(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,005,970 B2 Thayer Et Al

USO0800597OB2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,005,970 B2 Thayer et al. (45) Date of Patent: *Aug. 23, 2011

(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORMANAGING (58) Field of Classification Search ...... 709/203, ADOMAN NAME REGISTRANTS SOCIAL 709/218, 223, 224, 245, 225, 226, 229; 707/10; WEBSITES 726/7 See application file for complete search history. (75) Inventors: Wayne Thayer, Phoenix, AZ (US); (56) References Cited Craig Condit, Scottsdale, AZ (US); John Paxton, Phoenix, AZ (US) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 6,460,084 B1 * 10/2002 Van Horne et al...... 709,227 (73) Assignee: The Go Daddy Group, Inc., Scottsdale, 6,981,210 B2 * 12/2005 Peters et al...... T15,234 AZ (US) 7,047,202 B2 5/2006 Jaipuria et al. 7,117,254 B2 10/2006 Lunt et al. - r 7,136,932 B1 * 1 1/2006 Schneider ...... 709/245 (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 7,194.552 B1* 3/2007 Schneider ...... 709/245 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 (Continued) U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. This patent is Subject to a terminal dis OTHER PUBLICATIONS claimer. Feb. 23, 2010 Notice of Allowance in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/024,785. (21) Appl. No.: 12/712,387 Feb.12/024,793. 24, 2010 Notice of Allowance in related U.S. Appl. No. Nov. 2, 2009 non-final rejection in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/024,785. (22) Filed: Feb. 25, 2010 Jan. 19, 2010 reply to Nov. 2, 2009 non-final rejection in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/024,785. O O Nov. 2, 2009 non-final rejection in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/024.793. (65) Prior Publication Data Jan. 20, 2010 reply to Nov. 2, 2009 non-final rejection in related U.S. US 2010/O153535A1 Jun. 17, 2010 Appl. No. 12/024.793. Related U.S. Application Data (Continued) 63 Primary Examiner — Thu Ha Nguyen (63) Continuation of application No. 12/024,764, filed on (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Karl A. Fazio Feb. 1, 2008, now Pat. No. 7,840,690, and a continuation of application No. 12/024,785, filed on (57) ABSTRACT Feb. 1, 2008, now Pat. No. 7,698,425, and a Systems and methods of the present invention allow for man continuation of application No. 12/024.793, filed on aging multiple Social websites. An exemplary method may Feb. 1, 2008, now Pat. No. 7,698,426, and a comprise the steps of registering a domain name to a Regis continuation of application No. 12/024,802, filed on trant, generating a Social Domain (that corresponds to a Feb. 1, 2008, now Pat. No. 7,747,746. Social website) by concatenating at least one Subdomain to the Registrants domain name, mapping the Social Domainto (51) Int. Cl. a URL for the Registrant’s social website webpage, entering G06F 5/73 (2006.01) the Social Domain in a browser, and displaying the Regis (52) U.S. Cl...... 709/229,709/223: 709/225. 709/245; trant's social website webpage. 707/10 29 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets

Personal Fortal Website 100.

Management Webpage means for authenticating Registrant means for selecting 13 sociates means forlogging Registrant into social wers Portal Webpage 16 means for storing Widget Registrant Profiles 310 34 means for receiving Registrant Profiles feed from social Website 320 means for displaying means for transferring ste data to social websites w 360 330

Registrant plurality of social

Welsites 190 80 US 8,005,970 B2 Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2007/0214097 A1 9, 2007 Parsons et al. 2007,0266141 A1 11/2007 Norton 25: R: (38% Schler ...... 29: 2008/0005127 A1 1/2008 Schneider ...... 707/10 4 - 2008.0034060 A1 2/2008 Fisher ...... TO9.218 2001/0032252 A1* 10, 2001. Durst et al. . 709,218 2008/0059607 A1* 3, 2008 Schneider TO9.218 2002fO169852 A1* 11, 2002 Schaeck ... 292 20080114867 A 5/2008 Thayeretal." 2004/OO73691 A1* 4, 2004 Sun ...... TO9/230 2008/O147659 A1 6/2008 Chen et al. 2004/0205200 All 10/2004 Kothari et al. 2009,0265774 A1* 10, 2009 Malik et al...... 726/7 2005/0038869 A1 2/2005 Zimler et al...... 709/217 2005/0044423 A1 2/2005 Mellmer et al...... T13 201 OTHER PUBLICATIONS 2005/0097180 A1* 5, 2005 Abdelhak ...... TO9,208 Nov. 18, 2009 non-final rejection in related U.S. Appl. No. 2005/O159998 A1 7/2005 Buyukkokten et al. 12,024,802. 2005, 01982O1 A1* 9, 2005 Bohnet al...... TO9.218 Jan. 27, 2010 reply to Nov. 18, 2009 non-final rejection in related U.S. 2005/026794.0 A1 12, 2005 Galbreath et al. Appl. No. 12/024,802. 2006/0112176 A1* 5, 2006 Liu et al...... 709,223 May 18, 2010 Notice of Allowance in related U.S. Appl. No. 2006/0195609 A1* 8, 2006 Han ...... 709/245 12,024,802. 2007/0O83560 A1 4/2007 Choi et al. 2007/0162458 A1 7, 2007 Fasciano * cited by examiner U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 1 of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

PerSOnal POrta WebSite 100 means for authenticating Registrant 130

Management Webpage 140 means for selecting SOCial WebSites 150

Portal Webpage 160

links to SOcial websites 170

plurality of Social Registrant Websites 190 180

FIG. 1 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 2 of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

Sewer 110

PerSOnal POrtal WebSite 100

means for authenticating Management Webpage Registrant 140 130 means for selecting Social websites 150 Portal Webpage 160 means for generating Social Domain 200 links to SOcial websites 170 means for mapping SOCial Domain tO 220 Social webpage URL 210

plurality of social Registrant Websites 190 180

FIG 2 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 3 of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

PerSOnal Portal WebSite 100

Management Webpage means for authenticating 140 Registrant 130 means for selecting SOCial WebSites 150 means for logging Registrant into social WebSites 300 Portal Webpage 160 means for storing Registrant Profiles 340 means for receiving Registrant Profiles feed from social 350 Website 320

means for displaying means for transferring Social website data to SOCial WebSites webpages 360 330

Registrant plurality of social 190 WebSites 180

FIG. 3 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 4 of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

Registrant 190

means for registering domain name 400

Personal Portal WebSite 100

means for generating SOCial Domain 200

means for mapping Social Domain to social webpage URL 210

means for displaying social website webpages 330

SOCial WebSite 18O

FIG. 4 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 5 Of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

Registrant 190

means for registering domain name 400 means for collecting identity-related data 500

means for generating Registrant Profile 510

means for storing Registrant Profile 340

Personal Portal Website 100 means for authenticating Registrant 130

means for generating means for transferring data Social Domain to social website 200 360

means for mapping Social Domain means for logging Registrant to social webpage URL into social website 210 300

means for displaying social website webpages 330

social website 18O

FIG 5 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 6 of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

START

Generate SOCial Domain 610

Map Social Domain to social website webpage URL 620

Enter SOCial Domain in broWSer 630

Display Social Website Webpage 640

FIG. 6 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 7 Of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

START

Generate Registrant Profile 710

Authenticate Registrant? 720

Generate Social Domain 610 Transfer data to Social Website 730 Map Social Domain to social website webpage URL 620 Log Registrant into social website 740 Enter Social Domain in browser 630

Display Social website webpage 640

FIG. 7 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 8 of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

START

Provide PerSOnal Portal WebSite 800

Display Registrant's Public Webpage 810

Authenticate Registrant? 720

Log Registrant into SOCial WebSite 820

Display Registrant's Private Webpage 830

FIG. 8 U.S. Patent Aug. 23, 2011 Sheet 9 Of 9 US 8,005,970 B2

START

Generate Registrant Profile 710

Provide Personal Porta Website 800

Display Registrant's Public Webpage 810 Receive and display RSS feed 910

Authenticate Registrant? 720

Log Registrant into Enable selection of Social WebSite Social websites 820 900 Transfer data to Social website 730 Generate Social Domain 610 Display Registrant's Private Webpage Map Social Domain to social 830 website webpage URL 620 Receive and display RSS feed 910

FIG. 9 US 8,005,970 B2 1. 2 SYSTEMIS AND METHODS FORMANAGING delivering more services and content across the Internet, ADOMAN NAME REGISTRANTS SOCIAL communicating and collaborating online, and inventing new WEBSITES ways to connect with each other. Some Internet users, typically those that are larger and CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT 5 more Sophisticated, may provide their own hardware, Soft APPLICATIONS ware, and connections to the Internet. But many Internet users either do not have the resources available or do not want to This patent application is a continuation of the following create and maintain the infrastructure necessary to host their patent applications, priority from which is hereby claimed: own websites. To assist Such individuals (or entities), hosting U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/024,764 having filing 10 companies exist that offer website hosting services. These date Feb. 1, 2008 and titled “AN INTERNET PORTAL FOR hosting providers typically provide the hardware, Software, MANAGING SOCIAL WEBSITES, which issued as U.S. and electronic communication means necessary to connect Pat. No. 7,840,690 on Nov. 23, 2010; multiple websites to the Internet. A single hosting provider U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/024,785 having filing may literally host thousands of websites on one or more date Feb. 1, 2008 and titled “SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING 15 hosting servers. A DOMAIN NAME REGISTRANT'S SOCIAL WEB Websites may be created using HyperText Markup Lan SITES.” which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,425 on Apr. 13, guage (HTML) to generate a standard set of tags that define 2010; how the webpages for the website are to be displayed. Users U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/024.793 having filing of the Internet may access content providers websites using date Feb. 1, 2008 and titled “USING SOCIAL DOMAINS software known as an Internet browser, such as MICROSOFT TO MANAGE A DOMAIN NAME REGISTRANT'S INTERNET EXPLORER or MOZILLAFIREFOX. After the SOCIAL WEBSITES, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,698, browser has located the desired webpage, it requests and 426 on Apr. 13, 2010; and receives information from the webpage, typically in the form U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/024,802 having filing of an HTML document, and then displays the webpage con date Feb. 1, 2008 and titled “PROVIDING AUTHENTI 25 tent for the user. The user then may view other webpages at CATED ACCESS TO MULTIPLE SOCIAL WEBSITES.” the same website or move to an entirely different website which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,747,746 on Jun. 29, 2010. using the browser. The Subject matter of all patent applications is commonly Browsers are able to locate specific websites because each owned and assigned to The Go Daddy Group, Inc. All prior website, resource, and computer on the Internet has a unique applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by ref 30 Internet Protocol (IP) address. Presently, there are two stan CCC. dards for IP addresses. The older IP address standard, often called IPVersion 4 (IPv4), is a 32-bit binary number, which is FIELD OF THE INVENTION typically shown in dotted decimal notation, where four 8-bit bytes are separated by a dot from each other (e.g., The present inventions generally relate to the field of the 35 64.202.167.32). The notation is used to improve human read Internet-based social networks and, more specifically, sys ability. The newer IP address standard, often called IPVersion tems and methods for managing multiple Social websites. 6 (IPv6) or Next Generation Internet Protocol (IPng), is a 128-bit binary number. The standard human readable nota BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tion for IPv6 addresses presents the address as eight 16-bit 40 hexadecimal words, each separated by a colon (e.g., 2EDC: A network is a collection of links and nodes (e.g., multiple BA98:0332:0000:CF8A:000C:2154:7313). computers and/or other devices connected together) arranged IP addresses, however, even in human readable notation, so that information may be passed from one part of the net are difficult for people to remember and use. A Uniform work to another over multiple links and through various Resource Locator (URL) is much easier to remember and nodes. Examples of networks include the Internet, the public 45 may be used to point to any computer, directory, or file on the switched telephone network, the global Telex network, com Internet. A browser is able to access a website on the Internet puter networks (e.g., an intranet, an extranet, a local-area through the use of a URL. The URL may include a Hypertext network, or a wide-area network), wired networks, and wire Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request combined with the web less networks. site's Internet address, also known as the website's domain The Internet is a worldwide network of computers and 50 name. An example of a URL with a HTTP request and domain computer networks arranged to allow the easy and robust name is: http://www.company name.com. In this example, the exchange of information between computer users. Hundreds “http” identifies the URL as a HTTP request and the “com of millions of people around the world have access to com pany name.com' is the domain name. puters connected to the Internet via Internet Service Providers Domain names are much easier to remember and use than (ISPs). Content providers place multimedia information (e.g., 55 their corresponding IP addresses. The Internet Corporation text, graphics, audio, video, animation, and other forms of for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) approves some data) at specific locations on the Internet referred to as Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) and delegates the webpages. Websites comprise a collection of connected, or responsibility to a particular organization (a "registry') for otherwise related, webpages. The combination of all the web maintaining an authoritative source for the registered domain sites and their corresponding webpages on the Internet is 60 names within a TLD and their corresponding IP addresses. generally known as the World Wide Web (WWW) or simply For certain TLDs (e.g., .biz, info, name, and .org) the regis the Web. try is also the authoritative source for contact information For Internet users and businesses alike, the Internet con related to the domain name and is referred to as a “thick” tinues to be increasingly valuable. People are increasingly registry. For other TLDs (e.g., .com and .net) only the domain using the Web for everyday tasks Such as Social networking, 65 name, registrar identification, and name server information is shopping, banking, paying bills, and consuming media and stored within the registry, and a registrar is the authoritative entertainment. E-commerce is growing, with businesses source for the contact information related to the domain US 8,005,970 B2 3 4 name. Such registries are referred to as “thin registries. Most know the associated password. Internet users are granted or gTLDs are organized through a central domain name Shared denied access to websites accordingly. Registration System (SRS) based on their TLD. Many social websites have different rules governing the The process for registering a domain name with.com, .net, creation of usernames and passwords. Some require pass .org, and some other TLDs allows an Internet user to use an words that include a complex combination of letters, num ICANN-accredited registrar to register their domain name. bers, and other characters. Others have no restrictions what For example, if an Internet user, John Doe, wishes to register soever. With the proliferation of login-access websites, the domain name "mycompany.com. John Doe may initially Internet users often must remember dozens (or more) differ determine whether the desired domain name is available by ent username?password combinations, one for each secure contacting a domain name registrar. The Internet user may 10 website they wish to access. This has resulted in what has make this contact using the registrar's webpage and typing come to be known as “password fatigue.” the desired domain name into a field on the registrar's Partly in response to these issues, the concept of the “digi webpage created for this purpose. Upon receiving the request tal identity” has evolved. A digital identity is a set of charac from the Internet user, the registrar may ascertain whether teristics by which a person or thing is recognizable or distin "mycompany.com' has already been registered by checking 15 guished in the digital realm. Digital identity allows for the the SRS database associated with the TLD of the domain electronic recognition of an individual or thing without con name. The results of the search then may be displayed on the fusing it for someone or something else. webpage to thereby notify the Internet user of the availability There are many applications for an Internet user's digital of the domain name. If the domain name is available, the identity, including authenticating the user before permitting Internet user may proceed with the registration process. Oth access to a website. One method for such authentication erwise, the Internet user may keep selecting alternative includes the use of a URL (e.g., OpenID). URL-based digital domain names until an available domain name is found. identity systems (such as OPENID) utilize a framework based Domain names are typically registered for a period of one to on the concept that any individual or entity can identify them ten years with first rights to continually re-register the domain selves on the Internet with a URL provided by a Digital aC. 25 Identity Provider (e.g., johndoe.openid.com). The Digital An individual or entities domain name is increasingly the Identity Provider maintains an Identity Server on which a anchor around which their online presence is maintained. For Digital Identity Database (a database of provided digital iden example, a company's website (www.company name.com) tity URLs and the corresponding authentication passwords) is and email system (john..doe(a)company name.com) utilize the stored. company's domain name as an integral part of their architec 30 Once obtained, the Internet user may utilize their digital ture. Similarly, many Internet users use their email address, identity URL to access various websites. For example, to and therefore their domain name, as a means of identification login to an OpenID-enabled website, the user enters their on social websites, which have proliferated in recent years. OpenID (e.g.johndoe.openid.com) in the username box. The Social websites are social networking services that focus on user is then momentarily redirected to the user's Digital Iden building and Verifying online Social networks for communi 35 tity Providers website (oran authentication window appears) ties of people who share interests and activities, or who are to login using whatever password they have set up with their interested in exploring the interests and activities of others, Digital Identity Provider. Once authenticated, the Digital and which necessitates the use of software. Most social web Identity Provider sends the participating website an sites are Internet based and provide a collection of various encrypted message (a token) confirming the identity of the ways for users to interact, such as chat, messaging, email, 40 person logging in. There are currently numerous Digital Iden Video, Voice chat, file sharing, blogging, discussion groups, tity Providers offering URL-based (OpenID) digital identity etc. The main types of social networking services are those services, meaning they offer digital identity URLs and servers which contain directories of Some categories (such as former to authenticate them. classmates), means to connect with friends (usually with self Applicant, however, has noticed that presently-existing description pages), and/or recommendation systems linked to 45 systems and methods do not allow Internet users to manage trust. Popular methods now combine many of these, with multiple Social websites in a simple, unified, and focused MYSPACE, BEBO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, LINKEDIN, fashion. Internet users who join multiple social websites have and FLICKR being but a few examples. no single website to which they can go to obtain access to all Such social websites often post their members’ public of their social websites. Similarly, Internet users friends, webpages for all Internet users to view, without authentica 50 family, and/or other social contacts do not have a single tion or login. Conversely, members’ private webpages may website to which they may go to access all of the Internet only be accessed and viewed by the member. Such private user's Social website's public webpages. For the foregoing webpages generally require member authentication and pro reasons, there is a need for the systems and methods for vide the member with tools to manage his public webpage, managing multiple social websites and related functionality communicate with other members, and/or otherwise manage 55 as described herein. his social website membership. Many social websites, typically those that receive or share SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION sensitive information (as well as websites associated with banks, credit card companies, and online businesses), may The limitations cited above and others are substantially require Internet users to login to the website with a secure 60 overcome through the systems and methods disclosed herein, username and password before accessing the website's con which allow for efficient management of multiple social web tent. sites. The username?password system is a common form of In an example embodiment, a Personal Portal Website may secret authentication data used to control website access. The be hosted on at least one server communicatively coupled to username?password is kept secret from those not allowed 65 a Network. The Personal Portal Website may resolve from a access. Those wishing to gain access are tested on whether or domain name registered to a Registrant. The Personal Portal not they have a valid (recognized) username and whether they Website may comprise means for authenticating the Regis US 8,005,970 B2 5 6 trant, which may be accomplished using an OpenID standard. The above features and advantages of the present invention Once properly authenticated, the Registrant may access a will be better understood from the following detailed descrip Management Webpage having means for selecting a plurality tion taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. of social websites and means for generating a Social Domain for at least one of the selected social websites. This may be 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS accomplished by concatenating at least one Subdomain to the Registrants domain name and Subsequently mapping the FIG. 1 illustrates a possible embodiment of a system for Social Domain to a URL for a webpage on one of the Regis managing multiple social websites. trant's Social websites. Links to one or more Social websites FIG. 2 illustrates a possible embodiment of a system for may subsequently be displayed on a Portal Webpage. When 10 managing multiple social websites. accessed by a properly-authenticated Registrant, the Portal FIG. 3 illustrates a possible embodiment of a system for Webpage may display links to the Registrant's private managing multiple social websites. FIG. 4 illustrates a possible embodiment of a system for webpages from the selected social websites. If accessed by a managing multiple social websites. non-authenticated Internet user, the Portal Webpage may dis 15 FIG. 5 illustrates a possible embodiment of a system for play links to the Registrant's public webpages from the managing multiple social websites. selected social websites. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a possible embodiment An exemplary system for managing multiple social web of a method for managing multiple social websites. sites may comprise a Personal Portal Website hosted on a FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a possible embodiment server that may be communicatively coupled to a Network. of a method for managing multiple social websites. The Personal Portal Website may resolve from a domain FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a possible embodiment name registered to a Registrant. The Personal Portal Website of a method for managing multiple social websites. also may have means for authenticating the Registrant and a FIG.9 is a flow diagram illustrating a possible embodiment Management Webpage, which is accessible only to the Reg of a method for managing multiple social websites. istrant after Successful authentication. The Management 25 Webpage may also have means for selecting a plurality of DETAILED DESCRIPTION social websites. A Portal Webpage also may be accessible via the Personal Portal Website, and may have links to the social The present inventions will now be discussed in detail with websites selected by the Registrant on the Management regard to the attached drawing figures which were briefly Webpage. 30 described above. In the following description, numerous spe Another exemplary system for managing multiple social cific details are set forth illustrating the Applicants best mode websites may comprise means for registering a domain name for practicing the invention and enabling one of ordinary skill to a Registrant, at least one social website, and a Personal in the art to make and use the invention. It will be obvious, Portal Website communicatively coupled to the registering however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention means and social website(s). The Personal Portal Website 35 may be practiced without many of these specific details. In also may comprise means for generating a Social Domain other instances, well-known machines, structures, and (possibly by concatenating at least one subdomain to the method steps have not been described in particular detail in Registrants domain name), means for mapping the Social order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Domain to a URL for the Registrant’s public webpage on his Unless otherwise indicated, like parts and method steps are Social website(s), and means for displaying the Registrants 40 referred to with like reference numerals. public webpage(s) when the Social Domain is entered in a A streamlined example embodiment of a system for man browser. aging multiple social websites is illustrated in FIG. 1. The An exemplary method for managing social websites may illustrated embodiment includes a Personal Portal Website comprise the steps of registering a domain name to a Regis 100 hosted on at least one server 110 communicatively trant, generating a Social Domain (that corresponds to a 45 coupled to a Network 120. The Personal Portal Website 100 Social website) by concatenating at least one Subdomain to may resolve from a domain name registered to a Registrant the Registrants domain name, mapping the Social Domainto 190 and may have means for authenticating 130 the Regis a URL for the Registrant’s social website webpage, entering trant 190. The system also may include a Management the Social Domain in a browser, and displaying the Regis Webpage 140 on the Personal Portal Website 100 that is trant's Social website webpage. In one possible embodiment, 50 accessible to the Registrant 190 only after successful authen the displayed social website webpage may be the Registrants tication. The Management Webpage 140 also may have public webpage. In another possible embodiment, after means for selecting 150 a plurality of social websites 180. The authenticating the Registrant, identity-related data collected system also may include a Portal Webpage 160 accessible via during the domain name registration process may be trans the Personal Portal Website 100. The Portal Webpage 160 ferred to a social website. The Registrant may then be logged 55 may have a plurality of links 170 to a plurality of social into the social website and his private webpage from the websites 180. Social website may be displayed. The Personal Portal Website 100 is a single place on a Another exemplary method of managing multiple social Network 120 (such as the Internet) where a Registrant 190 websites may comprise the steps of providing a Personal may go to access, view, and manage the many social websites Portal Website (that may resolve from a domain name regis 60 180 that the Registrant 190 may use, or to which he may tered to a Registrant and may be communicatively coupled to belong. The Personal Portal Website 100 may be accessed by a plurality of Social websites), displaying the Registrants the Registrant 190 (or any Network 120 user) by entering the public webpage from at least one social website, and authen website's URL (e.g., domain name) into a browser, which ticating the Registrant. If the Registrant is successfully will cause the Personal Portal Website 100 to resolve from the authenticated, the Registrant may be logged into at least one 65 domain name. social websites and the Registrant’s private webpage from the The example embodiments herein place no limitation on Social website(s) may be displayed. Network 120 configuration or connectivity. Thus, as non US 8,005,970 B2 7 8 limiting examples, the Network 120 could comprise the Inter family a single online location at which they may access and net, an intranet, an extranet, a local area network, a wide area view all of the Registrant's 190 social websites 180. The network, a wired network, a wireless network, a telephone Portal Webpage 160 may have a plurality of links 170 to the network, or any combination thereof. The Registrant 190 may social websites 180 selected by the Registrant 190 on the be an individual or an entity including, but not limited to, a Management Webpage 140. The links 170 may comprise any person, a business, a governmental institution, an educational method of linking, displaying, or redirecting a Network 120 institution, a non-profit organization, or a social organization. user to the Registrant's 190 social websites 180. The Personal Portal Website 100 may be hosted on at least In alternate embodiment of a system for managing multiple one server 110 by, as a non-limiting example, Subscribing to social websites, illustrated in FIG. 2, the Management a hosting provider (e.g., GODADDY.COM) for website host 10 Webpage 140 also may comprise means for generating 200 a ing services (e.g., GODADDY.COM's HOSTING PLANS). Social Domain 220. The Social Domain 220 may comprise at Alternatively, the at least one server 110 could be any com least one subdomain concatenated to a domain name. Only a puter or program that provides services to other computers, properly-authenticated Registrant 190 will be provided programs, or users either in the same computer or over a access to the functionality on the Management Webpage 140. computer network. As non-limiting examples, the at least one 15 The means for generating 200 a Social Domain 220 may server 110 could be an application, communication, mail, comprise web and/or client-based software tool allowing the database, proxy, fax, file, media, web, peer-to-peer, or stan properly-authenticated Registrant 190 to generate at least one dalone server and may use any server format known in the art Social Domain 220, each of which may be tied to his domain or developed in the future (possibly a shared hosting server, a aC. virtual dedicated hosting server, a dedicated hosting server, or For example, if a Registrant 190 registers the domain any combination thereof). name, 'ohndoe.com, he may then concatenate a Subdomain The Personal Portal Website 100 may be communicatively (e.g., “myspace') to johndoe.com' to generate a Social coupled to a Network 120 via any method of network con Domain 220 Such as “myspace.johndoe.com. Using the nection known in the art or developed in the future including, social website 180 examples discussed above (i.e., BEBO, but not limited to wired, wireless, modem, dial-up, satellite, 25 FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, LINKEDIN, and FLICKR), the cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Asymmetric Registrant 190 also may generate additional Social Domains Digital Subscribers Line (ASDL), Virtual Private Network 220, such as “bebo.johndoe.com.” “facebook.johndoe.com.” (VPN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), X.25, “youtube.johndoe.com.” “linkedin.johndoe.com, and Ethernet, token ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface “flickr.johndoe.com.” In this example embodiment, the sub (FDDI), IP over Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Infra 30 domain need not necessarily have the same name as the Social red Data Association (IrDA), wireless, WAN technologies website 180. Any subdomain may be used, perhaps one that (T1...Frame Relay), Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet simply refers to the social website's 180 subject matter, (e.g., (PPPoE), and/or any combination thereof “photos.johndoe.com’ or “blog.johndoe.com'). The Personal Portal Website 100 also may have means for In one example embodiment, the means for generating 200 authenticating 130 the Registrant 190. Authentication is the 35 a Social Domain 220 comprises data entry fields in which process of attempting to verify the identity of the sender of a the Registrant 190 may enter subdomains and the domain communication, such as a request to log in or access a name(s) for concatenation. It may also contain a data field in resource. The thing being authenticated may be a person which the Registrant 190 may enter a URL for a social web using a computer (e.g., the Registrant 190), a computer itself, site 180 related to the Social Domain 220 (e.g., www.mys or a computer program. As non-limiting examples, the means 40 pace.com). Alternatively, the Registrant 190 may select for authenticating 130 may utilize any weak or strong authen domain names, subdomains, and/or social website 180 URLs tication system known in the art or developed in the future, from a list, perhaps in drop-down menu or matrix form. In yet Such as username?password, challenge/response, OpenID, another embodiment, the means for generating 200 may use a MICROSOFT CARDSPACE, any Single Sign-On (SSO) Software-implemented algorithm to generate Suggested methodology, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), digital signa 45 Social Domains 220. tures, Zero-knowledge proofs, Kerberos, Smart card, biomet In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the Management rics (retina, Voice, fingerprint, or DNA recognition) and/or Webpage 140 also may comprise means for mapping 210 a and combination thereof. generated Social Domain 220 to a URL for a webpage on at The Personal Portal Website 100 also may comprise a least one of the social websites 180. This mapping means 210 Management Webpage 140, which is accessible only to a 50 may be a client or server-based software tool that may per Registrant 190 after proper authentication. Unauthenticated form the mapping function automatically based on domain network users may be denied access to webpage content. The name, subdomain, and social website 180 URL information Management Webpage 140 may comprise means for select previously provided by the Registrant 190. Alternatively, the ing 150 a plurality of social websites 180 that allows the means for mapping 210 may provide the Registrant 190 with Registrant 190 to identify any number of social websites 180 55 the ability (e.g., data fields, lists, drop-down menu, matrix, that he may use, or to which he may belong. The means for etc.) to manually map his Social Domain 220 to social web selecting 150 may comprise any method of identifying web site 180 URLs. The means for mapping 210 may use any sites including, but not limited to, data fields in which the method and/or technology known in the art or developed in Registrant 190 may enter social website 180 identifying the future for mapping a Social Domain 220 to another URL information (e.g., URL, website address, or social website 60 including, but not limited to URL forwarding, redirecting, name). Alternatively, a list of social websites 180 may be masking and/or any combination thereof. presented from which the Registrant 190 may select. URL redirection (also called URL forwarding) is a tech The Personal Portal Website 100 also may comprise a nique for making a web page available under many URLs. Portal Webpage 160, which may be accessible to all Network URL masking comprises hiding the social website's 180 120 users. This Portal Webpage 160 may display the Regis 65 domain name from the URL field of a user's browser in favor trant's 190 public webpages from one or all of his social of the Social Domain 220. As is known in the art, this may be websites 180. This provides the Registrant's 190 friends or accomplished by manual redirection, using HTTP3XX status US 8,005,970 B2 10 codes, server-side redirection Scripting, htaccess files, meta vidual datum, or content item, or a collection of data includ refresh redirection, JavaScript redirects, frame redirects, and/ ing multiple content items. A microformat is a web-based or redirect loops. Alternatively, masking can be accomplished data formatting approach that seeks to re-use existing content by using an HTML inline frame or frameset so a frame as metadata, perhaps using XHTML and HTML classes and embedded in the social website 180 points to another site. attributes. This approach allows information intended for Aliases also may be implemented to have the web server serve end-users (e.g., contact information, geographic coordinates, the same page for two different domain names. calendar events, etc.) to also be automatically processed by In this example embodiment, at least one of the plurality of software. The identity-related data may have been collected at links 170 to social websites 180 comprises a link to a Social any time from the Registrant 190, perhaps during a domain Domain 220. Thus, the Social Domain 220 generated by (or 10 name registration. for) the Registrant 190 may be used to direct Network 120 Social websites 180 often allow users to create a profile for users to the social websites 180 selected by the Registrant themselves. These profiles may include any of the above 190. The Portal Webpage 160, which may be accessed by any described identity-related data, as well as photographs, con Network 120 user, may therefore publish a complete list of tact information, favorites (e.g., favorite social website 180 the Registrant's 190 social websites 180 by their correspond 15 users, music, movies, etc.), age, gender, contact information, ing Social Domains 220. Accordingly, the Registrant's 190 and/or any combination thereof. In the instant embodiment, friends or family (or any Network 120 user) may go to the the Registrant 190 may generate and store any number of Portal Webpage 160 on the Registrant's 190 Personal Portal Registrant Profiles 350 that, upon successful authentication, Website 100 to view and access all of the Registrant's 190 may be shared with a social website 180 via the means for social websites 180 by their corresponding Social Domains transferring data 360. The means for transferring data 360 220. may transfer at least one Registrant Profile 350 to a social In alternate embodiment of a system for managing multiple website 180. Alternatively, it may transfer identity-related social websites, illustrated in FIG. 3, the means for authenti data. cating 130 the Registrant 190 further comprises means for Identity-related data may be stored individually, or perhaps logging in 300 to at least one of the Registrant's 190 social 25 in the form of Registrant Profiles 350 in a means for storing websites 180. The means for logging in 300 has the ability to, 340 Registrant Profiles 350, which may be a component of the once the Registrant 190 is authenticated, log him into at least means for authenticating 130. Structurally, the means for one of the social websites 180. The means for logging in 300 storing 340 may comprise any storage device for storing data. may utilize a means for transferring data 360, which itself As non-limiting examples, the means for storing 340 may may be a component of the means for authenticating 130 the 30 comprise a magnetic storage device, disk drive, FLASH or Registrant 190. RAM memory, local database, online database, desktop data The means for transferring data 360 may utilize any base, server-side database, relational database, hierarchical method of transferring data known in the art or developed in database, network database, object database, object-rela the future. Such methods can generally be classified in two tional database, associative database, concept-oriented data categories: (1) "pull-based data transfers where the receiver 35 base, entity-attribute-value database, multi-dimensional initiates a data transmission request; and (2) "push-based database, semi-structured database, star Schema database, data transfers where the sender initiates a data transmission XML database, file, collection of files, spreadsheet, and/or request. Both types are expressly included in the embodi other means of data storage located on at least one server 110. ments illustrated herein, which also may include transparent a computer, a client, another server, or any other storage data transfers over network file systems, explicit file transfers 40 device. from dedicated file-transfer services like FTP or HTTP, dis In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the Portal tributed file transfers over peer-to-peer networks, file trans Webpage's 160 links to social websites 180 may each appear fers over instant messaging systems, file transfers between as a Widget 310, which may have means for receiving 320 a computers and peripheral devices, and/or file transfers over feed from at least one of said plurality of social websites 180. direct modem or serial (null modem) links, such as XMO 45 A Widget 310 is a host software system for running and DEM, YMODEM and ZMODEM. Data streaming technol displaying desktop tools on the desktop that may give access ogy also may be used to effectuate data transfer. A data stream to information and frequently used functions such as feeds, may be, for example, a sequence of digitally encoded coher clocks, calendars, news aggregators, etc. A “feed” is a data ent signals (packets of data) used to transmit or receive infor format (perhaps XML-based) used for providing users with mation that is in transmission. Any data transfer protocol 50 frequently-updated content. Two common feed formats that known in the art or developed in the future may be used may be used with the present invention are RSS and Atom. including, but not limited to: (1) those used with TCP/IP (e.g., The means for receiving 320 a feed from at least one of said FTAM, FTP, HTTP, RCP, SFTP, SCP, or FASTCopy); (2) plurality of social websites 180 may comprise any of the those used with UDP (e.g., TFTP, FSP, UFTP, or MFTP): (3) widely-available (client or server-side) feed readers/aggrega those used with direct modem connections; (4) HTTP stream 55 tors required to receive and read feeds from the social web ing; (5) Tubular Data Stream Protocol (TDSP); (6) Stream sites 180 including, but not limited to, FEEDREADER CON Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP); and/or (7) RealTime NECT, FEEDREADER OEM, ATTENSA FEED Streaming Protocol (RTSP). READERS. Alternatively, the means for receiving 320 may The transferred data may vary, depending upon the login comprise proprietary Software solutions. requirements of the social website 180, but could comprise 60 The Widget 310 also may comprise means for displaying identity-related data, Such as a username?password, Digital 330 webpages from social websites 180 providing feeds. The Identity, an OpenID, metadata, microformats, contact infor means for displaying 330 may comprise the feed readers/ mation, relationship information, domain name registration aggregators discussed above, but having the ability to differ information, WHOIS data relating to a domain name, and/or entiate between authenticated and non-authenticated Net any combination thereof, or any other data necessary to log 65 work 120 users. Once the Registrant 190 is authenticated and the Registrant 190 into the social website 180. Metadata is logged into a social website 180, the means for displaying 330 data about data. An item of metadata may describe an indi displays the Registrant's 190 private webpage, perhaps in the US 8,005,970 B2 11 12 Widget 310 on the Portal Webpage 160. If the Portal Webpage cess, perhaps by requesting the Registrant 190 to provide 160 is accessed by a non-authenticated Network 120 user, the identity-related data on a website, over the telephone, or via means for displaying 330 may display the Registrant's 190 email. The identity-related data could comprise any data public webpage from the social website 180. Accordingly, the related to the Registrant's 190 identity, such as a username/ Portal Webpage 160 comprises means for providing the Reg password, a Digital Identity, an OpenID, a plurality of meta istrant 190 with authenticated access to his social websites data, a plurality of microformats, a plurality of contact infor 180, as well as means for providing non-authenticated Inter mation, a plurality of relationship information, a plurality of net users with access to the Registrant's 190 public webpages. domain name registration information, a plurality of WHOIS Another streamlined example embodiment of a system for data relating to said domain name, and/or any combination managing multiple social websites is illustrated in FIG. 4. The 10 thereof. illustrated embodiment includes means for registering 400 a In this example embodiment, the registering means 400 domain name to a Registrant 190, at least one social website also may comprise means for generating 510 a Registrant 180, and a Personal Portal Website 100, each being commu Profile 350 from the identity-related data. The Registrant nicatively coupled to each other via any method of connection Profile 350 may be similar to profiles that social websites 180 known in the art or developed in the future including, but not 15 often allow users to create for themselves. These profiles may limited to wired, the Internet, wireless, modem, dial-up, sat include any of the above-described identity-related data, as ellite, cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Asym well as photographs, contact information, favorites (e.g., metric Digital Subscribers Line (ASDL), Virtual Private Net favorite social website 180 users, music, movies, etc.), age, work (VPN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), gender, contact information, and/or any combination thereof. X.25, Ethernet, token ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface In the instant embodiment, the means for generating 510 and (FDDI), IP over Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Infra means for storing 340 a Registrant Profile 350 allow the red Data Association (IrDA), wireless, WAN technologies Registrant 190 to generate and store any number of Registrant (T1, Frame Relay), Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet Profiles 350. The generating means 510 may automatically (PPPoE), and/or any combination thereof. generate a Registrant Profile 350 by extracting relevant iden The means for registering 400 a domain name may com 25 tity-related data and populating a template and/or form. Alter prise any domain name registration system known in the art or natively, the Registrant 190 may be provided with a template developed in the future including, but not limited to domain and/or form, perhaps on a website, to manually generate a name registration services offered by domain name registries, Registrant Profile 350. registrars, and/or resellers (e.g., GODADDY.COM). The pro The Personal Portal Website 100 also may comprise means cess for registering a domain name with.com, .net, .org, and 30 for authenticating 130 the Registrant 190, perhaps by verify some other TLDs allows an Internet user to use an ICANN ing the Registrant 190 using an OpenID standard. URL-based accredited registrar to register their domain name. For digital identity systems, such as OpenID, utilize a framework example, if an Internet user, John Doe, wishes to register the based on the concept that any individual or entity can identify domain name "mycompany.com. John Doe may initially themselves on the Internet with a URL (e.g., johndoe.openid. determine whether the desired domain name is available by 35 com) provided by a trusted third party (e.g., a Digital Identity contacting a domain name registrar. The Internet user may Provider). The Digital Identity Provider may maintain an make this contact using the registrar's webpage and typing Identity Server on which a Digital Identity Database (a data the desired domain name into a field on the registrar's base of provided digital identity URLs and the corresponding webpage created for this purpose. Upon receiving the request authentication passwords) is stored. Once obtained, the Inter from the Internet user, the registrar may ascertain whether 40 net user may utilize their digital identity URL to access vari "mycompany.com' has already been registered by checking ous websites. For example, to login to an OpenID-enabled the SRS database associated with the TLD of the domain Personal Portal Website 100, the Registrant 190 may enter his name. The results of the search then may be displayed on the digital identity URL in a username box, or other data field. webpage to thereby notify the Internet user of the availability The Registrant 190 may then be momentarily redirected to the of the domain name. If the domain name is available, the 45 Registrant's 190 Digital Identity Providers website (or an Internet user may proceed with the registration process. Oth authentication window appears) to login using whatever pass erwise, the Internet user may keep selecting alternative word they have set up with their Digital Identity Provider. domain names until an available domain name is found. Once authenticated, the Digital Identity Provider may sends The Personal Portal Website 100 may further comprise the Personal Portal Website 100 an encrypted message (a means for generating 200 a Social Domain 220 by concat 50 token) confirming the identity of the Registrant 190 logging enating at least one subdomain to said domain name, means 1. for mapping 210 said Social Domain 220 to a URL for said The Personal Portal Website 100 also may comprise means Registrant's 190 public webpage on said at least one social for logging in 300 said Registrant 190 to a social website 180 website 180, and means for displaying 330 said Registrants after successful authentication and means for displaying 330 190 public webpage from said at least one social website 180 55 the Registrant's 190 private webpage from the social website when said Social Domain 220 is entered in a browser. Each of 180 after successful authentication. The displaying means these means, which are described in detail above, may be may employ links to webpages or Social Domains 220, wid implemented by either client or server-side software. gets, feeds, and/or any other webpage display technology A more detailed example embodiment of a system for known in the art or developed in the future. The Personal managing multiple social websites is illustrated in FIG. 5. In 60 Portal Website 100 also may comprise means for transferring addition to the elements illustrated in FIG. 4, the registering data 360 to the social website 180 after successful authenti means 400 of the instant embodiment further comprises cation. The data transferred may comprise identity-related means for collecting 500 at least one identity-related data data, Registrant Profiles 350, and/or any combination thereof. from said Registrant 190. The data collecting means 500 The functionality described herein provides the authenti could comprise any method of receiving identity-related data 65 cated Registrant 190 with access to his private webpages for from the Registrant 190. In a preferred embodiment, such all of his social websites 180 on a single, access-protected data may be obtained via the domain name registration pro webpage. It also provides the Registrant 190 with a single US 8,005,970 B2 13 14 webpage on which he may generate Registrant Profiles 350 metadata, plurality of microformats, plurality of contact that may be downloaded to all of his social websites 180, information, plurality of relationship information, plurality which may use the Registrant Profiles 350 to generate profiles of domain name registration information, plurality of on that specific social website 180. This eliminates the need WHOIS data relating to said domain name, and/or any com for the Registrant 190 to individually log into each of his bination thereof. At least one Registrant Profile 350 may then social websites 180 and generate (or update) profiles on each be generated from the identity-related data (Step 710). These website. profiles may include any of the above-described identity Several different methods may be used for managing mul related data, as well as photographs, contact information, tiple social websites. In the streamlined example embodiment favorites (e.g., favorite social website 180 users, music, mov illustrated in FIG. 6, a domain name is registered to a Regis 10 ies, etc.), age, gender, contact information, and/or any com trant 190 (Step 600). This registering step may be accom bination thereof. plished by any method of registering a domain known in the The Registrant 190 may then be authenticated (Step 720), art or that may be developed in the future including, but not perhaps via the means for authenticating 130 described in limited to, those discussed in detail elsewhere in this appli detail above including, but not limited to, the use of the cation. 15 OpenID standard. If the Registrant 190 cannot be authenti A Social Domain 220 is then generated by concatenating at cated, the method may end. Upon Successful authentication, least one Subdomain to the domain name, with the Social at least one piece of data (possibly identity-related data and/or Domain 220 corresponding (i.e., relating in Some manner) to Registrant Profiles 350) may be transferred to the social web a social website 180 (Step 610). For example, if a Registrant site 180 (Step 730), perhaps via the means for transferring 190 registers the domain name, johndoe.com, he may then data 360 discussed in detail above. The transferred data, for concatenate a Subdomain (e.g., “myspace') to johndoe. example, also may comprise the Registrant's 190 username/ com' to generate a Social Domain 220 Such as “myspace. password, OpenID, or other data that may allow the Regis johndoe.com.” Using the social website 180 examples dis trant 190 to be authenticated to and logged into the social cussed above (i.e., BEBO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, website 180 (Step 740), perhaps utilizing the means for log LINKEDIN, and FLICKR), the Registrant 190 also may gen 25 ging in 300 described in detail above. FIG. 7 illustrates Steps erate additional Social Domains 220, such as “bebo.johndoe. 610, 620, and 680 being executed in parallel to steps 730 and com.” “facebook.johndoe.com.”99 “youtube.johndoe.com.” 740. In alternate embodiments, these steps may be performed “linkedin.johndoe.com, and/or “flickr.johndoe.com.” In this in sequence. example embodiment, the Subdomain need not necessarily Another embodiment of a method for managing multiple have the same name as the social website 180. Any subdo 30 websites is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, a Per main may be used, perhaps simply referring to the Social sonal Portal Website 100 is provided (Step 800), perhaps by website's 180 subject matter (e.g., “photos.johndoe.com” or hosting the website on a server. Alternatively, any method of “blog.johndoe.com'). This step may be accomplished my any providing a website known in the art or developed in the means of concatenating a Subdomain to a domain name future may be used including, but not limited to those dis including, but not limited to, those discussed in detail above. 35 cussed in detail elsewhere in this application. The Personal The Social Domain 220 is then mapped to a URL for a Portal Website 100 may resolve from a domain name regis social website 180 webpage for the Registrant 190 (Step 620). tered to a Registrant 190 and is communicatively coupled As non-limiting examples, this step may be accomplished by (perhaps using the methods discussed elsewhere in this appli the URL forwarding, redirecting, and/or masking techniques cation) to a plurality of social websites 180. discussed in detail elsewhere in this application. For example, 40 Next, the Registrant's 190 public webpage from at least the Social Domain 220 “myspace.johndoe.com” may be one of said plurality of social websites 180 is displayed on the mapped to a URL for one of John Doe's webpages on www. Personal Portal Website 100 (Step 810). The Registrant 190 is myspace.com. In alternate embodiments, the Social website then authenticated via the Personal Portal Website 100 (Step 180 webpage may comprise either the Registrant's 190 public 720) perhaps via the means for authenticating 130 described or private webpage. As seen below, this provides for systems 45 in detail above including, but not limited to, the use of the that publish both private and/or public social website 180 OpenID standard. If the Registrant 190 cannot be authenti webpages. cated, the method may end. Upon Successful authentication, The Social Domain 220 is then entered in a browser (Step the Registrant 190 is logged into at least one social website 630) and the social website 180 webpage is displayed (Step 180 (Step 820), perhaps with the means for logging in 300 640). Step 630 may be accomplished automatically (e.g., by 50 and/or means for transferring data 360 discussed in detail software, perhaps on a Personal Portal Website 100) or manu above. The Registrant's 190 private webpage from the social ally (e.g., by a Network 120 user typing the Social Domain website 180 may then be displayed (Step 830). Among other 220 into a browser's address bar). Displaying the social web methods, the displaying step (Step 830) could be executed site 180 webpage (Step 640) may be accomplished by any with the above-described means for displaying 330 social method known in the art or that may be developed in the 55 website 180 webpages, which may employ links to webpages future of displaying a webpage including, but not limited to, or Social Domains 220, widgets, aggregators, feeds, and/or display on a client (e.g., computer, laptop, telephone, hand any other webpage display technology known in the art or held device, etc.) display screen, perhaps using the Widget/ developed in the future. feed technology discussed in detail elsewhere in this applica A more detailed method for managing multiple social web tion. 60 sites is illustrated in FIG.9. In addition to the steps illustrated A more detailed for method for managing multiple social in FIG. 8, this example embodiment may include the step of websites is illustrated in FIG. 7. In addition to the steps registering the domain name to the Registrant 190 (Step 600), illustrated in FIG. 6, this example embodiment may include which itself may further comprise the step of collecting iden the step of, during domain name registration (Step 600), tity-related data from the Registrant 190 (Step 700), perhaps collecting at least one identity-related data from the Regis 65 during the registration process. At least one Registrant Profile trant 190 (Step 700). The identity-related data may comprise 350 may then be generated (Step 710), perhaps from the a username?password, Digital Identity, OpenID, plurality of identity-related data, which may comprise a username?pass US 8,005,970 B2 15 16 word, a Digital Identity, an OpenID, a plurality of metadata, a com, www.bebo.com, www.facebook.com, www.youtube. plurality of microformats, a plurality of contact information, com, www.linkedin.com, and www.flickr.com. a plurality of relationship information, a plurality of domain The Personal Portal Website 100, or perhaps the Manage name registration information, a plurality of WHOIS data ment Webpage 140, may then generate a Social Domain 220 relating to said domain name, and/or any combination (Step 610) for the selected social websites 180, perhaps by thereof. concatenating a Subdomain relating to each Social website After successful authentication, the Registrant 190 may be 180 to the Registrant's 190 domain name. Thus, the following enabled to identify at least one social website 180 for display Social Domains 220 may be generated: “myspace.johndoe. (Step 900). As a non-limiting example, this may be accom com.” “bebo.johndoe.com.” “facebook.johndoe.com.” “you 10 tube.johndoe.com.” “linkedin.johndoe.com, and “flickr. plished by providing the Registrant 190 with a field on a johndoe.com. Next, each of the Social Domains 220 may be webpage, perhaps on the Personal Portal Website 100, to mapped to the URL for the Registrant's 190 public and pri enter the URL for at least one social website 180. Alterna vate webpages for each social website 180 (Step 620), per tively, the means for selecting 150 a plurality of social web haps using URL forwarding, redirecting, masking and/or any sites 180 may be implemented, which allows the Registrant 15 combination thereof. 190 to identify any number of social websites 180 that he may The Portal Webpage 160 may then display a list of the use, or to which he may belong. The means for selecting 150 Registrant's 190 Social Domains 220 that function as links may comprise any method of identifying websites including, 170 to his public webpages (Step 640). Thus, the Registrants but not limited to, data fields in which the Registrant 190 may 190 family and friends have a single place on the Internet to enter social website 180 identifying information (e.g., URL, which they may go to access all of the Registrant's 190 public website address, or social website name). Alternatively, a list social website 180 webpages. of social websites 180 may be presented from which the If, however, the Registrant 190 is authenticated (Step 720) Registrant 190 may select. by the Personal Portal Website 100, the Portal Webpage 160 Once the Registrant's 190 social websites 180 are identi may log the Registrant 190 into each social website 180 (Step fied, a Social Domain 220 may be generated (Step 610) for 25 740) and display links 170 to his private webpages (Step 830). each social website 190 selected, perhaps by concatenating at This may be accomplished by transferring data, identity least one subdomain to the Registrant's 190 domain name. related data, and/or Registrant Profiles 350 to each social The Social Domain 220 may then be mapped (Step 620) to a website 180, perhaps via the means for transferring data 360 URL for the Registrant's 190 social website 180 webpage. discussed in detail above. The functionality described herein After the Registrant 190 is logged into the social website 180 30 provides the authenticated Registrant 190 with access to his (Step 820) that, in this embodiment, may be accomplished by private webpages for all of his social websites 180 on a single, transferring data (e.g., identity-related data, username?pass access-protected webpage. word, Registrant Profiles 350, etc.) to the social website 180 Other embodiments and uses of the above inventions will (Step 730), the Registrant's 190 private webpage may be be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon displayed (Step 830). In this illustrated embodiment, the 35 consideration of the specification and practice of the inven webpage displaying steps (Steps 810 and 830) also may com tion disclosed herein. The specification and examples given prise receiving and displaying RSS feeds (Step 910), which should be considered exemplary only, and it is contemplated may be accomplished via, among other methods, the Widget, that the appended claims will cover any other such embodi feed, feed reader, and/or aggregator technology described in ments or modifications as fall within the true scope of the detail elsewhere in this application. 40 invention. In another example embodiment of the present invention, a The Abstract accompanying this specification is provided Registrant 190 (e.g., John Doe) may register a domain name to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and (e.g., johndoe.com) (Step 600), perhaps by going to the web the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory site of a domain name registrar, such as www.godaddy.com, inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure and and following the instructions. Alternatively, the means for 45 in no way intended for defining, determining, or limiting the registering 400 a domain name, described in further detail present invention or any of its embodiments. above, may be used. During the domain name registration process, the domain name registrar may collect identity-re The invention claimed is: lated data from the Registrant 190 (Step 700). This data could 1. A system, comprising: comprise any data collected during the domain name regis 50 a) means for registering a domain name to a Registrant, tration process including, but not limited to, a username/ said means for registering being communicatively password, Digital Identity, OpenID, metadata, microformats, coupled to a Network; and contact information, relationship information, domain name b) at least one server computer communicatively coupled registration information, WHOIS data relating to a domain to said Network, said at least one server computer host name, and/or any combination thereof. 55 ing a Personal Portal Website resolving from said The domain name registrar may then generate a Registrant domain name, said Personal Portal Website being acces Profile 350 (Step 710) from the identity-related data, perhaps sible to said Registrant via a client communicatively using the means for generating 510 a Registrant Profile 350 coupled to said Network and providing said Registranta described in detail above. By way of example, the Registrant single website to access, view, and manage a plurality of Profile 350 could include the Registrant's 190 OpenID (e.g., 60 Social websites to which said Registrant belongs, johndoe.openid.com), his photo, age, gender, and a list of his wherein at least one of said plurality of social websites favorite restaurants. The Registrant 190, wanting to manage comprises a public webpage for said Registrant, said his many social websites 180 in one place, may then access a Personal Portal Website further comprising: Personal Portal Website 100, which may have a Management i) means for generating a Social Domain by concatenat Webpage 140 and a Portal Webpage 160. On the Management 65 ing at least one subdomain to said domain name; Webpage 140, the Registrant 190 may identify the social ii) means for mapping said Social Domain to a URL for websites 180 that he uses most often, perhaps www.myspace. said public webpage for said Registrant; and US 8,005,970 B2 17 18 iii) means for displaying said public webpage for said 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said means for authen Registrant on said client when said Social Domain is ticating verifies said Registrant using an OpenID standard. entered in a browser. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein said Personal Portal 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said registering means a) Website further comprises means for logging said Registrant further comprises means for collecting at least one identity 5 into at least one of said plurality of social websites after said related data from said Registrant. Registrant is authenticated. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said identity-related data 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said Personal Portal comprises a Digital Identity, an OpenID, a plurality of meta Website further comprises means for displaying said Regis data, a plurality of microformats, a plurality of contact infor trant’s private webpage from said social website after said mation, a plurality of relationship information, a plurality of 10 Registrant is authenticated. domain name registration information, or a plurality of WHOIS data relating to said domain name. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein said Personal Portal 4. The system of claim3, wherein said registering means a) Website further comprises means for transferring at least one further comprises means for generating at least one Regis data to at least one of said plurality of social websites. trant Profile from said at least one identity-related data. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said at least one data 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said Personal Portal 15 comprises at least one of said identity-related data or at least Website further comprises means for authenticating said Reg one Registrant Profiles. istrant. 21. A method, comprising the steps of: 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said means for authen a) registering, by at least one server computer communi ticating verifies said Registrant using an OpenID standard. catively coupled to a Network, a domain name to a 7. The system of claim 5, wherein said Personal Portal Registrant; Website further comprises means for logging said Registrant b) generating, by at least one of said at least one server into at least one of said plurality of social websites after said computer, a Social Domain by concatenating to said Registrant is authenticated. domain name at least one subdomain corresponding to a 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said Personal Portal Social website to which said Registrant belongs, said Website further comprises means for displaying said Regis 25 Social Domain configured to resolve to said social web trant’s private webpage from said social website after said site by mapping, by at least one of said at least one server Registrant is authenticated. computer, said Social Domain to a URL for said social 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said Personal Portal website; Website further comprises means for transferring at least one c) entering, by at least one of said at least one server data to at least one of said plurality of social websites. 30 computer, said Social Domain in a browser; and 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one data d) displaying, by at least one of said at least one server comprises at least one of said identity-related data or at least computer, said social website. one Registrant Profiles. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said social website 11. A system, comprising: webpage is a public webpage for said Registrant on a Social a) means for registering a domain name to a Registrant, 35 website. said means for registering being communicatively 23. The method of claim 21, wherein said social website coupled to a Network; and webpage is a private webpage for said Registrant on a Social b) a Personal Portal Website hosted on at least one server website. computer communicatively coupled to said Network, 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said registering step said Personal Portal Website being accessible to said a) further comprises collecting at least one identity-related Registrant via a client communicatively coupled to said 40 Network and providing said Registrant a single website data from said Registrant. to access, view, and manage a plurality of Social web 25. The method of claim 24, wherein said identity-related sites hosted on at least one of said at least one server data comprises a Digital Identity, an OpenID, a plurality of computer, wherein at least one of said plurality of social metadata, a plurality of microformats, a plurality of contact websites comprises a public webpage for said Regis 45 information, a plurality of relationship information, a plural trant; ity of domain name registration information, a plurality of c) means for generating a Social Domain by concatenating WHOIS data relating to said domain name, and/or any com at least one Subdomain to said domain name: bination thereof. d) means for mapping said Social Domain to a URL for 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of said public webpage for said Registrant; and generating at least one Registrant Profile from said at least e) means for displaying said public webpage for said Reg one identity-related data. istrant on said client when said Social Domain is entered 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps in a browser. of prior to step b): 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said registering means i) authenticating, by at least one of said at least one server a) further comprises means for collecting at least one identity computer, said Registrant; related data from said Registrant. 55 ii) transferring, by at least one of said at least one server 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said identity-related computer, at least one data to said Social website; and data comprises a Digital Identity, an OpenID, a plurality of iii) logging, by at least one of said at least one server metadata, a plurality of microformats, a plurality of contact computer, said Registrant into said Social website. information, a plurality of relationship information, a plural 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said at least one data ity of domain name registration information, or a plurality of 60 WHOIS data relating to said domain name. comprises at least one of said identity-related data, at least 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said registering means one Registrant Profiles, and/or any combination thereof. a) further comprises means for generating at least one Reg 29. The method of claim 27, wherein said authenticating istrant Profile from said at least one identity-related data. step is accomplished using an OpenID standard. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said Personal Portal 65 Website further comprises means for authenticating said Reg istrant.