Systems and methods for verification and mapping of social connections

Abstract

Systems and methods including computer-executable software for receiving user information, receiving a user request to connect with another user, computing a trust index for the requesting user, and allowing the connection request if the user's trust index is sufficiently high. In some examples, the system includes software for mapping connection and potential connections between the user and a target entity. In some further examples, the systems and methods includes functionality for allowing a user to message other users.

1 . A system for mapping social connections between a user and a specified target entity, comprising:
 a processor capable of executing software instructions;   a user interface in communication with the processor; and   a storage unit in communication with the processor,   wherein the storage unit includes:
 a database; and 
 software instructions to:
 add the user to the database; 
 compute a trust index for the user; 
 allow the user to use the user interface to select one or more other persons within the database to establish a connection, each of the one or more other persons within the database having established connections with other existing persons in the database; 
 evaluate whether to allow the connection based upon the user's trust index; and 
 create a graph of connections between the user and the specified target entity based upon the one or more other persons with whom the user has established a connection. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user is only allowed to select another person within the database to establish a connection if the user meets criteria specified by the other person. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface to display a visual depiction of the graph of connections between the user and the specified target entity. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the interface to display a visual depiction of the graph and the user interface further comprise code that is useable by a web browser to display the interface and user interface. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the specified target entity is a publicly known person. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising software instructions to allow the user to message other persons within the database via the user interface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user can message other persons only within parameters prescribed by the other person. 
     
     
         8 . A method for mapping social connections between a user and a specified target entity, comprising:
 providing a user interface upon a computer with a processor;   receiving into the computer via the user interface information about a plurality of persons, where at least one of the plurality of persons is the specified target entity;   receiving into the computer via the user interface information about connections between at least one of the plurality of persons, and a second of the plurality of persons;   receiving from the user into the computer via the user interface information about the user's connection with at least one of the plurality of persons;   computing a trust index for the user;   validating the user's connection pith the at east one of the plurality of persons based upon criteria specified by the at least one of the plurality of persons and the user's trust index;   using the computer to create a graph of connections between the user and the specified target entity from the information about connections; and   displaying the graph on the user interface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising sending a message from the user to the specified target entity. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the content of the message sent from the user is limited according to criteria established by the specified target entity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising recomputing the user's trust index following validation and approval of a connection request from the user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connection request from the user is automatically denied if the user's trust index is below an established threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving one or more subsequent requests to add additional persons into the computer; and   recomputing the user's trust index following receipt of each subsequent request.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein receiving into the computer further comprises storing received information into a database. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein receiving via the user interface further comprises receiving information from a web browser displaying the user interface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein displaying the graph further comprises displaying the graph on the web browser. 
     
     
         17 . A system for mapping social connections between a user and a specified target entity, comprising:
 a server computer further comprising:
 a processor capable of executing computer instructions; 
 a communications device in data communication with the processor and a network; and 
 a storage unit in data communication with the processor, the storage unit containing:
 a database containing information about a plurality of persons, including the specified target entity, the information further comprising computed trust index for the user; 
 computer instructions for receiving information for storage in the database about the user, including a connection between the user and at least one of the plurality of persons, the connection being subject to validation based upon criteria set by the at least one of the plurality of persons and the user's trust index; 
 computer instructions for displaying a user interface on a client computer; and 
 computer instructions for determining a graph of connections linking the user to the specified target entity; and 
 
   a client computer further comprising:
 a processor capable of executing computer instructions; 
 a communications device in data communication with the processor and the network so as to be able to communicate with the server computer; and 
 a storage unit in data communication with the processor, the storage unit containing instructions for displaying the user interface upon receiving instructions from the client computer; 
   wherein the user interface allows the user to input information about the user to be sent to the server computer, and to receive a depiction of the graph of connections.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the user interface is displayed on the client computer in a web browser. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the information about a plurality of persons further comprises login credentials corresponding to each of the plurality of persons so that each of the plurality of persons can log into the server computer to view or modify the information. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the user interface allows the user using the client computer to send a message to one of the plurality of persons, provided the message complies with criteria established by the one of the plurality of persons.