IDENTIFYING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN USERS OF A COMMUNICATIONS DOMAIN
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method of identifying relationships between users in a communications domain comprising:
- (a) storing identification tokens, wherein each identification token is one-way encrypted identification information associated with a domain user;
(b) receiving relationship tokens from a first user, wherein each relationship token is one-way encrypted identification information associated with a possible domain user;
(c) comparing the relationship tokens to the identification tokens to identify any matches; and
(d) for each match to a unique domain user, identifying a relationship between the first user and the domain user associated with the matched identification token, wherein the relationship allows communication in the domain between the first user and the domain user associated with the matched identification token.
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Abstract
The invention enables identifying relationships between users of a online communications domain such as a social networking website. First identification tokens 20, 34 and 36 are stored that are each encrypted identification information associated with a domain user A, B and C. Then the service provider 58 receives relationship tokens 72 from a first user A, wherein each relationship token 72 is one-way encrypted identification information associated with a possible domain user B and C. The service provider 58 compares the relationship tokens 72 to the identification tokens to identify any matches. For each match to a unique domain user B and C, identifying a relationship between the first user and the domain user B and C associated with the matched identification token. This relationship allows communication in the domain between the first user A and the domain user B and C. It is an advantage of the invention that the relationships between users can be identified while preserving their privacy. By receiving only encrypted identity information the underlying identity information is unintelligible to the communications domain.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method of identifying relationships between users in a communications domain comprising:
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(a) storing identification tokens, wherein each identification token is one-way encrypted identification information associated with a domain user; (b) receiving relationship tokens from a first user, wherein each relationship token is one-way encrypted identification information associated with a possible domain user; (c) comparing the relationship tokens to the identification tokens to identify any matches; and (d) for each match to a unique domain user, identifying a relationship between the first user and the domain user associated with the matched identification token, wherein the relationship allows communication in the domain between the first user and the domain user associated with the matched identification token. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer system for identifying relationships between users in a communications domain comprising:
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a storage device to store identification tokens, wherein each identification token is one-way encrypted identification information associated with a domain user; an input means to receive relationship tokens from a first user, wherein each relationship token is one-way encrypted identification information associated with a possible domain user; and a processor to compare the relationship tokens to the identification tokens to 5 identify any matches, and, for each match to a unique domain user, identify a relationship between the first user and the domain user associated with the matched identification token, wherein the relationship allows communication in the domain between the first user and the domain user associated with the matched identification token and to store the identified relationship in the storage device.
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13. A method for identifying relationships between a first user and other users in a communications domain, comprising:
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(a) computing a set of relationship tokens, wherein each token in the set is one way encrypted identification information of a possible user of the domain known to the first user; (b) sending the set of relationship tokens to a service provider of the domain; and (c) receiving an indication that relationships have been identified between the first user and a subset of the possible users, where the subset of possible users are registered users of the domain and the relationships allow communication in the domain between the first user and the subset of possible users. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A communications enabled device to identify relationships between a first user and other users in a communications domain, comprising:
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processing means to computing a set of relationship tokens, wherein each token in the set is one-way encrypted identification information of a possible user of the domain known to the first user; output means to send the set of relationship tokens to a service provider of the domain; and input means to receive an indication that relationships have been identified between the first user and a subset of the possible users, where the subset of possible users are registered users of the domain and the relationships allow communication in the domain between the first user and the subset of possible users.
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Specification