US20110225250A1 - Systems and methods for filtering electronic communications - Google Patents

Systems and methods for filtering electronic communications Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110225250A1
US20110225250A1 US13/046,585 US201113046585A US2011225250A1 US 20110225250 A1 US20110225250 A1 US 20110225250A1 US 201113046585 A US201113046585 A US 201113046585A US 2011225250 A1 US2011225250 A1 US 2011225250A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
user
message
data
messaging data
messaging
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/046,585
Inventor
Gregory Brian Cypes
Shawn Michael Edwards Carnell
Rizwan Abdus Sattar
Steven Grayson Chipman
Justin Scott Cohen
Neil Wayne Cohen
Andrew Lee Wick
Amy Craig Joannou
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Yahoo Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US13/046,585 priority Critical patent/US20110225250A1/en
Assigned to AOL INC. reassignment AOL INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SATTAR, RIZWAN ABDUS, WICK, ANDREW LEE, CHIPMAN, STEVEN GRAYSON, COHEN, NEIL WAYNE, CARNELL, SHAWN MICHAEL EDWARDS, CYPES, GREGORY BRIAN, COHEN, JUSTIN SCOTT, JOANNOU, AMY CRAIG
Publication of US20110225250A1 publication Critical patent/US20110225250A1/en
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: AOL ADVERTISING INC., AOL INC., BUYSIGHT, INC., MAPQUEST, INC., PICTELA, INC.
Assigned to MAPQUEST, INC., AOL INC., AOL ADVERTISING INC., PICTELA, INC., BUYSIGHT, INC. reassignment MAPQUEST, INC. RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS -RELEASE OF 030936/0011 Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Assigned to OATH INC. reassignment OATH INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AOL INC.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/10Office automation; Time management
    • G06Q10/107Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Definitions

  • a location may be treated as if it were the type of screen name or user ID traditionally stored in a user's list of friends or buddy list (see, e.g., FIG. 3A ).
  • a user may follow a location by adding it to the user's buddy list.
  • users may employ applications operating on messaging clients 102 or mobile messaging clients 103 to add a location to a buddy list or list of friends.
  • Web servers 106 may obtain information about the location by accessing location databases 116 .
  • the information stored in location databases 116 may include user status updates, check-ins, photos, videos, and/or general information about the location.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for filtering electronic communications. One exemplary method includes receiving a first message directed to a user, the first message including a plurality of messaging data; and receiving from the user a selection of the messaging data within the first message. The method further includes adding the selected messaging data to a database in relation to one or more contacts of the user, and receiving a second message directed to the user from at least one of the one or more contacts. The method further includes scanning the second message for the selected messaging data, and filtering, with at least one processor, the second message from delivery to the user if the second message contains the selected messaging data.

Description

    RELATED APPLICATION(S)
  • This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/313,110, filed Mar. 11, 2010, titled “Systems and Methods for Location Tracking and Filtering Electronic Communications,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for electronic messaging. More particularly, and without limitation, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for filtering electronic communications using, for example, an instant messaging interface.
  • BACKGROUND
  • As more people turn to electronic communications for their social and professional interaction with others, people are finding their electronic communications interfaces becoming duplicative and difficult to manage. As a result, universal electronic messaging systems have been developed that allow users to obtain updates from their friends and some of their favorite social networks and websites. Such systems allow users to, for example, publish their status and broadcast it to their friends, and view updates from their friends from one or more sources, such as social networks (e.g., Digg, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, YouTube and AIM). A user's communications may be aggregated on a universal messaging system and across the Web, so that the user can obtain updates in one convenient place. Users may also use the universal system to update their friends on what the user is doing by issuing only one post, while setting a status on networks such as AIM, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • In some systems, users may have options for setting their status. They can simply find an input field at the top of a browser or mobile interface, and enter the text they would like to share. They can also update their status by typing a status message from a phone with SMS or text message capabilities. Users may also easily add photos from a listing of friends (such as a “Buddy List”) just by clicking into the status box at the top of the list and selecting the photos to upload.
  • In some cases, it may be desirable to associate a user's location with a user's status update and/or photo. For example, if a user is using a mobile device to interact with a universal messaging system, the user may want other people to know where the user was when the status update and/or photo was created. The user may also want other users to know more about that location. As a result, universal systems have been provided with features through which a latitude and longitude, location name, and/or map can be associated with a status update and/or photo. While this may give other users more information about that particular message, it does not provide a sufficient way for users to follow and keep track of a particular location.
  • In addition, in view of the large quantity of incoming status updates and photos that a single user may receive from across one or more social networks and friends, it may be desirable to filter out some of those communications. Past efforts have only focused on filtering out particular types of communications or senders of communications. However, these prior techniques do not provide a sufficient way for users to perform targeted filtering or hiding of communications relating to locations that are not of interest, or specific words or phrases.
  • The disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Among other things, the disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for location tracking, and filtering or hiding electronic communications.
  • SUMMARY
  • Consistent with the present disclosure, computerized systems and methods are provided for location tracking and filtering or hiding electronic communications. In addition, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for filtering electronic communications in a messaging or social networking environment.
  • In accordance with one disclosed exemplary embodiment, a method includes receiving a first message directed to a user, the first message including a plurality of messaging data; and receiving from the user a selection of the messaging data within the first message. The method further includes adding the selected messaging data to a database in relation to one or more contacts of the user; and receiving a second message directed to the user from at least one of the one or more contacts. The method further includes scanning the second message for the selected messaging data; and filtering, with at least one processor, the second message from delivery to the user if the second message contains the selected messaging data.
  • In accordance with another disclosed exemplary embodiment a computer system is disclosed for filtering electronic communications. The system includes a database configured to store user data and selected messaging data; and a messaging server disposed in communication with the database. The messaging server is configured to receive a first message directed to a user, the first message including a plurality of messaging data; receive from the user a selection of the messaging data within the first message; add the selected messaging data to a database in relation to one or more contacts of the user; receive a second message directed to the user from at least one of the one or more contacts; scan the second message for the selected messaging data; and filter, with at least one processor, the second message from delivery to the user if the second message contains the selected messaging data.
  • In accordance with another disclosed exemplary embodiment a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is disclosed for storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to receive a first message directed to a user, the first message including a plurality of messaging data; receive from the user a selection of the messaging data within the first message; add the selected messaging data to a database in relation to one or more contacts of the user; receive a second message directed to the user from at least one of the one or more contacts; scan the second message for the selected messaging data; and filter, with at least one processor, the second message from delivery to the user if the second message contains the selected messaging data.
  • Before explaining certain embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as in the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
  • As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosure. It is important, therefore, to recognize that the claims should be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
  • The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate several embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawings:
  • FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system for location tracking and filtering or hiding electronic communications, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
  • FIGS. 2A-2C depict exemplary methods for location tracking, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
  • FIGS. 3A-3C depict exemplary screenshots of interfaces for location tracking, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B depict exemplary methods for filtering or hiding electronic communications, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; and
  • FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary screenshot of an interface for filtering or hiding electronic communications, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. For brevity, several elements in the figures described below are represented as monolithic entities. However, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, these elements each may include numerous interconnected computers and components designed to perform a set of specified operations and/or dedicated to a particular geographic region.
  • Additional objects and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments of the invention. For example, the objects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
  • It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system 100 for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Communication system 100 may include a location tracking and message filtering system, and may be configured to identify and process incoming electronic communications, and electronic media content using one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein. Electronic communications may include, for example, electronic messages (e.g., electronic mail messages, Short Messaging System (“SMS”) messages, Multimedia Messaging System (“MMS”) messages, etc.), standardized calendar files, invitations, status updates, etc. Electronic media content may include, for example, photographs, videos, songs, newsletters, articles, web pages, streaming media, or any other electronic multimedia. Communication system 100 may include any type of communication system, including, for example, a wired communication system, a wireless communication system, a local- or wide-area network, an Internet network, or any combination thereof.
  • As shown in FIG. 1, communication system 100 may include a plurality of messaging clients 102, mobile messaging clients 103, messaging servers 104, web servers 106, and GPS servers 108, all disposed in communication with an electronic network 110, such as the Internet. Messaging clients 102 and mobile messaging clients 103 may each interact with messaging servers 104, web servers 106, and/or GPS servers 108 through computers or processors connected to the electronic network 110 (such as the Internet), and/or through mobile communications networks. In one embodiment, messaging clients 102 may operate on desktop computers connected to the Internet, while mobile messaging clients 103 may operate on mobile devices, such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants (“PDAs”). Mobile messaging clients 103 may communicate with each other and/or any other device in communication with the Internet 110 through a mobile communications network 105.
  • Messaging servers 104 may be any type of servers configured to receive, route, and send electronic messages between devices connected to the Internet. For example, messaging servers 104 may send and receive e-mails, text messages, and/or instant messages. As shown in FIG. 1, messaging servers 104 may implement any suitable standard communications language or protocol, such as Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (“XMPP”), SMS, MMS, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (“SMTP”), Post Office Protocol 3 (“POP3”), and/or Internet Message Access Protocol (“IMAP”). Of course, messaging servers 104 may implement any other suitable type of protocol or standard whether dedicated or universal. In one embodiment, messaging servers 104 may be disposed in communication with any type of large scale databases for storing user data, electronic media content, communications history data, location data, and/or user generated content.
  • Web servers 106 may be configured to operate and implement web pages and/or applications for display on one or more of messaging clients 102 and/or mobile messaging clients 103. For example, web servers 106 may implement web-based or browser-based email or messaging programs through which users may communicate by sending IMs, text messages, and/or e-mails. Web servers 106 may also implement browser-based mapping programs, media content programs, or any other entertainment or utility programs for display to users through the Internet 110 or a mobile network 105.
  • In one embodiment, web servers 106 may be disposed in communication with one or more back-end server systems and/or databases. For example, web servers 106 may be disposed in communication with one or more selected text databases 112, which are configured to store text (or objects, images, or other files) desired to be filtered or hidden by a user, as will be described in more detail below. Web servers 106 may also be disposed in communication with user info databases 114, which are configured to store user IDs, user mobile device information, user demographic information, user location coordinates, user preferences, etc. Web servers 106 may also be disposed in communication with location databases 116, which may be configured to store maps, coordinates, location information (e.g., restaurants, stores, venues, etc.), comments about locations, photos of locations, videos of locations, etc.
  • As further shown in FIG. 1, GPS servers 108 may also be disposed in communication with the Internet 110, web servers 106, and/or mobile messaging clients 103. GPS servers 108 may be configured to facilitate the communication of location data from mobile messaging clients 103. For instance, in one embodiment, each mobile messaging client 103 may be configured to detect and transmit to GPS servers 108 a latitude and longitude associated with a current location of the mobile messaging client. Alternatively, GPS servers 108 may receive such latitude and longitude data from satellites in communication with mobile messaging clients 103 and transmit such location data to mobile messaging clients 103, web servers 106, and/or messaging servers 104. GPS servers 108 may also be provided with or in communication with storage and processing systems for mapping mobile messaging clients 103 and/or mapping public locations, such as street data, restaurants, bars, clubs, stores, gas stations, museums, transportation sites, and/or entertainment venues.
  • The exemplary disclosed systems, methods, interfaces, programs, and portals that may be executed by communications system 100 will now be described in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2-5. The methods of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be performed by any combination of messaging clients 102, mobile messaging clients 103, messaging servers 104, web servers 106, and/or user info and location databases 114, 116, as will be described in more detail below.
  • Exemplary systems and methods consistent with the present disclosure are disclosed for providing, among other things, the ability for users to add, track, or follow a physical location or list of locations through their list of friends or buddy lists. In accordance with certain embodiments, location files may contain text, photos, videos, updates, and/or activities that have happened at that physical location.
  • As described above, a universal communication system may allow users to associate text or photo updates with a location. The system may use GPS servers 108 to automatically determine the user's location via latitude and longitude, or allow the user to select where he or she is currently located. The user may use applications running on messaging clients 102 or mobile messaging clients 103 to keep track of where friends or contacts are and what they are doing currently at a location. However, the user may also desire to follow a location and to see what is happening at that location regardless of whether a friend or contact is there or not. In other words, a user may desire to look at what is happening at location “X,” regardless of whether the user is near that location or a friend is at that location. For this purpose, system 100 may be configured to persistently save a location and activity information within location databases 116, so at any time a user can quickly check to see what is happening in real-time at that location without having to remember where it is (e.g., without knowing a latitude/longitude or address), or the location's name.
  • Thus, communications system 100 may be configured to provide users with the ability to associate their status updates and/or photos with a location, via web servers 106. The location may be determined by using GPS on mobile devices to get latitude and longitude coordinates (e.g., using GPS servers 108), or for desktop and web applications from Operating System libraries or using Open Source/W3C standards, i.e. HTML5. The latitude and longitude coordinates may be used to reverse geo-encode the location to generate a human readable street address. The street address may then be used to look up businesses within a given radius (e.g., within 1 km radius). The user may then select the location based on the name and street address, or add a new location if it is not already in the list. The added location may then be stored in location databases 116 for future users to view. Each location, whether being returned from a reverse geo-encode lookup or manually added by the user, may have a unique identifier stored in relation to the location.
  • Once the location is associated with a status message and/or photo, the user can post the content to a messaging or social network via messaging servers 104. The posting of the message via messaging servers 104 may contain two new parameters, including latitude/longitude coordinates, and the unique location ID. Thus, status updates can belong to or be associated with both the user, and the unique ID representing a location. Any user can therefore view a location via that unique ID and see all the status updates occurring at that location. In another embodiment, only a user's buddies, contacts, or friends may view the posted status updates, location, photos, etc. of the user. In yet another embodiment, users may select whether only such contacts may view posts (e.g., private or closed system) or whether the entire network may view such posts (e.g. public or open system).
  • Because a location has a unique ID, the location may be treated as if it were the type of screen name or user ID traditionally stored in a user's list of friends or buddy list (see, e.g., FIG. 3A). Thus, in accordance with exemplary systems and methods of the present disclosure, a user may follow a location by adding it to the user's buddy list. For example, users may employ applications operating on messaging clients 102 or mobile messaging clients 103 to add a location to a buddy list or list of friends. Web servers 106 may obtain information about the location by accessing location databases 116. The information stored in location databases 116 may include user status updates, check-ins, photos, videos, and/or general information about the location. Communications system 100 may allow users to follow multiple locations and view/receive updates from locations as they do from their contacts or buddies. For example, if User A is following location X (e.g., on a list of contacts or a buddy list), and User B, who is not buddies or friends with User A, updates their status from location X, User A will automatically see that update. This is due to User A's ability to persistently follow location X on User A's buddy list. A user may also be able to communicate with a location via an instant message or other means including audio or video communications or sessions.
  • Users may be able to set a location any time they update their status or upload photos or other content (video, audio, etc) to the system, which will log the event as an “activity.” Once a location has an activity, any user on the network can follow that location to view activities happening at this location. The system may be accessible via desktop instant message systems, webmail, mobile applications, webpages, and any type of mobile device or smartphone.
  • The location features consistent with the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3C. Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, system 100 may perform various methods 200A-200C, including method 200A for associating location IDs with users, method 200B for updating users with location data, and method 200C for answering user queries for location activity data.
  • As shown in FIG. 2A, method 200A may include receiving a location ID from a user who desires to follow that location (step 202). For example, one or more of messaging servers 104 and web servers 106 may receive a location ID or selection of a location from one or more of messaging clients 102 and mobile messaging clients 103. Method 200 may then include associating the location ID with the user in user info database 114, and using web servers 106 to display the location on the user's buddy list (step 204). For example, FIG. 3A depicts a user's buddy list having a plurality of buddies 302, including a location (e.g., Wegmans) stored therein. These steps of receiving a location's unique ID and associating unique location IDs with users may be performed at any time, asynchronously, for any user when that user indicates interest in a location.
  • Meanwhile, assuming one or more users initiated steps 202 and 204 by electing to follow one or more locations, the web servers 106 may perform method 200B to automatically update those users on location activity. For example, at any given moment, the system may receive a status update and location ID from a user (step 206). In other words, a user may use a mobile messaging client 103 running on a smartphone or PDA to upload a status update and/or photo associated with the user's location (e.g., with the help of GPS servers 108). Web servers 106 may then identify the one or more users who have the location ID for that particular location associated with their user IDs (step 208). For example, web servers 106 may search for the location ID within user profiles stored in user info databases 114. Web servers 106 may then display the status update and/or photo in relation to the location stored in each of those users' buddy lists (step 210). That is, for each user who has the location ID stored in the user's buddy list, web servers 106 may generate a buddy list display, and display to those interested users the activity that initiated updating of the location.
  • By way of example, FIG. 3B shows a list of a plurality of locations 304 that a user is following. A user may click, tap, or otherwise select one of the locations 304 to view a location profile, as shown in FIG. 3C. The location profile may include detailed information 306 regarding the location, and/or a list of events or updates 308 shown in order of occurrence. Updates 308 may include user photos, user check-ins, user comments, or any other user-generated content regarding the location. In the embodiment of FIG. 3C, an exemplary location page is depicted for “Wegmens,” including a plurality of user updates or activities 308 under the “Wegmans” location. Users may reach this location page by selecting the location from the exemplary buddy list of FIG. 3A or from the exemplary locations page of FIG. 3B. The updates may be shown by ranking of recency, popularity, positive feedback, number of comments, etc. The updates may also be displayed regardless of which messaging brand was used to create the status update.
  • With regard to method 200C, web servers 106 may receive a query from a user for activities for the user's buddy list (step 212). For instance, a user may desire to view all activities occurring in relation to a particular location in the user's buddy list. Web servers 106 may then fetch activity data associated with the location for each buddy in the buddy list (e.g., from user databases 114 and/or location databases 116) (step 214). Alternatively, web servers 106 may fetch activity data for all users associated with the location. Web servers 106 may then return a list of the fetched activity data to the user (step 216).
  • In one embodiment, a user can leave a note, image, video, audio, or other content at a location they have arrived at or “checked into,” whereby the content is left for a particular user on the user's buddy list instead of for any and all users in the network. Thus, when that particular user visits the location and arrives or “checks in” upon arrival, the content will be delivered to that user. According to this embodiment, users may leave messages for particular contacts on their buddy list, where the message is only delivered when the particular contacts visit the location where the message was left. In one embodiment, if the selected contact never visits the location, the contact will never receive the message. In another embodiment, users can view a list of messages left for them at various locations, even without physically visiting or checking into the location.
  • Exemplary systems and methods consistent with the present disclosure are also disclosed for filtering or hiding messaging as desired by a user. As described above, the universal messaging system 100 may aggregate a collection of activities, including text updates from users on a variety of social networks.
  • In some cases, users may generate activities on one or more social networks, such as AIM, Facebook, or Twitter, that flood the activity stream with activities that a recipient user may not be interested in reading or otherwise consuming. In extreme cases, this activity may be considered to be a form of spam. Some social networks have tried to solve this problem by enabling the filtering or hiding of particular contacts or types of activities (e.g., “hide everything from Jim,” or “hide all Tweets”). However, such systems provide no way of hiding all activities about a specific subject regardless of the user updating the activity or the medium through which the communication was sent.
  • Accordingly, as shown with reference to the exemplary methods of FIGS. 4 and 5, system 100 may provide the ability for a user to filter or hide activities based on a location, partial text, a word, a set of words, and/or a user's ID. The user may also be able to filter based on objects, images, “avatars,” file attachments, file types, or any other combination of distinguishing features or partial features. The methods of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be performed by any combination of messaging clients 102, mobile messaging clients 103, messaging servers 104, web servers 106, and/or selected text databases 112, as will be described in more detail below.
  • Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B, exemplary methods 400A and 400B may enable selected text of a specific activity to be hidden for all activities past, present, and future in the universal messaging system or social network. This hiding operation may be referred to as “muting” and it may be enabled at the client level. In one embodiment, muting may be determined based on text that the user has highlighted, and it may contain a subset of characters, a word, or a group of words, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a user may select a portion of text 502 within a news feed, electronic communication, status update, or the like. Messaging clients 102, 103 and/or web servers 106 may then generate a menu 504 by which a user may elect to mute or otherwise filter the selected text for all of the user's contacts (“everyone”), or solely for the user who initiated the selected text.
  • Thus, methods 400A and 400B may include hiding activities based on a free form text expression. For example, a user may hide or mute all activities from Jim when his activity contains the word “food”. The text may be selected by highlighting, freeform entry into a text box, or any other user input means. The method may then implement hiding of any activities containing the text the user desired to mute. The muted text may be added to a list by which the user can control so as to un-mute the text and show the activities in the stream again. The particular string of text may be filtered or hidden with respect to a single contact, several selected contacts, or even everyone in the network.
  • Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, method 400A may include receiving highlighted message text from a user (step 402). The web servers 106 may then provide a menu for the user to either filter or mute the selected message text for all contacts or only for a particular messaging contact (step 404).
  • The web servers 106 may receive a user selection of either option from the menu (step 406). The web servers 106 may then add the selected text to a database for all contacts, or only the particular message contact, based on the user's selected option (step 408). For instance, the selected text may be stored in selected text database 112 of system 100, in relation to one or more contacts. Steps 402-408 of method 400A may be performed asynchronously, any number of times, depending on how often and when users select message text to be muted.
  • One or more of messaging clients 102, 103 and web servers 106 may periodically perform method 400B, including receiving from any another contact a message directed to be delivered to a user (step 410). The web servers 106 (or any back-end servers) may iteratively scan and index over the textual content in the message (step 412). Although, as described above, one or more of messaging clients 102, 103 and web servers 106 may also scan or identify matching images, avatars, objects, file types, etc.
  • The web servers 106 or back-end servers may then check for any matches between textual content in the message and text selected and stored by the recipient user (step 414). For example, the web servers 106 or back-end servers may compare indexed message text with text stored by the recipient in selected text database 112 during step 408. If there are any matches between message text and the recipient's selected text, the web servers 106 or back-end servers may hide the message if the matched text is stored either in relation to the whole network or at least in relation to the sending user (step 416). In other words, the system may first verify whether the recipient user desired to block that text from the particular sending user.
  • In one embodiment, messages may be aggregated from different social networking or messaging accounts. For example, a user may select messaging data, such as text or an image, from a message sent through a first type of messaging account (e.g., a first social network), and the system may filter communications having the selected messaging data from messages sent from one or more other types of messaging accounts (e.g., a second or other social networks, email networks, etc.).
  • Although described in relation to a universal messaging system, the presently disclosed embodiments may be implemented in relation to any type of electronic communications system, such as an e-mail system, an interoffice communications system, a mobile networking system, etc. Moreover, although disclosed in relation to a buddy list, these embodiments may also be used in relation to contact lists, employee lists, recent contact lists, archive lists, etc. The location tracking and filtering features described herein may also be used together, e.g., by filtering locations or adding locations based on filtered text. Finally, users may select between posting communications only to buddies, one or more buddies, or to the entire network, to selectively choose between either an open or closed system, or even a partially open and closed system.
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a method or process, an apparatus or system, or computer software on a computer medium. It is intended that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. For example, advantageous results still could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Other implementations are within the scope of the following exemplary claims.
  • It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the systems and methods disclosed herein. It is intended that the disclosed embodiments and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A computer-implemented method for filtering electronic communications, the method comprising:
receiving a first message directed to a user, the first message being communicated by a first messaging service and including a plurality of messaging data;
receiving from the user a selection of the messaging data within the first message;
adding the selected messaging data to a database in relation to one or more contacts of the user;
receiving a second message directed to the user from at least one of the one or more contacts, the second message being communicated by a second messaging service;
scanning the second message for the selected messaging data; and
filtering, with at least one processor, the second message from delivery to the user if the second message contains the selected messaging data.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the messaging data includes one or more of textual data and image data.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selection from the user includes receiving a highlighting selection of the selected messaging data from the user.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing the user with an option of filtering messages having the selected messaging data from either a sender of the first message, or all of the user's contacts.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing the user with a mechanism for ceasing to filter messages having the selected messaging data.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first and second messages are instant messages and the contacts are instant messaging contacts.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first and second messages are electronic messages that originate from a plurality of social networks or communications systems.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein filtering the second message includes preventing the second message from being displayed to the user in a contact list, social networking feed, or inbox, in the course of normal message delivery.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein filtering the second message includes logging the second message in a secondary queue apart from a standard contact list, social networking feed, or inbox.
10. A computer system for filtering electronic communications, the system comprising:
a database configured to store user data and selected messaging data;
a messaging server disposed in communication with the database and configured to:
receive a first message directed to a user, the first message including a plurality of messaging data;
receive from the user a selection of the messaging data within the first message;
add the selected messaging data to a database in relation to one or more contacts of the user;
receive a second message directed to the user from at least one of the one or more contacts;
scan the second message for the selected messaging data; and
filter, with at least one processor, the second message from delivery to the user if the second message contains the selected messaging data.
11. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging data includes one or more of textual data and image data.
12. The computer system of claim 10, wherein receiving the selection from the user includes receiving a highlighting selection of the selected messaging data from the user.
13. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging server is further configured to:
provide the user with an option of filtering messages having the selected messaging data from either a sender of the first message, or all of the user's contacts.
14. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging server is further configured to:
provide the user with a mechanism for ceasing to filter messages having the selected messaging data.
15. The computer system of claim 10, wherein filtering the second message includes preventing the second message from being displayed to the user in a contact list, social networking feed, or inbox, in the course of normal message delivery.
16. The computer system of claim 10, wherein filtering the second message includes logging the second message in a secondary queue apart from a standard contact list, social networking feed, or inbox.
17. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging data includes one or more of textual data and image data.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
receive a first message directed to a user, the first message including a plurality of messaging data;
receive from the user a selection of the messaging data within the first message;
add the selected messaging data to a database in relation to one or more contacts of the user;
receive a second message directed to the user from at least one of the one or more contacts;
scan the second message for the selected messaging data; and
filter, with at least one processor, the second message from delivery to the user if the second message contains the selected messaging data.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions for the computer to:
provide the user with an option of filtering messages having the selected messaging data from either (1) a sender of the first message, or (2) all of the user's contacts.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein receiving the selection from the user includes receiving a highlighting selection of the selected messaging data from the user.
US13/046,585 2010-03-11 2011-03-11 Systems and methods for filtering electronic communications Abandoned US20110225250A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/046,585 US20110225250A1 (en) 2010-03-11 2011-03-11 Systems and methods for filtering electronic communications

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US31311010P 2010-03-11 2010-03-11
US13/046,585 US20110225250A1 (en) 2010-03-11 2011-03-11 Systems and methods for filtering electronic communications

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110225250A1 true US20110225250A1 (en) 2011-09-15

Family

ID=44560967

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/046,585 Abandoned US20110225250A1 (en) 2010-03-11 2011-03-11 Systems and methods for filtering electronic communications
US13/046,373 Active 2034-08-17 US9547844B2 (en) 2010-03-11 2011-03-11 Systems and methods for location tracking in a social network

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/046,373 Active 2034-08-17 US9547844B2 (en) 2010-03-11 2011-03-11 Systems and methods for location tracking in a social network

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (2) US20110225250A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2545456A4 (en)
CA (1) CA2792510A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2011112989A2 (en)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120210250A1 (en) * 2010-10-12 2012-08-16 Waldeck Technology, Llc Obtaining and displaying relevant status updates for presentation during playback of a media content stream based on crowds
US20120296987A1 (en) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-22 Soleio Cuervo Lightweight Messaging with Location Between Users of a Social Networking System
US20120310633A1 (en) * 2010-10-14 2012-12-06 JVC Kenwood Corporation Filtering device and filtering method
US20120323564A1 (en) * 2010-10-14 2012-12-20 JVC Kenwood Corporation Program search device and program search method
US20120331036A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Sap Ag System and Method of Enterprise Action Item Planning, Executing, Tracking and Analytics
US20130311452A1 (en) * 2012-05-16 2013-11-21 Daniel Jacoby Media and location based social network
CN103455508A (en) * 2012-05-31 2013-12-18 国际商业机器公司 Method and device for controlling social network application information stream display
US20140046933A1 (en) * 2011-04-22 2014-02-13 Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited Method and system for displaying user activities based on geographic location information and computer storage medium
US20150149449A1 (en) * 2011-07-08 2015-05-28 Hariharan Dhandapani Location based information display
US20150242512A1 (en) * 2012-12-11 2015-08-27 Google Inc. Systems and Methods for Ranking Search Results Based on User Identification of Items of Interest
US20150350131A1 (en) * 2014-05-27 2015-12-03 Orange Method and device for controlling the display of a group of contacts
US20160132508A1 (en) * 2012-07-09 2016-05-12 Facebook, Inc. Ranking location query results based on social networking data

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120158850A1 (en) * 2010-12-21 2012-06-21 Harrison Edward R Method and apparatus for automatically creating an experiential narrative
US9875478B1 (en) * 2011-06-17 2018-01-23 Misys International Banking Systems Limited System and method for leveraging location to enhance banking services
US9043402B2 (en) * 2011-09-19 2015-05-26 Trimble Navigation Limited Publication of equipment status
KR20130052374A (en) * 2011-11-11 2013-05-22 삼성전자주식회사 System and method for sharing application information
US20140012704A1 (en) 2012-07-05 2014-01-09 Google Inc. Selecting a preferred payment instrument based on a merchant category
US20140179354A1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Ian David Robert Fisher Determining contact opportunities
US9092767B1 (en) 2013-03-04 2015-07-28 Google Inc. Selecting a preferred payment instrument
US20170214752A1 (en) * 2013-12-16 2017-07-27 Co Everywhere, Inc. Systems and methods for providing geographically delineated content author information
US9304657B2 (en) 2013-12-31 2016-04-05 Abbyy Development Llc Audio tagging
US10044661B2 (en) 2014-03-27 2018-08-07 International Business Machines Corporation Social media message delivery based on user location

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040088362A1 (en) * 2002-11-04 2004-05-06 David Curbow System and method for automatically manipulating electronic calendar invitations
US20040193684A1 (en) * 2003-03-26 2004-09-30 Roy Ben-Yoseph Identifying and using identities deemed to be known to a user
US20050097174A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-05-05 Daniell W. T. Filtered email differentiation
US20060123083A1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2006-06-08 Xerox Corporation Adaptive spam message detector
US20080140781A1 (en) * 2006-12-06 2008-06-12 Microsoft Corporation Spam filtration utilizing sender activity data
US20080162642A1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2008-07-03 International Business Machines Corporation Availability Filtering for Instant Messaging
US20090157818A1 (en) * 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Cook Adam R Method to identify and display contributions by author in an e-mail comprising multiple authors
US20100185724A1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2010-07-22 Kumiko Ishii Check system, information providing system, and computer-readable information recording medium containing a program
US20110106892A1 (en) * 2009-11-02 2011-05-05 Marie-France Nelson System and method for extracting calendar events from free-form email
US20130006615A1 (en) * 2007-08-31 2013-01-03 Research In Motion Limited Mobile wireless communications device providing enhanced predictive word entry and related methods
US20130007628A1 (en) * 2006-06-02 2013-01-03 Research In Motion Limited User interface for a handheld device

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7848765B2 (en) * 2005-05-27 2010-12-07 Where, Inc. Location-based services
US7921164B2 (en) 2005-10-31 2011-04-05 Sap Ag Method and apparatus for stopping output of a correspondence
US7669123B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2010-02-23 Facebook, Inc. Dynamically providing a news feed about a user of a social network
US8108501B2 (en) * 2006-11-01 2012-01-31 Yahoo! Inc. Searching and route mapping based on a social network, location, and time
US8676232B2 (en) * 2009-03-26 2014-03-18 Google Inc. Locating mobile contacts using a geo-contact list
US8479103B2 (en) * 2009-09-15 2013-07-02 International Business Machines Corporation Visualization of real-time social data informatics

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040088362A1 (en) * 2002-11-04 2004-05-06 David Curbow System and method for automatically manipulating electronic calendar invitations
US20040193684A1 (en) * 2003-03-26 2004-09-30 Roy Ben-Yoseph Identifying and using identities deemed to be known to a user
US20120233269A1 (en) * 2003-03-26 2012-09-13 Aol Inc. Identifying and using identities deemed to be known to a user
US20050097174A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-05-05 Daniell W. T. Filtered email differentiation
US20060123083A1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2006-06-08 Xerox Corporation Adaptive spam message detector
US20130007628A1 (en) * 2006-06-02 2013-01-03 Research In Motion Limited User interface for a handheld device
US20080140781A1 (en) * 2006-12-06 2008-06-12 Microsoft Corporation Spam filtration utilizing sender activity data
US20080162642A1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2008-07-03 International Business Machines Corporation Availability Filtering for Instant Messaging
US20100185724A1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2010-07-22 Kumiko Ishii Check system, information providing system, and computer-readable information recording medium containing a program
US20130006615A1 (en) * 2007-08-31 2013-01-03 Research In Motion Limited Mobile wireless communications device providing enhanced predictive word entry and related methods
US20090157818A1 (en) * 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Cook Adam R Method to identify and display contributions by author in an e-mail comprising multiple authors
US20110106892A1 (en) * 2009-11-02 2011-05-05 Marie-France Nelson System and method for extracting calendar events from free-form email

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120210250A1 (en) * 2010-10-12 2012-08-16 Waldeck Technology, Llc Obtaining and displaying relevant status updates for presentation during playback of a media content stream based on crowds
US20120310633A1 (en) * 2010-10-14 2012-12-06 JVC Kenwood Corporation Filtering device and filtering method
US20120323564A1 (en) * 2010-10-14 2012-12-20 JVC Kenwood Corporation Program search device and program search method
US20140046933A1 (en) * 2011-04-22 2014-02-13 Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited Method and system for displaying user activities based on geographic location information and computer storage medium
US20120296987A1 (en) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-22 Soleio Cuervo Lightweight Messaging with Location Between Users of a Social Networking System
US8843573B2 (en) * 2011-05-20 2014-09-23 Facebook, Inc. Lightweight messaging with location between users of a social networking system
US20120331036A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Sap Ag System and Method of Enterprise Action Item Planning, Executing, Tracking and Analytics
US9262732B2 (en) * 2011-06-22 2016-02-16 Sap Se System and method of enterprise action item planning, executing, tracking and analytics
US20150149449A1 (en) * 2011-07-08 2015-05-28 Hariharan Dhandapani Location based information display
US20130311452A1 (en) * 2012-05-16 2013-11-21 Daniel Jacoby Media and location based social network
US9305020B2 (en) * 2012-05-16 2016-04-05 Motormouth, Llc Media and location based social network
US9600482B2 (en) 2012-05-16 2017-03-21 Motormouth, Llc Media and location based social network
US9600481B2 (en) 2012-05-16 2017-03-21 Motormouth, Llc Media and location based social network
CN103455508A (en) * 2012-05-31 2013-12-18 国际商业机器公司 Method and device for controlling social network application information stream display
US20160132508A1 (en) * 2012-07-09 2016-05-12 Facebook, Inc. Ranking location query results based on social networking data
US10706058B2 (en) * 2012-07-09 2020-07-07 Facebook, Inc. Ranking location query results based on social networking data
US20150242512A1 (en) * 2012-12-11 2015-08-27 Google Inc. Systems and Methods for Ranking Search Results Based on User Identification of Items of Interest
US20150350131A1 (en) * 2014-05-27 2015-12-03 Orange Method and device for controlling the display of a group of contacts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US9547844B2 (en) 2017-01-17
CA2792510A1 (en) 2011-09-15
EP2545456A2 (en) 2013-01-16
EP2545456A4 (en) 2014-01-08
WO2011112989A2 (en) 2011-09-15
WO2011112989A3 (en) 2012-12-27
US20110252095A1 (en) 2011-10-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9547844B2 (en) Systems and methods for location tracking in a social network
US10511652B2 (en) Recommending posts to non-subscribing users
US10949429B1 (en) Scoring authors of posts
AU2011215996B2 (en) Identification of message recipients
US9553835B2 (en) Active e-mails
US9299060B2 (en) Automatically suggesting groups based on past user interaction
TWI393013B (en) Identifying and employing social network relationships
US20180131652A1 (en) Spam filtering and person profiles
US9269081B1 (en) Seeding user connections in a social network
US11108725B1 (en) Social media message composition
US20160219004A1 (en) An apparatus and method for handling metadata of an email message
US9881258B1 (en) Generating notifications based on formation of memberships
AU2013203582B2 (en) Identification of message recipients

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: AOL INC., VIRGINIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CYPES, GREGORY BRIAN;CARNELL, SHAWN MICHAEL EDWARDS;SATTAR, RIZWAN ABDUS;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20110503 TO 20110525;REEL/FRAME:026367/0935

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ILLINOIS

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:AOL INC.;AOL ADVERTISING INC.;BUYSIGHT, INC.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:030936/0011

Effective date: 20130701

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:AOL INC.;AOL ADVERTISING INC.;BUYSIGHT, INC.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:030936/0011

Effective date: 20130701

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

AS Assignment

Owner name: AOL ADVERTISING INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS -RELEASE OF 030936/0011;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036042/0053

Effective date: 20150623

Owner name: MAPQUEST, INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS -RELEASE OF 030936/0011;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036042/0053

Effective date: 20150623

Owner name: PICTELA, INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS -RELEASE OF 030936/0011;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036042/0053

Effective date: 20150623

Owner name: AOL INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS -RELEASE OF 030936/0011;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036042/0053

Effective date: 20150623

Owner name: BUYSIGHT, INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS -RELEASE OF 030936/0011;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036042/0053

Effective date: 20150623

AS Assignment

Owner name: OATH INC., VIRGINIA

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AOL INC.;REEL/FRAME:043672/0369

Effective date: 20170612