Device, System, and Method of Soliciting and Accepting Offers from Merchant Members of a Virtual Network

Abstract

A user's need to purchase a service or a good is communicated to a commercial network. The commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale. A plurality of electronic channels of communication is established between the mobile computing device and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members. Offers for the service or good needed by the user are received from the merchant members through the electronic channels of communication. The user accepts one of the offers from a selected merchant. Thereafter, the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members are automatically terminated. Meanwhile, the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant is maintained.

Description

PRIORITY DATA

The present application is a utility patent application of provisional U.S. patent application No. 61/882,616, filed on Sep. 25, 2013, entitled “Mobile Social Electronic Commerce Application”, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to using mobile computing devices to engage in social networking.

2. Related Art

In recent years, the rapid advances in computer technology and broadband telecommunications have enhanced the popularity of mobile computing devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Among other things, these mobile computing devices can be used to browse the web, play games, music, or videos, take pictures, send/receive emails, etc. However, the capabilities of these mobile computing devices have not been fully explored within a social networking context. For example, users with these mobile computing devices have not been fully able to take advantage of the abilities of the mobile electronic devices' to conduct telecommunications, schedule meetings, display visual objects, and make payments, within the social networking context.

Therefore, while existing mobile computing devices have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in every aspect.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device includes a screen configured to display visual content. The mobile computing device includes a radio component configured to conduct wireless electronic communications with external devices. The mobile computing device includes a computer memory storage module configured to store executable computer programming code. The mobile computing device includes a computer processor module operatively coupled to the computer memory storage module. The computer processor module is configured to execute the computer programming code to perform the following steps: communicating, at least in part via the radio component, to a commercial network a need for a user of the mobile computing device to purchase a service or a good, wherein the commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale; establishing, at least in part via the radio component, a plurality of electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members; receiving, from the subset of the plurality of merchant members through the electronic channels of communication, respective offers for the service or the good needed by the user, wherein the receiving is performed at least in part via the radio component; displaying, on the screen, the respective offers received from the subset of the merchant members; accepting, in response to a user engagement of the screen, one of the offers offered by a selected merchant in the subset; and in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, automatically terminating the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members while maintaining the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system. The system includes a computer memory storage module configured to store executable computer programming code. The system includes a computer processor module operatively coupled to the computer memory storage module. The computer processor module is configured to execute the computer programming code to perform the following steps: wirelessly communicating to a commercial network a need for a user to purchase a service or a good, wherein the commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale; establishing, at least in part via the radio component, a plurality of electronic channels of communication between a mobile computing device of the user and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members; receiving, through the electronic channels of communication, respective offers from the subset of the plurality of merchant members directed to the service or the good needed by the user; electronically communicating, to the user, the respective offers received from the subset of the merchant members; accepting, in response to input from the user, one of the offers offered by a selected merchant in the subset; and in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, automatically terminating the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members while maintaining the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes the following steps: communicating, at least in part via a radio component of a mobile computing device of a user, to a commercial network a need for the user to purchase a service or a good, wherein the commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale; establishing, at least in part via the radio component of the mobile computing device, a plurality of electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members; receiving, from the subset of the plurality of merchant members through the electronic channels of communication, respective offers for the service or the good needed by the user, wherein the receiving is performed at least in part via the radio component of the mobile computing device; displaying, on a screen of the mobile computing device, the respective offers received from the subset of the merchant members; accepting, in response to a user engagement of the screen, one of the offers offered by a selected merchant member in the subset; and in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, automatically terminating the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members while maintaining the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant member.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes the following steps: sending, at least in part via a radio component of a mobile computing device of a first user, electronic invitations to a plurality of second users to participate in a group event at a target venue; receiving acceptances from the second users to join the group event; thereafter generating an electronic chat room for the first user and the plurality of second users; receiving and displaying, at least in part via a screen of the mobile computing device of the first user, a first electronic notification that a selected one of the second users has arrived at a target venue; and receiving and displaying, at least in part via the screen of the mobile computing device, a second electronic notification that the selected one of the second users has left the target venue.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes the following steps: receiving an electronic request from a first mobile computing device of a first user to invite a plurality of second users to participate in a group event at a target venue; sending the electronic request to respective mobile computing devices of the second users; generating an electronic chat room in response to acceptances from one or more of the second users; detecting, via a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal or a Wi-Fi connection, that a selected one of the second users is within a predetermined physical proximity of the target venue; electronically communicating to the first user and the rest of the second users in the group that the selected one of the second users has arrived at the target venue; detecting, via the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal or the Wi-Fi connection, that a selected one of the second users is beyond the predetermined physical proximity of the target venue; electronically communicating to the first user and the rest of the second users in the group that the selected one of the second users has left the target venue; and automatically terminating the electronic chat room after each of the first user and the plurality of second users has left the target venue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 are simplified diagrammatic views of a system for using a mobile computing device to invite users to participate in an event according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4-5 are simplified diagrammatic views of a system for using a mobile computing device to interact with other users in a virtual electronic social network according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6-7 are simplified diagrammatic views of a system for using a mobile computing device to conduct electronic commerce according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a server that is a part of the systems described in FIGS. 1-7 according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a mobile computing device that is a part of the systems described in FIGS. 1-7 according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10-17 are simplified flowcharts illustrating the processes according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a simplified graphical user interface implemented on a mobile computing device to carry out the various methods discussed in FIGS. 10-17 according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for using the mobile computing device to conduct electronic commerce according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 20-21 are flowcharts illustrating example methods of detecting user's arrival and departure at a venue and notifying other users accordingly in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a simplified block diagram of an example mobile computing device for performing one or more of the processes of FIGS. 1-49 according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a simplified block diagram of an example system for performing one or more of the processes of FIGS. 1-49 according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the present disclosure. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Various features may be arbitrarily drawn in different scales for simplicity and clarity. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed

As used herein, the term “about” refers to a +/-−5% variation from the nominal value. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plurality forms as well, unless the context clearly and specifically indicates otherwise. In addition, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

In recent years, the rapid advances in computer technology and broadband telecommunications have led the growing popularity of mobile computing devices such as tablet computers and mobile telephones. A user of these mobile computing devices can perform a plurality of tasks on these mobile computing devices, for example tasks that previously required a conventional desktop or laptop computer. Among other things, a user can play movies/videos, browse the web, play games, view photographs, listen to digital music, read e-books, receive navigational instructions, send and receive emails, conduct audio or video telephone calls, perform word processing/spreadsheet calculation/presentation management tasks, or take advantage of additional functionalities offered by applications (apps) that can be downloaded from online app stores.

However, the capabilities of these mobile computing devices have not been fully explored within a social networking context. For example, users with these mobile computing devices have not been fully able to take advantage of the abilities of the mobile electronic devices' to conduct telecommunications display visual objects, schedule events, and make payments, within the social networking context.

To overcome the problems discussed above, the present disclosure is directed to device, system, and method to facilitate social networking electronically, as discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An organizer user 110 sends out an invitation to join a group to a plurality of invitees 111-114 via the organizer 110's mobile computing device 120. The invitation is transmitted through an electronic telecommunications network 130—which may include cellular towers, global positioning system (GPS) satellites, wired/wireless routers, fiber optic networks, telephone networks, etc.—and is received by the respective mobile computing devices 121-124 of the users 111-114. One or more of the invitee users 111-114 may be located at various different locations.

In some embodiments, the mobile computing devices 120-124 may each be a smartphone (for example, APPLE's® IPHONE®, an ANDROID® phone, a WINDOWS® phone, or a BLACKBERRY®), a tablet computer (for example, APPLE's® IPAD®, an ANDROID® tablet, a WINDOWS powered tablet, or a BLACKBERRY® tablet), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a laptop-tablet hybrid. In some embodiments, the mobile computing devices 120-124 may each include a screen (for example a touch-sensitive screen) for displaying visual information. The users 110-114 may interactively engage with visual objects shown on the screen by touching the objects with a finger, a stylus, or by hovering over the object.

In addition to the mobile computing devices 111-114, the invitation from the organizer user 110 may also be sent to, and received by, a central server 150 for storage and analysis.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each of the invitee users 111-114 may respond to the invitation by accepting, ignoring, or denying it. In the example illustrated, users 112 and 114 accepted the invitation, while user 111 ignored the invitation, and user 113 specifically rejected it. The acceptance of the invitation from the users 112 and 114 may be electronically communicated back to the organizer user 110 as well as the server 150. At this point, a group is created that includes the users 110, 112, and 114. In some embodiments, the creation of such group generates an electronic chat room on the mobile computing devices of the members of the group (i.e., mobile computing devices 120, 122, and 124 in this example). Via this electronic chat room, members of the group can communicate with other members.

Users in this group may also choose to share their respective locations, which may then be visually displayed on the mobile computing devices of other members in the group.

Meanwhile, the users 111 and 113 who either ignored or rejected the invitation to join the group may appear “off the grid” to members who are in the group.

In some embodiments, if one or more of these users are at a place of business (i.e., a venue), for example a restaurant, a bar, a store, etc., these venues may appear on the grid only if they have joined a virtual commercial network, as discussed in greater detail below. Venues that have not joined the virtual commercial network may not be specifically displayed on other users' mobile computing devices even if that user chooses to share its location. In some embodiments, the location of that user may just appear as a dot on an electronic map, with no additional identification (e g , name) of the venue.

For example, referring to FIG. 3, companies A, B, C, D, and G are members of the virtual commercial network (also interchangeably referred to as “participating business” hereinafter), while companies E and F are not. In this example, if a user is at one of the companies A, B, C, D, or G, his mobile computing device will be alerted that he is at a participating business/location, and he will have the option of signing in or checking in electronically via the mobile computing device. This detection of the user's whereabouts may be performed via GPS, Wi-Fi, or Radio Frequency (RF) signals. Thereafter, the user's location at the participating business is shared to other users. However, if a user is at one of the companies E or F (non-participating businesses), the user will not automatically receive a sign-in option on his mobile computing device. Thus, the user appears “off the grid” to other users.

In some embodiments, by way of the GPS signals, Wi-Fi connections, or RF signals, a user's whereabouts can be accurately determined so that it can be determined whether or not that specific user is at a particular venue. For example, the organizer 110 may invite a group of users 111-114 (FIGS. 1-2) to an event at the company B shown in FIG. 3. The users 112 and 114 accept the invitation, and as a result an electronic chat room is generated on the mobile computing device of each of the users 110, 112, and 114. Suppose that the user 112 arrives at the company B. This arrival may be detected by a GPS unit implemented on user 112's mobile computing device, or by a Wi-Fi transceiver implemented on user 112's mobile computing device, or by an RF transceiver implemented on user 112′ mobile computing device. The GPS unit communicates with the GPS satellite to pinpoint the user 112′ location, the Wi-Fi transceiver communicates with a Wi-Fi network at the company B, and the RF transceiver communicates with either an RFID reader at the company B, or a near field communication (NFC) reader at the company B. These mechanisms discussed above may determine whether the user 112 is within a predetermined proximity (e.g., within 10 meters, or 50 meters, etc.) of the company B. Thus, when the user 112 is within the predetermined proximity of company B, a determination is made that the user 112 has arrived at the target venue (i.e., company B). This determination may be made by either the mobile computing device 122 of user 112, or by the server 150 that is in electronic telecommunication with the mobile computing device 122 of the user 112.

The arrival of user 112 at the company B may be electronically communicated to the rest of the members of the group, i.e., users 110 and 114 via their respective mobile computing devices 120 and 114. In some embodiments, an electronic notification regarding the user 112's arrival at the target venue may be displayed on the screen of the mobile computing devices 120 and 124 of the users 110 and 114. By doing so, users 110 and 114 are now aware that user 112 has arrived at the target venue, regardless of whether users 110 and 114 are at the target venue or not.

At some point later, the user 112 may leave the target venue (i.e., company B), even if temporarily. The departure of the user 112 from the target venue may also be detected by the GPS signals, Wi-Fi connections, or RF signals discussed above. If a determination is made that the user 112 is now beyond a predetermined proximity of the target venue, then an electronic notification regarding the user 112's departure from the target venue may be displayed on the screen of the mobile computing devices 120 and 124 of the users 110 and 114. By doing so, users 110 and 114 are now aware that user 112 has left the target venue, regardless of whether users 110 and 114 are at the target venue or not.

In some embodiments, in addition to, or instead of, the electronic notification, each user's location determination (i.e., in or out of the target venue) may also be displayed as a location status on the mobile computing devices of the rest of the users in the group.

The automatic detection of any group member's arrival and departure from a venue and the corresponding notification sent to the rest of the members of the group facilitates the social networking among these members. For example, if users 110 and 114 are already at the target venue, which may be big and houses a lot of people within, then ordinarily the arrival of the user 112 may go unnoticed. Similarly, the departure of the user 112 may also go unnoticed in some situations. The users 110 and 114 may realize that the user 112 is “missing”, but they may not know whether the user 112 is using the bathroom, or talking to someone else at the venue and is too busy to answer his mobile computing device to correspond with users 110 or 114. In other words, in conventional situations, if a user who is meeting up with one or more other users at a location cannot get in touch with the other users via call, text, or email, it may be difficult to know whether the other users are at the venue or not. This may lead to a frustrating user experience.

In comparison, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, each group member may be aware of another group member's whereabouts at least with respect to the target venue without needing to actually speak/text/email with the other group member. The electronic notification or the status display of the whereabouts of the group members on the respective mobile computing device of each of the group members allows them to make decisions more easily and more intelligently. For example, users 110 and 114 may want to leave the venue but they cannot find the user 112. If the status display indicates that user 112 is still within the venue, then users 110 and 114 may decide that they need to search the venue more fully before they leave, because they may not want to leave their friend behind. On the other hand, if the status display indicates that the user 112 is no longer at the venue, then users 110 and 114 may leave the venue knowing that they did not leave their friend behind.

In some embodiments, the electronic chat room automatically terminates when it has been detected that the last one of the users in the group has left the target venue. Again, the departure of each user may be performed at least in part via a GPS signal, a Wi-Fi connection, or an RF signal. The determination of each user's whereabouts based on these signals may be performed via that user's mobile computing device or by the server 150, or both.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the system 100 may also be used to carry out certain aspects of social networking among users who wish to meet other users at a particular venue, as described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14,488,863, filed on Sep. 17, 2014, entitled “Device, System, and Method of Identifying A Specific User From A Profile Image Containing Multiple People”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the system 100 shown includes a plurality of numbered tables at a particular venue, for example tables 161-165. Among other things, the numbered tables 161-165 facilitate the ordering of food or drinks. For example, one user may be able to electronically communicate with a point of sale system 170 to order food or drink for another user. The electronic communication may be carried out using the user's mobile computing device. The electronic communication may include which table the recipient is located, and thus the ordered food/drink may be delivered to the correct location.

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified diagrammatic view of a system 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user 310 needs to have services performed by a merchant or a service provide or desires to purchase a good from the merchant. For example, the user 310 may need to have an oil change, or he may need to have his car or a household electronic appliance repaired, or he may need to buy a consumer electronic device, clothing, sporting equipment, vehicles, jewelry, or another type of consumer product.

The user 310 electronically communicates his wish to obtain the desired service or good via a mobile computing device 320, which broadcasts the user's request to a plurality of merchant members (for example merchant members 311-313) of a virtual commercial network through their respective mobile computing devices, for example mobile computing devices 321-323. The mobile computing devices 320-323 are telecommunicatively coupled together via a wired or wireless telecommunications network 330—which may include cellular towers, global positioning system (GPS) satellites, wired/wireless routers, fiber optic networks, telephone networks, etc. The mobile computing devices 320-323 may each be a smartphone (for example, APPLE's® IPHONE®, an ANDROID® phone, a WINDOWS® phone, or a BLACKBERRY®), a tablet computer (for example, APPLE's IPAD®, an ANDROID® tablet, a WINDOWS® powered tablet, or a BLACKBERRY® tablet), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a laptop-tablet hybrid, or a desktop or laptop computer. In some embodiments, the mobile computing devices 320-323 may each include a screen (for example a touch-sensitive screen) for displaying visual information.

The merchant members 311-313 are businesses that have agreed to participate in the virtual commercial network where users may broadcast the goods or services they need, and these requests are electronically received by the merchant members so they can generate and send offers to the users who wishes to obtain these goods or services. In the example given herein, the user 310's request to obtain an oil change is electronically broadcast to the merchant members 311-313 via their respective mobile computing devices. In some embodiments, the user 310's request is also received and analyzed by a computer server 340, for example the computer server may perform data mining on the user's requests and/or to route the user 310's solicitation for goods or services to the appropriate subset of merchant members who are actually engaged in that segment of commerce.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in response to the user 310's request to solicit offers regarding the oil change (or another type of service or good in alternative embodiments), the merchant members 321-323 generate offers regarding the oil change (or offers directed to another type of service or good needed by the user in alternative embodiments). For example, the merchant member 311 generates an offer for a $19.99 oil change, the merchant member 312 generates an offer for a $21.99 oil change plus a free inspection, and the merchant member 313 generates an offer for a $20.00 oil change. These offers are sent to the user 310 via the merchant member 311-313's respective mobile computing devices 321-323 and is received by the user 310 via the user 310's mobile computing device 320. For example, the offers may each be displayed on the screen of the mobile computing device 320. In various embodiments, each offer may be communicated in a form of a text message, a multimedia message (MMS), a video clip, a phone call, an email, or another type of electronic communication. In some embodiments, the offers are also received and analyzed by a computer server 340, for example the computer server may perform data mining.

Therefore, a plurality of electronic channels of communication has been established between the mobile computing device 320 of the user and the mobile computing devices 321-323 of the merchant members 311-313. Through each respective channel, the user 310 may communicate with the respective merchant member electronically regarding the desired good or service. For example, the user may submit a counter-offer or otherwise haggle or bargain with the merchant member. In some embodiments, each electronic channels of communication is only visible to the user 310 and the corresponding merchant member, meaning that merchant members from other electronic channels cannot view such communication. In other embodiments, the electronic channels of communication are visible to all merchant members so that they may bid against one another with revised offers. The user 310 may review the offers from the merchants and determine which offer is the most appealing.

Once the user 310 makes a decision and accepts an offer from one merchant, the electronic channels of communication between the user 310 and the rest of the merchant members are terminated. For example, the user 310 may decide that the offer of $21.99 for an oil change plus a free inspection is the most appealing deal, so the user accepts this offer from the merchant member 312 by a suitable user engagement with the mobile computing device 320. When this occurs, the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device 320 and the mobile computing devices 321 and 323 are automatically terminated, while the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device 320 and the mobile computing device 322 remains open, so that they user 310 and the merchant member 312 may exchange further messages. In some embodiments, an electronic notification is automatically sent to the merchant members 311 and 313 regarding the user's acceptance of an offer from the merchant 312.

In some embodiments, the merchant members 311-313 are prevented from sending offers or solicitations to the user 310 until a solicitation for offers has been received by the user 310. Thus, the user 310 is spared from unwanted advertising. In some embodiments, the user 310 may also specify a time window in which the solicitation for offers remains open. For example, the user 310 may specify that he only wishes to receive offers for an oil change from 1 PM to 5 PM today. As such, the merchant members are barred from sending the user 310 offers before 1 PM or after 5 PM. Similarly, the merchant members 311-313 may specify a time window for their offers. In other words, their offers may be valid only during the time window and will expire after the time window.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a simplified diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of the server 150 (FIG. 1) or the server 340 (FIGS. 6-7) is shown. The server 150/340 may operate within a client-server architecture. The server 150/340 performs some tasks on behalf of clients or the users' mobile computing devices. The mobile computing devices may connect to the server 150/340 through a wired or wireless communications network. The server may provide essential services across a network, either to private users inside a large organization or to public users via the Internet. Examples of the servers 150/340 may be a database server, a file server, a mail server, a print server, a web server, a gaming server, an application server, or some other kind of server. To facilitate these tasks, in the illustrated embodiment, the server may include a display adaptor/video card for displaying graphics or visual content to a user, input/output/peripherals for receiving input and displaying output to the user, a power supply for receiving power, a processor/CPU for processing computerized tasks, a storage/hard drive for storing user data or computer programming data, a memory/RAM for storing random access data, and a network adaptor/LAN for enabling wired or wireless communication on a network.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a simplified diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of the mobile computing devices 120-124 or 320-323 is shown as mobile computing device 400. The mobile computing device 400 may have an application implemented thereon according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The mobile computing device 400 includes an input/output interface which is operable to receive an input from a user and communicate an output to the user. The user may choose to communicate with other users and include location information. In an embodiment, the input/output interface includes a visual display unit, for example a touch-sensitive screen. The mobile computing device 400 may also include a radio component such as a transceiver, which is configured to communicate wirelessly with external electronic devices. The mobile computing device 400 may also include a computer memory and processor for storing and executing programming instructions. For example, an embodiment of a software application may be stored in the memory and executed by the processor. Furthermore, the mobile computing device in the illustrated embodiment may also include an MHL transmitter with HDMI input, an audio hub with voice processor, power management circuitry, an antenna switch module, a multichip memory, a battery, a storage/hard drive, a multimode multiband power amplified module, an NFC IC, or other wireless communication circuitry.

FIG. 10 is a simplified flowchart for engaging in social networking among users who wish to meet other users at a particular venue, as described above with reference to FIGS. 4-5 and in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14,488,863. FIG. 10 describes the perspective of the user who initiates contact, hereinafter known as the “contactor.” The contactor first signs in at the participating location (i.e., the venue that is hosting the social networking event for the users as described in Application No. 14,488,863). The contactor then registers and creates a profile. Next, the contactor chooses from a list of available pictures and profiles (for other users). The contactor then initiates contact with a selected one of the other users, hereinafter known as the contactee. If the contactee declines the contact from the contactor, the contactor is not allowed to proceed with the contact until the contactee changes his/her mind and permits further contact from the contactor. The contactor may then move on and choose another person to initiate contact.

If the contactee user gives the contactor permission to contact her/him, the contactor may exchange a dialog with the contactee. If the exchange goes well, the contactee may tell the contactor to meet up, for example at an event or a location at the venue. The contactee may also tell the contactor to meet up upon first being contacted by the contactor (i.e., without needing any further exchanges). The contactor may also send drinks to, or receive drinks from, the contactee. If the exchange between the contactor and contactee does not go well, then either the contactor or the contactee may decline further contact from the other.

FIG. 11 is a simplified flowchart for engaging in social networking as discussed above, except from the contactee's perspective. The contactee first signs in at the participating location. The contactee then registers and creates a profile. The contactee's screen (of the mobile computing device) will display available pictures and profiles of other users. Next, someone (i.e., a contactor) initiates contact with the contactee. The contactee will be able to browse the contactor's profile. The contactee may decline the contactor from further contact, at which point the contactee will be informed that she/he cannot proceed further with this contact until she permits again. On the other hand, if the contactee gives the contactor permission for the contact, they may exchange a dialog, and if it goes well, they can meet up. They can also meet up without needing the exchange. The contactee may also receive or send drinks from and to the contactor. If at some point their interaction does not go well, the contactee may deny permission to the contact from contacting her again.

FIGS. 12-13 are simplified flowcharts illustrating the process of inviting users to events discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 12 is illustrated from the perspective of the contactor user (or invitor), whereas FIG. 13 is illustrated from the perspective of the contactee user (or invitee).

Referring to FIG. 12, the contactor/invitor is reminded to register and login to the mobile application. A determination is made as to whether or not he is at a participating location. If he is not at a participating location, he will be shown as “off the grid.” If he is indeed at a participating location, he will have the option to sign in or not to sign in. If he signs in, other users may be able to see his location, with permission. The contactor/invitor may rate the venue via a rating system. The contactor then sends out a request to the contactees/invitees for meeting up at a target venue/location. The entire list of contactees is known only to the contactor/invitor, and only the contactor may see the contactees who declined the invitation. In other words, the rest of the contactees only know that they are invited, but they do not know who else is on the invite list, or who else has declined the invitation. Upon the acceptance of one or more contactees to the invitation, an electronic group chat will start, and all contactees who have accepted will be joined in the group chat. The contactor may choose to send and/or receive pictures, video clips, texts, phone calls, or other forms of media within this chat. The contactor may decide to change the location of the meet up, if desired. The group may then go meet up at the target venue.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the contactee/invitee is reminded to register and login to the mobile application. A determination is made as to whether or not he is at a participating location. If he is not at a participating location, he will be shown as “off the grid.” If he is indeed at a participating location, he will have the option to sign in or not to sign in. If he signs in, other users may be able to see his location, with permission. The contactee/invitee may rate the venue via a rating system. The contactee/invitee then receives a meet up request (from the contactor). If the contactee declines the meet up request, he will not be in the group chat and will not receive any notifications or messages regarding this meet up. The contactee may also accept the meet up invitation, and if so, he will know the entire list of accepted contactees (but not the entire list of invitees). The group chat will start, and all of the accepted contactees will join the chat. Again, each person in the chat will be able to send pictures, video clips, texts, phone calls, or other forms of electronic media messages within the chat. The contactee may discuss changing the location of the meet up, if desired. He can also change his mind about going to the event and decide to decline the invitation, at which point he will exit the chat and will appear “off the grid” to other users in the chat. Otherwise, the invitee may then go meet up with the rest of the users at the venue.

FIGS. 14-15 are simplified flowcharts illustrating the process of conducting electronic commerce via a commercial network discussed above with reference to FIGS. 6-7. FIG. 14 is illustrated from the perspective of the user who is soliciting offers, whereas FIG. 15 is illustrated from the perspective of the merchant members of the commercial network.

Referring to FIG. 14, the user registers and signs in via his mobile computing device or computer. He then submits a request for offers for a specific good or service. A list of featured businesses (i.e., merchant members of the commercial network) related to the user's request will be displayed. If the user is interested in a particular featured business, he may browse the offers from the business, the profile of the business, and location information of the business. If the user in not interested, he may skip and proceed to receiving offers responding to his request. If the offer is what he was asking for, he may then again browse the offer and the profile or locational information of the business. If not, he may report the offer as being irrelevant or spam. That offer will then be removed from the offer list. Once the user selects a specific offer, he may either accept it or not. If he accepts it, he may lock in on the deal described in the offer. He may then proceed to schedule a service time or delivery options. If the user does not accept the offer, he may go back to receiving offers again.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the business (i.e., the merchant member of the commercial network) registers and signs in via its mobile computing device or computer. The business receives alerts for requests from customers (users who solicit offers). If the business is not interested in responding, it will continue to receive alerts for requests from other customers. If the business is interested in responding, it may either manually reply to the customer's request with an offer, or it may submit the offer via an autoreply. Thereafter, the business and the customer may request dialog with each other. If the customer accepts, he or she may lock in on the deal. The business then schedules a service time or delivery options with the customer.

FIGS. 16-17 are simplified flowcharts illustrating the process of ordering food via a user's mobile computing device. FIG. 16 is illustrated from the perspective of the user who is ordering the food, whereas FIG. 17 is illustrated from the perspective of the business from which the food is ordered.

Referring to FIG. 16, the user registers and signs in to the mobile application on his mobile computing device for ordering food. If the user is at a participating location, the user may pull up the menu and specials and place food and drink orders. The food and drinks will be brought to the table or ordering station. If the user is not at a participating location, the user may not be able to order food electronically via his mobile computing device.

Referring to FIG. 17, a person in charge at the business registers and signs in to the application for ordering food. The application can display user profiles and frequent buyer indications. The customer order (for food) is then received. If there is integration with the MMDA system, then orders from the user will be automatically entered into point of sale and fulfilled. Otherwise, the orders will appear on the MMDA application, and the order will have to be manually entered. Once the order is received, it will be delivered to the right table or ordering station.

FIG. 18 is a simplified web graphical user interface 1000 utilized by a user to store, sort, view, share, and otherwise engage in his events. The user interface 100 may be displayed on a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a suitable mobile computing device. A list of icons each represent an event (such as Events A, B, C, D, and E) is displayed. The user may click on the icon to see more details about the event, for example message exchanges between the users directed to the event, pictures/video clips/audio clips taken by the users during the event, etc. Users can also personalize this interface 1000 and change options and settings according to user preferences. Options may include the ability to create more events, invite other users, social games, access to the commercial network discussed above with reference to FIGS. 6-7 and 14-15, view rewards and past purchases, view history, etc.

FIG. 19 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method 2000 for conducting electronic commerce via a mobile computing device discussed above according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device includes a mobile telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a smart watch or glass.

The method 2000 includes a step 2010 of communicating, at least in part via a radio component of a mobile computing device of a user, to a commercial network a need for the user to purchase a service or a good. The commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale. In some embodiments, the step 2010 of communicating comprises specifying a time window during which the offers from the subset of merchant members can be received on the mobile computing device.

The method 2000 includes a step 2020 of establishing, at least in part via the radio component of the mobile computing device, a plurality of electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members.

The method 2000 includes a step 2030 of receiving, from the subset of the plurality of merchant members through the electronic channels of communication, respective offers for the service or the good needed by the user. The receiving is performed at least in part via the radio component of the mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the receiving comprises receiving time-limited offers from the subset of the merchant members, wherein each time-limited offer has a respective expiration date after which it cannot be accepted.

The method 2000 includes a step 2040 of displaying, on a screen of the mobile computing device, the respective offers received from the subset of the merchant members.

The method 2000 includes a step 2050 of accepting, in response to a user engagement of the screen, one of the offers offered by a selected merchant in the subset.

The method 2000 includes a step 2060 of in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, automatically terminating the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members while maintaining the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant.

It is understood that, unless otherwise specified, the steps 2010-2060 of the method 2000 are not necessarily performed in numerical order. It is also understood that addition steps may be performed before, during, or after the steps 2010-2060. For example, the method 2000 may include a step of preventing the merchant members of the commercial network from contacting the user until after the establishing of the electronic channels of communication. As another example, the method 2000 may include a step of in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, electronically notifying the rest of the merchant members in the subset that the user has accepted the offer from the selected merchant. As yet another example, the method 2000 may include a step of: after the receiving but before the accepting, notifying at least some of the merchant members in the subset regarding the offers that have been received by the user, and thereafter receiving one or more revised offers from the merchant members in the subset. As yet a further example, the method 2000 may include a step of after the displaying but before the accepting: communicating one or more counter-offers from the user to the merchant members in the subset. For reasons of simplicity, additional steps are not discussed in detail herein.

FIG. 20 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method 2100 for inviting users to an event and detecting user's arrival and departure from the target venue via a mobile computing device discussed above (for example with reference to FIGS. 1-3) according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device includes a mobile telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a smart watch or glass.

The method 2100 includes a step 2110 of sending, at least in part via a radio component of a mobile computing device of a first user, electronic invitations to a plurality of second users to participate in a group event at a target venue.

The method 2100 includes a step 2120 of receiving acceptances from the second users to join the group event.

The method 2100 includes a step 2130 of thereafter generating an electronic chat room for the first user and the plurality of second users.

The method 2100 includes a step 2140 of receiving and displaying, at least in part via a screen of the mobile computing device of the first user, a first electronic notification that a selected one of the second users has arrived at a target venue. In some embodiments, the first electronic notification is generated in response to a detection of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal or a Wi-Fi signal that the selected one of the second users is within a predefined proximity of the target venue.

The method 2100 includes a step 2150 of receiving and displaying, at least in part via the screen of the mobile computing device, a second electronic notification that the selected one of the second users has left the target venue. In some embodiments, the second electronic notification is generated in response to a detection of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal or a Wi-Fi signal that the selected one of the second users is beyond a predefined proximity of the target venue.

The method 2100 includes a step 2160 of automatically terminating the electronic chat room after each of the first user and the plurality of second users has left the target venue.

It is understood that, unless otherwise specified, the steps 2110-2160 of the method 2100 are not necessarily performed in numerical order. It is also understood that addition steps may be performed before, during, or after the steps 2110-2160. For reasons of simplicity, additional steps are not discussed in detail herein.

FIG. 21 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method 2200 for detecting users' arrival and departure from a target venue at least in part via the users mobile computing devices discussed above (for example with reference to FIGS. 1-3) according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device includes a mobile telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a smart watch or glass.

The method 2200 includes a step 2210 of receiving an electronic request from a first mobile computing device of a first user to invite a plurality of second users to participate in a group event at a target venue.

The method 2200 includes a step 2220 of sending the electronic request to respective mobile computing devices of the second users.

The method 2200 includes a step 2230 of generating an electronic chat room in response to acceptances from one or more of the second users.

The method 2200 includes a step 2240 of detecting, via a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal or a Wi-Fi connection, that a selected one of the second users is within a predetermined physical proximity of the target venue.

The method 2200 includes a step 2250 of electronically communicating to the first user and the rest of the second users in the group that the selected one of the second users has arrived at the target venue.

The method 2200 includes a step 2260 of detecting, via the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal or the Wi-Fi connection, that a selected one of the second users is beyond the predetermined physical proximity of the target venue.

The method 2200 includes a step 2270 of electronically communicating to the first user and the rest of the second users in the group that the selected one of the second users has left the target venue.

The method 2200 includes a step 2280 of automatically terminating the electronic chat room after each of the first user and the plurality of second users has left the target venue.

It is understood that, unless otherwise specified, the steps 2210-2280 of the method 2200 are not necessarily performed in numerical order. It is also understood that addition steps may be performed before, during, or after the steps 2210-2280. For reasons of simplicity, additional steps are not discussed in detail herein.

FIG. 22 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic device 3300 according to the various aspects of the present disclosure. The electronic device 3300 may be implemented as an embodiment of the mobile computing devices 120-124 and 320-323 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-7, or as an embodiment of the mobile computing device 400 discussed above with reference to FIG. 9.

The electronic device 3300 includes a telecommunications module 3310, which may also be referred to as a radio component. The telecommunications module 3310 contains various electronic circuitry components configured to conduct telecommunications with one or more external devices. The electronic circuitry components allow the telecommunications module 3310 to conduct telecommunications in one or more of the wired or wireless telecommunications protocols, including communications protocols such as IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth), GSM, CDMA, LTE, WIMAX, DLNA, HDMI, etc. In some embodiments, the telecommunications module 3310 includes antennas, filters, low-noise amplifiers, digital-to-analog (DAC) converters, analog-to-digital (ADC) converters, and transceivers. The transceivers may further include circuitry components such as mixers, amplifiers, oscillators, phase-locked loops (PLLs), and/or filters. Some of these electronic circuitry components may be integrated into a single discrete device or an integrated circuit (IC) chip. By way of these transceivers, the telecommunications module 3310 may be used to establish connections to the venues hosting the electronic virtual social networks, or establish connections with other devices on the electronic virtual social network, or establish connections with a remote server.

The telecommunications module 3310 may also include a GPS module 3315. As discussed above, the GPS module 3315 may be used to determine the location of the electronic device 3300, or the departure of the electronic device 3300 from a certain venue, etc.

The electronic device 3300 may include a computer memory storage module 3320. The memory storage module 3320 may contain various forms of digital memory, such as hard disks, FLASH, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, EPROM, memory chips or cartridges, etc. Computer programming code may be permanently or temporarily stored in the memory storage module 3320, for example. In some embodiments, the computer memory storage module 3320 may include a cache memory where files can be temporarily stored.

The electronic device 3300 may also include a computer processing module 3330. The computer processing module 3330 may contain one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), or digital signal processors (DSPs), which may each be implemented using various digital circuit blocks (including logic gates such as AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR gates, etc) along with certain software code. The computer processing module 3330 may be used to execute the computer programming code stored in the memory storage module 3320.

The electronic device 3300 may also include an input/output module 3340, which may serve as a communications interface for the electronic device 3300. In some embodiments, the input/output module 3340 may include one or more touch-sensitive screens, physical and/or virtual buttons (such as power and volume buttons) on or off the touch-sensitive screen, physical and/or virtual keyboards, mouse, track balls, speakers, microphones, light-sensors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), communications ports (such as USB or HDMI ports), joy-sticks, image-capture devices (for example cameras), etc. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive screen may be used to display visual objects discussed above, for example the profile pictures of the users of the virtual social network, or the virtual gifts and digital vouchers. In alternative embodiments, a non-touch screen display may be implemented as a part of the input/output module 3340.

According to the various aspects of the present disclosure, the virtual social network software application may reside in the memory storage module 3320. It can be retrieved by the computer processing module 3330 for execution. During its execution, it may take command of the telecommunications module (e.g., the Wi-Fi transceiver or GPS module 3315 implemented therein) and/or the input/output module 3340 (e.g., to display objects on a screen and receive input from the screen), so as to facilitate the user's participation of the electronic virtual social network via the electronic device 3300. In some embodiments, the electronic device 3300 is equipped to execute the methods 2000-2200 described above with reference to FIGS. 19-21, respectively.

FIG. 23 is a simplified diagrammatic view of a system 3400 that may be used to carry out certain aspects of the present disclosure discussed above. In some embodiments, the system 3400 may include an electronic device 3410. The electronic device 3410 may be implemented as an embodiment of the electronic device 3300 of FIG. 22 (and therefore as an embodiment of the mobile computing devices 120-124, 320-323, and 400 discussed above). In some embodiments, the electronic device 3410 includes a tablet computer, a mobile telephone, a laptop, a smart watch, or a smart glass.

The system 3400 also includes a remote server 3420. The remote server 3420 may be implemented in a “cloud” computing environment and may include one or more databases that store files, for example the various files that can also be stored locally in the electronic device 3410 as discussed above. The remote server 3420 may also collect data from the electronic device 3410 to facilitate the user of the electronic device 3410's participation on the electronic virtual social network. In some embodiments, the remote server 3420 may be server 150 of FIGS. 1-2 or the server 340 of FIGS. 6-7.

The electronic device 3410 and the remote server 3420 may be communicatively coupled together through a network 3430. The network 3430 may include cellular towers, routers, switches, hubs, repeaters, storage units, cabling (such as fiber-optic cabling or telephone cabling), and other suitable devices. The network 3430 may be implemented using any of the suitable wired or wireless networking protocols. The electronic device 3410 and the remote server 3420 may also be able to communicate with other devices on the network 3430 and either carry out instructions received from the network, or send instructions through the network to these external devices to be carried out.

To facilitate user's interaction with the electronic virtual social network, a service provider (that hosts or operates the remote server 3420) may provide a user interface module 3440. The user interface module 3440 may include software programming code and may be installed on the electronic device 3410 (for example in a memory storage module). In some embodiments, the user interface module 440 may include a downloadable “app”, for example an app that is downloadable through a suitable service such as APPLE's® ITUNES®, THE APP STORE® from APPLE®, ANDROID's® PLAY STORE®, AMAZON's® INSTANT VIDEO®, MICROSOFT's® WINDOWS STORE®, RESEARCH IN MOTION's® BLACKBERRY APP WORLD®, etc. In the embodiment shown, the user interface module 3440 includes an instance of the “app” that has been downloaded and installed on the electronic device 3410. The app may also be used to perform the various aspects of the present disclosure discussed above, such as registering and participating on the virtual social network, inviting other users to participate an event at a target venue, exchange messages between users, ordering food and drinks from a venue, soliciting offers regarding goods or services from merchant that are members of a commercial network, etc.

A user 3450 may interact with the system 3400 by sending instructions to the electronic device 3410 through the user interface module 3440. For example, the user 3450 may be a subscriber of the services offered by the service provider running/hosting/operating the remote server 3420. The user 3450 may attempt to log in to the remote server 3420 by launching the “app” of the user interface 3440. The user's login credentials are electrically sent to the remote server 3420 through the network 3430. After verifying the user login credentials, the remote server 3420 may instruct the user interface module 3440 to display a suitable interface to interact with the user in a suitable manner.

In some embodiments, the system 3400 further includes an electronic device 3500 that resides at a venue that is hosting the virtual social network. The electronic device 3500 may include a smartphone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a wireless router, etc. In some embodiments, the electronic device 3500 is implemented as an embodiment of the electronic device 3300 of FIG. 22. The electronic device 3500 is communicatively coupled to the remote server 3420 and to the electronic device 3410 through the network 3430. As such, it may be used to host the virtual social network for participant users via their respective mobile computing devices. The electronic device 3500 may also be used to receive feedback from the users on its virtual social network, as well as send messages to other users.

It should be appreciated that like reference numerals in the present disclosure are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein these labeled figures are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.

The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

Claims

1. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a screen configured to display visual content;

a radio component configured to conduct wireless electronic communications with external devices;

a computer memory storage module configured to store executable computer programming code; and

a computer processor module operatively coupled to the computer memory storage module, wherein the computer processor module is configured to execute the computer programming code to perform the following steps: communicating, at least in part via the radio component, to a commercial network a need for a user of the mobile computing device to purchase a service or a good, wherein the commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale; establishing, at least in part via the radio component, a plurality of electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members; receiving, from the subset of the plurality of merchant members through the electronic channels of communication, respective offers for the service or the good needed by the user, wherein the receiving is performed at least in part via the radio component; displaying, on the screen, the respective offers received from the subset of the merchant members; accepting, in response to a user engagement of the screen, one of the offers offered by a selected merchant in the subset; and in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, automatically terminating the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members while maintaining the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant.

2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, further comprising: preventing the merchant members of the commercial network from contacting the user until after the establishing of the electronic channels of communication.

3. The mobile computing device of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, electronically notifying the rest of the merchant members in the subset that the user has accepted the offer from the selected merchant.

4. The mobile computing device of claim 1, further comprising, after the receiving but before the accepting:

notifying at least some of the merchant members in the subset regarding the offers that have been received by the user; and

thereafter receiving one or more revised offers from the merchant members in the subset.

5. The mobile computing device of claim 1, further comprising, after the displaying but before the accepting: communicating one or more counter-offers from the user to the merchant members in the subset.

6. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the communicating comprises specifying a time window during which the offers from the subset of merchant members can be received by the mobile computing device.

7. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving time-limited offers from the subset of the merchant members, wherein each time-limited offer has a respective expiration date after which it cannot be accepted.

8. A system, comprising:

a computer memory storage module configured to store executable computer programming code; and

a computer processor module operatively coupled to the computer memory storage module, wherein the computer processor module is configured to execute the computer programming code to perform the following steps: wirelessly communicating to a commercial network a need for a user to purchase a service or a good, wherein the commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale; establishing, at least in part via the radio component, a plurality of electronic channels of communication between a mobile computing device of the user and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members; receiving, through the electronic channels of communication, respective offers from the subset of the plurality of merchant members directed to the service or the good needed by the user; electronically communicating, to the user, the respective offers received from the subset of the merchant members; accepting, in response to input from the user, one of the offers offered by a selected merchant in the subset; and in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, automatically terminating the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members while maintaining the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: preventing the merchant members of the commercial network from contacting the user until after the establishing of the electronic channels of communication.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising: in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, electronically notifying the rest of the merchant members in the subset that the user has accepted the offer from the selected merchant.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising, after the receiving but before the accepting:

notifying at least some of the merchant members in the subset regarding the offers that have been received by the user; and

thereafter receiving one or more revised offers from the merchant members in the subset.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising, before the accepting: electronically communicating one or more counter-offers from the user to the merchant members in the subset.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the communicating comprises specifying a time window during which the offers from the subset of merchant members can be received by the mobile computing device; and

the receiving comprises receiving time-limited offers from the subset of the merchant members, wherein each time-limited offer has a respective expiration date after which it cannot be accepted.

14. A method, comprising:

communicating, at least in part via a radio component of a mobile computing device of a user, to a commercial network a need for the user to purchase a service or a good, wherein the commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale;

establishing, at least in part via the radio component of the mobile computing device, a plurality of electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members;

receiving, from the subset of the plurality of merchant members through the electronic channels of communication, respective offers for the service or the good needed by the user, wherein the receiving is performed at least in part via the radio component of the mobile computing device;

displaying, on a screen of the mobile computing device, the respective offers received from the subset of the merchant members;

accepting, in response to a user engagement of the screen, one of the offers offered by a selected merchant member in the subset; and

in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, automatically terminating the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members while maintaining the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant member.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: preventing the merchant members of the commercial network from contacting the user until after the establishing of the electronic channels of communication.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: in response to the accepting of the one of the offers, electronically notifying the rest of the merchant members in the subset that the user has accepted the offer from the selected merchant member.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising, after the receiving but before the accepting:

notifying at least some of the merchant members in the subset regarding the offers that have been received by the user; and

thereafter receiving one or more revised offers from the merchant members in the subset.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising, after the displaying but before the accepting: communicating one or more counter-offers from the user to the merchant members in the subset.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the communicating comprises specifying a time window during which the offers from the subset of merchant members can be received on the mobile computing device.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving comprises receiving time-limited offers from the subset of the merchant members, wherein each time-limited offer has a respective expiration date after which it cannot be accepted.