System and method for generating representations of message-related relationships

• US 8,228,821 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuix North America Inc. (Nuix Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: FTI Consulting Technology LLC (FTI Consulting Incorporated)
• Inventors: Robinson, Eric M., Walter, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhou, Yong
• Application Number:
  US12/581,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20100042944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• 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: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A system and method for generating graphical representations of message-related relationships is provided. Messages exchanged between at least two entities are analyzed. Data elements are extracted from the messages. Concepts are identified based on the extracted data elements. A social network is created based on the exchanged messages. Each entity is represented by a node. One or more links are created between at least two of the nodes. Each link represents the messages exchanged between the entities represented by the at least two nodes. A representation of the social network is provided. The concepts associated with the exchanged messages are displayed with the social network.

Claims

1. A system for generating representations of message-related relationships, comprising:

an analysis module to analyze messages exchanged between at least two entities, comprising;

an extraction module to extract data elements from the messages; and

an identification module to identify concepts based on the extracted data elements;

a social network module to create a social network based on the exchanged messages by representing each entity with a node and by creating one or more links between at least two of the nodes, wherein each link represents the messages exchanged between the entities represented by the at least two nodes;

a visualization module to provide a representation of the social network comprising relationships between the entities, messages, and concepts; and

a concept module to select one of the links and to generate a list of those concepts associated with the messages exchanged by the entities associated with the selected link.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the visualization module determines one or more of a size of at least one of the nodes based on a number of the concepts identified from the messages exchanged with that entity, a size of at least one of the links based on a volume of messages exchanged between the at least two nodes, and a color of the at least one link based on a flow of the messages exchanged between the at least two nodes.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the visualization module generates one or more visual indicators associated with at least one of the links, wherein the visual indicators represent one or more of a volume of the messages exchanged, a flow of the exchanged messages, and a nature of the flow.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the visualization module simultaneously provides alternative representations of the social network with the displayed representation.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a change module to identify a change in the social network and to reflect the change in the displayed concepts.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the visualization module displays a list comprising at least one of the entities, the exchanged messages, concepts, and metadata regarding the messages.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the visualization module positions the nodes at least one of chronologically from left to right and by relevance from top to bottom, relative to a selected node, chronologically in a clockwise fashion, sequentially in a clockwise fashion, and relative to a central node, wherein a degree of separation is assigned to each of the nodes based on the central node.

8. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an individual social network module to generate an alternative social network based on individuals associated with the messages exchanged between two or more of the entities.

9. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a message removal module to remove those messages exchanged between the entities that are redundant.

10. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an input module to select at least one of the node and link from the displayed social network based on instructions from a user; and

a database to provide information regarding the at least one selected node and link.

11. A method for generating representations of message-related relationships, comprising:

analyzing messages exchanged between at least two entities, comprising;

extracting data elements from the messages; and

identifying concepts based on the extracted data elements;

creating a social network based on the exchanged messages, comprising;

representing each entity with a node; and

creating one or more links between at least two of the nodes, wherein each link represents the messages exchanged between the entities represented by the at least two node;

providing a representation of the social network comprising relationships between the entities, messages, and concepts;

and

selecting one of the links and generating a list of those concepts associated with the messages exchanged by the entities associated with the selected link.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising at least one of:

determining a size of at least one of the nodes based on a number of the concepts identified from the messages exchanged with that entity;

determining a size of at least one of the links based on a volume of messages exchanged between the at least two nodes; and

determining a color of the at least one link based on a flow of the messages exchanged between the at least two nodes.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

generating one or more visual indicators associated with at least one of the links, wherein the visual indicators represent one or more of a volume of the messages exchanged, a flow of the exchanged messages, and a nature of the flow.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

simultaneously providing alternative representations of the social network with the displayed representation.

15. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

identifying a change in the social network; and

reflecting the change in the displayed concepts.

16. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

displaying a list comprising one or more of the entities, exchanged messages, concepts, and metadata regarding the messages.

17. A method according to claim 11, further comprising at least one of:

positioning the nodes chronologically from left to right and by relevance from top to bottom;

positioning the nodes relative to a selected node;

positioning the nodes chronologically in a clockwise fashion;

positioning the nodes sequentially in a clockwise fashion; and

positioning the nodes relative to a central node and assigning a degree of separation to each of the nodes based on the central node.

18. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

generating an alternative social network based on individuals associated with the messages exchanged between two or more of the entities.

19. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

removing those messages exchanged between the entities that are redundant.

20. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

selecting at least one of the node and link from the displayed social network; and

providing information regarding the at least one selected node and link.