Method and system for creating and maintaining a database of user profiles and a related value rating database for information sources and for generating a list of information sources having a high estimated value
First Claim
1. A method utilizing a computer for generating a list of information sources having an estimated value to a user wherein at least one information source is present comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving fixed information for each of a plurality of users;
b) initializing profiles for each of said users in a user profile database with said fixed information;
c) receiving monitored information relating to activities of a user;
d) determining if said monitored information relates to a particular information source and, if so, determine a value rating associated with said user for said particular information source in accordance with said monitored information;
e) creating an updated profile for said user in said profile database in accordance with said monitored information;
f) if a value rating is determined, associating said value rating with said updated user profile and recording said value rating in said related value rating database; and
g) determining if a list is to be generated; and
if sog1) calculating an estimated value to said user of an information source as a function of said user'"'"'s profile, profiles for others of said users, and value ratings for said information source associated with said other users profiles;
g2) repeating step g1 until estimated values have been calculated for all of said information sources;
g3) selecting and outputting to said user, or saving for later output, information sources having estimated values so that said user receiving the list of information sources will have a quantitative estimate of the likely value of each of the sources.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for creating and maintaining databases of user profiles and value ratings for information sources, and for generating lists of information sources having high estimated values. User controlled systems for accessing information sources through the internet or other networks are monitored by a server. The server updates the user profiles and computes value ratings associated with the user profiles for various information sources in accordance with monitored information. Estimated values for information sources to a particular user are obtained as a function of the value ratings associated with profiles of other users and the degree of similarity between the particular user'"'"'s current profile and other user profiles. Previous profiles are not deleted when updated but are retained and treated substantially as other profiles in computing value estimates. Information sources can be other users.
32 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method utilizing a computer for generating a list of information sources having an estimated value to a user wherein at least one information source is present comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving fixed information for each of a plurality of users; b) initializing profiles for each of said users in a user profile database with said fixed information; c) receiving monitored information relating to activities of a user; d) determining if said monitored information relates to a particular information source and, if so, determine a value rating associated with said user for said particular information source in accordance with said monitored information; e) creating an updated profile for said user in said profile database in accordance with said monitored information; f) if a value rating is determined, associating said value rating with said updated user profile and recording said value rating in said related value rating database; and g) determining if a list is to be generated; and
if sog1) calculating an estimated value to said user of an information source as a function of said user'"'"'s profile, profiles for others of said users, and value ratings for said information source associated with said other users profiles; g2) repeating step g1 until estimated values have been calculated for all of said information sources; g3) selecting and outputting to said user, or saving for later output, information sources having estimated values so that said user receiving the list of information sources will have a quantitative estimate of the likely value of each of the sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a) a server; b) a profile database; c) a value rating database; d) said server communicating with a profile database and a value rating database; e) said server also communicating with a plurality of monitors for monitoring a corresponding plurality of users; f) said server being programmed to; f1) receive fixed information for each of a plurality of users; f2) initialize profiles for each of said users in said profile database with said fixed information; f3) monitor a user and receive monitored information relating to said user; f4) determine if said monitored information relates to a particular information source wherein at least one particular information sources is present and, if so, determine a value rating for said particular information source in accordance with said monitored information; f5) create an updated profile for said user in said profile database in accordance with said monitored information; f6) if a value rating is determined, associate said value rating with said updated user profile and record a value rating in said related value rating database; and f7) determine if a list is to be generated; and
if sof7A) calculate an estimated value to said user of an information source as a function of said user'"'"'s profile, profiles for others of said users, and value ratings for said information source associated with said other users profiles; f7B) repeat step f7A until estimated values have been calculated for all of said information sources; and f7C) select and output to said user, or save for later output, information sources having estimated values so that said user receiving the information sources will have a quantitative estimate of the likely value of each of the sources.
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13. A method utilizing a computer readable storage medium having embedded instructions for providing instructions to a server, said instructions controlling said server to perform the steps of:
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a) receiving fixed information for each of a plurality of users; b) initializing profiles for each of a users in said user profile database with said fixed information; c) monitoring a user and receive monitored information relating to said user; d) determining if said monitored information relates to a particular information source wherein at least one particular information sources is present and, if so, determine a value rating for said particular information source in accordance with said monitored information; e) creating an updated profile for a user in said profile database in accordance with said monitored information; f) if a value rating is determined, associating said value rating with said updated user profile and record a value rating in said related value rating database; and g) determining if a list is to be generated; and
if sog1) calculating an estimated value to said user of an information source as a function of said user'"'"'s profile, profiles for others of said users, and value ratings for said information source associated with said other users profiles; g2) repeating step gi until estimated values have been calculated for all of said information sources; and g3) selecting and output to said user, or save for later output, information sources having estimated values so that said user receiving the information sources will have a quantitative estimate of the likely value of each of the sources.
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Specification