E-service to manage contact information with privacy levels

• US 6,889,213 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2000
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: McKay, Christopher W. T., Douvikas, James G., Sheehy, Terry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Winter, John M
• Application Number:
  US09/507,215
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 705/64, 705/67, 705/1, 707/1, 707/9, 707/10
• US Class Current: 705/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6227 where protection concerns the structure of data, e.g. records, types, queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3678 e-cash details, e.g. blinded, divisible or detecting double spending
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to intranet users. The service thus provides easy access to cardholder contact information with privacy assured by use of integrated access restrictions. Access to and delivery of contact information by the service is not limited to a Web browser interface as commonly known today. The service provides multi-mode access and/or data delivery interfaces. The service also provides an export feature that formats search results into a pre-defined file structure readable by a conventional contact management programs. Custom export file formats may also be defined provide even wider connectivity and cross-platform utility. Access to individual records is controlled at both the record level and the field level, with multiple privacy levels for each field, in addition to the well-known “public” and “private” levels. Users having certain permissions are permitted to read a defined group of records, though not necessarily all fields in each record. A location tracking feature is also provided to allow the cardholder to rapidly designate a pre-defined contact location. Alternately, the cardholder may define a temporary contact location not normally stored in the database system. Electronic mail sent by the cardholder is automatically formatted to contain a signature hypertext link directing recipients of the email to the EBC service. This hyperlink enables the recipient of the email to rapidly access the EBC system to locate the cardholder and/or obtain additional information.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions for:

providing an electronic business card file Web site to a user;

allowing the creation of an electronic business card file by the user using said Web site, said creation comprising;

allowing the user to enter information into a plurality of fields in the electronic business card file;

storing said information; and

sending an authentication email to the user, wherein a reply to said authentication email is required to complete said creation;

allowing the user to search for one or more records;

allowing the user to view said records and to export electronic business card data from records in a private list of the user to a file readable by a contact management program, wherein another user associated with a record in the private list has extra privileges granted by the user;

if said creation is completed, allowing the setting of privacy levels by the user for each said field, said setting comprising selecting one of more than two privacy levels so that the user controls data shown in each said field to another user based upon the selected privacy level for each said field, wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public for each particular field in the electronic business card file, wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public by selecting a Private icon, Semi-Private icon, or Public icon, respectively, for a corresponding field in the electronic business card file;

allowing the user to indicate a location of the user prior to an expiration date; and

sending an electronic mail by the user to a recipient, wherein the electronic mail contains a signature hypertext link that permits the recipient to access the electronic business card file Web site in order to create a new electronic business card file for the recipient and to access information in a permitted field of the electronic business card file of the user;

wherein the electronic business card file Web site is implemented by use of two front-end web servers and a database server that is accessed by the two front-end web servers.

2. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from the Internet.

3. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from an intranet isolated from the Internet by a firewall security device.

4. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a web browser.

5. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a personal digital assistant.

6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a browser-enabled telephone.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible by spoken commands.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein a first format response scheme to the user comprises audio playback.

9. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, comprising computer instructions for:

providing an electronic business card file Web site to a user;

allowing the creation of an electronic business card file by the user using said Web site, said creation comprising;

allowing the user to enter information into a plurality of fields in the electronic business card file;

storing said information; and

sending an authentication email to the user, wherein a reply to said authentication email is required to complete said creation;

allowing the user to search for one or more records;

allowing the user to view said records and to export electronic business card data from records in a private list of the user to a file readable by a contact management program, wherein another user associated with a record in the private list has extra privileges granted by the user;

if said creation is completed, allowing the setting of privacy levels by the user for each said field, said setting comprising selecting one of more than two privacy levels so that the user controls data shown in each said field to another user based upon the selected privacy level for each said field, wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public for each particular field in the electronic business card file, wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public by selecting a Private icon, Semi-Private icon, or Public icon, respectively, for a corresponding field in the electronic business card file;

allowing the user to indicate a location of the user prior to an expiration date; and

sending an electronic mail by the user to a recipient, wherein the electronic mail contains a signature hypertext link that permits the recipient to access the electronic business card file Web site in order to create a new electronic business card file for the recipient and to access information in a permitted field of the electronic business card file of the user;

wherein the electronic business card file Web site is implemented by use of two front-end web servers and a database server that is accessed by the two front-end web servers.

10. The computer data signal of claim 9, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from the Internet.

11. The computer data signal of claim 9, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from an intranet isolated from the Internet by a firewall security device.

12. The computer data signal of claim 9, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a web browser.

13. The computer data signal of claim 9, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a personal digital assistant.

14. The computer data signal of claim 9, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a browser-enabled telephone.

15. The computer data signal of claim 9, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible by spoken commands.

16. The computer data signal of claim 9, wherein a first format response scheme to the user comprises audio playback.

17. A method of providing access to a collection of electronic business cards, comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic business card file Web site to a user;

allowing the creation of an electronic business card file by the user using said Web site, said creation comprising;

allowing the user to enter information into a plurality of fields in the electronic business card file;

storing said information; and

sending an authentication email to the user, wherein a reply to said authentication email is required to complete said creation;

allowing the user to search for one or more records;

allowing the user to view said records and to export electronic business card data from records in a private list of the user to a file readable by a contact management program, wherein another user associated with a record in the private list has extra privileges granted by the user;

if said creation is completed, allowing the setting of privacy levels by the user for each said field, said setting comprising selecting one of more than two privacy levels so that the user controls data shown in each said field to another user based upon the selected privacy level for each said field, wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public for each particular field in the electronic business card file;

allowing the user to indicate a location of the user prior to an expiration date; and

sending an electronic mail by the user to a recipient, wherein the electronic mail contains a signature hypertext link that permits the recipient to access the electronic business card file Web site in order to create a new electronic business card file for the recipient and to access information in a permitted field of the electronic business card file of the user;

wherein the electronic business card file Web site is implemented by use of two front-end web servers and a database server that is accessed by the two front-end web servers.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from the internet.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from an intranet isolated from the Internet by a firewall security device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a web browser.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a personal digital assistant.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a browser-enabled telephone.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible by spoken commands.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein a first format response scheme to the user comprises audio playback.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public by selecting a Private icon, Semi-Private icon, or Public icon, respectively, for a corresponding field in the electronic business card file.

26. A computer system for providing access to a collection of electronic business cards, comprising computer instructions for:

providing an electronic business card file Web site to a user;

allowing the creation of an electronic business card file by the user using said Web site, said creation comprising;

allowing the user to enter information into a plurality of fields in the electronic business card file;

storing said information; and

sending an authentication email to the user, wherein a reply to said authentication email is required to complete said creation;

allowing the user to search for one or more records;

allowing the user to view said records and to export electronic business card data from records in a private list of the user to a file readable by a contact management program, wherein another user associated with a record in the private list has extra privileges granted by the user;

if said creation is completed, allowing the setting of privacy levels by the user for each said field, said setting comprising selecting one of more than two privacy levels so that the user controls data shown in each said field to another user based upon the selected privacy level for each said field, wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public for each particular field in the electronic business card file;

allowing the user to indicate a location of the user prior to an expiration date; and

sending an electronic mail by the user to a recipient, wherein the electronic mail contains a signature hypertext link that permits the recipient to access the electronic business card file Web site in order to create a new electronic business card file for the recipient and to access information in a permitted field of the electronic business card file of the user;

wherein the electronic business card file Web site is implemented by use of two front-end web servers and a database server that is accessed by the two front-end web servers.

27. The computer system of claim 26, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from the Internet.

28. The computer system of claim 26, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from an intranet isolated from the Internet by a firewall security device.

29. The computer system of claim 26, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a web browser.

30. The computer system of claim 26, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a personal digital assistant.

31. The computer system of claim 26, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a browser-enabled telephone.

32. The computer system of claim 26, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible by spoken commands.

33. The computer system of claim 26, wherein a first format response scheme to the user comprises audio playback.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein the user can set the privacy level to Private, Semi-Private, or Public by selecting a Private icon, Semi-Private icon, or Public icon, respectively, for a corresponding field in the electronic business card file.

35. A method of providing access to a collection of electronic business cards, comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic business card file Web site to a user;

allowing the creation of an electronic business card file by the user using said Web site, said creation comprising allowing the user to enter information into a plurality of fields in the electronic business card file, and storing said information; and

if said creation is completed, allowing the user to set one of a plurality of privacy levels for each of said plurality of fields in the electronic business card file, wherein the user can set the privacy level to a first privacy level or a second privacy level by selecting a first icon or second icon, respectively, for a corresponding field in the electronic business card file;

wherein the electronic business card file Web site is implemented by use of two front-end web servers and a database server that is accessed by the two front-end web servers.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the electronic business card file Web site further includes a fail-over server that protects the database server.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the electronic business card file Web site further includes a redundant array of inexpensive disk drives (RAID) that is accessed by the database server.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

sending an authentication email to the user, wherein a reply to said authentication email is required to complete said creation.

39. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

allowing the user to search for one or more records; and

allowing the user to view said records and to export electronic business card data from records in a private list of the user to a file readable by a contact management program, wherein another user associated with a record in the private list has extra privileges granted by the user.

40. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

allowing the user to indicate a location of the user prior to an expiration date.

41. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

sending an electronic mail by the user to a recipient, wherein the electronic mail contains a signature hypertext link that permits the recipient to access the electronic business card file Web site in order to create a new electronic business card file for the recipient and to access information in a permitted field of the electronic business card file of the user.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein a privacy level permits the user to control data shown in each said field to another user of the Web site, based upon the selected privacy level for each said field.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from the internet.

44. The method of claim 35, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a web browser.

45. The method of claim 35, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from an intranet isolated from the Internet by a firewall security device.

46. The method of claim 35, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a personal digital assistant.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a browser-enabled telephone.

48. The method of claim 35, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible by spoken commands.

49. The method of claim 35, wherein a first format response scheme to the user comprises audio playback.

50. An apparatus for providing access to a collection of electronic business cards, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic business card file Web site accessible by a user;

wherein the Web site is configured to allow the user to create an electronic business card file by the user using said Web site, said creation comprising allowing the user to enter information into a plurality of fields in the electronic business card file, and storing said information; and

if said creation is completed, allowing the user to set one of a plurality of privacy levels for each of said plurality of fields in the electronic business card file, wherein the user can set the privacy level to a first privacy level or a second privacy level by selecting a first icon or second icon, respectively, for a corresponding field in the electronic business card file;

wherein the electronic business card file Web site is implemented by use of two front-end web servers and a database server that is accessed by the two front-end web servers.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the electronic business card file Web site further includes a fail-over server that protects the database server.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the electronic business card file Web site further includes a redundant array of inexpensive disk drives (RAID) that is accessed by the database server.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the Web site is configured to send an authentication email to the user, wherein a reply to said authentication email is required to complete said creation.

54. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the Web site is configured to the user to search for one or more records and allow the user to view said records and to export electronic business card data from records in a private list of the user to a file readable by a contact management program, wherein another user associated with a record in the private list has extra privileges granted by the user.

55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the Web site is configured to allow the user to indicate a location of the user prior to an expiration date.

56. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the Web site is configured to send an electronic mail by the user to a recipient, wherein the electronic mail contains a signature hypertext link that permits the recipient to access the electronic business card file Web site in order to create a new electronic business card file for the recipient and to access information in a permitted field of the electronic business card file of the user.

57. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein a privacy level permits the user to control data shown in each said field to another user of the Web site, based upon the selected privacy level for each said field.

58. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from the internet.

59. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from an intranet isolated from the Internet by a firewall security device.

60. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a web browser.

61. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a personal digital assistant.

62. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible from a browser-enabled telephone.

63. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said electronic business card file Web site is accessible by spoken commands.

64. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein a first format response scheme to the user comprises audio playback.