Method and System for Controlled Distribution of Information Over a Network

Abstract

An information management and distribution system is disclosed. The information management and distribution system includes a client-side application and a server application that interact to facilitate the controlled exchange of contact information over a network. The client-side application can provide creation and design, rolodex, exchange, and update features. The information management and distribution system can also include a corporate administrator application. Still another aspect of the invention is that contact information can be distributed to registered users in a common format.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method comprising:
 registering, by one or more processors associated with one or more computer servers, a plurality of users;   receiving, by the one or more processors, from a requesting registered user, a request to send a message to an identified registered user, the message comprising one or more selectable actions;   sending, by the one or more processors, an email including the message to the identified registered user;   receiving, by the one or more processors, an indication that the identified registered user selected one or more actions of the one or more selectable actions; and   sending, by the one or more processors, a response message to the requesting registered user about the selected one or more actions.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the message comprises a request to the identified registered user, and wherein the one or more selectable actions comprise an indication that the identified registered user either accepts the request, accepts the request with limitations, or declines the request. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the selected one or more actions comprise an indication that the identified registered user accepts the request with limitations, further comprising:
 receiving information associated with one or more limitations selected by the identified registered user.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the response message comprises an email. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 updating a status associated with the request to send the message to the identified registered user; and   sending information to the requesting registered user regarding the updated status.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 updating a list of requesters who have sent messages comprising one or more selectable actions to the identified registered user; and   sending information to the identified registered user regarding the updated list.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising: saving profile information received from each of the plurality of users in a user database. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the response message comprises information to display at least a portion of user profile information of the identified registered user. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the response message comprises information to download of at least a portion of user profile information of the identified registered user. 
     
     
         34 . One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed to: register, by one or more processors associated with one or more computer servers, a plurality of users;
 receive, by the one or more processors, from a requesting registered user, a request to send a message to an identified registered user, the message comprising one or more selectable actions;   send, by the one or more processors, an email including the message to the identified registered user;   receive, by the one or more processors, an indication that the identified registered user selected one or more actions of the one or more selectable actions; and   send, by the one or more processors, a response message to the requesting registered user about the selected one or more actions.   
     
     
         35 . The media of  claim 34 , wherein the message comprises a request to the identified registered user, and wherein the one or more selectable actions comprises an indication that the identified registered user either accepts the request, accepts the request with limitations, or declines the request. 
     
     
         36 . The media of  claim 35 , wherein the selected one or more actions comprise an indication that the identified registered user accepts the request with limitations, further comprising:
 receiving information associated with one or more limitations selected by the identified registered user.   
     
     
         37 . The media of  claim 34 , wherein the response message comprises an email. 
     
     
         38 . The media of  claim 34 , the software further operable when executed to: update a status associated with the request to send the message to the identified registered user; and
 send information to the requesting registered user regarding the updated status.   
     
     
         39 . The media of  claim 34 , the software further operable when executed to:
 update a list of requesters who have sent messages comprising one or more selectable actions to the identified registered user; and   send information to the identified registered user regarding the updated list.   
     
     
         40 . A system comprising:
 one or more processors; and   a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors operable when executing the instructions to:
 register a plurality of users; 
 receive from a requesting registered user, a request to send a message to an identified registered user, the message comprising one or more selectable actions; 
 send an email including the message to the identified registered user; 
 receive an indication that the identified registered user selected one or more actions of the one or more selectable actions; and 
 send a response message to the requesting registered user about the selected one or more actions. 
   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the message comprises a request to the identified registered user, and wherein the one or more selectable actions comprise an indication that the identified registered user either accepts the request, accepts the request with limitations, or declines the request. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 40 , the processors further operable when executing the instructions to:
 save profile information received from each of the plurality of users in a user database.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the response message comprises information to display at least a portion of user profile information of the identified registered user. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the response message comprises information to download of at least a portion of user profile information of the identified registered user.