System and method for selectively sharing information

• US 8,898,804 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2012
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Applied Research Works, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Applied Research Works, Inc.
• Inventors: Roy, Shaibal, Leung, Yin Ling, Wadera, Anandini, Lignell, Joyce
• Primary Examiner(s): Cervetti, David Garcia
• Application Number:
  US13/686,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20140150077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 726/28
• US Class Current: 726/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for selectively sharing information among users of a computer application. Specific utility in healthcare applications is disclosed, but the scope of the invention is not limited to healthcare applications. The method involves selecting specific users, with whom information will be shared, a method for selecting such users'"'"' restrictions on the information that can be accessed by such users. Also disclosed is a system and method through which certain users can transmit communications on behalf of other users.

Claims

1. A computerized method for selectively sharing information comprising the steps of:

providing an account to a primary user through a computer network;

providing an account to a second user through the computer network;

obtaining permission from the primary user, to add the second user to a primary user'"'"'s circle through the computer network;

obtaining permission from the second user, through the computer network, to add the second user to the primary user'"'"'s circle;

adding the second user to the primary user'"'"'s circle, thereby making the second user a member of the primary user'"'"'s circle;

receiving information about the primary user from third parties through the computer network; and

providing information received from third parties to the member of the primary user'"'"'s circle through the computer network.

2. The computerized method for selectively sharing information of claim 1 where in information is provided to the member of a primary user'"'"'s circle through a user interface.

3. The computerized method for selectively sharing information of claim 2 further comprising the step of verifying the identity of the member of the primary user'"'"'s circle.

4. The computerized method for selectively sharing information of claim 3 wherein the identity of the member of the primary user'"'"'s circle is verified with a username and password combination.

5. The computerized method for selectively sharing information of claim 3 wherein access to the information obtained from third parties about the primary user is restricted by authorization level.

6. The computerized method for selectively sharing information of claim 5 further comprising the step of verifying an authorization level of a member of the primary user'"'"'s circle.

7. The computerized method for selectively sharing information of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

verifying the authorization level of a member of the primary user'"'"'s circle is high; and

receiving consent for a medical procedure from the member of the primary user'"'"'s circle through the computer network.

8. The computerized method for selectively sharing information of claim 1 where in information is provided to a member of a primary user'"'"'s circle through an email message sent to the member of the primary user'"'"'s circle.

9. A computerized method for selecting members of a primary user'"'"'s circle comprising the steps of:

suggesting, through a computer network, one or more second users who likely have a close relationship with a primary user as potential members of the primary user'"'"'s circle based on the one or more second users satisfying one or more criteria, said one or more criteria selected from the group consisting of sharing a common address with the primary user, sharing a common phone number with the primary user, sharing a common last name with the primary user, sharing a common credit card number with the primary user, sharing a common subscriber ID number with the primary user, having a known relationship with the primary user, and the primary user already being a member of the one or more second users'"'"' circles;

obtaining approval from the primary user, through the computer network, to add the one or more second users who likely have a close relationships with the primary user to the primary user'"'"'s circle; and

obtaining approval from the one or more second users, through the computer network, to add the one or more second users to the primary user'"'"'s circle.

10. The computerized method for selecting members of a primary user'"'"'s circle of claim 9 further comprising the step of obtaining, through the computer network, an authorization level from the primary user for each user added to the primary user'"'"'s circle.

11. A computerized method for a member of a primary user'"'"'s circle to communicate on behalf of the primary user comprising the steps of:

providing an account to a primary user through a computer network;

providing an account to a second user through the computer network;

obtaining permission, through a computer network, from the primary user, to add the second user to a primary user'"'"'s circle, thereby making the second user a member of the primary user'"'"'s circle;

obtaining permission, through a computer network, from the second user, to add the second user to the primary user'"'"'s circle;

receiving information about the primary user from third parties through the computer network;

obtaining, through the computer network, an authorization level, to be assigned to the second user from the primary user;

obtaining a consent or request from the second user, through the computer network, to transmit to a third party; and

transmitting the consent or request to a third party through the computer network.

12. The computerized method for a member of a primary user'"'"'s circle to communicate on behalf of the primary user of claim 11 further comprising the step of verifying the identity of the member of the primary user'"'"'s circle.

13. The computerized method for a member of a primary user'"'"'s circle to communicate on behalf of the primary user of claim 12 wherein the identity of the member of the primary user'"'"'s circle is verified with a username and password combination obtained through the computer network.

14. The computerized method for a member of a primary user'"'"'s circle to communicate on behalf of the primary user claim 13 wherein the consent or request obtained from the member of a primary user'"'"'s circle on behalf of the primary user is consent for a medical procedure.

15. The computerized method for a member of a primary user'"'"'s circle to communicate on behalf of the primary user claim 13 wherein the consent or request obtained from the member of a primary user'"'"'s circle on behalf of the primary user is a request for a refill of a prescription.