Collections of linked databases
First Claim
1. A method for conducting a search of a social network, said method comprising:
- receiving by at least one processor a social network comprised of nodes interconnected by links, the nodes corresponding to members of the social network, and the links connecting corresponding pairs of nodes;
receiving by at least one processor a search term or phrase from a search initiator, the search initiator being a member of the social network;
receiving historical data identifying one or more nodes of the social network that are directly linked to a historical node and that the corresponding member of the historical node determined to have data relevant to the search term or phrase;
generating inferential links to identify one or more relevant databases based on the historical data for the search term or phrase;
performing the search using the one or more relevant databases, wherein the searching includes;
searching nodes of the social network directly linked to the historical node, wherein the directly searched nodes include only the nodes of the social network identified in the historical data; and
searching nodes of the social network indirectly linked to the historical node, wherein the indirectly searched nodes include only nodes of the social network linked to the nodes of the social network identified in the historical data; and
returning by at least one processor the search results and a set of instructions describing how the search results are to be displayed to the search initiator, the set of instructions instructing that the search results are to be displayed by showing how a node corresponding to one of the search results is linked to a node corresponding to the search initiator in the social network;
wherein the set of instructions instruct that the search results are to be displayed by;
showing a path between the node corresponding to the one of the search results and the node corresponding to the search initiator by visually representing links of the path as straight lines and nodes of the path as dots or circles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for conducting a search of a network for information related to a topic specified by a search initiator. A query may be generated that includes search information and a first-degree contact. The first-degree contact may be an electronic record that represents a member of the social network, and the search information may identify the topic. One or more electronic records that each represent a social-network member may be searched using the query to identify one or more social-network members that are identified in connection with the topic and who are directly or indirectly associated with the first-degree contact.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for conducting a search of a social network, said method comprising:
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receiving by at least one processor a social network comprised of nodes interconnected by links, the nodes corresponding to members of the social network, and the links connecting corresponding pairs of nodes; receiving by at least one processor a search term or phrase from a search initiator, the search initiator being a member of the social network; receiving historical data identifying one or more nodes of the social network that are directly linked to a historical node and that the corresponding member of the historical node determined to have data relevant to the search term or phrase; generating inferential links to identify one or more relevant databases based on the historical data for the search term or phrase; performing the search using the one or more relevant databases, wherein the searching includes; searching nodes of the social network directly linked to the historical node, wherein the directly searched nodes include only the nodes of the social network identified in the historical data; and searching nodes of the social network indirectly linked to the historical node, wherein the indirectly searched nodes include only nodes of the social network linked to the nodes of the social network identified in the historical data; and returning by at least one processor the search results and a set of instructions describing how the search results are to be displayed to the search initiator, the set of instructions instructing that the search results are to be displayed by showing how a node corresponding to one of the search results is linked to a node corresponding to the search initiator in the social network; wherein the set of instructions instruct that the search results are to be displayed by; showing a path between the node corresponding to the one of the search results and the node corresponding to the search initiator by visually representing links of the path as straight lines and nodes of the path as dots or circles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for conducting a search of a social network, said system comprising:
at least one processor configured to; receive the social network comprised of nodes interconnected by links, the nodes corresponding to members of the social network, and the links connecting corresponding pairs of nodes; receive a search term or phrase from a search initiator, the search initiator being one of the members of the social network; receive historical data identifying one or more nodes of the social network that are directly linked to a historical node and that the corresponding member of the historical node determined to have data relevant to the search term or phrase; generate inferential links to identify one or more relevant databases based on the historical data for the search term or phrase; perform the search using the one or more relevant databases, wherein the searching includes; searching nodes of the social network directly linked to the historical node, wherein the directly searched nodes include only the nodes of the social network identified in the historical data; and searching nodes of the social network indirectly linked to the historical node, wherein the indirectly searched nodes include only nodes of the social network linked to the nodes of the social network identified in the historical data; return the search results and a set of instructions describing how the search results are to be displayed to the search initiator, the set of instructions instructing that the search results are to be displayed by showing how a node corresponding to one of the search results is linked to a node corresponding to the search initiator in the social network; and determine an ordering of the search results by a mathematical algorithm ranking the search results based on one or more of;
similarity to the search initiator; and
physical proximity to the search initiator;wherein the set of instructions instruct that the search results are to be displayed in the determined order. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification