Method and apparatus for constructing a networking database and system

• US 6,175,831 B1
• Filed: 01/17/1997
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Macroview Communications Corporation
• Original Assignee: Six Degrees Incorporated
• Inventors: Weinreich, Andrew P., Clifford, Scott, Haber, David, Green, Justin, Mitchell, Leeann, Seifer, Adam, Chibnik, Ron, Salamon, Mark R., Boddu, Chandrasekhar, Berlyn, Nicole D., Rosen, Cliff, Samuels, David, Zilberberg, Shoshana
• Primary Examiner(s): Amsbury, Wayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAVAN, THU THAO
• Application Number:
  US08/785,559
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 707/130, 707/10, 707/104, 707/511, 395/200, 370/407, 706/47, 706/60, 345/333, 358/402, 358/440, 358/444, 705/14, 434/350, 364/918
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A networking database containing a plurality of records for different individuals in which individuals are connected to one another in the database by defined relationships. Each individual has the opportunity to define the relationship which may be confirmed or denied. E-mail messaging and interactive communication between individuals and a database service provider provide a method of constructing the database. The method includes having a registered individual identify further individuals and define therewith a relationship. The further individuals then, in turn, establish their own defined relationships with still other individuals. The defined relationships are mutually defined.

Claims

1. A networking database system comprising:

a communication port;

a web server connected to the communication port;

a database containing a plurality of records;

a database server connected to the database for operating on said database;

a database connectivity engine connected to the web server for preprocessing the output of the web server and connected to the database server;

a queue watcher coupled to said database server for queuing outgoing e-mails;

a mail server operatively connected to the communication port to receive incoming e-mails, and connected to said queue watcher to transmit outgoing e-mail; and

a parser connected to the mail server to process incoming e-mails and connected to the database server;

wherein the database server is responsive to the parser processing to manipulate a record in the database, and selected ones of said plurality of records are linked to selected other ones of said plurality of records by a confirmed defined relationship or a denied defined relationship.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a first incoming e-mail contains a formcode and the parser is operable to identify the formcode, wherein the database server responds to the identified formcode to update or generate records in said database.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a network coupled to said web server at said communication port operable to connect a first user to said web server.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the network supports communications of said incoming and outgoing e-mails.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said first incoming e-mail is associated with a first user and a first outgoing e-mail is associated with a second user and wherein the first incoming e-mail and first outgoing e-mail further comprise information regarding a first relationship between said first user and said second user.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said plurality of records further comprises a first record and a second record corresponding to said first and second users, respectively, and wherein said database server operates on said first and second records to update said first relationship between said first record and said second record to one of a confirmed defined relationship and a denied defined relationship.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a third user on said network, wherein said database server updates said second record in response to an incoming e-mail and a formcode in an e-mail from said third user.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising a third user on said network, wherein said database server updates said second record in response to an input from said third user at said communication port.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein each of said plurality of records further includes a security code.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising an input corresponding to said second user, the input being a function of said security code, and wherein said input contains data corresponding to said second user.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a third user on said network, wherein said input further comprises a second relationship between said second user and said third user and the database server is operable to transmit a second outgoing e-mail to said third user.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said plurality of records further comprises a third record corresponding to said third user, and wherein said second relationship is one of a confirmed defined relationship or a denied defined relationship and wherein said database stores said second relationship in said second and third records.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of records further comprise at least one of the group consisting of demographic data and relationship data.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of records further comprise a personal profile component wherein said personal profile component is modifiable by a user.

15. A method for creating a networking database system having a communication port and a database for storing data in a plurality of records comprising:

(a) receiving a first input at said communication port containing a first set of data corresponding to a first user, said first set of data including a relationship between said first user and a second user;

(b) storing the first set of data in a first record of said database;

(c) determining a first relationship between a first user and a second user from said first set of data;

(d) transmitting a first e-mail to said second user, the first e-mail containing information that is a function of at least said first relationship;

(e) creating a second record in said database corresponding to said second user; and

(f) receiving a second input at said communication port from said second user in response to said first e-mail, wherein said second input contains status information corresponding to said first relationship.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein step (b) further comprises updating the first record in response to said second input and step (f) further comprises storing said status in said first and second records.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein step (f) further comprises receiving said status information as one of a confirmed relationship, a denied relationship and non-responsive input.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein step (f) further comprises receiving an e-mail from said second user.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving a third input at said communication port containing a second set of data corresponding to said second user, said second set of data including a second relationship between said second user and a third user, and storing said second set of data in said second record of the database.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising determining a second relationship between said second user and a third user from said second set of data.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising transmitting a second e-mail to said third user, the third e-mail containing information that is a function of said second relationship.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising establishing a third record in said database corresponding to the third user, said third record including said second relationship.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein step (d) further comprises generating a security code corresponding to said second user, and transmitting said security code in said first e-mail.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said second input is a function of said security code and said method further comprises receiving a third input at said communication port.

25. A networking database apparatus comprising;

means for communicating on a network having a communications port for receiving an input of data and transmitting an outgoing e-mail;

means for storing a first record and a second record in a database in response to a first data input from a first user, said first data input including information about a relationship between said first user and a second user, wherein said first and second records correspond to the first user and the second user, respectively;

means for transmitting a first e-mail to said second user in response to said determined relationship, the first e-mail being a function of said first relationship; and

means for receiving a second data input from said second user in response to said first e-mail, wherein said second data input comprises status information about said first relationship.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising means for updating said status information in said first and second records in response to said second data input from the second user wherein said status information is one of a confirmed relationship and a denied relationship.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the second data input further comprises an e-mail from said second user.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising a web site and wherein said second data input comprises data entered at the web site by the second user.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising means for generating a security code associated with said second user, wherein said first e-mail further includes the security code.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising means for updating said second record in response to said second data input from said second user, said second data input being a function of said security code.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said second data input further comprises information about a second relationship between said second user and a third user, and further comprising means for transmitting a second e-mail to said third user in response to said second data input.

32. A method for creating a networking database system comprising the steps of:

receiving from a first individual a first set of data relating to said first individual, said first set of data including at least one name and address of a second individual and a relationship between said first individual and the second individual,

storing the first set of data in a first record of said database;

transmitting a first message to said second individual at said address, said first message inviting the second individual to join the database by providing a second set of data relating to said second individual, said second set of data including at least one name and address of a third individual and including a relationship between said second individual and the third individual;

receiving from the second individual the second set of data; and

storing the second set of data in a second record of said database,

whereby, by repeated iterations of the steps of receiving data from one individual that provides information about that individual and provides the name, address and a relationship with another individual, transmitting a message to said another individual and inviting said another individual to submit information about himself or herself and the name, address and a relationship with still another individual, a database is established specifying information about the individuals and their relationships.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of inviting the second individual to confirm the relationship between the first individual and the second individual that is described by the first individual.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of confirming the relationship between the first individual and the second individual.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the address of the second individual is an e-mail address and the first message is an e-mail.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein each individual is identified by a name and an e-mail address and messages to the individuals are e-mail messages.