Method and apparatus for optimizing networking potential using a secured system for an online community
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for users to search networks, both their own network and their peers'"'"' networks, all under the umbrella of a “multiple level access” security system. The present invention has been designed to optimize networking capabilities among users in a comprehensive online community. Networking among such a secured environment will allow users an opportunity to enhance their networking potential by expanding their networks to their peers'"'"' and beyond. A user registers with the online community and personally adds individuals that they know to their personal networking database. While adding these peers to the networking database, the user grants a specific level of access to each individual. This security measure is devised to discourage solicitation from other unwanted online users. The levels of access give the user an opportunity to control the amount of personal information, including contacts that they make, available to their individual peers. Based on the level of access granted by the user, the peer may or may not be able to access the user'"'"'s information or the user'"'"'s personal databases for potential networking. The level of access granted by two individuals need not be the same for each other.
48 Citations
51 Claims
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1-24. -24. (canceled)
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25. A networking system comprising:
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an internal interface gateway;
an input/output device in communication with the internal interface gateway;
a processor connected to the input/output device;
an external interface gateway; and
wherein the internal interface gateway connects the processor with the external interface gateway. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A multi-level hierarchical communications network comprising:
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a network central database;
a data set including information relating to multiple entities;
a storing device for storing the information at the database;
a network interface for searching the database; and
a user interface in communication with the network interface. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31-48. -48. (canceled)
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49. A method of networking comprising the steps of:
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providing a network database comprised of different companies and/or groups;
geographically segmenting the companies and/or groups;
categorizing the companies and/or groups by industry;
categorizing the companies and/or groups by services provided;
categorizing the companies and/or groups by products made;
categorizing the companies and/or groups by expertise;
assigning one or more keywords to each category;
searching the network database using the one or more keywords for one or more companies and/or groups having criteria matching a specific requirement; and
further searching the network database to identify one or more contacts associated with the companies and/or groups found in a search result.
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50. A method of networking comprising the steps of:
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providing a network database comprised of at least one of different companies or groups;
geographically segmenting the at least one company or group;
categorizing the at least one company or group by industry;
categorizing the at least one company or group by services provided;
categorizing the at least one company or group by products made;
categorizing the at least one company or group by expertise;
assigning one or more keywords to each category;
searching the network database using the one or more keywords for one or more companies or groups having criteria matching a specific requirement; and
further searching the network database to identify one or more contacts associated with the companies or groups found in a search result.
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51-55. -55. (canceled)
Specification