System and method for controlling an exchange of information in a network environment

• US 8,468,195 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gannu, Satish K., Patil, Deepti, Posse, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Application Number:
  US12/571,426
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709217-218, 709225-229, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2457 with adaptation to user needs

Abstract

A method is provided in one example and includes receiving data propagating in a network environment and organizing the data into one or more subjects. A request is received for information associated with a particular subject and an individual associated with the particular subject is identified. The request can be communicated to the individual if a request limit has not been exceeded for the individual. In other embodiments, a profile associated with each of a plurality of users in the network environment is maintained. The profile can include a number of questions presented to each user, a number of questions answered by each user, and a configured limit on how many questions each user is permitted to receive. In still other embodiments, a designation is made for a total number of requests that can be open between a plurality of users during a given time interval.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving data propagating in a network environment;

organizing the data into one or more subjects;

receiving a request for information from a first Questioner associated with a particular subject, wherein the first questioner is restricted in his Questioning by an information limit;

identifying, using a processor, an individual associated with the particular subject; and

communicating the request to the individual if an open questions limit has not been exceeded for the individual.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining a profile associated with each of a plurality of users in the network environment, wherein the profile includes a number of questions presented to each user, a number of questions answered by each user, and a configured limit on how many questions each user is permitted to receive.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a communication from an individual associated with the request; and

marking the request as being resolved as a result of the communication.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

designating a total number of requests that can be communicated to the individual during a given time interval.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

rating a response to the request from the individual; and

crediting the individual with a point based on the response.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating one or more limits associated with a plurality of users in response to receiving the request; and

returning an identifier for at least one of the users based on one or more of the limits having not been exceeded, wherein at least one of the limits reflects an election from the users for accepting new requests over a designated time interval.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a response for the request from the individual, wherein an award is allocated to the individual based on the response.

8. Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving data propagating in a network environment;

organizing the data into one or more subjects;

receiving a request for information from a first questioner associated with a particular subject, wherein the first questioner is restricted in his questioning by an information limit;

identifying an individual associated with the particular subject; and

communicating the request to the individual if an open questions limit has not been exceeded for the individual.

9. The logic of claim 8, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

maintaining a profile associated with each of a plurality of users in the network environment, wherein the profile includes a number of questions presented to each user, a number of questions answered by each user, and a configured limit on how many questions each user is permitted to receive.

10. The logic of claim 8, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving a communication from an individual associated with the request; and

marking the request as being resolved as a result of the communication.

11. The logic of claim 8, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

designating a total number of requests that can be open between a plurality of users during a given time interval.

12. The logic of claim 8, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

rating a response to the request from the individual; and

crediting the individual with a point based on the response.

13. The logic of claim 8, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

evaluating one or more limits associated with a plurality of users in response to receiving the request; and

returning an identifier for at least one of the users based on one or more of the limits having not been exceeded, wherein at least one of the limits reflects an election from the users for accepting new requests over a designated time interval.

14. The logic of claim 8, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving a response for the request from the individual, wherein an award is allocated to the individual based on the response.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory element configured to store data;

a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data; and

a request control module configured to interface with the memory element and the processor, the request control module being configured to;

receive data propagating in a network environment;

organize the data into one or more subjects;

receiving a request for information from a first questioner associated with a particular subject, wherein the first questioner is restricted in his questioning by an information limit;

identify an individual associated with the particular subject; and

communicate the request to the individual if an open questions limit has not been exceeded for the individual.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the memory element includes a database configured to maintain a profile associated with each of a plurality of users in the network environment, wherein the profile includes a number of questions presented to each user, a number of questions answered by each user, and a configured limit on how many questions each user is permitted to receive.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the request control module is further configured to:

designate a total number of requests that can be open between a plurality of users during a given time interval.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the request control module is further configured to:

evaluate one or more limits associated with a plurality of users in response to receiving the request; and

return an identifier for at least one of the users based on one or more of the limits having not been exceeded, wherein at least one of the limits reflects an election from the users for accepting new requests over a designated time interval.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a user interface configured to present a response to the request from the individual associated with the particular subject.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a search module configured to evaluate the request for the particular subject and to coordinate a response to the request.