U.S. patent application number 13/643720 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-08 for system, method and computer program for creation or collection of information using crowd sourcing combined with targeted incentives.
This patent application is currently assigned to Locationary Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sergejs Marins, Grant Ritchie. Invention is credited to Sergejs Marins, Grant Ritchie.
Application Number | 20130204652 13/643720 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44860692 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130204652 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marins; Sergejs ; et
al. |
August 8, 2013 |
SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CREATION OR COLLECTION OF
INFORMATION USING CROWD SOURCING COMBINED WITH TARGETED
INCENTIVES
Abstract
There is disclosed a computer network implemented method and
system operable on a platform for managing the completion of a
crowd sourcing activity. The crowd sourcing activity includes a
plurality of tasks, each task including optionally a plurality of
sub-tasks. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes:
assigning one or more targeted incentives to completion of one or
more particular tasks or sub-tasks; inviting a plurality of
participating users to complete one or more particular tasks or
sub-tasks based on the targeted incentives; and tracking progress
in the completion of the one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks
by the participating users. In another embodiment, a system
includes a task manager adapted to: assign one or more targeted
incentives to completion of one or more particular tasks or
sub-tasks; invite a plurality of participating users to complete
one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks based on the targeted
incentives; and track progress in the completion of the one or more
particular tasks or sub-tasks by the participating users.
Inventors: |
Marins; Sergejs; (Toronto,
CA) ; Ritchie; Grant; (Toronto, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Marins; Sergejs
Ritchie; Grant |
Toronto
Toronto |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
Locationary Inc.
Toronto
ON
|
Family ID: |
44860692 |
Appl. No.: |
13/643720 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
April 26, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2011/000462 |
371 Date: |
March 21, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61327942 |
Apr 26, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0208 20130101; H04L 12/66 20130101; G06F 16/2365
20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/7.15 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20120101
G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A computer network implemented method operable on a platform for
managing the completion of a crowd sourcing activity, the crowd
sourcing activity including a plurality of tasks, each task
including optionally a plurality of sub-tasks, characterized in
that the method comprises: assigning one or more targeted
incentives to completion of one or more particular tasks or
sub-tasks; inviting a plurality of participating users to complete
one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks based on the targeted
incentives; and tracking progress in the completion of the one or
more particular tasks or sub-tasks by the participating users.
2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the method further
comprises, based on the current state of progress, dynamically
altering the incentives to completion of the one or more particular
tasks or sub-tasks to improve performance of the participating
users and completion of the crowd sourcing activity, or the
plurality of tasks or sub-tasks.
3. The method of claim 2, characterized in that the method further
comprises establishing a user profile for each of the participating
users.
4. The method of claim 3, characterized in that the method further
comprises updating each user profile with rewards corresponding to
the incentives to completion of the one or more particular tasks or
sub-tasks.
5. The method of claim 4, characterized in that the method further
comprises implementing the rewards as virtual currency, and
enabling the conversion of the virtual currency into monetary
currency or tickets for participation in a prize draw.
6. The method of claim 3, characterized in that the method further
comprises updating each user profile with allocation of shares to a
record based on contribution towards the completion of the record,
the record comprising one or more fields corresponding to
particular associated tasks or sub-tasks.
7. The method of claim 6, characterized in that the method further
comprises conferring based on the allocation of shares an ownership
or partial ownership interest in the record, and enabling
monetization of the ownership or partial ownership interest based
on a valuation of the record.
8. The method of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the method
further comprises updating each user profile with penalties
assessed for errors, delays or a failure to meet quality attributes
in completion of the one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks by
the participating users, and based on the penalties removing a
portion or multiple of rewards or shares associated with the user
profile.
9. The method of claim 8, characterized in that the method further
comprises providing a dispute mechanism for resolving disputes
regarding whether quality attributes have been met, and based on
the dispute mechanism revising the assessed penalties.
10. The method of claim 3, characterized in that the method further
comprises establishing a competitive gaming element for completion
of the one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks by the
participating users.
11. The method of claim 10, characterized in that the method
further comprises publishing statistics of one or more metrics from
one or more user profiles including rewards or shares earned, and
penalties applied.
12. The method of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the
competitive gaming element is established between particular groups
of participating users, and the metrics are calculated for the
particular groups of participating users.
13. A computer network implemented system embodied in platform for
managing the completion of a crowd sourcing activity, the crowd
sourcing activity including a plurality of tasks, each task
including optionally a plurality of sub-tasks, characterized in
that the system comprises: a task manager adapted to: assign one or
more targeted incentives to completion of one or more particular
tasks or sub-tasks; invite a plurality of participating users to
complete one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks based on the
targeted incentives; and track progress in the completion of the
one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks by the participating
users.
14. The system of claim 13, characterized in that the task manager
is further operable to dynamically alter, or enable the dynamic
alteration, of the incentives to completion of the one or more
particular tasks or sub-tasks to improve performance of the
participating users and completion of the crowd sourcing activity
based on the current state of progress, by operation of an
incentives manager that is part of or linked to the task
manager.
15. The system of claim 14, characterized in that the system
further comprises an administration utility adapted to establish a
user profile for each of the participating users.
16. The system of claim 15, characterized in that the task manager
is further operable to update each user profile with rewards
corresponding to the incentives to completion of the one or more
particular associated tasks or sub-tasks.
17. The system of claim 16, characterized in that the system
further comprises a redemption utility adapted to enable the
conversion of the rewards, in the form of virtual currency, into
monetary currency or tickets for participation in a prize draw.
18. The system of claim 14, characterized in that the task manager
is further operable to update each user profile with allocation of
shares to a record based on contribution towards the completion of
the record, the record comprising one or more particular associated
tasks or sub-tasks.
19. The system of claim 18, characterized in that the task manager
is further operable to confer based on the allocation of shares an
ownership or partial ownership interest in the record, and a
redemption utility is adapted to enable monetization of the
ownership or partial ownership interest based on a valuation of the
record.
20. The system of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the task
manager is further operable to update each user profile with
penalties assessed for errors, delays or a failure to meet quality
attributes in completion of the one or more particular tasks or
sub-tasks by the participating users, and based on the penalties to
remove a portion or multiple of rewards or shares associated with
the user profile.
21. The system of claim 20, characterized in that the system
further comprises a dispute mechanism adapted to resolve disputes
regarding whether quality attributes have been met, and based on
the dispute mechanism to enable the incentives manager to revise
the assessed penalties.
22. The system of claim 15, characterized in that the task manager
is further operable to establish a competitive gaming element for
completion of the one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks by the
participating users.
23. The system of claim 22, characterized in that the task manager
is further operable to publish statistics of one or more metrics
from one or more user profiles including rewards or shares earned,
and penalties applied.
24. The system of claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the task
manager is further operable to establish the competitive gaming
element between particular groups of participating users, and the
metrics are calculated for the particular groups of participating
users.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/327,942, filed Apr. 26, 2010. The
entirety of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/327,942 is
hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to platforms for enabling
the creation or collection of information based on contribution
from multiple entities, whether human beings or computers. This
invention relates more specifically to such platforms that are
based on, or incorporate, crowd sourcing.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many activities are time intensive, and often involve
multiple tasks, undertaken by a plurality of entities, whether
individuals or computers (in this disclosure an "entity" or
"entities" refers to individuals, computers or both). The plurality
of entities may be involved because of the volume of the work
involved in the activity, or because in order to complete the
activity efficiently, specific tasks involved in the activity are
allocated to individuals with characteristics that enable them to
complete the tasks more quickly, or in a way that is consistent
with qualitative objectives such as accuracy, consistency,
compliance with specific standards, protocols or templates,
interoperation with systems, or other factors.
[0004] Traditionally, the work related to such activities is
completed by a group of employees or contractors, or computers
controlled by such employees or contractors. However, the cost of
completing activities can be reduced by leveraging essentially
volunteers or computer controlled by volunteers, and organizing the
work of these volunteers or their computers using Internet
technologies.
[0005] Prior art systems and solutions that have attempted to
leverage volunteers via the Internet are generally referred to as
"crowd sourcing" solutions. "Crowd sourcing" or "crowdsourcing" is
a neologistic compound of "crowd" and "outsourcing", describing the
act of taking tasks traditionally performed by an employee or
contractor, and outsourcing them to a group of people or community,
through an "open call" to a large group of people (a crowd) asking
for contributions. Participants typically do not receive monetary
compensation and the environment is typically not competitive.
[0006] WIKIPEDIA.TM., the well known online encyclopaedia, relies
in part on voluntary contributions based on a crowd sourcing model,
but in fact accuracy is maintained using a relatively large
editorial staff. Most of this editorial staff is unpaid, but their
participation is motivated by social incentives, and this works
acceptably because being a WIKIPEDIA editor confers reputation,
which participants value on its own merit, or because this may
provide indirect benefits such as recognition as a subject matter
expert, which in turn may assist in job searching or career
advancement.
[0007] The success of WIKIPEDIA resulted in certain companies, such
as Brownbook.net.TM. and Yellowikis.TM., initiating the collection
of business profiles on a crowd sourced basis. These prior art
solutions were not successful in securing active participation of
locals to keep up with the rate of change in the location data, and
also the data collected suffered from a relatively significant
degree of inaccuracy. These prior art solutions employed a
traditional approach to crowd sourcing, which typically does not
involve rewards other than social incentives.
[0008] Participation was not active, and there was an inherent
motivation to falsify information for personal gain. For example,
businesses could vandalize their competitors and spammers could
create fake profiles and receive additional customers. There was no
accountability in the system.
[0009] The prior art does not disclose or suggest a methodology or
platform that achieves the requirements mentioned above, or more
generally, enables efficient completion of activities, or tasks
that are part of activities, based on a crowd sourcing model.
SUMMARY
[0010] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a computer
network implemented method operable on a platform for managing the
completion of a crowd sourcing activity. The crowd sourcing
activity including a plurality of tasks, each task including
optionally a plurality of sub-tasks. A method in accordance with an
embodiment is characterized in that the method comprises: assigning
one or more targeted incentives to completion of one or more
particular tasks or sub-tasks; inviting a plurality of
participating users to complete one or more particular tasks or
sub-tasks based on the targeted incentives; and tracking progress
in the completion of the one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks
by the participating users.
[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a
computer network implemented system embodied in platform for
managing the completion of a crowd sourcing activity. The system is
characterized in that the system comprises a task manager adapted
to: assign one or more targeted incentives to completion of one or
more particular tasks or sub-tasks; invite a plurality of
participating users to complete one or more particular tasks or
sub-tasks based on the targeted incentives; and track progress in
the completion of the one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks by
the participating users.
[0012] Based on the current state of progress, the method and
system is operable to dynamically alter the incentives to
completion of the one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks to
improve performance of the participating users and completion of
the crowd sourcing activity, or the plurality of tasks or
sub-tasks.
[0013] The method and system may further comprise establishing a
user profile for each of the participating users, and updating the
user profile with rewards, shares or penalties corresponding to the
incentives to completion of the one or more particular associated
tasks or sub-tasks, or to a record comprising one or more fields
corresponding to particular associated tasks or sub-tasks.
[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will be better understood and objects of the
invention will become apparent when consideration is given to the
following detailed description thereof. Such description makes
reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating the components of
the present invention, in one representative implementation
thereof.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a further system diagram illustrating the system
of present invention, in another representative implementation that
includes at least one mobile device configured to enable a
participating user to make contributions to the system.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a workflow diagram illustrating the steps involved
in the network implemented method of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram providing a generic computer hardware
and software implementation of certain aspects of the invention, as
detailed in the description.
[0020] In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood
that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of
illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present invention provides a computer network
implemented platform that enables the platform operator, or a
client of the platform operator, to manage the completion of one or
more activities, the one or more activities including a plurality
of tasks, each task including optionally a plurality of sub-tasks,
by inviting a plurality of users (through an open crowd sourced
invitation) to complete one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks
based on one or more targeted incentives, designed to motivate the
completion of tasks or sub-tasks. Users responding to an invitation
from the system are referred to as "participating users".
[0022] The platform of the present invention is configured to
assign one or more targeted incentives to completion of the tasks
or sub-tasks. More specifically, the task manager utility, one of
the components of the platform described in greater detail below,
is operable to manage the completion of one or more activities by
allocating particular incentives to specific tasks or sub-tasks. In
a more detailed aspect of the invention, the system of the present
invention is configured to track progress in the completion of the
one or more activities and, based on the current state of progress,
dynamically alter in real time or near real time the incentives so
as to optimize performance of the system, relative to one or more
"desired outcomes" (defined below) associated with the one or more
activities, or the associated tasks or sub-tasks.
[0023] In one aspect of the invention, these incentives are tracked
by the system, and these incentives, or some of these incentives,
are then redeemable for products or services of tangible value to
participating users, which may as an option in some cases include
financial consideration. "Incentives" in this disclosure refer to
incentives that include incentives with tangible value as opposed
to the social incentives used for example in WIKIPEDIA.
[0024] It should be understood that the integration of incentives
into a platform based on, or incorporating, crowd sourcing is a
novel and non-obvious departure from prior art approaches and
solutions.
[0025] In another aspect of the invention, the platform of the
invention incorporates a range of different types of incentives,
and the platform (by operation of the task manager utility
described below) enables a range of strategies for motivating
specific behaviours of participating users, relevant to completion
of tasks and sub-tasks. One aspect of the design of the platform of
the present invention, is the use of incentives that are targeted
to promote the completion of tasks and sub-tasks in a way that is
consistent with desired outcomes, including for example accuracy.
Designing these incentives, and implementing these to a scalable
platform designed to enable one or more activities, with
participation of a significant number of participating users, is
not a trivial project. One aspect of the invention is the
combination of specific processes, routines, or software utilities
that together provide a mechanism for motivating the mentioned
specific behaviours in a way that is highly efficient and cost
effective.
[0026] Generally speaking, the incentive types embodied in the
platform include "rewards" and "shares" (as described below) and
also "penalties" in the event that tasks or sub-tasks completed by
a participating user, are found by another participating user to be
inconsistent with defined "quality attributes" (this term is also
defined below).
[0027] "Rewards" in this disclosure refer generally to incentives
that are accumulated by a participating user into their account
provided by the platform for completion of tasks or sub-tasks.
Rewards are credited to the participating user's account, and based
on rules defined by the platform, rewards accumulated across
several tasks or sub-tasks may be redeemed for a product or service
or some other item of tangible value to the participating user.
Rewards by operation of the present invention may be credited to
the participating user immediately, and even though rewards may not
be redeemable immediately (depending on the balance of the
participating user's account and other redemption rules), these
rewards may be updated immediately, and an update balance
optionally may be generated and communicated to the participating
user, thereby providing a direct incentive, tied to the desired
behaviour from the participating user. The incentives structured in
this way take advantage of the added motivation associated with
providing immediate gratification.
[0028] Rewards are generally implemented in the system of the
present invention as "tickets", as described further below. Rewards
may be expressed in amounts in a "virtual currency" as best
explained under the Example in Operation set out below.
[0029] "Shares" in contrast denote a partial ownership in a product
resulting from the activities (such as a library of data objects, a
directory, a software program or other product) that may be based
on a percentage of the product based on total contributions to the
product. Revenue generated by the operator of the platform
associated with the product may result in allocation of a portion
of the revenue to the various participating users who contributed
to aspects of the product, based on their accumulated shares
associated with such contributions. There are many specific
mechanisms for variation of the assignment of shares that are
contemplated by the invention. For example, a total number of
shares may be assigned to an entire "record" or "profile" as
explained below. A record may include a plurality of tasks and/or
sub-tasks which may generally correspond to the fields of the
record. Specific fields may be assigned the same number of shares,
or a varying number of shares, as long as the total number of
shares cumulatively for the fields corresponds to the assigned
share value for the record. Some fields may involve contributions
from more than one participating user in which case the number of
shares for the field may be distributed. The number of shares
allocated to the one or more participating users who made
contributions may be used by the platform to calculate the total
participation in the record for the participating users. The
platform, in one aspect thereof, is operable to calculate
allocations of revenue associated with records, or collection of
records, and credit these allocations to the account of
participating users. For example, specific attributes may only be
associated with participating users that reach specific thresholds
of share ownership, such as for example a participating user who is
a majority shareholder for a record or a portion of the record.
Other privileges may be possible such as providing advertising
space to a participating user who meets such threshold
requirements, free of charge or on a reduced cost basis. The
advertising space may be associated with the relevant record. Such
participating user may be provided the ability to associate an
external link for example to a record which may provide a higher
search engine ranking for example to an online business or business
associated with a web page, in which the participating user may be
an owner or a partner. Particularly if the record in question gains
importance (for example through a high number of clicks in a
product incorporating the record) the benefits provided could be
significant. These benefits that may be associated with shares can
further increase their perceived value to the participating users,
which in turn further motivates participation.
[0030] One advantage of shares is that they confer "ownership" to
participating users and thereby leverage some of the inherent
motivations that ownership inspires in many individuals. It should
be understood that monetization of the product is often not
possible until the product is completed, and which may require
significant work, which may be performed over a relatively
significant amount of time. Financing the costs of such work,
performed based on prior art methods usually involving at least
some paid employees or contractors, can be prohibitive.
[0031] Shares, allocated in accordance with the present invention
as described, confer immediately an asset that has intrinsic value
to participating users, yet the obligation to pay the participating
users is contingent upon, and deferred to the time of, monetization
of the product. The intrinsic value flows from the immediate
allocation of the shares that represent a promise to pay a share of
real revenue, if this materializes. Pride of ownership is a natural
human response and tends to motivate greater investment of efforts,
and in some cases on a more timely basis. The concept of shares
enables the operator of the platform to seed at little or no
additional monetary cost, a broader range of activities than may
otherwise be economically feasible. The application of this concept
to the type of platform described, and the specific implementation
of this aspect (as described), is a novel and non-obvious aspect of
the present invention.
[0032] Shares generally will be assigned to a "record", as
described below, but may be allocated between multiple
participating users making contributions to the record. As a
specific example, a record may consist of a recipe submitted by a
participating user. If significant clicks or downloads are
associated with the recipe, for example because the recipe gains
recognition for its quality, for example through online
recommendations distributed through social networks, then
significant revenue may be generated for example through online
advertising and other means. The platform of the present invention
is operable to create an online environment that motivates
individuals having high value content to contribute, or the ability
and willingness to generate high value content, to gravitate to the
operator's environment, or that of its clients, rather than to
competing environments without access to the present invention.
[0033] In a particular implementation of the invention, the
"penalties" are assessed against the particular "rewards" or
"shares" associated with the particular tasks or sub-tasks where
there has been an error or other failure to meet the quality
attributes This aspect of motivating the verification or correction
of work completed by one or more participating users, by one or
more other participating users, provides surprising improvements in
the ability of the platform to help achieve the desired outcomes.
The penalties assigned by the platform introduce accountability to
the operations of the system, and in essence make groups of
participating users (defined by the platform based on a group
participating users engaging in tasks or sub-tasks linked to the
same activity) self-policing. This concept of penalties, and its
application as part of the system described herein, reduces the
likelihood of completion of tasks or sub-tasks in a way that is not
consistent with the quality attributes--e.g. the proportion of
inaccurate records is reduced.
[0034] Further details regarding rewards, shares, and penalties are
disclosed in connection with the Example In Operation set out
below.
[0035] While the incentives embodied in the platform of the present
invention serve to motivate participating users to deliver the
desired outcomes, ultimately there is a monetary cost associated
with rewards and shares, and the effectiveness of the platform may
be enhanced by relying on other ways to motivate desired outcomes
from participating users. As previously explained, social
incentives have had limited success in initiating rapid deployment
of resources from the crowd, applied in response to a set of
targeted activities or related tasks and/or sub-tasks. The
combination of incentives (for example, rewards, shares, and
penalties) represents one aspect of the invention that provides
significant advantages over the prior art. In addition to, or
instead of, the use of said incentives, the platform embodies
another means to motivate participating users and that is their
interest in competing with one another in the context of a game
defined by one or more rules. In a particular aspect of the present
invention, the platform is configured to include or embody one or
more operations, mechanisms and/or interfaces that relate to one or
more elements of gaming mechanics, which are integrated in general
activities initiated by the platform and relating to the completion
of the task and/or sub-tasks. "Game mechanics" may be defined as
the rules, game designs or other attributes that contribute to
individuals having a fun and engaging experience in playing a
game.
[0036] One aspect of the invention, is the conception of a platform
directed at managing the completion of tasks or sub-tasks based on
crowd sourcing with a gaming aspect or component. This particular
aspect of the invention introduces competition into the
collaborations enabled by the present invention that relate to
groups of participating users working together by each making
contributions to the activities, by completing tasks or sub-tasks.
This unique integration of collaboration and competition, first
conceived and implemented by the inventors of the present
invention, introduces a new concept, namely of "competitive
collaboration". The present disclosure describes a computer network
implementation of this concept, wherein the platform of the present
invention enables the management of completion of tasks and
sub-tasks by the crowd, where the motivation of participating users
from the crowd is generated in part by linking the completion of
tasks or sub-tasks to one or more gaming elements such that
participating users compete to achieve scores higher than the
scores of other participating users, where scores are determined
based on points allocated for completion of particular tasks or
sub-tasks.
[0037] Combination of these crowd sourcing and gaming elements, and
also combination of these aspects in the manner described in this
disclosure, was not disclosed in the prior art and is an innovation
that has produced significant and surprising improvements in the
ability of the platform described in this invention (and the
related methods) to achieve the desired outcomes efficiently.
Examples of implementations of the gaming aspect are provided
below.
[0038] It should be understood that the invention involves (a) the
crowd sourcing aspect, with incentives as described, and/or (b) a
crowd sourcing component combined with one or more gaming
elements.
[0039] The platform is configured to enable the operator, or
clients of the operator, to deploy one or more campaigns designed
to motivate completion of tasks or sub-tasks efficiently, and in a
way that is responsive to a number of desired outcomes such as
prioritization of specific activities, or tasks or sub-tasks,
including based on revenue opportunities, time sensitive campaigns
requiring specific information sets, and so on. These campaigns may
be designed based on one or more known attributes, or may be
designed on the fly. Also, campaigns may be optimized based on the
results delivered by the crowd activities by dynamic modification
of the campaigns by operation of the platform. In design of such
campaigns, deployment of these campaigns, and optimization of
campaigns during their deployment, it is desirable to embody in the
platform a range of tools for motivating the participating user
behaviour.
[0040] In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides such a
range of tools, with its incentives and gaming elements, and which
can be varied and combined by operation of the platform (as
described) to enable targeted motivation of participating users,
which in turn enables efficient and quick completion of tasks and
sub-tasks, and creation of products based on the work completed. As
a result, products (whether directories, software programs, or
other collaborative projects) may be completed with improved
quality and at a lower cost. Furthermore, the present platform (and
related methods) enables the operator of the system, or its
clients, to engage in a broader range of collaborative activities
than would be possible based on prior art methods. This provides
significant advantages because prior art methods generally require
decisions to engage in some activities and not other based on
prediction of which activities are likely to result in the best
revenue generation outcomes.
[0041] Furthermore, prior art methods usually require decisions on
a specific number of activities, likely based on prediction of
which activities will result in optimal return on investments. This
may require concentration on a smaller number of projects and may
limit the scope of activities that would otherwise be possible.
Also, sound prediction of the specific products that are likely to
provide stronger revenue potential can be difficult. The present
invention creates a platform where a broader range of activities
may be enabled, some activities being initiated by the interest of
participating users which may provide a good indication of
activities that may have revenue potential, such that activities
can expand organically and thereby create value that would not have
been generated based on a centralized, managed approach.
[0042] The task manager utility, in one aspect thereof, is operable
to initiate the creation and distribution of an open crowd source
invitation. The invitation may take a number of different forms,
and may be distributed in a number of ways. For example, the
invitation may consist of posting a task or sub-task on a web page,
for example a web page related to an activity. The activity, or the
associated tasks or sub-tasks may be promoted for completion by
means of communication to the crowd for example by email. The
platform may be operable to match activities, or their tasks or
sub-tasks with particular groups of users based on attributes that
may result in the desired outcomes, for example based on interest,
location and/or other attributes. The platform may include one or
more specific utilities or processes for targeting tasks or
sub-tasks to specific users, but this other invention is addressed
in a separate patent disclosure of the Applicant.
[0043] In another aspect of the invention, a mobile application
linked to the platform is loaded on a mobile device of a user. The
mobile application is operable to obtain, for example on pull
basis, one or more data elements that relate to one or more
activities that may be of interest to the user. These data elements
are used by the by the user to initiate a request for one or more
tasks or sub-tasks for completion by the user.
[0044] Tasks or sub-tasks may be completed using a suitable utility
for providing the participating user's contribution, for example,
submission of information meeting defined requirements, referred to
as a task completion utility in the present disclosure. The
participating user may be associated with any manner of
network-connected computer device. The network-connected device may
a computer device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer,
tablet computer or other similar device, connectable to the
platform via the Internet for example by means of a browser
session, in order to access one or more web forms that may
correspond to the record described below, or an aspect of the
record. The participating user may provide the information
requested by the web form, which by clicking a "SUBMIT" button or
equivalent may be communicated to the platform for integration into
one or more system initiated workflows embodied in the record.
[0045] The network-connected device may also be a mobile device
such as a smart phone, and completion of task or sub-tasks may
occur by means of a mobile application loaded to the mobile device
or smart phone. Further implementation details are provided
below.
[0046] The mobile application may be operable to deliver to the
platform the user's contributions, which are integrated into the
workflow implemented by the platform for completing the various
tasks or sub-tasks. Further details on this aspect of the invention
are explained below.
[0047] The task completion utility may also provide to
participating users one or more tools to enable collaboration
between participating users in regards to completion of tasks or
sub-tasks. For example, task completion utility may enable
participating users information elements as a possible duplicate,
may enable participating users to make suggestions for possible
information elements for comment by other participating users,
before submission to the system. The participating users may also
provide possible suggestions for corrections to information
elements, prior to submission. This may be to arrive jointly at
correct answers and possibly to suggest changes without incurring
rewards/penalties as explained below, possibly as a form of
courtesy from one participating user to another.
[0048] The prior art (including known technologies and solutions)
does not provide a way to manage the completion of tasks or
sub-tasks involved in such activities (including, for example, the
updating a local business directory) that yields data of acceptable
accuracy. Nor does the prior art disclose a solution for ensuring
that the activity or activities are completed in a way that is
efficient enough to enable operators to access the products (in
this case an updated directory) in a way that is affordable. This
is aggravated by the fact that while businesses leveraging, for
example, location data can generate significant revenue over time,
often through advertising data, a significant user base is often
required before revenue reaches a point where accurate data
(obtained based on prior art methods) becomes accessible to
operators. Also, capital to fund access to expensive yet accurate
location data is often difficult to obtain while revenues are weak.
This results in the launch of web and mobile commerce platforms
that have the potential to provide significant benefits to users,
but adoption suffers without access to accurate data. This may
result in the failure of what would have otherwise been viable
businesses. This particular example, based on location data,
illustrates the need for a better solution for completing tasks or
sub-tasks, with participation of a plurality of individuals, on a
more efficient basis, yielding better products and outcomes,
including better and more affordable location data. The present
invention provides this solution.
[0049] Accordingly, collecting up-to-date location data such as for
example business profile information, globally may require the
following:
[0050] 1) participation of locals to tap into their local knowledge
(as opposed to centralized employees who will require greater
resources to discover changes);
[0051] 2) active participation of these locals to keep up with the
rate of change of such information (businesses in any community
frequently open, close, and change their information); and
[0052] 3) accurate data (in order to avoid for example mapping
products inaccuracies, which may result in users perceiving that
they have been misled).
DEFINITIONS
[0053] It is useful to explain the scope of the invention by
defining one or more terms used in this disclosure.
[0054] Many activities are time intensive, and often involve
multiple tasks, undertaken by a plurality of individuals. The
plurality of individuals may be involved because of the volume of
the work involved in the activity, or because in order to complete
the activity efficiently, specific tasks involved in the activity
are allocated to individuals with characteristics that enable them
to complete the tasks more quickly, or in a way that is consistent
with qualitative objectives such as accuracy, consistency,
compliance with specific standards, protocols or templates,
interoperation with systems, or other factors ("qualitative
attributes"). A skilled reader will understand that the present
invention may enable the application of a wide range of qualitative
attributes.
[0055] The present disclosure refers to an "activity" or
"activities", to describe work involving a plurality of individuals
resulting in desired outcome. The desired outcome may be the
creation of a product such as a directory, or the enhancement of a
product such as for example an update to a database; or the
enhancement of information or knowledge in regards to one or more
topics, or enhance common knowledge about one or more particular
entities. For example the activities may relate to tracking events,
compiling up to date information on a range of topics, or the like.
The desired outcome may relate to the completion of one or more
processes for the product such as its validation, testing,
verification, or correction. The activity may also relate to subset
of a product, such as a particular portion of a directory that has
been earmarked for creation, correction or verification. The
desired outcome may also include development of a computer program,
where a plurality of individuals write computer code components or
routines, which are then assembled to provide the computer program.
The product may also include a series of images taken of a list of
target objects or locations. The product may be the creation of a
series of 3D models for a specified list of locations or objects. A
skilled reader will understand that the present disclosure relates
to a wide range of activities, covering a wide range of domains,
where co-ordination of the work of a plurality of individuals is
involved.
[0056] Traditionally, the work related to such activities is
completed by a group of employees or contractors ("activity team").
The costs associated with their engagement, and providing them with
the environment to perform their work (such as systems, possibly
office space to enable their management and collaboration) can be
quite prohibitive.
[0057] Also in many domains, new activities or aspects of
activities may arise regularly, and the activity team may have been
assembled with attributes of one or more specific activities in
mind. The skill set or other attributes of the team activity may
not however be ideally suited for a new activity or activities,
which may result in degradation of the ability to complete
activities efficiently. Traditional activity teams may not be
sufficiently dynamic to provide an optimal mix of resources to
complete the activity efficiently, especially with the definition
of new and different activities on a regular basis, or activities
that by their nature require a wide range of different attributes
in the team members. A more dynamic approach to staffing activity
teams is required. There is therefore a need to assemble activity
teams efficiently to address a broad range of possible "attributes"
(that may be referred to as "participant attributes"). A skilled
reader will understand that these participant attributes may relate
to any particular attribute that enables the competition of the
activity, with the desired outcome. These may include special
skills, particular knowledge or expertise, certifications,
particular experience, availability or willingness to take on
specific tasks, level of interest (because a better outcome may be
possible if a team member is interested in the subject matter of
the activity or in the realization of the desired outcome).
[0058] The present invention extends for example to location
related activities, for example, the creation, updating,
verification, or correction of a directory, where familiarity with
a particular location such as a neighbourhood, city or other
geographic area, may be an important participant attribute because
a user based on such familiarity may be well placed to complete a
task associated with the particular location in a way that is
consistent with the desired outcome, for example, quickly and
accurately and at lower cost. Further in relation to location
related activities, the participant attributes may relate to the
current location of the participant. For example, if a task related
to updating a record for a business at a particular location, a
participant in the vicinity of the particular location may be well
placed to update the record quickly and accurately. The present
invention also contemplates participants extracting information
from other sources, for verification, updating and correction by
operation of the system. A particular participant may have the
time, or be familiar with third party sources that may for example
be accurate for particular locations, and the task may consist of
extracting meta data for one or more particular locations and
providing this meta data to the system of the present invention.
This extraction of data from third party sources may also seed
other tasks, such as for example the correction, verification or
updating of the meta data.
[0059] As mentioned, activities, as described in this disclosure,
are certainly not limited to management of directories. A skilled
reader will appreciate, that the present invention may relate to
activities covering the general requirements described, in a wide
variety of areas, and relating to a wide range of different
qualitative attributes. These may include for example building a
list of available applications such as mobile applications,
compiling a set of profiles covering an extensive category of
items, such as a set of profiles on movies, music, or
celebrities.
[0060] However, directories illustrate the problems that the
present invention addresses, and also helps understand the
important advantages that the present invention provides. The
present disclosure explains the operation of the invention in
connection with development of directories based on location data
as an example of the present invention. The invention, however,
should not be understood to be limited to application directories
alone.
[0061] Directories can be important and valuable data sets. Their
compilation in an accurate form can be very expensive, especially
given that for example in the case of a business directory,
businesses open and close regularly, and therefore it is important
to update records regularly. If a team is formed and dedicated to
manage a directory, numerous problems may arise. Personal
familiarity with directory records or record sets may improve the
efficiency of completion of directory related tasks. However,
creating and managing a team to address numerous local databases
may involve either multiple teams at different geographic areas,
which adds cost and complexity to the activities, or one or more
teams with better coverage or some locations than others, but there
may be increased costs of engaging in the activities in geographic
areas with less than optimal coverage. Also engaging local
contractors for specific activities presents challenges in
recruiting and managing personnel locally. Especially given that
because of economics personnel engaged for such activities receive
relatively low wages, the quality of the data may suffer. This
quality may improve by investing in, for example, significant
supervision of staff, including using auditing or verification
processes, however, this also adds to the cost and may delay the
completion of tasks. Generally, speaking the industry has responded
by engaging significant editorial resources, who verify and correct
data or products, again at a significant cost.
[0062] These and many other practical aspects of managing
directories tends to result in directories that are relatively
expensive to produce, and still have less than optimal coverage and
are known to contain a significant number of errors. Also most
directories, based on resource limitations, are updated on cycles
that for cost reasons are not as frequent as the rate of changes to
records (for example new businesses opening or businesses closing).
Directory records tend to become stale and there are few reliable
and affordable means to identify which records require updating and
when.
[0063] At the same time, web and mobile commerce has created a
significant demand for data that includes or is based on location
data (referred to as "location data" in this disclosure. Most
business models associated with web or mobile commerce solutions
however, practically speaking, require affordable location data,
that is nonetheless accurate. If for example a local directory of
businesses points enough users, enough of the time, to a business
that has closed, this can have a very negative impact on the
directory's business.
[0064] Description of System
[0065] FIG. 1 shows a system implementation of the present
invention, in one example thereof.
[0066] The platform described in this disclosure may be implemented
as a web application, as best shown in FIG. 1. The system of the
present invention may include at least one web server (10). The web
server (10) is operable to run the web application (12). The web
server is linked to a database (14).
[0067] It should be understood that the system of the present
invention is not limited to any particular computer network
implementation. FIG. 1 illustrates only a representative
implementation of the system of the present invention. It should be
understood that web server (10) may be implemented by means of a
distributed computer network architecture, server farm, or cloud
network.
[0068] In addition, while the disclosure provides certain details
regarding one or more computer program aspects of the present
invention, the functions of the computer program are explained
without limiting the application to the invention to any particular
computer program architecture. Each functional component may be
implemented as part of a computer program module with multiple
functions, or may be implemented as including one or more other
functional components. A skilled reader will understand that
numerous possible implementations are contemplated.
[0069] The web application (12), as shown in FIG. 1, may include an
administration utility (16). The administration utility enables
users to register with the system, and establish their profile on
the database (14). The administration utility (16) is operable to
update each profile with rewards, shares or associated penalties,
as explained below.
[0070] The web application (12) also includes an event tracker (18)
which enables the tracking of each user activity of a participating
user in connection with the platform of the present invention. The
event tracker (18) supports a number of other operations of the
platform, including the task manager (20). The task manager (20) is
best understood as a back-end, administrative utility, that enables
the operator of the platform, or third parties authorized by the
operator, such as operator's clients, to design and deploy one or
more activities or associated campaigns, and the tasks or sub-tasks
that are linked with such activities, by operation of the platform.
Deployment of activities on the system triggers creation of tasks
and sub-tasks as explained in this disclosure.
[0071] The system also includes an incentive manager (22) which may
be an aspect of task manager (20) or a utility linked to the task
manager (20). The incentive manager (22) enables the operator, or
the operator's clients, to associate one or more incentives with
the tasks or sub-tasks. For example, the incentive manager (22) may
enable administrative users to (A) select from a range of types of
incentives (including for example rewards and shares as explained
above), (B) select the value of such incentives, (C) select
penalties to be associated with specific incentives, (D) select the
value of such penalties, and/or (E) select one or more gaming
elements, and the link between such gaming elements and the
incentives and/or penalties. In addition, the incentive manager
(22) enables the administrative users to establish the specific
domain of application of (A), (B), (C), (D) and/or (E), which may
consist of the following domain of application components, namely a
specified field in a record (see below), one or more tasks or
sub-tasks, or one or more activities. The domain of application may
be selected by the administrative user using a suitable incentive
manager graphical user interface, or may be selected from a list of
such domain of application components generated by the platform
based on one or more associated criteria selected by the
administrative user, for example all "OPEN" domain of application
components related to "FIELD A" (for example a restaurant
directory) with "PRIORITY X" (which may be based on associated
revenue opportunities).
[0072] The incentive manager (22) may include or embody one or more
templates that define default incentives or gaming elements based
on the nature of the activity and/or historical data indicating
performance relative to desired outcomes based on the nature of the
activity. Administrative users of the platform may modify
incentives and/or gaming elements to achieve desired results such
as improving accuracy through expanded verification/correction,
additional incentives or gaming outcomes for providing specific
detail, or completing tasks or sub-tasks within certain time
frames.
[0073] The task manager (20) may also be linked to, or include, an
analytics engine (23) that is operable to analyze a plurality of
operations of the platform, including metrics related to the
completion of tasks or sub-tasks, such as for example the
demographics of participating users who complete certain types of
tasks or sub-tasks, rate of completion of specific activities,
projected time of completion of an activity, and so on. The
analytics engine (23) may be operable to reveal insights that
enable optimization of incentives. For example the analytics engine
(23) may be operable to run test scenarios to reveal that at a
certain time of day, in a certain location, with a particular group
of participating users, a lower level of incentives is sufficient
to produce the desired outcomes. A skilled reader will understand
that an analytics engine (23) that incorporates known optimization
techniques can provide effective optimization of incentives used by
the platform of the present invention to achieve desired outcomes
thus improving efficiency. For example, the analytics engine (23)
may enable the generation of data regarding the rate at which tasks
are completed, may provide information enabling the rebalancing of
rewards, or enable the tracking of completion of campaigns.
[0074] The analytics engine (23) may be used to test incentive
scenarios to predict or estimate the impact of modification of
incentives or gaming elements on achievement of desired
outcomes.
[0075] The analytics engine (23) may be linked to a reporting
utility (24) to generate one or more reports. For example the
reporting utility (24) may enable administrative users to generate
a report analyzing the incentives provided to and/or gaming
elements assigned to particular users, and the resulting behaviour
of such participating users. A skilled reader will understand that
analyzing the motivators especially for a group of participating
users responsible for a significant proportion of completed tasks
or sub-tasks may yield significant opportunities for optimization
of performance of the platform. The functions of the analytics
engine (23) and the reporting utility (24) may be used to enable
dynamic changes to the incentives and/or gaming elements to improve
performance of the system relative to the activity objectives, by
operation of the task manager (20).
[0076] In a particular aspect of the invention, the incentive
manager (22) is operable enable the allocation and calculation of a
virtual currency for applying rewards (as described above) in
connection with tasks or sub-tasks enabled by the platform.
[0077] The system may also include or be linked to a redemption
utility (26) that enables the conversion of the virtual currency
into monetary currency or the purchase of products or services
based on the virtual currency. The redemption utility (26) may
include or be linked to a transaction server (not shown) for
processing transactions related to the redemption of virtual
currency. A skilled reader will understand that various mechanisms
for redemption are contemplated by the present invention. An
example of such a mechanism is described below under the heading
"Rewards".
[0078] The incentive manager (22) is operable to generate a
"ticket" in response to a participating user completing a task or
sub-task defined by the system of the present invention. The event
tracker (18) detects the completion of the task or sub-task. This
information is provided to the incentive manager (22), which
updates the profile of the participating user to reflect the
accrual to his/her allocation of rewards.
[0079] The system may also include a web presentment utility (28)
for generating and publishing one or more web pages, such as for
example web pages incorporating records (explained below) or web
pages used to generate the provide access to the one or more prize
redemption pages referenced below.
[0080] In another aspect of the invention, the platform is
configured to enable the dynamic modification of incentives in
order to achieve desired outcomes, without for example alteration
of the workflow involved in assigning tasks or sub-tasks to
specific participating users, or in completing tasks or sub-tasks,
and without the need for significant work to implement changes for
example in terms of software configurations or database
configurations. The dynamic modification aspect of the present
invention is enabled by the record manager (30) aspect of the task
manager (20), which is explained below. As previously described,
incentives allocation by operation of the platform of the present
invention may include, rewards, shares, and associated
penalties.
[0081] In a still other aspect of the invention, the event tracker
enables the monitoring of progress of the platform in initiating
the participants to completing the task or sub-tasks.
[0082] The incentive manager (22) is operable to access one or more
parameters regarding desired outcomes, such as for example priority
of clients of the operator of the present invention, such as the
scope of activities, or associated tasks for sub-tasks,
compensation paid by the clients. The incentive manager (22), in
one aspect thereof, enables the operator, or one or more clients of
the operator, to develop one or more campaigns with a view to
motivating the crowd to complete a series of tasks. Based on
performance relative to campaign goals, an administrative user may
modify the incentives, or the platform may dynamically modify the
incentives.
[0083] By operation of the incentive manager (22), the system of
the present invention enables participating users to check the work
of other participating users, and if errors are found or suspected,
to correct the information.
[0084] A skilled reader will appreciate that many possible examples
or rewards/shares/penalties are possible, as well as many possible
gaming elements. The disclosure, including the Example in Operation
below, provides only a few examples that serve to illustrate the
various possible particular incentive or gaming element
implementations, based on the platform and related methods
disclosed herein.
[0085] Rewards
[0086] As explained previously, rewards may be implemented as
"tickets", which may be collected and then in one implementation
placed into draws or raffles for prizes, by operation of the
redemption utility (26). The platform may be operable to generate
one or more lists of prizes, and then sub-sets of these lists may
be associated with one or more particular tasks or sub-tasks, or
record fields (as explained below). The platform may generate for
participating users sub-lists dynamically, and communicate these
sub-lists to participating users on a regular basis, such sub-lists
including prizes currently available for which the participating
user is eligible. Such communications or other similar
communications may be used to invite the participating users
regularly to one or more prize redemption web pages presented by
the system of the present invention. The one or more prize
redemption pages enable participating users to select one or more
links associated with specific prizes, and these links may be
operable to debit the account of the participating user and enter
the participating user into the draw, subject to the applicable
draw rules which may be accessed via the prize redemption web
pages.
[0087] The prize redemption web page may change regularly and may
include from time to time particularly desirable prizes, available
in draws with improved odds and/or for an attractive number of
tickets, so as to provide one or more "special prizes". These and
other mechanisms may be used to attract participating users to the
prize redemption page or pages on a regular basis. The more the
participating users return, the more they are likely to use their
tickets, the more they use their tickets the greater the need to
generate more tickets. Alternatively, one or more highly desirable
prizes are presented, with associated draw rules designed to
motivate the participating users to engage in high priority tasks
or sub-tasks.
[0088] In a particular aspect of the invention, the greater the
number of tickets submitted into a draw the better the chance of
winning, however, a single ticket may be sufficient to win the
draw. This motivates participating users to generate tickets, but
also prevents participating users with a lesser number of tickets
from being discouraged and perhaps withdrawing from completion of
tasks or sub-tasks.
[0089] It should be understood that the incentive manager (22)
enables administrative users to tune incentives, including for
example prizes and associated redemption rules to for example
ensure that key participating user groups continue to be
motivated.
[0090] Shares
[0091] In a still further aspect of the invention, the incentive
manager (22) is operable to allocate a virtual asset based on
contributions to the completion of a task or sub-task. The virtual
asset confers an "ownership" or "partial ownership" interest in a
product or a component thereof such as a specific record of a
directory. The virtual assets can be configured to provide a
significant future value.
[0092] In a still other aspect of the invention, the platform may
include or provide a virtual stock exchange that enables the
trading of shares created by operation of the system. Shares may
for example be traded for tickets, or shares related to one record
may be traded for shares related to another record, and so on.
[0093] Penalties
[0094] In another aspect of the invention, the incentive manager
(22) includes or embodies one or more processes for promoting
accountability among users and thereby decreasing the likelihood of
users failing to complete tasks or sub-tasks in a manner that is
consistent with the qualitative attributes. One aspect of this is
the assessment of penalties if for example participating users
complete tasks or sub-tasks but in a way that does not meet the
qualitative attributes.
[0095] Various penalties are contemplated by the present invention.
One aspect of penalties is the removal of tickets and/or shares, as
applicable, from the account of a participating user in the event
that another participating user corrects the information elements
that resulted in tickets being allocated to the first participating
user. The penalty may be a portion of, or multiple, of the tickets
allocated to the first participating user. The amount of the
tickets may be allocated to the second participating user making
the correction. It may be useful to reduce the likelihood of
frivolous corrections. And also it is useful to have a mechanism
for resolving disputes regarding whether the information elements
meet the quality attributes or not (for example is an entry to a
field of a record accurate or not).
[0096] In one implementation of the incentive manager (22) a
participating user challenging whether an information element meets
the quality attributes may be required to post a bond based on a
specified amount of his/her tickets and/or shares pending
confirmation of whether the challenge is appropriate, for example
based on verification by the operator of the platform, or pending
outcome of a dispute resolution routine. The bond may be
advantageous in that the challenger may consider its challenge more
carefully, and for example verify the correct information, prior to
issuing the challenge which tends to promote the desired
outcomes.
[0097] The challenge may involve a formal challenge, which results
in a communication to the first participating user, who may have a
defined period of time to respond to challenge, and if no reply is
received then the challenge may succeed. Alternatively, any
challenge may be immediately referred for dispute settlement
whether the first participating user responds or not.
[0098] A range of dispute resolution mechanisms is possible, which
may be implemented by operation of a dispute resolution (32)
utility that is part of the platform of the present invention. For
example, disputes may be referred by the platform to an editor, or
a participating user who has made significant contributions in an
information area relevant to a dispute.
[0099] Gaming Elements
[0100] The platform includes or embodies one or more processes or
features that enable participating users to engage in "competitive
collaboration" as previously explained based on one or more gaming
elements. These gaming elements are best understood as one or more
particular aspects of the incentive manger (22). These may include
for example publication of statistics regarding particular
participating users with relatively high scores based on winnings
(by redeeming tickets), based on total tickets earned, total
shareholdings, total revenue generated based on shareholdings and
other metrics that may inspire performance and perhaps competitions
between participating users generally, and perhaps between
particular groups of participating users in order to create
rivalries within specific groups. Such competition and particularly
rivalries can encourage increased levels of activity.
[0101] The gaming elements may be enabled in party by a social
networking engine (34) linked to the incentive manager (22) for
enabling participating users to organize into user initiated
groups, in part to track reward/penalty/shares performance within
one or more groups, initiate particular challenges and the
like.
[0102] Records
[0103] The completion of tasks or sub-tasks by operation of the
present system, may occur by means of a "record" created by the
system. The record in the present invention is analogous to a smart
form, and may be implemented as a meta file, typically including
one or more fields for submission of information (whether text,
computer code, images or otherwise), where the record also may
embody one or more attributes for one or more of the fields. These
attributes may relate to a relationship between two or more fields.
The relationship may be defined by hierarchical relationships
between fields, for example parent-child relationships between
them. The relationships may further be defined for example in the
form of logical operations between fields and/or their content. The
system is operable to also assign specific rewards/penalties (e.g.
particular tickets, shares or penalties) to the contribution of
content to specific fields.
[0104] In one aspect of the invention, the records are configured
to enable multiple users to contribute information, however, a
particular field is normally assigned to one participating user
only, to avoid duplication of efforts. However, where a particular
field is a multiple choice, one participating user may select one
of the options while another participating user may select another
option.
[0105] Records are best understood as an output of the task manager
(20), generated by operation of the task manager (20) or a utility
that is part of the task manager (20) or the record generator
(30).
[0106] The record generator enables the assembly of records with
the various fields, relationships between them, permissions
(defining what participating users can complete what fields),
associated incentives/penalties, and other attributes. Records are
configured such that attributes may be modified on the fly without
affecting the operability of the record as a whole. The system is
also configured so that modifications can be made at the same time
across several records without affecting the operability of
individual records, or records collectively.
[0107] For example, if information linked to a particular field has
been challenged, the field may be automatically "locked" by the
system, as well as any other fields or attributes that depend on
that field. The "locking" of the field may prevent additional
information from being added to fields that depend on the "locked"
field, until the challenge has been resolved. Other fields however
may continue to be completed by participating users. Once a "lock"
has been removed the corresponding "lock" to other fields or
attributes may also be removed.
[0108] Also, if a participating user is identified who has been
making contributions that do not meet the quality attributes
intentionally or with regularity, his/her contributions may be
dynamically removed and re-submitted to the crowd via a new
invitation, without the need for significant data processing.
[0109] This particular aspect of the implementation of the present
invention enables the various dynamic operations involved in both
completing tasks and sub-tasks and also the generation and
exploitation of products based on completed tasks and sub-tasks and
presents a significant innovation provided by the present
invention.
[0110] Another aspect of records in the present invention, is that
the records and the database (14) are configured to enable
information from the records to be compiled into the database
without little effort, in a manner that is known. This enables the
consumption of information obtained by operation of the present
system by third party entities on a real time or near real time
basis. In this way, one aspect of the invention is a computer
network implemented distribution network for distributing
information obtained by operation of the platform of the present
invention.
[0111] In another aspect of the record generator (30), records are
generator so that one or more fields are associated with labels
that consist of a code defining the field attributes rather than
for example a label expressed in text form. This enables the
derivation of information from records independent of the text used
in the fields, including for example any particular language used
to express labels. Moreover, information provided as content for a
field may be recorded to the record as a form element defined by a
code rather than the text content. This is easily accomplished
where the information elements are selected by users from a menu of
possible items, or where the code is defined based on a semantic
analysis of contributed text. One of the advantages of generating
records in this way is that derivatives of the information may be
generated and used dynamically. For example translations of a
database may be mapped using one or more simple operations rather
than a more complicated translation which may result in errors.
[0112] The operation of records, as a function of the task manager
(20) is illustrated in the example provided below, which is based
on application of the present invention to location data.
[0113] A Place Record is created by applying schema rules to
available place data. Data is stored as a set of rows with
references to relationships between them and their type (by field
id). The schema is the set of all possible fields with
corresponding descriptions of their format and dependencies between
them. A field is "dependent" when it can appear in a record only if
another field is set to appropriate value.
[0114] Some possible place fields may be:
TABLE-US-00001 POSSIBLE FIELD NAME TYPE VALUES DEPENDS ON Place
Name Text <not empty> -- Place Type Enumeration Eating,
sleeping, -- (multiple medical values possible) Cuisine Enumeration
American, Greek, PlaceType.eating (multiple Asian values possible)
Dress code Enumeration Casual, formal PlaceType.eating (only singe
required value possible) Room Details: Enumeration Private Patio,
PlaceType.sleeping (multiple Separate values Eating Area possible)
Number of Numeric Number PlaceType.sleeping Rooms
[0115] (i) Loading Place Record
[0116] The Place Record is loaded through the following steps:
[0117] 1) all available data is loaded for the requested place (for
each available piece of data the system looks up its field meta
data in schema). [0118] 2) "independent" pieces of data are picked
and these are added to "data set to be displayed". [0119] 3) the
rest of the dependent data is scanned, trying to find elements that
depend on elements in "data set to be displayed". 4) if any such
elements are found, these are added to "data set to be displayed"
and scanned again, when no remaining elements are found, the
scanning stops. [0120] 5) any data that has been retrieved from the
database but not depending on other data is deemed to be
"disconnected" because of a previous schema change. Depending on
requirements the system may delete disconnected data or just ignore
it.
[0121] (Ii) Displaying Place Record
[0122] After the place record is loaded, it is prepared for display
through the following steps: [0123] 1) the credentials of the
participating user who is to view the record is obtained. The
fields are scanned, examining them to see whether they should be
displayed based on that user's permissions. Fields are filtered out
if necessary based on permissions. [0124] 2) using the context of
display (web, mobile, etc.), fields may be filtered if they are not
to be shown in this context. [0125] 3) the record generation is
repeated to remove unneeded dependencies. [0126] 4) based on
formatting rules described in the same schema, a representation is
generated of the fields according to the form type (text,
multi-select, etc.).
[0127] (Iii) Editing Place Record
[0128] To edit the record, the following steps may be performed:
[0129] 1) when new information arrives, the system looks up its
definition in the schema. [0130] 2) the system drops those for
which no definition is found, or where input format or data don't
match to what is described in the schema. [0131] 3) the system
generates the record as discussed above with the existing data.
[0132] 4) the system iterates through new data trying to find those
elements that are eligible to be stored in the database. To be
eligible, the field must be independent, or dependant on existing
data, and the field must be unlocked (the system may "lock" data
when it is not desirable for users to modify it). [0133] 5) the
system repeats the iterations until all incoming information has
been processed. [0134] 6) possibly as result of the modification,
some dependent data may get disconnected from the place record.
[0135] 7) depending on the business logic, the incoming data will
either be persisted in the database right away or stored for review
(in which case the system may "lock" the field and may not allow
other modifications until it's unlocked).
[0136] Record Completion Utility
[0137] Also as shown in FIG. 1, the system of the present invention
may include a record completion utility (36). The record completion
utility (36) is operable to enable participating users to complete
tasks or sub-tasks, for example as directed by the task manager
(20) including by operation of the records described above. The
record completion utility (36) may be implemented as a client
computer program that may be loaded on a computer device associated
with a participating user. The record completion utility (36) may
be implemented for example as a browser plug-in. The record
completion utility (36) may consist of a standard browser, which by
initiating a communication session with the web server (10) may be
operable to load one or more records on the participating user
side, such that information is provided by the participating user
in one or more communication sessions. Alternatively, the record
completion utility (36) may be a mobile application, as illustrated
in FIG. 2.
[0138] Workflow
[0139] The present invention also includes a series of
computer-implemented methods, for example based on operation of the
platform of the present invention. One particular method is
illustrated in FIG. 3, which includes: a method for ma enabling a
platform operator, or client of the platform operator to manage the
completion of one or more activities, the one or more activities
including a plurality of tasks, each task including optionally a
plurality of sub-tasks, by: [0140] (A) defining one or more
activities associated with one or more desired outcomes, and based
on the activities and desired outcomes defining one or more tasks
or sub-tasks for completion by users responding to an open crowd
source invitation ("participating users"); [0141] (B) associating
with the tasks or sub-tasks one or more incentives for motivating
participating users to complete the tasks or sub-tasks in a manner
that is consistent with the desired outcomes; [0142] (C) publishing
the open crowd source invitation and the associated one or more
incentives; and [0143] (D) tracking any resulting completion of the
tasks or sub-tasks by the participating users and allocating based
on such completion the incentives to the relevant participating
users.
[0144] The method may also include one or more of the following
additional steps: [0145] (E) Associating incentives that includes
rewards and/or shares, and/or penalties associated with the rewards
and/or shares. [0146] (F) Associating with the tasks or sub-tasks
one or more gaming elements for enabling gaming-based competition
between participating users for incentives.
[0147] It should be understood that various other methods result
from the operation of the platform, with its various features and
utilities, as described in this disclosure.
[0148] Example in Operation
[0149] 1) A user may register with the platform and may add a new
place into the database (14). The platform may specify a minimum
amount of information that must be provided before the place is
eligible to be added. For example, this may include Country,
State/Province, City, Place Name, and Place Address. Before this
new place is entered, the system performs a duplicate check to see
if the name, address, and location are similar to any places
already added to the database. If there are any likely duplicates,
the system notifies the user. If the entry is accepted the "new
place" results in the creation of a record with the various
features associated with a record for a "new place".
[0150] 2) If the place is successfully added, the system may give
the user a reward denominated in currency or assets. The currencies
and assets may be virtual or real. The system maintains a list of
every available data field that could be added with a corresponding
reward value in currency or assets. The participating user's reward
is determined by adding up the values associated with the various
data fields submitted by the user by operation of a record as
described.
[0151] 2A) There are certain types of places that may be associated
with higher priority levels than others and therefore may result in
allocation to the participating user of a higher reward when they
are added. To demotivate users from adding fake places, may require
them to for example post $10 bond when the place is added. The
community would be able to review the new places added and be able
to challenge any that they believed to be fake. The rewards for a
successful challenge would be paid out of the $10 bond. If the new
place was unchallenged, the user would receive back the $10 bond
plus an additional reward of sufficient size to motivate the
user.
[0152] 3) After the new place was added, other users (depending on
factors in their account like their permissions, transaction
balances, and/or scores) may be able to view, add additional
information, make corrections to any information elements
previously added, verify information elements added to that place's
record or profile, or flag the record as being deficient in some
way. The user may receive a reward in currency and/or assets for
these actions. These activities may be performed independently by
any eligible user although the rewards are given to the user who is
the first to successfully complete the relevant task or sub-task,
i.e. in this case adding a correct new place. Users who have an
affinity or skill in certain tasks over others may use tools
generated by the system, by themselves, or by other users to
identify which records to focus on first. The system will
prioritize records for their review based on the number of rewards
available for that user to receive for those tasks.
[0153] 3A) If a participating user adds data, the user may receive
a reward in currency or assets according to the value of the data
fields added, again depending on their account balances and
history.
[0154] 3B) If a participating user corrects data that had been
added by another participating user, then the system may debit or
hold various currency and asset values from the first participating
user making the correction pending the outcome to de-motivate
spurious corrections. The value of the amounts debited may depend
on the field being corrected. If the correction was deemed
accurate, then the participating user would receive back these
amounts plus an additional reward. To motivate the person who added
the data to review the correction and to challenge it if it is
inaccurate, the system may also debit currency or asset amounts
from that participating user which they will receive back if they
successfully challenge the correction. Until the outcome of the
correction is determined, the system will prevent edits to fields
that depend on the field being corrected to prevent the record from
entering an inconsistent state.
[0155] 3C) Certain fields in the record may be eligible to be
verified by a participating user depending on the various factors
including the user's account, the time since the field was last
verified, and the accounts of any users who last verified that
field. To motivate users to verify data, a user may receive various
rewards in currency or assets for verifying data. To de-motivate
users from improperly receiving these rewards, the system will
debit currency, asset, or score values if the field is later
successfully corrected. Each field may indicate with a button or
similar feature whether it is eligible for verification. The
participating user may initiate that button to indicate that they
have verified the data in that field. When the button is pressed,
the system records the data and time, and increases the score of
the data, and of the user who added the data.
[0156] 3D) Records may be deficient in that they are duplicates of
another record, or the record may contain invalid information. The
user may indicate these cases and receive a reward if the nature of
the flag is confirmed. To de-motivate spurious flags, the user may
be debited various amounts of currency or assets pending the
outcome. Users who have added data relating to these flags may also
be debited currency or assets pending the outcome to motivate them
to dispute the flags.
[0157] 4) After a record is updated (including because data was
added or removed, or a correction or flag was validated or
invalidated), the record may display new fields for users to add,
correct, or verify. These new fields may depend on the content of
fields previously submitted and may offer different rewards. As
users fill out a record, the value of subsequent dependent fields
may increase to motivate users to continue adding data to complete
the record. The rewards for adding or editing any particular data
field may be increased or decreased at any time to motivate users
to focus on particular types of places or to complete actions on
specific data fields first in priority to other data fields, or
based on other attributes. The value of the rewards available but
not yet awarded may be one of the factors the system uses to
prioritize which records are to be promoted to users for review or
update.
[0158] 5) Depending on account factors, users may exchange any
currencies previously collected for prizes or for other currencies
like cash. The exchange may be through an auction, direct exchange
rate, or random draw. Any assets collected may generate additional
currency or real currency value when certain events occur or
according to a time schedule. These currencies and assets are
tracked in each user's account. Users may also be permitted to sell
any assets collected and receive currency in exchange.
[0159] More Specific Use Case:
[0160] A user wishes to add a new pizzeria. The user fills out the
name "Pizza Rustica", with the address "123 Any Street" in addition
to the country, province/state, and city. That user may receive an
amount of tickets and shares for the place depending on the current
reward values for those fields.
[0161] After the place is created, another user may add data to
incorrectly identify that the place is a financial institution and
to add further incorrect details. This user may also receive
rewards for this.
[0162] Another more experienced user may be interested in making
corrections. The system may prioritize this record for review based
on the account history of the user who added the false data along
with the potential reward value of the corrections. This user
determines that the place should not have been identified as a
financial institution but rather as a restaurant and makes the
appropriate corrections. Currency and asset values may be debited
or held from the user who added the data and from the person making
the correction pending the outcome of the correction.
[0163] Once the correction is determined to be accurate, the system
rewards the user for making accurate corrections. The system also
updates the record to include any fields that depend of the place
being a restaurant (like cuisine type, etc.). The inclusion of
these fields increases the value of the rewards available on that
record. Based on the increase in rewards, the record is prioritized
by the system for display to users seeking to add data.
[0164] As one or more users add data to the record, the record will
then be updated to include any additional fields and to update the
rewards available on the record. As users update the various
subsequent fields, new dependent fields may have a higher reward
value to motivate users to complete the record as fully as
possible. At any time, an administrative user may increase or
decrease the rewards for any fields related to being a restaurant
to motivate users to focus on these types of records first.
[0165] Further Aspects of Implementation
[0166] (i) System Implementations
[0167] The present invention may be implemented using a distributed
and networked computing environment comprising at least one
computing device. In a particular implementation, at least three
sets of computing devices may be provided. Each set of computing
devices may comprise one or more computing devices linked by a
network. Typically, at least one set of computing devices would
generate and send the records over the network to a second set of
computing devices. The second set of computing devices receives the
records and may provide information, or correct or verify
information includes in the records. However, it should be
understood that the generation, correction, or verification of
information, may be processed on any number of computing devices
from one to many.
[0168] At least a third set of computing devices may be used to
obtain or receive the information, including information in an
aggregated form, for further staging, analysis, synthesis,
consumption, or other use thereof. The use of the information may
be user generated or machine generated.
[0169] (ii) Mobile Implementations
[0170] Further enhancements may be provided wherein one or more of
the computing devices are mobile devices or wirelessly networked
devices, for example as illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the
network may be or include a wireless network, the wireless network
including a wireless gateway for linking the wireless network to
the Internet. The network-connected devices as previously described
may consist of wirelessly networked devices (50) that are operable
to access the Internet via a wireless gateway (52). The wirelessly
networked devices described may include a browser for interacting
with the web server (10) to access functions of the web application
(12). Alternatively, the wirelessly networked device (50) may
include a mobile application (54), which may include one or more
utilities or features providing the record completion function (36)
which interoperates with the web server (10) to enable completion
of records using the wirelessly networked device (50). The
wirelessly networked devices could also be equipped with additional
functionality for providing information regarding users that
enables the targeting of particular users, including for example a
GPS receiver operable to provide GPS location information to invite
particular users to complete tasks or sub-tasks or to allocate
tasks to particular participating users. The wirelessly networked
devices may also include one or more accelerometers or other
movement sensors operable to provide movement-based or
gesture-based information. Thus the messaging to be returned to the
platform may include location, movement and/or gesture relevant
content.
[0171] It should be understood that the wirelessly networked device
as described may consist of a hand-held two-way wireless paging
computer, a wirelessly enabled palm-top computer, a mobile
telephone with data messaging capabilities, a portable digital
media player, or a wirelessly enabled laptop computer, but could be
any type of mobile data communication device capable of sending and
receiving messages via a network connection. The majority of
current mobile communication device users, however, use a mobile
telephone with data messaging capabilities, such as server
addressing capabilities such as Short Message Service ("SMS") or
Multimedia Messaging Service ("MMS") or data including GPRS or 3G.
The present invention therefore provides means for providing the
functionality described herein, from mobile communication devices
that are relatively common and inexpensive.
[0172] (ii) Generic Implementation
[0173] The present invention may be practiced in various
embodiments. A suitably configured computer device, and associated
communications networks, devices, software and firmware may provide
a platform for enabling one or more embodiments as described above.
By way of example, FIG. 4 shows a generic computer device 100 that
may include a central processing unit ("CPU") 102 connected to a
storage unit 104 and to a random access memory 106. The CPU 102 may
process an operating system 101, application program 103, and data
123. The operating system 101, application program 103, and data
123 may be stored in storage unit 104 and loaded into memory 106,
as may be required. Computer device 100 may further include a
graphics processing unit (GPU) 122 which is operatively connected
to CPU 102 and to memory 106 to offload intensive image processing
calculations from CPU 102 and run these calculations in parallel
with CPU 102. An operator 107 may interact with the computer device
100 using a video display 108 connected by a video interface 105,
and various input/output devices such as a keyboard 110, mouse 112,
and disk drive or solid state drive 114 connected by an I/O
interface 109. In known manner, the mouse 112 may be configured to
control movement of a cursor in the video display 108, and to
operate various graphical user interface (GUI) controls appearing
in the video display 108 with a mouse button. The disk drive or
solid state drive 114 may be configured to accept computer readable
media 116. The computer device 100 may form part of a network via a
network interface 111, allowing the computer device 100 to
communicate with other suitably configured data processing systems
(not shown). One or more different types of sensors 130 may be used
to receive input from various sources.
[0174] The present invention may be practiced on virtually any
manner of computer device including a desktop computer, laptop
computer, tablet computer or wireless handheld. The present system
and method may also be implemented as a computer-readable/useable
medium that includes computer program code to enable one or more
computer devices to implement each of the various process steps in
a method in accordance with the present invention. It is understood
that the terms computer-readable medium or computer useable medium
comprises one or more of any type of physical embodiment of the
program code. In particular, the computer-readable/useable medium
can comprise program code embodied on one or more portable storage
articles of manufacture (e.g. an optical disc, a magnetic disk, a
tape, etc.), on one or more data storage portioned of a computing
device, such as memory associated with a computer and/or a storage
system.
[0175] While the above description provides examples of one or more
embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that numerous
other embodiments may be within the scope of the present invention,
as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *