WO2014078952A1

WO2014078952A1 - Method for privacy and event-based social networking

Info

Publication number: WO2014078952A1
Application number: PCT/CA2013/050663
Authority: WO
Inventors: Normand PIGEON; Che HODGINS; Steven SHELTON
Original assignee: MySeat.com Media Inc.
Priority date: 2012-11-20
Filing date: 2013-08-27
Publication date: 2014-05-30

Abstract

Events are joined by individuals having associated event timelines. Event related information is posted on the individual's event timeline by the individual, friends, or the public, and posts are shared with others based on privacy settings. Some posts are shared only once a condition is met, a date has passed or an action has occurred.

Description

METHOD FOR PRIVACY AND EVENT-BASED SOCIAL NETWORKING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The invention is related to the field of social networking and more particularly to the field of event based social networking. BACKGROUND

[002] Social networking is a term that is applied to World Wide Web sites that incorporate a social aspect into their services. At first, social networking sites allowed for storage and retrieval of personal data beyond merely directory data.

[003] One of the first popular social networking sites was MySpace®.

MySpace® allowed users to define a space within the MySpace URL that was personal to the user and reflected user taste, data, and connections. More recently Facebook® has become one of the largest social networking sites in the world. One advantage that Facebook® presented early on was the ability to use the social networking site to arrange social activities. One could post on their wall that they were going to a certain club and their friends would be able to comment - indicate that they were going. It was like telling your friends what you were doing and hearing their replies, but over the Internet instead of in person. Also, it allowed your friends to see each other's replies as if you had invited them all at the end of a class.

[004] Unfortunately, with its wider dissemination, Facebook® has become less a tool for actual interaction and more a tool for virtual interaction. This is not a criticism as much can be accomplished through virtual interaction - photo sharing, messaging, email, status updates, and sharing of personal information, for example. That said, we are social beings and human interaction on a physical and local scale remains desirable. [005] The term "social networking" is also applied to tools that allow for social communication, such as Twitter® and to other sites /tools that enhance a user's social experience within the World Wide Web. These services maintain a list of social connections and are therefore considered social.

[006] It would, however, be highly beneficial to apply social networking to physical networking and to physical events - events where those socializing are actually present. Unfortunately, none of the existing tools supports a richly featured interactive networking solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising providing a first individual having a group of friends in a social network, each member of the group of friends having the same privileges with the first individual within the social network, the first individual and each of the group of friends having an electronic communication device in

communication with a communication network; providing a first event; creating timeline data for the first event and associated with the first individual, the timeline data stored in a data store, the data store in communication with the communication network; inserting experience data into the timeline data, the experience data for being shared amongst the group of friends; providing privacy data relating to the timeline data; restricting access to experience data within the timeline data in dependence upon the privacy data to some of the friends other than the first individual within the group of friends less than all of the friends within the group of friends.

[008] In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising providing a first individual having a group of friends in a social network, each member of the group of friends having the same privileges with the first individual within the social network, the first individual and each of the group of friends having an electronic communication device in

event that are shared by the first individual and experiences of the event that are not shared, the experiences other than the entire event; and sharing those experiences of the event with the at least some individuals associated with the event that are indicated as shared and other than sharing those experiences of the event with the at least some individuals associated with the event that other than indicated as shared.

[009] In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising providing a first individual having a group of friends in a social network, each member of the group of friends having the same privileges with the first individual within the social network, the first individual and each of the group of friends having an electronic communication device in

communication with a communication network; creating a timeline comprising timeline data associated with the first individual, the timeline data stored in a data store, the data store in communication with the communication network; inserting experience data into the timeline data, the experience data for being shared amongst the group of friends; providing privacy data relating to the timeline data, the privacy data including a condition precedent; restricting access to the experience data within the timeline data in dependence upon the privacy data to some of the friends other than the first individual within the group of friends less than all of the friends within the group of friends until the condition precedent occurs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] Fig. 1 is a simplified diagram of a social network according to the prior art.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram of a social network according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a simplified diagram of a social network wherein events are joined by individuals.

[0013] Fig. 4 is another simplified diagram of a social network wherein events are joined by individuals.

[0014] Fig. 5 is a simplified diagram of a timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] Fig. 6 is another simplified diagram of a timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Fig. 7 is another simplified diagram of a timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Fig. 8 is a simplified diagram of a portion of a first timeline merged with a second timeline.

[0018] Fig. 9 is a simplified diagram of a timeline merged with the entirety of a second timeline.

[0019] Fig. 10 is a simplified diagram of a super timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Fig. 11 is a simplified diagram of a traceable timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Fig. 12 is a simplified block diagram of timeline experiences shared with third party social media networks. [0022] Fig. 13A is a simplified diagram of a timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 13B are simplified diagrams of public timelines.

[0024] Fig. 14 is a simplified diagram of a semi-private timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 15 is another simplified diagram of a semi-private timeline according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Fig. 16 is another simplified diagram of a semi-private timeline according to an embodiment of the invention. [0027] Fig. 17 is a simplified diagram of a timeline dependent upon a condition.

[0028] Fig. 18 is a simplified diagram of a timeline wherein sub-events are concealed.

[0029] Fig. 19 is a simplified diagram of a timeline dependent upon a condition.

[0030] Fig. 20 is a simplified process diagram of a method used to add experiences to a timeline.

[0031] Fig. 21 is simplified process diagram of a method used to selectively share posts with individuals. [0032] Fig. 22 is simplified diagram of an omni-event timeline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Referring to Fig. 1, shown is a simplified diagram of a social network according to the prior art. A user has provided personal information including preferences, likes and dislikes. They have also linked up with a number of friends and have a "wall" on which friends post notes and messages. A news feed tells the individual what has been placed on peoples walls, what statuses people have provided, and highlights other noteworthy events that users linked to the individual, "friends," have entered into their "page." For example, the user's Facebook® page 100 shows the following posts: Gordon the user joins Facebook® at 101; Gordon friended Sue at 102; Gordon is married to Rashell at 103; Gordon likes Ashley's cupcakes at 104; Gordon is going to the hockey game at 105; Gordon likes summer at 106; Gordon is feeling tired all day at 107; Gordon friended John at 108; and Ashley's Cupcakes has a special today at 100η.

[0034] Unfortunately, the social network of Fig. 1 relates to data entry of individuals and fails to adequately provide real life social experiences involving two or more people sharing an event together.

[0035] Referring now to Fig. 2, shown is a simplified diagram of a social network according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, an individual is linked to a number of "friends." This, for example, is accomplished via the social network of Fig. 1, an existing third party social network, or a social network specific for the present purpose. When the individual attends an event, for example a sporting event, the individual is notified of linked individuals who are also present at the sporting event. In this way, the individuals share the event and can socialize with each other during the event. For example, the individual's Facebook® page 200 shows the following posts: Gordon joins Facebook® 201; Gordon friended Sue 202; Gordon is married to Rashell 203; Gordon likes Ashley's cupcakes 204; Gordon is going to the hockey game on November 15th 205; Gordon likes summer 206; Gordon is feeling tired all day 207; Gordon friended John 208. The next item posted on Gordon's Facebook® page, Gordon arrived at the hockey game 209, is automatically generated when Gordon's ticket is scanned upon entry at the hockey game. Furthermore when Gordon's friends arrive at the hockey game, and their tickets are scanned, the posts, Rashell arrived at the hockey game 210; and John arrived at the hockey game 211 are automatically generated and posted on Gordon's Facebook® wall. Gordon now knows that his friends Rashell and John are attending the same game as him and Gordon can contact them to get together immediately after the game for drinks. [0036] Alternatively, the post, Gordon has arrived at the hockey game 209 is automatically posted when the GPS in Gordon's smartphone detects that he has entered the hockey arena. Further alternatively, the post, Gordon has arrived at the hockey game 209 is automatically posted when Gordon enters data into a software program indicating his arrival at the hockey arena.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 3, shown is a simplified diagram of a social network according to another embodiment wherein timelines are created and individuals join events. A timeline is created and an event is joined when an individual arrives at a venue related to the event. For example, when the individual arrives at a hockey arena to watch a hockey game. The individual's Facebook page shows the following posts: Gordon joins Facebook® 301; Gordon friended Sue 302; Gordon is married to Rashell 303; Gordon likes Ashley's cupcakes 304; Gordon is going to the hockey game on November 15th 305; Gordon likes summer 306; Rashell is going to the hockey game 307; Gordon is feeling tired all day 308; and Gordon friended John 309. The next item posted on Gordon's Facebook® page, Gordon arrived at the hockey game 310 is automatically generated when Gordon's ticket is scanned upon entry at the hockey game. Furthermore, an event timeline, in this example the hockey game timeline, is created and Gordon joins the hockey game event. When Gordon's friends arrive at the hockey game and their tickets are scanned, the posts, Rashell arrived at the hockey game 311 and John arrived at the hockey game 312 are automatically generated and posted on Gordon's Facebook® wall and within Gordon's event timeline for the hockey game. Timelines for both Rashell and John are created and Rashell and John each join their own hockey game event. [0038] Alternatively, timelines are generated and events are joined when the GPS in an individual's smartphone detects that the individual has arrived at the event venue. Further alternatively, timelines are generated and events are joined when the individual enters data into a software program indicating their arrival at the event venue.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 4, shown is a simplified diagram of a social network according to another embodiment of the invention wherein individuals join events. An event is joined when an individual decides to attend. The individual is then notified of linked individuals that are also planning to attend the event. For example, when an individual buys their tickets for a sporting event, the individual joins the event. Now the individual can see who amongst their linked "friends" is planning on attending the event and can arrange with them to socialize during the event, before the event, or after the event. Further, the individuals can plan follow up get-togethers - for example meet up to talk about the event when we get back if the sporting event is somewhere else. The individual's Facebook page shows the following posts: Gordon, joins Facebook® 401; Gordon friended Sue 402; Gordon is married to Rashell 403; and Gordon likes Ashley's cupcakes 404. The next item posted on Gordon's Facebook® page, Gordon is going to the hockey game on November 15th 405, is automatically generated when Gordon's ticket is scanned or photographed, for example, by his smartphone. Furthermore, an event timeline, in this example, a hockey game timeline, is created and Gordon joins the hockey game event. The following post, Rashell is going to the same hockey game 407, is automatically generated when Rashell's ticket is scanned or photographed, for example, by her smartphone. Furthermore, an event timeline, in this example, the hockey game timeline, is created and Rashell joins the hockey game event. Other posts include Gordon likes summer 406; Gordon is feeling tired all day 408; Gordon friended John 409 and Gordon arrived at the hockey game 410; When Gordon arrives at the hockey game his ticket is scanned and he "checks into" the hockey game event. Checking into the event occurs when the individual arrives at the event venue. The next post, Rashell arrived at the hockey game 411; indicates that she has also "checked into" the hockey game event. The next post, John arrived at the hockey game 412, is automatically generated when John's ticket is scanned upon entry at the hockey game. Furthermore, an event timeline, in this example, the hockey game timeline, is created, and John joins and "checks into" the hockey game event.

[0040] Alternatively, check in occurs when the GPS in an individual's smartphone detects that the individual has arrived at the event venue. Further alternatively, timelines are generated and events are joined when the individual enters data into a software program indicating that he is intending to attend the event. Alternatively, an individual checks into an event when the individual enters data into a software program indicating his arrival at the event venue.

[0041] Shown in Fig. 5 is a simplified diagram of a timeline according to an embodiment. Timeline 500 relates to a single event, for example a sporting event. Timeline 500 is made up of sequenced experiences - sequential in time - relating to an individual.

[0042] For example, on November 1^st, the individual bought a ticket to a November 15^th hockey game. The individual scans the ticket's bar code and joins the event, timeline 500 for the hockey game is created and a first experience 501 is posted on timeline 500. Though created on November 1^st, timeline 500 relates to an event on November 15^th - the hockey game. The individual, on November 6^th, posts on the timeline the fact that he will celebrate or mourn the game's outcome at a sport bar near the rink after the game 502. This entry is posted on the individual's third party social networking website and friends linked to this individual, via the third party social networking website, see that he is attending. Three of his friends who are also going to the game make contact with him. Alternatively, when his friends scan their tickets and join the event the individual sees that his friends have arrived at the event venue, and immediately contacts them. For the next 5 days several communications 503 regarding making plans for the game are shared between the four friends and each communication is posted on timeline 500. The table at the sports bar is reserved on November 10^th 504 and the arrangements are made. Entries on the day of the game relating to preparing for the game, car-pooling to the game and arriving at the game are added to the timeline 500 at 507.

[0043] Each experience is logged in the individual's timeline 500 according to the time and date that the experience occurred. On November 15^th, during the event, game related experiences 505 are posted on timeline 500. Finally, once the game is done, the timeline transitions to the post game events at the sport bar 508 and concludes with the individual arriving home 506. Upon reviewing the timeline, it captures the user's experiences of a single sporting event. The individual views his event timeline 500 on a smartphone, tablet or computer screen. The experiences are presented in a sequential fashion such that they are organized according to the day and time they were posted on timeline 500.

[0044] Alternatively, the timeline is created when the individual joins the event via a software program.

[0045] Now referring to Fig. 6, shown is another event timeline 600 relating to the same hockey game of November 15^th, but for another member of the group of four individuals that car-pooled together. Timeline 600 is very similar to timeline 500, but the actual entries differ. For example, the ticket was purchased on June 5^th 601 as opposed to November 1^st. Other experiences in timeline 600 include pictures of the friend wearing the home team's jersey on November 7^th 602, commentary he made predicting the outcome of the game on November 11^th 603, and pictures he took during the game 604. Finally, once the game is done, the timeline transitions to the post game events at the sport bar 606 and concludes with the friend arriving home 605. Optionally, the experiences that he shared with the individual are also posted on timeline 600, for example correspondence between the four friends such as that shown at 503 in Fig. 5 (not shown for clarity].

[0046] Now referring to Fig. 7, shown is a simplified diagram of another event timeline 700, but this time referring to the actual sporting event. Here, sporting event posts are seen as they have been entered, for example by a newsman working the event. For example, 30 minutes before the game the newsman gives a commentary 701 of the line-up for the game, injured players, and a recap of the last game the playing teams played. During the game 702, the newsman comments on goals, team performance, plays and provides related video. After the game 703, the newsman provides a commentary on the score of the game, most valuable player and other highlights of the game. Though these experiences are not all shown in the timelines of Figs. 5 and 6, the individuals at the game were privy to most if not all of the same happenings within the game. [0047] Now referring to Fig. 8, shown is a simplified diagram of a portion of timeline 600 merged with timeline 500. For example, the first individual would like to include the pictures that his friend took at the game that are posted on timeline 600. However, he does not wish to include his friend's entire timeline. Once the first individual's friend shares his timeline with the first individual, the first individual selects a portion of the timeline 600 to overlay on top of timeline 500. The portion the first individual selects is at 604 of timeline 600, which contains pictures of the game. The first individual views timeline 800 on a smartphone, tablet or computer screen. The timeline 500 and timeline 600 remain separately stored allowing for viewing of each separately or combined. The experiences are presented in a sequential fashion such that they are organized according to the day and time they were posted into their original timelines.

[0048] Alternatively, the first individual selects only the pictures experiences that the first individual likes the best and merges those with timeline 500. Further alternatively, the first individual merges the entire timeline 600 with timeline 500.

[0049] Referring to Fig. 9, shown is a simplified diagram of timeline 700 merged with the entire timeline 800. The newsman's timeline is publicly available and can be merged with anyone's timeline. Now the news of the game is posted within the timeline of the first individual, and a portion of the timeline of the second individual, showing their experiences and the game happenings in a single combined timeline. Of course, the three timelines remain separately stored allowing for viewing of each separately or combined. Since both the individuals shared the game experience, they share some common timeline experiences but each timeline is different. For example, if the second individual caught a puck they would add a comment to their timeline. That clearly did not happen in the general news or to the first individual.

[0050] Once the event is over and timeline 900 has ended, the first individual has the ability to view timeline 900 at any time in the future. Optionally, the first individual adds experiences to his timeline line after the timeline is completed. For example, the first individual adds to timeline 500 a picture of the player that scores a goal, at the time the goal is scored. Furthermore, after the event is closed, the first individual merges a second friend's timeline with timeline 900 and first individual views the four timelines merged together. Alternatively, the first individual other than merges the second friend's timeline with timeline 900 and views the second friend's timeline separately. Further alternatively, the first individual removes the portion of timeline 600 from the timeline 900 and views timeline 500 merged with timeline 700.

[0051] Shown in Fig. 10 is a simplified diagram of a super timeline according to an embodiment of the invention. A super timeline is associated with an event that comprises multiple sub-events. Each sub-event is associated with its own timeline. A specific and non-limiting example is a hockey season event associated with super timeline 1000. The hockey season event comprises sub -events such as hockey games 1001, 1002, 1003, ....1000η and each hockey game has its own timeline. For example, sub-event 1003 is the hockey game that the first individual attended on November 15^th and is associated with timeline 500. The first individual also attended hockey games 1001, 1002, ...1000n and each sub- event has corresponding timelines. The first individual views timeline 1000 on a smartphone, tablet or computer screen. The first individual can also view each sub-event timeline. The sub-events and experiences are presented in a sequential fashion such that they are organized according to the day and time they were posted onto timeline 1000. Alternatively, another ordering methodology is employed.

[0052] Referring to Fig. 11, shown is a simplified diagram of a traceable timeline according to an embodiment of the invention. A traceable timeline is a timeline that is automatically generated based on activity of the user, yet not posted on the timeline by the user. A specific and non-limiting example is credit card timeline 1100. During the hockey event on November 15^th the first individual made several purchases with his credit card, such as his ticket, beer before the game, popcorn during the first intermission, a home team jersey during the second intermission, beer at the sports bar, etc. When the first individual receives his credit card bill, the first individual does not recall all of the purchases indicated on the bill during the hockey game event and wonders if some of the purchases are invalid. To jog his memory the first individual overlays the credit card timeline 1100 onto timeline 900 and reviews the merged timelines on either a smart phone, tablet or personal computer screen. As the purchases are now visible and in sequence with the posts on timeline 900, viewing the merged timelines aids him in recalling the purchases on his bill. [0053] According to an embodiment, timelines are instantaneously merged. For example, instead of the first individual merging the newsman's timeline 700 with timeline 800 after the event is over, he selects the newsman's timeline for real time merging with his own timeline 500. Doing so allows the first individual visibility of the newsman's posts as soon as they are posted on timeline 700. [0054] Now referring to Fig. 12, shown is a simplified block diagram of timeline experiences shared with third party social media networks. Timeline 1200 is associated with an event, a specific and non-limiting example is a music concert. A first individual has accounts with third party social media networks, for example Twitter® 1210 and Facebook® 1209. The event timeline begins at 1201 when the first individual purchases her ticket and joins the event. Her ticket is scanned at the entrance and she is checked into the concert at 1202. Alternatively, the first individual checks into the concert by entering data into a software program. Further alternatively, the first individual is checked into the event when the first individual arrives at the event venue. The experience of arriving at the concert is not only posted onto timeline 1200 but also posted as a tweet 1206 on her Twitter® account 1210. The next experience posted onto her timeline is a picture the first individual takes of her friends 1203, which is then automatically posted on her Facebook® page 1208. At 1204 the first individual posts a comment about the band onto timeline 1200 which is posted as a Tweet 1208 on her Twitter® account 1210. Not all of her experiences are shared with the third party social media networks, for example, purchasing her ticket at 1201 and the end of the concert at 1205 are posted as experiences on timeline 1200 but not posted on Twitter® or Facebook®. Alternatively, posts by the first individual into third party social media sites are incorporated into timeline 1200. For example, tweets that the first individual sends out during the event are posted onto timeline 1200 as sequenced experiences. Further alternatively, any new entries into her Facebook® that occur during the event are also posted onto timeline 1200 as sequenced events.

[0055] Shown in Fig. 13A is another simplified diagram of a timeline. A friend of the first individual described in the example of Fig. 12 is unable to attend the concert in person, however she plans to watch the live concert on TV. Timeline 1300 is created when the first individual joins the concert 1301 by entering data into a software program. The friend sees that the first individual has joined the event, and during the concert exchanges text messages with her 1302 and they decide to share their timelines with each other 1303. Finally, the concert ends 1304 as does timeline 1300.

[0056] The following are examples of ways to check into an event: an event ticket is scanned using an electronic device and ticket information is provided to the individual's timeline, a person enters data via a media interface into a software program. [0057] According to an embodiment of the invention, a first individual's event timeline is unique to the first individual and viewed from the first individual's perspective of the event. For example, the first individual experiences an event differently and interacts with different people in comparison to a second individual joined to the same event. Hence, postings by the first individual and the second individual will be different. Also, the first individual's event timeline is affected by timeline privacy settings configured by the first individual.

However, the first individual's timeline is not only affected by the first individual's timeline privacy settings but also the privacy settings of others' timelines. For example, the second individual selects timeline posts for public sharing that are included in the first individual's timeline.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the invention public timeline posts are accessible to all individuals that join an event. For example, shown in Fig. 13B are several public timelines that everyone who has joined an event can overlay with their own timeline. An event, for example, a soccer game, has multiple timelines created by individuals that are announcing the game in several different languages: timeline 11300 is in English, 11301 is in French, 11302 is in Spanish and 11303 is in Portuguese. Each announcer has chosen timeline privacy settings that enable their respective timelines posts to be available to the general public. The general public being those individuals that have joined the event.

Alternatively, the general public is any individual that has joined any event. Public timeline posts are other than limited to sports announcers. For example, any individual who joins the event has the ability to share their experiences with the general public by choosing their privacy settings accordingly. [0059] In contrast to public timeline posts there is also private timeline posts. A private timeline post is created when an individual joins an event and chooses privacy settings that prevent posts on the private timeline to be accessible by others. A private timeline post is other than overlaid onto another timeline, part of an omni-event timeline or an all-event timeline. However, timeline posts that have been shared with the individual by friends are overlaid onto the

individual's private timeline. At the time the individual joins the event his friends are other than notified of the individual's arrival. Similarly, when the individual checks into or arrives at the event venue, or any venue, the

individual's friends are other than notified. All experiences posted on the private timeline are viewable by the individual and other than viewable by others. An individual with private timeline posts has the opportunity to be a voyeur of other individual's experiences either separately or overlaid on his own timeline without automatically sharing his own experiences. [0060] According to an embodiment of the invention there are semi-private timeline posts. An individual controls a selection of timeline experiences they share and with whom they share those experiences. For example, shown in Fig. 14 is semi-private timeline 1400. An individual selects, via timeline privacy settings, to share the experience that they have checked into the event venue, however the individual selects to not share their seat information. When the individual arrives at the event venue, their friends are notified of the individual's arrival and have visibility of the post 1401; however, they are not privy to the individual's seat location information and are unable to see the post 1402. Optionally, a same experience is shared differently with different friends or different groups of people.

[0061] Alternatively, the individual checks into the event at a venue location than from the event venue and selects, via timeline privacy settings, to share the experience that they have checked into the event, however the individual selects to other that share the individual's event location or GPS location. When the individual arrives at the location venue, their friends are notified of the individual's arrival, however, they are not privy to individual's event location or GPS location information.

[0062] Shown in Fig. 15, is another example of semi-private timeline posts. A first individual has a first timeline 1500 associated with the first individual and with an event. The first individual selects privacy settings for sharing the first timeline 1500 with friends; however, the first individual prevents the friends from seeing certain posts within the first timeline 1500. For example, the first individual attends a basketball game with the first individual's wife and two children. The first individual joins the event 1501 and is notified that two of the friends are also at the basketball game. The first individual takes pictures of players in the basketball game and enters them into the first timeline 1502. The first individual has selected privacy settings that share his timeline with the friends, thus the friends see the pictures the first individual has taken of the players. The first individual has also selected privacy settings that prevents the friends from seeing any posts on the first timeline relating to the first individual's family. For example, the first individual takes pictures of his children at the basketball game 1503. The friends are unable to see the pictures of his children posted onto the first timeline 1500. The first individual has selected privacy settings to enable his wife to see all posts, 1501, 1502 and 1503 on the first timeline. Thus the first individual's wife sees the pictures of their children that are obfuscated from the friends.

[0063] In another example of a semi-private timeline posts shown in Fig. 16. A first individual has a first timeline 1600 associated with the first individual and an event. The first individual selects timeline post privacy settings for the first timeline 1600, such that the first individual shares one portion of timeline 1600 experiences with one group of friends and a second portion of experiences with a second group of friends. For example, the first individual attends a golf tournament having a golf event associated therewith with colleagues from work. An event timeline 1600 is created for the golf event and associated with the first individual. The first individual and his colleagues join the golf event by scanning their tickets for the event 1601. The first individual sees his colleagues in the list of those in attendance at the golf tournament on a mobile device in the form of a smart phone, and the first individual also sees within the list of those in attendance at the golf tournament several of the first individual's friends names. Some of the first individual's friends attending the golf tournament work at a company competing with an employer of the first individual. To ensure that any correspondence between the first individual and his colleagues is kept private within the golf event the first individual selects privacy settings such that correspondence 1602 and 1604 amongst his colleagues entered into the event timeline 1600 is not shared with the friends. The first individual selects privacy settings that ensure only the friends can see correspondence 1603 and 1605 shared amongst friends. Even though the first individual shares the event timeline posts with both groups, the first individual is able to maintain correspondence separately with colleagues and friends.

[0064] In yet another example of semi-private timeline posts, a first individual checks into a first event in the form of a concert, the first event having an event timeline associated therewith and with the first individual. Upon checking in to the first event, the first individual is notified that friends of the first individual are also in attendance at the same concert. Although the friends are each friends with the first individual, they are other than friends with one another. The first individual realizes this and configures his timeline privacy settings such that the first individual shares the event timeline with each friend but does not share correspondence/experiences entered by each friend with the other. Of course, privacy settings of this type are optionally entered globally for friends that are not friends with each other or locally for specific individuals that are not friends with each other or on an event by event basis. Responses and interactions with each friend from the first individual are also not shared with the other friend. By not sharing the interactions with each friend with the other, the first individual avoids a potentially awkward social situation.

[0065] According to another embodiment, an event timeline is created relating to a first individual and to a first event. The privacy of a timeline experience within the event timeline is based upon a condition. For example shown in Fig. 17 is event timeline 1700. The first individual posts statistics, pictures, audio and video interviews for a particular baseball player - data 1701, 1702, 1703, and 1704, respectively - into the event timeline 1700. The first individual does so in anticipation that the baseball player will soon hit a 100^th homerun. However, the privacy settings for this data (these experiences] are configured such that the data is published only upon the condition that the baseball player hits his 100^th homerun. The data is published in accordance with settings provided by the first individual and is optionally fully public, published to select individuals, published differently to each of a select group of individuals. When the condition is met the data, the collected statistics 1701, pictures 1702, audio and video interviews 1703 and 1704, is viewable in accordance with the settings. The privacy setting enables the data to appear within the event timeline on the same day and approximate time as the baseball player hits his 100^th home run.

[0066] Sometimes, privacy settings conceal entire timeline sub-events. For example, shown in Fig. 18 is event timeline 1800 for a wedding event. The event timeline 1800 is joined by a bride, a groom, family, and friends. Prior to the wedding, sub-events such as a bachelor party 1802 and a wedding shower 1804 take place. During the bachelor party many pictures are taken and added to the groom's event timeline, 1802a, 1802b, and 1802c. Although he would like to share these pictures with friends that attended the bachelor party, the groom does not wish to share these pictures with any one else, including his family or bride. The groom configures the privacy settings for the bachelor party sub- event to conceal the sub-event and all references thereto from all of those who did not attend the sub-event. Alternatively, the groom configures the privacy settings so that only those who attended the bachelor party can view the specific pictures. [0067] Sometimes, the privacy of a timeline experience is dependent upon a time or date. A friend of the bride - a first individual - starts planning a surprise bridal shower that will be held on April 24^th. Shown in Fig. 19 is wedding event timeline 1900 of a first individual who is a friend of the bride. The first individual shares her wedding event timeline 1900 with the bride; however, the first individual does not wish to inform the bride of the activities associated with planning the bridal shower. To conceal the activities from the bride, the first individual configures the privacy settings of the event timeline 1900 such that only certain people can see bridal shower activities, for example people other than the bride. Over the next two weeks the first individual sends emails and texts 1901 to other friends helping the first individual plan the bridal shower. When choosing a cake the first individual takes pictures of the various choices and adds them to the wedding event timeline 1902. To select a venue for the bridal party the first individual sends a list of restaurants 1903 to her other friends to vote on. Pictures 1902 and correspondence 1901 pertaining to the bridal shower are entered into the wedding event timeline; however, the bride is oblivious to the activity. The first individual has configured the privacy settings of the wedding event timeline to reveal the bridal party activities stored in the wedding event timeline the day after the surprise bridal party 1904, April 25^th, to the bride. The first individual has also configured the privacy settings such that correspondence, for example a text message 1904, is sent to the bride on April 26^th indicating that new entries that were once concealed are now available for viewing. As the wedding event timeline is overlaid onto the bride's wedding event timeline, the bride now views the bridal shower activity that was once concealed optionally within the context of her timeline.

[0068] According to another embodiment, an event timeline is created, owned, and controlled by a first individual. For example, the first individual plans an event in the form of a birthday party for the first individual's spouse and creates a birthday party timeline. The birthday party timeline is associated with the first individual and controlled by the first individual. Only guests that have been invited by the first individual can join the birthday party event and have access to the birthday party timeline. Each guest joins the birthday party event prior to the day of birthday party. Alternatively, some guests join before the birthday party and others join during the birthday party. The guests do not have their own timelines relating to the birthday party but can add experiences to the birthday party timeline. That being said, the first individual sets privacy settings to control who may contribute an experience to the birthday event timeline as well as the type of experiences that can be added. For example, a particular uncle of the first individual has joined the birthday event and attempts to add jokes and funny pictures to the birthday party timeline for other guests to see.

However, this relative who is attending the party is known for his poor taste and the first individual pre-emptively configures the privacy settings of the birthday party timeline such that the uncle is unable to contribute any experiences to the birthday party timeline. Furthermore, the first individual configures the privacy settings of the birthday party timeline such that only a few select guests, those guests that cannot attend the birthday party, can add any messages to the birthday party timeline. The other guests will have an opportunity to give their well wishes in person at the birthday party. The first individual adds a message to the birthday party timeline requesting all of those who have joined the birthday party timeline to add pictures of his spouse from her childhood. Via the timeline privacy settings the individual restricts any experiences entered into the birthday party timeline to pictures and video of his spouse. The first individual intends to invite his spouse to join the birthday party timeline on her birthday and share with her a timeline full of memories of her younger years.

[0069] Shown in Fig. 20 is a simplified process diagram of a method used to add experiences to the birthday party timeline. An individual attempts to join the birthday party event at 2000. If the individual is invited 2001 to the birthday party they are permitted to join the event. Otherwise they are restricted from joining. Those individuals that are not attending the birthday party event 2002 are given permission to enter correspondence into the birthday party timeline 2003. However, should an individual be planning to attend the birthday party 2002 they are not permitted to add a message to the birthday party timeline

2004. Further, should the individual be Uncle 2005, he is restricted from entering any experiences into the birthday party timeline. At 2006 individuals are permitted to add pictures to the timeline 2007, however if they attempt to enter any other type of experience into the timeline they are blocked 2004.

[0070] In another embodiment, an event timeline is available only to those who attend an event venue. For example, a first individual attempts to join an event, in the form of a soccer game, taking place in an arena. The individual has yet to arrive at the arena and is unable to join the soccer game event. When the individual arrives at the soccer game the individual's GPS detects that he has arrived at the arena and he is permitted to join and check into the soccer game event. Prior to checking into the event, many experiences were entered into the event timeline. The event timeline for the soccer game comprises previously entered experiences such as interviews with the players, videos of past soccer games, and the latest news on the sport. The individual reviews the experiences that are already entered into the soccer game event timeline once the individual has access to the soccer game timeline.

[0071] In an embodiment, the privacy of a timeline experience is dependent upon multiple conditions. For example, a campaigner for a mayoral election prepares for election day on October 15^th. Throughout the election campaign the campaigner entered many articles, pictures, and videos in his election event timeline pertaining to the candidate, which the campaigner made available to the everyone who has joined the election event. In preparation for election day the campaigner writes four announcements which he enters into the campaigner's timeline. For each announcement the campaigner sets a privacy setting. The first announcement congratulates the candidate should the candidate win the election. The privacy setting for the first announcement is configured such that the first announcement will be available to the public if on October 15^th the candidate wins the election. The second announcement thanks all of the campaigners on behalf the candidate for helping the candidate win the election. The privacy setting for the second announcement is configured such that the second announcement will be available to only the campaigners if on October 15^th the candidate wins the election. The third announcement consoles the candidate should the candidate lose the election. The privacy setting for the third announcement is configured such that the third announcement will be available to the public if on October 15^th the candidate loses the election. Finally, the fourth announcement thanks all of the campaigners on behalf the candidate for helping the candidate with the election. The privacy setting for the fourth announcement is configured such that the fourth announcement will be available only to the campaigners if on October 15^th the candidate loses the election.

[0072] Shown in Fig. 21 is a simplified process diagram of a method used to determine which messages in the campaigner's timeline are revealed and to whom. For example, at 2101 the date is checked to determine if it is October 15^th. If not, no announcements are revealed on the campaigner's timeline. If it is October 15th, it is then determined if candidate has won the election 2102.

Provided that the candidate won the election it is determined if the

announcement is to be made available to the public or not 2103. The first announcement is to be revealed on the timeline and available for viewing by the public 2104. The second announcement is revealed on the timeline and available for viewing by the campaigners only 2105. Should the candidate lose the election it is determined if the announcement is to be made available to the public or not 2106. The third announcement is to be revealed on the timeline and available for viewing by the public 2107. The fourth announcement is revealed on the timeline and available for viewing by the campaigners only 2108. According to another embodiment an omni-event timeline is created by a first individual. Shown in Fig. 22 is simplified diagram of an omni-event timeline 2201 for season games of a minor hockey league. Omni-event timeline 2201 comprises sub- events - individual hockey games - 2202...220n. Privacy settings of omni-event timeline 2201 are configured such that certain individuals are given privileges to post certain experiences or data for each hockey game. For example, a first parent is given privileges to update the score of each hockey game. A second parent is given privileges to post play-by-play commentary of the games. The privacy settings of the omni-event timeline posts are such that the posts by the trusted first parent and second parent are shared with all teams and families attending the hockey games. A third parent is given semi-private privileges to post comments on the hockey games. The first individual did not wish for any comments by the third parent to offend members of the opposing hockey, as such as the third parent's posts are only shared with the families of the hockey team of which the third parent belongs. Alternatively, the third parent is given public privileges and the posts by the third parent are available to all hockey teams and their families. Should the first individual consider the third parent's posts to be inappropriate the first individual changes privileges of the third parent's posts from public to semi-private and as such the third parent's posts are only shared with the families of the hockey team of which the third parent belongs. [0073] Numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising: providing a first individual having a group of friends in a social network, each member of the group of friends having the same privileges with the first individual within the social network, the first individual and each of the group of friends having an electronic communication device in communication with a communication network; providing a first event; creating timeline data for the first event and associated with the first individual, the timeline data stored in a data store, the data store in communication with the communication network; inserting experience data into the timeline data, the experience data for being shared amongst the group of friends; providing privacy data relating to the timeline data; restricting access to experience data within the timeline data in dependence upon the privacy data to some of the friends other than the first individual within the group of friends less than all of the friends within the group of friends.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein providing or restricting access is dependent upon a known condition triggered external to the privacy data and other than the privacy data.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the known condition comprises one of an elapsed time and a specific time.

4. The method according to any one of claims 2 and 3 wherein the known condition comprises an outcome of one of an event and an experience relating to an event.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the privacy data comprises privacy setting related data and an indication of a friend of the group of friends to whom it applies.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to location data of the first individual.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to data relating to checking into an event by the first individual.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to data relating to correspondence data between two individuals other than the first individual and relating to a same event.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to data relating to correspondence data between the first individual and another party.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to file data.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein restricting access to data relating to correspondence data comprises restricting access to correspondence data relating to a sub-event.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising: providing a condition precedent relating to a sub-event, the sub-event for being published to at least one further individual upon occurrence of the condition precedent, the condition precedent other than the further individual joining a social network or friending someone with access to data relating to the sub -event.

13. A method comprising: providing a social network comprising a plurality of individual records relating to a plurality of different individuals and interconnection data for associating at least some individuals with a first individual; providing event data for associating individuals from the plurality of individuals with an event, the individuals from the plurality of individuals including the first individual; providing privacy setting data for indicating experiences within the event that are shared by the first individual and experiences of the event that are not shared, the experiences other than the entire event; and sharing those experiences of the event with the at least some individuals associated with the event that are indicated as shared and other than sharing those experiences of the event with the at least some individuals associated with the event that other than indicated as shared.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein providing or restricting access is dependent upon a known condition triggered external to the privacy data and other than the privacy data.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the known condition comprises one of an elapsed time and a specific time.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14 and 15 wherein the known condition comprises an outcome of one of an event and an experience relating to an event.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the privacy data comprises privacy setting related data and an indication of a friend of the group of friends to whom it applies.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access location data of the first individual.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to data relating to checking into an event by the first individual.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to data relating to correspondence data between two individuals other than the first individual and relating to a same event.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to data relating to correspondence data between the first individual and another party.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 21 wherein restricting access to experience data comprises restricting access to file data.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein restricting access to data relating to correspondence data comprises restricting access to correspondence data relating to a sub-event.

24. The method of any one of claims 13 to 23 comprising: providing a condition precedent relating to a sub-event, the sub-event for being published to at least one further individual upon occurrence of the condition precedent, the condition precedent other than the further individual joining a social network or friending someone with access to data relating to the sub -event.

25. A method comprising providing a first individual having a group of friends in a social network, each member of the group of friends having the same privileges with the first individual within the social network, the first individual and each of the group of friends having an electronic communication device in communication with a communication network; creating a timeline comprising timeline data associated with the first individual, the timeline data stored in a data store, the data store in communication with the communication network; inserting experience data into the timeline data, the experience data for being shared amongst the group of friends; providing privacy data relating to the timeline data, the privacy data including a condition precedent; restricting access to the experience data within the timeline data in dependence upon the privacy data to some of the friends other than the first individual within the group of friends less than all of the friends within the group of friends until the condition precedent occurs.

26. The method as defined in claim 25 wherein the condition precedent comprises at least one of the passing of a time or reaching a known date.

27. The method according to any one of claims 25 and 26 wherein the condition precedent comprises an event other than an event relating to joining a social network, joining an event, and friending people who have joined the event.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein the condition precedent comprises an action performed by a friend within the group of friends.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein upon the condition precedent, the some of the friends are provided access to the experience data.

30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the some of the friends are notified of said access.

31. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 30 wherein the some of the friends are selected based on a characteristic common to the some of the friends.

32. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 31 wherein the social network comprises a single same social network.

33. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 32 wherein the social network is a cloud based computer service for providing cloud based electronic social interactions between individuals.