Computational systems and methods for linking users of devices

• US 9,183,520 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2011
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Lord, Robert W., Dyor, Matthew G., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Lu, Qi, Gates, William, Nadella, Satya, Davis, Marc E., Malamud, Mark A., Huang, Xuedong, Reed, Daniel, Hyde, Roderick A., Shum, Harry, Jung, Edward K. Y., Tegreene, Clarence T., Levien, Royce A., Wood, JR., Lowell L., Lord, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gillis, Brian J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Turriate Gastulo, Juan C
• Application Number:
  US13/199,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20130060848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, computer program products, devices and systems are described that carry out accepting device-identifier data corresponding to at least one communication device; accepting network-participation identifier data associated with a verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device; and assigning a unique identifier at least partly based on the device-identifier data and the network-participation identifier data.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising:

circuitry configured to accept at least one device-identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user;

circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account;

circuitry configured to assign at least one unique identifier at least partly based on (i) the at least one device-identifier, (ii) the at least one network-participation identifier, and (iii) the at least one wireless account; and

circuitry configured to add the assigned at least one unique identifier to a directory of unique identifiers, the directory of unique identifiers capable of facilitating one or more financial transactions associated with the at least some financial account data via the at least one communication device at least partly based on the at least one network-participation identifier.

2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured to facilitate the one or more financial transactions via the at least one communication device at least partly based on disambiguating the at least some financial account data via the directory of unique identifiers using the at least one network-participation identifier.

3. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured to facilitate the one or more financial transactions via the at least one communication device at least partly based on disambiguating the at least some financial account data via the directory of unique identifiers using the at least one network-participation identifier and the at least one device-identifier module.

4. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured to encrypt at least a portion of the directory of unique identifiers associated with the at least some financial account data.

5. The machine of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured to encrypt at least a portion of the directory of unique identifiers associated with the at least one assigned unique identifier.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on at least one phone number associated with the network-participation identifier and associated with the at least one wireless account.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verifier real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one social network network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one social network network-participation identifier at least partly based on at least one phone number included in a social network profile linked to the social network network-participation identifier and the at least one phone number linked to the at least one wireless account.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verifier real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one social network network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one social network network-participation identifier at least partly based on at least one email address included in a social network profile linked to the social network network-participation identifier and the at least one email address also associated with the at least one wireless account.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verifier real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one email address uniquely identifying at least one social network account of at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one email address uniquely identifying at least one social network account at least partly based on the at least one email address also associated with the at least one wireless account.

10. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verifier real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one social network network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one social network network-participation identifier at least partly based on at least one birth date included in a social network profile linked to the social network network-participation identifier and the at least one birth date linked to the at least one wireless account.

11. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verifier real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one social network network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one social network network-participation identifier at least partly based on at least some geodata associated with at least one social network login using the social network network-participation identifier, the at least some geodata at least partly matching at least one address linked to the at least one wireless account.

12. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verifier real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one social network network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one social network network-participation identifier at least partly based on at least some geodata associated with at least one social network login using the social network network-participation identifier, the at least some geodata at least partly matching at least one address linked to the at least one wireless account, the at least some geodata at least partly matching at least one address obtained from at least one on-line source disclosing address information.

13. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one device-identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user comprises:

circuitry configured to accept one or more of at least one UDID, at least one IMEI, at least one IMSI, at least one MEID, or at least one ESN identifying at least one mobile phone.

14. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one device-identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one telephone number identifying at least one communication device.

15. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one device-identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user comprises:

circuitry configured to accept one or more of at least one MAC address or at least one IP address identifying at least one network interface of at least one communication device.

16. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one email address associated with at least one accessing of at least one email account via the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one email address at least partly based on at least one real name associated with the at least one email account.

17. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one social network network-participation identifier associated with at least one accessing of at least one social network account via the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one social network network-participation identifier at least partly based on at least one real name associated with the at least one social network account.

18. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least one social network network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one social network network-participation identifier at least partly based on using the at least one social network network-participation identifier as a search term in a text query.

21. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user comprises:

circuitry configured to accept, by at least one system associated with at least one telecommunications carrier, the at least one identifier corresponding to the at least one communication device, and

wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account includes at least;

circuitry configured to accept, by at least one system associated with the at least one telecommunications carrier, the at least one network-participation identifier associated with the at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, and

wherein circuitry configured to assign at least one unique identifier at least partly based on (i) the at least one device-identifier, (ii) the at least one network-participation identifier, and (iii) the at least one wireless account includes at least;

circuitry configured to assign, by at least one system associated with the at least one telecommunications carrier, the at least one unique identifier, and

wherein circuitry configured to add the assigned at least one unique identifier to a directory of unique identifiers, the directory of unique identifiers capable of facilitating one or more financial transactions associated with the at least some financial account data via the at least one communication device at least partly based on the at least one network-participation identifier includes at least;

circuitry configured to add, by at least one system associated with the at least one telecommunications carrier, the at least one unique identifier to the directory of unique identifiers.

22. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user comprises:

circuitry configured to accept, by at least one system associated with a social network, the at least one identifier corresponding to the at least one communication device, and

wherein circuitry configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least circuitry configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account includes at least;

circuitry configured to accept, by at least one system associated with the social network, the at least one network-participation identifier associated with the at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, and

wherein circuitry configured to assign at least one unique identifier at least partly based on (i) the at least one device-identifier, (ii) the at least one network-participation identifier, and (iii) the at least one wireless account includes at least;

circuitry configured to assign, by at least one system associated with the social network, the at least one unique identifier, and

wherein circuitry configured to add the assigned at least one unique identifier to a directory of unique identifiers, the directory of unique identifiers capable of facilitating one or more financial transactions associated with the at least some financial account data via the at least one communication device at least partly based on the at least one network-participation identifier includes at least;

circuitry configured to add, by at least one system associated with the social network, the at least one unique identifier to the directory of unique identifiers.

23. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to assign at least one unique identifier at least partly based on (i) the at least one device-identifier, (ii) the at least one network-participation identifier, and (iii) the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to assign the at least one unique identifier at least partly based on at least one image recognition of at least one image associated with the at least one wireless account and at least one image recognition of at least one image associated with at least one social network avatar associated with the at least one network-participation identifier.

24. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry configured to assign at least one unique identifier at least partly based on (i) the at least one device-identifier data, (ii) the at least one network-participation identifier, and (iii) the at least one wireless account comprises:

circuitry configured to accept at least some geodata associated with the at least one verified real-world user and assign at least one unique identifier, and add the assigned at least one unique identifier to the directory of unique identifiers at least partly based on the at least one device-identifier, the at least one network-participation identifier, the at least one wireless account, and the at least some geodata associated with the at least one verified real-world user.

19. A machine, comprising:

at least one processing device;

a device-identifier acceptor module configured to accept at lest one device-identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user;

a network-participation identifier acceptor configured to accept at least one network-participation identifier associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least a de-anonymization module configured to verify at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account;

a unique identifier unit configured to assign at least one unique identifier at least partly based on (i) the at least one device-identifier, (ii) the at least one network-participation identifier, and (iii) the at least one wireless account; and

a unique identifier compiler module configured to add the assigned at least one unique identifier to a directory of unique identifiers, the directory of unique identifiers capable of facilitating one or more financial transactions associated with the at least some financial account data via the at least one communication device at least partly based on the at least one network-participation identifier,

wherein the device-identifier acceptor module, the network-participation identifier acceptor module, the unique identifier unit, and the unique identifier compiler module are at least partly implemented using the at least one processing device.

20. A method, comprising:

accepting at least one device-identifier corresponding to at least one communication device, the at least one communication device associated with at least one wireless account related to at least one real-world user, the at least one wireless account including at least some financial account data associated with the at least one real-world user;

accepting at least one network-participation identifier data associated with at least one verified real-world user associated with the at least one communication device, including at least verifying at least one association of the at least one real-world user and the at least one network-participation identifier at least partly based on the at least one wireless account;

assigning at least one unique identifier at least partly based on (i) the at least one device-identifier, (ii) the at least one network-participation identifier, and (iii) the at least one wireless account; and

adding the assigned at least one unique identifier to a directory of unique identifiers, the directory of unique identifiers capable of facilitating one or more financial transactions associated with the at least some financial account data via the at least one communication device at least partly based on the at least one network-participation identifier,

wherein at least one of the accepting at least one device-identifier, accepting at least one network-participation identifier, assigning at least one unique identifier, or adding the assigned at least one unique identifier is at least partly implemented using at least one processing device.