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Methods for virally forwarding a search in a social networking systemRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Database And File Management Or Data Structures, Database Or File Accessing, Query Processing (i.e., Searching)Methods for virally forwarding a search in a social networking system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070250483, Methods for virally forwarding a search in a social networking system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/674,027, filed Feb. 12, 2007, which is related to and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application with Ser. No. 60/773,008, filed on Feb. 13, 2006. This patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a "people-networking" scheme that may be embodied in computer software and/or hardware and that can be characterized as both a browser and broker of human networks on the Internet. When used in a computer network environment employing a client-server architecture, a client-side software application may act as a browser and relationship manager while a server component may act as a broker. When used in a peer-to-peer or distributed server architecture, the broker function can be distributed. BACKGROUND [0003] One theory behind social networking postulates that if person A wishes to meet person B, s/he can leverage friends and acquaintances to achieve that result. In the course of conducting their everyday affairs (whether personal or business), people generally access their networks of contacts for referrals, information and/or advice on a variety of matters, for example [0004] When choosing a physician [0005] When seeking a new employee or employer [0006] When investigating new investment opportunities. [0007] In examples such as these, an individual's decisions can be made more efficient if s/he has access to the advice of trusted associates and friends. However, it is often the case that an individual will find that s/he does not know anyone with the information s/he needs at a specific place and time. In such a situation, the individual may try going out an extra degree within his or her own "human networks" by asking a contact to provide the name of a contact who may have the needed information. This presents a quandary for the person asked for a referral--namely, whether or not to reveal his or her contacts to the requester. By making such revelations, the "connector" may compromise his or her network or expose one or more of his or her contacts to unwanted solicitations. By not making the referral, however, the connector may risk his or her association with the person seeking the referral. Whether or not to make the referral often depends upon the degree of trust that the connector has in the person seeking the referral and any past experiences in making such referrals to the target referee. [0008] Even where the referral is ultimately made, there is no guarantee that the referee is going to be a suitable candidate for the original requestor's purpose. Thus, the requester may be forced to track down a number of leads (many of which may be unsuitable) in the hope of finding a suitable target. This process is rather inefficient, usually because a) the requestor does not have enough information about the contacts of his or her contacts in order to determine which contacts to approach for referrals, and/or b) the requestor has failed to properly elucidate his or her requirements and/or because the requester was not provided with sufficient information regarding the potential target to be able to eliminate him or her from further consideration. In other words, the profiles of the desired target and the resulting candidates were not sufficiently developed to meaningfully assist in the selection process. [0009] Despite their inefficiencies, human networks are central to most, if not all, value-creating activities and operate at multiple levels, including personal networks (the personal and professional contacts each of us has), organizational networks (links within and between organizations), and associations and interest groups (people attracted by common values, interests, and goals). Today, many individuals may also be regarded as existing online community members, members of organizational networks (independent consultants, alliances, partnerships, consortiums, associations) or employees of small to large companies. They engage in human development, organizational learning, training, management, brokering, marketing, sales, trade, research, and consulting activities, all of which depend, to some degree, on inter-human networks. Such individuals generally understand the value of computer networks as tools for sharing information, but presently these individuals have only limited access to tools that can give them an edge (e.g., a competitive advantage) to make better human network connections on the Internet. However, even with the advantages provided by the Internet, opportunity is still limited by the reach of an individual's personal network. [0010] Others have recognized some of these deficiencies and have proposed partial solutions. For example, some prior schemes for leveraging human network characteristics show the benefit of using automated means to assist in decision-making processes regarding the use of such networks. However, these schemes do not assist in the forming of relationships or introductions among members of disparate human networks nor do they provide for the brokering function discussed above, which is critical to the exchange of social capital among individuals. Other schemes include access control systems that generally allow only intended users to have access to information. Such systems may make use of encryption schemes, such as public/private key encryption schemes, or other access controls such as: [0011] Simple access that is either open or closed. [0012] Schemes wherein data or data areas are separated into public and private (or further) designations. [0013] Schemes which use multiple access groups to which people and other groups are assigned. [0014] Schemes involving role-based access control. [0015] In addition to access control schemes, other profiling systems do exist and are often used as adjuncts to e-commerce technologies to provide some limited contact book updating capabilities. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] The present invention provides advanced filtering, searching and reference checking tools and methods for use with and within social networking applications. [0017] One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented method in which one or more software agents broker matches between user-specified search criteria and targets, report such matches according to the level of identity between the search criteria and information found in profiles of the potential targets. The method also provides for a "one-click" reference search to allow a searcher to access information pertaining to the potential target among other sources within the searcher's network of connections, and then report on such references, ranked according to instructions specified by the searcher. [0018] In one embodiment, a user interface (UI) object (e.g., a one-click reference search button) is provided, for example, on a web page displayed at a user's client device. When selected, the UI object causes a reference search query to be generated. The search query identifies the user performing the search, and a target person for whom the user would like a reference. The search query is communicated to, and processed by, a social networking system (e.g., through an API function call). In turn, the social networking system returns information about potential references to the client. [0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, a one-click reference feature allows a user to automatically initiate an introduction request to an individual within the user's social network who has a direct connection to one or more of the targets identified during the user's search. [0020] In another embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method in which incoming messages are scanned, and the senders' names (and other user-definable information) are compared to a social networking application database, thereby initiating a search for a profile that matches the sender within the database. Upon locating such a profile, summary information concerning the sender (e.g., as extracted from the database) is displayed along with the incoming message. [0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, incoming messages (e.g., e-mail messages, IM messages, etc.) are filtered by a computer implemented system according to user-definable instructions. The filtered messages are prioritized, again according to user-definable criteria, and information therein used to search a social networking application database for summary information regarding the senders of the filtered and prioritized messages, such that each message can be displayed along with that summary information. [0022] The incoming messages may be filtered according to user-definable instructions that include one or more of the following: a sender's relationship to the recipient as determined by the social networking application, the sender's current title and place of employment, the sender's profile summary, as entered by the sender into the social networking application, reputation information about the sender as derived from the social networking application, relevance of the content of the message as compared to the interests of the recipient which the recipient may have recorded in his or her own profile in the social networking application or elsewhere, and the relevance of the content of the sender's profile to the recipient's profile, as recorded for each in the social networking application or elsewhere. [0023] Another embodiment of the invention provides a computer implemented method that provides a mechanism for viral forwarding of searches conducted within a social networking application. A user is permitted to select criteria for a search within a social networking database, conduct the search and view results displayed, and is then offered a list of individuals to whom the search criteria and results could be forwarded in order to obtain improved results by virtue of access to the personal networks of those other individuals. Such a list may include individuals that satisfy user-definable criteria. and such individuals may be ranked according to user-specified criteria. The user may also be able to select individuals from the list recommended by the system to whom the search should be forwarded. An embodiment of the invention would also allow the user to attach a message to the forwarded search. [0024] In still another embodiment of the invention, a mechanism is provided whereby each person receiving a forwarded search may in turn forward that same search to others. Each time a search is so forwarded, if permitted by the searcher, the individual forwarding the search has the ability to modify, add to, or otherwise alter the search. Individuals receiving forwarded searches are selected based on user-definable criteria, wherein those criteria can include one or more of the following: connection threshold, connection strength, affiliations with organizations, industries or employers, schooling, or other elements of profiles the user wishes to use as a filter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] These and other more detailed and specific objects and features of the present invention are more fully disclosed in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a Web page, and in particular a member profile page, for a social network platform including a "One Click Reference Checking Option" displayed therein; Continue reading about Methods for virally forwarding a search in a social networking system... Full patent description for Methods for virally forwarding a search in a social networking system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Methods for virally forwarding a search in a social networking system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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