Computer-based methods and systems for arranging meetings between users and methods and systems for verifying background information of users

• US 8,621,005 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tangible Social, LLC
• Original Assignee: TTB Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Boyd, John, Ayub, Arif
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F
• Assistant Examiner(s): MIAH, RAZU A
• Application Number:
  US13/096,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20110270926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 709204-206, 709/202, 726/4, 726/6
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/37 E-mail addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

Methods and systems for verifying, authenticating, and/or rating the identity or profile characteristics of users of online social networks and other websites and applications. And improved systems and methods that allow one or more individuals to meet or otherwise network or connect or transact or exchange information, tangibles or intangibles with other individuals and methods and systems for verifying and/or rating the identity or profiles of users of online social networks and other websites or applications.

Claims

1. A computer-based method of verifying a user comprising:

(a) verifying an email address provided by said user using one or more computer-based systems; and

(a) displaying an indication that said user verified said email address to other users using software executed by a processor without displaying said email address,

wherein said indication of said verification is displayed on an online profile of said user and includes a display of the email domain of said email address and wherein said email address includes an email domain for a company or a college or university and said indication verifies said user verified said email address having said email domain.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying a second email address provided by said user and displaying an indication that said user verified said second email address to other users without displaying said second email address.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said verifying registers said user to use or access a website or application and said online profile of said user with said indication is used on said website or application.

4. A computer-based method of verifying a user for membership or access to a website or application comprising:

(a) verifying an email address provided by said user; and

(b) displaying an indication that said user verified said email address to other users of said website or application without displaying said email address,

wherein said email address includes an email domain for a company or a college or university and said indication verifies the user verified said email address having said email domain and said indication includes a display of the email domain of said email address.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said indication is displayed on an online profile of said user.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising verifying a second email address provided by said user and displaying an indication that said user verified said second email address to other users without displaying said second email address.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said indication further includes a characteristic or trait of the email domain of said email address without disclosing the email address.

8. A method for registering a user for a computer-based website or application, comprising:

receiving by a server a request from a first user over a network to register;

determining whether one or more rules associated with registration apply to the request from the first user to register;

processing the request if all rules determined to be applicable are satisfied; and

denying the request if one or more rules determined to be applicable are not satisfied;

wherein said method further comprises;

(a) verifying an email address provided by said first user; and

(b) displaying an indication that said first user verified said email address to other users without displaying said email address,

wherein said email address includes an email domain for a company or a college or university and said indication verifies the user verified said email address having said email domain and said indication includes a display of the email domain of said email address.

9. A computer-based method comprising:

(a) receiving by a server a request from a first user over a network to verify an email address of said first user;

(b) determining whether one or more rules associated with verification apply to the

request from the first user;

(c) processing the request if all rules determined to be applicable are satisfied;

and denying the request if one or more rules determined to be applicable are not satisfied; and

(d) transmitting a verification email to said email address of said first user;

wherein said method further comprises verification of said email address and displaying an indication of said verification on an online or computed-based profile of said first user without displaying the email address of said first user and wherein said email address has an email domain and said indication includes a display of said email domain without displaying the entire email address and wherein said email address includes an email domain for a company or a college or university and said indication verifies said user verified said email address having said email domain.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising verifying a second email address provided by said first user and displaying an indication that said first user verified said second email address to other users without displaying said second email address.

11. A computer-based method of verifying a user comprising:

(a) verifying specific information including a valid email address provided by said user using one or more computer-based systems, wherein said specific information includes identity or background information; and

(b) displaying an indication that said user verified said specific information to other users using software executed by a processor without displaying said specific information and without revealing the identity of said user,

wherein said user is requested to provide said valid email address to register to a website and said indication includes a display of a portion of said specific information without displaying all of said specific information and without displaying the entire valid email address and said indication is displayed on an online profile of said user on said website and said verifying comprises said user receiving a code and inputting said code on said website and wherein said valid email address includes an email domain for a company or a college or university.