TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to controlled-access establishments and, more specifically, to a networking application for controlled-access establishments.

BACKGROUND

Networking is an important factor to people in different industries. A person looking to make new contacts might not find any current methods meaningful or helpful. Offering features and amenities for networking that are exclusive to the establishment will enhance the ability for customers or members to network.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides a networking apparatus supporting members-only establishments and related methods.

In a first embodiment, an apparatus operating a networking application is provided. The apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The memory stores a plurality of member profiles corresponding to a plurality of member devices including a first member profile corresponding to a first member device, where each member profile contains information about a member related to the member device. The processor receives a new member application related to a second member device not included in the plurality of member profiles; determines member attributes of the second member profile based on the received new member application related to the second member device; generates a networking recommendation based on the member attributes, recommendation information, recommendation trigger information, and recommendation target information; and transmits the networking recommendation to the first member device.

In a second embodiment, a method for operating a networking application is provided. The method includes storing a plurality of member profiles corresponding to a plurality of member devices including a first member profile corresponding to a first member device, where each member profile contains information about a member related to the member device; and receiving a new member application related to a second member device not included in the plurality of member profiles; determining member attributes of the second member profile based on the received new member application related to the second member device; generating a networking recommendation based on the member attributes, recommendation information, recommendation trigger information, and recommendation target information; and transmitting the networking recommendation to the first member device.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium for operating a networking application is provided. The non-transitory computer readable medium for operating a member networking application, comprising instructions stored thereon, that when executed cause a processor to store a plurality of member profiles corresponding to a plurality of member devices including a first member profile corresponding to a first member device, wherein each member profile contains information about a member related to the member device; receive a new member application related to a second member device not included in the plurality of member profiles; determine member attributes of the second member profile based on the received new member application related to the second member device; generate a networking recommendation based on the member attributes, recommendation information, recommendation trigger information, and recommendation target information; and transmit the networking recommendation to the first member device.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; and the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

