METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING DATA REPRESENTATIVE OF A BUSINESS IN A DATABASE
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method of finding using a social network and a first database, at least one business entity providing a desired product or service, the method comprising:
- receiving, via a network from a user terminal of a first social network user, search criteria data representative of search criteria for a desired product or service, the first social network user being associated with a first social graph defining one or more relationships between the first social network user and further social network users of the social network;
transmitting the search criteria data to a first database storing a directory of businesses entities providing products or services;
receiving from the database a plurality of identifier data, each said identifier data identifying a respective business entity providing a product or service satisfying the search criteria;
determining for each said identified business entity if there is a link between the identified business entity and any of the further social network users linked to the first social network user by the first social graph; and
providing, for display on the user terminal, a list of selectable identified business entities and for those identified business identities in the list for which a link between at least one of said further social network user exists, displaying relationship data identifying relationships between the business entity and any of the further social network users.
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Abstract
A computer implemented method is provided for finding, in a database using a social network, a business entity providing a desired product or service. The method comprises: receiving, from a user terminal of a social network user, search criteria data representative of search criteria for a desired product or service, the social network user being associated with a social graph defining one or more relationships between the social network user and further social network users of the social network; transmitting search criteria data to a database storing a directory of businesses entities; receiving from the database a plurality of identifier data; determining if there is a link between the identified business entity and any of the further social network users linked to the social network user by the social graph; and displaying identifying relationships between the business entity and any of the further social network users.
189 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method of finding using a social network and a first database, at least one business entity providing a desired product or service, the method comprising:
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receiving, via a network from a user terminal of a first social network user, search criteria data representative of search criteria for a desired product or service, the first social network user being associated with a first social graph defining one or more relationships between the first social network user and further social network users of the social network; transmitting the search criteria data to a first database storing a directory of businesses entities providing products or services; receiving from the database a plurality of identifier data, each said identifier data identifying a respective business entity providing a product or service satisfying the search criteria; determining for each said identified business entity if there is a link between the identified business entity and any of the further social network users linked to the first social network user by the first social graph; and providing, for display on the user terminal, a list of selectable identified business entities and for those identified business identities in the list for which a link between at least one of said further social network user exists, displaying relationship data identifying relationships between the business entity and any of the further social network users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19)
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9. A data management system for providing data on at least one business entity providing a desired product or service, the data management system comprising:
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a communication interface comprising; a connector that connects, via a network, to a user terminal of a first social network user, for reception of search criteria data representative of search criteria for a desired product or service, the first social network user being associated with a first social graph defining one or more relationships between the first social network user and further social network users of the social network; a transmitter that transmits search criteria data to a first database storing a directory of businesses entities providing products or services; and a receiver for receiving from the database a plurality of identifier data, each identifier data identifying a respective business entity providing a product or service satisfying the search criteria; and a processor comprising; a routine that determines, for each identified business entity, if there is a link between the identified business entity and any of the further social network users linked to the first social network user by the first social graph; and an routine that provides, for display on the user terminal, a list of selectable identified business entities and for those identified business identities in the list for which a link between at least one of said further social network user exists, and displays relationship data identifying relationships between the business entity and any of the further social network users. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer implemented method of generating a database storing business-person link data defining links between users of social network services and business entities providing a desired product or service, the method comprising:
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transmitting search criteria data, received from a user terminal, for a desired product or service, to a first remote database storing a directory of businesses entities providing products or services; receiving from the first remote database a plurality of identifier data, each identifier data identifying a respective business entity providing a product or service satisfying the search criteria; transmitting the identifier data to the user terminal, for display on the user terminal, of a list of identified business entities; in response to a request received from the user terminal to link the user with a business entity selected by the user from the identified business entities, storing in the database business-person link data defining a relationship between the user of the user terminal and said selected business entity, wherein; the user belongs to a social network and is associated with a social graph defining one or more relationships between said user and further social network users of the social network; and if search criteria for a product or service provided by the said business entity is received from a further social network user related by the social graph to the user, an indication of the business-person link between the business entity and the user is provided to the further social network user. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 20)
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Specification