Controlled distribution of profile information and related data objects

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by one or more servers, a personal identifier and profile information from a first user; storing, by one or more servers, the personal identifier in association with the profile information for the first user in a computer readable storage medium; receiving, by one or more servers, from the first user, a request for electronic information distribution with a second user; sending, by one or more servers, the request for electronic information distribution to the second user; receiving, by one or more servers, from the second user, an acceptance of the request for electronic information distribution; and thereafter distributing updated electronic information between the first user and the second user to an extent permitted by the second user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by one or more servers, a personal identifier and profile information from a first user;   storing, by one or more servers, the personal identifier in association with the profile information for the first user in a computer readable storage medium;   receiving, by one or more servers, from the first user, a request for electronic information distribution with a second user;   sending, by one or more servers, the request for electronic information distribution to the second user;   receiving, by one or more servers, from the second user, an acceptance of the request for electronic information distribution, wherein the acceptance of the request establishes an association that allows the second user to distribute electronic information to the first user; and   thereafter distributing updated electronic information between the first user and the second user to an extent permitted by the second user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 notifying the first user, by one or more servers, that the request for electronic information distribution with the second user was accepted.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic information includes contact information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic information includes images. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic information includes advertisements. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing, by one or more servers, at least one group assigned to the first user by the second user.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the extent of distributing updated electronic information permitted by the second user is dependent on the at least one group assigned to the first user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second user may disable the distribution of updated electronic information with the first user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 authenticating, by one or more servers, a password from the first user before sending the request for electronic information distribution to the second user.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more memories operatively coupled to at least one of the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that are operable, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, to cause at least one of the one or more processors to:
 receive a personal identifier and profile information from a first user; 
 store the personal identifier in association with the profile information for the first user in a computer readable storage medium; 
 receive, from the first user, a request for electronic information distribution with a second user; 
 send the request for electronic information distribution to the second user; 
 receive, from the second user, an acceptance of the request for electronic information distribution, wherein the acceptance of the request establishes an association that allows the second user to distribute electronic information to the first user; and 
 thereafter distribute updated electronic information between the first user and the second user to an extent permitted by the second user. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the one or more memories has further instructions stored thereon that are operable, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, to cause at least one of the one or more processors to:
 notify the first user that the request for electronic information distribution with the second user was accepted.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic information includes contact information. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic information includes images. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic information includes advertisements. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the one or more memories has further instructions stored thereon that are operable, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, to cause at least one of the one or more processors to:
 store at least one group assigned to the first user by the second user.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the extent of updated electronic information distribution permitted by the second user is dependent on the at least one group assigned to the first user. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second user may disable the distribution of updated electronic information with the first user. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the one or more memories has further instructions stored thereon that are operable, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, to cause at least one of the one or more processors to:
 authenticate a password from the first user before sending the request for electronic information distribution to the second user.   
     
     
         19 . At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that are operable, when executed by one or more computing devices, to cause at least one of the one or more computing devices to:
 receive a personal identifier and profile information from a first user;   store the personal identifier in association with the profile information for the first user in a computer readable storage medium;   receive from the first user, a request for electronic information distribution with a second user;   send the request for electronic information distribution to the second user;   receive from the second user, an acceptance of the request for electronic information distribution, wherein the acceptance of the request establishes an association that allows the second user to distribute electronic information to the first user; and   thereafter distribute updated electronic information between the first user and the second user to an extent permitted by the second user.   
     
     
         20 . The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , further storing instructions that are operable, when executed by one or more computing devices, to cause at least one of the one or more computing devices to:
 notify the first user that the request for electronic information distribution with the second user was accepted.   
     
     
         21 . The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , wherein the electronic information includes contact information. 
     
     
         22 . The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , wherein the second user may disable the distribution of updated electronic information with the first user. 
     
     
         23 . The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , further storing instructions that are operable, when executed by one or more computing devices, to cause at least one of the one or more computing devices to:
 authenticate a password from the first user before sending the request for electronic information distribution to the second user.