US6339784B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-policing, rate limiting online forums
Assignee: Meta Platforms Inc
•
Filing: 1998-05-13
•
Granted: 2002-01-15
•
Expires: 2018-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more "privileges" (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry W. Morris
- 👤 Eric Bosco
- 👤 David Lowell Lippke
- 👤 Colin Anthony Steele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/10; H04L63/102; G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/60; G06F21/62; G06F21/6218; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1822; H04L12/1831; H04L63/14; H04L63/1441; H04L12/185; H04L51/00; H04L51/04; H04L51/21; H04L51/212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of regulating an active user's continued access to a computer-based service, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving input at the computer system about a first active user's activity in the computer-based service from at least one other active user of the computer-based service; (b) evaluating the received input at the computer without human intervention; and (c) modifying by the computer system, and without human intervention, the first active user's ability to continue to access the computer-based service based on a result of such evaluating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of regulating an active user's continued access to a computer-based service, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving input at the computer system about a first active user's activity in the computer-based service from at least one other active user of the computer-based service; (b) evaluating the received input at the computer without human intervention; and (c) modifying by the computer system, and without human intervention, the first active user's ability to continue to access the computer-based service based on a result of such evaluating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , in which the step of receiving input comprises gathering a vote from at least one other active user of the computer-based service, the vote being cast in response to action taken by the first active user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 , in which the step of evaluating comprises applying predetermined access limiting criteria to the cast vote.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 , in which the step of evaluating further includes determining whether each other active user is permitted to cast a vote against the first active user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4 , in which the step of determining further includes evaluating whether a voting user has been accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service for a minimum amount of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 4 , in which the step of determining further includes evaluating whether a voting user has been accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service for a longer amount of time than the first active user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 , in which the step of determining further includes limiting the number of votes an active user may cast.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 2 , in which the step of evaluating further includes giving extra weight to votes cast by another active user against the first active user if the other active user has been accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service for a selected amount of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 , in which the step of modifying comprises denying the first active user full access to the computer-based service based on the result of the evaluating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of allowing the first active user to regain full access to the computer-based service based on predetermined access resumption criteria.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of notifying selected other active users that the first active user's ability to access the computer-based service has been modified.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an indicator of an amount of modification by all active users accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , in which the computer-based service comprises an online public forum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of permitting the first active user to vote against another active user based on a message type sent by such other active user after the first active user's ability to access the computer-based service has been modified.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, for regulating an active user's continued access to a computer-based service, comprising instructions for causing a computer to: (a) receive input about a first active user's activity in the computer-based service from at least one other active user of the computer-based service; (b) evaluate the received input; and (c) modify the first active user's ability to continue to access the computer-based service based on a result of such evaluating.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, for regulating an active user's continued access to a computer-based service, comprising instructions for causing a computer to: (a) receive input about a first active user's activity in the computer-based service from at least one other active user of the computer-based service; (b) evaluate the received input; and (c) modify the first active user's ability to continue to access the computer-based service based on a result of such evaluating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer program of claim 15 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to receive input further comprises instructions for causing a computer to gather a vote from at least one other active user of the computer-based service, the vote being cast in response to action taken by the first active user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program of claim 16 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to evaluate further comprises instructions for causing a computer to apply predetermined access limiting criteria to the cast vote.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer program of claim 16 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to evaluate further comprises instructions for causing a computer to determine whether each other active user is permitted to cast a vote against the first active user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer program of claim 18 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to determine further comprises instructions for causing a computer to evaluate whether a voting user has been accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service for a minimum amount of time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer program of claim 18 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to determine further comprises instructions for causing a computer to evaluate whether a voting user has been accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service for a longer amount of time than the first active user.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer program of claim 18 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to determine further comprises instructions for causing a computer to limit the number of votes an active user may cast.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer program of claim 16 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to evaluate further comprises instructions for causing a computer to give extra weight to votes cast by another active user against the first active user if the other active user has been accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service for a selected amount of time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer program of claim 16 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to modify further comprises instructions for causing a computer to deny the first active user full access to the computer-based service based on the result of the evaluation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program of claim 23 , further comprising instructions for causing a computer to allow the first active user to regain full access to the computer-based service depending on predetermined access resumption criteria.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer program of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for causing a computer to notify selected other active users of modification of the first active user's ability to access the computer-based service.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer program of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for causing a computer to provide an indicator of an amount of modification by all active users accessing at least a portion of the computer-based service.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program of claim 15 , in which the computer-based service comprises an online public forum.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer program of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for causing a computer to permit the first active user to vote against another active user based on message type sent by such other active user after the first active user's ability to access the computer-based service has been modified.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
69 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of monitoring user activity in a computer-based service, the method comprising: receiving input at the computer system about a first active user's activities in the computer-based service from at least one other active user of the computer-based service; and adjusting by the computer system, and without human intervention, an index representative of the first active user's activities based on the received input.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
69 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of monitoring user activity in a computer-based service, the method comprising: receiving input at the computer system about a first active user's activities in the computer-based service from at least one other active user of the computer-based service; and adjusting by the computer system, and without human intervention, an index representative of the first active user's activities based on the received input.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising modifying the first active user's ability to access the computer-based service based on the first active user's index.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 29 , in which the input received from the at least one other active user is in response to action taken by the first active user.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising limiting received input only to other active users who have been affected by the first active user's activities.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 29 , in which the index representative of the first active user's activities corresponds to the appropriateness of the first active user's behavior in using the computer-based service.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 , in which the input received from the at least one other active user is sent anonymously.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 34 , in which adjustment of the first active user's index comprises according reduced significance to anonymous input received from the at least one other active user.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 29 , in which the input received from the at least one other active user is sent automatically in response to action taken by the first active user.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 36 , in which adjustment of the first active user's index comprises according reduced significance to automatic input received from the at least one other active user.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 29 , in which adjustment of the first active user's index comprises according varied significance to received input based on a class to which the at least one other active user belongs.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 38 , in which adjustment of the first active user's index comprises according increased significance to input received from an active user belonging to a system operator class.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 38 , in which adjustment of the first active user's index comprises according reduced significance to input received from an active user belonging to a non-paying member class.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 38 , in which adjustment of the first active user's index comprises according varied significance to received input based on a seniority level of the at least one other active user.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
95 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, the method comprising the steps of: (a) computing an average message rate for messages originated by the user's connection to the computer-based service; (b) comparing the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modifying the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
95 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, the method comprising the steps of: (a) computing an average message rate for messages originated by the user's connection to the computer-based service; (b) comparing the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modifying the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 42 , further comprising the steps of: (a) comparing the user's average message rate to a disconnect threshold; (b) if the average message rate exceeds the disconnect threshold, then denying the user access to the computer-based service.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 42 , further comprising the step of allowing the user full use of the computer-based service if the average message rate falls below a clear threshold.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
145 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, the method comprising the steps of: (a) computing an average message rate for messages originated by the user's connection to the computer-based service; (b) comparing the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modifying the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service; (d) comparing the user's average message rate to a disconnect threshold; (e) if the average message rate exceeds the disconnect threshold, then denying the user access to the computer-based service; (f) allowing the user full use of the computer-based service if the average message rate falls below a clear threshold.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
145 words
A method, performed on a computer system, of regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, the method comprising the steps of: (a) computing an average message rate for messages originated by the user's connection to the computer-based service; (b) comparing the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modifying the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service; (d) comparing the user's average message rate to a disconnect threshold; (e) if the average message rate exceeds the disconnect threshold, then denying the user access to the computer-based service; (f) allowing the user full use of the computer-based service if the average message rate falls below a clear threshold.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising the step of adjusting any of the average message rate, the rate limit threshold, the disconnect threshold, or the clear threshold in response to negative input about the user from at least one other user of the computer-based service.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the step of computing an average message rate for messages originated by the user's connection includes counting only messages of selected types.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the step of computing an average message rate for messages includes starting with an initial average message rate.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 48 , further comprising adjusting a value of the initial average message rate to vary the computer-based service's tolerance of initial messaging activity.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, for regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, comprising instructions for causing a computer to: (a) compute an average message rate for messages originated by the user connection to the computer-based service; (b) compare the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modify the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, for regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, comprising instructions for causing a computer to: (a) compute an average message rate for messages originated by the user connection to the computer-based service; (b) compare the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modify the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer program of claim 50 , further comprising instructions for causing a computer to: (a) compare the user's average message rate to a disconnect threshold; (b) if the average message rate exceeds the disconnect threshold, then deny the user access to the computer-based service.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program of claim 50 , further comprising instructions for causing a computer to allow the user full use of the computer-based service if the average message rate falls below a clear threshold.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, for regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, comprising instructions for causing a computer to: (a) compute an average message rate for messages originated by a user's connection to the computer-based service; (b) compare the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modify the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service; (d) compare the user's average message rate to a disconnect threshold; (e) if the average message rate exceeds the disconnect threshold, then deny the user access to the computer-based service; (f) allow the user full use of the computer-based service if the average message rate falls below a clear threshold.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, for regulating a user's use of a computer-based service, comprising instructions for causing a computer to: (a) compute an average message rate for messages originated by a user's connection to the computer-based service; (b) compare the user's average message rate to a rate limit threshold; (c) if the average message rate exceeds the rate limit threshold, then modify the user's ability to use the computer-based service by refusing to transmit messages from the user to the computer-based service, while permitting the user to receive messages from the computer-based service; (d) compare the user's average message rate to a disconnect threshold; (e) if the average message rate exceeds the disconnect threshold, then deny the user access to the computer-based service; (f) allow the user full use of the computer-based service if the average message rate falls below a clear threshold.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer program of claim 53 , further comprising instructions for causing a computer to adjust any of the average message rate, the rate limit threshold, the disconnect threshold, or the clear threshold in response to negative input about the user from at least one other user of the computer-based service.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer program of claim 53 , in which the instructions for causing a computer to compute an average message rate for messages originated by the user's connection include instructions for causing a computer to count only messages of selected types.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer program of claim 53 , wherein the instructions to compute an average message rate for messages includes starting with an initial average message rate.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program of claim 56 , further comprising instructions to adjust a value of the initial average message rate to vary the computer-based service's tolerance of initial messaging activity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-14 | 2009-07-16 | 2010-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-14 | 2013-07-16 | 2014-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |