Dynamic real-time reports based on social networks

The present invention relates to electrical, electronic, and computer technologies, and more specifically to social networks and the like.

The concept of social networks has proved useful in explaining many real-world phenomena. A social network is usually a social structure composed of individuals, groups of individuals or organizations that correspond to "nodes", which are one or more specific types, such as friendship, intimacy, knowledge, etc. It is connected (connected) by the interdependence of. "Online" friends and acquaintances can affect people to perhaps as much as friends they are dating through traditional methods of interaction, such as face-to-face interactions that do not involve computing technology.

<p num="0003"> The principle of the present invention is to provide a technique for dynamic real-time reporting based on social networks.</p>

<p num="0004"> In one embodiment, an exemplary system for analyzing a social network includes a memory that stores a social network data structure, an interrelationship engine, a triggering function module, and a reporting module. A social network data structure is a plurality of attributes and a plurality of nodes, each of which corresponds to an entity and has at least one of the attributes associated with that entity. Includes at least one connection connecting at least two of these nodes. The system also includes at least one processor attached to memory. The at least one processor operates to run an interrelationship engine to investigate at least one of the nodes as a target node. The target node is connected to at least one other node, including the data node, by at least one connection. An investigation by the interrelationship engine is performed to determine at least one of the attributes that includes the relationship attribute between the target node and at least one other node, including the data node. Also, the at least one processor operates to execute the trigger function module to execute the reporting module and determine whether to provide a report. The at least one processor further operates to run the reporting module and provide a report showing an assessment of the interrelationships for the target node in response to determining that the reporting module should be run and provide a report. However, this interrelationship assessment relates to at least one relationship attribute.</p><p num="0005"> In another aspect, an exemplary method for analyzing a social network involves setting up a system, which system comprises a unique software module. Each of these unique software modules is embodied on a computer-readable storage medium, which unique software module includes a data acquisition module, an analysis module, a trigger function module, and a reporting module. An additional step is to run a data collection module on at least one hardware processor and have multiple attributes, multiple nodes, and at least one connection connecting at least two of the nodes. Includes steps to obtain the structure. Each node corresponds to an entity and has at least one of the attributes associated with that entity. Further steps include running the analysis module on at least one hardware processor and investigating at least one node as the target node. The target node is connected to at least one other node, including the data node, by at least one connection. An investigation by the analysis module is performed to determine at least one of the attributes that includes the relationship attribute between the target node and at least one other node, including the data node. Further steps include running the trigger function module to run the reporting module and determine if a report should be provided. A further step is to run the reporting module on at least one hardware processor to assess the interrelationships with respect to the target node, as it decides to run the reporting module to provide the report. This interrelationship assessment involves at least one relationship attribute, including the step of providing a represented report.</p><p num="0006"> As used herein, a step of "facilitating" an action is a step of performing the action ("performing the action"), a step of facilitating the action ("making the action"), and the like. It includes a step that assists in the execution of the action (helping to carry the action out) or a step that the action performs (causing the action to be performed). Thus, as a non-limiting example, an instruction executed on one processor is executed on a remote processor by sending appropriate data or commands to perform or assist the action. It would be possible to facilitate the action taken by the command. As a reminder, when an actor promotes an action in a way other than performing the action, the action is performed by any entity or combination of entities.</p><p num="0007"> One or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of computer products, including computer-readable storage media with computer-enabled program code for performing specified method steps. Further, one or more embodiments of the present invention or elements thereof are implemented in the form of a device comprising a memory and at least one processor attached to the memory and operated to perform an exemplary method step. You can also do it. In yet another aspect, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of means for performing one or more of the method steps described herein. Means include (i) hardware modules (s), (ii) software modules (s) running on one or more hardware processors, or (iii) hardware modules and software modules. Can be included, each of (i)-(iii) implements the particular technique described herein, and the software module is stored on a computer-readable storage medium (or a plurality of such media). Ru.</p><p num="0008"> These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings.</p>

<figref num="1">Shown is an exemplary high-level diagram showing the interaction of entities in a social network.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows the exemplary embodiment by an aspect of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">Demonstrates a computer system that may be useful in implementing one or more aspects and / or elements of the present invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is a flowchart of an exemplary method step according to an aspect of the present invention.</figref><figref num="5">Demonstrates an exemplary architecture in which a reporting service provider interacts with a social network provider.</figref>

As mentioned above, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods that utilize the dynamic assessment of social networks. One or more embodiments of the present invention include a data collection module for collecting and storing information about users of a social network, an analysis module for analyzing the social network, and a reporting module. One service according to one or more embodiments of the present invention provides an automatic assessment of social networks, and one or more instances are special in connection with the launch of websites and tools required for social networking. Applicability may be obtained. Analysis and data acquisition can take advantage of the cloud computing paradigm, providing shared resources, software, and information to computers and other devices remotely on demand. Cloud computing is a paradigm and technology that often requires the Internet and remote servers to maintain data and software applications.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a dynamic real-time feedback system using a social network, which, for example, finds one's health problems and informs one's health. May be used by people who are interested in sharing with a care provider. The system for analyzing social networks can utilize at least one central processing unit, at least one network, and at least one network connection. In one or more instances, the system includes an electronic social network, which is (i) between users of the reporting system, (ii) their friends, and (iii) between such users and their friends. Includes connections. Here, the term "friend" need not mean that the user actually has a traditional friendship with these "friends" and may be relatively or completely unknown to the user. I have somehow connected with these friends by some standard. This electronic social network comprises at least one data node having at least one attribute related to an entity (eg, information related to each user) and at least one connection connecting two or more of these nodes. including. Information about this electronic social network could be stored in memory, for example as a data structure. In addition, one or more embodiments provide an analysis module that can examine each connection node and determine the relationship attributes of at least two or more (preferably all) of the connection nodes, and a report representing the interrelationship assessment. It should be noted that interrelationship assessments relate to relationship attributes, including the reporting process that can be provided, and in some instances the relationship attributes can be the same.

One preferred implementation is an "opt-in" system, in which users give explicit consent to any use of information relevant to them. In this implementation, "opt-in" consent could be received before any attributes are stored in memory. Yet another implementation can leverage anonymization techniques to hide the identities of all users. As used herein, "anonymization techniques" include techniques that prevent a user's identity from being exposed from a web server, in which the server is a personal Internet Protocol (IP). Does not record the address and does not store any information about the user. The server stores only the data. Anonymization also allows the user to easily specify an alias or general identification that does not actually identify the user's real name. In some cases, groups of users can be combined into a single alias for additional protection.

The term "entity" in a network is intended to include many things, not just humans. In one or more embodiments of the invention, an entity could be a company, product, service, virtual world avatar, or even a collection of people. If the entity is human, in these instances, one or more attributes associated with that entity may be one or more such as occupational information, skill information, health information, preference information, and so on.

As an example, if the interrelationship engine determines that a user has a significant number of writers, technicians, or copy editors as part of that user's social network, the reporting module will find this finding. Note that you can create a report about and send this report to the user or the report recipient specified by the user. This is useful for the user to assess the type of connection and potential sources of influence on the user's behavior. It also provides the user with information that the user can use to obtain assistance, such as assistance in editing a book or finding a job.

One typical application that benefits from the analysis of real-life social networks is self-health management. The latest research on social networks shows that a person's health habits not only affect his or her own health, but also have a significant direct impact on the members of that person's social network. It should be noted that is shown. In addition, this effect has been found to extend to the social networks of members of the most recent social networks. For example, the latest research shows that social networks can have a far greater impact on health behavior than previously thought. As an example, an individual's decision to quit smoking is strongly influenced by whether people on his or her social network quit smoking, even if he or she is not a personal acquaintance. In fact, according to researchers such as Harvard Medical School medical sociologist Nicholas Christakis and political scientist James Fowler at the University of California in San Diego, the entire social network of smokers quit smoking at about the same time. It seems that he did. As another example, obesity is manifested in one person and can "spread" to another as a "viral" epidemic, according to a pattern within a social group. For a more detailed discussion of these research studies, see C.I. See Thomson's "Are Your Friends Making You Fat?", The New York Times Magazine, September 10, 2009.

In addition, researchers have found that Facebook (R) Network (94304, CA, USA, Palo Alto, South California Avenue 1601, Facebook, Inc.) is one of the most popular social networks for various social network studies. (Registered trademark of.) Is used. Facebook (R) is described by Facebook, Inc. A privately owned social networking website operated by. For example, researchers are curious about the spread of happiness seen in users smiling in profile pictures, saying that "smiling face profiles are clustered much like a happiness gathering in Framingham heart research." I found. For a more detailed discussion of this study, see E.I. See Landau's "Happiness is Contagious in Social Networks", CNN website, December 5, 2008.

In addition, researchers say that even people who have never met, such as friends of friends, can be made to quit smoking, overeat, or be happy. I'm demonstrating. This phenomenon may be explained by the tendency of people to associate and connect with others who are similar to them. This happens both in "real life" and in purely electronic social networks. Physical proximity does not seem to be a major factor. When it comes to obesity, for example, spouses do not seem to influence each other as much as friends. Some researchers believe that certain behaviors can skip connected relationships. For example, a behavior may spread to a friend of a friend without affecting the person connecting them. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the data nodes is connected to the target node via a single path that includes the two or more data nodes and the two or more connections. Note that the target node represents the target entity for which the assessment is performed and the report is created. In a simple scenario, as a non-limiting example, let's assume that the purpose is to obtain an assessment of the node identified as Subject A. Subject A can have a friend, namely friend 1, and subject A is socially associated with friend 1. In addition, friend 1 can have friend 2. Friend 1 and Friend 2 are similarly socially connected to each other. In this example, friend 1 and friend 2 provide the data necessary for the assessment of the target node, subject A, so that these friends constitute the data node.

One important aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention is based on the analysis of various attributes (characteristics) of a social network and its members with respect to members of the social network and optionally other parties. , Providing reporting services. This service may be provided by a service provider and may be provided free or for a fee to users who opt in such service. For example, users may want to know if they are at risk based on an analysis of their social network.

The reporting service can include emails sent to users, posts on social network pages, instant messages, faxes, phone calls, and specific voice. The report can also be implemented as a color change on the GUI interface. For example, an indicator can appear on the computer screen to inform the user of the risk factors identified by the system. In a preferred embodiment, the reporting process includes a triggering function that receives information from the interrelationship engine to determine if a report should be produced.

In a simple scenario, as a non-limiting example, users of social networks can provide information about specific attributes, such as their habits, skills, and health care related parameters. These attributes can be used, for example, to assess health effects based on network analysis. One or more embodiments of the invention may provide a reporting service in an unnamed manner so that the association of smoking with a particular user is never utilized beyond the analysis module. it can. Additional factors that can be used for typical health care-related analyzes include body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, resting pulse rate, frequency and / or intensity of exercise, smoking, announced and announced. It can include known medical conditions and the like.

Given the teachings of this specification, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to implement one or more techniques for collecting the attributes required for analysis, such as user fills, questionnaires, and polls.

One important aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention is the provision of various mechanisms for providing reporting services. For example, such a report could be a regular report or an event-driven report. Regular reports could be created at regular user-specified intervals, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. Event-driven reporting, on the other hand, could be implemented by using one or more trigger mechanisms. One or more embodiments of the present invention allow the user to define different trigger ranges (threshold conditions) that are triggered in response to different events. Users may want to know if they are at risk, for example, with respect to obesity, based on an analysis of their social networks. If the analysis module determines that the cumulative weight of N users of a social network exceeds a certain value and that these users are within "proximity" on a particular social network. Triggers can be triggered to automatically send reports to one or more users. In this example, the condition of cumulative weight above a certain value corresponds to the threshold condition predefined by the user. As mentioned above, event-driven reports are not created unless the threshold conditions are met.

For example, a group of users on the Facebook (R) site may want to plan a weekend cyclist camping tour for advanced cyclists. Let's say the campsite offers a discount if there are at least 50 people in the group. The organizer will want to analyze the profiles of friends on their Facebook (R) site to see if there are enough people whose hobbies include cycling. In this example, unless there are at least 50 people between the organizers' first-stage friends (first-degree friends) and / or their second-stage friends (second-degree friends) You can avoid having to send it.

In the above-described embodiment, the user defines the threshold condition, but other methods can also be used. For example, the threshold condition can be set by a third party, a company, a profile, or the like.

The analysis module measures proximity by network connectivity assessment, including techniques such as "betweenness centrality", "closeness", and "eigenvalues". It should be noted that it can be done. Terms such as "mediation-centricity," "closeness," and "eigenvalues" are well-known terms in the technical field of social network analysis.

As one of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with, intermediary centrality identifies an entity's location in the network with respect to its ability to establish connections with other pairs or groups in the network. Thus, entities with high mediation centrality will generally have a significant impact on events in the network, holding favorable and / or powerful positions in the network, from the network. Removing the key to a single medium can represent a single point of failure in the sense that it can break the connection between different subgroups. Thus, mediation centrality considers an entity to be in a favorable position if it is on the shortest path between pairs of other entities in the network.

As one of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with, close centrality measures the speed at which one entity can access another in the network. Thus, an entity with high closeness generally has a short path to other entities in the network, is close to other entities, has quick access to other entities, and events in the network. Will have a high level of visibility. The close centrality approach, however, considers the distance of one entity in the network to all other entities by considering the distance from each entity to all other entities.

Moreover, as one of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with, eigenvalues measure how intimate a particular entity is with other highly intimate entities in the network. In other words, the eigenvalues identify the most central set of entities with respect to the global or global configuration of the network. High eigenvalues generally provide a rational measure of one aspect of centrality with respect to position advantage, and generally provide a more central actor for the main pattern of distance between all entities. Will be shown. The eigenvector approach, however, seeks to find the most central entity (ie, the entity with the shortest distance length from other entities) with respect to the "global" or "overall" structure of the network. ..

Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the availability of many commercially available social network analysis software packages, which can be used to calculate intimacy, mediation centrality, eigenvalue measurements, and so on. An example of this non-limiting example is FMS inc., Vienna, Virginia, USA. There is an "FMS Advanced Systems Group Social Network Analysis (SNA) Software with Center Viewer" available from. "The International Network for Social Network Analysis" at the University of California, California, USA, lists many packages on its website.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, configurable threshold conditions can be obtained from the user, for example, by implementing user interface controls such as dials (eg, low, medium, high). This dial could be multidimensional. In other words, this dial could be implemented to control each of the risk level, the depth of exploration of social networks, and the nature of the connections between nodes. For example, users may want to not count friends they haven't contacted for a year. According to a further aspect of the invention, the service provider implements a pricing model in which the user's closest friends are analyzed for free, while deeper analysis of "friends of friends" is charged. Would be possible.

One important aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide a variety of mechanisms for correlating different types of social networks. In this regard, social networks include, but are not limited to, email, instant messaging, Facebook (R) social networking websites, Twitter social networking services, and other such networks. obtain. According to embodiments of the present invention, each social network can have its own interface. Each interface can be implemented to have different levels of access to the user's information. One or more embodiments of the present invention allow two or more social networks to be accessed and analyzed at the same time, each social network being accessed through a different interface. For example, users may include all of their Facebook (R) social networking website friends, Twitter social networking service friends, and email friends for various types of assessments. You may want it.

FIG. 1 is a high-level diagram showing node interaction in a social network 100 referenced as a non-limiting example. This example shows how an exemplary embodiment of the invention leverages a social network analysis tool for a sample social network. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, the nodes in the network are Rick 101, Nick 102, Brian 103, Rich 104, Cliff 105, Dennis 106, and specifically numbered (for brevity and clutter avoidance). Users of this network, such as other individuals who are not. The links show the relationships between these nodes. They are connected if the two nodes are somehow interacting with each other. For example, Cliff 105 regularly interacts with Rich 104 but not Dennis 106. Therefore, although Cliff 105 and Rich 104 are connected, there is no link between Cliff 105 and Dennis 106.

An analysis module, which is a key component of one or more embodiments of the invention, measures links between nodes using the means described above, such as mediation centrality, closeness, and eigenvalues. Figure 1 shows how eigenvalue measurements can be used to analyze social networks. The eigenvalue measures how intimate a node is with other closely related nodes in the network. In other words, the eigenvalues identify the most central node with respect to the global or overall configuration of the network. In the example of FIG. 1, Rick 101 and Nick 102 are even closer than other closely related nodes in the network. The closeness between Brian 103 and Rich 104 is also high, but less so. Brian shows medium eigenvalues, while Rick and Nick have high eigenvalues.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the system 200 according to an aspect of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows, as an example, a data acquisition module 201, an analysis module 202, and a reporting module 203. The data collection module 201 collects and stores various attributes provided by users of the social network. For example, users may provide various specific characteristics, such as, but not limited to, parameters related to their habits, skills, or health care. Analysis module 202 analyzes social networks. This module examines each connected node and performs an assessment of the interrelationships between the various nodes using means well known to those of skill in the art, such as mediation centrality, closeness, and eigenvalues. The reporting module 203 provides a reporting service to members of the social network based on the information provided by the analysis module 202.

The data collection module 201 is one of many well-known database packages, such as IBM DB2 (registered trademark of IBM) software (registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation of Armonk, NY, USA), as a non-limiting example. It can also be implemented in. Data can be entered, for example, via a graphical user interface, prompting people by email, and so on.

The analysis module 202 can be implemented, for example, by the aforementioned commercially available social network analysis software package, with a suitable interface to the data acquisition module.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the reporting module 203 can be implemented in different ways with respect to different platforms and architectures. In this regard, the architecture may include, but is not limited to, web services, client-server, and other such architectures. The reporting module 203 obtains the analysis information provided by the analysis module 202 and distributes it to the requested parties such as healthcare providers and users of social networks. According to embodiments of the present invention, as mentioned above, each social network can have its own interface. Reports can be delivered via an email interface, a text messaging interface, and a Twitter interface, by way of example, but not limited to: In addition, such reports can be provided to users using a web browser or web browser plug-in software. For example, a browser may have the ability to analyze social networks and provide reports or alerts in a browser window at the request of the user. One preferred implementation can provide a reporting service that updates the "health portal". This delivery method is beneficial. This is because the "health portal" provides a central place for health care professionals and patients to share and analyze information.

The embodiments of the present invention can be used in combination with a wide variety of social networks. Non-limiting examples include Twitter social networking services, email patterns (eg, email traffic), instant messaging patterns, Facebook (R) social network patterns, and more. .. For example, one type of social network is (eg, the well-known IBM Lotus). It could be something like instant messaging or texting (such as Sametime (IBM's registered trademark) instant messaging software), and another type (eg, Facebook (R) social networks) selected views. It will be the kind that includes the bulletin board of the ing, and the other kind will be the interactive kind (for example, the well-known Second Life virtual world). For example, in a virtual world, an individual is represented by an avatar who has friends and acquaintances in that virtual world. In addition, avatars can become intimate with other avatars while orbiting the virtual world. Avatar networks within a virtual world can form social networks based on proximity and other criteria. In some cases, such an analysis can be useful in detecting areas where there may be social networks that are prone to improper behavior with a certain probability. For example, if the majority of people in a network have certain characteristics that correlate with such behavior, then under appropriate circumstances, to take legal action or for parents to monitor minor children. May be useful for.

Of course, when implementing embodiments of the present invention, sufficient attention should always be paid to all relevant legal and ethical standards regarding the use of data from social networks and the like.

Based on the above description, broadly speaking, an exemplary system for analyzing a social network according to aspects of the present invention is a social network data structure (eg, as shown in Social Network 100). It will be well understood that it includes a memory 304 (which, which will be further described later, is assumed to include a plurality of memories). This social network data structure has multiple attributes and multiple nodes (eg, 101-106). Each of these nodes corresponds to an entity and has at least one attribute associated with that entity. The data structure also includes at least one connection connecting at least two nodes. The memory communicates with an interrelationship engine (eg, analysis module 202), a trigger function module (eg, at least module 203 and optionally other modules, and corresponds to determination blocks 408, 410, or 414, or some of these. Code), and the reporting module 203 is further stored. The exemplary system further includes at least one processor 302 attached to the memory.

The at least one processor operates an interrelationship engine to investigate at least one of the nodes as a target node (ie, the person or other entity whose information is sought). The target node is a data node (ie, that is, a data node) to the target node by at least one connection (at least one connection is a part or all of the connection between the target node and the data node). It is concatenated with at least one other node that is a "friend" of the target node).

Optionally, the data node is connected to the target node via a path that includes at least two interconnected nodes.

The investigation by the interrelationship engine is carried out to determine at least one of the above-mentioned attributes, which is the relational attribute between the target node and the data node (group). At least one processor further operates to run the trigger function module to run the reporting module and determine if a report should be provided. Depending on the determination that the reporting module should be executed and the report provided, the at least one processor further operates to execute the reporting module 203 and provide the report. This report represents an interrelationship assessment for the target node. This interrelationship assessment relates to at least one relationship attribute.

Moreover, in light of the discussion so far, broadly speaking, another embodiment of the present invention, an exemplary method of analyzing a social network, involves setting up a system, which is a unique software module. It will be fully understood to include. Each of these unique software modules is embodied on a computer-readable storage medium, the unique software modules including the data acquisition module 201, the analysis module 202, the trigger function module as described above, and the reporting module 203. included. Further steps include running the data acquisition module on at least one hardware processor to obtain the social network data structure as described above. See steps 402 and 404 in FIG. As mentioned above, an additional step (eg, step 406) is to run the analysis module on at least one hardware processor and as the target node, by at least one connection, data to that target node. Examine at least one node connected to one or more other nodes, including a node (s). The investigation by the analysis module is carried out, and at least one of the attributes, which is the relational attribute between the target node and the data node (group), is determined. Further steps, such as step 410 or steps 412, 414, include running the trigger function module on at least one hardware processor to determine whether the reporting module should be run and report provided. .. If submitted, further step 416 includes running reporting module 203 on at least one hardware processor and providing a report representing the interrelationship assessment for the target node, which is at least this interrelationship assessment. Regarding one relational attribute.

An exemplary embodiment of steps 408-414 will be further described later.

In some instances, the at least one relational attribute comprises the same attribute.

In some instances, a further step, which can be actuated to be performed by at least one processor, includes a step of requesting opt-in consent before the attributes are stored in memory.

In one or more embodiments, an entity comprises at least one of a person, a company, a product, a service, a virtual world avatar, and a collection of people. In some examples where the entity includes humans, at least one of the attributes includes at least one of health information, occupational information, skill information, preference information.

Reports include emails sent to users, bulletins on social network web pages, instant messages, graphical user interface color changes (eg, red light on computer screens), fax messages, etc. It can include one or more phone calls, and sounds.

In general, the report can be a periodic report or an event-driven report. In some examples, both types of reports can be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, a determination 408 can be made as to what kind of report is desired. In the case of a periodic report, the determination block 410 checks whether it is time to proceed to block 416 and create a report. If event-driven reporting is desired, the trigger function module can be stored in memory. The trigger function module can receive information from the interrelationship engine (eg, analysis module 202) to determine whether to run the reporting module and provide a report. For example, in step 412, a configurable threshold (for example, you only want to be notified about a potential health problem at some point in your life if there is a statistically significant risk to you). Conditions can be obtained. In step 414, it is checked whether the condition (group) is met, and if it is met, a report is created in block 416, and if not, the check is continued. You can also use the trigger function module to check if it's the right time to create a regular report.

Note that in some examples, the attribute represents at least one health condition and the report represents at least one health problem for the user corresponding to the target node.

For step 414, the trigger function module is to receive information from the interrelationship engine (ie, to determine if the threshold condition is met) to determine if the reporting module should be executed. (To obtain the necessary information from the interrelationship engine). In some examples, as in step 412, the trigger function module is configured to determine whether the reporting module should be executed based on a user-defined threshold, and for further steps, the user thresholds. Includes a step to get the data that shows. If the attribute indicates at least one health condition, the report can represent at least one health problem for the user corresponding to the target node. A user-defined threshold indicates that for at least one health condition, a given level of risk that the user is willing to tolerate (ie, wants to report only in the case of significant risk, or even in the case of mild risk). Etc.).

Thus, the system typically does not send reports from moment to moment, nor does it send reports in the absence of new events. For example, perhaps no "report" is needed if the subject is healthy or does not meet some conditions.

In one or more embodiments, the data acquisition module 201 could prompt a user, such as Rick 101, with appropriate questions about the attributes. Information about a social network can be stored in a social network data structure on a server, which server has at least one central processing unit, at least one memory, and at least one network connection. become. The storage can also be performed by the data collection module 201.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the aforementioned opt-in agreement can be obtained from the user, for example, by implementing user interface control such as a check box.

The reporting module 203 can provide the user with a reasonable warning.

Typical system and product details: As is well understood by those skilled in the art, aspects of the invention can be embodied as systems, methods, or computer program products. Therefore, the aspects of the present invention are in the form of an embodiment of hardware as a whole, an embodiment of software as a whole (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an embodiment in which software and hardware embodiments are combined. All of these are commonly referred to herein as "circuits," "modules," or "systems." Further, aspects of the invention can also take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media (s) in which the computer-readable program code is embodied.

One or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of a memory and a device comprising at least one processor coupled to the memory and operating to perform exemplary method steps.

One or more embodiments may utilize software running on a general purpose computer or workstation. With reference to FIG. 3, such an implementation could use, for example, a processor 302, a memory 304, and an input / output interface formed by, for example, a display 306 and a keyboard 308. As used herein, the term "processor" is intended to include any processing device, such as one that includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and / or other forms of processing circuits. Further, the term "processor" can mean multiple individual processors. The term "memory" is used, for example, in RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only). It is intended to include memory associated with a processor or CPU, such as memory (read-only memory), fixed memory devices (eg hard drives), removable memory devices (eg diskettes), flash memory, etc. .. Further, the term "input / output interface" as used herein is used, for example, to provide one or more mechanisms for inputting data into a processing unit (eg, a mouse), and results related to the processing apparatus. It is intended to include one or more mechanisms (eg, printers). The processor 302, the memory 304, and the input / output interfaces such as the display 306 and the keyboard 308 can be interconnected as part of the data processing apparatus 312, for example via the bus 310. Also, for example, a network interface 314 that can be installed for an interface with a computer network such as a network card via a bus 310 and a medium that can be installed for an interface with a medium 318 such as a diskette or a CD-ROM drive. Appropriate interconnection can be provided with interface 316.

Thus, as described herein, one of the memory devices associated with computer software (eg, ROM, fixed or detachable memory, etc.) that contains instructions or codes for performing the methods of the invention. It can be stored in more than one, and when ready for use, it can be loaded in part or in whole (eg in RAM) and implemented by the CPU. Such software could include, but is not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, and the like.

A data processing system suitable for storing and / or executing program code includes at least one processor 302 that is directly or indirectly attached to memory element 304 via system bus 310. Yeah. Memory elements include local memory used during the actual implementation of program code, mass storage, and to reduce the number of times code must be read from mass storage during implementation. It can include cache memory that provides temporary storage for at least some program code.

Input / output or I / O devices (including, but not limited to, keyboard 308, display 306, pointing devices, etc.) can be either directly (such as via bus 310) or an intervening I / O controller (simplification). Can be connected to the system via (omitted).

You can also connect a network adapter, such as network interface 314, to the system so that the data processing system can be connected to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices via an intervening private or public network. It is also possible to do so. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet (R) cards are just a few examples of network adapters currently available.

As used herein, including claims, "server" includes a physical data processing system (such as system 312 shown in FIG. 3) that runs a server program. Of course, such physical servers may or may not include displays and keyboards.

As mentioned above, aspects of the invention can also take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media (s) in which computer-readable program code is embodied. Any combination of one or more computer-readable media (s) can be used. The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. Computer-readable storage media may include, for example, but not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. can do. The medium block 318 is a non-limiting example. More specific examples (non-comprehensive lists) of computer-readable storage media include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, and random access memory (RAM). ), Read-only memory (ROM: read-only) memory), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM (erasable program read-only memory) or flash memory), fiber optics, portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM: compact disc read-only memory), It may include optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. In the context of this document, the computer-readable storage medium can also be any tangible medium that can contain or store programs for use by or in connection with instruction execution systems, devices, or devices.

Computer-readable signal media can include propagating data signals having computer-readable program code embodied, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such propagated signals can take any form, including but not limited to, electromagnetically, optically, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium is not a computer-readable storage medium, but any computer-readable medium capable of communicating, propagating, or transmitting a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, device, or device. possible.

The program code embodied in a computer-readable medium is not limited to the following, but using any suitable medium, including, but not limited to, wireless, wired, fiber optic cable, RF, or any suitable combination thereof. Can be sent.

Computer program code for performing operations of aspects of the present invention includes object-oriented programming languages such as Java (R), Smalltalk (R), C ++, and "C" programming languages or similar programming languages. It can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including traditional procedural programming languages. This program code can be run entirely on the user's computer as a stand-alone software package or partially on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer and partly on the remote computer. It can be run, or it can be run globally on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) A remote computer can be connected to a user's computer via any type of network, including network), or it can be connected to an external computer (eg, via the Internet using an Internet service provider). it can.

Aspects of the invention are described herein with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Of course, each block of the flow chart and / or block diagram, and the combination of blocks in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions are fed to the processors of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or another programmable data processor that forms a machine and are executed through that computer or the processor of another programmable data processor. These instructions can be made to generate means for implementing the function group / operation group defined in the block or block group of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

Also, these computer program instructions are stored on a computer-readable medium that can instruct a computer, other programmable data processor, or other device to function in a particular way, and are stored on that computer-readable medium. Instructions can be made to produce a product that includes instructions that implement the functions / operations specified in the block or block of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

In addition, computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processor, or other device to perform a series of operational steps on these computers, other programmable devices, or other devices. These instructions, which are run to spawn a computer-implemented process and are executed on these computers or other programmable devices, are the functions specified in the block or block diagram or block diagram or both. It is also possible to provide a process for implementing a group / action group.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figure illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or piece of code that contains one or more executable instructions for implementing a given logical function (s). It should also be noted that in some other implementations, the functions described in the block may be performed out of the order shown in the figure. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed at about the same time, and depending on the function involved, these blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order. In addition, each block of the block diagram and / or flowchart diagram, and the combination of blocks in the block diagram or flowchart diagram or both, is a dedicated hardware-based system or dedicated that performs a particular function or operation. It should also be noted that it can be implemented by a combination of hardware and computer instructions.

It should be noted that any of the methods described herein can include the additional step of providing a system containing a unique software module embodied on a computer-readable storage medium, eg, these modules. , Examples, but not limited to, may include any or all of the elements shown in the block diagram and / or description herein, such as data acquisition modules, analysis modules, and reporting modules. It is possible.

The method steps can then be performed using these unique software modules and / or submodules of the system running on one or more hardware processors 302, as described above. In addition, computer program products include computer-readable storage media with code implemented to perform one or more of the method steps described herein, with unique software modules. The provision of the system can be included. These software modules can be installed in various locations. For example, the reporting module may be provided as a separate service from the social networking service in some cases. As shown in FIG. 5, network 506 (such as a global system of interconnected computer networks using standard Internet Protocols (TCP / IP), commonly referred to as LAN, WAN, typically the Internet). One or more servers 502 of the social networking site and one or more servers 504 of the service provider connected by can be provided. The user can access the servers 502 and 504, for example, via an internet connection. The device 312 is typical of a server 502 or 504, a personal user's computer, and the like. The service provider's server 504 can access the social network's server 502 with permission, perhaps for fee collection. The analysis module 202 can be installed on the user's client (eg, connected to server 504 via the Internet), on server 504, or on server 502. In addition, the reporting module and the data acquisition module can be installed on the server 502 or 504. In some cases, the social network provider may be able to provide the service, otherwise Sometimes there are no service providers. In such cases, both servers 502 and 504 can be placed under the control of the social network provider, or only one server can be used.

In any case, the components set forth herein include, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a functional circuit, and a properly programmed and associated memory. It should be understood that it can be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, or a combination of these, such as more than one general purpose digital computer. Those skilled in the art will be able to intend different implementations of the components of the invention in light of the teachings of the invention provided herein.