Method of and System for Determining Connections Between Parties Using Private Links

• US 20060287987A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Generate Incorporated (News Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Generate Incorporated (News Corporation)
• Inventors: McGeachie, John S., Duchaine, Janet L., MacKsoud, Agnes M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,606,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system and method for determining a connection between a one or more “from” connections points and one or more “to” connections points, wherein connections between the connection points are determined as a function of intermediate connections in the path formed between the “from” and “to” connection endpoints.

Claims

1. A method of determining a pathway between a source and a target, such method implemented in a computer system having at least one database comprising data defining individuals, entities, or both, the method comprising:

A. defining a source list comprising one or more individuals, entities or both;

B. defining a target list comprising one or more individuals, entities or both; and

C. generating a set of intermediate connection points as a series of individuals, entities or both that collectively define the pathway from the source to the target, as a function of predetermined relationships among the individuals and entities comprising the pathway.

2. A method of determining at least one pathway of one or more connections between at least one starting point and at least one endpoint, wherein one or more steps of the method are carried out by at least one computer system including or having access to at least one database, the method comprising:

A. providing at least one host database comprising identification data for each of a plurality of individuals and entities, wherein for each individual or entity said identification data includes relationships to at least one other individual or entity;

B. defining a starting point as a list of at least one individual or entity;

C. defining an endpoint as a list of at least one individual or entity; and

D. generating at least one pathway that identifies a set of intermediate individuals, entities or both, wherein the identity of each intermediate individual or entity includes;

i. a first set of identification data in common with a set of identification data of an individual or entity from the starting point or of a prior intermediate individual or entity; and

ii. a second set of identification data in common with a set of identification data of a subsequent intermediate individual or entity or of an individual or entity from the endpoint.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the starting point is a list comprising a plurality of individuals, entities or both.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the endpoint is a list comprising a plurality of individuals, entities or both.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing a user interface configured for entry of at least one of the starting point or endpoint.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the identification data comprises an identification of the individual or entity.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein part A comprises deriving information from at least one private or public domain source including data representing individuals, entities or both.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein deriving information comprises parsing information from at least one private or public domain source.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the at least one private or public domain source includes web sites, publications and databases.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising, prior to part D defining a maximum number of intermediate individuals, entities or both to comprise the at least one pathway.

11. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

E. for the at least one pathway, displaying the starting point, the one or more intermediate individuals, entities or both and the at least one endpoint.

12. A system for determining at least one pathway of one or more connections between at least one starting point and at least one endpoint, wherein the system comprises at least one computer system including or having access to at least one database, the system further comprising:

A. a module for providing at least one host database comprising identification data for each of a plurality of individuals and entities, wherein for each individual or entity said identification data includes relationships to one or more other individual or entity;

B. a module for defining a starting point as a list of at least one individual or entity;

C. a module for defining an endpoint as a list of at least one individual or entity; and

D. a module for generating at least one pathway that identifies a set of intermediate individuals, entities or both, wherein the identity of each intermediate individual or entity includes;

i. a first set of identification data in common with a set of identification data of an individual or entity from the starting point or of a prior intermediate individual or entity; and

ii. a second set of identification data in common with a set of identification data of a subsequent intermediate individual or entity or of an individual or entity from the endpoint.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the starting point is a list comprising a plurality of individuals, entities or both.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the endpoint is a list comprising a plurality of individuals, entities or both.

15. The system of claim 12 further comprising a module for providing a user interface configured for entry of at least one of the starting point or endpoint.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the identification data comprises an identification of the individual or entity.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the module for providing at least one host database includes a module for deriving information from at least one private or public domain source including data representing individuals, entities or both.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the module for deriving information comprises a module for parsing information from at least one private or public domain source.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one private or public domain source includes web sites, publications and databases.

20. The system of claim 12, further comprising a module for defining a maximum number of intermediate individuals, entities or both to comprise the at least one pathway.

21. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

E. a module for displaying the at least one pathway, including a module for displaying the starting point, the one or more intermediate individuals, entities or both and the at least one endpoint.