System and method for employing social networks for information discovery
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented search system comprising:
- a storage component that stores attributes relating to one or more individuals;
a search engine that receives a user query, the search engine performing a social network-based search of the storage component to determine a referral path from a source node of the query to a destination node, the referral path comprising at least three nodes, wherein each node represents one or more individuals; and
a privacy component that selectively exposes to the source node of the query portions of the referral path between an intermediate node and the destination node based upon one or more exposure limitations set by one or more of the individuals at the intermediate node, wherein the intermediate node is located between the source node and destination node on the referral path, the referral path between an intermediate node and the destination node is not exposed to the source node unless selectively exposed by the intermediate node.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided that enable searches of social networks by acting as a “compass” that assists users in navigating the social network. Individual user participation is not required in response to queries from other users. The systems and methods offer navigational assistance or information as opposed to a traditional search which returns requested information, thus currently acceptable social mechanisms for arbitrating trust can be exploited. As a result, users do not make their personal information publicly searchable, while at the same time, they are protected from potential misrepresentations of facts.
159 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented search system comprising:
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a storage component that stores attributes relating to one or more individuals; a search engine that receives a user query, the search engine performing a social network-based search of the storage component to determine a referral path from a source node of the query to a destination node, the referral path comprising at least three nodes, wherein each node represents one or more individuals; and a privacy component that selectively exposes to the source node of the query portions of the referral path between an intermediate node and the destination node based upon one or more exposure limitations set by one or more of the individuals at the intermediate node, wherein the intermediate node is located between the source node and destination node on the referral path, the referral path between an intermediate node and the destination node is not exposed to the source node unless selectively exposed by the intermediate node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for utilizing a social network comprising:
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a private storage component that maintains information relating to a social network, the social network represented via at least one directed graph that functionally represents relationships between individuals and/or entities within the social network, the at least one directed graph comprising a source vertex, a destination vertex, and at least one intermediate vertex, wherein the at least one intermediate vertex is between the source vertex and the destination vertex along at least one path of the at least one directed graph from the source vertex to the destination vertex; and a search engine that receives a query for requested information, and searches the private storage component for the requested information, the search engine selectively exposing at least a portion of the at least one directed graph downstream from the at least one intermediate vertex as part of a query result based upon one or more exposure limitations set by one or more of the individuals represented by the at least one intermediate vertex of the at least directed graph, the portion of the at least one directed graph downstream from the at least one intermediate vertex is hidden from the source vertex unless selectively exposed by the intermediate vertex. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A search system comprising:
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means for storing attributes relating to a plurality of at least one of individuals and entities, and intra-relationships between the respective individuals and/or entities; means for searching the attributes for requested information and selectively providing a referral path towards the requested information, the referral path comprising a subset containing at least three of the plurality of at least one of individuals and entities arranged in linking manner corresponding to intra-relationships between the individuals and/or entities; and means for selectively shielding downstream individuals and entities of the referral path based upon one or more exposure limitations set by one or more of the at least one of individuals and entities located between the at least one of individuals or entities requesting the information and the at least one of individuals and entities having the requested information in the referral path, the referral path between the at least one of individuals or entities requesting the information and the at least one of individuals and entities having the requested information is hidden from the at least one of individuals or entities requesting the information unless selectively exposed by an intermediate node.
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Specification