Searching data in a social network to provide an answer to an information request
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, at a processor associated with a server from a first device of a first user of a social network, via a communication network, an information request relating to a subject matter and a location;
searching, by the processor, a database of social network data corresponding to a plurality of users of the social network, each of the plurality of users associated with respective prior activity on the social network;
identifying, by the processor from the database of the social network data corresponding to the plurality of users of the social network, a second user from the plurality of users, wherein the second user is identified from the plurality of users based on the second user being associated with prior activity associated with the subject matter and the location, the prior activity of the second user comprising a favorite indication provided by a second device of the second user to the social network, wherein the favorite indication provided by the second device of the second user is associated with the subject matter and another location that is within a predetermined distance of the location of the information request;
directing, by the processor, a question relating to the information request to the second user;
receiving, by the processor, a first answer to the question from the second user; and
transmitting, by the processor via the communication network, the first answer to the first device of the first user.
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Abstract
An information request is received from a user of a social network. Data for other users in the social network is searched in order to provide an answer to the request. A question based on the information request is sent to one or more of the other users having prior activity on the social network that is related to the information request.
27 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a processor associated with a server from a first device of a first user of a social network, via a communication network, an information request relating to a subject matter and a location; searching, by the processor, a database of social network data corresponding to a plurality of users of the social network, each of the plurality of users associated with respective prior activity on the social network; identifying, by the processor from the database of the social network data corresponding to the plurality of users of the social network, a second user from the plurality of users, wherein the second user is identified from the plurality of users based on the second user being associated with prior activity associated with the subject matter and the location, the prior activity of the second user comprising a favorite indication provided by a second device of the second user to the social network, wherein the favorite indication provided by the second device of the second user is associated with the subject matter and another location that is within a predetermined distance of the location of the information request; directing, by the processor, a question relating to the information request to the second user; receiving, by the processor, a first answer to the question from the second user; and transmitting, by the processor via the communication network, the first answer to the first device of the first user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A recordable medium that stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
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receiving, from a first device of a user of a social network, via a communication network, an information request relating to a subject matter and a location; searching a database of social network data corresponding to a plurality of friends of the user of the social network, each of the plurality of friends being associated with respective prior activity on the social network, identifying, from the database of the social network data corresponding to the plurality of friends of the user of the social network, a friend from the plurality of friends, wherein the friend is identified from the plurality of friends based on the friend having prior activity relating to the subject matter and the location, the prior activity relating to the friend comprising a favorite indication provided by a second device of the friend to the social network, wherein the favorite indication is associated with the subject matter and another location that is within a predetermined distance of the location of the information request; directing a question regarding the information request to the friend; receiving an answer to the question from the friend; and transmitting, via the communication network, the answer and a corresponding popularity of the answer to the first device of the user, wherein the corresponding popularity is based upon a popularity of the answer with the plurality of friends. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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a processor; a network interface; and a memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising receiving, via the network interface from a first device of a user of a social network, via a communication network, an information request associated with a subject matter and a location, searching a database of social network data corresponding to a plurality of friends of the user of the social network, each of the plurality of friends being associated with respective prior activity on the social network, identifying, from the database of the social network data corresponding to the plurality of friends of the user of the social network, a friend from the plurality of friends, wherein the friend is identified from the plurality of friends based on the friend being associated with prior activity relating to the subject matter and the location, the prior activity comprising a favorite indication provided by a second device of the friend to the social network, wherein the favorite indication is associated with the subject matter and another location that is within a predetermined distance of the location of the information request, directing a question relating to the information request to the friend, receiving an answer to the question from the friend, and transmitting, via the communication network, the answer and a corresponding popularity to the first device of the user. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification