Dynamic identification of other users to an online user

Abstract

Informing a user of a large scale network dynamically of other network users includes determining dynamically an online context of the user. Other users presently within the online context of the user are identified and trait information is stored that is related essentially only to the user or to the other users in a users store associated with the online context. The user is informed dynamically of the other users based on the stored trait information, such as, for example, an age or other demographic identifier, or information indicative of an expertise, interest, preference, user type and/or other quality of the user or of the other individual.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of comprising:
 receiving, from a first user of a social networking system, a usage control restriction for a second user of the social communications system;   identifying, using at least one processor, non-compliance of the usage control restriction by the second user of the social communications system; and   notifying the first user of the social communications system of the non-compliance of the usage control restriction.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising restricting activity of the second user of the social communications system in accordance with the usage control restriction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the social communications system comprises an instant message system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the usage control restriction is a time-based restriction. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the time-based restriction is an amount of time during a day in which the second user is allowed to use the social communications system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the time-based restriction is a time period during a day in which the second user is not allowed to use the social communications system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the usage control restriction is a location-based restriction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the usage control restriction is a restriction of visiting an online location. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
 receive, from a first user of a social networking system, a usage control restriction for a second user of the social communications system; 
 identify, using at least one processor, non-compliance of the usage control restriction by the second user of the social communications system; and 
 notify the first user of the social communications system of the non-compliance of the usage control restriction. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to restrict activity of the second user of the social communications system in accordance with the usage control restriction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the social communications system comprises an instant message system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the usage control restriction is a time-based restriction. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the time-based restriction is an amount of time during a day in which the second user is allowed to use the social communications system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the time-based restriction is a time period during a day in which the second user is not allowed to use the social communications system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the usage control restriction is a location-based restriction. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the usage control restriction is a restriction of visiting an online location. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a computer device to:
 receive, from a first user of a social networking system, a usage control restriction for a second user of the social communications system;   identify, using at least one processor, non-compliance of the usage control restriction by the second user of the social communications system; and   notify the first user of the social communications system of the non-compliance of the usage control restriction.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computer device to restrict activity of the second user of the social communications system in accordance with the usage control restriction. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 18 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computer device to:
 determine an online location of the second user; and   determine whether the online location of the second user is in violation of the usage control rule.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the social communications system comprises an instant message system.