SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING USERS TO OTHER USERS AND OBJECTS IN A SOCIAL NETWORK

• US 20140089818A1
• Filed: 09/24/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MySpace Incorporated (Capital V LLC)
• Original Assignee: MySpace Incorporated (Capital V LLC)
• Inventors: Andler, Michael Scott
• Application Number:
  US14/035,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20140089818A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/753
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability connect/associate a first entity to a second entity on a social network. A first entity is provided with access to the social network. A representation of the second entity is displayed. In association with the second entity, a visual indication of a connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity is provided. The visual indication dynamically changes as the connectivity status changes. Further, the visual indication reflects a first one-way connection status from the first entity to the second entity, and a second one-way connection status from the second entity to the first entity.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for connecting a first entity to a second entity on a social network comprising:

providing the first entity access to the social network;

displaying a representation of the second entity;

providing, in association with the second entity, a visual indication of a connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity, wherein;

the visual indication dynamically changes as the connectivity status changes; and

the visual indication reflects a first one-way connection status from the first entity to the second entity, and a second one-way connection status from the second entity to the first entity.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first entity comprises a first user that is logged-in to the social network.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the second entity comprises a second user.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the second entity comprises an object other than a user.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting one or more parts of the visual indication;

modifying the connectivity status based on the selecting; and

dynamically changing the visual indication that is provided based on the modified connectivity status.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the visual indication comprises two overlapping circles with shading that indicates the connectivity status.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the visual indication reflects a directionality and strength of the connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

accepting a hover operation over the visual indication; and

displaying information or options that are context sensitive to the connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing metadata relating to the connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity; and

providing the visual indication based on the stored metadata.

10. A system for connecting a first entity to a second entity on a social network comprising:

(a) a server computer;

(b) a social network application executing on the computer;

wherein the social network application is configured to;

(1) provide the first entity access to the social network application;

(2) display a representation of the second entity;

(3) provide, in association with the second entity, a visual indication of a connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity, wherein;

(i) the visual indication dynamically changes as the connectivity status changes; and

(ii) the visual indication reflects a first one-way connection status from the first entity to the second entity, and a second one-way connection status from the second entity to the first entity.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first entity comprises a first user that is logged-in to the social network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second entity comprises a second user.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second entity comprises an object other than a user.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the social network application is further configured to:

select one or more parts of the visual indication;

modify the connectivity status based on the selecting; and

dynamically change the visual indication that is provided based on the modified connectivity status.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the visual indication comprises two overlapping circles with shading that indicates the connectivity status.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the visual indication reflects a directionality and strength of the connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the social network application is further configured to:

accept a hover operation over the visual indication; and

display information or options that are context sensitive to the connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the social network application is further configured to:

store metadata relating to the connectivity status between the first entity and the second entity; and

provide the visual indication based on the stored metadata.