Platform for providing a social context to software applications
First Claim
1. A method of providing information about users of a social network for use in a software application, the method comprising:
- receiving a request from the application for information about a user available from the social network;
verifying that the user whose information is requested has authorized use of the information; and
providing the information available from the social network to the application.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for providing a social context to software applications. According to one embodiment of the invention, a user of a social network authorizes access by an external software application to information available in the social network. At some time later, the user of the social network uses an application designed by a third-party software developer. The application contacts the social network provider for permission to access the information available in the social network. If access has been authorized, the application incorporates the information from the social network into its interaction with the user, providing a social context to the user'"'"'s interaction with the application.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of providing information about users of a social network for use in a software application, the method comprising:
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receiving a request from the application for information about a user available from the social network; verifying that the user whose information is requested has authorized use of the information; and providing the information available from the social network to the application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for providing information from a social network for use in a software application, the system comprising:
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a user information database configured to store and update information associated with users of the social network and authorization for the use of the information; an application programming interface configured to receive a request for information stored in the user information database, and to provide information to the application; and a verification module configured to verify that the requested use of the information is authorized and to provide the information to the application programming interface if authorized. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium having instructions for providing information about users of a social network for use in a software application, comprising:
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receiving a request from the application for information about a user available from the social network; verifying that the user whose information is requested has authorized use of the information; and providing the information available from the social network to the application. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification