SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY PROVIDING VISUAL ACTION OR ACTIVITY NEWS FEED

• US 20140129942A1
• Filed: 05/25/2011
• Published: 05/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OnePatont Software Limited
• Original Assignee: OnePatont Software Limited
• Inventors: Rathod, Yogesh Chunilal
• Granted Patent: US 9,049,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/720
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44226 on social networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104

Abstract

The method of presenting and accessing visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds is described. A method includes monitoring, tracking, capturing & recording each user'"'"'s sequences of a plurality of actions and activities with associate data and metadata from one or more sources based on one or more preferences, privacy settings and filtering of action or activity types, storing and processing each user'"'"'s said plurality of actions and activities in a database in image frame(s), video, streaming media or multimedia data format with contextual, relevant and location & position specific one or more actions or activities items & associate data and metadata, generating visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds for one or more actions or activities for one or more determined receiving users based on one or more filters, preferences and privacy settings of sender(s) and/or receiver(s), dynamically presenting said visual or video actions and activities feeds from one or more sources or senders to one or more determined receiving or viewing users based on one or more filters, preferences and privacy settings of sender(s) and/or receiver(s), allowing viewing user to select, search, match, load, download, edit, filter, access, process and play, forward, backward, pause, stop said visual or video actions and activities feeds based on one or more preferences and settings, dynamically presenting current image frame(s), video, stream or multimedia data position specific or action or activity item(s) video clip specific one or more contextual, associate and relevant action or activity item(s) with associate data and metadata and allowing user to dynamically access said one or more presented dynamic, contextual, associate and relevant action or activity item(s) and associate data and metadata.

Claims

1-129. -129. (canceled)

130. The method of presenting and accessing visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds comprising:

storing each user'"'"'s profile, connections among users, subscribers, subscriptions, lists, groups, filters, preferences and privacy settings for sending and/or receiving visual or video actions and activities feeds;

monitoring, tracking, capturing &

recording each user'"'"'s sequences of a plurality of actions and activities with associate data and metadata from one or more sources based on one or more preferences, privacy settings and filtering of action or activity types;

storing and processing each user'"'"'s said plurality of actions and activities in a database in image frame(s), video, streaming media or multimedia data format with contextual, relevant and location &

position specific one or more actions or activities items &

associate data and metadata;

determining receivers of action &

activity feeds;

generating visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds for one or more actions or activities for one or more determined receiving users based on one or more filters, preferences and privacy settings of sender(s) and/or receiver(s), wherein visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds comprising one or more said actions or activities specific video clips or streaming and each corresponding action or activity specific contextual and relevant one or more actions or activities items &

associate data and metadata;

dynamically presenting said visual or video actions and activities feeds from one or more sources or senders to one or more determined receiving or viewing users based on one or more filters, preferences and privacy settings of sender(s) and/or receiver(s);

allow to select, search, match, load, download, edit, filter, access, process and play, forward, backward, pause, stop said visual or video actions and activities feeds based on one or more preferences and settings;

dynamically present current image frame(s), video, stream or multimedia data position specific or action or activity item(s) video clip specific one or more contextual, associate and relevant action or activity item(s) with associate data and metadata; and

allow to dynamically access said one or more presented dynamic, contextual, associate and relevant action or activity item(s) and associate data and metadata.

131. The method according to claim 130, wherein determining receivers of action &

activity feeds comprising searching, auto matching &

selecting one or more connected or matched or filtered users or groups of users, dynamic groups based on location, date &

time, categories, activities, events, transactions, collaboration, action types, online presences or availability, connected users of connected users or one or more degrees of separations, subscribers or categories or lists of subscribers, verified &

expert service providers, all users (public) of network, broadcasting based on categories channels &

schedule, determine by other users including user selected, connected, matched users and auto determining one or more action feed receivers by the central unit by auto match making of receivers based on action item(s) &

associate metadata, subscribers, pull and push subscription preferences, user data, interest, behavior, affinity, relevancy, contextual, hits, ranks, weights, rules, sender and/or receiver'"'"'s matchmaking preferences including filters, conditions, rules, ranks, weights, categories, keywords, sender profiles, sender privacy settings, available receivers, receivers profiles, responses.

132. The method according to claim 131, wherein subscription can based on selections, send request or invite others, connections, contacts, search people, find friends from contacts, search sources from message(s) associate source(s), search subscribers &

subscriptions of each public user, one or two way match making preferences, rules, conditions, categories, taxonomy wise directories, categories lists, auto match making based on preferences, profile, user data and user activities, actions, events &

transactions, life stream.

133. The method according to claim 130, wherein said activities &

actions comprise user'"'"'s actions, events, logs, transactions, interactions, behavior, motion, status, life stream including but not limited to adding a photo, editing a profile, posting a question and/or a blog, subscribing to a service, joining a network, installing an application, sharing content or search results, publishing or broadcasting, forming new relationships, interacting with other users, sending a notification or message, commenting, exchanging feedback, transacting via e-commerce, viewing television, reading digital e-book(s), sales transactions, like products and services, searching and viewing information, playing games, listening music and any types of activities and actions from one or more sources including present network and/or external domains, web sites, networks, devices, operating systems, applications, services and platforms.

134. The method according to claim 130, wherein sender or source and receiver or destination of action or activity feeds comprising present network and/or one or more external domains, web sites, web pages, networks, devices, operating systems, applications, services, platforms, locations, social networks, databases, objects, registered or unregistered users, connected users of user, profile object, groups, communication networks, non-social networks, centralized or peer to peer networks, sensors, automations, communication systems, web services, multi artificial intelligence agent(s), speech or voice sources, translating system.

135. The method according to claim 130, wherein dynamic, contextual, &

accessible active links associated or attached with said action &

activity item enables sender(s) and/or receiver(s) to communicate, collaborate, edit, update, process, access, order, direct, consult, warning, alerts, notification, send something via courier, provide comments, assign jobs &

tasks, provide alternative works or tasks to available users, fulfill workflow, provide service, purchase products &

services, accept deals, negotiate with customers, guiding somebody, sharing photos, provide directions and location information, refer brands, products &

services to connected users and allow them to buy products &

services, teach how to play sports, prescribe medicines, share brands purchase or preferred or like by user, modify food prepared by cook as per customers requirements, send person for repairing, maintenance, training, helping, selling, preparing, guide based on user preferences, profile, interest, education, age and like, and takes any types of user actions.

136. The method according to claim 130, wherein said one or more contextual data, metadata and active links can dynamically integrated and superimpose with video action or activity feed and enables user to dynamically access said active links directly from action or activity video stream.

137. The method according to claim 130, wherein invoking active link(s) based on clicking via mouse, keyboards inputs, voice enabled command, touch input, auto invoking or presenting, invoking via remote controls, sensors, gestures, behaviors, infrared, RFID, human mind, and devices.

138. The method according to claim 130, wherein user can filter predetermined activities &

actions based on one or more criteria comprising selection of one or more connected or like minded or matched users, groups, networks, applications, keywords, locations, languages, devices, activities or actions types, searching, matching, predefined schedule, rules, categories, behavioral characteristics, random filtering of said activities, tracking of activities, preferences, subscription, ranks &

hits, interactions, privacy policies, automatically selected by the central unit based on selections, searching, matching, connections, relationships, affinity, location, events, transactions, life stream, levels, preferences, contents, profiles, transactions, life stream, behavior, privacy settings, one or more filters, ranks, rules, relevancy and context, random.

139. The method according to claim 130, wherein processing of said video or multimedia action &

activity feeds comprising storing, updating, indexing, validating &

formatting including editing, clarifying, update details, spell checking, language &

spam detecting, translating, transcribing, converting to other formats like voice, text, video, multimedia data, media stream and image processing, editing and composition may be applied to the one or more clips including resizing, compressing, dynamic formatting as per application, device, preferences, internet connection speed, add &

dynamically integrate and embedded multimedia data including video, sounds, audio, text, links or URLs, objects, applications, application features, image, attach or associate one or more advertisements may be added dynamically, associate system data, metadata, associating priority types including high, normal, low, expiration, date &

time, categories, keywords, locations, advertisements, payment information, profile data, URL, dynamically attaching or associating one or more action or activity item specific accessible active links, metadata &

system data, determining one or more receivers of action item(s) and applying privacy settings of sender, sender'"'"'s domain, receiver and receiver'"'"'s domain, and dynamic presentation preferences.

140. The method according to claim 130, wherein action(s) item(s) or generated action item(s) or associate data and metadata comprising accessible user name, identity, profile link whose actions are monitored, tracked &

recorded, accessible action identity, action source(s) including present and/or external web site, social network, application, service, network, device, sensor, connected or related user, location and digital or automated sources, action date &

time, action categories or types, action location(s), action details or descriptions, action associate one or more accessible active links, action associate one or more identified &

accessible objects, applications, services, people, groups, networks, action related one or more accessible lists, accessible attachments, accessible multimedia data &

content types including text, video, audio, image, file, application, service, URL or links, conditions, rules, structured list, action associate metadata including categories, keywords, ontology, taxonomies, system data, advertisement, privacy settings, preferences, one or more determined responders or receivers &

profile object and identity of each determined responders or receivers, title or subject, sending priority types including high, normal, low, expiration date &

time, sender user profile, location(s), language(s), size, source id, source profile(s), dynamically associated or attach one or more accessible services, applications, links, utilities &

shared workspace link(s) for participate in the same activity as the sending user, take related actions, sharing, searching, tracking, communication, collaboration, accessing information and workflow, action source related availability status, tracking status, responses, communications, logs.

141. The method according to claim 130, wherein said active link comprising one or more applications, services, objects, multi AI agents, multimedia data &

contents, people, networks, groups, links or URLs, ID, User Profiles, profile objects, pages, attachments, informational links, shared workspaces for collaboration from networks and/or from external domains, applications, networks, services and devices with one or more associate data.

142. The method according to claim 130, wherein said associate data of active link comprising URL or namespace of each active link for identifying and allowing to access active link associate objects, applications, services, media data, people, entities, identities, profile, group, network, page &

other objects of network, active link related one or more metadata, categories, keywords, sources, providers, details, descriptions, properties, links, attachments, features, upload, created &

use date &

time, help, identifier &

profile(s) of sender &

receiver of active link, active link associate tracking status &

status, active link associate object related user data and preferences, security policies, authentication information and privacy settings of accessing &

sharing active link and active link associate object(s) related user data.

143. The method according to claim 130, wherein identifying, monitoring, tracking, recording, logging, storing, ranking, processing &

presenting said one or more user defined and system generated actions on said each action item(s), related responses and active links with action date &

time, action categories, user provided or auto recorded action related details, action related response &

message, one or more action source(s) including people, applications, services, shared workspace, media data or contents, objects, groups, networks, pages, items, links and any action related identified objects from network and/or external domains, attachments, lists, tracking status, further communication details, ratings or ranks, comments and user provided and/or dynamically associated one more active links, services, objects, media data, shared workspaces and applications based on one or more filters &

privacy settings.

144. The method according to claim 130, further comprising:

tracking interaction of the user with the at least one of the plurality of action or activity item(s); and

utilizing the interaction to present tracking status to user and generate or record one or more action or activity item(s).

145. The method according to claim 130, wherein said video streams or video clips or stream media or image frame(s) of digitized video data are real time or near real time, live, on demand, updated, converted, filtered, processed, dynamic, existing, pre-recorded, pre-loaded, series of still images, single image, merging and splitting of image frame(s) and video stream(s) or any formats including captured series of screenshots, FLV, MPEG, AVI, WMV, MOV formats, flash or a digitized version of an original analog image sequence and can be seen in two-dimensional and three-dimensional view(s).

146. The method according to claim 130, wherein said image frame(s) of video stream or of digitized video data of action or activity feed presentation has the capability to be merged with or video or series of video clips or media stream of action or activity feed can embedded or integrate with web services and interactive animation, runtime customization, HTML, DHTML, XML, embedded programming &

scripting languages, multiple layers, graphics, images, visual system, text, multimedia data, voice technology, hyperlinks, file, audio, video and interactive programmable controls &

components including tooltip, tab, toolbar, popup, grid, menu, calendar, button, input, navigation, transparent, list, database, resizing &

graphical user interface and user can directly access video, streaming media position specific contextual and relevant one or more actions or activities items &

associate data and metadata including active links, associate applications, services, objects, groups, networks.

147. The system of presenting and accessing visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds comprising:

the central unit is configure to store user profile, connections, subscribers, subscriptions, lists, groups, filters, preferences and privacy settings of user for sending and/or receiving visual or video actions and activities feeds, to monitor, track, capture &

record each user'"'"'s sequences of a plurality of actions and activities with associate data and metadata from one or more sources based on one or more preferences, privacy settings and filtering of action or activity types, to store and process each user'"'"'s said plurality of actions and activities in a database in image frame(s), video, streaming media or multimedia data format with contextual, relevant and location &

position specific one or more actions or activities items &

associate data and metadata, to determine receivers of action &

activity feeds, to generate visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds for one or more actions or activities for one or more determined receiving users based on one or more filters, preferences and privacy settings of sender(s) and/or receiver(s), wherein visual, video, stream media or multimedia actions and activities feeds comprises of one or more said actions or activities specific video clips or streaming and each corresponding action or activity specific contextual and relevant one or more actions or activities items &

associate data and metadata, to dynamically present said visual or video actions and activities feeds from one or more sources or senders to one or more determined receiving or viewing users based on one or more filters, preferences and privacy settings of sender(s) and/or receiver(s), to allow viewing user or receiver to select, search, match, load, download, edit, filter, access, process and play, forward, backward, pause, stop said visual or video actions and activities feeds based on one or more preferences and settings, to dynamically present current image frame(s), video, stream or multimedia data position specific or action or activity item(s) video clip specific one or more contextual, associate and relevant action or activity item(s) with associate data and metadata, to allow viewing user or receivers to dynamically access said one or more presented dynamic, contextual, associate and relevant action or activity item(s) and associate data and metadata;

the sender or source of action or activity is enabled to perform one or more activities, to apply privacy settings, preferences and filters for monitoring, recording, processing, generating and sending action or activity feeds, to determine receivers of action &

activity feeds;

the receiver or viewing user is enabled to apply privacy settings, preferences and filters for receiving action or activity feeds, to determine sources or senders for receiving action or activity feeds, to view and access visual or video actions and activities feeds from one or more sources or senders based on one or more filters, preferences and privacy settings of sender(s) and/or receiver(s), to select, search, match, load, download, edit, filter, access, process and play, forward, backward, pause, stop said visual or video actions and activities feeds based on one or more preferences and settings and to dynamically access said one or more presented dynamic, contextual, associate and relevant action or activity item(s) with associate data and metadata.

148. The system according to claim 147, wherein determining receivers of action &

activity feeds comprises of search, auto match &

select one or more connected or matched or filtered users or groups of users, dynamic groups based on location, date &

time, categories, activities, events, transactions, collaboration, action types, online presences or availability, connected users of connected users or one or more degrees of separations, subscribers or categories or lists of subscribers, verified &

expert service providers, all users (public) of network, broadcasting based on categories channels &

schedule, determine by other users including user selected, connected, matched users and auto determining one or more action feed receivers by the central unit by auto match making of receivers based on action item(s) &

associate metadata, subscribers, pull and push subscription preferences, user data, interest, behavior, affinity, relevancy, contextual, hits, ranks, weights, rules, sender and/or receiver'"'"'s matchmaking preferences including filters, conditions, rules, ranks, weights, categories, keywords, sender profiles, sender privacy settings, available receivers, receivers profiles, responses.

149. The system according to claim 148, wherein subscription can based on selections, send request or invite others, connections, contacts, search people, find friends from contacts, search sources from message(s) associate source(s), search subscribers &

subscriptions of each public user, one or two way match making preferences, rules, conditions, categories, taxonomy wise directories, categories lists, auto match making based on preferences, profile, user data and user activities, actions, events &

transactions, life stream.

150. The system according to claim 147, wherein said activities &

actions comprise user'"'"'s actions, events, logs, transactions, interactions, behavior, motion, status, life stream including but not limited to adding a photo, editing a profile, posting a question and/or a blog, subscribing to a service, joining a network, installing an application, sharing content or search results, publishing or broadcasting, forming new relationships, interacting with other users, sending a notification or message, commenting, exchanging feedback, transacting via e-commerce, viewing television, reading digital e-book(s), sales transactions, like products and services, searching and viewing information, playing games, listening music and any types of activities and actions from one or more sources including present network and/or external domains, web sites, networks, devices, operating systems, applications, services and platforms.

151. The system according to claim 147, wherein sender or source and receiver or destination of action or activity feeds comprising present network and/or one or more external domains, web sites, web pages, networks, devices, operating systems, applications, services, platforms, locations, social networks, databases, objects, registered or unregistered users, connected users of user, profile object, groups, communication networks, non-social networks, centralized or peer to peer networks, sensors, automations, communication systems, web services, multi artificial intelligence agent(s), speech or voice sources, translating system.

152. The system according to claim 147, wherein dynamic, contextual, &

accessible active links associated or attached with said action &

activity item enables sender(s) and/or receiver(s) to communicate, collaborate, edit, update, process, access, order, direct, consult, warning, alerts, notification, send something via courier, provide comments, assign jobs &

tasks, provide alternative works or tasks to available users, fulfill workflow, provide service, purchase products &

services, accept deals, negotiate with customers, guiding somebody, sharing photos, provide directions and location information, refer brands, products &

services to connected users and allow them to buy products &

services, teach how to play sports, prescribe medicines, share brands purchase or preferred or like by user, modify food prepared by cook as per customers requirements, send person for repairing, maintenance, training, helping, selling, preparing, guide based on user preferences, profile, interest, education, age and like, and takes any types of user actions.

153. The system according to claim 147, wherein user is enable to dynamically access said one or more contextual data, metadata and active links directly from action or activity video stream which are dynamically integrated and superimpose with video action or activity feed.

154. The system according to claim 147, wherein invoking active link(s) based on clicking via mouse, keyboards inputs, voice enabled command, touch input, auto invoking or presenting, invoking via remote controls, sensors, gestures, behaviors, infrared, RFID, human mind, and devices.

155. The system according to claim 147, wherein user can filter predetermined activities &

actions based on one or more criteria comprises of select one or more connected or like minded or matched users, groups, networks, applications, keywords, locations, languages, devices, activities or actions types, searching, matching, predefined schedule, rules, categories, behavioral characteristics, random filtering of said activities, tracking of activities, preferences, subscription, ranks &

hits, interactions, privacy policies, automatically selected by the central unit based on selections, searching, matching, connections, relationships, affinity, location, events, transactions, life stream, levels, preferences, contents, profiles, transactions, life stream, behavior, privacy settings, one or more filters, ranks, rules, relevancy and context, random.

156. The system according to claim 147, wherein processing of said video or multimedia action &

activity feeds comprises of store, update, index, validate &

format including edit, clarify, update details, check spell, detect language &

spam, translate, transcribe, convert to other formats like voice, text, video, multimedia data, media stream and process image, edit and composition may be applied to the one or more clips including resizing, compressing, dynamic formatting as per application, device, preferences, internet connection speed, add &

dynamically integrate and embedded multimedia data including video, sounds, audio, text, links or URLs, objects, applications, application features, image, dynamically add, attach or associate one or more advertisements, system data, metadata, priority types including high, normal, low, expiration, date &

time, categories, keywords, locations, advertisements, payment information, profile data, URL, dynamically attaching or associating one or more action or activity item specific accessible active links, metadata &

system data, determining one or more receivers of action item(s) and applying privacy settings of sender, sender'"'"'s domain, receiver and receiver'"'"'s domain, and dynamic presentation preferences.

157. The system according to claim 147, wherein action(s) item(s) or generated action item(s) or associate data and metadata comprises of accessible user name, identity, profile link whose actions are monitored, tracked &

recorded, accessible action identity, action source(s) including present and/or external web site, social network, application, service, network, device, sensor, connected or related user, location and digital or automated sources, action date &

time, action categories or types, action location(s), action details or descriptions, action associate one or more accessible active links, action associate one or more identified &

accessible objects, applications, services, people, groups, networks, action related one or more accessible lists, accessible attachments, accessible multimedia data &

content types including text, video, audio, image, file, application, service, URL or links, conditions, rules, structured list, action associate metadata including categories, keywords, ontology, taxonomies, system data, advertisement, privacy settings, preferences, one or more determined responders or receivers &

profile object and identity of each determined responders or receivers, title or subject, sending priority types including high, normal, low, expiration date &

time, sender user profile, location(s), language(s), size, source id, source profile(s), dynamically associated or attach one or more accessible services, applications, links, utilities &

shared workspace link(s) for participate in the same activity as the sending user, take related actions, sharing, searching, tracking, communication, collaboration, accessing information and workflow, action source related availability status, tracking status, responses, communications, logs.

158. The system according to claim 147, wherein said active link comprises of one or more applications, services, objects, multi AI agents, multimedia data &

contents, people, networks, groups, links or URLs, ID, User Profiles, profile objects, pages, attachments, informational links, shared workspaces for collaboration from networks and/or from external domains, applications, networks, services and devices with one or more associate data.

159. The system according to claim 147, wherein said associate data of active link comprises of URL or namespace of each active link for identifying and allowing to access active link associate objects, applications, services, media data, people, entities, identities, profile, group, network, page &

other objects of network, active link related one or more metadata, categories, keywords, sources, providers, details, descriptions, properties, links, attachments, features, upload, created &

use date &

time, help, identifier &

profile(s) of sender &

receiver of active link, active link associate tracking status &

status, active link associate object related user data and preferences, security policies, authentication information and privacy settings of accessing &

sharing active link and active link associate object(s) related user data.

160. The system according to claim 147, wherein identify, monitor, track, record, log, store, rank, process &

present said one or more user defined and system generated actions on said each action item(s), related responses and active links with action date &

time, action categories, user provided or auto recorded action related details, action related response &

message, one or more action source(s) including people, applications, services, shared workspace, media data or contents, objects, groups, networks, pages, items, links and any action related identified objects from network and/or external domains, attachments, lists, tracking status, further communication details, ratings or ranks, comments and user provided and/or dynamically associated one more active links, services, objects, media data, shared workspaces and applications based on one or more filters &

privacy settings.

161. The system according to claim 147, further comprising:

track interaction of the user with the at least one of the plurality of action or activity item(s); and

utilize the interaction to present tracking status to user and generate or record one or more action or activity item(s).

162. The system according to claim 147, wherein said video streams or video clips or stream media or image frame(s) of digitized video data are real time or near real time, live, on demand, updated, converted, filtered, processed, dynamic, existing, pre-recorded, pre-loaded, series of still images, single image, merging and splitting of image frame(s) and video stream(s) or any formats including captured series of screenshots, FLV, MPEG, AVI, WMV, MOV formats, flash or a digitized version of an original analog image sequence and can be seen in two-dimensional and three-dimensional view(s).

163. The system according to claim 147, wherein said image frame(s) of video stream or of digitized video data of action or activity feed presentation has the capability to be merged with or video or series of video clips or media stream of action or activity feed can embedded or integrate with web services and interactive animation, runtime customization, HTML, DHTML, XML, embedded programming &

scripting languages, multiple layers, graphics, images, visual system, text, multimedia data, voice technology, hyperlinks, file, audio, video and interactive programmable controls &

components including tooltip, tab, toolbar, popup, grid, menu, calendar, button, input, navigation, transparent, list, database, resizing &

graphical user interface and user can directly access video, streaming media position specific contextual and relevant one or more actions or activities items &

associate data and metadata including active links, associate applications, services, objects, groups, networks.