METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING SOCIAL NETWORKS IN A SINGLE DISPLAY MULTI-USER SCENARIO
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] The present invention relates to the field of accessing social networks, and more specifically to the field of enabling a plurality of users to access a social network concurrently via a single electronic device.

BACKGROUND

[2] Recent advances in computer networking and data processing systems have resulted in the creation of new business models, one of them being social networking. A social network is a social structure which provides a medium to create and maintain social contacts. Currently there are various web based social networking applications and websites which facilitate social networking among its users through the internet. Users access these websites and applications by making use of interface devices that are capable of accessing the internet.

[3] In social networking, a login or logon (also called logging in or on and signing in or on) is generally a process by which an individual access a social network. The access is granted after identification of the user. The identification of the user is carried out by entering the security credentials provided by the user into an interface device. Ensuring privacy of media content and personal information posted by the user is critical especially in situations in which multiple users need to use a single interface device to access the internet.

[4] In an existing prior art, login and logout needs to be repeated each time if the social network is accessed using a common interface device by multiple users. Login becomes cumbersome and time consuming in cases where the interface device is a television where a remote control is used as an input terminal during login. It is desired to have a system that can enable multiple users using a common display device to effectively communicate, share various multimedia contents on a social network without the need of establishing a user specific session.

[5] However, if multiple users access the social network without establishing user-specific sessions, privacy of individual users is jeopardized. The private messages sent to an individual user would become visible to other users using the common interface device.

[6] Another method of posting messages on social network includes calling to a predesigned telephone number and interacting with an automated message posting system. However, the disclosed method does not provide any means to control visibility of messages private to an individual user from the other users using the interface device. Posted message becomes public to all the users who have logged into the device.

[7] Another existing method includes accessing the social network using a television. However, the method does not address the privacy concerns emerging in the case when multiple users use the television to access internet concurrently. Moreover, there is no provision to control visibility of private messages from other users logged in to the social network through the television.

[8] In light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for a system that can enable multiple users using a common display device to effectively communicate, share various multimedia contents on a social network without the need of establishing a user specific session, yet maintaining privacy of the users.

SUMMARY

[9] The above mentioned needs are met by employing a system which can allow multiple users to access a social network via a single electronic device concurrently. The system allows a first user to authorize at least one of a second user from a plurality of users to view data content the first user has posted. Further, the system protects the privacy of the multiple users accessing the social network concurrently from the same device.

[10] An example of a method of accessing a social networking website includes identifying a plurality of users registered to a plurality of electronic devices, wherein the plurality of users is connected via the social networking website. Further, the method includes defining one or more relationship levels between each of the plurality of electronic devices. The relationship levels are based on number of connected users between one or more electronic devices. Furthermore, the method includes establishing a communication via the social networking website by a first user of a first electronic device with a second user of a second electronic device. The privacy of communication between the first user and the second user is based on a relationship level between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

[11] A system for accessing a social networking website includes a plurality of electronic devices capable of accessing the social networking website. Each of the plurality of electronic devices includes a user identification module to identify at least one user. Further, each of the plurality of electronic devices includes a relationship level management module to store information pertaining to relationship levels among the plurality of electronic devices. Furthermore, each of the plurality of electronic devices includes an authorizing module to authorize one or more users for viewing content sent by the user based on the relationship levels among electronic devices in the plurality of electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[12] In the following drawings like reference numbers are used to refer to like elements. Although the following figures depict various examples of the invention, the invention is not limited to the examples depicted in the figures.

[13] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented;

[14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of users connected in a network via a plurality of electronic devices;

[15] FIG. 3 illustrates a user communicating with electronic devices;

[16] FIG. 4 illustrates a user communicating exclusively with specific users connected to a network;

[17] FIG. 5a is a block diagram illustrating transmission of a friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights by a first user registered to an electronic device to a second user registered to another electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[18] FIG. 5b is a block diagram illustrating transmission of a friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights by a user registered to an electronic device to a plurality of users registered to another electronic device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[19] FIG. 6a is a block diagram illustrating transmission of a friend request with ALL rights by a first user registered to an electronic device to a second user registered to another electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[20] FIG. 6b is a block diagram illustrating transmission of a friend request with ALL rights by a user registered to an electronic device to a plurality of users registered to another electronic device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[21] FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of a user communicating with other users in a network;

[22] FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a user communicating with other users in a network;

[23] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating reception of data content sent to a user registered to an electronic device;

[24] FIG. 10 is an exemplary illustration of a high relationship level;

[25] FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of a medium relationship level;

[26] FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of a low relationship level;

[27] FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of an exclusive relationship level;

[28] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a user registration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[29] FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of a smart television scenario, in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[30] Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide a method and system for enabling a plurality of users to maintain connections and to transfer data in a social networking website concurrently via a shared electronic device. The present invention protects privacy of data content sent to a user connected to the social networking website via the shared electronic device. Further, the present invention defines a plurality of relationship levels between electronic devices among a plurality of electronic devices registered to a network.

[31] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment 100, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented. The environment 100 includes a plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, a social network server 104, and a network 106. The plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102e is in communication with each other via the network 106. Examples of the plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102e include but are not limited to smart televisions, laptops, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, and mobile phones.

[32] A user 1, a user 2 and a user 3 are registered to a first electronic device 102a. A user 4, a user 5 and a user 6 are registered to a second electronic device 102b. A user 7, a user 8 and a user 9 are registered to a third electronic device 102c. A user 10, a user 11 and a user 12 are registered to a fourth electronic device 102d. A user 13, a user 14 and a user 15 are registered to a fifth electronic device 102e. The social network server 104, stores a social networking website. The social network server 104 facilitates transfer of data among the plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102e via the network 106. User profile details of individual users registered to the social networking website are collected during a user registration process. Examples of the user profile details, include, but are not limited to a name, an email id, a username, and a password. The user profile data are stored in a user profile database in the social network server 104.

[33] In one embodiment, an electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102e includes an input terminal, a network interface module, a content queue unit, a memory device, a user identification module, a relationship level management module, a processor and a display module. The input terminal includes at least one of a microphone, a touch screen, a keyboard and a camera. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user registered to the electronic device is enabled to input data to the input terminal by using a mobile phone as an auxiliary input terminal. The network interface module facilitates communication of the electronic device with the network 106. The display module is at least one of a liquid crystal display screen, and a light emitting diode display screen.

[34] The user identification module facilitates registration of unregistered users to the electronic device and to the social networking website. The user identification module collects user identification data during a user registration process and stores the user identification data in the memory device. In the user registration process, the user is registered to the electronic device interactively by means including but not limited to voice detection, face detection, voice sample recognition, password recognition, biometric recognition, fingerprint recognition, and retinal scan recognition. The user identification module includes at least one of a biometric recognition unit, a fingerprint recognition unit, a retinal scan unit, a voice sampler unit, a face detection unit, a keyboard and similar user specific biometric attribute detecting modules. Further, the user identification module detects the presence of registered users in front of the electronic device by performing user identification. The user identification module performs user identification by matching a first user identification data collected from a person standing in front of the electronic device with a second user identification data stored in the memory device. Examples of the user identification data include, but are not limited to a fingerprint scan, a retinal scan, an image of face, a biometric attribute, a voice sample, an email address, and a password. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the electronic device is a smart television, a finger print scanner is installed on a remote control device of the smart television for assisting the user identification module in the user registration process and user identification.

[35] Data content sent by a user registered to the electronic device includes, but is not limited to a connection request, a media file, a video, an image, and textual data. Further, the data content includes user-defined options pertaining to display of information in the electronic device including colours and animation related to presentation of user interface.

[36] The content queue unit stores a plurality of content queues. Content queues in the plurality of content queues are assigned to a plurality of users registered to the electronic device. A first content queue among the plurality of content queues assigned to the user enables the user to have control over the time when data content sent to the user is displayed on the display module. Further, the first content queue stores the data content, when the user is not present in front of the electronic device to access the data content. The relationship level management module stores details regarding relationship levels between various electronic devices registered to the network.

[37] In one embodiment, the plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102e is first identified in the network 106. The electronic devices among the plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102e are identified by means of unique electronic device identification details including a unique serial number, a model number, an IP address, a user-defined name or a combination thereof.

[38] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of electronic devices connected to a network 206. The configuration 200 comprises a first electronic device 210a, a second electronic device 210b, a third electronic device 210c, a fourth electronic device 21 Od, a fifth electronic device 21 Oe registered to the network 206.

[39] FIG. 3 illustrates transmission of data content from a user to every user registered to electronic devices specified by the user. The configuration 300 includes a plurality of electronic devices comprising a first electronic device 310a, a second electronic device 310b, a third electronic device 310c, a fourth electronic device 31 Od, and a fifth electronic device 31 Oe. The configuration 300 further includes a network 306. A first set of users consisting of a user 1, a user 2 and a user 3 is registered to the first electronic device 310a. A second set of users consisting of a user 4, a user 5 and a user 6 is registered to the second electronic device 310b. A third set of users, consisting of a user 7, a user 8 and a user 9, is registered to the third electronic device 310c. A fourth set of users consisting of a user 10, a user 11 and a user 12 is registered to the fourth electronic device 310d. A fifth set of users consisting of a user 13, a user 14 and a user 15 is registered to the fifth electronic device 31 Oe.

[40] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user registered to an electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices is capable of sending data content to other electronic devices configured in the network 306 simultaneously by means of inputting the data content to an input terminal of the electronic device. Upon reception of the data content sent to a recipient user, a recipient electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices store the data content in the content queue assigned to the recipient user. The recipient electronic device displays a notification of the received data content to the recipient user registered to the electronic device when the presence of the recipient user is detected in front of the electronic device.

[41] For example, in FIG. 3, a user registered to the first electronic device 310a sends the data content to the fourth electronic device 31 Od and the fifth electronic device 31 Oe. Upon reception of the data content, the fourth electronic device 31 Od stores a copy of the received data content in a first set of content queues assigned to the user 10, the user 11 and the user 12. Upon reception of data, the fifth electronic device 31 Oe stores copies of the received data content in a second set of content queues assigned to the user 13, the user 14 and the user 15.

[42] FIG. 4 illustrates transmission of data content from a user exclusively to specific users connected to a network 406. The configuration 400 includes a plurality of electronic devices comprising a first electronic device 410a, a second electronic device 410b, a third electronic device 410c, a fourth electronic device 41 Od, and a fifth electronic device 41 Oe. A first set of users consisting of a user 1, a user 2 and a user 3 is registered to the first electronic device 410a. A second set of users consisting of a user 4, a user 5 and a user 6 is registered to the second electronic device 410b. A third set of users consisting of a user 7, a user 8 and a user 9 is registered to the third electronic device 410c. A fourth set of users consisting of a user 10, a user 11 and a user 12 is registered to the fourth electronic device 41 Od. A fifth set of users consisting of a user 13, a user 14 and a user 15 is registered to the fifth electronic device 41 Oe.

[43] In the configuration 400, a user registered to the first electronic device 410a sends the data content to the user 9, the user 10, the user 12, and user 13. Upon reception of the data content, the third electronic device 410c stores the data content in the content queue of the user 9. Upon reception of the data content, the fourth electronic device 41 Od stores the data content in the content queues of the user 10 and the user 12. Upon reception of the data content, the fifth electronic device 41 Oe stores the data content in the content queue of the user 13.

[44] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first user registered to a first electronic device must be connected to a second user registered to a second electronic device, for the second user to access data content, pertaining to at least one of media data and textual data, sent by the first user. To form a connection between the first user and the second user, the first user must send a connection request to the second user and the second user must accept the connection request or vice versa. The connection requests are hereinafter referred to as friend requests. In one embodiment of the present invention, there are two types of friend requests, a first type of friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights and a second type of friend request with ALL rights.

[45] FIG. 5a is a block diagram 500a illustrating transmission of a friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights by a first user connected to an electronic device to a second user connected to another electronic device. The block diagram 500a includes a first electronic device 515a, a second electronic device 525a, and a network 520a. A link 505a illustrates the transmission of data content pertaining to the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights sent by a user 1 registered to the first electronic device 515a to a user 4 registered to the second electronic device 525a. The user 1 sends the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights via the first electronic device 515a.

[46] Upon reception of the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights, the second electronic device 525a stores the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights in a content queue assigned to the user 4. At an instance when the second electronic device 525a detects the presence of the user 4, the second electronic device 525a sends a notification to the user 4 that the friend request has been received. The user 4 is allowed to choose one of accepting, rejecting or ignoring the friend request. In this scenario, the user 1 and user 4 become connected to each other when the user 4 accepts the notification. The user 1 and the user 4 remain disconnected to each other when the user 4 rejects the notification. When user 4 ignores the notification, the notification is stored in the content queue and is displayed to the user 4 after a predetermined time span.

[47] FIG. 5b is a block diagram 500b illustrating transmission of a friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights from a user connected to an electronic device to a plurality of users registered to another electronic device. The block diagram 500b includes a first electronic device 515b, a second electronic device 525b, and a network 520b. A link 505b illustrates the transmission of data content pertaining to the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights sent by a user 1 connected to the first electronic device 515b to every user connected to the second electronic device 525b. The user 1 sends the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights via the first electronic device 515b.

[48] Upon reception of the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights, the second electronic device 525b stores the friend request with EXCLUSIVE rights in the content queues of every user connected to the second electronic device 525b. At any instance after the reception of the data content, wherein the second electronic device 525b detects the presence of a user for the first time, the user being any one of the user 4, the user 5 or the user 6, the second electronic device 525b sends a notification to the user that the data content has been received. The user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the friend request. The user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) and the user 1 become connected to each other when the user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) accepts the notification. The user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) and the user 1 remain disconnected to each other when the user rejects the notification. When the notification is ignored by the user, the notification is stored in the content queue and displayed to the user after a predetermined time span.

[49] FIG. 6a is a block diagram 600a illustrating transmission of a friend request with ALL rights by a first user connected to an electronic device to a second user registered to another electronic device. The block diagram 600a includes a first electronic device 615a, a second electronic device 625a, and a network 620a. A link 605a illustrates the transmission of data relating to the friend request with ALL rights sent by a user 1 connected to the first electronic device 615a to a user 4 registered to the second electronic device 625a. The user 1 sends the friend request with ALL rights via the first electronic device 615a.

[50] Upon reception of the friend request with ALL rights, the second electronic device 625a stores the first friend request with ALL rights in a content queue assigned to the user 4.

[51] At an instance the second electronic device 625a detects the presence of the user 4, the second electronic device 625a sends a notification to the user 4 that the friend request has been received. The user 4 is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the notification. The user 1 and the user 4 become connected to each other when the user 4 accepts the notification. The user 1 and the user 4 remain disconnected to each other when the user 4 rejects the notification. When the user 4 ignores the notification, the notification is stored in the content queue and is displayed to the user 4 after a predetermined time span. Moreover, when the user 4 accepts the notification, a confirmation message is stored in a first content queue assigned to a user 2 registered to the first electronic device 615a and a second content queue assigned to a user 3 registered to the first electronic device 615a.

[52] At an instance when the first electronic device 615a detects the presence of the user 2, the first electronic device 615a sends a notification to the user 2 that the confirmation message has been received. The user 2 is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the confirmation message. The user 2 and the user 4 become connected to each other when the user 2 accepts the confirmation message. The user 2 and the user 4 remain disconnected to each other when the user 2 rejects the confirmation message. If the user 2 ignores the confirmation message, the confirmation message is stored in the first content queue and is displayed to the user 2 after a predetermined time span.

[53] At an instance when the first electronic device 615a detects the presence of the user 3, the first electronic device 615a notifies user 3 that the confirmation message has been received. The user 3 is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the confirmation message. The user 3 and the user 4 become connected to each other when the user 3 accepts the confirmation message. The user 3 and the user 4 remain disconnected to each other when the user 3 rejects the notification. When the user 3 ignores the confirmation message, the confirmation message is stored in the second content queue and is displayed to the user 3 after a predetermined time span.

[54] FIG. 6b is a block diagram 600b illustrating transmission of a friend request with ALL rights by a user registered to an electronic device to a plurality of users registered to another electronic device. The block diagram 600b includes a first electronic device 615b, a second electronic device 625b, and a network 620b. A link 605b illustrates the transmission of a friend request with ALL rights sent by a user 1 registered to the first electronic device 615b to every user connected to the second electronic device 625b. The user 1 sends the friend request with ALL rights via the first electronic device 615b.

[55] Upon reception of the friend request with ALL rights, the second electronic device 625b stores the friend request in a plurality of content queues assigned to every user registered to the second electronic device 625b. At any instance after the reception of the friend request, if the second electronic device 625b detects the presence of a user for the first time, the user being any one of the user 4, the user 5 or the user 6, the second electronic device 625b notifies the user that the friend request has been received.

[56] The user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the friend request. The user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) and the user 1 become connected to each other when the user accepts the notification. The user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) and the user 1 remain disconnected to each other when the user rejects the notification. When the user (user 4, the user 5 or the user 6) ignores the notification, the notification is stored in a content queue assigned to the user and is displayed to the user after a predetermined time span. Moreover, when the user accepts the notification, a confirmation message is stored in a first content queue assigned to a user 2 registered to the first electronic device 615b and a second content queue assigned to the user 3 registered to the first electronic device 615b.

[57] At a first instance the first electronic device 615b detects presence of user 2, the first electronic device 615b sends a notification to user 2 that the confirmation message has been received. The user 2 is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the confirmation message. The user and the user 2 become connected to each other when the user 2 accepts the confirmation message. The user and the user 2 remain disconnected to each other when the user 2 rejects the confirmation message. When the user 2 ignores the confirmation message, the confirmation message is stored in the first content queue and is displayed to the user 2 after a predetermined time span.

[58] At an instance when the first electronic device 615b detects the presence of the user 3, the first electronic device 615b notifies the user 3 that the confirmation message has been received. The user 3 is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the confirmation message. The user and the user 3 become connected to each other when the user 3 accepts the confirmation message. The user and the user 3 remain disconnected to each other when the user 3 rejects the notification. When the user 3 ignores the confirmation message, the notification is stored in the second content queue and is displayed to the user 3 after a predetermined time span.

[59] FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of a user communicating with other users in a network.

[60] The flow chart begins at step 705.

[61] At step 710, the user connected to an electronic device prompts the electronic device, to allow the user to send data content to the social network. The user prompts the electronic device via an input terminal of the electronic device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the input terminal is a microphone and the user prompts the electronic device by speaking the words "Send chirp" into the microphone. The electronic device detects the pause and proceeds to step 715. In another embodiment, the input terminal is at least one of a camera, a microphone, a keyboard.

[62] At step 715, a user identification module in the electronic device performs user identification of the user. If the user is identified to be registered in the electronic device, step 720 is performed else step 705 is performed.

[63] At step 720, the electronic device prompts the user to input the data content to be sent. The electronic device prompts the user by any one of producing an audible or a visual signal.

[64] At step 725, the user inputs the data content into the electronic device via the input terminal. According to one embodiment of the invention, the input terminal is a microphone and the user inputs the data content by speaking into the microphone. In another embodiment, the input terminal is a camera or a keyboard.

[65] At step 730, the electronic device displays a list of other users in the network having connections with the user.

[66] At step 735, the user selects a first set of users from the list displayed by the electronic device. The electronic device authorizes users in the first set of users to access the data content input by the user. An authorizing module in the electronic device encodes instructions in the data content instructing the other electronic devices to prevent the display of the data content in the absence of the authorized users, thereby protecting privacy of the data content. The authorizing module authorizes one or more users for viewing data content sent by a user registered to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices based on the relationship levels among plurality of electronic devices. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user is enabled to specify a time duration when the data content is prevented from being displayed to the authorized user. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user is enabled to prevent the authorized user from viewing the data in presence of unauthorized users.

[67] At step 740, the data input by the user is sent to the authorized users. The flowchart 700 ends at step 745.

[68] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system 800 that performs the flowchart explained in FIG. 7. The system 800 comprises of a first electronic device 805, a second electronic device 835, a third electronic device 830, a user identification module 810, a database module 812, a friend list generator 815, a list 820, and a network 825. A user 1, a user 2 and a user 3 are registered to the first electronic device 805. A user 4, a user 5 and a user 6 are registered to the second electronic device 835. A user 7, a user 8 and a user 9 are registered to the third electronic device 830.

[69] Consider an example, the user 1 sends a request for controlling the first electronic device 805 by speaking "send chirp" into a microphone of the first electronic device 805. User identification of the user is performed by the user identification module 810. The database module 812 stores user identification data of users registered in the first electronic device 805. The user is further prompted by the first electronic device 810 to input the data content. The friend list generator 815 generates a list 820 of users in the network having connections with the user. The user selects a first set of users from the list 820. The first electronic device 805 authorizes the users in the first set of users. The first set of users includes the user 7, the user 8, the user 9, and the user 6. An authorizing module in the first electronic device 805 encodes instructions in the data content instructing the second electronic device 835, and the third electronic device 830 to prevent the display of the data content in the absence of authorized users, thereby protecting privacy of the data content. The data content is transmitted to the third electronic device 830 and the second electronic device 835 via the network 825.

[70] Upon reception of the data content, the third electronic device 830, stores the data content in a plurality of content queues assigned to the user 7, the user 8 and the user 9. At any instance after the reception of the data content, if the third electronic device 830 detects the presence of a user for the first time, the user being any one of the user 7, the user 8 and the user 9, the third electronic device 830 notifies the user that the data content has been received.

[71] The user is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the notification. The user is enabled to access the data content if the user accepts the notification. The data content is deleted when the user rejects the notification. When the user ignores the notification, the notification and the data content are stored in a content queue assigned to the user and displayed to the user after a predetermined time span.

[72] Upon reception of the data content, the second electronic device 835, stores the data content in a first content queue assigned to the user 6. At any instance after the reception of the data content, if the second electronic device 835 detects the presence of a user 6 for the first time, the second electronic device 835 sends a notification to the user 6 that the data content has been received.

[73] The user 6 is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring notification. The user 6 is enabled to access the data content if the user 6 accepts the notification. The data content is deleted when the user 6 rejects the notification. When the user 6 ignores the notification, the notification and the data content are stored in the first content queue and displayed to the user 6 after a predetermined time span.

[74] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating reception of data content sent to a user registered to an electronic device.

[75] At step 905, the electronic device receives the data content and stores the data content in a content queue assigned to the user.

[76] At step 910, presence of the user in front of the electronic device is detected by the electronic device and the user is sent a notification of the received data content. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user is capable of choosing one of accepting the notification, rejecting the notification, and ignoring the notification.

[77] In step 915a, the user accepts the notification. In step 920a, the notification is made visible to the user and the data content is deleted from the content queue. In step 915b, the user rejects the notification. In step 920b, the data content is deleted from the content queue. In step 915c, the user rejects the notification. In step 920c, the data content is stored in the content queue for later viewing by the user.

[78] FIG. 10 is an exemplary illustration of a high relationship level between a first electronic device 1005 and a second electronic device 1010. A relationship level is called a high relationship level when every user registered to the first electronic device 1005 has a connection with every user registered to the second electronic device 1010. Data content sent by any one user of the first electronic device 1005 to the second electronic device 1010 is accessible by every user registered to the second electronic device 1010 and vice versa.

[79] FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of a medium relationship level between a first electronic device 1105 and a second electronic device 1110. A relationship level is called a medium relationship level when atleast one of users registered to the second electronic device 1110 has a connection with every user registered to the first electronic device 1105. Further, the relationship level is called the medium relationship level when atleast one of users registered to the first electronic device 1105 has a connection with every user registered to the second electronic device 1110. In other words, the medium relationship level is defined as a level wherein all the users registered to the first electronic device are connected to some of the users registered to the second electronic device.

[80] FIG. 12 is an exemplary illustration of a low relationship level between a first electronic device 1205 and a second electronic device 1210. A relationship level is called a low relationship level when at least one of the users registered to the first electronic device 1205, has a connection with at least one of the users registered to the second electronic device 1210. In other words the low relationship level is defined as a level wherein some of the users of the first electronic device are connected to some of the users of the second electronic device.

[81] FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of an exclusive relationship level between a first electronic device 1305 and a second electronic device 1310. A relationship level is an exclusive relationship level when a first user registered to the first electronic device 1305, has a connection to a second user, registered to the second electronic device 1310. In other words, the exclusive relationship level is defined as a level wherein a specific user of the first electronic device 1305 is connected to a specific user of the second electronic device 1310.

[82] FIG. 14 is a flowchart that illustrates a user registration process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart begins at 1405.

[83] At step 1410, a user speaks in front of an electronic device. The electronic device detects a pause when the user stops speaking and step 1415 is performed.

[84] At step 1415, a check is performed to identify if the electronic device is registered in a network. If the electronic device is registered in the network, step 1425 is performed, else step 1420 is performed.

[85] At step 1420, unique identification details of the electronic device are collected and stored in a social network server, thereby registering the electronic device to the network. The unique identification details of the electronic device includes but is not limited to serial number, a model number, an IP address and a user defined name of the electronic device.

[86] At step 1425, an image of the user is captured and is stored in a memory in the electronic device. In one embodiment, the image is a 3d stitched image.

[87] At step 1430, a voice sample of the user is recorded and is stored in the memory device of the electronic device.

[88] At step 1435, user profile details are collected. Examples of user profile details, include, but are not limited to a name, an email id, a usemame, a password and any combination thereof.

[89] At step 1440, the collected user profile details are stored in a user profile database in the social network server, thereby registering the user to the electronic device.

[90] The flow chart ends at step 1445.

[91] FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of a smart television scenario, wherein the user profile of a person communicating will get activated and text or data is shared with other users based on the user profile. The user profile contains relationship level information and user identification details.

[92] Referring to FIG. 15 now, a first smart television 1510a is connected to a third smart television 1510c, a fourth smart television 1510d, and a fifth smart television 1510e via the network 1506. The first smart television 1510a remains disconnected from a second smart television 1510b. A user 1, a user 2 and a user 3 registered to the first smart television 1510a are connected to a user 13, and a user 14 registered to the fifth smart television 1510e indicating a medium level relationship between the first smart television 1510a and the fifth smart television 1510e. The user 1, the user 2 and the user 3 registered to the first smart television 1510a are connected to a user 10, a user 11, and user 12 registered to the fourth smart television 1510d, indicating a high relationship level between the first smart television 1510a and the fourth smart television 1510d.

[93] The user 1 registered to the first smart television 1510a is connected to a user 9 of the third smart television 1510c indicating an exclusive level relationship between the first smart television 1510a and the third smart television 1510c.

[94] Consider an example; the user 2 is enabled to share data content to a plurality of smart televisions depending on the user profile. In the user profile, the relationship levels of the plurality of smart televisions with the first smart television 1510a are defined. The user 2 sends the data content to the third smart television 1510c, the fourth smart television 1510d and the fifth smart television 1510e, wherein the data content is one of media and textual data. The data content will be stored in a plurality of content queues assigned to the user 10, the user 11, the user 12, the user 13, and the user 14. The user 9 lacks a connection with the user 2 as per the relationship levels between the first smart television 1510a and the third smart television 1510c. Therefore, the data content is prevented from being stored in a first content queue assigned to the user 9.

[95] At an instance after the reception of the data content, if the fourth smart television 1510d detects the presence of a user for the first time, the user being any one of the user 10, the user 11 and the user 12, the fourth smart television 1510d notifies the user that the data content has been received. The user is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the data content. The user is enabled to access the data content when the user accepts the notification. The data content gets deleted when the user rejects the notification. The notification and the data content are stored in a content queue assigned to the user and displayed to the user after a predetermined time span if the user ignores the notification.

[96] At another instance, after the reception of the data content, if the fifth smart television 1510e detects the presence of a user for the first time, the user being any one of the user 13, and the user 14, the fifth smart television 1510e notifies the user that the data content has been received. The user is enabled to choose one of accepting, rejecting and ignoring the data content. The user is enabled to access the data content when the user accepts the notification. The data content gets deleted when the user rejects the notification. When the user ignores the notification, the notification and the data content are stored in a content queue assigned to the user. The notification is later displayed to the user after a predetermined time span.

[97] In another scenario, the user 1 and the user 2 are simultaneously present in front of the first smart television 1510a. The first smart television 1510a detects the presence of the user 1 and the user 2 by performing user identification. Upon detecting the presence of the user 1 and the user 2, user profiles of the user 1 and the user 2 are activated. The user 1 and the user 2 are able to simultaneously share data content with the plurality of smart televisions, via the first smart television 1510a.

[98] Advantageously, the embodiments specified in the present disclosure enables a plurality of users to access a social network via a single electronic device concurrently. The system provides a method to protect privacy of messages sent by users in the environment. The system eliminates the need for multiple users to login and logout repeatedly from the electronic device while accessing the social network concurrently.

[99] In the preceding specification, the present disclosure and its advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the claims below.

[100] Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded as illustrative examples of the present disclosure, rather than in restrictive sense. All such possible modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present disclosure.

I/We claim:

1. A method of accessing a social networking website, the method comprising:
identifying a plurality of users registered to a plurality of electronic devices,
wherein the plurality of users is connected via the social networking website;
defining one or more relationship levels between each of the plurality of electronic devices, wherein the relationship levels are based on number of connected users between one or more electronic devices; and
establishing communication via the social networking website by a first user of a first electronic device with a second user of a second electronic device, wherein privacy of communication between the first user and the second user is based on a relationship level between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electronic device and the second electronic device is at least one of a smart television, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a laptop, and a tablet computer.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
identifying the plurality of electronic devices in a network, wherein each of the plurality of electronics devices is configured to allow concurrent access of the social networking website by the plurality of users.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of electronic devices are identified by at least one of a unique serial number, a model number, and a user defined name.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
registering one or more users in each of the plurality of electronic devices, wherein registration is performed by one or more interactive means, wherein the interactive means includes, but are not limited to voice detection, face detection, voice sample recognition, password recognition, biometric recognition, fingerprint recognition, and retinal scan recognition.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein registering the one or more users comprises:
collecting user-identification data and user profile data; storing user-identification data in a memory device and user profile data in a user-profile database.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user-identification data comprises at least one of an image of the user's face, biometric data of the user, fingerprint, and a retinal scan.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user profile data comprises at least one of a name, an email id, a username, and a password.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relationship levels are at least one of a high level, a medium level, a low level, and an exclusive level.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the high level is defined as a level wherein users of the first electronic device are connected to users of the second electronic device.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the medium level is defined as a level wherein users of the first electronic device are connected to some of the users of the second electronic device.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the low level is defined as a level wherein some of the users of the first electronic device are connected to some of the users of the second electronic device.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the exclusive level is defined as a level wherein a specific user of the first electronic device is connected to a specific user of the second electronic device.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
connecting the first user to the second user, whereby the second user is allowed to view data content sent by the first user in the social networking website.

15. A system for accessing a social networking website, the system comprising:
a plurality of electronic devices capable of accessing the social networking website, wherein each of the plurality of electronic devices comprises:
a user identification module to identify at least one user;
a relationship level management module to store information pertaining to relationship levels among the plurality of electronic devices; and
an authorizing module to authorize one or more users for viewing data content sent by a user registered to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices based on the relationship levels among electronic devices in the plurality of electronic devices.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of electronic devices further comprises:
a display module, wherein the display module is atleast one of a liquid crystal display screen, and a light emitting diode display screen; a network interface module; a content queue unit; a memory device; and a processor.

17. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the user identification module comprises:
an input terminal, wherein the input terminal comprises atleast one of a microphone, a touch screen, a keyboard, a biometric attribute detector, and a camera; and a user profile database, wherein the user profile database stores user profile data.

18. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of electronic devices is at least one of a tablet computer, a smart television, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, and a mobile phone.