Relationship security in online social and professional networks and communities

Abstract

A method for evolving a defined online existing relationship between two members, the online existing relationship defined by a plurality of existing relationship features to manage network interaction on a communications network between the two members. The method includes receiving a new online relationship having new relationship features different from existing relationship features and characteristic of the new relationship; aggregating the existing and new relationship features as aggregate relationship features to define an aggregate relationship; storing the aggregate relationship features as relationship data; and accessing the relationship data to determine whether a selected network interaction from one of the members is permitted in view of at least one of the corresponding aggregate relationship features, and facilitating the selected network interaction when permitted; wherein the corresponding aggregate relationship features include at least one of the network interaction type, the network interaction content, or the network interaction format.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to configuration of networked entities for coordination of interaction between the networked entities.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn today's multifaceted society, there are a number of industries (e.g. healthcare) that can be characterized as having a particularly fragmented workforce—in healthcare from physicians to nurses to practice administrators—that are extremely busy in their day to day activities. Day to day work for individuals in today's industries can be highly irregular and unpredictable, and with so many different parts working in isolation there are limited opportunities for people to be exposed to one another. Further, with few networks supporting these people or groups in reaching out and connecting with each other, it's easy for them to become isolated. All of this makes it very difficult for industry professionals to get in touch with who they want when they need to, to stay in touch with colleagues and co-workers within ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

In one embodiment, the present invention may advantageously provide a benefit and rule configuration environment to obviate or mitigate at least some of the above-presented disadvantages.

Problems solved by technology

Day to day work for individuals in today's industries can be highly irregular and unpredictable, and with so many different parts working in isolation there are limited opportunities for people to be exposed to one another.

Further, with few networks supporting these people or groups in reaching out and connecting with each other, it's easy for them to become isolated.

All of this makes it very difficult for industry professionals to get in touch with who they want when they need to, to stay in touch with colleagues and co-workers within and / or between different industries, and to coordinate productive interactions with each other.

Ultimately, it's not a one size fits all world when it comes to connecting online and the representation electronically (i.e. online) of the mixture of real world business and professional relationships is problematic using today's electronic relationship models.

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