Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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UNIFYING SOCIAL GRAPHS ACROSS MULTIPLE SOCIAL NETWORKS
This invention is in the field of social networking
software and systems, and more specifically deals with the
concept of identifying internetwork connections between
different social networking platforms for the same user.
BACKGROUND
Social networking sites are online sites via the web,
Internet etc. that provide a virtual community for various
online users. Users of social networking websites interact
and communicate with one another in various messaging
formats about shared interests, discussion threads etc.
there are many different examples of social networking
sites available in different business or personal formats
or verticals -- for example some of the more popular
personal social networking sites include MySpace''',
Facebook''" and Twitter'!, and from a more business or
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professional orientation there are many sites available as
well including LinkedIn"' which is a popular business-
oriented social networking website. These websites are
only four examples of the vast proliferation of social
networks and sites that are available for users. There can
be narrower demographically focused social networks
developed within the framework of these larger available
sites, and there are also many social networking sites
launched or available which are dedicated specifically to
social networking in a very particular demographic or other
context.
Each user of a social network site has a user profile. The
user profile of a social networking user would be populated
with various types of personal information including name,
contact particulars such as e-mail address, mailing details
etc., location or residence, interests, gender, or even
lists of other users of that social network site who are
friends, family or colleagues etc.
The map or web of relationships between social networking
users and others is often referred to as their "social
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graph". The mapping of relations between individuals into
individual social graphs is in some cases the largest
benefit or pursuit of certain social networking sites,
particularly those in which it is desired to uncover or
find interrelations through multiple layers of personal
contacts between a user and another individual.
One of the current limitations of social networking and the
social graphing discussed above is that users have
different logins or profiles on different social networking
sites and as such an individual social networking user who
uses multiple social networking sites in fact actually has
a separate social graph for each such website or provider.
As such there is a significant limitation in the ability to
mine or cross pollinate the social graphs of a user on
different social networking sites since at present they
really all stand alone and are not in any way connected.
Some of the key elements then in the use and development of
social graphing technology are the following:
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a) users participating in multiple social networks
want to be identified as the same person in all
of them - there is need for a way to map user
identities from multiple social networks onto
each other [node equivalence];
b) different people are related in different social
networks using different relationship
denominators [eg. Friends, coworkers etc.].
Some social networking sites use a finer level of
granularity in the types of relationships they
define ;
c) Node discoverability -- there needs to be a way
for a new user who joins a social network to be
able to identify connections from their pre-
existing social graph who are using that new
social network.
Another issue with respect to social graphs relates to the
portability and ownership of the users personal
information from their social networking profiles. A great
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deal of personal information is either explicitly or
implicitly revealed while using social networks and a key
concern in the extension of social networking technology is
to observe the desire of users to want to own or control
the use or disclosure of their personal information,
including their own social graphs.
It is believed that there could be great progress made in
the convergence or advancement of social networking
technologies if there was a way to unify an individuals
social graphs from various social networking sites, while
observing or providing a platform for enforcement of
information controls by users over their information.
SUMMARY OF THR INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
system, apparatus, data structure and method whereby the
creation of consolidated social graphs for individuals
across multiple social networking platforms is enabled.
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By allowing for the automated assembly of consolidated
social graphs for an individual across multiple social
networking platforms previously unknown or hidden
relationships and connections will be uncovered which have
numerous personal or even commercial applications.
There is provided a user equivalence data structure and
user equivalence database for use in the remainder of the
method of the present invention which basically allows for
the connection of authentication information and other
basic details of user identities or profiles for individual
users across multiple social networking platforms, and
these identities or profiles are linked to an individual
user identity key such that a one to many relationship is
created between the physical user identity and their
identities on the social networking platforms to which they
subscribe and to which they wish to include in the method
or approach of the present invention.
In the user equivalence database of the present invention,
there is a user identity key record created in respect of
each user of the database, and then a user network profile
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record created in the database in respect of each social
network to which the users identified by user identity key
records wished to incorporate into their consolidated
social graph. In certain implementations of the user
equivalence database of the present invention, both the
users who are the subject of the user identity key record
or the user network profile record, or else distalw users
who would be members of the social graph of the user or
even members of the social graph of the members of the
social graph of the user could be allowed to opt in or opt
out of the inclusion of their information in the extended
social graphing function of the present invention. Various
data structures or database tools can be contemplated.
In addition to the data structure and user equivalence
database of the present invention the invention also
comprises the method of creating a consolidated social
graph in respect of the user across multiple social
networking platforms using a central user equivalence
database containing authentication information in respect
of the individual user identities for that user on
individual social networking platforms such that by use of
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a software agent or other approach the individual social
graphs of the user in question can be extracted from the
individual social networking platforms and assembled in a
consolidation database such that a consolidated social
graph can be rendered in respect of the user. Either a
flat or single layer social graph could be created across
multiple social networking platforms, or in a better
implementation, by incorporation of the single layer or
flat social graphs of individuals who are interned members
of the social graph of the user in question, a multilayered
social graph can be created across networks which allows
for the uncovering of many previously unknown connections
and relationships of potential value.
In terms of the specific method of creation of the
consolidated social graph, a software agent is used based
upon user network profile records contained within the user
equivalence database to extract social graph data sets from
each of the social networks for which the user has
subscribed in the user equivalence database, which are then
incorporated into a consolidated dataset from which the
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consolidated social graph of the user in either single or
multiple layers can be rendered.
There is also contemplated a significant searching
component which will be enabled by the system of the
present invention. A consolidated database in which the
crossnetwork social graphs of individuals is contained will
provide the ability for either of those individuals or
others to conduct a deep layer searching to identify
relationships on a commercial or personal level between
connections across multiple platforms.
In addition to the method of creation of the consolidated
social graph, a system is also disclosed comprising a
server and database administration software components
which will administer the user equivalence database and a
consolidation database. Individual social network software
agents are created which will as a part of the system
interface directly with the social networks for which the
system is optimized for performance for the purpose of
extracting the data subsets for creation of social graphs
as well as for the purpose of interacting with the users of
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those individuals social networks to obtain their
permission to either be in or out of the collection of
information for the creation of these consolidated social
graphs.
Various types of user interfaces are contemplated in terms
of the provision of the ability to the user to include a
user network profile record in respect of a particular
social network user identity in the user equivalence
database. These include a website interface provided by
the provider of the user equivalence database in which
authentication information and user identity information
could be provided and logged into the record by the user.
The other approach will be to provide some kind of a link
through or other software which will allow the user to
directly connect their user identity from a particular
social networking platform to the user equivalence database
and remaining components of the system of the present
invention by interacting directly with the social
networking website itself without the need to visit on an
ongoing basis for collection purposes in any event the
system of the present invention,
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The computer software used to extract the data sets and
assembled a consolidated social graphs for users is also
disclosed and contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions
hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the
accompanying detailed description which may be best
understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams
where like parts in each of the several diagrams are
labeled with like numbers, and where:
Figure 1 is one embodiment of a social graph of a user
of a social network;
Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a plurality of social
network graphs for a user;
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Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a consolidated social
graph for a user of Figure 2;
Figure 4 demonstrates the contents of a user
equivalence index in accordance with the present
invention;
Figure 5 demonstrates one embodiment of a user
equivalence database in accordance with the present
invention;
Figure 6 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of the
process by which a user network profile record would
be created in the user equivalence database of the
present invention, using a software connector directly
implanted in the content of a social network website;
Figure 7 is a flow chart demonstrating one embodiment
of a workf low for the creation of a consolidated
social graph based upon multiple social identities of
a user;
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Figure 8 is one sample of the information in a very
basic demonstrative sense that might be included in
the consolidation database in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 9 is an architectural drawing of one embodiment
of the system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
The following narrative is intended to generally speaking
described the operation of the selected illustrative
embodiments of the present invention, for the purpose of
outlining or enabling its operation to those skilled in the
art. Review of this information will, to those skilled in
the art, also infer or disclose reasonable modifications or
extensions of the described subject matter, all of which
are also contemplated within the scope hereof.
Prior art/terminology:
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For the sake of understanding the scope and subject matter
of the present application is desired to provide some
description of prior art social network techniques and
terminology which will be useful for the sake of further
enabling or describing the present invention.
Where we refer to a "user" in the context of the present
invention we refer to a user of one or more social
networking sites or tools. Each user would have a user
profile including indications of connections with other
users, in respect of each social networking site. The
relationships between a user of a social network and other
users of that network are referred to herein as a network-
specific social graph.
At the core of the present invention is the desire to
provide a tool and methodology for the unification of user
profiles and social graphs across multiple social
networking sites. Social networking sites are typically
developed and delivered as websites within which
individuals or users with similar interests can exchange
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information -- it will be understood to those skilled in
the art that social networking sites or technology could
also be delivered in other technical models other than a
typical client/server website environment and that the
delivery or operation of a social networking site or tool
that in any way tracks user information with respect to
users including interconnections between users of the site
or tool is contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
A social graph is conceptually a map of interconnections
between individuals. In the context of a social networking
website or tool, a user specific social graph is a map of
the interconnections between users of that social
networking site with a specific user profile. Any social
networking site which provides the ability for a user to
create a profile containing personal information and/or
which can be linked to the profiles of other users within
that network for the purpose of creating a user specific
social graph within that network is contemplated within the
scope or the context of the social networks outlined
herein.
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For demonstrative purposes there is shown in Figure 1 a
first social graph 10 of the user 2 - the user 2 (John) is
shown as having three connections 3 in the first layer of
their social network on that particular tool or website 7,
namely Joe, Kelly and Chris. Also demonstrated in this
Figure are second and third layers in the social graph of
John, labeled as 4 and 5 respectively. There are shown two
second layer connections 4, Rick and Tom, and a third layer
connection 5 beneath Tom 4. It will be understood that
each of the connections shown in John's social graph,
namely Joe, Kelly, Chris, Rick, Tom, Eric, would each have
their own social graph based upon the same connection
information from the social network but each social graph
for each user 2 would read slightly differently with
different groupings of connections 3, 4, 5 etc.
Figure 2 demonstrates three social graphs 10 with respect
to one user 2, and Figure 3 demonstrates a consolidated
social graph of the user 2 which is created by gathering
and consolidating the contents of each of the three
separate social graphs 10 shown in Figure 2. The
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consolidated social graph which is shown in Figure 3 is at
this point for simplification and demonstration purposes
only a social graph connected back to a single head
individual, namely John.
User equivalence index:
The core of the present invention is a user equivalence
index 1 which can be used in the rendering of consolidated
social graphs across multiple social networks as well as to
allow for more advanced functionality such as exploring
multiple layer relations between multiple users across
social networks. The user equivalence index 1 of the
present invention will identify the multiple user network
profiles 8 of multiple users 2 across multiple social
networks 7. Each user network profile 8 identified within
the index 1 will be a user network profile within a social
network 7 with respect to a user 2. As such if a user 2
had profiles 8 on seven different social networks 7, there
could be seven different user profiles 8 identified with
respect to that particular user 2 within the index 1.
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Referring to Figure 4 for demonstration purposes there are
listed a series of different user profiles for two users,
John and Tim. The table of Figure 4 outlines the general
information which would be used to collect or build the
user equivalence index one of the present invention, namely
the particulars of the social identities of the user on a
plurality of social networking sites along with necessary
login information, and the social identities of the user
would each be linked back to a single user identity key in
the index. In this table the user identity key which is
shown is the normal name of the user, whereas the user
names on the social networks in question are shown as the
separate denominators of each social network identity. The
social network identities of John, in respect of each of
the three social identities listed in the table of Figure
4, are also shown in respect of the social graphs
demonstrated in Figure 3 for the sake of matching them up.
In terms of the physical embodiment of the user equivalence
index 1 of the present invention, the actual data structure
of the user equivalence index in question will be any data.
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structure which is capable of being stored in a memory for
access by at least one application program being executed
by a data processing system. Various means of preparing a
data structure or database which could be used in
accordance with the present invention will be understood by
those skilled in the art of database design and
programming. The data processing system in question would
be a website, search engine or other program employing the
user equivalence index methodology of the present
invention. Specific details of the data structure could
vary based upon the network infrastructure or other tools
being used in the operation of the system of the present
invention and any modifications or adjustments to the
overall concept outlined herein which will still result in
the end result of practicing the user profile unification
method of the present invention are all contemplated within
the scope hereof.
At its core, which will be simply understood by those
skilled in the art of relational database design, the data
structure of the user equivalence index 1 will include a
single user index identifier 6 with respect to a user 2.
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This single user index identifier 6 will in turn be
connected, as the key or a serial identifier of users 2 of
the index, to multiple user network profiles 8 within the
index 1. The user equivalence index 1 will link the
details of multiple social networking network profiles 8
for users 2 to a single user index identifier 6 with
respect to the user 2. The user profile of a user 2 with
respect to a particular social network 7 provides the
center point for a social graph 10 of that user 2 with
respect to that social network 7. `
Looking past then the user index identifier 6 which would
identify singly in the user equivalence index 1 an
individual user 2, the user equivalence index 1 would also
then include reference to a plurality of user network
profiles 8, each of which corresponds to the user profile
and login of the particular user 2 with respect to a
particular social networking tool 7. In the electronic
embodiment of the user equivalence index 1, these user
network profiles 8 would also store the necessary login and
authentication details for the user 2 on the social network
7 in question, so that the remainder of the system or
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software tools accessing or using the user equivalence
index database 12 could if programmed correctly conduct
automatic logins to the social networks 7 in question for
the purpose of assembling, concatenating or otherwise
extracting information from the social graphs 10 of the
user 2 on those respective social networking sites 7. More
than one user network profile 8 is contemplated to be
contained within the index 1 with respect to each user 2.
Basically, the user equivalence index 1 of the present
invention would connect multiple user profiles of a user 2
from multiple social networks 7.
It is contemplated that the structure of the user
equivalence index 1 outlined herein, for the purpose of
allowing crossnetwork assembly of consolidated social
graphs, is novel, as well as the specific software
embodiments of the user equivalence index 1 being the user
equivalence database 11 outlined herein.
User equivalence database:
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The tangible embodiment of the user equivalence index 1
described above which it is contemplated would be used in
the remainder of the system and method of the present
invention is a user equivalence database 11. The specific
design of the user equivalence database 11 could vary
dependent upon the remainder of the tools developed for use
there with and specific renderings are data structures for
the user equivalence database would be understood by those
skilled in the art of relational database design. It is
specifically contemplated that the user equivalence
database 11 would contain a plurality of user network
profile records 13, each of which corresponded to the user
profile of a particular user 2 on a social network 7 and
was linked back to a particular user identity key or record
12, as outlined in further detail with respect to the user
equivalence index 1 above.
As outlined above the user network profile records 13 would
also each container optimally the security credentials or
login requirements to log into the social network 7 in
question and extract or manipulate information from the
social graphs 10 of the user 2.
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Each user then is contemplated would effectively be
identified in a single central user identity key record 12
which could be connected in a one to many relationship to
the multiple user profile records 13 which could exist in
the database with respect to that user.
The particulars or specifics of design of the user
equivalence index or database of the present invention will
be understood to one skilled in the art and there are
likely many different specific tangible embodiments or
methods by which the database in question could be designed
to accomplish this result and all such designs which
accomplish the objective of creating a one to many
relationship between a user and a single user identity
record and a plurality of user profile records within the
database are contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
The data structure of the user equivalence database 11
could also include additional tables or additional
information, as will be understood to those skilled in the
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art of database programming or social networking
information manipulation, and the addition of more
information to the data structure of the user equivalence
database 11 is all contemplated within the scope of the
present invention.
It is contemplated that the user profile records 13 within
the database 11 would be created as a result of user
interaction with a website or a software front end to the
index/database which will be described elsewhere herein.
Using the user equivalence index and database of the
present invention, tools could be developed which would
allow users to identify relations with users across
multiple social networks, so long as each user had provided
the details for a active user profile record within the
database in respect of each social network from which they
want to make their network-specific social graph available.
Association of user profiles:
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The primary objective of the user equivalence database 11
of the present invention is that there is created a central
unifying tool which can be used to consolidate or match up
the multiple user profiles that an individual social
network user 2 might have across multiple social network
sites or providers 7. By creating a user profile record 13
within the database 11 of the present invention
corresponding to each user profile on a social network
which was desired by user 2 to incorporate or track, and
relating that user profile record 13 to a user identity 12
in a many to one relationship whereby many user profile
records 13 would be related to a single user identity 12,
it will then be possible to for many purposes consolidate
the various social network identities of the single user 2.
This will effectively achieve the objective of providing a
tool whereby node equivalence in multiple social networks
can be used or enforced in various applications.
Consolidation or connection of social identities of single
users across multiple social networks will allow for the
ability to drill down multiple layers across networks to
uncover relationships of value.
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Consolidation of social graphs:
The primary use or application of the user equivalence
S database 11 of the present invention will be to provide a
tool by which the network-specific social graphs 10 of
individual social network users 2 can be either
consolidated or assessed on a cross network basis. The
user equivalence database 11 of the present invention could
be used to, in respect of individual users 2 for whom there
is a user identity record 13 within the database 13, use
the login or security credentials 9 associated with each
user profile record 13 in the database 11 to query the
individual social network sites 7 to which the user
profiles memorialized in those user profile records 13
apply and pull back details of the social graph 10 of the
user 2 in question from that social network 7. The
contents of individual social network site queries
conducted using the particulars of each user profile record
13 corresponding to that user's user identity 12 from the
database 11 could then be manipulated or simply combined
and reported -- the creation of a unified social graph or
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even unification of other user profile information from the
individual social networks 7 in question with respect to
the user 2 is achieved by creation and maintenance of the
central user equivalence database 11 of the present
invention. Figure 4 demonstrates a consolidated social
graph 10 for user John incorporating the contents of social
graphs 10 of John from three separate social networks 7.
The social graphs for John which are shown in figures 1
through 3 actually demonstrate multiple layers of social
graphing for John and in fact his direct social graph for
social network may only be the first layer of contacts to
which on each social network he has directly connected
himself. The second and third layers which are shown in
certain of the social graphs are actually the social graphs
of the first layer individuals from whom they depend --
either type of the data collection or extraction process is
contemplated within the scope of the present invention i.e.
either the extraction of a single layer social graph from
an individual social network for inclusion in the
consolidation. database 19, or alternatively also it is
contemplated that if the software agents 19 were capable of
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identifying these multilayer social graphs those could be
extracted and would immediately provide additional
population data in the consolidation database 19 and give a
far better information base on which to function very
quickly as the system was implemented or rolled out.
It will be understood that there are many other functions
which could be furthered or achieved using the user
equivalence database 11 of the present invention and that
all such functionality insofar as it does not depart from
the direction and intent hereof is contemplated within the
scope of the present invention.
The consolidated social graph which is provided for a user
2 by the concatenation of their social graphs 10 from
multiple social networks 7 using the user equivalence
database 11 and tools of the present invention enhances the
concept of node discoverability in the context of social
networking as well. By the use of the unified social graph
of a user 2 with respect to multiple social network user
profiles 8, the user 2 can identify connections from their
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pre-existing social graphs 10 who are using a new social
network tool.
Social network architecture:
The conceptual architecture of most social networking
websites will be similar. In a relational database, users
are enabled to indicate network connections between
themselves and other users of the social networking site,
and then other functionality such as messaging, information
exchange etc. is also facilitated.
Many of these social networking websites will include
application programming interfaces or APIs which allow for
the selection and/or extraction of information therefrom in
an appropriate circumstance. The ability to extract
information from these social network sites is the sensual
in some way or another to the operation of the present
invention, whether that be by the availability of an API
which will allow for simple extraction of subsets of
information from the social network website, or whether it
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is necessary in some cases to extract information from the
social network website by some kind of a more labor-
intensive screen capturing spidering or other type of a
process. In any case what is contemplated is that each
social network in respect of which the system of the
present invention will operate will in some way or another
facilitator allow the automatic authentication or login of
an agent software component on behalf of the system 18 of
the present invention which can then extract the social
graph data set 17 in respect of the user.
Creation of consolidated social graph:
In addition to the structure of the user equivalence
database 11 and the system and other components of the
present invention outlined in further detail below, it is
explicitly contemplated that the present invention
encompasses the method of preparation of a consolidated
social graph comprising storing the details of multiple
user identities pertaining to different social networks
with respect to a particular user in the user equivalence
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database, and then using a software agent to extract from
each social network using the login and other social
identity information stored in the user equivalence
database in respect of that social network and the user a
social graph data set corresponding to the social graph of
that user from that social network. These social graph
datasets are then all collated in a central consolidated
data repository in which they can be cleaned and organized
before rendering a consolidated social graph for the user
in question. This method is described in further detail
elsewhere herein.
Syeten architecture:
In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a system
for the creation of consolidated social graphs for users
across multiple social networks. The system comprises a
user equivalence database within which user identity
information is stored in respect of at least one social
network identities for each user. In certain embodiments
additional user identities or additional user identity
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parameters beyond basic information are also stored. User
identity information is stored within the user equivalence
database in Association with a user identity key such that
the multiple user identities for a single user can be
linked together.
In addition to the user equivalence database, which is
hosted on a computer capable of receiving transmissions of
information thereto and entering or editing records in the
user equivalence database, there is also provide the
software interface by which users of the system of the
present invention can enter or adjust their user identity
information in respect of various social networks and
trigger a request for the provision of a consolidated
social graph. The system also comprises a website system
or other computer software by which a user can extract
their consolidated social graph.
Consolidated social graphs could be prepared by the
software of the system of the present invention either on
demand or by a periodic update and storage thereof to a
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consolidation database, within the system without the need
for operator intervention.
Referring to Figure 9 there is shown one embodiment of the
system of the present invention which includes a number of
different components which are demonstrated for a general
conceptual understanding of the system architecture in the
practice of the method of the present invention. The
particular implementation of the system of the present
invention which is shown as a cloud or Internet-based
embodiment -- the TCP/IP network connection between the
various components of the system is shown at 12.
There is shown first, at the core of the system, a website
system 18 of the present invention which houses the
necessary hardware and software components to deliver or
practice the method of the present invention. There is
specifically shown within the website system 18 at least
one server 14 which is amongst other things the host to an
HTML document store or host to the necessary components
information to serve content and interact with users at
user computers 23.
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in addition to the server 14 there is shown to database
administration software components 21 and 22 which are
responsible for administration of data transactions to and
from the user equivalence database 11 and a consolidation
database or data structure 19. There are a couple of
different methods of practicing the invention vis-a-vis the
consolidation data structure 19 as outlined elsewhere
herein, firstly being a method by which the consolidation
database 19 would be populated at the time of request from
a user for the assembly of a consolidated social graph and
upon delivery of that information the consolidation
database would effectively be emptied as a temporary
structure. The second approach which is likely more widely
contemplated or would be used would be to administer a
central consolidation database that will be maintained and
updated periodically based on the contents of the user
equivalence database 11 and will allow for more reporting
to users based on changes in their social graphs or will
also allow for quicker rendering of an up-to-date social
graph based on the fact that it will not be necessary to
extract all of the data subsets from the social networks 7
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in question at the time of request of the delivery of the
information.
Also shown are three separate social network software
components 19 each of which is customized to interact with
and extract information from a specific social network
website 7.
In addition to the website system 18 of the present
invention there are shown in by way of example 2 client
computers 23, which will be understood to be any type of a
computing device with a browser of the necessary software
components to interact with the website system 18 of the
present invention for the purpose of entering or updating
records to the user equivalence database 11 or requesting
or viewing the consolidated social graphs prepared by the
system 18 in accordance with the remainder of the method of
the present invention.
Also shown are three different social networking websites
7. Each social networking website 7 would in turn be a
website which users could have user profiles on and in
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respect of which the logon credentials for a particular
user, to access their social graph thereon, would be stored
within the records of the user equivalence database 11 to
allow for the automated extraction and preparation of
consolidated social graphs for a user 2.
As will be immediately apparent to anyone skilled in the
art of network infrastructure and software design, there
are virtually endless ways of configuring different
hardware and software combinations to render or practice
the method of the present invention and as such the outline
of the hardware configuration here is not intended to
provide any restriction on the scope of the allowable
subject matter of the present invention insofar as any such
modification to the design of the infrastructure of such a
system does not depart from the overall scope or intention
of the present invention and its use in the provision of
the ability to generate or render consolidated social
graphs for users.
Database administration software:
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Also shown in Figure 9 are two database administration
software components, 21 and 22. It may be the case that
within the scope of the website system 18 of the present
invention that the handling of reading and writing
transactions to and from the user equivalence database 11
and the consolidation database 19 could be done by a single
software component or even by an integrated component
within the operating system or elsewhere on the server or
hardware associated therewith. In any event, the system 18
of the present invention will include the necessary
software components 21 and 22 to access and manipulate the
contents of the user equivalence database 11 and the
consolidation database 19. These components would interact
with other components of the system of the invention to
effect the writing of data to either of these databases 11,
19, or the extraction of information from those databases
for use by the remainder of the system in the collection or
rendering of consolidated social graphs.
Social network specific agent software:
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As outlined elsewhere herein one of the specific components
that is required in the system of the present invention,
for the creation and extraction of the social graph
datasets 17 from individual social networks 7 are social
network specific software connectors or agents 19 which
would be resident on or administered by the system 18 of
the present invention and would each be coded such that
they were capable of extracting social graph datasets 17
from individual social network architecture. For example
it may be the case that for each social network 7 which it
was desired to integrate with the system and method of the
present invention that there was some type of an
application programming interface or API available which
allowed for the relatively simple access to the contents of
the social network website 7 for the extraction of the
datasets 17, or in certain circumstances it may be
necessary to code a more elaborate connector or software
agent that would in a more labor-intensive fashion extract
the necessary information to create a social graph datasets
17 which could be used or incorporated into the
consolidation database 19 of the present invention for the
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rendering or use of consolidated social graphs. It may
also be the case that a single software agent or software
component could be scripted or created that would allow for
the extraction of data subsets 17 from multiple social
network websites but insofar as each social network 7
likely has a significantly different architecture it is
contemplated that the most streamlined approach will be to
create subroutines or subsets directed to specific social
networks and extraction of information there from. The
specific programming approach which is taken with respect
to these connectors is immaterial to the scope of this
application insofar as each such connector would be able to
accomplish the objective of authenticating themselves to
the social network 7 in question as the user 2 for whom the
social graph was desired to be extracted, and then
executing a proper selection or query from the contents of
that social network 7 to pull down that information to the
website system or other implementation 18 of the present
invention in order to incorporate that in a standardized
fashion into the consolidation data structure Mike Keenan
which could either be implemented as an ongoing periodic
updates and statically maintained database 19 or
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alternatively could be a data structure that was simply
populated a temporary basis of such time as the collection
and rendering of the consolidated social graph in respect
of a particular user 2 was desired.
A second software function which is outlined elsewhere
herein is the necessity for users 2 to be able to initiate
the creation of records within the user equivalence
database 11 corresponding to their various social network
user identities so that they can include those user
identities in their created consolidated social graphs
pursuant to the remainder of the invention. Either in the
same agent software or in related links or content between
the social network websites 7 and the system of the present
invention 18, it is contemplated that users would be able
to in the streamlined fashion by simply selecting a link or
making some basic data entry initiate from the social
network website, or alternatively through a website offered
by the provider of the method of the present invention such
as that shown at 18, the creation of a user network profile
records 13 within the user equivalence database 11.
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Consolidation table/database:
The consolidation table or database 19 which is shown in
Figure 9 would be any data structure capable of storing
either on a temporary or longer-term basis as the
implementation of the system might require the details of
the individual social graphs of users from individual
social networks 7 which could be used to generate a
consolidated social graph for the user 2 as requested or
required.
User interface - user identity maintenance:
There are several different contexts in which a user
interface to the system and software of the present
invention would be required are provided. The first of
these would be with respect to the actual population or
maintenance of the user equivalence database 11.
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Either through a standalone website, or through a conduit
or applet which could be integrated into third-party social
networking websites, there would be an interface with the
user equivalence database 11 which would allow users 2 to
create or edit network profile records 13 within the user
equivalence database 11, to add or remove reference to
their various social network identities from the
equivalence database for use in the consolidated social
mapping and other functions of the system of the present
invention. There will also be required different user
interface components with respect to "output" based upon
the use of the user equivalence database 11 and other
aspects of the present invention, but it is first intended
to describe the different contemplated user interfaces for
the creation and maintenance of user network profile
records 13 within the database 11.
The two approaches which are contemplated in terms of
allowing a user 2 to enter or modify user network profile
records 13 within the database 11 are either a website
operated by the proprietor of the user equivalence database
11 or actively connected directly thereto, or a plug-in or
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software component which can be integrated by social
network providers to effectively allow a user 2 of a social
network 7 to "subscribe", "unsubscribe" and/or provide
other opt in settings in respect of their identity on the
social networks seven for inclusion in the user equivalence
database 11.
In the context of a website which is provided for the
specific purpose of administering user contents of the user
equivalence database 11, a Web server operably connected to
the Internet for another computer network via which a user
2 could access content on the server via a client browser,
could contain the necessary software components and HTML or
other data files as well as potentially either the user
equivalence database 11 itself or an operative connection
thereto, and the website could serve content to the client
allowing the user 2 to enter or adjust settings in respect
of individual user network profile records 13 within the
database 11. The specifics of implementation of this,
which would effectively be a fairly basic data gathering or
form set functionality, would be understood by those
skilled in the art of database and web programming and the
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specifics of what is required to render a website with this
functionality will be understood and are all contemplated
within the scope of the present invention. A basic
embodiment of the type of a web form which could be used on
the front end of the user equivalence database 11 to
collect this type of information for the creation of user
network profile records 13 could basically provide a drop
down or a menu from which the user 2 could select from
supported social networks 7, and then enter their username
and password with respect to that social network 7,
comprising the security credentials 9 for storage in the
user network profile record 13. The user network profile
record 13 which would be created using this information
would then be linked to the user equivalence key or user
index profile record 12 with respect to the user 2 within
the user equivalence database 11 such that as outlined
elsewhere herein, there could be numerous user network
profile records 13 connected to a single user identity or
user index profile record 12 within the database in a many
to one relationship.
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A second option in terms of user interface which would
allow users 2 to create or modify user network profile
records 13 within the user equivalence database 11 would be
for the vendor or proprietor of the user equivalence
database 11 to provide a software connector or applet which
could be used by social networks 7 to provide within their
own website environments the ability for a user 2 to
effectively simply by selecting a button or making some
other type of a link or data entry selection through
certain web content on the social network site 7, passed
through from the social network site 7 to the user
equivalence database 11 the necessary information to create
a user network profile record 13 and identifying
information for the user 2 that will allow the connection
of that user network profile record 13 either to a pre-
existing user index profile record 12 within the database
11, or alternatively if there is not already a user index
profile record 12 could trigger an additional data form
allowing the user 2 to create same or automatically create
same based on information passed to the server/system and
the database 11 from the social network 7 in question.
Again the details of this type of a software connector
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effectively between two websites, namely between a social
network website 7 and a website or service provider hosting
the user equivalence database 11, will be understood to
those skilled in the art of database and web programming
and are all contemplated within the scope hereof insofar as
they do not depart from the intention for functionality of
allowing a user of a social network website 7 from that
website 7 to trigger the creation of a user network profile
record 13 corresponding to the users user identity from the
social network 7 in question in the user equivalence
database 11. As outlined elsewhere herein typically those
user network profile records 13 in this context would
include an indicator or connector to a user index profile
record 12 within the database 11 and than would also
include the user name or identifier in respect of the
social network 7 along with any security or login
credentials 9 which are required by a user or by an
automated attendant to login to the social network website
7 and extract social graph information pertaining to the
user's identity for use in the consolidated mapping
techniques of the present invention.
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Simply by way of demonstrating one embodiment or operation
of the user interface which is intended for the present
invention, as well inferentially describing one means of
creation of user network profile records 13 within the
database 11, we refer to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flow
chart demonstrating one embodiment of a data floor workflow
by which users could, using a software connector or other
embedded functionality directly within a social network
website 7, submit information for creation of a user
network profile record 13 within the user equivalence
database 11 effectively resulting in submission of the user
identity of the user 2 in respect of the social network 7
in question for inclusion in the user equivalence database
11 and the various social graph consolidation functions
etc. which can be conducted using the present invention.
Shown at step 6-1, the user 2 logs into a social networking
website 7 and accesses their user identity. During the
course of interaction with the social network 7, shown
generally at step 6-2, the user could at some point be
presented with the option, by clicking a link or a button
on the screen or other interface functionality,
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to submit their user identity from the social network 7
for inclusion in the user equivalence database 11 of the
present invention. Effectively, the user would at Step 6-3
make whatever interface selection was necessary to trigger
the submission of their user identity to the database 11.
The social networking website 7 infrastructure would then
create and submit a user identity packet 15 via network
connection on the Internet or otherwise to the server
responsible for administering the creation or editing of
records within the database 11, shown as the equivalence
server 14. Creation of the user identity packet 15, Step
6-4, would likely include the user ID or other identifier
from the social network 7 in respect of the user 2 along
with whatever login credentials were necessary for the user
or for a software agent to later log on to the system of
the social network 7 to extract social graphing information
therefrom. It may also be the case that additional
security parameters desired by the user such as limitations
on the information they wish to make available to the
consolidated social graph created by the database 11 etc.
could also be included within the packet 15.
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Receipt of the user identity packet 15 at the equivalence
server 14 is shown at step 6-5. The packet 15 upon receipt
would be parsed out into the user identity details which
were transmitted from the social network 7. The details
contained within the packet 15 could then be used to first
identify the user ID key or user identifier 12 from the
database 11 to which that particular user identity and its
related record 13 should be connected, and if there is no
user ID key or record 12 already in existence in the
database 11 which corresponds to the user 2, either by
serving back to the social network 7 a request for further
information or a form for further submission by the user 2,
or by automatic creation based upon information contained
within the packet 15, a user identity key record 12 could
be created within the database 11 in respect of the user 2.
Either upon identity or creation of the proper user ID key
record 12, a user network profile record 13 could be
created in the user equivalence database 11 which was
linked to the proper user ID key 12.
It will be understood that the workflow shown in Figure 5
is simply one basic approach to the creation of a user
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network profile record 13 in accordance with the basic
implementation of the system and method of the present
invention and that there will be many other approaches
which will be contemplated by those skilled in the art of
website design and communications and networking and that
any such approach which accomplishes the same objectives of
allowing for either a more manual based user interface or
an automated software connector by which a social network 7
could in either a partially or completely automated fashion
submit a user identity packet 15 to a server 14 operably
connected to the database 11 resulting in the creation of a
user network profile record 13 as outlined herein are all
contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Use of the index to create a unified social graph for a
user:
The key aspect of the present invention in terms of the
utility of the user equivalence database 11 which is
created is the ability to create a unified social graph for
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a user based on the contents of their social graphs from
multiple social networks.
Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 there are shown first
three separate social graphs for user John, and then a
consolidated social graph for user John in Figure 4 based
on the collection and concatenation of the contents of the
three social graphs of Figure 3.
In terms of the physical embodiment of a tool which would
allow for this to take place, a software tool which would
likely be used for delivery of results through a website
would be developed which would use the contents of
individual user network profile records 13 from the
database 11 in respect of the user 2 to extract the social
graph information in respect of the user 2 from each of the
compatible social network sites 7 in respect of which the
records 13 existed, and then to render a consolidated map
of all of that information.
It is specifically contemplated that in order for the
consolidated social graphing aspect of the present
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invention to function, specific software connectors or
agents would need to be developed for each social network 7
that it was desired to be compatible with the system and
index of the present invention. For example in the context
of the consolidated social graph shown in Figure 4 if it
was desired for the system of the present invention to
operate properly in respect of Linkedln TM, Facebook TM and
the third generic social network shown as SN3 in those
demonstrative maps, if each of those were social networking
websites it would be necessary to create a software agent
which could connect for example to Facebook, submit the
user login credentials in respect of the particular user
identity of the user 2, based on the contents of a specific
user network profile record 13 from the database 11, and
then draw down the social graph results in respect of that
social identity of the user 2 likely into a temporary table
into which similarly the social graph results from the
other social network websites can also be placed and/or
compared to identify similar connections from multiple
social networks etc. and basically remove duplicates etc.
from the information before producing the information and
consolidated social graph shown in Figure 4.
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Referring to Figure 7 there is shown one flow chart of a
process by which a consolidated social graph for a user
could be created in accordance with the present invention.
The method outlined in this particular flow chart could be
one method by which software in accordance with the present
invention could be used to create the consolidated social
graph demonstrated in Figure 3 in respect of the multiple
individual social graphs of a user 2 shown in Figure 2.
Referring to this workf low, where it was desired to create
a consolidated social graph for a user the function to
create the graph would be selected by a user of the social
consolidation website of the present invention and upon
triggering the creation of the consolidated social graph 10
for user 2, the first data entry or data selection which
would be to take place would be the selection of the
particular user identity key record 12 from the user
equivalence database 11 corresponding to the user 2 in
respect of which it was desired to create the consolidated
social graph. This is shown at step 7-1 of the Figure.
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Once the user identity key record 12 was identified, the
software of the present invention would identify a related
user identity record's 13 from the user equivalence
database 11, each of which records 13 correspond to the
user identity or social graph of the user 2 in respect of a
particular social network site 7. In the case of user
John, shown in the user equivalence index of Figure 4 as
well as in the various demonstrative social graph Figures 1
through 3, if the user identity key record 12 corresponding
to John was selected from the user equivalence database 11,
the three user identities of John in respect of three
social networks namely Facebook, LinkedIn and SN3 as
identified by the corresponding related user identity
records 13 from the database 11 would be selected.
Querying or selecting these records 13 from the database 11
is shown at 7-2.
The next step in the creation of the consolidated social
graph for user John would be to loop through each of the
social networks 7 identified in the user identity records
13 and extract the individual social graph information from
John from each of those sites. Specifically, the social
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consolidation website and its related software components
would, using social network specific agent software capable
of accessing the social network 7 in question as well as
extracting information there from, would conduct a logon to
the social network 7 in question using the credentials 9
from the record 13 and then based on the login to the
social network 7 question that network specific agent
software 16 would select and extract a dataset from the
social network 7 question being the social graph dataset 17
in respect of that user 2.
This software connector or agent within collate and
transmit this social graph dataset 17 back to the social
consolidation website provider 18 of the present invention.
Upon receipt of the social graph dataset 17, the provider
system would store the social graph dataset 17 in respect
of that social network 7 to a consolidation table or
database 19 which would effectively be a temporary data
structure for the collation of the consolidated social
graph of the user -- the specific format or data structure
of a temporary file or storage area within which the social
graph datasets 17 in respect of a user 2 will be understood
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by those skilled in the art of website programming and
database design and all data structures which accomplish
the objective of providing a temporary storage function for
the social graph datasets 17 in question is contemplated
within the scope of the present invention.
It is specifically contemplated that the social graph
dataset 17 which was extracted from each social network 7
would include sufficient information from the profiles of
members of the social network or graph of the user 2 from
that specific social network 7 to allow for the rendering
of a consolidated dataset or social graph of sufficient
granularity for the purposes or desires of the user 2 but
also sufficient information would be contained within those
social graph datasets 17 that to the greatest degree
possible for example duplicates could be eliminated from
the consolidated datasets etc. All of this type of
information could obviously be user names, proper names of
members of the social graph, e-mail addresses or other
identifying information which could be spidered or
otherwise queried off of the social network 7 question in
respect of the social graph members of that network.
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Various cleaning or filtration algorithms and approaches
can be contemplated for the aggregation, streamlining and
cleaning of the social graph datasets 17 and any such
programs or approaches which are taken which accomplish the
objective of allowing for the removal of duplicates and
other data cleaning functions as will be understood to
those skilled in the art of database design or social
networking or social graphing are all contemplated within
the scope of the present invention.
The consolidation table or database 19 is shown in this
Figure.
The data collection loop pertaining to the extraction of
social graph datasets 17 from each social network 7
identified in the relevant set of user identity records 13
from the user equivalence database 11 is shown at steps 7-3
through 7-8 of this Figure.
Figure 8 shows one embodiment of the anticipated
consolidation data structure 19 which could be created or
populated with the contents of the social graph datasets 17
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extracted and relayed back to the provider 18. The
contents of the data shown in Figure 8 specifically relate
to the three individual social graphs for user John shown
in Figure 2. In addition to identifying the user whose
social graph these connections pertain to, that data
structure at least as mapped out in this basic
demonstrative form identifies the network from which the
connection is harvested, the name or other particulars of
the connection themselves, as well as showing a direct
connection link which would allow the proper rendering
software to generate a multilevel social map, by knowing to
whom in relation to the user 2 who in this case is John
Smith each identified social network connection is directly
connected i.e. in the tree orientation shown in Figure 2,
who is the connection that is shown directly "above" the
individual, on the path towards connection to John Smith.
Identified in bold italics are to duplicates in the chart
which would be ideally identified and removed before the
rendering of consolidated social graph based on this
information. Again as outlined elsewhere herein, this
Figure really shows just the most basic skeleton
information to demonstrate the concept of what is intended
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here in terms of the collection and assembly of a
consolidated social graph but it will be understood that
far more information would likely be contained within the
social graph datasets 17 which were extracted and stored in
the consolidated dataset 19 the purpose of rendering the
consolidated social graphs.
This figure does show however multiple layers in the social
graph for this individual and is useful for this
demonstrative purpose. While strictly speaking the
directly connected social graph for John Smith is a flat or
single layer map i.e. the first layer map of Figure 3, the
social graph for John Smith has extended of the direct
single layer social maps for other individuals within the
social graph. For example referring to the social graph of
Figure 1 there is shown in addition to the three node
social graph of John Smith, the two node social graph of
Joe and the single node social graph of Tom. The ability
of the system and method of the present invention to allow
for the connection and exploration of these sublayers of
the social graph of an individual, based on the social
graphs of other individuals or entities within their
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network, is at the heart of the commercial value
proposition of the system and method of the present
invention. This Figure, by way of demonstration however,
could also be presented as three separate single layer
social graphs.
Once all of the social graph datasets 17 from each relevant
social network 7 in respect of the user 2 had been
collected and temporarily stored in whatever type of a
temporary consolidation table or database structure 19 was
designed or determined for use in this function, the
collected contents of the consolidation table or other data
structure 19 could then be cleaned or otherwise massaged
for the purpose of removing duplicates, sorting or ordering
the information, and/or potentially providing whatever
other data are information was necessary to at the end of
the day render or a consolidated social graph 10 in respect
of the user 2 which took the visual appearance that was
desired either by the user by a selection or by the
proprietor of the system on a preset basis. Once the user
2 was finished viewing or otherwise working with the
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consolidated social graph 10 as was presented to them, the
consolidation table or database 19 could be emptied.
An alternate approach to the collection on a temporary
basis of the necessary information to prepare the
consolidated social graph of the individual in question
would be to actually on more of a spidering type basis or
approach maintain on an ongoing basis of consolidation
table or database 19 which was updated from time to time
with new social mapping information in respect of the users
2 who had records stored within the user equivalence
database 11. Maintaining an ongoing consolidation data
structures such as this and simply spidering or updating
the information therein from time to time would allow for
quicker rendering of the up-to-date consolidated social
graphs of users upon their indication or selection of same.
Both a on-the-fly approach as well as this maintained
database approach are contemplated within the scope of the
present invention and both will be understood to those
skilled in the art of web programming and search agent
design.
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One of the benefits to approaching the collection of social
graph datasets 17 on a periodic or agent basis for assembly
into a centrally administered central consolidated dataset
or database 19 which was not flushed after its use and was
in fact maintained so that the consolidated social graph of
users could be rendered on a quicker basis, would be that
as changes to the social graphs were detected by the
extraction connectors or the software components being used
to administer the accession of new or revised data into the
consolidated dataset 19 agent software could be used to
notify the user 2 of changes in their multi-level or
crossnetwork social graph or any number of other types of
statistical information which was being monitored or the
like could be communicated to the user's 2 on an ongoing
basis if this type of approach was taken. On this basis it
is considered that the ongoing centralized maintenance of
the consolidated social graphs of the "subscribers" or
users of the system and method of the user equivalence
database 11 of the present invention is likely the
preferred approach, to that of an ongoing and instantaneous
assembly on demand of the up-to-date social graph of the
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user 2, but again both such approaches are contemplated
herein specifically.
Cross-network connections between users:
The consolidated social graph of a user which is created by
use of the system and method of the present invention can
be used to identify crossnetwork connections between users
and other individuals, and notification to either end of
those connections could take place based on the identified
crossnetwork connections.
At this highest conceptual level of functionality, use of
the system and method of the present invention to identify
crossnetwork connections between users who otherwise may
not be directly aware of each other but are related in a
way through multiple layers of social graphs is really seem
to be one of the key commercial benefits of the system and
method of the present invention. While user 2 will
typically be aware of people who are directly linked into
their social graph, one of the key benefits of this system
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will be that dependent upon the query are searching which
is executed against the consolidated dataset 19, otherwise
unseen crossnetwork connections can be uncovered and
exploited.
For example, the user 2 such as John Smith whose
consolidated social graph is shown in Figure 3 may find
themselves in a business context seeking a connection to a
vendor with a particular skill set -- for example they want
to find a plumber to do some work at their house and they
want to find someone who is connected to them in some way
through their broader social network. While they may not
have a plumber directly tagged into their social graph
anywhere, it may be the case that one of the members of
their social graph in turn has a connection to someone who
is tagged on one of their opted in social networking
profiles or identities as a plumber. The plumber may only
be identified as such in their user identity or profile on
a social networking site to which the user 2 is not a
subscriber, but to which the intermediate connection
between the user and the plumber is also a subscriber.
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Using an appropriate search parameter through a search
engine operated on the system 18 of the present invention
against the consolidation database 19 or against the
individual social networks 7 with the appropriate agent
software 19, a list of distantly connected, via third-party
social graphs, plumbers could be yielded. The fact that
this plumber is connected to a presumably trusted member of
the social graph of the individual who is searching for the
plumber probably provides a reputational endorsement or
otherwise assists the user and the plumber in making a
social networking connection for the business purpose of
getting the plumbing work done in the user's house. This
loose example provides just one basic snapshot of the
commercial utility and opportunities associated with the
implementation of a system in accordance with the present
invention if widespread adoption can be encouraged. A
commercial opportunity and revenue model is seen with
respect to the ability to provide these types of
connections in a commercial context.
Similar to this extended searching capability another
option would be to provide for an agent which users could
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populate with ongoing parameters of interest in terms of
information or feedback to them such that they would
receive notifications when particular events occurred with
the end or proximate to their social graph. For example it
could be programmed such that when one of the members of
the consolidated crossnetwork social graph of the user
became a user of an additional social networking site 7,
the user would be advised. The user could also similarly
be advised when individuals satisfying particular search
parameters became joined distantly to their social graph by
connection with another member of their social graph or the
like. The ability to reach through multiple layers of
social network identities and profiles to identify
otherwise unseen connections between a user as the starting
point and a remote individual as the endpoint in the
connection or relationship, subject to adoption and
population of the system of the present invention, is key.
This has not been done in the prior art and provides one of
the primary commercial or commerciable aspects of the
system and method of the present invention.
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Controlling identification of personal information:
One of the key perceived prior limitations to the ability
to implement the system such as that outlined herein has
been the inability of users to restrict in any way the
aggregation of their personal information in the creation
of consolidated social graphs. Specifically it is
contemplated that to make the most of the system and method
of the present invention that the user should be allowed at
the individual social network level to specify restrictions
or limitations on how much of their personal information
will be exposed or used in the crossnetwork assembly of
consolidated social graphs. It is specifically
contemplated within the context of the present invention
that the user upon initiating a transaction to create or
modify a user network profile record 13 within the database
11 could specify different categories of information in
respect of the social network 7 in respect of which the
record 13 is being created which either could or could not
be used by the corresponding software agent 19 of the
system 18 of the present invention in assembly of the
consolidation data 19 which is used to assemble the
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consolidated social graph of the user 2. Provision of this
additional functionality, allowing the user to specify
individual categories of her information or the level of
granularity in information contained within an individual
social network identity profile which was permissible to be
aggregated by the system 18 of the present invention for
the purpose of generating consolidated social graphs or
otherwise conducting deep crossnetwork contact mining for
the user is anticipated to be one of the key commercial
benefits of the implementation of the present invention.
Particularly insofar as the consolidated social graphs
created by the system of the present invention may be used
in commercial applications, users may wish to be more
sensitive about the types of information that they will
permit to be aggregated into these maps.
It is contemplated that the ability to stipulate specific
categories of information for inclusion or exclusion from
the consolidation database 19 would be implemented in a way
that the user could in respect of each individual social
network 7 which was supported for interaction with the
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system 18 of the present invention specify different levels
of information disclosure. For example, a business user of
this service may be more willing to disclose in their
consolidated social graph deeper information from their
Linkedln TM (SN1) user identity your profile, whereas they
may not want to produce as much information from their
personal user identity or profile on Facebook TM (SN2). It
is contemplated that when the each user network profile
record 13 was set up or created in the user equivalence
index or database 11, dependent upon the specific social
network 7 for which that record 13 was being created, a
tailored listing of information categories for inclusion or
exclusion could be presented to the user and they could
select the necessary settings for inclusion in their user
network profile record 13, which could then be used by the
software agents 19 to limit the information which would be
extracted from the individual social networks 7 for
incorporation into the consolidation data structure 19 for
use in the preparation of the overall consolidated social
graph for the user 2.
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It is also conceivable that the system 18 of the present
invention would wish to in some way provide the capability
for users at the other end of the social graph i.e. not the
user in respect of whom a social graph is prepared but
another individual who is a member of that social graph, to
stipulate restrictions on what if any of their personal
information could be extracted into the social graph in
respect of the user for consolidation in accordance with
the present invention. Again a software connector or
interface could be created which would somehow allow these
individuals to stipulate the level of information which was
permissible to be incorporated -- this might be provided in
a number of different ways either by way of the software
connector directly within the social network site 7, by way
of submission of a request or record directly through the
website of the provider 18, or even by solicitation of this
information by the software agents 19 when a set of social
graph data set extractions is first performed i.e. the
first time that the system seeks to extract a social graph
data set from a particular social network for a user, it
communicates to all of the members of that social graph
that the function of aggregation of the social graph for
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the user is being undertaken and provides them in that way
with an interface or ability to stipulate what if any
restrictions should be placed on which information from the
social network profiles of those individuals should be held
back or incorporated into the consolidation database 19 and
the consolidated social graph of the individual user 2.
The ability to provide these two-way information security
controls is considered to be key to the marketability of
the system and method of the present invention. Various
means of effecting this type of a information capture to
the user equivalence index 11 or a related table thereto
will be understood by those skilled in the art of web
programming and database design and any implementation
which results in the ability for the user in respect of
whom the social graph is to be consolidated or prepared or
individuals who will be members of that consolidated social
graph, wherein either case those people or users could
stipulate exclusions or inclusions from their personal data
in their social network identities which could or could not
be included in the aggregated social graph of the user or
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users in question, are all contemplated within the scope of
the present invention.
Referring for example to the social graph of John Smith
shown in Figure 1, it could be the case that Joe or Tom
wished to not have their own social networks from that
particular social network site 7 disclosed for use in this
type of a consolidated social graphing approach and they
could with the contemplated security model here decide to
exclude their social network identities are profiles from
collection by the system of the present invention.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
changes and modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or
modifications in structure or operation which may be
resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the
claimed invention.
