Method of sharing social network information with existing user databases

• US 20060004789A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Friendster Incorporated (Mol.com Bhd.)
• Inventors: Galbreath, Nicholas, Lunt, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

Social network information maintained in a first database is shared with a second database. The operators of the second database use the social network information to better manage services provided to their customers and target particular information to their customers. The process begins with a request made to an application server of the first database by an application server of the second database, for social network information relevant to a set of individuals. The request includes identifying information of each individual in the set. The first database is then searched for matches with the identifying information in the request. If matches are found, the social network information relevant to those individuals for whom matches are found is shared with the second database.

Claims

1. A method of providing information about relationships between individuals with records in a database, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to identify relationships of an individual who has a record in the database;

identifying the relationships of the individual based on records stored in another database; and

returning an indication of said relationships in response to the request.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a degree of separation for each of the identified relationships, wherein the step of returning includes the step of returning the determined degree of separation for each of the identified relationships.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request includes a request to identify relationships of several individuals.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of identifying includes the step of identifying the relationships between the individuals.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual is identified in the request using a shared credential.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the shared credential is an e-mail address.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the shared credential is a hash value generated from identifying information using a hash algorithm.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the hash algorithm is an MD5 hash algorithm.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the hash algorithm is an SHA-1 hash algorithm.

10. In carrying out a request made by a first individual, a method of confirming an identity of a second individual, comprising the steps of:

transmitting information about said first individual and a request for information about said first individual'"'"'s social network;

receiving information about individuals in said first individual'"'"'s social network;

determining whether the received information about any of the individuals in said first individual'"'"'s social network matches information about said second individual; and

if there is a match, confirming the identity of the second individual.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the transmitted information about said first individual includes a hash value generated from identifying information for said first individual.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the hash value is generated using a hash algorithm.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the received information about the individuals in said first individual'"'"'s social network includes hash values for each of said individuals generated from identifying information for each of said individuals using a hash algorithm.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the information about said second individual includes a hash value generated from identifying information for said second individual using a hash algorithm.

15. A method of controlling access to information of a first individual in response to a request for the information by a second individual, comprising the steps of:

transmitting information about said first and second individuals and a request for information about a relationship between said first and second individuals;

receiving information about a relationship between said first and second individuals; and

permitting or denying the request based on the relationship between said first and second individuals.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the transmitted information about said first and second individuals includes hash values generated from identifying information for said first and individuals.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hash values are generated using a hash algorithm.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein received information indicates a degree of separation between said first and second individuals.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of receiving an indication of a preference setting of said first individual, wherein the request is permitted if the degree of separation between said first and second individuals is less than or equal to the preference setting of said first individual.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the request is denied if the degree of separation between said first and second individuals is greater than the preference setting of said first individual.