Graphical user interfaces for supporting collaborative generation of life stories

• US 10,180,764 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Halliday, Andrew, Lunt, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Riegler, Patrick F
• Application Number:
  US13/620,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20130104056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,314 Days
• Field of Search: 715751
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2477 Temporal data queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/447 Temporal browsing, e.g. timeline
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/655 Combination of telephone service and social networking messaging within social networks H04L51/52

Abstract

Systems and methods for modifying a social timeline are described. A method for modifying a social timeline includes generating data to display a timeline graphic. The time graphic includes a chronology bar that is associated with at least two dates. The method further includes associating image data with the at least two dates to display images along the timeline graphic. The images describe a life story of an account holder. The method includes generating data to allow the account holder to post a comment to the life story along the timeline graphic.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing, in a storage unit of a social network system, a plurality of queues of posts that each correspond to one of a plurality of user profiles in the social network system, wherein the user profiles comprise a first user profile, a second user profile, and a third user profile, wherein the social network system allows for a thread of one or more comments on each post in the queues of posts, wherein the queues of posts comprise a second queue of posts for the second user profile, wherein the social network system allows ones of the user profiles to be connected within the social network system, wherein the second user profile is connected to the first user profile and the third user profile within the social network system, wherein the social network system provides a first graphical user interface for each user profile among the user profiles that presents posts from a queue of posts among the queues of posts for the user profile, and wherein the social network system provides each user profile in the user profiles a second graphical user interface that presents posts from the queues of posts for ones of the user profiles that are connected to the user profile;

receiving a request from a computing device for the first user profile to add a post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile;

determining that a permission setting for the second user profile indicates that ones of the user profiles have permission to add posts to the second queue of posts for the second user profile, wherein the permission setting is provided to the social network system before the request to add the post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile is received;

determining that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that an approval from the second user profile is required to add the post to the second queue of posts before providing the post from the second queue posts in the second graphical user interface to computing devices for the user profiles;

storing the post in response to determining that the permission setting indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission and that the approval from the second user profile is required before providing the post from the second queue posts in the second graphical user interface;

providing a notification to the second user profile in a message inbox that the request to add the post was received from the first user profile in response to determining that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the approval from the second user profile is required, wherein the message inbox for the second user profile presents messages generated by the social network system in response to actions taken by others of the user profiles, and wherein the messages for the actions are configured to comprise the notification regarding the approval of the post, a message regarding being added to a group of the user profiles, and a message regarding a connection request from one of the user profiles;

receiving the approval from a computing device for the second user profile in response to providing the notification;

adding, by a processor of the social network system, the post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile in response to receiving the approval; and

providing the second graphical user interface to a computing device for the third user profile, wherein the second graphical user interface provided for the third user profile presents the post from the second queue of posts based on the second user profile being connected to the third user profile.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission comprises determining that the ones of the user profiles are connected to the second user profile within the social network system, and wherein the first user profile was connected to the second user profile within the social network system in response to having previously received a user input for the first user profile to invite a user for the second user profile to join the social network system or having previously received a user input for the second user profile to invite a user for the first user profile to join the social network system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission comprises determining that the ones of the user profiles are connected to the second user profile within the social network system, and wherein the first user profile was connected to the second user profile within the social network in response to having previously received a user selection for the first user profile to connect to the second user profile or having previously received a user selection for the second user profile to connect to the first user profile.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission comprises determining that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that any of the user profiles are permitted to add posts to the second queue of posts for the second user profile.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second queue of posts comprises a timeline, and wherein the method further comprises associating the post with the timeline based on a date associated with the post.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a page of the second user profile within the social network system is accessed by the first user profile when a name of the second user profile or an image of the second user profile is selected by the first user profile, and wherein the name or the image of the second user profile is represented within social network connections of the first user profile.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the processor to:

store, in a storage unit of a social network system, a plurality of queues of posts that each correspond to one of a plurality of user profiles in the social network system, wherein the user profiles comprise a first user profile, a second user profile, and a third user profile, wherein the social network system allows for a thread of one or more comments on each post in the queues of posts, wherein the queues of posts comprise a second queue of posts for the second user profile, wherein the social network system allows ones of the user profiles to be connected within the social network system, wherein the second user profile is connected to the first user profile and the third user profile within the social network system, wherein the social network system provides a first graphical user interface for each user profile among the user profiles that presents posts from a queue of posts among the queues of posts for the user profile, and wherein the social network system provides each user profile in the user profiles a second graphical user interface that presents posts from the queues of posts for ones of the user profiles that are connected to the user profile;

receive a request from a computing device for the first user profile to add a post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile;

determine that a permission setting for the second user profile indicates that ones of the user profiles have permission to add posts to the second queue of posts for the second user profile, wherein the permission setting is provided to the social network system before the request to add the post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile is received;

determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that an approval from the second user profile is required to add the post to the second queue of posts before providing the post from the second queue posts in the second graphical user interface to computing devices for the user profiles;

store the post in response to the determination that the permission setting indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission and that the approval froth the second user profile is required before providing the post from the second queue posts in the second graphical user interface;

provide a notification to the second user profile in a message inbox that the request to add the post was received from the first user profile in response to the determination that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the approval from the second user profile is required, wherein the message inbox for the second user profile presents messages generated by the social network system in response to actions taken by others of the user profiles, and wherein the messages for the actions are configured to comprise the notification regarding the approval of the post, a message regarding being added to a group of the user profiles, and a message regarding a connection request from one of the user profiles;

receive the approval from a computing device for the second user profile in response to the provision of the notification;

add, by the processor of the social network system, the post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile in response to the receipt of the approval; and

provide the second graphical user interface to a computing device for the third user profile, wherein the second graphical user interface provided for the third user profile presents the post from the second queue of posts based on the second user profile being connected to the third user profile.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein, to determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission, the instructions are further to cause the processor determine that the ones of the user profiles are connected to the second user profile within the social network system, and wherein the first user profile was connected to the second user profile within the social network system in response to having previously received a user input for the first user profile to invite a user for the second user profile to join the social network system or having previously received a user input for the second user profile to invite a user for the first user profile to join the social network system.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein, to determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission, the instructions are further to cause the processor to determine that the ones of the user profiles are connected to the second user profile within the social network system, and wherein the first user profile was connected to the second user profile within the social network in response to having previously received a user selection for the first user profile to connect to the second user profile or having previously received a user selection for the second user profile to connect to the first user profile.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein, to determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission, the instructions are further to cause the processor to determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that any of the user profiles are permitted to add posts to the second queue of posts for the second user profile.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the second queue of posts comprises a timeline, and wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor to associate the post with the timeline based on a date associated with the post.

12. A system comprising:

a storage unit, in a social network system, that stores a plurality of queues of posts that each correspond to one of a plurality of user profiles in the social network system, wherein the user profiles comprise a first user profile, a second user profile, and a third user profile, wherein the social network system allows for a thread of one or more comments on each post in the queues of posts, wherein the queues of posts comprise a second queue of posts for the second user profile, wherein the social network system allows ones of the user profiles to he connected within the social network system, wherein the second user profile is connected to the first user profile and the third user profile within the social network system, wherein the social network system provides a first graphical user interface for each user profile among the user profiles that presents posts from a queue of posts among the queues of posts for the user profile, and wherein the social network system provides each user profile in the user profiles a second graphical user interface that presents posts from the queues of posts for ones of the user profiles that are connected to the user profile; and

a processor, in the social network system, that communicates with the storage unit to;

receive a request from a computing device for the first user profile to add a post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile;

determine that a permission setting for the second user profile indicates that ones of the user profiles have permission to add posts to the second queue of posts for the second user profile, wherein the permission setting is provided to the social network system before the request to add the post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile is received;

determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that an approval from the second user profile is required to add the post to the second queue of posts before providing the post from the second queue posts in the second graphical user interface to computing devices for the user profiles;

store the post in response to the determination that the permission setting indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission and that the approval from the second user profile is required before providing the post from the second queue posts in the second graphical user interface;

provide a notification to the second user profile in a message inbox that the request to add the post was received from the first user profile in response to the determination that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the approval from the second user profile is required, wherein the message inbox for the second user profile presents messages generated by the social network system in response to actions taken by others of the user profiles, and wherein the messages for the actions are configured to comprise the notification regarding the approval of the post, a message regarding being added to a group of the user profiles, and a message regarding a connection request from one of the user profiles;

receive the approval from a computing device for the second user profile in response to the provision of the notification;

add the post to the second queue of posts for the second user profile in response to the receipt of the approval; and

provide the second graphical user interface to a computing device for the third user profile, wherein the second graphical user interface provided for the third user profile presents the post from the second queue of posts based on the second user profile being connected to the third user profile.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein, to determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission, the processor is further to determine that the ones of the user profiles are connected to the second user profile within the social network system, and wherein the first user profile was connected to the second user profile within the social network system in response to having previously received a user input for the first user profile to invite a user for the second user profile to join the social network system or having previously received a user input for the second user profile to invite a user for the first user profile to join the social network system.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein, to determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission, the processor is further to determine that the ones of the user profiles are connected to the second user profile within the social network system, and wherein the first user profile was connected to the second user profile within the social network in response to having previously received a user selection for the first user profile to connect to the second user profile or having previously received a user selection for the second user profile to connect to the first user profile.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein, to determine that permission setting for the second user profile indicates that the ones of the user profiles have permission, the processor is further to determine that the permission setting for the second user profile indicates that any of the user profiles are permitted to add posts to the second queue of posts for the second user profile.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the second queue of posts comprises a timeline, and wherein the processor is further to associate the post with the timeline based on a date associated with the post.