Patent ID: 6360222
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G06F,G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
In a computer system, a method of organizing and adding entries to an information directory comprising the steps of:accessing a first directory entry in said information directory, said first directory entry comprising a first relationship list comprising relationship information between a first user and a first set of other users having directory entries in said information directory, said first relationship list further comprising directory information comprising names and e-mail addresses for each of said first set of other users, said first relationship list under control of said first user wherein only said first user can delete information from said first relationship list; adding directory information and relationship information for a second user to said first relationship list, said relationship information for said second user comprising a first relationship type characterizing a relationship of said second user to said first user; converting said first relationship type to a reciprocal relationship type comprising a second relationship type characterizing a relationship of said first user to said second user; determining whether said second user has a directory entry in said information directory; creating a second directory entry in said information directory for said second user provided there is not an existing second directory entry in said information directory and otherwise modifying said existing second directory entry, wherein said second directory entry comprises a second relationship list comprising relationship information between said second user and a second set of other users having directory entries in said information directory, said second relationship list further comprising directory information comprising names and e-mail addresses for each of said second set of other users, said second relationship list under control of said second user wherein only said second user can delete information from said second relationship list; adding directory information and relationship information for said first user to said second relationship list, said relationship information for said first user comprising said second relationship type; converting said first directory entry to a first Web page to be viewed using a Web-browser program; and converting said second directory entry to a second Web page to be viewed using said Web-browser program, wherein said first Web page includes a first hyperlink that points to said second Web page and wherein said second Web page includes a second hyperlink that points to said first Web page.