RELATIONSHIP CONFIRMATION IN AN ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- receiving, by one or more computer systems, from a first user of a social network, a request, comprising a user identifier of a second user who is not a member of the social network, to invite the second user to join the social network;
generating, by the one or more computer systems, an invitation based on the request;
transmitting, by the one or more computer systems, the invitation to the second user;
responsive to the second user accepting the invitation to join the social network, prompting, by the one or more computer systems, the second user to confirm the relationship between the first user and the second user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An online social network is provided in which members of the online social network control who may view their personal information and who may communicate with them. The members control who may view their personal information by setting a visibility preference. A member may not view another member'"'"'s full personal profile if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the visibility preference of the other member. The members also control who may communicate with them by setting a contactability preference. A member may not communicate with another member if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the contactability preference of the other member.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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receiving, by one or more computer systems, from a first user of a social network, a request, comprising a user identifier of a second user who is not a member of the social network, to invite the second user to join the social network; generating, by the one or more computer systems, an invitation based on the request; transmitting, by the one or more computer systems, the invitation to the second user; responsive to the second user accepting the invitation to join the social network, prompting, by the one or more computer systems, the second user to confirm the relationship between the first user and the second user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system, comprising:
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one or more servers operable to host an online social networking site and maintain a database of connections between all members of the online social network;
the servers configured to;receive, from a first user of a social network, a request, comprising a user identifier of a second user who is not a member of the social network, to invite the second user to join the social network; generate an invitation based on the request; transmit the invitation to the second user; responsive to the second user accepting the invitation to join the social network, prompt the second user to confirm the relationship between the first user and the second user. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus, in communication with a plurality of servers hosting an online social network, the apparatus configured to:
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maintain a database of connections between all members of the online social network; responsive to a new user joining the social network, create a new entry for the new user in the database; determine whether the new user joined the social network as a result of a request from an existing user; if the new user joined the social network as a result of a request from an existing user, transmit a user identifier of the existing user to one of the plurality of servers instructing it to prompt the new user to confirm the relationship between the new user and the existing user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification