Displaying aggregated connection data using a database system

• US 10,437,834 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2018
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Harris, Parker, Satyanarayanan, Rajaram
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Wilson
• Application Number:
  US16/189,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20190188303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Disclosed are database systems and related methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products for displaying aggregated connection data. A database storing data objects identifying connection events may be maintained. An indication of a first connection event between first and second users may be processed. A record of the first connection event may be stored in the database. The record of the first connection event may be one of a plurality of records of connection events between the first and second users. The plurality of records may be processed to determine a plurality of levels of interaction strength between the first and second users. An interaction strength presentation may be displayed in a user interface on a display of a first device associated with the first user.

Claims

1. A database system for displaying aggregated connection data, the database system comprising:

a server system comprising one or more hardware processors, the server system configurable to cause;

maintaining a database storing data objects identifying connection events, each connection event representing contact or likely contact between users of a social networking system;

processing an indication of a first connection event between first and second users of the social networking system;

storing, responsive to processing the indication of the first connection event, a record of the first connection event in the database, the record of the first connection event being one of a plurality of records of connection events between the first and second users stored in the database;

processing the plurality of records to determine a plurality of levels of interaction strength between the first and second users, each of the levels of interaction strength corresponding to a respective interaction type; and

displaying, in a user interface on a display of a first device associated with the first user, an interaction strength presentation comprising;

an identification of the first user,

an identification of the second user, and

indications of the plurality of levels of interaction strength between the first and second users, the indications of each of the levels of interaction strength between the first and second users comprising an identification of the respective interaction type.

2. The database system of claim 1, wherein:

processing the indication of the first connection event comprises identifying establishment of a connection, via a direct wireless channel, between the first device and a second device associated with the second user, and

the record of the first connection event comprises data indicating a duration of the connection between the first and second wireless devices.

3. The database system of claim 2, wherein the record of the connection event further comprises data indicating a pattern of received signal strength during the connection via the direct wireless channel.

4. The database system of claim 2, wherein the first device is configured to automatically transmit and/or receive a first user identity token, the first user identity token being one of a plurality of user identity tokens provided by the social networking system, each user identity token comprising encrypted data unique to a respective user of the social networking system, the first user identity token corresponding to a signal transmitted by the first device.

5. The database system claim 1, the server system further configurable to cause:

generating a second connection event by processing calendar data of the first and second users to identify a coincidence of scheduling, registration or check-in information,

storing, responsive to processing the indication of the second connection event, a record of the second connection event in the database.

6. The database system of claim 5, the server system further configurable to cause:

validating a first one of the levels of interaction strength between the first and second users based on calendar information associated with the second connection event, the calendar information comprising time or location information associated with the second connection event.

7. The database system of claim 5, the server system further configurable to cause:

applying a filtering mechanism to the second connection event to identify scheduling, registration or check-in information in electronic records of the second user that meets criteria set by the first user.

8. The database system of claim 1, the server system further configurable to cause:

processing a response to a query received from at least one of the first and second users, the response to the query confirming the first connection event.

9. The database system of claim 1, wherein the interaction types include one or more of:

a physical interaction, a calendar interaction, a wireless interaction, a desktop interaction.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a second connection event by processing calendar data of the first and second users to identify a coincidence of scheduling, registration or check-in information,

storing, responsive to processing the indication of the second connection event, a record of the second connection event in the database.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

validating a first one of the levels of interaction strength between the first and second users based on calendar information associated with the second connection event, the calendar information comprising time or location information associated with the second connection event.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

applying a filtering mechanism to the second connection event to identify scheduling, registration or check-in information in electronic records of the second user that meets criteria set by the first user.

10. A method of displaying aggregated connection data, the method comprising:

maintaining, using the database system, a database storing data objects identifying connection events, each connection event representing contact or likely contact between users of a social networking system;

processing an indication of a first connection event between first and second users of the social networking system;

storing, responsive to processing the indication of the first connection event, a record of the first connection event in the database, the record of the first connection event being one of a plurality of records of connection events between the first and second users stored in the database;

processing the plurality of records to determine a plurality of levels of interaction strength between the first and second users, each of the levels of interaction strength corresponding to a respective interaction type; and

causing display of, in a user interface on a display of a first device associated with the first user, an interaction strength presentation comprising;

an identification of the first user,

an identification of the second user, and

indications of the plurality of levels of interaction strength between the first and second users, the indication of each of the levels of interaction strength between the first and second users comprising an identification of the respective interaction type.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

processing the indication of the first connection event comprises identifying establishment of a connection, via a direct wireless channel, between the first device and a second device associated with the second user, and

the record of the first connection event comprises data indicating a duration of the connection between the first and second wireless devices.

12. The database system of claim 11, wherein the record of the connection event further comprises data indicating a pattern of received signal strength during the connection via the direct wireless channel.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first device is configured to automatically transmit and/or receive a first user identity token, the first user identity token being one of a plurality of user identity tokens provided by the social networking system, each user identity token comprising encrypted data unique to a respective user of the social networking system, the first user identity token corresponding to a signal transmitted by the first device.

17. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program code capable of being executed by one or more processors when retrieved from a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the program code comprising instructions configurable to cause:

maintaining, using a database system, a database storing data objects identifying connection events, each connection event representing contact or likely contact between users of a social networking system implemented using the database system;

processing an indication of a first connection event between first and second users of the social networking system;

storing, responsive to processing the indication of the first connection event, a record of the first connection event in the database, the record of the first connection event being one of a plurality of records of connection events between the first and second users stored in the database;

processing the plurality of records to determine a plurality of levels of interaction strength between the first and second users, each of the levels of interaction strength corresponding to a respective interaction type; and

displaying, in a user interface on a display of a first device associated with the first user, an interaction strength presentation comprising;

an identification of the first user,

an identification of the second user, and

indications of the plurality of levels of interaction strength between the first and second users, the indication of each of the levels of interaction strength between the first and second users comprising an identification of the respective interaction type.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein:

processing the indication of the first connection event comprises identifying establishment of a connection, via a direct wireless channel, between the first device and a second device associated with the second user, and

the record of the first connection event comprises data indicating a duration of the connection between the first and second wireless devices.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the record of the connection event further comprises data indicating a pattern of received signal strength during the connection via the direct wireless channel.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first device is configured to automatically transmit and/or receive a first user identity token, the first user identity token being one of a plurality of user identity tokens provided by the social networking system, each user identity token comprising encrypted data unique to a respective user of the social networking system, the first user identity token corresponding to a signal transmitted by the first device.