Virtual shared databases

• US 20020178139A1
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kintera, Inc. (Blackbaud Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kintera, Inc. (Blackbaud Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gould, Gregory J., Bona, Dahlia P., Feig, Ephraim, Gruber, Harry E., Chen, Jeane S.
• Application Number:
  US09/819,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20020178139A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/283 Multi-dimensional databases or data warehouses, e.g. MOLAP or ROLAP

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing a database residing in a computer system linked to a network is provided. The method includes creating one or more virtual data islands partitioned inside the database, each virtual data island storing client data for a specific client engaged in a fundraising campaign, the client data containing one or more constituent records (CR). The method further comprises the steps of creating a master island containing a compilation of the fields in the virtual data islands. The method further comprises the steps of creating a linking table including a compilation of unique identifiers of the individuals whose records are in the virtual data islands. The method further comprises the steps of creating a data pool having selected data from the CRs, analyzing the data pool, and using the results of the analysis in fundraising campaigns. The method further comprises identifying potential donors from the results of the analysis. The method further comprises determining, from the results of the analysis, a probability of a charitable donation by an individual donor. The method further comprises accessing individual donor records online, and conducting financial transactions.

Claims

18-1. The database as recited in claim 1, wherein the client is a charitable organization.

22. A method for analyzing a database residing in a computer system linked to a network, the computer system having one or more processors, one or more storage devices coupled to the processors, comprising:

creating one or more virtual data islands partitioned inside the database, each virtual data island storing client data for a specific client engaged in a fundraising campaign, the client data containing one or more constituent records (CR);

creating a data pool having selected data from the CRs; and

analyzing the data pool.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising using the results of the analysis in fundraising campaigns.

24. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising creating a master island containing a compilation of the fields in the virtual data islands.

25. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising creating a linking table including a compilation of unique identifiers of the individuals whose records are in the virtual data islands.

26. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the network is the Internet.

27. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the network is a wide area network.

28. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising identifying potential donors from the results of the analysis.

29. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising determining, from the results of the analysis, a probability of a charitable donation by an individual donor.

30. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising:

accessing individual donor records online; and

conducting financial transactions.

31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the financial transaction includes making a donation to one or more organizations.

32. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the client is a nonprofit organization (NPO).

33. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the client is a charitable organization.

34. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the client is a political organization.

35. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for analyzing a database residing in a computer system linked to a network, the computer system having one or more processors, one or more storage devices coupled to the processors, comprising:

creating one or more virtual data islands partitioned inside the database, each virtual data island storing client data for a specific client engaged in a fundraising campaign, the client data containing one or more constituent records (CR);

creating a data pool having selected data from the CRs;

creating a master island containing a compilation of the fields in the virtual data islands;

creating a linking table including a compilation of unique identifiers of the individuals whose records are in the virtual data islands; and

analyzing the data pool.

36. A method for creating a database residing in a computer system linked to a network, the computer system having one or more processors, one or more storage devices coupled to the processors, comprising:

creating one or more virtual data islands partitioned inside the database, each virtual data island storing client data for a specific client engaged in a fundraising campaign, the client data containing one or more constituent records (CR);

creating a master island containing a compilation of the fields in the virtual data islands;

creating a linking table including a compilation of unique identifiers of the individuals whose records are in the virtual data islands; and

creating a data pool having selected data from the CRs;