Providing Alerts in an Information-Sharing Computer-Based Service

• US 20110138293A1
• Filed: 02/17/2011
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dov Koren
• Original Assignee: Dov Koren
• Inventors: Koren, Dov
• Granted Patent: US 8,984,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3438 monitoring of user actions tracking the activity of the user H04L67/535
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/176 Support for shared access to files; File sharing support
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9558 Details of hyperlinks; Management of linked annotations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/134 Hyperlinking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching

Abstract

Techniques are provided that allow users that express an interest in an event (e.g. in other user application events) to be notified about the event and to have the capability to interact, in relation to the event, with other users. The system automatically alerts interested users to the occurrence of the event and can provide additional information with the alert (such as associated view(s)), so that the alert can be related, in context, with that additional information. Messages with a corresponding text description can be provided automatically if triggered by conditions that have been specified by the user. A user can proactively watch a limited number of views, but once there are changes that occur in other views of interest, the user will receive a message that includes an access identifier to such other view or views.

Claims

1. A method for displaying an application display that includes a plurality of alerts to a user of an information-sharing computer-based service that is provided over a network, the method comprising:

monitoring a plurality of interactions with the computer-based service;

storing, in a database, data that reflects said plurality of interactions;

generating a plurality of alerts regarding one or more of the interactions, wherein one or more of the alerts is for presentation to one or more viewing users and relates to an interaction that was performed by another user;

attaching a link associated with at least one of the interactions of another user to at least one of the plurality of alerts where the link enables a viewing user to participate in the same interaction as the another user;

limiting access to the plurality of alerts to a set of viewing users; and

displaying an application display that includes two or more of the plurality of alerts to at least one viewing user of the set of viewing users.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interactions are selected according to an association determined for the viewing user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one link comprises a dropdown menu.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of alerts enables access to a plurality of views associated with the at least one of the plurality of alerts.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein access to the plurality of views is enabled by a corresponding plurality of links included in the at least one of the plurality of alerts.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the computer-based service enables users of the computer-based service to subscribe to at least a portion of information of other users of the computer-based service; and

said information is maintained by the computer-based service.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, with the plurality of alerts, content for accessing information that is external to the computer-based service.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring an interaction of the at least one viewing user with the at least one of the plurality of alerts; and

utilizing the interaction to generate an additional alert.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring an interaction of the at least one viewing user with the at least one of the plurality of alerts; and

utilizing the interaction to select content for accessing information that is external to the computer-based service for display to the viewing user.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising searching the plurality of alerts for a predetermined character string.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a filter to the plurality of alerts to prevent alerts regarding certain types of interactions from being displayed.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically limiting a number of the plurality of alerts available for display.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of dynamically limiting the number of the plurality of alerts for display includes removing an alert from the display and adding a new alert to the display.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein the information that is external to the computer-based service is associated with the at least one of the interactions of the another user.

15. The method of claim 7 wherein the information that is external to the computer-based service is associated with at least one of the plurality of alerts.

26. The method of claim 7 wherein the information that is external to the computer-based service includes news.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the computer-based service enables each user of the computer-based service to selectively share access to at least a portion of information associated with the each user with at least one other user of the computer-based service; and

said shared information is maintained by the computer-based service.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said shared information is financial information.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said shared information is user-specific.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the computer-based service enables said each user to select which information to share with the at least one other user.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the shared information that is shared by said each user is information that is related, at least in part, to said each user.

32. The method of claim 7, wherein said content includes one or more links for accessing the information that is external to the computer-based service.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the association is established based, at least in part, on the viewing user having expressed an interest in a subject related to the information that is external to the computer-based service.

34. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a particular link associated with at least one of the plurality of interactions, to at least one of the plurality of alerts, wherein the particular link enables participation in the at least one of the plurality of interactions.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the particular link enables participation in a two or more of the plurality of interactions.

38. The method of claim 13, wherein the alert removed from the display is selected according to an assigned order.

39. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling access, within the plurality of alerts, to information that is external to the computer-based service.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein enabling access is provided by one or more links.

41. The method of claim 32 wherein the one or more links are displayed with the plurality of alerts based, at least in part, on an association established for the viewing user.

16. A system for displaying an application display that includes a plurality of alerts comprising:

an information-sharing computer-based service that is provided over a network;

the computer-based service being configured to monitor a plurality of interactions with the computer-based service;

a storage medium for storing data that reflects the plurality of interactions in a database;

the computer-based service being configured to generate a plurality of alerts regarding one or more of the interactions, wherein one or more of the alerts is for presentation to one or more viewing users and relates to an interaction that was performed by another user;

the computer-based service being configured to attach a link associated with at least one of the interactions of another user to at least one of the plurality of alerts where the link enables a viewing user to participate in the same interaction as the another user;

the computer-based service being configured to limit access to the plurality of alerts to a set of viewing users; and

the computer-based service being configured to display an application display comprising two or more of the plurality of alerts to at least one viewing user of the set of viewing users.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the computer-based service is segmented among a plurality of user sets; and

the computer-based service enables interaction between users of each user set, of the plurality of user sets.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one link comprises a dropdown menu.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one of the plurality of alerts enables access to a plurality of views associated with the at least one of the plurality of alerts.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein access to the plurality of views is enabled by a corresponding plurality of links included in the at least one of the plurality of alerts.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer-based service is further configured to limit the access to users of the computer-based service.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer-based service is further configured to limit the access according to settings determined by a user of the computer-based service.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer-based service is further configured to remove a predetermined alert from the plurality of alerts and add a new alert to the plurality of alerts.

36. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the computer-based service is further configured to attach a particular link associated with at least one of the plurality of interactions to at least one of the plurality of alerts; and

the particular link enables participation in the at least one of the plurality of interactions.

37. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer-based service is further is configured to assign an order to the plurality of alerts generated according to an order of occurrence of the plurality of alerts.

42. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the computer-based service enables users of the computer-based service to subscribe to at least a portion of information of other users of the computer-based service; and

said information is maintained by the computer-based service.

43. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the computer-based service enables each user of the computer-based service to selectively share access to at least a portion of information associated with the each user with at least one other user of the computer-based service; and

said shared information is maintained by the computer-based service.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said shared information is financial information.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein said shared information is user-specific.

46. The system of claim 43, wherein the computer-based service enables said each user to select which information to share with the at least one other user.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the shared information that is shared by said each user is information that is related, at least in part, to said each user.

24. A computer readable medium having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor for performing a method for displaying an application display that includes a plurality of alerts, the method comprising:

monitoring a plurality of interactions with an information-sharing computer-based service that is provided over a network;

storing in a database, data that reflects said plurality of interactions;

generating a plurality of alerts regarding one or more of the interactions, wherein one or more of the alerts is for presentation to one or more viewing users and relates to an interaction that was performed by another user;

attaching a link associated with at least one of the interactions of another user to at least one of the plurality of alerts where the link enables a viewing user to participate in the same interaction as the another user;

limiting access to the plurality of alerts to a set of viewing users; and

displaying an application display that includes two or more of the plurality of alerts to at least one viewing user of the set of viewing users.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein:

the method further comprises attaching a particular link associated with at least one of the plurality of interactions, to at least one of the plurality of alerts; and

the particular link allows participation in the at least one of the plurality of interactions.

48. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein:

the computer-based service enables users of the computer-based service to subscribe to at least a portion of information of other users of the computer-based service; and

said information is maintained by the computer-based service.

49. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein:

the computer-based service enables each user of the computer-based service to selectively share access to at least a portion of information associated with the each user with at least one other user of the computer-based service; and

said shared information is maintained by the computer-based service.

50. The computer readable medium of claim 49, wherein said shared information is financial information.

51. The computer readable medium of claim 49, wherein said shared information is user-specific.

52. The computer readable medium of claim 49, wherein the computer-based service enables said each user to select which information to share with the at least one other user.

53. The computer readable medium of claim 51, wherein the shared information that is shared by said each user is information that is related, at least in part, to said each user.

54. A method for displaying a news feed in a social network environment, the method comprising:

monitoring a plurality of activities in a social network environment;

storing the plurality of activities in a database;

generating a plurality of news items regarding one or more of the activities, wherein one or more of the news items is for presentation to one or more viewing users and relates to an activity that was performed by another user;

attaching a link associated with at least one of the activities of another user to at least one of the plurality of news items where the link enables a viewing user to participate in the same activity as the another user;

limiting access to the plurality of news items to a set of viewing users; and

displaying a news feed comprising two or more of the plurality of news items to at least one viewing user of the set of viewing users.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the plurality of activities are selected according to an affinity determined for the viewing user.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein at least one link comprises a dropdown menu.

57. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

monitoring an interaction of the at least one viewing user with the at least one of the plurality of news items; and

utilizing the interaction to generate an additional news item.

58. The method of claim 54, further comprising searching the one or more news items for a predetermined character string.

59. The method of claim 54, further comprising applying a filter to the one or more news items to prevent news items regarding certain types of activities from being displayed.

60. The method of claim 54, further comprising dynamically limiting a number of the plurality of news items available for display.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the step of dynamically limiting the number of the plurality of news items for display includes removing a news item from the display and adding a new news item to the display.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the news item removed from the display is selected according to affinity information.

71. The method of claim 54, further comprising attaching an active link associated with at least one of the plurality of activities, to at least one of the plurality of news items.

73. The method of claim 61, wherein the news item removed from the display is selected according to an assigned order.

63. A system for displaying a news feed comprising:

a social network environment;

a module configured to monitor a plurality of activities in a social network environment;

a storage medium for storing the plurality of activities in a database;

a module configured to generate a plurality of news items regarding one or more of the activities, wherein one or more of the news items is for presentation to one or more viewing users and relates to an activity that was performed by another user;

a link component configured to attach a link associated with at least one of the activities of another user to at least one of the plurality of news items where the link enables a viewing user to participate in the same activity as the another user;

a privacy component configured to limit access to the plurality of news items to a set of viewing users; and

a media generator configured to display a news feed comprising two or more of the plurality of news items to at least one viewing user of the set of viewing users.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the social network environment is a segmented community.

65. The system of claim 63, wherein at least one link comprises a dropdown menu.

66. The system of claim 63, wherein the privacy component is configured to limit the access to users of the network environment.

67. The system of claim 63, wherein the privacy component is configured to limit the access according to privacy settings determined by the user of the social network environment.

68. The system of claim 63, further comprising a dynamic list component configured to remove a predetermined news item from the plurality of news items and add a new news item to the plurality of news items.

72. The system of claim 63, further comprising an active link component configured to attach an active link associated with at least one of the plurality of activities to at least one of the plurality of news items.

74. The system of claim 63, wherein the system is configured to assign an order to the plurality of news items generated according to an order of occurrence of the plurality of news items.

69. A computer readable medium having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor for performing a method for displaying a news feed, the method comprising:

monitoring a plurality of activities in a social network environment;

storing the plurality of activities in a database;

generating a plurality of news items regarding one or more of the activities, wherein one or more of the news items is for presentation to one or more viewing users and relates to an activity that was performed by another user;

attaching a link associated with at least one of the activities of another user to at least one of the plurality of news items where the link enables a viewing user to participate in the same activity as the another user;

limiting access to the plurality of news items to a set of viewing users; and

displaying a news feed comprising two or more of the plurality of news items to at least one viewing user of the set of viewing users.

70. The computer readable medium of claim 69, further comprising attaching an active link associated with at least one of the plurality of activities to at least one of the plurality of news items.