Access control to shared resources
First Claim
1. Apparatus for generating and maintaining a data resource, comprising a repository for the data resource, access means for allowing a plurality of users to amend the data resource, moderation means for recording amendments made to the resource and moderation inputs relating to such amendments, and rating means for generating and storing a moderation value for each amendment, the moderation value being determined by such moderation inputs.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Controlled access is provided to a shared resource 23 such as an ontology (knowledge database) in order to maintain its quality without restraining the ability of users 21a, 21b, 21c . . . to contribute to that resource.
An edit and query function 26 is used to determine the validity and consistency of individual contributions. The results of these checks and the level of contribution made by individual users to the information resource is used to produce a rating for each user of the resource, which is stored (24a, 24b . . . ) for use in prioritise and manage future contributions to the resource 23, provide metadata on the resource and to prioritise access control 28 to the resource.
When a new contribution is made by a user a threshold of approval can be set before it is accepted into the main database 23. This threshold is based on the sum of the ratings points of the original contributor and of users that give their assent to the inclusion of that contribution.
22 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus for generating and maintaining a data resource, comprising a repository for the data resource, access means for allowing a plurality of users to amend the data resource, moderation means for recording amendments made to the resource and moderation inputs relating to such amendments, and rating means for generating and storing a moderation value for each amendment, the moderation value being determined by such moderation inputs.
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2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for input of user-generated data, assessing qualities of amendments made by other users.
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3. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an amendment moderation value generation means, comprising means for determining the validity and consistency of amendments, and means for generating a moderation input from the results of such determination.
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4. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for generating a user moderation value for each user of the system in respect of inputs made by that user a user moderation value store arranged to store the user moderation values, and means for retrieval of user moderation values from the user moderation value store.
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5. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for storing a quality rating for each resource, and wherein the rating means retrieves the quality rating for a modified resource and generates moderation values in accordance with the retrieved quality rating.
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6. Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising analysis means for identifying reference links between resources, and means for generating, for each resource, the said quality rating in accordance with the number of such links referring to the resource.
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7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising amendment storage means for storing amendment proposals prior to implementation, means for receiving quality values relating to the amendment proposals, and means for amending the data resource in accordance with the amendment proposal when the quality values pass a predetermined upper threshold.
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8. Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for deleting amendment proposals for which the quality values pass below a lower threshold, or which have failed to pass the upper threshold within a predetermined period.
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9. A method of generating and maintaining a data resource, by recording amendments made to the resource, generating moderation inputs relating to such amendments, and generating a moderation value for each amendment, the moderation value being determined by the said moderation inputs.
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10. A method according to claim 9 wherein user-generated data is recorded, assessing qualities of amendments made by other users.
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11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the validity and consistency of amendments are determined, and a moderation value is generated from the results of such determination.
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12. A method according to claim 9, wherein a user moderation value is generated in respect of each user in respect of inputs made by that user;
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13. A method according to claim 9, wherein a quality rating is stored for each resource, and wherein moderation values are generated in accordance with the retrieved quality rating.
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14. A method according to claim 13, wherein reference links between resources are identified, and the said quality rating for each resource is generated in accordance with the number of such links referring to the resource.
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15. A method according to claim 9, wherein a quality value is generated relating to an amendment proposal, and the data resource is amended in accordance with the amendment proposal when the quality value passes a predetermined upper threshold.
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16. A method according to claim 15. Wherein the predetermined threshold is set at different values for additions to, and deletions from, the data resource.
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17. A method according to claim 15, wherein amendment proposals for which the quality values pass below a lower threshold, or which have failed to pass the upper threshold within a predetermined period are deleted.
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18. A computer program product or suite of such products for use with at least one computer to carry out the method of claim 9.
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19. A computer program product or suite of such products for use with at least one computer to provide the apparatus of claim 1.
Specification