Method and system for seeding online social network contacts
US7885901B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/306
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards seeding a user's contacts for their online social network. The invention is arranged to automatically recommend to the user a set of seed contacts that the user may employ to invite to join their social network. The set of seed contacts may be harvested from the user's existing portal activities, as well as other sources. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes portal activity, such as email exchanges with the user, and the like, to determine a frequency of contact with the user. Other sources may include but not be limited to emails, names within an address book of the user, names within an address book of another person, a buddy list, an instant messaging list, an activity, a mailing list, an online discussion group, a membership in a category, chat group, and the like.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.