Systems and methods for management of contact information

• US 10,083,189 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2014
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James P. Bergin
• Original Assignee: James P. Bergin
• Inventors: Bergin, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Singh, Amresh
• Application Number:
  US14/495,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20150254368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9017 using directory or table look-up use of a directory or look-up table in file systems G06F16/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6227 where protection concerns the structure of data, e.g. records, types, queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Systems and methods for the management of contact information, which may include automatic transfer processes, automatic update processes, automatic customization processes, automatic delivery processes, automatic storage processes, automatic portability processes, and/or automatic radial mining processes.

Claims

1. A system for the management of contact information, said system, for use with devices, comprising:

a database having, for a plurality of users of the system, first storage spaces for storing said users'"'"' outgoing contact information profiles and, for at least some of said users, second storage spaces for storing incoming contact information profiles, said database also configured to store preferences for at least some of said users, and wherein said database includes a directory for searching of contact information profiles, said directory including said users'"'"' outgoing contact information profiles that are searchable by one or more other said users of the system, and wherein at least some of said users may set preferences with respect to accessibility of their outgoing contact information profiles in said directory;

wherein said database is further configured to receive information relating to a second said user'"'"'s creating and saving an outgoing advertisement;

said database is also configured to receive information relating to said second user'"'"'s selecting potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement including by selecting one or more targeting options, and is further configured to enable said second user, in said selecting of potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement, to include at least some of other said users who are radially connected in the first degree to one or more other said users who are radially connected in the first degree to said second user;

an Internet interface linked to said database and enabling interactions, via the Internet, between said database and a plurality of said devices; and

a communications gateway linked to said database for either sending to or receiving from said devices, or both, communications via either the Internet or other public communications networks, or both,

wherein said system is configured to operate in conjunction with one or more distributors, said system configured to receive one or more communications, via the Internet, generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device and, in response to said one or more communications, to deliver an advertisement via the Internet for presentation to said first user on said device,

said delivered advertisement being any one of said outgoing advertisement created by said second user and another advertisement deliverable from said system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to receive one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements, said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements being present in said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device, whereby said delivered advertisement is in compliance with said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s either one of permitting or prohibiting said system'"'"'s delivery to him of a type of targeted advertisements.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said type of targeted advertisements is a type where said system'"'"'s selection of a said advertisement for delivery to said first user is based, at least in part, on said first user'"'"'s location.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of said distributors is an application program stored on one or more of said devices.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said system is further configured to make available, via the Internet, a software module for integration with said application program.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements are stored in said database and attributed to said first user irrespective of said device in use by said first user.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said database is further configured to determine whether said first user is a said potential recipient of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes a distributor identifier.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said database is configured to store preferences of at least some of said users regarding distribution, whereby said second user excludes one or more of said distributors from distributing said outgoing advertisement.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of said distributors is an Internet website, and where said system is further configured to make available, via the Internet, a software module for incorporation into said Internet website.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes information for said system to identify said first user, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user while said first user was interacting with said system via the Internet.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said system is configured to enable said second user, in said selecting of potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement, to include at least some of other said users in whose said second storage spaces in said database said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile is stored as a said incoming contact information profile.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said system is also configured to enable said second user, in said selecting of potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement, to exclude at least some of other said users in whose said second storage spaces in said database said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile is stored as a said incoming contact information profile.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein, in connection with said determination whether said first user is a said potential recipient of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement, said database makes assumptions or determinations, or both, about either the type of relationships or the quality of relationships, or both, between said first user and said one or more other said users who are radially connected in the first degree to said second user.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein said system is configured to enable said second user, in said selecting of potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement, to include at least some of other said users who are determined by said database to correspond to data uploaded to said database by said second user.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said data uploaded to said database by said second user is contact information data.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said delivered advertisement is configured such that said first user, following said presentation of said delivered advertisement to said first user on said device, takes one or more actions with respect to said delivered advertisement to set one or more preferences relating to advertisements.

19. The system of claim 18, where said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement is said delivered advertisement, wherein said setting of one or more preferences relating to advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s blocking his further receipt of an advertisement of said second user.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said database is configured to compile a user profile for at least some of said users and to make use of information in said user profile in targeting advertisements, where said setting of one or more preferences relating to advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s editing said information in said user profile.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein said setting of one or more preferences relating to advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s prohibiting his receipt of a type of targeted advertisements.

22. The system of claim 12, where said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement is said delivered advertisement, wherein said system is configured to receive one or more further communications, via the Internet, generated in connection with said first user taking one or more actions with respect to said delivered advertisement and, in response to said one or more further communications, to store said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile as a said incoming contact information profile in said first user'"'"'s said second storage space in said database.

23. The system of claim 12, wherein said database is configured to receive information indicating one or more actions recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement take with respect to said outgoing advertisement.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said database is further configured to determine whether additional said users of said system are potential recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement and to compile information indicating the number of said potential recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said database compiles information relating to the number of said recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

26. The system of claim 8, wherein said system is configured to receive information, via the Internet, generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user, said information including information for said system to identify said second user, and, where said first user interacted with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website, said database adds said first user to a list of said potential recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said information generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user indicates one or more actions taken by said first user while interacting with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said database is configured to enable said second user to store in said database one or more preferences defining which of said one or more actions taken by said first user while interacting with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website should result in said database adding said first user to said list.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said system is further configured to make available, via the Internet, software code for use by said second user, said software code including information for said system to identify said second user.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said software code is for incorporation into said second user'"'"'s said Internet website.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein said information generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user includes information for said system to identify said first user.

32. The system of claim 31, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user while said first user was interacting with said system via the Internet.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes information for said system to identify said first user, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user.

34. A system for the management of contact information, said system, for use with devices, comprising:

a database having, for a plurality of users of the system, first storage spaces for storing said users'"'"' outgoing contact information profiles and, for at least some of said users, second storage spaces for storing incoming contact information profiles, said database also configured to store preferences for at least some of said users, and wherein said database includes a directory for searching of contact information profiles, said directory including said users'"'"' outgoing contact information profiles that are searchable by one or more other said users of the system, and wherein at least some of said users may set preferences with respect to accessibility of their outgoing contact information profiles in said directory;

wherein said database is further configured to receive information relating to a second said user'"'"'s creating and saving an outgoing advertisement;

an Internet interface linked to said database and enabling interactions, via the Internet, between said database and a plurality of said devices; and

a communications gateway linked to said database for either sending to or receiving from said devices, or both, communications via either the Internet or other public communications networks, or both,

wherein said system is configured to operate in conjunction with one or more distributors, said system configured to receive one or more communications, via the Internet, generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device and, in response to said one or more communications, to deliver an advertisement via the Internet for presentation to said first user on said device;

wherein said system is further configured such that, where said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement is said delivered advertisement, and where said first user is radially connected in the first degree to another said user who is radially connected in the first degree to said second user, then said delivered advertisement is presented together with information identifying such said user who is radially connected in the first degree to both said first user and said second user.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said system is configured to receive one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements, said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements being present in said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device, whereby said delivered advertisement is in compliance with said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s either one of permitting or prohibiting said system'"'"'s delivery to him of a type of targeted advertisements.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said type of targeted advertisements is a type where said system'"'"'s selection of a said advertisement for delivery to said first user is based, at least in part, on said first user'"'"'s location.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein at least one of said distributors is an application program stored on one or more of said devices.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said system is further configured to make available, via the Internet, a software module for integration with said application program.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein at least one of said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements are stored in said database and attributed to said first user irrespective of said device in use by said first user.

41. The system of claim 34, wherein said database is also configured to receive information relating to said second user'"'"'s selecting potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement including by selecting one or more targeting options;

and said database is further configured to determine whether said first user is a said potential recipient of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes a distributor identifier.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein said database is configured to store preferences of at least some of said users regarding distribution, whereby said second user excludes one or more of said distributors from distributing said outgoing advertisement.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes information for said system to identify said first user, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user while said first user was interacting with said system via the Internet.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said system is further configured to enable said second user, in said selecting of potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement, to include at least some of other said users who are radially connected in the first degree to one or more other said users who are radially connected in the first degree to said second user.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein, in connection with said determination whether said first user is a said potential recipient of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement, said database makes assumptions or determinations, or both, about either the type of relationships or the quality of relationships, or both, between said first user and said one or more other said users who are radially connected in the first degree to said second user.

47. The system of claim 43, wherein said database is configured to store preferences for at least some of said users regarding disclosure of identities, whereby such said user who is radially connected in the first degree to both said first user and said second user prohibits said presentation to said first user of information identifying such said user.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein said system is configured to receive one or more further communications, via the Internet, generated in connection with said first user taking one or more actions with respect to said delivered advertisement and, in response to said one or more further communications, to store said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile as a said incoming contact information profile in said first user'"'"'s said second storage space in said database.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein said delivered advertisement is configured such that said first user, following said presentation of said delivered advertisement to said first user on said device, takes one or more actions with respect to said delivered advertisement to set one or more preferences relating to advertisements.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said setting of one or more preferences relating to advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s blocking his further receipt of an advertisement of said second user.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein said database is configured to compile a user profile for at least some of said users and to make use of information in said user profile in targeting advertisements, where said setting of one or more preferences relating to advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s editing said information in said user profile.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein said setting of one or more preferences relating to advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s prohibiting his receipt of a type of targeted advertisements.

53. The system of claim 43, wherein said system is configured to receive information, via the Internet, generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user, said information including information for said system to identify said second user, and, where said first user interacted with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website, said database adds said first user to a list of said potential recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein said information generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user indicates one or more actions taken by said first user while interacting with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein said database is configured to enable said second user to store in said database one or more preferences defining which of said one or more actions taken by said first user while interacting with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website should result in said database adding said first user to said list.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein said system is further configured to make available, via the Internet, software code for use by said second user, said software code including information for said system to identify said second user.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein said software code is for incorporation into said second user'"'"'s said Internet website.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein said information generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user includes information for said system to identify said first user.

59. The system of claim 58, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user while said first user was interacting with said system via the Internet.

60. The system of claim 56, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes information for said system to identify said first user, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user.

61. The system of claim 53, wherein said system is configured to enable said second user, in said selecting of potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement, to include at least some of other said users who are determined by said database to correspond to data uploaded to said database by said second user.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein said data uploaded to said database by said second user is contact information data.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein said database is further configured to determine whether additional said users of said system are potential recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement and to compile information indicating the number of said potential recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

64. A system for the management of contact information, said system, for use with devices, comprising:

a database having, for a plurality of users of the system, first storage spaces for storing said users'"'"' outgoing contact information profiles and, for at least some of said users, second storage spaces for storing incoming contact information profiles, said database also configured to store preferences for at least some of said users, and wherein said database includes a directory for searching of contact information profiles, said directory including said users'"'"' outgoing contact information profiles that are searchable by one or more other said users of the system, and wherein at least some of said users may set preferences with respect to accessibility of their outgoing contact information profiles in said directory;

wherein said database is further configured to receive information relating to a second said user'"'"'s creating and saving an outgoing advertisement;

an Internet interface linked to said database and enabling interactions, via the Internet, between said database and a plurality of said devices; and

a communications gateway linked to said database for either sending to or receiving from said devices, or both, communications via either the Internet or other public communications networks, or both,

wherein said system is configured to operate in conjunction with one or more distributors, said system configured to receive one or more communications, via the Internet, generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device and, in response to said one or more communications, to deliver an advertisement via the Internet for presentation to said first user on said device;

and where said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement is said delivered advertisement, wherein said system is configured to receive one or more further communications, via the Internet, generated in connection with said first user taking one or more actions with respect to said delivered advertisement and, in response to said one or more further communications, to store said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile as a said incoming contact information profile in said first user'"'"'s said second storage space in said database,

and wherein said system is further configured such that, in connection with said first user taking said one or more actions that results in said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile being stored as a said incoming contact information profile in said first user'"'"'s said second storage space in said database, said system presents a message to one or more other said users radially connected to said first user, said message including said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said system is configured to receive one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements, said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements being present in said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device, whereby said delivered advertisement is in compliance with said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements involves said first user'"'"'s either one of permitting or prohibiting said system'"'"'s delivery to him of a type of targeted advertisements.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein said type of targeted advertisements is a type where said system'"'"'s selection of a said advertisement for delivery to said first user is based, at least in part, on said first user'"'"'s location.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein at least one of said distributors is an application program stored on one or more of said devices.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein said system is further configured to make available, via the Internet, a software module for integration with said application program.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein at least one of said one or more preferences of said first user relating to targeted advertisements are stored in said database and attributed to said first user irrespective of said device in use by said first user.

71. The system of claim 64, wherein said database is also configured to receive information relating to said second user'"'"'s selecting potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement including by selecting one or more targeting options;

and said database is further configured to determine whether said first user is a said potential recipient of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes a distributor identifier.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein said database is configured to store preferences of at least some of said users regarding distribution, whereby said second user excludes one or more of said distributors from distributing said outgoing advertisement.

74. The system of claim 71, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes information for said system to identify said first user, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user while said first user was interacting with said system via the Internet.

75. The system of claim 71, wherein said system is configured to enable said second user, in said selecting of potential recipients of said outgoing advertisement, to include at least some of other said users who are determined by said database to correspond to data uploaded to said database by said second user.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said data uploaded to said database by said second user is contact information data.

77. The system of claim 71, wherein said database is configured to store preferences of at least some of said users regarding said system'"'"'s presentation of said messages, whereby said first user sets preferences governing which other said users are to be presented said message.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein, in connection with said messages, said database makes either assumptions or determinations, or both, about either the type of relationships or the quality of relationships, or both, between said first user and said other users radially connected to said first user.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said system is further configured to enable said second user to send promotional updates to at least some of other said users in whose said second storage spaces in said database said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile is stored as an incoming contact information profile, said promotional updates including said second user'"'"'s said outgoing contact information profile and being presentable to such said other users through either said Internet interface or said communications gateway, or both.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein said database is configured to store preferences of at least some of said users regarding their receipt of said promotional updates, whereby a such said other user sets preferences indicating that said system restrict presentation to such said other user promotional updates sent by said second user.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein said system is further configured to enable said second user to choose one or more targeting options governing the delivery of a said promotional update to other said users.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein one or more of said targeting options relate to the locations of said other users.

83. The system of claim 71, wherein said system is configured to receive information, via the Internet, generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user, said information including information for said system to identify said second user, and, where said first user interacted with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website, said database adds said first user to a list of said potential recipients of said second user'"'"'s said outgoing advertisement.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein said information generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user indicates one or more actions taken by said first user while interacting with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein said database is configured to enable said second user to store in said database one or more preferences defining which of said one or more actions taken by said first user while interacting with said second user'"'"'s said Internet website should result in said database adding said first user to said list.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein said system is further configured to make available, via the Internet, software code for use by said second user, said software code including information for said system to identify said second user.

87. The system of claim 86, wherein said software code is for incorporation into said second user'"'"'s said Internet website.

88. The system of claim 86, wherein said information generated in connection with one or more of said users interacting with an Internet website of said second user includes information for said system to identify said first user.

89. The system of claim 88, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user while said first user was interacting with said system via the Internet.

90. The system of claim 86, wherein said one or more communications generated in connection with a first said user'"'"'s using a first said distributor while on a said device includes information for said system to identify said first user, where said information for said system to identify said first user is a code, stored on said first user'"'"'s said device, where said system has previously associated said code with said first user.