Social network system and method of operation

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.

1 . A method performed by a social network system accessible over a data network with a plurality of data input devices connectable to said data network, said social network system including a plurality of entity data records each relating to a corresponding user entity and containing one or more entity attributes including at least one identifying characteristic of said corresponding user entity, said method including providing, via said data network, a given user entity with:
 a virtual, unique, personal, social network (hereinafter ‘social network’) formed from connections between contacts, said contacts including other user entities connected directly or indirectly to said given user entity;   respective interrelationship context information including:
 details of any common entity attributes, and/or 
 a connection factor, 
   between two contacts and/or between a contact and the given user entity;   access to at least part of at least one the entity data records;   the option to take a role in a predetermined activity and/or application via said data network, wherein said role includes at least one of provider or participant, wherein
 a provider is a user entity providing an item or service to at least one other user entity; and 
 a participant is a user entity utilising said provider's item or service.