Method and apparatus for constructing a networking database and system proactively

• US 8,032,555 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rakuten USA, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Buy.com, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morgenstern, Jared, Lim, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): HICKS, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US11/044,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20050160094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,442 Days
• Field of Search: 707/100
• US Class Current: 707/783
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method for creating networking database containing a plurality of records for different individuals in which individuals are connected to one another in the database by mutual recognition of a relationship. This mutual recognition of a relationship is inferred by the possession of the Guest Key of one member by the other member. This paradigm for network expansion allows users to proactively grow their networks both using the site features and using tools they may be more familiar with, such as email, messaging, talking, etc.

Claims

1. A method comprising using a computer to:

record a guest key created by a content owner of a social network;

store the content owner'"'"'s permissioned content with the social network, each permissioned content unit being content that is created by the content owner;

receive the guest key from an social network user; and

allow the social network user to access the permissioned content if;

the guest key entered is the correct guest key for access to the content owner'"'"'s content;

or

the social network user has a preexisting relationship established in the social network with the content owner;

wherein the content owner disseminates the guest key to at least one social network user independent of the social network;

wherein when each social network user inputs the correct guest key to access the content owner'"'"'s permissioned content, a relationship between each social network user and the content owner is established with the social network;

wherein the permissioned content may be accessed by each social network user who inputs the correct guest key; and

wherein the guest key is independent of a password required for the content owner to login to the content owner'"'"'s account with the social network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the permissioned content comprises at least one of files uploaded from a local computer to the social network and information input into the social network with a computer input device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the content owner disseminates the guest key by at least one of the following:

electronically, including email;

orally;

telephonically, including via text message;

by instant message, and by paper.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the guest key is generated by the content owner.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the content owner may change the guest key.

6. An social network hosted on a computer comprising:

an account module that stores account specific information for a content owner in a content owner account, wherein each content owner account may store a guest key;

a content storage module that stores the content owner'"'"'s permissioned content; and

a receiving module that receives, on a per content owner account basis, the guest key to access the permissioned content of the content owner from an social network user;

an access module that provides access to the content owner'"'"'s permissioned content if one of the following conditions are met;

the receiving module receives the correct guest key from the social network user;

or

the social network user has a preexisting relationship with the content owner;

wherein when a guest user input the guest key to obtain permission to access the content in the social network, a relationship between the guest user and the content owner is established with the social network;

wherein the guest key is disseminated independently from the social network; and

wherein the social network comprises a plurality of content owner accounts.

7. The social network of claim 6, wherein a plurality of social network users are able to access the content owner'"'"'s content using the same guest key.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein uploading the content comprises at least one of uploading files from a local computer to the social network and entering information into the social network with a computer input device.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the disseminating is accomplished by at least one of the following:

email, orally, telephone, instant message, and by paper.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the guest key is user generated.

11. A method comprising using a local computer to:

create a guest key in a remote social network; and

store permissioned content with the social network;

wherein the guest key is associated with the permissioned content for the purposes of providing access to the permissioned content to contacts that do not have a preexisting relationship established with the content owner in the social network;

wherein the guest key is not the content owner'"'"'s password for logging into the social network;

wherein when each social network user inputs the correct guest key to access the content owner'"'"'s permissioned content, a friend relationship between each social network user and the content owner is established in the social network;

wherein the permissioned content comprises at least one of files uploaded from a local computer to the social network and information input into the social network with a computer input device;

wherein the guest key is disseminated to at least one contact independent of the social network; and

wherein each contact may use the guest key to obtain access the permissioned content in the social network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the content owner disseminates the guest key by at least one of the following:

electronically, including email;

orally;

telephonically, including via text message;

by instant message, and by paper.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the guest key is generated by the content owner.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the content owner may change the guest key.