Relationship and security in online social and professional networks and communities

Abstract

A method is provided for evolving a defined online existing relationship between a first member and a second member, the online existing relationship defined by a plurality of existing relationship features for use in managing network interaction on a communications network between the first member and the second member. The method comprising: receiving a new online relationship having new relationship features such that the new features are different from the existing relationship features, the new relationship features being characteristic of the new relationship; aggregating the existing relationship features and the new relationship features as aggregate relationship features a combination of the existing relationship features and the new relationship features in order to define an aggregate relationship; storing the aggregate relationship features in a storage as relationship data; and accessing the relationship data in order to determine whether a selected network interaction from one of the members is permitted.

I claim: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method for evolving, at a relationship administration system, a defined online existing relationship between a first member and a second member, the online existing relationship defined by a plurality of existing relationship features for use in managing network interaction on a communications network between the first member and the second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a new online relationship having new relationship features such that the new relationship features are different from the existing relationship features, the new relationship features being characteristic of the new relationship; 
 aggregating the existing relationship features and the new relationship features as aggregate relationship features by combining the existing relationship features and the new relationship features in order to define an aggregate relationship; 
 storing the aggregate relationship features in a storage as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing the aggregate relationship defined by the aggregate relationship features, the aggregate relationship features comprising of aggregate first role features of the first member and aggregate second role features of the second member, the aggregate first role features being different from the aggregate second role features in that the aggregate first role features define at least one of message content, or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message while the aggregate second role features omit or otherwise deny said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and 
 accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether a selected network message initiated by the first member for communication over the communications network for receipt by the second member is permitted in view of at least one of the corresponding aggregate relationship features of the aggregate relationship, and either allowing or denying to allow or deny the selected second network message to be communicated over the communications network from the first second member to the second member based on the relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member; 
 wherein said at least one of the corresponding aggregate relationship features of the aggregate relationship is used to define at least one of message type, message content, or and message format of the selected first network message and the second network message. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregate relationship features are shared between the first member and the second member. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein a first portion of the aggregate relationship features is assigned to a first aggregate relationship role of the aggregate relationship for the first member and a second portion of the aggregate relationship features is assigned to a second aggregate relationship role of the aggregate relationship for the second member. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first aggregate relationship role and the second aggregate relationship role are different, such that the first portion of the aggregate relationship features characterizes the first aggregate relationship role and the second portion of the aggregate relationship features characterizes the second aggregate relationship role, such that the first aggregate relationship role and the second aggregate relationship role are part of the aggregate relationship defined as an aggregate relationship pair between the first and second members. 
     
     
       5. A computer-implemented method for evolving, at a relationship administration system, a defined online existing relationship pair between a first member and a second member, the online existing relationship pair defined by a first existing relationship role assigned to the first member having a plurality of first existing role features for use in managing network interaction on a communications network between the first member and the second member, and a second existing relationship role assigned to the second member having a plurality of second existing role features for use in managing the network interaction between the first member and the second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a new online relationship pair having a first new relationship role and a second new relationship role, such that corresponding first new role features of the first new relationship role and the second new role features of the second new relationship role are different from the first existing role features and the second existing role features, the first new role features and the second new role features being characteristic of the new relationship pair; 
 aggregating the first existing role features and the first new role features as aggregate first role features by combining the first existing role features and the first new role features in order to define a first aggregate role; 
 aggregating the second existing role features and the second new role features as second aggregate role features by combining the second existing role features and the second new role features in order to define a second aggregate role; 
 storing the first aggregate role and the second aggregate role with their associated aggregate features in a storage as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing an aggregate relationship pair defined by the first and second aggregate roles and their corresponding aggregate role features, the aggregate first role features being different from the aggregate second role features in that the aggregate first role features define at least one of message content or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message while the aggregate second role features omit or otherwise deny said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and 
 accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether a selected network message initiated by the first member for communication over the communications network for receipt by the second member is permitted in view of at least one of the first or second aggregate roles or their associated aggregate role features of at least one of the first aggregate role or the second aggregate role of the aggregate relationship pair, and either allowing or denying to allow or deny the selected second network message to be communicated over the communications network from the first member to the second member based on the relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member; 
 wherein said at least one of the corresponding aggregate role or aggregate role features of at least one of the first aggregate role or the second aggregate role of the aggregate relationship pair is used to define at least one of message type, message content, or and message format of the selected first network message and the second network message. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of aggregating the first existing and first new role features involves the addition of a new feature from the first new role features to the first existing role features. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of aggregating the first existing and first new role features involves the deletion of an existing feature from the existing role features. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of aggregating the first existing and first new role features involves the substitution of a new feature from the first new role features exchange an existing feature of the existing role features. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the network message includes a network action associated with a profile of at least one of the first member or the second member. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of defining a minimum number of the first existing role features to remain as part of the first aggregate role features. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of defining a minimum number of the first new role features to become part of the first aggregate role features. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of defining in the said relationship data that the aggregate relationship pair is an active relationship pair that requires formal acceptance by the second member of the second new relationship role. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of defining in the said relationship data that the aggregate relationship pair is a passive relationship pair that does not require formal acceptance by the second member of the second new relationship role. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of defining the first new relationship role and the second new relationship role as directional roles, such that the first member must assume the first new relationship role in order for the second member to assume the second new relationship role. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first new role features and the second new role features are different from one another. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of defining in the said relationship data that the aggregate relationship pair is an active relationship pair that requires formal acceptance by the second member of the second new relationship role. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of defining in the said relationship data that the aggregate relationship pair is a passive relationship pair that does not require formal acceptance by the second member of the second new relationship role. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of defining the first new relationship role and the second new relationship role as directional roles, such that the first member must assume the first new relationship role in order for the second member to assume the second new relationship role. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first new role features and the second new role features are different from one another. 
     
     
       20. A computer-implement method for evolving, at a relationship administration system, a defined online existing relationship pair between a first member and a second member, the online existing relationship pair defined by a plurality of existing relationship features for use in managing network interaction on a communications network between the first member and the second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a new online relationship pair having corresponding new relationship features different from the existing relationship features, the new relationship features such that being characteristic of the new relationship pair; 
 combining the existing relationship features and the new relationship features to generate combined relationship features by adding a new feature from the new relationship features to the existing relationship features, such that a minimum number of the existing relationship features remain as part of the combined relationship features, the combined relationship features comprising combined first role features of the first member and combined second role features of the second member; 
 storing the combined relationship features in a storage as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing the new relationship pair for the first and second members defined by the corresponding respective combined relationship features, the combined first role features being different from the combined second role features in that the combined first role features define at least one of message content or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message while the combine second role features omit or otherwise deny said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and 
 accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether a selected network message initiated by the first member for communication over the communications network for receipt by the second member is permitted in view of at least one of the corresponding combined relationship features, and either allowing or denying to allow or deny the selected second network message to be communicated over the communications network from the first second member to the second member based on the relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member;
 wherein at least one of the corresponding combined relationship features of the new relationship pair is used to define at least one of message type, message content, or and message format of the selected first network message and the second network message. 
 
 
     
     
       21. A computer-implemented method for evolving, at a relationship administration system, a defined online existing relationship pair between a first member and a second member, the online existing relationship pair defined by a first existing relationship role assigned to the first member having a plurality of first existing role features for use in managing network interaction on a communications network between the first member and the second member, and a second existing relationship role assigned to the second member having a plurality of second existing role features for use in managing the network interaction between the first member and the second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a new online relationship pair having a corresponding first new role features and second new role features different from the first existing role features and second existing role features, the first new role features and second new role features being characteristic of the new relationship pair; 
 combining the first existing role features and the first new role features to generate first combined first role features by adding a new feature from the first new role features to the first existing role features, such that a minimum number of the first existing role features remain as part of the first combined first role features; 
 combining the second existing role features and the second new role features to generate second combined second role features by adding a new feature from the second new role features to the second existing role features, such that a minimum number of the second existing role features remain as part of the second combined second role features; 
 storing the first and second combined role features in a storage as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing the new relationship pair for the first and second members defined by the corresponding respective first and second combined role features, the combined first role features being different from the combined second role features in that the combined first role features define at least one of message content or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message while the combine second role features omit or otherwise deny said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and 
 accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether a selected network message initiated by the first member for communication over the communications network for receipt by the second member is permitted in view of at least one of the corresponding first or second combined role features, and either allowing or denying to allow or deny the selected second network message to be communicated over the communications network from the first second member to the second member based on the relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member;
 wherein at least one of the corresponding first or second combined role features of the new relationship pair is used to define at least one of message type, message content, or and message format of the selected first network message and the second network message. 
 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of defining a minimum number of the first new role features to become part of the first combined role features. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of defining a minimum number of the second new role features to become part of the second combined role features. 
     
     
       24. A computer implemented method for defining, at a relationship administration system, an online relationship pair between a first member and a second member, the relationship pair including a first relationship role assigned to the first member having a plurality of first role features for use in managing network interaction on a communications network between the first member and the second member, and a second relationship role assigned to the second member having a plurality of second role features for use in managing the network interaction between the first member and the second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 assigning the first relationship role to the first member such that the first role features are characteristic of the first relationship role; 
 assigning the second relationship role to the second member such that the second role features are characteristic of the second relationship role, such that the second member must confirm the second relationship role in order for the first member to be able to use the first relationship role in the network interaction between the first and second members; 
 storing the first relationship role and the second relationship role with their associated role features in a storage as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing the relationship pair, the first role features being different from the second role features in that the first role features define at least one of message content, or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message while the second role features omits or otherwise denies said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and 
 accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether a selected network message initiated by the first member for communication over the communications network for receipt by the second member is permitted in view of at least one of the corresponding relationship roles or role features of at least one of the first relationship role or second relationship role of the relationship pair, and either allowing or denying to allow or deny the selected second network message to be communicated over the communications network from the first second member to the second member based on the relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member; 
 wherein said at least one of the corresponding first or second relationship roles or role features of at least one of the first relationship role or the second relationship role of the relationship pair is used to define at least one of message type, message content, or and message format of the selected first network message and the second network message. 
 
     
     
       25. A computer-implemented method for deciding, at a relationship administration system, an online relationship pair between a first member and a second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 informing a first relationship role of the online relationship pair as a potential to the first member, the first relationship role comprising a plurality of first role features;   receiving confirmation of the first relationship role;   informing a second relationship role of the online relationship pair as a potential to the second member, the second relationship role comprising a plurality of second role features;   storing the first relationship role and the second relationship role between the first member and the second member as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing a defined relationship pair, the first role features being different from the second role features in that the first role features define at least one of message content, or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message by the first member while the second role features omit or otherwise deny said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and   accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether to allow or deny the second network message communicated over the communications network from the second member based on said relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member;   said at least one of the corresponding first or second relationship roles or the plurality of first role features or the plurality of second role features of the defined relationship pair is used to define at least one of network interaction type, network interaction content, or network interaction format of the first network message and the second network message.   
     
     
       26. The method of claim 25, wherein the defined relationship pair is a new relationship pair. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 25, wherein the relationship pair includes the first relationship role for the first member having a least one first role feature for use in managing network interactions on a communications network between the first member and the second member, and the second relationship role for the second member having at least one second role feature for use in managing the network interactions between the second member and the first member. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 25, wherein the second member confirms the second relationship role. 
     
     
       29. A computer-implemented method for defining, at a relationship administration system, a online relationship pair between a first member and a second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 based on a first relationship role of the online relationship pair for the first member, receiving a second relationship role of the online relationship pair for the second member from the first member, the first relationship role comprising a plurality of first role features and the second relationship role comprising a plurality of second role features;   sending the second relationship role of the online relationship pair to the second member;   storing the first relationship role and the second relationship role between the first member and the second member as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing a defined relationship pair for coordinating subsequent network interactions between the first member and the second member, the first role features being different from the second role features in that the first role features define at least one of message content, or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message by the first member while the second role features omit or otherwise deny said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and   accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether to allow or deny the second network message communicated over the communications network from the second member based on said relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member;   said at least one of the corresponding first or second relationship roles or the plurality of first role features or the plurality of second role features of the defined relationship pair is used to define at least one of network interaction type, network interaction content, or network interaction format of the first network message and the second network message.   
     
     
       30. The method of claim 29, wherein the network interaction is a network message. 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 30, wherein the network interaction is initiated by one of the members to the other of the members. 
     
     
       32. A computer-implemented method for facilitating, at a relationship administration system, a plurality of different online relationship pairs for selection between a first member and a second member, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first relationship role of a selected online relationship pair for the first member, the first relationship role comprising a plurality of first role features;   providing a second relationship role of the selected online relationship pair for the second member, the second relationship role comprising a plurality of second role features;   storing the first relationship role and the second relationship role between the first member and the second member as relationship data in a relationship matrix representing a defined relationship pair for coordinating subsequent network interactions between the first member and the second member, the first role features being different from the second role features in that the first role features define at least one of message content, or message type as permitted by the first member in a first network message by the first member while the second relationship role features omit or otherwise deny said at least one of the message content or message type from a second network message by the second member; and   accessing the relationship matrix to obtain the relationship data in order to determine whether to allow or deny the second network message communicated over the communications network from the second member based on said relationship data, the second message having said at least one of the message content or message type as a presentation on a user interface of the first member;   said at least one of the corresponding first or second relationship roles or the plurality of first role features or the plurality of second role features of the defined relationship pair is used to define at least one of network interaction type, network interaction content, or network interaction format of the first network message and the second network message.   
     
     
       33. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first member or the second member is a group of members. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first member or the second member is paired to a plurality of members. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 32, wherein the first member is paired to a third member. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 32, wherein the defined relationship pair is impacted by time. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 32, wherein the defined relationship pair is affected by events triggering relationship change. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 37, wherein the defined relationship pair is affected by occurrence of specific member actions. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 32, wherein the first member is a delegate of the second member. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 32, wherein the defined relationship pair is one of an active or a passive relationship. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim 25, wherein the defined relationship pair is one of a plurality of different possible relationship pairs between the first member and the second member, one of said plurality of different possible relationship pairs having different online interaction abilities of an interaction relative to another of said plurality of different possible relationship pairs, each of the different online interaction abilities of the interaction defining a corresponding connection option type defining information of the interaction as at least one of visible or sharable between the first member and the second member. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim 29, wherein the defined relationship pair is one of a plurality of different possible relationship pairs between the first member and the second member, one of said plurality of different possible relationship pairs having different online interaction abilities of an interaction relative to another of said plurality of different possible relationship pairs, each of the different online interaction abilities of the interaction defining a corresponding connection option type defining information of the interaction as at least one of visible or sharable between the first member and the second member. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 32, wherein the defined relationship pair is one of the plurality of different online relationship pairs between the first member and the second member, one of said plurality of different possible relationship pairs having different online interaction abilities of an interaction relative to another of said plurality of different possible relationship pairs, each of the different online interaction abilities of the interaction defining a corresponding connection option type defining information of the interaction as at least one of visible or sharable between the first member and the second member.