Abstract:
A website and method of use are disclosed for providing access to personal data upon entry of an access key that includes at least one easily remembered non-alphanumeric symbol. In some embodiments an incorrect or partial access key can be entered, or one of several access key variants can be entered. In some embodiments a subset of the personal data is provided and the presentation format is selected according to the variant of the access key that is entered. Methods for entering non-alphanumeric symbols include selection of characteristics from hierarchical menus, entering unique alphanumeric strings corresponding to symbols, selecting squares from a matrix, combining symbols to form compound symbols, combining text with symbols, and uploading symbols. In preferred embodiments, access information is entered and/or personal information is supplied audibly, hyperlinks to other personal data sites can be included, and automated web searches can identify candidates for links to other sites.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to means and methods for exchanging personal information, and more specifically to means and methods for providing access to personal information on a website. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The exchange of names, addresses, and other contact information is necessary to form and maintain both business and personal relationships. This exchange is often facilitated through the use of business cards, resumes, portfolios, prospectuses, and other documents, which can be distributed either in printed form or electronically via fax, email, or similar means. The exchange of such documents provides for convenient and consistent sharing of information in a well organized format that is easy for the desired recipient to comprehend. 
         [0003]    A significant disadvantage of using documents to distribute personal information is that each time there is an addition, a deletion, or any other change to the personal information, a redistribution of corrected documents is needed in order to update the intended recipients. One approach to overcoming this problem is to maintain personal information in a database on a server, and provide appropriate instructions and access codes to intended recipients so that they can access the information by suitable means whenever needed. Then it is only necessary to keep the information on the server up to date in order to ensure that all intended recipients have access to the current information. 
         [0004]    When all of the intended recipients have access to a common network, as often happens in a workplace environment, the personal information database can be placed on a server attached to the network, and the recipients can view and update the information using appropriate database software such as Microsoft Access or Symantec ACT. Intended recipients who have only sporadic access to the network can keep a copy of the database on a portable device such as a PDA or a laptop computer, and can use data synchronization methods to maintain consistency between their copy and the primary database. Obviously, this approach is problematic for the more general case where the information is to be distributed to a wide range of recipients who do not share access to a common network. 
         [0005]    When very broad availability is desired, a more practical approach is to provide access to the personal information through a website posted on the worldwide web. It has become common for individuals to create personal web pages, which are often organized as sub-pages within a larger site created specifically for that purpose, such as MySpace.com, MyFace.com, YouTube.com, FaceBook.com, or the former Ecard.com (no longer active). Access to contact details and other personal information posted in this way only requires access to the internet and knowledge of the proper access codes. Through the use of web-enabled wireless devices, access is available at almost any time and from almost any location. 
         [0006]    However, there are several difficulties with this approach as it exists in the current art. Since many individuals have names that are not unique, access to the personal information of a specific user typically requires that the intended recipient enter some sort of nickname or other coded information, such as “HogRider2400” or “JohnSmith2538.” These identifiers are often non-intuitive and difficult to remember. Due to the inevitable similarities between nicknames and identification codes, it is usually almost impossible to find the desired information if the intended recipient is not able to recall the precise access information. 
         [0007]    In addition, many currently available personal information hosting websites are directed at specific groups of users, such as users that fall within certain age ranges, live in certain regions, or are interested in certain hobbies, music, sports, etc. The kinds of information provided by these sites and the manner in which it is presented is specifically targeted to the intended group, and may not be well suited to distributing information intended for a broader range of recipients. On the other hand, websites that are intended for a broad range of recipients do not include any means for controlling or tailoring the information for different types of recipients. For example, business contacts and personal acquaintances receive exactly the same information presented in exactly the same manner. Once the correct access code has been entered, all of the information is provided in a fixed format. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A means and method for distributing personal information on a website is disclosed that uses visually creative and easily remembered non-alphanumeric symbols to identify users. In preferred embodiments, the symbols can be entered in any order, reducing the need for accurate recollection. In other preferred embodiments, symbols can be chosen that reflect characteristics and interests of the individual who has posted his or her personal information, herein referred to as the subscriber, and/or that correspond to an easily remembered story or phrase, thereby rendering them even easier to remember. 
         [0009]    In some preferred embodiments, all of the symbols are chosen from a library of symbols provided by the website. In other preferred embodiments a user can create personalized symbols by adding arbitrary text to symbols and/or by combining symbols together to form compound symbols. In still further preferred embodiments, a user can create customized symbols by uploading new symbols to the website, either for restricted use or as new additions to the website symbol library. 
         [0010]    In various preferred embodiments the methods for entering non-alphanumeric symbols include using a hierarchical system of menus to specify the shape, color, and other individual characteristics of each symbol, entry of unique alphanumeric codes that correspond to the non-alphanumeric symbols, and clicking on squares in a matrix to form unique patterns. A compound symbol is entered by using one or more of these methods to specify each of the symbols that combine to form the compound symbol. 
         [0011]    In some preferred embodiments the identifying input required for accessing personal information, herein referred to as the “access key,” is composed entirely of non-alphanumeric symbols. In other preferred embodiments alphanumeric information, such as a password or a form of the individual&#39;s name, is also included as part of the access key. 
         [0012]    In preferred embodiments, if an intended recipient does not have full recollection of an access key, and is therefore only able to input the key in a partial form or in a manner that is only partly correct, a list of candidate subscribers is generated. In some of these embodiments, if more than one candidate is found, the recipient is prompted to provide additional information, such as the name of the subscriber and/or the state where the subscriber resides, so as to narrow the search. In this way an intended recipient is frequently able to locate the desired subscriber information even when the access key is only partially known or remembered. 
         [0013]    The website includes at least one gateway web page where intended recipients enter access keys. In preferred embodiments, the gateway web page also provides links to administrative web pages where subscribers enter passwords to gain access to their posted information and where new users subscribe, enter and post their personal information, specify access keys, specify their editing passwords, and enter all other required and optional information. 
         [0014]    Some preferred embodiments allow a subscriber to specify multiple versions of his or her access key, thereby making it easier for an intended recipient to gain access after a few guesses even if the recipient has trouble accurately remembering the complete access key. In some of these preferred embodiments, subsets of the personal information are provided to intended recipients in varying formats depending on which version of the access key is entered. For example, in some preferred embodiments only data appropriate for a business contact or only data appropriate for a personal contact is provided, depending on the variant of the subscriber&#39;s access key that is entered. 
         [0015]    In some preferred embodiments subscribers can include links to one or more other sites where they have posted personal information, such as MySpace.com, YouTube.com, MyFace.com, or Yahoo.com. In some of these preferred embodiments the links are hyperlinks that allow intended recipients to access the personal information on these other sites simply by clicking on the links. In further preferred embodiments, the website of this invention exchanges data with one or more other websites, so that when data is entered or updated on the website of this invention corresponding data on the linked sites is updated, and/or when data is updated on one of the other linked sites the corresponding data on the website of this invention is updated. 
         [0016]    In still other preferred embodiments, users can create lists of frequently accessed subscribers that provide for quick access. In some of these embodiments, users who are not subscribers can become registered users of the website, allowing them to log onto the website for the purpose of creating and using lists of frequently accessed subscribers. 
         [0017]    In some preferred embodiments, the website is voice enabled, such that alphanumeric strings corresponding to access key symbols can be input verbally by the recipient, and/or personal information can be provided audibly to the recipient by an automated voice. 
         [0018]    Access keys can be distributed by subscribers to their intended recipients by any convenient means, including verbal communication, printed and electronic business cards and other documents, downloadable “v-cards,” SMS messages, email signatures, printing on advertisements, printing on clothing, etc. Because of their non-alphanumeric, graphical nature, it is possible to choose access keys that are easily remembered and easily recognized from a distance, as for example when printed on clothing or on an advertising poster. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is an example of a non-alphanumeric access key of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is an example of a business card used to distribute the access key of  FIG. 1A  to intended recipients; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D  illustrate a hierarchical means of specifying non-alphanumeric access key symbols, and are respectively a collection of shapes, a collection of symbols applicable to the shapes, a collection of colors applicable to the shapes and symbols, and a collection of symbol variants, in this case facial expressions; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2E  illustrates the specification of a non-alphanumeric access key on a web-enabled cellular telephone. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  illustrate adding custom text to a symbol, with  FIG. 3A  illustrating the process and  FIG. 3B  showing the final result; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4C  illustrate a method of combining two symbols to form a compound symbol, with  FIG. 4A  illustrating the selection of a “frame” symbol,  FIG. 4B  showing the selection of a symbol to be placed inside of the frame symbol, and  FIG. 4C  showing the resulting compound symbol; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  is a matrix of squares that may be selected in unique combinations to create non-alphanumeric symbols for use as part of an access key; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the specification of a WHZZZ key that is composed of a plurality of bars of varying color and thickness; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a preferred embodiment web page that allows a user to specify non-alphanumeric symbols either by invoking a hierarchical process, by entering a single alphanumeric code corresponding to a single symbol, or by entering two alphanumeric codes corresponding to the two components of a compound symbol, and that also requires an intended recipient to enter an access password in addition to the non-alphanumeric symbols to view the personal information of a subscriber; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7A  is a preferred embodiment web page that allows a user to specify non-alphanumeric symbols either by invoking a hierarchical process, by entering a single alphanumeric code corresponding to a single symbol, or by uploading an image to the website, and that also allows the subscriber to specify a list of access passwords, one of which must be entered by an intended recipient in order to view the subscriber&#39;s personal information; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7B  is a preferred embodiment menu that appears when the upload button of  FIG. 7A  is selected, allowing specification of the file to be uploaded and the usage permissions and alphanumeric code to be assigned to the uploaded image; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a preferred embodiment gateway web page that will accept entry of a partial or incomplete access key, in this case symbols without colors, will attempt to identify the desired subscriber by searching for matching access keys, and will prompt the recipient to provide additional information so as to further narrow the search if more than one candidate subscriber is found; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the website of the invention in a preferred embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment that presents subsets of the personal information in different formats depending on the version of the access key that is entered by the intended recipient; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a preferred embodiment web page that displays links to other websites where the subscriber has stored personal information; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a preferred embodiment web page that displays a list of names and access keys belonging to frequently accessed subscribers; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart that illustrates the method of use of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 1A , access keys include a plurality of non-alphanumeric symbols. In the example presented in  FIG. 1A , the access key consists of a red heart  100 , a yellow smiling face  102 , and a red apple  104 . Corresponding to each symbol is a three digit numerical code,  106 , that may be entered as a method of selecting a symbol, and/or is displayed when a symbol is selected by another method. In other preferred embodiments alphanumeric codes of arbitrary length correspond to symbols, for example “HEARTR” for a red heart symbol.  FIG. 1B  presents an example of a business card used by a subscriber to provide the access key of  FIG. 1A  to intended recipients. The card includes the access key symbols  108 , as well as the corresponding numeric codes  110 , the name of the subscriber  112 , a brief sentence  114  that can be used as a memory aid to remember the access key, and the website URL  116  where the personal information can be accessed. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D  present examples of hierarchical menus that are used in a preferred embodiment to select non-alphanumeric symbols by progressively specifying shape, color, and other characteristics.  FIG. 2A  presents a collection of basic shapes  200 , with an appropriate topic label  202 . In the figure, a circle  204  has been selected by positioning the mouse cursor  206  on the circle  204  and clicking the left mouse button.  FIG. 2B  presents a collection of symbols  208  that can be applied to the selected shape. The collection includes an appropriate topic label  210 . A “smiling face”  212  has been selected using the mouse.  FIG. 2C  presents a collection  214  of circular smiling face symbols resulting from the choices made in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B . In this collection, only the color varies between the choices, as indicated by the topic label  216 . The upper left symbol  218 , which is yellow, has been selected with the mouse.  FIG. 2D  presents a collection of symbol variations  220 , in this case facial expressions, with an appropriate topic label  222 . An open-mouthed expression  224  has been selected with the mouse. The final result of this hierarchical selection process is a yellow circle containing an open-mouthed smiling face, which is the second symbol  102  in the access key shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2E  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which a similar method is used to specify a non-alphanumeric access key using a web-enabled cellular telephone  226 . In the figure, two non-alphanumeric symbols have been selected  228 ,  230 , and a collection of basic shapes  232  similar to the collection  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A  is being used to select the shape for the third symbol. Instead of a mouse, in this preferred embodiment the circular menu selecting control  234  is used to select a shape from the collection  232 , and the numeric keys  236  are used to select other options and commands from a list  238 . 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , in preferred embodiments a symbol can be personalized by the addition of text. Clicking with the mouse on an “add text” button  300  as shown in  FIG. 3A  opens a text window  302  located on top of the symbol. Text is then entered  304  into the window and the input is terminated by striking the enter key. The result is shown in  FIG. 3B , where the text “Blog me!”  306  has been added to the round, yellow smiling face specified by the steps illustrated in  FIG. 2A through 2D . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4C , in some preferred embodiments custom symbols can be created by combining multiple symbols together to form a compound symbol. In the example shown in  FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4C , a compound symbol is formed by placing an inner “picture” symbol inside of an outer “frame” symbol. With reference to  FIG. 4A , a menu of picture symbols is presented  400  with an appropriate heading  402 . A picture of a clown  404  is selected by placing the mouse cursor  406  over the picture and clicking the left mouse button. Similarly, with reference to  FIG. 4B , a menu of frame symbols is presented  408  with an appropriate heading  410 , and a frame symbol consisting of a circle with a slash through it  412  is selected using the mouse. The result, shown in  FIG. 4C , is the clown picture  414  with a circle and slash superimposed over it  416 , possibly indicating that the user doesn&#39;t like clowns or doesn&#39;t want any “clowning around.” 
         [0041]      FIG. 5A  shows a type of non-alphanumeric symbol, used in some preferred embodiments, that is based on a matrix of squares. For each of these matrix symbols some of the squares are selected  500  and others are not  502 , forming a pattern of squares that is easy for a recipient to remember and reproduce. Creation of each matrix symbol is accomplished simply by clicking on the selected squares with the mouse or by typing in the horizontal  504  and vertical  506  coordinates of the selected squares. In the embodiment presented in  FIG. 5 , the squares are designated as being either white or gray. In other preferred embodiments, any of several colors can be assigned to each square, greatly increasing the number of possible symbols that can be generated. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5B  shows yet another type of non-alphanumeric symbol, used in some preferred embodiments, wherein each WHZZZ key is composed of a plurality of bars of varying color and thickness. In this preferred embodiment each bar in the WHZZZ key is specified by first clicking with the mouse on a color  508  and then on a bar thickness  510 . In the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5B , each complete WHZZZ key  512  is composed of seven bars. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a portion of a preferred embodiment gateway web page used by an intended recipient to gain access to a subscriber&#39;s personal information. In this preferred embodiment, each access key is composed of three symbols  600 . The recipient can enter the symbols by clicking on the “select” button at each symbol position  602 , thereby initiating a hierarchical selection method such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D . As an alternative, the recipient can enter the alphanumeric codes  604  that correspond to the symbols into the spaces provided. The recipient can personalize a symbol by clicking on the “Add Text” button  606  under the symbol and adding text to the symbol, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . By clicking on the “select” button  602  a second time, or by entering a second alphanumeric code in the space provided  608 , the recipient can specify a compound symbol by adding a second symbol to the one already entered. In the preferred embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 6 , it is also necessary for the recipient to enter a password  610  before clicking on the search button  612  to locate the subscriber&#39;s information. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7A  shows a portion of a preferred embodiment gateway web page used by a subscriber to specify the access key for his or her personal information. The non-alphanumeric symbol part of the access key  700  is specified by clicking on the “select” buttons  702  or by entering corresponding alphanumeric codes  704 , in the same manner as described with reference to  FIG. 6  above. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the subscriber also has the option of clicking on the “upload” buttons  706  and uploading symbols to be used as part of his or her access key. The subscriber can also select a checkbox  708  that allows intended recipients to enter the symbols in any order, thereby making it easier for a recipient to gain access even if the recipient has trouble remembering the correct symbol order. 
         [0045]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 7A , the subscriber can specify an arbitrary number of passwords  710  and store them by clicking on the “confirm” button  712 . If more than one password is specified, this indicates that a recipient can enter any one of them, thereby making it easier for an intended recipient to gain access even if the recipient has trouble remembering the correct form of the password. As is further discussed with reference to  FIG. 10  below, in some preferred embodiments a similar option allows the subscriber to provide specific subsets of the personal data in specific formats to different recipients according to the password that is entered by the recipient. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7B  shows a menu of a preferred embodiment that is displayed when one of the “Upload” buttons  706  shown in  FIG. 7A  is clicked. A space is provided  714  for the subscriber to enter the path and filename of the image file to be uploaded. As an alternative, the subscriber can click on a “browse” button”  716  and use a standard Windows directory browsing menu to locate the file. In this embodiment, the user can also enter an alphanumeric code  718  that will be associated with the uploaded symbol so as to allow easy entry of the symbol. A set of radio buttons  720 ,  722 , and  724 , is also provided to allow the subscriber to specify who may use the uploaded symbol. An uploaded symbol may be of general interest to all subscribers, in which case the first button  720  is selected. Or a symbol may be of interest only to a select group, for example if the symbol is a picture of one of the subscriber&#39;s teachers or the logo of a local club that the subscriber belongs to. In this case the second button  722  is selected. There may also be symbols, such as the subscriber&#39;s own picture, that the subscriber wants to restrict to personal use only. For these cases the third button  724  is selected. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  shows a portion of a preferred embodiment gateway web page that allows an intended recipient who has trouble correctly remembering the complete access key to enter an incomplete or partially incorrect access key. In this embodiment entry of an access key that does not exactly match any of the access keys in the database of the website results in a search for partial matches. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , three shapes have been entered  800  with no colors applied. If only one partial match is found, the corresponding personal information is displayed. If more than one partial match is found, the intended recipient is prompted to enter additional information, such as the subscriber&#39;s first name  802  and state of residence  804 , and then to restart the search by clicking on the appropriate button  806 . If the added information results in a unique match, the personal information of the matching subscriber is displayed. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  presents a block diagram of the basic structure of the website of the invention, which includes at least one database  900  in which personal information is stored, a plurality of personal web pages  902  that are automatically generated and that display the personal information stored in the database  900 , at least one administrative web page  904  that is used to create, edit, and delete information, and to add new subscribers, and at least one “gateway” web page  906  that is used to provide access to the other web pages. In order to view a personal information web page, a user must enter a correct access key into a gateway  908  web page. In all embodiments, the access key includes non-alphanumeric symbols. In some preferred embodiments, the access key also includes additional information, such as a password or the first and/or last name of the subscriber. In order to add, edit, and/or delete his or her personal information, a subscriber must enter a password or other suitable access information  910  into a gateway web page. A new user can choose to be directed  912  by a gateway to an administrative page where the new user can subscribe and enter his or her personal information, specify a unique access key, and input all other required and optional information. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram that illustrates how, in a preferred embodiment; subsets of a subscriber&#39;s personal information are presented in different formats depending on the variant of the access password that is entered by the intended recipient. The recipient first enters the non-alphanumeric symbols  1000 , and then enters a password as provided by the subscriber. The subscriber provides the password “JohnADoe”  1002  to business contacts, who enter this password and are presented with a web page designed in a conservative business style and containing a subset of the personal information  1004  that is deemed by the subscriber to be appropriate for business contacts. Similarly, the subscriber provides the password “Johnny”  1006  to personal contacts, who enter this password and are presented with a web page designed with a more contemporary format and containing a subset of the personal information  1008  that is deemed by the subscriber to be appropriate for personal contacts. 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  shows a portion of a preferred embodiment web page that displays links to other personal information websites where the subscriber has stored information. Along with the access key  1   100  and personal information  1102 , a list of links to other personal information sites  1104  is displayed. If the list is too long to be displayed, a scroll bar  1106  can be used to access additional entries. In some preferred embodiments, the links are hyperlinks that transfer the viewer to the linked site when clicked with the mouse. In some preferred embodiments the list of links is added manually by the subscriber, while in other preferred embodiments links can be selected by the subscriber from a candidate list generated by an automated internet search that looks for other sites where information pertaining to the subscriber appears to be located. 
         [0051]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , opportunities are provided to the viewer to download a vcard  1108  containing the subscriber&#39;s access information and to add the subscriber to the viewer&#39;s list of frequently viewed sites (“friends”)  1110 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  shows a portion of a preferred embodiment web page that maintains and displays a list of access keys  1200  and names  1202  of frequently accessed subscribers (“friends”). If the list is too long to be displayed, a scroll bar  1204  can be used to access additional entries. In this preferred embodiment, non-subscribers are given the option of registering as users of the website, so that the website can recognize them each time they log in and can provide the correct list of “friends” to each user. 
         [0053]      FIG. 13  is a flow diagram that illustrates the method of use of the invention. In all cases, usage begins by using a web browser to access a gateway web page  1300 . An intended recipient  1302  enters the access key  1304  of a subscriber, and views the subscriber&#39;s personal information on a web page  1306  displayed by the website. A new subscriber creates a new personal web page  1308  by proceeding to the sign-up administrative page  1310  and entering his or her personal information  1312  into the database. The new subscriber also specifies the access key  1314  that will be used by intended recipients to access the information. Once entered, the information is stored by the system  1316  and in the preferred embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 11  a new personal web page is generated and stored  1318 . In other preferred embodiments, a personal web page is created each time an intended recipient is granted access. An existing subscriber can choose to add to, edit, or delete items  1320  from his or her personal information, including deletion of his or her entire record, by entering required access information, which in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 13  is the subscriber&#39;s name and password  1322 . The system then displays the user&#39;s information in a mode appropriate for editing, and also offers the option to delete the entire record  1324 . 
         [0054]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.