows up in the middle man's feed of content with high priority. The middle man optionally taps on the automated notification and view a list of his/her connections that he or she can select from as potential introductions by a simple tappable menu 403, as in Fig. 4C. In some embodiments, the list of his/her connections is automatically generated by the one or more algorithms of the central server so that the middle men do not need to manually look for potential introductions. In some embodiments, the potential introductions get a notification card in their feed, the card optionally showing name and other related information of the request originating user, name and other information of the middle man, and/or a special introduction logo or an automatic or customized introduction message as in Fig. 4D. In some embodiments, if the potential introduction wants to connect, he/she may interact with the notification card, optionally by swipes right, and the potential introduction appears in the original user's feed, and becomes a connection to the original user. In some embodiments, the original user sees that the connection was introduced by one of their connections. In these particular embodiments, the original user swiping right completes the connection and the introduction.

[045] In some embodiments, the introduction feature disclosed herein advantageously eliminates manual work for the originating users so that they don't need to seek 1-to-l introductions. In some embodiments, the introduction feature disclosed herein is more efficient as the central server utilizes one or more algorithms to automatically find the relevant introductions for the users making the introduction request. Further, such introduction disclosed herein advantageously eliminates pressure on middle man making the introduction as the request-originating user is blinded to whom the central server is reaching out to as his/her middle men. So the middle man making the introduction can reject the request without the pressure of directly saying no to the original requester. In some embodiments, the introduction feature disclosed herein advantageously help the middle men to make the introduction more efficient as the central server only surfaces those connections of the middle men that are contextually relevant. In some embodiments, the introduction feature herein further advantageously helps the potential connections as there are blinded to the original user so that they can deny the request anonymously without making either party feel bad, i.e., themselves and the original user. In some embodiments, the introduction feature advantageously leverages the user's existing connections and their related information so that very little additional time or effort are needed from the original user, the middle men, or the potential connections in the introduction process.

[046] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, or media herein includes a central server. In some embodiments, the central server includes a digital processing device. In some embodiments, the central server includes one or more algorithms, computer program, software module, web application, mobile application, or use of the same. In some embodiments, the central server includes a communications element. In some embodiments, the central server includes a database.

[047] In some embodiments, the one or more algorithms include an algorithm for extracting content from one or more digital cards related to the original user, the user's connection, or the potential introductions (connections of the user's connection). In some cases, extracting the content utilizes a site map of the communications platform. In some cases, extracting the content utilizes a navigation menu of the communications platform. In some cases, extracting content includes filtering content by optical character recognition (OCR). In some cases, extracting content includes filtering content by image recognition. In some cases, extracting the content utilizes a machine learning system, a pattern recognition algorithm, a neural -network algorithm, an artificial intelligence algorithm, a deep learning algorithm, an empirical algorithm, a statistical algorithm, a mathematical algorithm, an optimization algorithm, or the like. In some cases, extracting content comprises one or more different processing of the content. Nonlimiting examples of extracting content includes: reading content, searching content, organizing content, filtering content, removing content, scrapping content, pattern recognition, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the content here is selected from but not limited to one or more of the following of the original user, the user's connection(s), or the potential introductions

(connections of the user's connection): a job title, an employer's name, an employer's industry, an industry of interest, an area of interests, work experience, professional experience, education, professional activities, publications, awards, professional memberships, professional skills, and professional groups.

[048] In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methods described herein include a notification, message, or use of the same. In some embodiments, the notification or message is automatically generated and sent by the central server. In some embodiments, the notification or message includes customized message that is entered by the original user or the middle man. In some embodiments, the notification or message is presented to the user as one or more digital cards or at least a portion of a digital card. In some embodiments, the digital card is a feed card. In some embodiments, the notification or message is presented with high priority so that it appears in the top portion of a digital card. In some embodiments, the notification or message is presented in the list of action items. In some embodiments, the notification or message includes a link, a button, or otherwise an area that the user can interact with. In some embodiments, user interaction with the link, button, or area prompt the middle man (connection to the user) to ignore or delete the notification or message or view a list of potential introductions that the middle man can select from. In some embodiments, user interaction with the link, button, or area prompt the potential connection (connection to the middle man) to ignore or delete the notification or message or accept the introduction and connect with the user. In some

embodiments, the notification or message includes one or more a text message, a picture, a hyperlink, an animation, a sound track, a video, a logo, an access to accept or delete the notification or message, and an access to a different digital card.

[049] In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methods described herein include a digital card, a stack of digital cards, or use of the same. In some embodiments, a digital card includes a size that fits to the user's digital display on his smart device. In some

embodiments, the digital card includes a front and a back, and different but relevant information may be included at the front or back of the digital card. In some embodiments, the digital card includes a size that its front or its back fits to the user's digital display. In some embodiments, the user may swipe to switch between viewing the front or back of the digital card. In some embodiments, the user may swipe to switch between viewing the front/back of one digital card and viewing the front/back of another digital card.

Connection list

[050] In some embodiments, the systems, platforms, and media herein provide an interface that allows the user to view existing connections and/or potential connections. In some embodiments, central server herein algorithmically ranks the existing connections and/or potential connections that are most relevant to the user. In some embodiments, the interface further allows the user to view suggested action items towards each connection within the communications network.

[051] In some embodiments, unlike traditional connection lists in social media applications or software, the central server herein does not simply rank a number of connections by last active. In some embodiments, the central server utilizes a ranking or listing algorithm that takes into account more than one elements of the connection including: last messaged to the user, last received message from the user, spatial proximity to the user's home location, previous location(s), and/or current location, common event(s) attended or attending in the future with the user, communication frequency with the user, general activity of the connection(has the connection done something interesting on the platform), or the link. In some embodiments, the ranking of the elements are weighted based on the user's preference(s) or activities within the communications network. For examples, if the user's activities have been focusing on local professional job events, the connections that are related to previous or future job events that are within the user's area may be given a higher weight during ranking. In some embodiments, the connection list may include a list of action items, optionally on the top section of the connection list to show the most important pieces of content that you should look at and take action on. In some embodiments, the types of items that the central server selects to display in the action item list are varied and can include one or more of: recent messages, notification regarding a request for introduction, important news or events, event happenings or updates, and group happenings or updates.

[052] Referring to Figs. 5A-5B, in a particular embodiment, three action items 501 are optionally listed on top of the connection list 502 card. These action items optionally include a notification regarding a request for introduction from a current connection of the user, and two private messages from different connections of the user. The user may interact with an individual item 503, optionally via a tap or a swipe to skip one or more action items. The central server may automatically generate more action items for the user if one or more action items are deleted by the user. In some embodiments, the user's action toward a connection or type of action item may be taken into consideration in generating future action items to the user.

Pinned content

[053] In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methods described herein include pinned content. In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methods described herein include a chat interface that allow connected users to send and receive chat messages that are only visible to the users in the chat. In some embodiments, there are only two connected users in the chat. In other embodiments, there are more than 2 users in the chat and the users are connected to each other. In some embodiments, the pinned content appears in the chat interface. In some embodiments, the central server automatically generates the pinned content. In some cases, the pinned content is automatically generated based on common interests and/or activities of two or more users in the chat. Non-limiting examples of pinned content include: stock quotes of companies that are relevant to two or more users in the chat (e.g. companies that two users worked at, important in a common industry, etc; news and information (e.g. stories about users' common industry, companies, etc.); tweets, medium posts, or articles from other users that two users in the chat are interested in; common events that two or more users plan to attend, location information of a common connection (e.g. Joe is in Hollywood now);

employment or profile information. Referring to Figs. 6A-6D, in some embodiments, the pinned content is presented in the chat screen at the upper portion as relevant contextual information that is shared by the two users in the chat. In some embodiments, pinned content may be tappable to initiate a custom response flow. For example, when a user taps the stock quote, a little tag is automatically inserted in the typing box, and the user reference a custom message to the stock quote. Referring to Figs. 6C-6D, in particular embodiments, pinned content include information of common event and user profile.

Groups

[054] In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methods described herein include groups of users. In further embodiments, the groups of users are active communities around topics in related industries. In some embodiments, the users in each individual group may share messages or information in particular ways that the central server defines. In some embodiments, for every interest and industry that a user picks optionally during the onboarding process, the user may be automatically added to a virtual group for that interest. Alternatively, the central server may provide a list of relevant groups for the user to manually select for joining. In some embodiments, groups thus, are like-minded groups of users. In some embodiments, any two users in a group are either connected or not-connected. In some embodiments, each group has a predetermined limit in the number of participants. In some embodiments, a group is divided and subdivided by relevance to achieve a number of participants which is less than the limit. In some cases, a group is divided by factors including but not limited to: geography, person's rank (people of similar stature in their respective field), and level of expertise, job title, education, or the like. In some embodiments, a group has a "waterfall" feature such that highly respected or influential users may have their messages propagated through much of the people in the group. In some embodiments, amateur or novice users in a group generally only are able to have their messages seen by people close in their rank.

[055] Referring to Fig. 7A, more than one profession groups are presented at a user interface so that the user may select to join one or more of them. When the user optionally joins the machine learning group, as in Fig. 7B, the user is able to see the group messages including pictures, videos, text, audio, or the like. Referring to Fig. 7C, in a particular embodiment, the users in a group may be divided into different sub-groups by the central sever automatically based on various factors disclosed herein. In this particular embodiment, the users in the "high

influencers" sub-group have their messages propagate to all the users as they are at the highest level in the "waterfall," while messages from the users in the sub-group of "middle level" does not go to the users in the "high influencers" group but only the users in the middle and novice subgroups. In the same embodiments, the messages of novice users are only visible to users in the same subgroups.

Digital processing device

[056] In some embodiments, the systems, media, and methods described herein include a digital processing device, or use of the same. In some embodiments, the central server disclosed herein includes a digital processing device. In some embodiments, the digital processing device is a mobile device. In further embodiments, the digital processing device includes one or more hardware central processing units (CPUs) or general purpose graphics processing units

(GPGPUs) that carry out the device's functions. In still further embodiments, the digital processing device further comprises an operating system configured to perform executable instructions. In some embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to a computer network. In further embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to the Internet such that it accesses the World Wide Web. In still further embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to a cloud computing infrastructure. In other embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to an intranet. In other embodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to a data storage device.

[057] In accordance with the description herein, suitable digital processing devices include, by way of non-limiting examples, server computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, sub-notebook computers, netbook computers, netpad computers, set-top computers, media streaming devices, handheld computers, Internet appliances, mobile smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, video game consoles, and vehicles. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many smartphones are suitable for use in the system described herein. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that select televisions, video players, and digital music players with optional computer network connectivity are suitable for use in the system described herein. Suitable tablet computers include those with booklet, slate, and convertible configurations, known to those of skill in the art.

[058] In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes an operating system configured to perform executable instructions. The operating system is, for example, software, including programs and data, which manages the device's hardware and provides services for execution of applications. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable server operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD^®, Linux, Apple^® Mac OS X Server^®, Oracle^® Solaris^®, Windows Server^®, and Novell^® NetWare^®. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable personal computer operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft^® Windows^®, Apple^® Mac OS X^®, UNIX^®, and UNIX- like operating systems such as GNU/Linux^®. In some embodiments, the operating system is provided by cloud computing. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable mobile smart phone operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Nokia^® Symbian^® OS, Apple^® iOS^®, Research In Motion^® BlackBerry OS^®, Google^® Android^®, Microsoft^® Windows Phone^® OS, Microsoft^® Windows Mobile^® OS, Linux^®, and Palm^® WebOS^®. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable media streaming device operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Apple TV^®, Roku^®, Boxee^®, Google TV^®, Google Chromecast^®, Amazon Fire^®, and Samsung^® HomeSync^®. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable video game console operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Sony^® PS3^®, Sony^® PS4^®, Microsoft^® Xbox 360^®, Microsoft Xbox One, Nintendo^® Wii^®, Nintendo^® Wii U^®, and Ouya^®.

[059] In some embodiments, the device includes a storage and/or memory device. The storage and/or memory device is one or more physical apparatuses used to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis. In some embodiments, the device is volatile memory and requires power to maintain stored information. In some embodiments, the device is non-volatile memory and retains stored information when the digital processing device is not powered. In further embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises flash memory. In some embodiments, the nonvolatile memory comprises dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises phase-change random access memory

(PRAM). In other embodiments, the device is a storage device including, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tapes drives, optical disk drives, and cloud computing based storage. In further embodiments, the storage and/or memory device is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

[060] In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes a display to send visual information to a user. In some embodiments, the display is a liquid crystal display (LCD). In further embodiments, the display is a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). In some embodiments, the display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In various further embodiments, on OLED display is a passive-matrix OLED (PMOLED) or active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. In some embodiments, the display is a plasma display. In other embodiments, the display is a video projector. In yet other embodiments, the display is a head- mounted display in communication with the digital processing device, such as a VR headset. In further embodiments, suitable VR headsets include, by way of non-limiting examples, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Microsoft HoloLens, Razer OSVR, FOVE VR, Zeiss VR One, Avegant Glyph, Freefly VR headset, and the like. In still further embodiments, the display is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

[061] Referring to Fig. 8, in a particular embodiment, an exemplary digital processing device 801 is programmed or otherwise configured to provide the communications application, the mobile device, the central server, and/or the communications system disclosed herein. The device 801 can regulate various aspects of the communications system, the communication application, the mobile device, and/or the central server of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the digital processing device 801 includes a central processing unit (CPU, also "processor" and "computer processor" herein) 805, which can be a single core or multi core processor, or a plurality of processors for parallel processing. The digital processing device 801 also includes memory or memory location 810 (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), electronic storage unit 815 (e.g., hard disk), communication interface 820 (e.g., network adapter) for communicating with one or more other systems, and peripheral devices 825, such as cache, other memory, data storage and/or electronic display adapters. The memory 810, storage unit 815, interface 820 and peripheral devices 825 are in communication with the CPU 805 through a communication bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard. The storage unit 815 can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data. The digital processing device 801 can be operatively coupled to a computer network ("network") 830 with the aid of the

communication interface 820. The network 830 can be the Internet, an internet and/or extranet, or an intranet and/or extranet that is in communication with the Internet. The network 830 in some cases is a telecommunication and/or data network. The network 830 can include one or more computer servers, which can enable distributed computing, such as cloud computing. The network 830, in some cases with the aid of the device 801, can implement a peer-to-peer network, which may enable devices coupled to the device 801 to behave as a client or a server.

[062] Continuing to refer to Fig. 8, the CPU 805 can execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions, which can be embodied in a program or software. The instructions may be stored in a memory location, such as the memory 810. The instructions can be directed to the CPU 805, which can subsequently program or otherwise configure the CPU 805 to implement methods of the present disclosure. Examples of operations performed by the CPU 805 can include fetch, decode, execute, and write back. The CPU 805 can be part of a circuit, such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components of the device 801 can be included in the circuit. In some cases, the circuit is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[063] Continuing to refer to Fig. 8, the storage unit 815 can store files, such as drivers, libraries and saved programs. The storage unit 815 can store user data, e.g., user preferences and user programs. The digital processing device 801 in some cases can include one or more additional data storage units that are external, such as located on a remote server that is in communication through an intranet or the Internet. [064] Continuing to refer to Fig. 8, the digital processing device 801 can communicate with one or more remote computer systems through the network 830. For instance, the device 801 can communicate with a remote computer system of a user. Examples of remote computer systems include personal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tablet PCs (e.g., Apple^® iPad, Samsung^® Galaxy Tab), telephones, Smart phones (e.g., Apple^® iPhone, Android-enabled device,

Blackberry^®), or personal digital assistants.

[065] Methods as described herein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g., computer processor) executable code stored on an electronic storage location of the digital processing device 801, such as, for example, on the memory 810 or electronic storage unit 815. The machine executable or machine readable code can be provided in the form of software. During use, the code can be executed by the processor 805. In some cases, the code can be retrieved from the storage unit 815 and stored on the memory 810 for ready access by the processor 805. In some situations, the electronic storage unit 815 can be precluded, and machine-executable instructions are stored on memory 810.

Non-transitory computer readable storage medium

[066] In some embodiments, the systems, media, and methods disclosed herein include one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media encoded with a program including instructions executable by the operating system of an optionally networked digital processing device. In further embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is a tangible component of a digital processing device. In still further embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is optionally removable from a digital processing device. In some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium includes, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, solid state memory, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tape drives, optical disk drives, cloud computing systems and services, and the like. In some cases, the program and instructions are permanently, substantially permanently, semi-permanently, or non-transitorily encoded on the media.

Computer program

[067] In some embodiments, the systems, media, and methods disclosed herein include at least one computer program, or use of the same. A computer program includes a sequence of instructions, executable in the digital processing device's CPU, written to perform a specified task. Computer readable instructions may be implemented as program modules, such as functions, objects, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In light of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that a computer program may be written in various versions of various languages.

[068] The functionality of the computer readable instructions may be combined or distributed as desired in various environments. In some embodiments, a computer program comprises one sequence of instructions. In some embodiments, a computer program comprises a plurality of sequences of instructions. In some embodiments, a computer program is provided from one location. In other embodiments, a computer program is provided from a plurality of locations. In various embodiments, a computer program includes one or more software modules. In various embodiments, a computer program includes, in part or in whole, one or more web applications, one or more mobile applications, one or more standalone applications, one or more web browser plug-ins, extensions, add-ins, or add-ons, or combinations thereof.

Web application

[069] In some embodiments, the communications systems and media, the digital processing device, the mobile device, and/or central server includes a web application. In some

embodiments, the computer program herein includes a web application. In light of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that a web application, in various embodiments, utilizes one or more software frameworks and one or more database systems. In some embodiments, a web application is created upon a software framework such as Microsoft^® .NET or Ruby on Rails (RoR). In some embodiments, a web application utilizes one or more database systems including, by way of non-limiting examples, relational, non-relational, object oriented, associative, and XML database systems. In further embodiments, suitable relational database systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft^® SQL Server, mySQL™, and Oracle^®. Those of skill in the art will also recognize that a web application, in various embodiments, is written in one or more versions of one or more languages. A web application may be written in one or more markup languages, presentation definition languages, client-side scripting languages, server-side coding languages, database query languages, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a markup language such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Hypertext Markup Language

(XHTML), or extensible Markup Language (XML). In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a presentation definition language such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a client-side scripting language such as Asynchronous Javascript and XML (AJAX), Flash^® Actionscript, Javascript, or Silverlight^®. In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a server-side coding language such as Active Server Pages (ASP), ColdFusion^®, Perl, Java™, JavaServer Pages (JSP), Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP), Python™, Ruby, Tel, Smalltalk, WebDNA^®, or Groovy. In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a database query language such as Structured Query Language (SQL). In some embodiments, a web application integrates enterprise server products such as IBM^® Lotus Domino^®. In some embodiments, a web application includes a media player element. In various further

embodiments, a media player element utilizes one or more of many suitable multimedia technologies including, by way of non-limiting examples, Adobe^® Flash^®, HTML 5, Apple^® QuickTime^®, Microsoft^® Silverlight^®, Java™, and Unity^®.

[070] Referring to Fig. 9, in a particular embodiment, an application provision system comprises one or more databases 900 accessed by a relational database management system (RDBMS) 910. Suitable RDBMSs include Firebird, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, IBM Informix, SAP Sybase, SAP Sybase, Teradata, and the like. In this embodiment, the application provision system further comprises one or more application severs 920 (such as Java servers, .NET servers, PHP servers, and the like) and one or more web servers 930 (such as Apache, IIS, GWS and the like). The web server(s) optionally expose one or more web services via app application programming interfaces (APIs) 940. Via a network, such as the Internet, the system provides browser-based and/or mobile native user interfaces.

[071] Referring to Fig. 10, in a particular embodiment, an application provision system alternatively has a distributed, cloud-based architecture 1000 and comprises elastically load balanced, auto-scaling web server resources 1010 and application server resources 1020 as well synchronously replicated databases 1030.

Mobile application

[072] In some embodiments, the communications systems and media, the digital processing device, the mobile device, and/or central server includes a mobile application. In some embodiments, the computer program herein includes a mobile application. In some

embodiments, the communications system or platform herein includes a mobile application provided to a mobile digital processing device. In some embodiments, the mobile application is provided to a mobile digital processing device at the time it is manufactured. In other

embodiments, the mobile application is provided to a mobile digital processing device via the computer network described herein. In some embodiments, the mobile application includes a communications application.

[073] In view of the disclosure provided herein, a mobile application is created by techniques known to those of skill in the art using hardware, languages, and development environments known to the art. Those of skill in the art will recognize that mobile applications are written in several languages. Suitable programming languages include, by way of non-limiting examples, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java™, Javascript, Pascal, Object Pascal, Python™, Ruby, VB.NET, WML, and XHTML/HTML with or without CSS, or combinations thereof.

[074] Suitable mobile application development environments are available from several sources. Commercially available development environments include, by way of non-limiting examples, AirplaySDK, alcheMo, Appcelerator®, Celsius, Bedrock, Flash Lite, .NET Compact Framework, Rhomobile, and WorkLight Mobile Platform. Other development environments are available without cost including, by way of non-limiting examples, Lazarus, MobiFlex, MoSync, and Phonegap. Also, mobile device manufacturers distribute software developer kits including, by way of non-limiting examples, iPhone and iPad (iOS) SDK, Android™ SDK, BlackBerry® SDK, BREW SDK, Palm® OS SDK, Symbian SDK, webOS SDK, and Windows® Mobile SDK.

[075] Those of skill in the art will recognize that several commercial forums are available for distribution of mobile applications including, by way of non-limiting examples, Apple® App Store, Google® Play, Chrome Web Store, BlackBerry® App World, App Store for Palm devices, App Catalog for webOS, Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, Ovi Store for Nokia® devices, Samsung® Apps, and Nintendo® DSi Shop.

Software modules

[076] In some embodiments, the systems, media, and methods disclosed herein include software, server, and/or database modules, or use of the same. In some embodiments, the communications application, the mobile device, the central server, the digital processing device herein includes software, and/or database modules, or use of the same. In view of the disclosure provided herein, software modules are created by techniques known to those of skill in the art using machines, software, and languages known to the art. The software modules disclosed herein are implemented in a multitude of ways. In various embodiments, a software module comprises a file, a section of code, a programming object, a programming structure, or combinations thereof. In further various embodiments, a software module comprises a plurality of files, a plurality of sections of code, a plurality of programming objects, a plurality of programming structures, or combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the one or more software modules comprise, by way of non-limiting examples, a web application, a mobile application, and a standalone application. In some embodiments, software modules are in one computer program or application. In other embodiments, software modules are in more than one computer program or application. In some embodiments, software modules are hosted on one machine. In other embodiments, software modules are hosted on more than one machine. In further embodiments, software modules are hosted on cloud computing platforms. In some embodiments, software modules are hosted on one or more machines in one location. In other embodiments, software modules are hosted on one or more machines in more than one location. Databases

[077] In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methods disclosed herein include one or more databases, or use of the same. In some embodiments, the communications application, the central server, the digital processing device herein includes one or more databases or use of the same. In view of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that many databases are suitable for storage and retrieval of each user's profile, connections, user's areas and industries of interests, user's professional groups, user's chat interfaces, and user's feed. In various embodiments, suitable databases include, by way of non- limiting examples, relational databases, non-relational databases, object oriented databases, object databases, entity-relationship model databases, associative databases, and XML databases. Further non-limiting examples include SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, DB2, and Sybase. In some embodiments, a database is internet-based. In further embodiments, a database is web- based. In still further embodiments, a database is cloud computing-based. In other embodiments, a database is based on one or more local computer storage devices.

EXAMPLES

[078] The following illustrative examples are representative of embodiments of the software applications, systems, and methods described herein and are not meant to be limiting in any way.

Example 1

[079] Joe, a software engineer, just relocated to LA and he need to build professional connections locally for business purposes. He makes a request for introduction specifying networking and set a spatial proximity requirement to focus on west LA areas using the communications platform disclosed herein. The central server algorithmically searches all 200 connections of his to find those with connections working or worked in the west LA areas in software engineering. The central server also algorithmically focuses on deep learning as that is Joe's current sub-area in software engineering. The central server finds 10 connections of Joes who have at least one connection that is working or worked in software engineering in the west LA areas and automatically sends notification to every one of the 10 connections prompting them to select one or more of their connections to introduce to Joe. 9 of them ignore the automatic message as they know Joe will never know they rejected the request; 1 of them, Henry, is willing to help Joe. Henry taps on the automated notification he received in his feed and gets prompt to view a list of his connections that the central server automatically picked as potential introductions for Joe. Henry picks three potential introductions who currently work in deep learning. For one of them, Henry enters a customized introduction for Joe. With Henry's selection and input, the central server send automatic message of introduction to 2 and customized message to 1 of the three potential introductions. One of the three potential introductions, Sally, receiving the customized message in her feed, swipes the message to accept the introduction. Joe also gets a notification that Henry introduces him to Sally and Sally is now a connection. Joe swipes to accept the connection and completes the introduction process.

[080] While preferred embodiments of the present subject matter have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the subject matter described herein may be employed in practicing the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computer-implemented communications system for use with a network of mobile devices comprising: a digital processing device comprising: at least one processor, an operating system configured to perform executable instructions, a memory, and a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create a communications application comprising: a) a software module allowing a user of a communications network to review a stack of digital cards on a mobile device, each digital card comprising information pertaining to one or more industries and skills that the user is interested in, the stack of digital cards comprising one people card, and one or more of: a news card, an event card, and a social media posting card;

b) a software module allowing a user to swipe only a portion of the people card via user interaction with an input device of the mobile device to view different categories of information of a person featured on the people card, the person within the communications network; c) a software module allowing a user to initiate a request for introduction, the

request for introduction comprising an area and a type of help that the user seeks; d) a software module querying a central sever with the request for introduction, via a communications element, to: i. automatically identify one or more current connections of the user as one or more possible introducers, information of the one or more possible introducers matching the area and the type of help that the user seeks, wherein the one or more possible introducers is blinded to the user and is within the communication network; ii. automatically notify the one or more possible introducers, the notification allowing each of the one or more possible introducers to select one or more potential introductions that can be introduced to the user, each of the one or more potential introductions being a current connection to the possible introducer making the selection and being selected by the central server based on a matching algorithm; iii. automatically notify each of the selected potential introductions, the notification allowing each of the selected potential

introductions to accept or deny the introduction to the user via a swipe; and iv. automatically connect the user to all or a subset of the one or more selected potential introductions, the all or subset of the one or more selected potential introductions accepted the introduction;

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a software module allowing a user to review prioritized information in a chat interface, the prioritized information automatically generated by the central server and based on common interests of the user and one or more other users in the chat.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a software module allowing a user to review a plurality of connections and one or more action items related to one or more of the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections are presented in a customizedly ranked list automatically generated by the central server based on the one or more industries and skills that the user is interested in.