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:
 storing, by one or more processors associated with one or more computer servers, profile information received from each of a plurality of users in a user database;   receiving, by the one or more processors, from a requesting registered user, a request to exchange user profile information with an identified registered user;   sending, by the one or more processors, a request message to the identified registered user, the request message comprising a notification of the request from the requesting registered user;   receiving, by the one or more processors, a response from the identified registered user in connection with the request message, the response comprising a selection relating to the request; and   sending, by the one or more processors, information to the requesting registered user in accordance with the selection.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the selection comprises 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 selection comprises 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 request message comprises a request email. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the response comprises a response email. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 updating a status of the request; and   sending information to the requesting registered user regarding the updated status.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 updating a list of requesters who have requested to exchange user profile information with the identified registered user; and   sending information to the identified registered user regarding the updated list.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein sending information to the requesting registered user comprises sending information to display at least a portion of user profile information of the identified registered user. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein sending information to the requesting registered user comprises providing a 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:
 store, by one or more processors associated with one or more computer servers, profile information received from each of a plurality of users in a user database;   receive, by the one or more processors, from a requesting registered user, a request to exchange user profile information with an identified registered user;   send, by the one or more processors, a request message to the identified registered user, the request message comprising a notification of the request from the requesting registered user;   receive, by the one or more processors, a response from the identified registered user in connection with the request message, the response comprising a selection relating to the request; and   send, by the one or more processors, information to the requesting registered user in accordance with the selection.   
     
     
         35 . The media of  claim 34 , wherein the selection 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 selection comprises 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 , the software being further operable to:
 update a status of the request; and   send information to the requesting registered user regarding the updated status.   
     
     
         38 . The media of  claim 34 , the software being further operable to:
 update a list of requesters who have requested to exchange user profile information with the identified registered user; and   send information to the identified registered user regarding the updated list.   
     
     
         39 . The media of  claim 34 , wherein the information sent to the requesting registered user comprises information to display at least a portion of user profile information of the identified registered user. 
     
     
         40 . The media of  claim 34 , wherein the information sent to the requesting registered user comprises information to provide a download of at least a portion of user profile information of the identified registered user. 
     
     
         41 . 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:
 store profile information received from each of a plurality of users in a user database; 
 receive from a requesting registered user, a request to exchange user profile information with an identified registered user; 
 send a request message to the identified registered user, the request message comprising a notification of the request from the requesting registered user; 
 receive a response from the identified registered user in connection with the request message, the response comprising a selection relating to the request; and 
 send information to the requesting registered user in accordance with the selection. 
   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the selection comprises an indication that the identified registered user either accepts the request, accepts the request with limitations, or declines the request. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , the processors being further operable to:
 update a status of the request; and   send information to the requesting registered user regarding the updated status.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 41 , the processors being further operable to:
 update a list of requesters who have requested to exchange user profile information with the identified registered user; and   send information to the identified registered user regarding the updated list.