Method and apparatus for constructing a networking database and system proactively

• US 20050160094A1
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rakuten USA, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Buy.com, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morgenstern, Jared, Lim, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method for creating networking database containing a plurality of records for different individuals in which individuals are connected to one another in the database by mutual recognition of a relationship. This mutual recognition of a relationship is inferred by the possession of the Guest Key of one member by the other member. This paradigm for network expansion allows users to proactively grow their networks both using the site features and using tools they may be more familiar with, such as email, messaging, talking, etc.

Claims

1. A method of constructing an affinity network database proactively comprising:

receiving a request from a viewer to access to a user'"'"'s content;

determining whether the viewer is permitted access to content associated with the user; and

presenting the content to the viewer if a determination is made that the viewer is permitted access to the content.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a guest key.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing access to the content using the guest key.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning the viewer to a group.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a relationship between the viewer and the user.

6. A method of constructing an affinity network database proactively comprising:

registering a first user via a registration process;

selecting a guest key associated with the first user during the registration process;

receiving a request from the first user to access to a second user'"'"'s content;

determining whether the first user is permitted access to the second user'"'"'s content; and

presenting the second user'"'"'s content to the first user if a determination is made that the first user is permitted access to the content.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising enabling the first user to preview the second user'"'"'s content.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising establishing an affinity relationship between the first user and the second user.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining if the second user is a member of a group permitted access to the first user'"'"'s content.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising assigning the first user to a group.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising creating an affinity network of friends of the first user based on the guest key.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising monitoring the network of friends.

13. A system of constructing an affinity network database proactively comprising:

a registering module that registers a first user via a registration process;

a selecting module that selects a guest key associated with the first user during the registration process;

a receiving module that receives a request from the first user to access to a second user'"'"'s content;

an access determining module that determines whether the first user is permitted access to the second user'"'"'s content; and

a presenting module that presents the second user'"'"'s content to the first user if a determination is made that the first user is permitted access to the content.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising an enabling module that enables the first user to preview the second user'"'"'s content.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising an establishing module that establishes an affinity relationship between the first user and the second user.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a group determining module that determines if the second user is a member of a group permitted access to the first user'"'"'s content.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising an assigning module that assigns the first user to a group.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising a creating module that creates an affinity network of friends of the first user based on the guest key.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a monitoring module that monitors the network of friends.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the monitoring module monitors how rapidly a network of the user is expanding using the guest key.