Open overlay for social networks and online services
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, by a computing device hosting an open overlay service, account information for a plurality of accounts of a first user, wherein each of the plurality of accounts is for a different social network service of a plurality of social network services that the first user is subscribed to;
consolidating, by the computing device, the received account information for the plurality of accounts into a single identity for the first user;
providing a single open overlay web site, wherein the plurality of social network services that the first user is subscribed to are available via the open overlay web site using the single identity;
detecting, by the computing device, a post provided by a second user within one or more of the plurality of social network services by extracting data from a web site associated with the one or more of the plurality of social network services using the account information of the first user;
notifying the first user of the post by the second user through the open overlay service;
determining whether the first user has accessed the post; and
generating a history that indicates at least one of whether the first user has accessed the post or when the first user has accessed the post.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a platform for an open overlay for online services, such as social networking sites, that permit users to share and leverage information within a single context. In some embodiments, the single context is implemented as a web site that is accessible to a social network of users that are known to each other. Systems and methods are provided that share and forward information for the users'"'"' online services within the single context. Client applications are provided that serve as an open overlay for the user and permit the user to seamlessly utilize the services of multiple online services within a single context. In some embodiments, the users'"'"' existing account identities and security information are utilized alone or in combination, and thus, the users are not required to establish a separate or new account for accessing the open overlay service.
183 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, by a computing device hosting an open overlay service, account information for a plurality of accounts of a first user, wherein each of the plurality of accounts is for a different social network service of a plurality of social network services that the first user is subscribed to; consolidating, by the computing device, the received account information for the plurality of accounts into a single identity for the first user; providing a single open overlay web site, wherein the plurality of social network services that the first user is subscribed to are available via the open overlay web site using the single identity; detecting, by the computing device, a post provided by a second user within one or more of the plurality of social network services by extracting data from a web site associated with the one or more of the plurality of social network services using the account information of the first user; notifying the first user of the post by the second user through the open overlay service; determining whether the first user has accessed the post; and generating a history that indicates at least one of whether the first user has accessed the post or when the first user has accessed the post. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system comprising:
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a memory to store instructions for an open overlay service; and a processing device, coupled to the memory, wherein the processing device is configured to; receive account information for a first user associated with each of a plurality of social network services; consolidate the received account information into a single identity for the first user; provide a single open overlay web site, wherein the plurality of social network services available via the open overlay web site using the single identity; detect a post provided by a second user within one or more of the plurality of social network services by extracting data from a web site associated with the one or more of the plurality of social network services using the account information of the first user; notify the first user of the post by the second user through the open overlay service; determine whether the first user has accessed the post; and generate a history that indicates at least one of whether the first user has accessed the post or when the first user has accessed the post. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:
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receiving, by the computing device hosting an open overlay service, account information for a plurality of accounts of a first user, wherein each of the plurality of accounts is for a different social network service of a plurality of social network services that the first user is subscribed to; consolidating, by the computing device, the received account information for the plurality of accounts into a single identity for the first user; providing a single open overlay web site, wherein the plurality of social network services that the first user is subscribed to are available via the open overlay web site using the single identity; detecting, by the computing device, a post provided by a second user within one or more of the plurality of social network services by extracting data from a web site associated with the one or more of the plurality of social network services using the account information of the first user; notifying the first user of the post by the second user through the open overlay service; determining whether the first user has accessed the post; and generating a history that indicates at least one of whether the first user has accessed the post or when the first user has accessed the post. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification