Method and apparatus for social networking in a dynamic environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for social networking in a network, comprising:
- broadcasting via a first device a first set comprising a keyword representing an interest of a first user in the network together with a proposed method for selecting a server in the network;
receiving a response from a second device operated by a second user in the network, the response indicating an interest in the interest of the first user; and
connecting, by the first device, to a server by selecting the server in the network in accordance with the proposed method for selecting the server in the network, where the server is for hosting a first group for supporting a communication between the first device and the second device, wherein the selecting the server comprises;
determining whether one or more servers in the network are already hosting a second group similar to the first group;
selecting one of the one or more servers already hosting the second group that has a lowest internet protocol address, if one or more servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group or otherwise offer to host communications for a group similar to the first group; and
determining whether one or more servers in the network is capable of host the first group, if no servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for social networking in a dynamic environment. In one embodiment, a method for social networking in a network includes broadcasting a first set of one or more keywords representing one or more interests of a first user in the network, receiving a response from a second user in the network indicating interest in at least one of the interests of the first user, and connecting to a server in the network, where the server hosts a group for supporting communications between at least the first network user and the second network user.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for social networking in a network, comprising:
-
broadcasting via a first device a first set comprising a keyword representing an interest of a first user in the network together with a proposed method for selecting a server in the network; receiving a response from a second device operated by a second user in the network, the response indicating an interest in the interest of the first user; and connecting, by the first device, to a server by selecting the server in the network in accordance with the proposed method for selecting the server in the network, where the server is for hosting a first group for supporting a communication between the first device and the second device, wherein the selecting the server comprises; determining whether one or more servers in the network are already hosting a second group similar to the first group; selecting one of the one or more servers already hosting the second group that has a lowest internet protocol address, if one or more servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group or otherwise offer to host communications for a group similar to the first group; and determining whether one or more servers in the network is capable of host the first group, if no servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A system for social networking, comprising:
-
a first user device for broadcasting a first set comprising a keyword representing an interest of a first user in a network together with a proposed method for selecting a server in the network; a second user device for sending a response from a second user in the network to the first user device, the response indicating an interest in the interest of the first user; and the server being selected for hosting a group for supporting a communication between the first user and the second user in accordance with the proposed method, wherein the selecting the server comprises; determining whether one or more servers in the network are already hosting a second group similar to the first group; selecting one of the one or more servers already hosting the second group that has a lowest internet protocol address, if one or more servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group or otherwise offer to host communications for a group similar to the first group; and determining whether one or more servers in the network is capable of hosting the first group, if no servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A device for social networking in a network, comprising:
-
a processor; and a computer-readable medium in communication with the processor, wherein the computer-readable medium has stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method, comprising; broadcasting a first set comprising a keyword representing an interest of a first user in the network together with a proposed method for selecting a server in the network; receiving a response from a second device operated by a second user in the network, the response indicating an interest in the interest of the first user; and connecting, to a server, by selecting the server in the network in accordance with the proposed method for selecting the server in the network, where the server is for hosting a first group for supporting a communication between the first device and the second device, wherein the selecting the server comprises; determining whether one or more servers in the network are already hosting a second group similar to the first group; selecting one of the one or more servers already hosting the second group that has a lowest internet protocol address, if one or more servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group or otherwise offer to host communications for a group similar to the first group; and determining whether one or more servers in the network is capable of host the first group, if no servers in the network are already hosting the second group similar to the first group.
-
Specification