U.S. patent application number 11/531964 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for system and method for facilitating online social networking.
Invention is credited to Eric Leebow.
Application Number | 20080077595 11/531964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39226285 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080077595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leebow; Eric |
March 27, 2008 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING
Abstract
A method for operating a website for an online social networking
includes the steps of receiving a group picture containing a
plurality of individuals, receiving identification information
regarding the individuals in the group picture, displaying the
group picture, and selectively displaying labels for the
individuals after the individuals confirm that they have been
correctly identified. According to a preferred embodiment, each of
the plurality of individuals who are not registered users of the
website are automatically invited to become a registered user of
the website. According to another preferred embodiment, the
plurality of individuals are automatically registered as register
users of the website when the group picture is submitted by one of
the individuals.
Inventors: |
Leebow; Eric; (Cleveland,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BENESCH, FRIEDLANDER, COPLAN & ARONOFF LLP;ATTN: IP DEPARTMENT DOCKET
CLERK
2300 BP TOWER, 200 PUBLIC SQUARE
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
39226285 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531964 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20130101;
G06F 3/048 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/10 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. A method for operating a website for an online social networking
comprising the steps of: receiving a group picture containing a
plurality of individuals; receiving identification information
regarding the individuals in the group picture; and displaying the
group picture; selectively displaying labels for the individuals
after the individuals confirm that they have been correctly
identified.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the labels include box
tags about heads of the individuals.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
displaying a profile when a label is selected.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
automatically cropping the head of an individual from the group
picture and using the cropped head as a profile picture for the
user.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
displaying the group picture with labels identifying less than all
of the individuals in the group picture.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
automatically inviting each of the plurality of individuals who are
not registered users of the website to become a registered user of
the website.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
automatically registering the plurality of individuals as register
users of the website.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
providing an operation button which displays the labels when
pressed.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of
providing the operation button with left and right portions to step
between the labels of the individuals in the group picture.
10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of
providing the operation button with next and previous portions to
step between a plurality of group pictures.
11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
selectively displaying at least one speech bubble on the group
picture.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step
of receiving a request for the speech bubble from a registered user
and displaying the speech bubble only after the individual in the
group picture associated with the speech bubble approves display of
the speech bubble.
13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step
of providing an activation button to selectively display and hide
the speech bubble.
14. A method for operating a website for an online social
networking comprising the steps of: receiving a picture containing
at least one individual; selectively displaying at least one speech
bubble on the picture.
15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step
of receiving a request for the speech bubble from a registered user
and displaying the speech bubble only after the individual in the
picture associated with the speech bubble approves display of the
speech bubble.
16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step
of providing an activation button to selectively display and hide
the speech bubble.
17. A method for operating a website for an online social
networking comprising the steps of: displaying user profile pages
including a plurality of fields; displaying a search box when a
field is selected; and enabling a search to be performed
contextually relevant to the field selected.
18. A method for operating a website for an online social
networking comprising the steps of: displaying user profile pages;
and enabling visiting users to customize display of portlets for
the profile pages.
19. A method for operating a website for an online social
networking comprising the steps of: displaying a mini-profile when
a user moves a curser over one of a user name and a user picture;
and displaying a profile when a user selects one of a user name and
a user picture.
20. A method for operating a website for an online social
networking comprising the steps of: displaying user profile pages;
and enabling a visiting user to make the profile pages tabs on a
home page of the visiting user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally relates to a computer-based
data and information systems accessed via the Internet and, more
particularly, to computer-based systems that facilitate social
networking via the Internet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A category of Internet applications known as online social
networks are increasingly popular and are becoming an increasingly
influential part of contemporary pop culture. These social
networking websites help connect friends, business partners, or
other individuals together using a variety of tools. The websites
typically offer an interactive, user-submitted network of profiles,
blogs, groups, photos, MP3s, videos, an internal e-mail system,
etc. Examples of such websites are MySpace, Facebook, Bebo,
Friendster, Xanga, My Yearbook, Classmates.com, and Live
Journal.
[0006] Once a user registers as a member at a social networking
website, they typically create their own profile which contains
standard interests and personal details such as marital status and
physical appearance. Often images can be uploaded and an image can
be chosen as the "default Image" that is seen on the profile's main
page etc. Some websites provide the option of uploading videos. The
profile often displays a number of the member's friends. On some
websites, the member and/or the member's friends can leave comments
for all viewers to read. Typically, the member has the option to
delete any comments and/or must approve all comments before
posting.
[0007] Members often can invite existing friends to join and search
the user base of profiles for new friends. To invite existing
friends, automated emails can be sent to the member's friends for
their registration to the website. To find new friends, the user
can search the site's profiles using search characteristics like
age, gender, marital status, geographical location, etc.
[0008] While these online social networks are immensely popular,
some are rather simplistic and don't provide much in the way of
content and others are relatively difficult to use. Additionally,
there is a never ending desire to provide additional features and
improved ease of use. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for
an improved online social networking system and method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a system and method for
online social networking which addresses one or more problems of
the related art. According to the present invention, a method for
operating a website for an online social networking comprises the
steps of receiving a group picture containing a plurality of
individuals, receiving identification information regarding the
individuals in the group picture, displaying the group picture, and
selectively displaying labels for the individuals after the
individuals confirm that they cave been correctly identified.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for operating a website for an online social networking
comprises the steps of receiving a picture containing at least one
individual and selectively displaying at least one speech bubble on
the picture.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method for operating a website for an online social networking
comprises the steps of displaying user profile pages including a
plurality of fields, displaying a search box when a field is
selected, and enabling a search to be performed contextually
relevant to the field selected.
[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method for operating a website for an online social networking
comprises the steps of displaying user profile pages and enabling
visiting users to customize display of portlets for the profile
pages.
[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method for operating a website for an online social networking
comprises the steps of displaying a mini-profile when a user moves
a curser over one of a user name and a user picture and displaying
a profile when a user selects one of a user name and a user
picture.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method for operating a website for an online social networking
comprises the steps of displaying user profile pages and enabling a
visiting user to make the profile pages tabs on a home page of the
visiting user.
[0015] From the foregoing disclosure and the following more
detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention
provides a significant advance in the technology and art of a
system and method for online social networking. Particularly
significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords
for providing a high quality, reliable, feature, rich, easy to
website. Additional features and advantages of various preferred
embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed
description provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and further features of the present invention will be
apparent with reference to the following description and drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an online social networking
system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a search results screen of the system of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is another search results screen of the system of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a user profile page of the system of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a screen for using a group picture to invite
friends to the website of the system of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a screen for using a group picture to register a
group of friends to the website of the system of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIGS. 7a to 7b are screens showing group pictures during
operation of an operator button of the system of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an operator button for use
with group pictures in the system of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative operator
button for use with group pictures in the system of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 10a is a screen showing a group picture with a speech
bubble button of the system of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 10b is a screen showing the group picture of FIG. 10a
with the speech bubble button activated and speech bubbles viewable
on the group picture;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of contextual based search
window of the system of FIG. 1; and
[0029] FIGS. 12a and 12b are diagrammatic views of a portal
customization window of the system of FIG. 1.
[0030] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not
necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various preferred features illustrative of the
basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of
the online social networking system as disclosed herein, including,
for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and
shapes of the various components, will be determined in part by the
particular intended application and use environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to
those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology,
that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved
online social networking system disclosed herein. The following
detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred
embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the
invention. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will
be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0032] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the embodiments described herein are shown and described. It
will of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such
implementation, numerous specific decisions must be made in order
to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with
application and/or business related constraints, and that these
specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and
from one developer to another. Additionally, it will be appreciated
that such development might be complex and time-consuming, but
would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0033] In accordance with the present invention, the components,
process steps and/or data structures may be implemented using
various types of operating systems, computer platforms, computer
programs, and/or general purpose machines. Those of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that devices of less general purpose or
nature, such as hard wired devices, field programmable gate arrays
FP-Gas), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the
like may also be used without departing from the spirit of the
inventions disclosed herein.
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates the general architecture of an online
social networking system 10 that operates according to one
embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of user interface
devices 12 are connected to the system 10 via the Internet 14. Each
user interface device 12 may be any device capable of presenting
data including, but not limited to, personal computers, cellular
telephones, television sets, handheld digital personal assistants,
and the like. The illustrated user interface devices 12 display
graphical user interface (GUI) displays 16 to the users. As used
herein, the term the "Internet" generally refers to the so called
world wide network that connects networks to each other using the
Internet Protocol (IP) and other similar protocols. While the
illustrated embodiment utilizes the public network, the invention
applies equally well to other public and private networks,
including systems having architectures dissimilar to that
illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, but not limited thereto, the
system 10 of the present invention can find application a closed
university system or a private network of a company.
[0035] The illustrated system 10 is connected to the Internet 14
through a router 18 and a switch 20. As well known in the art, the
router 18 forwards packets of information between networks. The
router 18 forwards information packets between the system 10 and
the user interface devices 12 via the Internet 14. The switch 20
acts as a gatekeeper to and from the Internet 14. A load balancer
22 balances traffic across a plurality of mirrored servers 24, 26,
28. While the illustrated embodiment shows three of the servers 24,
26, 28, any suitable number can be utilized. The illustrated
servers 24, 26, 28, comprise a web application server 30 that sends
out web pages in response to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
requests from remotes browsers and a computer server 32 that serves
as the application layer of the illustrated system 10. The web
server 30 provides web pages to users of the system 10 which are
displayed on the user interface devices 12 as the GUI displays. An
image server 34 stores and provides digital images to other
components of the system 10. A mail server 36 sends and receives
electronic messages to and from the user interface devices 12. A
database 38 and database software 40 are also provided. A firewall
42 provides protection from unauthorized access to the system 10. A
second switch 44 allows components of the system 10 to be connected
in a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the
like. Thus, data can be transferred to and from the various
components.
[0036] The computer server 32 may include a central processing unit
(CPU), random access memory (RAM), and read only memory (ROM). The
computer server 32 may be generally controlled and coordinated by
operating system software. The operating system controls allocation
of system resources and performs tasks such as processing,
scheduling, memory management, networking, and I/O services among
other things. The operating system is executed by the CPU and
coordinates operation of the other components of the system 10.
[0037] The image server 34 manages digital photographs and other
human viewable images. The image server 34 may be configured
separately from the web server 30 or the web server 30 and the
image server 34 can be configured together. Examples of image
formats that can be managed by the image server 34 include, but are
not limited to, Graphical Interchange Format (GIF), Joint
Photographics Experts Group (JPEG), Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
or Tagged Image File (TIF).
[0038] The mail server 36 is a repository for e-mail messages
received from the Internet 14. The mail server 36 also manages the
transmission of electronic messages ("electronic mail or "e-mail").
The mail server 36 includes a storage area, a set of user definable
rules, a list of users and a series of communications modules.
[0039] The databases 38, 40 store software, descriptive data,
digital images, system data and any other data item required by the
components of the system 10. The databases may be provided, for
example, as a database management system (DBMS), an object-oriented
database management system (ODBMS), a relational database
management system (e.g. DB@, ACCESS, etc.), a file system, or any
other conventional database package. The databases 38, 40 can be
accessed via a structured query language (SQL) or other tools known
to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0040] The components appearing in the illustrated system 10 refer
to an exemplary combination of components needed to provide the
tools and services contemplated by the present invention. As will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various components can
be eliminated, additional quantities of the illustrated components
can be added, other components can be added, and the components can
be configured in other ways within the scope of the present
invention.
[0041] A user utilizes the user interface 12 to access the system
10 and register as a member of the online social networking system
10. The system provides a screen in which the user can provide
descriptive data that enables the user to login securely and be
identified by the system. Once a registered member, the user can
construct their own profile. This can consist of uploading
photographs and videos that can be viewed on the user's profile as
described in more detail hereinafter.
[0042] A user can also search profiles of other users. FIG. 2 shows
an exemplary search page or screen 44 showing search results 46. As
shown, the user can search by name or can use an advanced search
wherein other search criteria are utilized. The illustrated search
page 44 shows the search results 46 in rows and columns wherein the
search results are in the form of a photograph 47 and name of the
user meeting the search criteria. When the user selects one of the
search results 46, such as by moving a mouse curser over the
photograph, an information box 48 appears that contains information
about the selected user. The illustrated information box 48
includes the user's name, photograph, network and/or school, major
and/or year in school, geographical location. The illustrated
information box 48 also includes links to view friends of the
selected user, "Freeze Crowds" which are groups of friends of the
selected user, award points of the selected user and rank within
network, gifts of the selected user, and a photo album of the
selected user. The illustrated information box 48 further includes
links to send a message to the selected user, instant message the
selected user, forward information about the selected user to a
friend, add the selected user to the user's list of friends.
[0043] By selecting an icon 50 at the top of the search page, the
user can change the presentation format of the search results 46.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary search screen 44 showing the search
results 46 in rows wherein the search results 46 generally include
all of the information in the information boxes 48 described above.
Thus, fewer users are viewed on a single page but all of the
information is shown without opening individual text information
boxes 48.
[0044] By selecting the photograph 47 on the search results 46,
such as by clicking on the photograph 47 with a mouse, the user can
display the profile page 52 for the selected user. FIG. 4 shows an
exemplary profile screen or page 52 of a user. The illustrated
profile page 52 includes an "about me" window which includes the
selected user's name, photograph, school, year in school, major,
birthday, e-mail address, website address, a personal message from
the selected user, and a photo album. The illustrated profile page
includes an "message" window which includes information from the
selected user. The illustrated profile page also includes a
"friends" window which includes photographs of all or some of the
selected user's friends. The illustrated "friends" window also
includes links to the profile pages of the friends. The illustrated
profile page also includes a "Freeze Crowds" window 54 which
includes photographs 56 of groups of friends of the selected user's
friends. The illustrated "Freeze Crowds" window 54 also includes
links to more information regarding the photographs 56. The
illustrated profile page 52 also displays information about friends
of the selected user that are in other networks such as the names
of the networks and the number of friends in each of the networks.
The illustrated profile page also includes links to "FreezeFriend"
or make the selected user a friend of the user, send a message to
the selected user, and to make the profile page 52 of the selected
user a tab 58 on the user's home page.
[0045] A registered user can invite a friend or friends to join the
website by uploading a group picture or photograph 56 to the
website. As used herein, the term the "group picture" generally
refers a photograph showing a plurality of individuals. FIG. 5
shows an exemplary invitation page or screen 60 for using a group
picture 56 to invite friends to join the website. Once the group
picture 56 is uploaded, the user labels or tags the picture 56 by
identifying the people in the group picture 56 by first and last
name and e-mail address. The user also puts a box or box tag 62
around each person's head. Once the information is entered and the
"Invite the FreezeCrowd" button 64 is selected, an e-mail
invitation is automatically sent to each friend identified in the
group picture 56. Each friend receives an email invite which
enables them to sign up for the website and asks them to confirm
their presence in the group picture 56. By default the group
picture 56 is cropped and enlarged (based on where the user put the
box 62 around person's head) to create the friend's main profile
picture 47. A person is not tagged or identified by box 62 in a
group picture 56 for viewing on the website by others until they
confirm their presence in the group picture 56. The group picture
56 remains on the website even if one or more people in the group
picture 56 do not sign up for the website. A person in the group
picture 56 who declines, can always be re-invited to the website
through group picture invitation at a later time, unless they opt
out from receiving invitations from the website. Any person in a
group picture 56 who is not already a registered member of the
website can be invited to the website through picture invitation.
This process can also be used in connection with uploaded videos,
where video face detection is used to tag pictures of persons in
the video.
[0046] A similar process can be used to register yourself and
friends to the website at the same time by uploading a group
picture or photograph 56 to the website. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary
registration page or screen 66 for using a group picture 56 to
register of group of people to the website. A group of people can
together register to the website with a group picture 56 by putting
a box 62 around each of the heads in the group picture 56, and
tagging the people in the picture by identifying the people in the
group picture 56 by first and last name and e-mail address. The
registrant who registers everyone in the group picture 56 enters a
password and registers by selecting the "Register FreezeCrowd"
button 68. Everyone else in the group picture 56 registers to the
website when they receive a link sent to them through e-mail which
leads them to a webpage where they can complete the registration
process. This process can also be used in connection with uploaded
videos, where video face detection is used to tag pictures of
persons in the video.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 7a, when a "FreezeCrowd` or group picture
56 is viewed on the website, the user sees the group picture 56 as
uploaded. However, when the user presses a "FreezeCrowd" or
operating button 70 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), the user sees boxes
72 around the heads of the persons in the group picture 56 (best
shown in FIG. 7b). The name of each person can also be displayed in
or near their box if desired. FIG. 8 illustrates a suitable
"FreezeCrowd" button 70 which is preferably located near the bottom
right corner of each "FreezeCrowd" group picture 56. FIG. 9 shows
an alternative FreezeCrowd" button 70. It is noted that the
"FreezeCrowd" button 70 can take any suitable form. This
"FreezeCrowd" button 70 preferably follows the user's mouse curser
when the user moves over their curser over the picture 56. When the
"FreezeCrowd" button 70 is pressed, a user can get more information
on a user in the picture 56 by hovering over their name and/or box
72 over the head or clicking on their name or box 72 so that a mini
profile 74 is displayed (best shown in FIG. 7c). The illustrated
"FreezeCrowd" button 70 has a next mini profile arrow or button 76
for the user to see the next mini profile 74 in the group picture
56 and a previous mini profile arrow or button 78 for the user to
see the previous mini profile 74 in the group picture 56 (best
shown in FIG. 7d). The illustrated next "FreezeCrowd" button 70
also has a next picture arrow or button 80 for the user to see the
next group picture 56 or "FreezeCrowd" and a previous picture arrow
or button 82 for the user to see the previous group picture 56 or
"FreezeCrowd" in the gallery of group pictures 56 (best shown in
FIG. 7e).
[0048] Head detection technology may be used to detect a person's
head in a group picture 56. This process is used with filtered
colors to identify the person in the group picture 56 by adding a
color filter to the group picture 56 when the user hovers their
mouse curser over the name or picture. When the "FreezeCrowd"
button 70 is pressed, a filter may blink for a second for a special
effect. The color of the box 72 around a user's head will
correspond to colors on their user profile page 52 (see FIG. 4). A
colored filter may be shown to outline a person, their head, or any
other desired item.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, a user preferably can create
a visible speech bubble 84 for a "FreezeCrowd` or group picture 56
and tag or associate that speech bubble 84 with a particular
individual in the group picture 56. The user preferably has the
ability to edit the speech bubble 84 once they have been tagged to
an individual. A speech bubble 84 preferably can only be tagged
onto the image of a registered user of the site and the tagged user
must confirm that the speech bubble 84 is acceptable for display
before it will be shown in a group picture 56 on the website.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 10a, a bubble activation button 86 appears
below the group picture 56 when the group picture 56 is displayed
once a speech bubble 84 has been confirmed by the tagged user. The
activation button 86 provides a visual indicator that speech
bubbles 84 exist for viewing and, when selected, activates the
speech bubbles 84 associated with particular individuals in the
displayed group picture 56 so that the speech bubbles are viewable
in connection with the group picture 56. The illustrated activation
button 86 is in the shape of a speech bubble and is identified as
the "Speech Bubble Button" but any other suitable configuration and
name can alternatively be utilized. As shown in FIG. 10b, speech
bubbles 84 that have been tagged to particular individuals in the
group pictures 56 are viewable once the activation button 86 is
pressed. The speech bubbles 84 appear in the group picture 56 next
to the tagged individual an contain the text that was entered and
approved. By pressing the activation button 86 again, the speech
bubbles 84 are hidden from view (as shown in FIG. 10a). Thus, the
user can selectively view and hide the speech bubbles 84 as
desired. Preferably, the text in the speech bubbles 84 can be
searched.
[0051] It is noted that preferably tag items other than just speech
bubbles 84 can be added and tagged to individuals in the group
picture 56. For example, the tag items can include angel wings,
hats and other items which can be tagged to people in a picture 56.
Other activation buttons are provided to represent those tag items
and show that such items have been tagged to the group picture 56
and enable those tag items to be selectively displayed and hidden
from the picture.
[0052] A contextual based "FreezeWord" is a technology that works
within the website. When a user of the website visits a user
profile page 52 (see FIG. 4), they are able to view different
sections known as fields provided in the profile page 52. These
fields may consist of Favorite Music, Favorite Movies, Favorite
Books, Favorite Television Shows, Favorite Places, Interests, and
others. As best shown in FIG. 11, the user can click or mouse over
a Field such as "Movies" and a movie search box 88 with search
engine provided by Google is provided in context to movies. It is
noted that any other suitable search engine other than Google can
alternatively be utilized. The search is a specific Movie Search,
Book Search, etc. The user can search for a movie or any value
created by another on demand, or any field, whereas the user would
enter their own search which will be contextually relevant to that
field or section (movies, books, music, television etc.) of the
profile. The user can click on a "Value" which corresponds to the
Field and search for that "Value" in a contextual manner which
relates back to that word. So that, if the word is a movie, the
user can search for it via a movie search, a book, music, and such.
Contextual search works via making categories for fields, and
searching for values within this search, or searching an entered
value within a Field. The user is able to take a contextual value
from one user's profile and add this value to their own profile.
For instance, if a profile page for another person has a movie
listed that a visiting user likes, the visiting user can click on
"add to (name of movie)" to my profile. This can be done without
having to edit their profile page. If a user would like to
highlight a word within another user's profile page, the user can
do so, by clicking on the word and clicking highlight word, in a
different color. Various search methods can be customized for the
user, and provided in the menu for the user to search, but the
innovation of contextual search is that the search menu is relevant
to the field or section the user is in. Search history and RSS
Feeds can be added to the "FreezeWords", and "FreezeWords" can be
customized by choosing specific categories and sections. Keywords
can be tagged with icon images, and words can be tagged with
annotated sentences which describe the keyword. For example, but
not limited thereto, someone may use the keyword "my dog" and the
annotation may be "I like to walk my dog Sparky in the park" and
there could be an icon (sized 128.times.128 pixel image) of Sparky
when they click on "my dog" in the person's interests. By default
there will be icons which associate with keywords, for instance an
image of a dog for the keyword dog will be shown. If the user
likes, they can customize this image only on their own profile
page.
[0053] A portal to the website is provided for each of user. This
portal can be customized by visiting users for improved navigation,
and added viewing enjoyment. A user visits another users profile
page 52 (see FIG. 4), and looks at the navigation menu on top. The
visiting user can customize the portal in new ways that have not
been done before, which makes this a unique innovation. The portal
can be customized with movement of columns, rows, portlets,
randomization, cascade stairs, and different shapes. As best shown
in FIGS. 12a and 12b, customization includes: (A) one, two or three
columns, where columns can have splits such as a 25/70 Split for
two columns or a 30/30/30 split for a three column; (B) rotate
clockwise or rotate counterclockwise, where users can click the
rotate button to navigate with portlets and the content and title
from portlet number one can move to portlet number four, and
portlet number four moves to portlet number seven, and so forth;
(C) move row up, move row down, move column left, move column
right, where the user can move one portlet by clicking on these
buttons and portlet one would move to portlet two, and portlet
three would move to portlet one each of the columns in the portlet;
(D) randomize would move portlets randomly within the portlet, and
this is more of a "fun feature" for the user; (E) floating of
portlets in a fixed matrix portal would allow a user to detach and
attach a portlet from the portal and the ser can also expand and
collapse the portlet when detached.
[0054] Users of the website can see mini profiles and profiles on
demand in an iFrame browser which can be detached to make the
iFrame browser a tab. The user mouses over a user name and/or
picture anywhere on the website and a mini profile is shown. If the
user clicks on a picture or a the user's name or a flag attached to
the user's name, the user will be shown a profile on demand in an
iFrame browser. The user can click on a button in the toolbar of
the iFrame browser to detach the iFrame to make it a tab on the
website. Similar user functionality can be used for viewing web
sites on the website.
[0055] It is apparent from the above detailed description of the
present invention, that the present invention provides a system and
method that facilitates online social networking that provides
improved ease of use and useful new tools and features.
[0056] From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of
certain preferred embodiments, it is also apparent that various
modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are
possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the
present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and
described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the
present invention and its practical application to thereby enable
one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to
the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and
variations are within the scope of the present invention as
determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance
with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably
entitled.
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