Method and System for Controlled Access to Profile Information for Non-Affiliated Users Over a Network
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for accessing certain profile information over a network, the profile information being stored in a database and pertaining to a plurality of registered users, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a request from a requesting user specifying a particular one of the registered users whose profile information the requesting user desires to access, the requesting user and requested user being non-affiliated in the database at the time of the identification;
(b) identifying the particular one of the registered users based on information contained in the request;
(c) informing the identified registered user via the network that the requesting user has requested to access profile information of the requested user;
(d) receiving instructions from the identified registered user via the network on whether to permit the requested access of profile information by the requesting user; and
(e) thereafter providing the requesting user access to the requested profile information of the identified registered user from the database via the network in accordance with the instructions.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An information management and distribution system is disclosed. The information management and distribution system includes a client-side application and a server application that interact to facilitate the controlled exchange of contact information over a network. The client-side application can provide creation and design, rolodex, exchange, and update features. The information management and distribution system can also include a corporate administrator application. Still another aspect of the invention is that contact information can be distributed to registered users in a common format.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for accessing certain profile information over a network, the profile information being stored in a database and pertaining to a plurality of registered users, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a request from a requesting user specifying a particular one of the registered users whose profile information the requesting user desires to access, the requesting user and requested user being non-affiliated in the database at the time of the identification; (b) identifying the particular one of the registered users based on information contained in the request; (c) informing the identified registered user via the network that the requesting user has requested to access profile information of the requested user; (d) receiving instructions from the identified registered user via the network on whether to permit the requested access of profile information by the requesting user; and (e) thereafter providing the requesting user access to the requested profile information of the identified registered user from the database via the network in accordance with the instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In a network-based information exchange system, a computer-implemented method for exchanging electronic content information in a controlled manner, said method comprising the acts of:
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(a) registering users of the system; (b) for each registered user, maintaining in a data store content information provided by the user; (c) enabling each registered user to request an information exchange with any other registered user by providing user input sufficient to identify the requested user; (d) receiving, from a requester, a designation of a requested party with which an information exchange is desired; and (e) thereafter exchanging at least a portion of the electronic content information between the requestor and the requested party over a network to the extent permitted by the requested party. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method for accessing a database of information across a network, said method comprising the acts of:
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(a) registering a plurality of users, each of the users providing content information that is stored in a central system; (b) providing a graphical interface to each registered user enabling each registered user to request to receive from the central system content information of any other registered user by inputting information sufficient to identify a particular user whose content information is being requested; (c) receiving a request, via the network, from a particular requesting user seeking to receive content information from the central system associated with a particular requested user; (d) determining, in response to receiving the request, whether the particular requested user agrees to release, to the requesting user, the content information associated with the particular requested user; and (e) supplying at least the portion of the content information associated with the particular requested user from the central system to the particular requesting user to the extent permitted by the particular requested user. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method of authorized electronic distribution of user information over a network, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving, via the network, a request from a first user to register as a user; (b) receiving, via the network, user information associated with the first user; (c) registering the first user without requiring the first user to specify any defined relationship with one or more other registered users or association with a particular group; (d) generating a user profile of the first user comprising the user information; and (e) providing one or more additional registered users access to the user profile of the first user, via the network, upon receiving authorization from the first user in response to a request from the one or more other users to access the user profile of the first user. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification