Patent ID: 8364753
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: G06Q,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method 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 the steps of: 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 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 representing the aggregate relationship defined by the aggregate relationship features; and accessing 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 the selected network message to be communicated over the communications network from the first member to the second member based on the relationship data; 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 message format of the selected network message.