Social Networking System

• US 20080281622A1
• Filed: 05/10/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mary Kay Hoal
• Original Assignee: Mary Kay Hoal
• Inventors: Hoal, Mary Kay
• Application Number:
  US12/118,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20080281622A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0247 Calculate past, present or future revenues
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services

Abstract

The invention provides a method of managing an online social network for peer interactions, the method comprising: a) creating at least one sphere for users to associate over a common interest; b) identifying patterns associated with activity indicative of the common interest; c) monitoring the online actions of at least one user of the social network; d) evaluating the online actions taken by the at least one user; and e) comparing the online actions to the identified patterns associated with interest in the sphere category.

Claims

1. A method of managing an online social network, the method comprising:

a) creating at least one sphere for users to associate over a common interest;

b) identifying patterns associated with activity indicative of the common interest;

c) monitoring the online actions of at least one user of the social network;

d) evaluating the online actions taken by the at least one user; and

e) comparing the online actions to the identified patterns associated with interest in the sphere category.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein evaluating the online actions taken by the at least one user comprises collecting data on sites visited by the at least one user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein evaluating the online actions taken by the at least one user comprises collecting data about online interactions between the at least one user and other users.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining a database of online actions taken by the at least one user.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein comparing the online actions to the identified patterns comprises applying an algorithm.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said algorithm comprises a collaborative filtering mechanism.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with interest in the sphere category are indicative of commercial interest.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with interest in the sphere category are indicative of social interest.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with interest in the sphere category are indicative of a community interest.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with interest in the sphere category are indicative of a sport-related interest.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with interest in the sphere category are indicative of an arts-related interest.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with interest in the sphere category are indicative of a hobby-related interest.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with interest in the sphere category are indicative of an activity-related interest.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) sending a request for information to the user demonstrating patterns associated with interest in the sphere category.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

d) sending an invitation to membership in the sphere category.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) sending a targeted advertisement to the user demonstrating patterns associated with interest in the sphere category.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) awarding a scholarship to a user demonstrating strong participation in the sphere category.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein evaluating the online actions taken by the at least two users comprises collecting data on sites visited by the at least two users.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein evaluating the online actions taken by the at least two users comprises collecting data about online interactions between the at least two users and other users of the social networking site.

21. The method of claim 11 further comprising maintaining a database of online actions taken by the at least two users.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein comparing the online actions to the identified patterns comprises applying an algorithm.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the algorithm comprises a collaborative filtering mechanism.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with a commonality of interests are indicative of commercial interest.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with a commonality of interests are indicative of social interest.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated a commonality of interests are indicative of a community interest.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with a commonality of interests are indicative of a sport-related interest.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with a commonality of interests are indicative of an arts-related interest.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with a commonality of interests are indicative of a hobby-related interest.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein the patterns associated with a commonality of interests are indicative of an activity-related interest.

31. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) sending a request for information to the at least two users regarding a commonality of interests.

32. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

d) sending an invitation to an online interaction between at least two users demonstrating patterns associated with a commonality of interests.

18. A method of managing an online social network, the method comprising:

a) identifying patterns associated with activity indicative of a commonality of interests between at least two users;

b) monitoring the online actions of at least two users of the social network;

c) evaluating the online actions taken by the at least two users; and

d) comparing online actions to the identified patterns associated with a commonality of interests.