APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANAGING ELECTRONIC COMMUNITIES OF USERS
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a community of users, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of data tuples within a tuple space, wherein each of the plurality of data tuples comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users;
monitoring the received plurality of data tuples with a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm;
discovering, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data;
identifying respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and
creating and storing within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods of discovering and managing electronic communities include placing data tuples into a tuple space, discovering the attributes of the data tuple via a community formation tuple, and generating one or more community tuples based on the discovered relationships.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. A method of forming a community of users, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of data tuples within a tuple space, wherein each of the plurality of data tuples comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; monitoring the received plurality of data tuples with a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; discovering, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; identifying respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and creating and storing within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. At least one processor configured to form a community of users, comprising:
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a first module for receiving a plurality of data tuples within a tuple space, wherein each of the plurality of data tuples comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; a second module for monitoring the received plurality of data tuples, wherein the second module comprises a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; a third module for discovering, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; a fourth module for identifying respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and a fifth module for creating and storing within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple.
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16. A computer program product, comprising:
a computer-readable medium comprising; at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive a plurality of data tuples within a tuple space, wherein each of the plurality of data tuples comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; at least one instruction for causing the computer to monitor the received plurality of data tuples, wherein the at least one instruction comprises a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; at least one instruction for causing the computer to discover, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; at least one instruction for causing the computer to identify respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and at least one instruction for causing the computer to create and store within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple.
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for receiving a plurality of data tuples within a tuple space, wherein each of the plurality of data tuples comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; means for monitoring the received plurality of data tuples, wherein the means for monitoring is located within the tuple space, wherein the means for monitoring comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; means for discovering, by the means for monitoring via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; means for identifying respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and means for creating and storing within the tuple space a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple.
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18. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; a memory in communication with the processor; a community formation module stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein the community formation module comprises a tuple space and a service tuple; wherein the tuple space is operable to receive a plurality of data tuples each comprising respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; and wherein, upon execution by the processor, the service tuple is operable to monitor the plurality of data tuples received within the tuple space, discover one or more relationships among the respective user-related data via the relationship determination algorithm, identify respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship, and create and store within the tuple space a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of providing data for forming a community of users, comprising:
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generating a plurality of data tuples each comprising respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; and forwarding the plurality of data tuples to a tuple space operable to; monitor the received plurality of data tuples with a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; discover, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; identify respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and create and store within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. At least one processor configured to provide data for forming a community of users, comprising:
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a first module for generating a plurality of data tuples each comprising respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; and a second module for forwarding the plurality of data tuples to a tuple space operable to; monitor the received plurality of data tuples with a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; discover, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; identify respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and create and store within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple.
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37. A computer program product, comprising:
a computer-readable medium comprising; at least one instruction for causing a computer to generate a plurality of data tuples each comprising respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; and at least one instruction for causing the computer to forward the plurality of data tuples to a tuple space operable to; monitor the received plurality of data tuples with a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; discover, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; identify respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and create and store within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple.
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38. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for generating a plurality of data tuples each comprising respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users; and means for forwarding the plurality of data tuples to a tuple space operable to; monitor the received plurality of data tuples with a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; discover, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; identify respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and create and store within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple.
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39. A network device for providing data for forming a community of users, comprising:
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a processor; a memory in communication with the processor; wherein the memory comprises a tuple generation module having tuple generation logic operable to generate a plurality of data tuples each comprising respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective one of a plurality of users, and further operable to forward the plurality of data tuples to a tuple space operable to; monitor the received plurality of data tuples with a service tuple located within the tuple space, wherein the service tuple comprises at least one service attribute representing a relationship determination algorithm; discover, by the service tuple via the relationship determination algorithm, one or more relationships among the respective user-related data; identify respective ones of the plurality of users corresponding to each of the identified one or more relationships based on the user identifier corresponding to the respective user-related data associated with the respective relationship; and create and store within the tuple space, by the service tuple, a community tuple for each of the identified one or more relationships, wherein each community tuple comprises community attributes representing the respective identified relationship and the respective identified ones of the plurality of users of the respective community tuple. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of enabling participation in a community of users, comprising:
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causing generation of data operable to comprise at least one data tuple, wherein each data tuple comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective user; receiving an indication of being a member of a community of users, wherein the indication is based on receipt of the at least one data tuple by a tuple space and discovery of a relationship between the at least one data tuple and other data tuples within the tuple space, wherein the other data tuples comprise respective data attributes representing respective user-related data and respective user identifiers corresponding to respective other users, wherein the relationship is discovered by a service tuple located within the tuple space and having a relationship determination algorithm; and generating a response to the indication, wherein the response comprises an acceptance or a refusal to join the community of users. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. At least one processor configured to enable participation in a community of users, comprising:
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a first module for causing generation of data operable to comprise at least one data tuple, wherein each data tuple comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective user; a second module for receiving an indication of being a member of a community of users, wherein the indication is based on receipt of the at least one data tuple by a tuple space and discovery of a relationship between the at least one data tuple and other data tuples within the tuple space, wherein the other data tuples comprise respective data attributes representing respective user-related data and respective user identifiers corresponding to respective other users, wherein the relationship is discovered by a service tuple located within the tuple space and having a relationship determination algorithm; and a third module for generating a response to the indication, wherein the response comprises an acceptance or a refusal to join the community of users.
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53. A computer program product, comprising:
a computer readable medium, comprising; at least one instruction for causing a computer to generate data operable to comprise at least one data tuple, wherein each data tuple comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective user; at least one instruction for causing the computer to receive an indication of being a member of a community of users, wherein the indication is based on receipt of the at least one data tuple by a tuple space and discovery of a relationship between the at least one data tuple and other data tuples within the tuple space, wherein the other data tuples comprise respective data attributes representing respective user-related data and respective user identifiers corresponding to respective other users, wherein the relationship is discovered by a service tuple located within the tuple space and having a relationship determination algorithm; and at least one instruction for causing the computer to generate a response to the indication, wherein the response comprises an acceptance or a refusal to join the community of users.
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54. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for causing generation of data operable to comprise at least one data tuple, wherein each data tuple comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective user; means for receiving an indication of being a member of a community of users, wherein the indication is based on receipt of the at least one data tuple by a tuple space and discovery of a relationship between the at least one data tuple and other data tuples within the tuple space, wherein the other data tuples comprise respective data attributes representing respective user-related data and respective user identifiers corresponding to respective other users, wherein the relationship is discovered by a service tuple located within the tuple space and having a relationship determination algorithm; and means for generating a response to the indication, wherein the response comprises an acceptance or a refusal to join the community of users.
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55. A wireless device, comprising:
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a processor; a memory in communication with the processor; a first application stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the first application comprising first application logic operable to cause generation of data operable to comprise at least one data tuple, wherein each data tuple comprises respective data attributes representing user-related data and a user identifier, wherein the user-related data and the user identifier both correspond to a respective user; a second application stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the second application comprising second application logic operable to receive an indication of being a member of a community of users, wherein the indication is based on receipt of the at least one data tuple by a tuple space and discovery of a relationship between the at least one data tuple and other data tuples within the tuple space, wherein the other data tuples comprise respective data attributes representing respective user-related data and respective user identifiers corresponding to respective other users, wherein the relationship is discovered by a service tuple located within the tuple space and having a relationship determination algorithm; and wherein the second application logic is further operable to generate a response to the indication, wherein the response comprises an acceptance or a refusal to join the community of users. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification