Social network systems and methods of operation
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- at least one database containing records, the records respectively corresponding to users, the records respectively including profile information and a tag associated with corresponding ones of the users; and
at least one server including a hardware processor, the at least one server to generate a profile for a first user of the users based on the profile information for the first user, the profile for the first user to include the tag corresponding to the first user;
the at least one server responsive to a first request from a first user device of the first user to execute a query of the profile information corresponding to other ones of the users in the database and to return a first search result to the first user device of the first user, the first request obtained from a first internet protocol communication via a data network the at least one server responsive to a second request from the first user to execute a query of the tags corresponding to the other ones of the users in the database and to return a second search result to the first user device of the first user, the second request obtained from a second internet protocol communication via the data network the at least one server to identify a second user to the first user device of the first user, the second user indirectly connected to the first user, the at least one server to enable the first user to invite the second user to directly connect with the first user, the at least one server to, initiate a third internet protocol communication via the data network to a second device of the second user to request permission to share user contact information associated with the second user with the first user, and, responsive to a fourth internet protocol communication via the data network indicating that permission is granted, make the user contact information of the second user viewable to the first user device, the at least one server to enable the first user to initiate an instant message to at least one of the second user or a third user to whom the first user is indirectly or directly connected, and the at least one server to deliver an alert message to the first user device, the alert message to notify the first user device of at least one of an addition of a user, an addition of a tag of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user, or a change in the profile information of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming unique, private, personal, virtual social networks on a social network system that includes a database storing data relating to corresponding user entities. The method includes: a first user entity sending an invitation to a second user entity, recording in the database the second user entity as a direct contact of the first user entity and determining that third user entities, directly connected to the second user entity, are indirect contacts. A unique, personal, social network formed from direct and indirect contacts is thereby created for each user entity. Each user entity is able to control privacy of its data with respect to other user entities depending on the connection factor to that other entity and/or that other entity'"'"'s attributes. Each user entity is able to take the role of provider or participant in applications where the provider provides an item or service to the participant.
42 Citations
72 Claims
-
1. A system comprising:
at least one database containing records, the records respectively corresponding to users, the records respectively including profile information and a tag associated with corresponding ones of the users; and at least one server including a hardware processor, the at least one server to generate a profile for a first user of the users based on the profile information for the first user, the profile for the first user to include the tag corresponding to the first user;
the at least one server responsive to a first request from a first user device of the first user to execute a query of the profile information corresponding to other ones of the users in the database and to return a first search result to the first user device of the first user, the first request obtained from a first internet protocol communication via a data network the at least one server responsive to a second request from the first user to execute a query of the tags corresponding to the other ones of the users in the database and to return a second search result to the first user device of the first user, the second request obtained from a second internet protocol communication via the data network the at least one server to identify a second user to the first user device of the first user, the second user indirectly connected to the first user, the at least one server to enable the first user to invite the second user to directly connect with the first user, the at least one server to, initiate a third internet protocol communication via the data network to a second device of the second user to request permission to share user contact information associated with the second user with the first user, and, responsive to a fourth internet protocol communication via the data network indicating that permission is granted, make the user contact information of the second user viewable to the first user device, the at least one server to enable the first user to initiate an instant message to at least one of the second user or a third user to whom the first user is indirectly or directly connected, and the at least one server to deliver an alert message to the first user device, the alert message to notify the first user device of at least one of an addition of a user, an addition of a tag of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user, or a change in the profile information of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
25. A method comprising:
-
generating, by executing an instruction with at least one server, a profile for a first user of a plurality of users based on first profile information corresponding to the first user, the first profile information contained in a database, the profile for the first user including a tag corresponding to the first user; in response to a first request from a first user device of the first user sent over a data network via a first internet protocol communication; executing a query of second profile information with the at least one server, the second profile information corresponding to other ones of the users and the first and second profile information contained in records in the database; and returning a first search result to the first user device of the first user; in response to a second request from the first user device of the first user sent over the data network via a second internet protocol communication; executing a query of tags with the at least one server, the tags corresponding to the other ones of the users with corresponding ones of the records in the database; returning a second search result to the first user device of the first user; transmitting a third internet protocol communication from the at least one server to identify a second user to the first user device of the first user, the second user indirectly connected to the first user; enabling, via the at least one server, the first user to invite the second user to directly connect with the first user; transmitting a fourth internet protocol communication over the data network to a second device of the second user to request permission to share user contact information associated with the second user with the first user; responsive to a fifth internet protocol communication indicating that permission is granted, making the user contact information of the second user viewable to the first user device via the at least one server; enabling the first user to initiate an instant message via the at least one server to at least one of the second user or a third user to whom the first user is indirectly or directly connected; and delivering an alert message from the at least one server to the first user device, the alert message to notify the first user device of at least one of an addition of a user, an addition of a tag of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user, or a change in the profile information of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
-
49. A computer readable storage disk or storage device comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:
-
generate a profile for a first user of a plurality of users based on first profile information corresponding to the first user, the first profile information contained in a database, the profile for the first user including a tag corresponding to the first user; in response to a first request from a first user device of the first user sent over a data network via a first internet protocol communication; execute a query of second profile information, the second profile information corresponding to other ones of the users and the first and second profile information contained in records in the database; and return a first search result to the first user device of the first user; in response to a second request from the first user device of the first user sent over the data network via a second internet protocol communication; execute a query of tags, the tags corresponding to the other ones of the users with corresponding ones of the records in the database; return a second search result to the first user device of the first user; transmit a third internet protocol communication to identify a second user to the first user device of the first user, the second user indirectly connected to the first user; enable the first user to invite the second user to directly connect with the first user; transmit a fourth internet protocol communication over the data network to a second device of the second user to request permission to share user contact information associated with the second user with the first user; responsive to a fifth internet protocol communication indicating that permission is granted, make the user contact information of the second user viewable to the first user device; enable the first user to initiate an instant message to at least one of the second user or a third user to whom the first user is indirectly or directly connected; and deliver an alert message to the first user device, the alert message to notify the first user device of at least one of an addition of a user, an addition of a tag of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user, or a change in the profile information of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
-
Specification