Collections of linked databases
First Claim
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1. A method of informing a reader of an electronic document that a reader'"'"'s personal communication network includes a database that is likely to possess information on a topic related to a word appearing in the electronic document, the method comprising the steps of:
- comparing text recited in the electronic document and content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases;
identifying a relationship between the word appearing in the electronic document and the content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network;
displaying a visual indicator distinguishing the word from other words in the electronic document that are unrelated to the content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network;
differentiating the word from a second word appearing in the electronic document, the second word related to a second topic for which a second database of the reader'"'"'s personal communication network is likely to possess information; and
,displaying the visual indicator of the word in a manner that distinguishes it from the second word;
wherein at least one of;
1) the word is linked to the database, the second word is linked to the second database, and the word is differentiated from the second word based on a different number of degrees of separation that the database and the second database are from a selected database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the selected database being designated by the reader as being likely to have searchable data that is related to at least a portion of the sought-after data; and
2) the word is differentiated from the second word based on relative strengths of the relationships between the reader and a member identified with the database, and between the reader and a member identified with the second database.
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Abstract
Methods and systems relating to inferential networks are provided herein. This technology is further directed to methods and systems for making and using inferential networks. Still further, this technology is generally directed to making one or more inferential networks by using data generated from directed searches of collections of linked databases.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of informing a reader of an electronic document that a reader'"'"'s personal communication network includes a database that is likely to possess information on a topic related to a word appearing in the electronic document, the method comprising the steps of:
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comparing text recited in the electronic document and content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases; identifying a relationship between the word appearing in the electronic document and the content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network; displaying a visual indicator distinguishing the word from other words in the electronic document that are unrelated to the content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network; differentiating the word from a second word appearing in the electronic document, the second word related to a second topic for which a second database of the reader'"'"'s personal communication network is likely to possess information; and
,displaying the visual indicator of the word in a manner that distinguishes it from the second word; wherein at least one of; 1) the word is linked to the database, the second word is linked to the second database, and the word is differentiated from the second word based on a different number of degrees of separation that the database and the second database are from a selected database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the selected database being designated by the reader as being likely to have searchable data that is related to at least a portion of the sought-after data; and 2) the word is differentiated from the second word based on relative strengths of the relationships between the reader and a member identified with the database, and between the reader and a member identified with the second database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for informing a reader of an electronic document that the reader'"'"'s personal communication network includes a database that is likely to possess information on a topic related to a word appearing in the electronic document, the system comprising a network that includes a server and a remotely-located terminal in communication with the server, wherein at least one of the server and the terminal comprises:
at least one processor programmed to; compare text recited in the electronic document and content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases, and the personal communication network including electronically stored databases, including the database, and communications links, the communications links connecting each of the electronically stored databases to at least one other electronically stored database, wherein each of the communication links indicates a relationship of trust between a first electronically stored database and a second electronically stored database regarding a particular subject or field of interest; identify a relationship between the word appearing in the electronic document and at least a portion of the content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network; display a visual indicator distinguishing the word from other words in the electronic document that are unrelated to the content within the database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network; differentiate the word from a second word appearing in the electronic document, the second word related to a second topic for which a second database of the reader'"'"'s personal communication network is likely to possess information; and
,display the visual indicator of the word in a manner that distinguishes it from the second word; wherein at least one of; 1) the word is linked to the database, the second word is linked to the second database, and the word is differentiated from the second word based on a different number of degrees of separation that the database and the second database are from a selected database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the selected database being designated by the reader as being likely to have searchable data that is related to at least a portion of the sought-after data; and
,2) the word is differentiated from the second word based on relative strengths of the relationships between the reader and a member identified with the database, and between the reader and a member identified with the second database. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a word included in an electronic document that is related to a topic about which a reader of the electronic document can likely obtain useful information from a database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases and indicating to whom the reader communicates with regarding particular subjects or field of interests; displaying a visual indicator distinguishing the word from other words included in the electronic document; differentiating the word from a second word included in the electronic document that is related to a second topic about which the reader of the electronic document can likely obtain useful information from a second database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network; and
,displaying the visual indicator of the word in a manner that distinguishes it from the second word; wherein at least one of; 1) the word is linked to the database, the second word is linked to the second database, and the word is differentiated from the second word based on a different number of degrees of separation that the database and the second database are from a selected database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the selected database being designated by the reader as being likely to have searchable data that is related to at least a portion of the sought-after data; and
,2) the word is differentiated from the second word based on relative strengths of the relationships between the reader and a member identified with the database, and between the reader and a member identified with the second database. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of identifying and linking a database in a reader'"'"'s personal communication network with a related term in an electronic document, the method comprising:
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comparing text recited in the electronic document with databases in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network to determine a related database, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases; identifying a relationship between the related term in the electronic document and content within the related database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network; displaying a visual indicator distinguishing the related term from text in the electronic document that is unrelated to the content in the databases in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network; differentiating the related term from a second related term; and
,displaying the visual indicator of the related term in a manner that distinguishes it from the second related term; wherein at least one of the; 1) the related term is linked to the related database, the second term is linked to a second related database, and the related term is differentiated from the second related term based on a different number of degrees of separation that the first and second related databases are from a selected database in the reader'"'"'s personal communication network, the selected database being designated by the reader as being likely to have searchable data that is related to at least a portion of the sought-after data; and
,2) the related term is differentiated from the second related term based on relative strengths of the relationships between the reader and a member identified with the related database, and between the reader and a member identified with a second related database associated with the second related term. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification