Selective user monitoring in an online environment
First Claim
1. A method for a subject user to selectively monitor users in an online environment comprising the acts of:
- entering a predefined portion of the online environment;
accessing a directory of available online users that are located within the predefined portion, wherein the available online users are ordered in the directory based on at least one of subject user preference and profile data;
selecting a subset of the available online users from the directory; and
monitoring said selected subset of available online users.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A subject user may selectively monitor one or more other users in an online environment. In one embodiment, a subject user may access a directory of available online users that are located within a particular predefined portion of the online environment. The order of the available online users in the directory may be based on at least one of the subject user'"'"'s preferences and profile data. The subject user may then select a subset of the available online users from this directory. The subject user may receive periodically-updated information regarding the selected subset of available online users. In one embodiment, this may include information on the selected user(s) location, profile, status and/or actions.
172 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for a subject user to selectively monitor users in an online environment comprising the acts of:
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entering a predefined portion of the online environment;
accessing a directory of available online users that are located within the predefined portion, wherein the available online users are ordered in the directory based on at least one of subject user preference and profile data;
selecting a subset of the available online users from the directory; and
monitoring said selected subset of available online users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An online environment server comprising:
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a network interface configured to connect the server to a wireless network;
a processor electrically coupled to the network interface; and
a memory electrically coupled to the processor, the memory containing processor-executable instructions implementing the online environment, the server configured to;
receive a request from the subject user to enter a predefined portion of the online environment, generate a directory of available online users that are located within the predefined portion, order the available online users in the directory based on at least one of subject user preference and profile data, receive a selection request from the subject user for a subset of the available online users, and provide monitor data to the subject user for said selected subset of available online users. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product, comprising:
a processor readable medium having processor executable code embodied therein to enable a subject user to selectively monitor users in an online environment, the processor readable medium having;
processor executable program code for the subject user to enter a predefined portion of the online environment, processor executable program code to access a directory of available online users that are located within the predefined portion, wherein the available online users are ordered in the directory based on at least one of subject user preference and profile data, processor executable program code to select a subset of the available online users from the directory, and processor executable program code to monitor said selected subset of available online users. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A handheld electronic device operable by a subject user and configured to communicate with an online environment server over a wireless network, the electronic device comprising:
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a memory containing processor-executable instructions implementing an online environment application client for accessing an online environment; and
a processor electrically coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute the application client to;
enter a predefined portion of the online environment, access a directory of available online users that are located within the predefined portion, wherein the available online users are ordered in the directory based on at least one of subject user preference and profile data, select a subset of the available online users from the directory, and monitor said selected subset of available online users. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification