Patent ID: 7188153
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: G06Q,H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer system for managing connection between registered users of an online social network, comprising: a server computer; and a database of registered users that stores for each registered user, a user ID of the registered user and a set of user IDs of registered users who are directly connected to the registered user, wherein the server computer has a programmable setting for a maximum degree of separation (Nmax) of at least two, wherein two registered users who are directly connected are deemed to be separated by one degree of separation, and two registered users who are connected through N, but no less than N, other registered users are deemed to be separated by N+1 degrees of separation, and wherein the server computer is programmed to search for a connection between a first registered user and a second registered user through one or more other registered users by searching for the user ID of the second registered user in the sets of user IDs that are stored for registered users who are less than Nmax degrees of separation away from the first registered user, and not in the sets of user IDs that are stored for registered users who are greater than or equal to Nmax degrees of separation away from the first registered user, such that the connection between the first registered user and the second registered user who are separated by more than Nmax degrees of separation cannot not be found.