U.S. patent application number 14/016655 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-05 for social networking information consumption gap resolution.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Al Chakra, Liam S. Harpur, John C. Rice.
Application Number | 20150067046 14/016655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52584748 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150067046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chakra; Al ; et al. |
March 5, 2015 |
SOCIAL NETWORKING INFORMATION CONSUMPTION GAP RESOLUTION
Abstract
Social network content consumption activities of social network
users related to content published by at least one social network
are monitored. The monitored social network content consumption
activities of each of at least two of the social network users are
compared. A determination is made, based upon the comparison, that
a difference in consumption of the published content exists between
the at least two of the social network users. A notification is
generated to any of the at least two of the social network users
determined, based upon the difference in consumption, to have
consumed less of the published content than at least one other
social network user.
Inventors: |
Chakra; Al; (Apex, NC)
; Harpur; Liam S.; (Dublin, IE) ; Rice; John
C.; (Waterford, IE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
52584748 |
Appl. No.: |
14/016655 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/01 20130101;
G06F 16/951 20190101; H04L 67/22 20130101; G06Q 30/0201
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A system, comprising: a communication module; and a processor
programmed to: monitor, using the communication module, social
network content consumption activities of social network users
related to content published via at least one social network;
compare the monitored social network content consumption activities
of each of at least two of the social network users; determine,
based upon the comparison, that a difference in consumption of the
published content exists between the at least two of the social
network users; and generate a notification to any of the at least
two of the social network users determined, based upon the
difference in consumption, to have consumed less of the published
content than at least one other social network user.
9. The system of claim 8, where, in being programmed to monitor,
using the communication module, the social network content
consumption activities of the social network users related to the
content published via the at least one social network, the
processor is programmed to: detect, in association with each of the
at least two of the social network users, social network user
accesses to the at least one social network; determine, within the
at least one social network, a quantity of the published content
viewed by each of the at least two of the social network users; and
create a social network activity log that documents the detected
social network user accesses to the at least one social network,
and that documents the determined quantity of the published content
reviewed by each of the at least two of the social network
users.
10. The system of claim 8, where the processor is further
programmed to: monitor calendared meetings associated with the at
least two social network users; obtain, in response to detecting a
calendared meeting, one of an agenda and a heading specified for
the calendared meeting; infer at least one social media topic
related to the calendared meeting from one of the agenda and the
heading specified for the calendared meeting; search the at least
one social network using the at least one inferred social media
topic of the calendared meeting; and identify published content
related to the at least one inferred social media topic of the
calendared meeting posted to the at least one social network by
social network users on a list of invitees to the detected
calendared meeting; and where, in being programmed to compare the
monitored social network content consumption activities of each of
the at least two of the social network users, the processor is
programmed to: obtain social network activity logs that document
detected social network user accesses to the at least one social
network, and that document a determined quantity of the published
content reviewed by each of the at least two of the social network
users; and determine, using the social network activity logs for
each social network user on the list of invitees to the detected
calendared meeting, whether each other social network user on the
list of invitees to the calendared meeting has reviewed the
identified published content related to the at least one inferred
social media topic of the calendared meeting posted to the at least
one social network by respective social network user.
11. The system of claim 8, where, in being programmed to generate
the notification to any of the at least two of the social network
users determined, based upon the difference in consumption, to have
consumed less of the published content than at least one other
social network user, the processor is programmed to: generate, for
each social network user determined to have consumed less of the
published content than the at least one other social network user,
a digest-formatted summary that comprises a hypertext link to each
item of the published content posted by the at least one other
social network user that has not been reviewed by the respective
social network user determined to have consumed less of the
published content than the at least one other social network user;
and send each digest-formatted summary to the respective social
network user determined to have consumed less of the published
content than the at least one other social network user.
12. The system of claim 8, where the processor is further
programmed to: chart, across a plurality of days, user social
network access behavior of each of the at least two of the social
network users; determine, based upon the charted user social
network access behavior relative to a calendared meeting, a likely
next social network access time period prior to the calendared
meeting of any of the at least two of the social network users
determined to have consumed less of the published content than the
at least one other social network user; and set a configured
notification time during the determined likely next social network
access time period prior to the calendared meeting at which to
generate the notification to any of the at least two of the social
network users determined to have consumed less of the published
content than the at least one other social network user
13. The system of claim 12, where, in being programmed to generate
the notification to any of the at least two of the social network
users determined, based upon the difference in consumption, to have
consumed less of the published content than the at least one other
social network user, the processor is programmed to: generate, at
the configured notification time during the determined likely next
social network access time period prior to the calendared meeting,
the notification to any of the at least two of the social network
users determined to have consumed less of the published content
than the at least one other social network user.
14. A computer program product, comprising: a computer readable
storage medium having computer readable program code embodied
therewith, where the computer readable program code when executed
on a computer causes the computer to: monitor social network
content consumption activities of social network users related to
content published via at least one social network; compare the
monitored social network content consumption activities of each of
at least two of the social network users; determine, based upon the
comparison, that a difference in consumption of the published
content exists between the at least two of the social network
users; and generate a notification to any of the at least two of
the social network users determined, based upon the difference in
consumption, to have consumed less of the published content than at
least one other social network user.
15. The computer program product of claim 14, where, in causing the
computer to monitor the social network content consumption
activities of the social network users related to the content
published via the at least one social network, the computer
readable program code when executed on the computer causes the
computer to: detect, in association with each of the at least two
of the social network users, social network user accesses to the at
least one social network; determine, within the at least one social
network, a quantity of the published content viewed by each of the
at least two of the social network users; and create a social
network activity log that documents the detected social network
user accesses to the at least one social network, and that
documents the determined quantity of the published content reviewed
by each of the at least two of the social network users.
16. The computer program product of claim 14, where the computer
readable program code when executed on the computer further causes
the computer to: monitor calendared meetings associated with the at
least two social network users; obtain, in response to detecting a
calendared meeting, one of an agenda and a heading specified for
the calendared meeting; infer at least one social media topic
related to the calendared meeting from one of the agenda and the
heading specified for the calendared meeting; search the at least
one social network using the at least one inferred social media
topic of the calendared meeting; and identify published content
related to the at least one inferred social media topic of the
calendared meeting posted to the at least one social network by
social network users on a list of invitees to the detected
calendared meeting.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, where, in causing the
computer to compare the monitored social network content
consumption activities of each of the at least two of the social
network users, the computer readable program code when executed on
the computer causes the computer to: obtain social network activity
logs that document detected social network user accesses to the at
least one social network, and that document a determined quantity
of the published content reviewed by each of the at least two of
the social network users; and determine, using the social network
activity logs for each social network user on the list of invitees
to the detected calendared meeting, whether each other social
network user on the list of invitees to the calendared meeting has
reviewed the identified published content related to the at least
one inferred social media topic of the calendared meeting posted to
the at least one social network by respective social network
user.
18. The computer program product of claim 14, where, in causing the
computer to generate the notification to any of the at least two of
the social network users determined, based upon the difference in
consumption, to have consumed less of the published content than at
least one other social network user, the computer readable program
code when executed on the computer causes the computer to:
generate, for each social network user determined to have consumed
less of the published content than the at least one other social
network user, a digest-formatted summary that comprises a hypertext
link to each item of the published content posted by the at least
one other social network user that has not been reviewed by the
respective social network user determined to have consumed less of
the published content than the at least one other social network
user; and send each digest-formatted summary to the respective
social network user determined to have consumed less of the
published content than the at least one other social network
user.
19. The computer program product of claim 14, where the computer
readable program code when executed on the computer further causes
the computer to: chart, across a plurality of days, user social
network access behavior of each of the at least two of the social
network users; determine, based upon the charted user social
network access behavior relative to a calendared meeting, a likely
next social network access time period prior to the calendared
meeting of any of the at least two of the social network users
determined to have consumed less of the published content than the
at least one other social network user; and set a configured
notification time during the determined likely next social network
access time period prior to the calendared meeting at which to
generate the notification to any of the at least two of the social
network users determined to have consumed less of the published
content than the at least one other social network user
20. The computer program product of claim 19, where, in causing the
computer to generating the notification to any of the at least two
of the social network users determined, based upon the difference
in consumption, to have consumed less of the published content than
the at least one other social network user comprises: generating,
at the configured notification time during the determined likely
next social network access time period prior to the calendared
meeting, the notification to any of the at least two of the social
network users determined to have consumed less of the published
content than the at least one other social network user.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to multi-user social network
information consumption. More particularly, the present invention
relates to social networking information consumption gap
resolution.
[0002] Social networks provide social network users/contacts with a
capability to communicate within an online environment to share
information, such as photographs, stories, and other information.
Social network users may coordinate events, such as school reunions
and other events using social networks.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] A method includes: monitoring, by a processor, social
network content consumption activities of social network users
related to content published via at least one social network;
comparing the monitored social network content consumption
activities of each of at least two of the social network users;
determining, based upon the comparison, that a difference in
consumption of the published content exists between the at least
two of the social network users; and generating a notification to
any of the at least two of the social network users determined,
based upon the difference in consumption, to have consumed less of
the published content than at least one other social network
user.
[0004] A system includes a communication module; and a processor
programmed to: monitor, using the communication module, social
network content consumption activities of social network users
related to content published via at least one social network;
compare the monitored social network content consumption activities
of each of at least two of the social network users; determine,
based upon the comparison, that a difference in consumption of the
published content exists between the at least two of the social
network users; and generate a notification to any of the at least
two of the social network users determined, based upon the
difference in consumption, to have consumed less of the published
content than at least one other social network user.
[0005] A computer program product includes a computer readable
storage medium having computer readable program code embodied
therewith, where the computer readable program code when executed
on a computer causes the computer to: monitor social network
content consumption activities of social network users related to
content published via at least one social network; compare the
monitored social network content consumption activities of each of
at least two of the social network users; determine, based upon the
comparison, that a difference in consumption of the published
content exists between the at least two of the social network
users; and generate a notification to any of the at least two of
the social network users determined, based upon the difference in
consumption, to have consumed less of the published content than at
least one other social network user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation
of a system for social networking information consumption gap
resolution according to an embodiment of the present subject
matter;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation
of a core processing module capable of performing social networking
information consumption gap resolution according to an embodiment
of the present subject matter;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of
a process for social networking information consumption gap
resolution according to an embodiment of the present subject
matter;
[0009] FIG. 4A is a flow chart of an example of an implementation
of initial processing within a process that utilizes activity logs
for social networking information consumption gap resolution
according to an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0010] FIG. 4B is a flow chart of an example of an implementation
of additional processing within a process that utilizes activity
logs for social networking information consumption gap resolution
according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The examples set forth below represent the necessary
information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention.
Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying
drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the
concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these
concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood
that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the
disclosure and the accompanying claims.
[0012] The subject matter described herein provides social
networking information consumption gap resolution. The present
technology monitors user activity and information consumption
within a social networking environment, and monitors calendared
events associated with a group of social network users. The present
technology compares each user's level of social network
content/information consumption, and identifies any information
consumption gap(s). In response to determining that users are
scheduled to meet and discuss a topic for which social
content/information has been posted, the present technology alerts
each user determined to have a gap between the user's social
network content consumption and any remaining identified social
network content to be consumed prior to the meeting. As such, the
present technology provides a multi-directional alert and
notification process to identify social network users of each
other's postings and potential social network information
consumption gaps. Users may be notified of information consumption
gaps and provided with identifiers of any unconsumed social network
content/information that may be relevant to a particular meeting
discussion/topic. Accordingly, using the present technology, all
users in the meeting may be informed of and provided with relevant
up-to-date information posted by other users in attendance at the
respective meeting.
[0013] To provide an example use of the present technology, it may
be assumed that two social network users, a "UserA" and a "UserB,"
are scheduled to attend a meeting at a given time (e.g., 4:30 pm)
to discuss a collaborative development project. By use of the
present technology, the respective users may be notified of social
network information consumption gaps as follows. If UserA has been
active in a social network environment in the early afternoon
(e.g., from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm), the present technology monitors
the social network postings made by the UserA during that
timeframe, and identifies new postings that may be of relevance to
the particular topic of the meeting. When UserB logs into in the
social network environment later in the afternoon (e.g., at 4:00
pm), UserB may be alerted/notified that UserA has contributed new
postings to the social network environment earlier in the afternoon
at the given time(s). UserB may bridge the social network
information gap by reviewing the new/earlier postings of UserA.
Similarly, where UserB also contributes one or more new postings in
the social network environment, the present technology monitors the
social network postings made by the UserB, and identifies new
postings that may be of relevance to the particular topic of the
meeting. UserA may be alerted prior to the meeting of the new
social network contributions of UserB, so that UserA may also
bridge the social network information gap by reviewing the new
postings of UserB. As such, both social network users may be
alerted and updated with the relevant postings of the respective
other social network user, and when the social network users meet
they may advance their collaborative efforts with knowledge of all
relevant information posted by each other (and without information
gaps that may consume valuable meeting time to fill in).
Accordingly, meeting time-efficiency management, collaboration of
social network users, and collaborative group efficiency may all be
improved by use of the present technology.
[0014] The technology described herein may be implemented, for
example, as a social and collaborative application environment,
alternatively termed a "social networking information consumption
gap analysis" module. The social and collaborative application
environment may be client-server based or may be stand alone with
data feeds for information acquisition. Many alternatives exist for
implementation of the present technology and all such alternatives
are considered to be within the scope of the present subject
matter.
[0015] The social and collaborative application environment
actively monitors social networks for activity of social network
users, and documents/notes user authentication times and length of
activity (e.g., postings and published content viewing/reading).
When a new meeting is recorded to a calendar and scheduling
database, the social and collaborative application environment
obtains a list of invitees to the meeting and begins a social
network activity log for all social network users that are invitees
to the meeting. The social network activity log includes the
authentication times, length of activity, postings/content, and
other information usable to identify social network information
consumption gaps between the invitees to the meeting. As an
alternative, depending on configuration options, the social and
collaborative application environment may also include monitoring
and social network activity logging for social network users that
are closely associated in the social network to identify postings
of relevance for social network information consumption gap
analysis.
[0016] Over time, the social and collaborative application
environment charts user social networking behavior (e.g., when
users are online, when users log off for the day, when users take
lunch, etc.) and reviews user meeting schedules. By analyzing and
understanding each user's social networking behavior, the social
and collaborative application environment may identify and set a
"best time to alert" notification trigger for each social network
user on a daily basis. As such, if the social and collaborative
application environment determines that the UserA leaves for lunch
somewhere between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm on a Tuesday and has a
meeting at 3:00 pm, then the social and collaborative application
environment may determine to alert the UserA of information gaps
associated with this meeting prior to 12:00 pm and potentially
again at 2:30 pm, as appropriate for a given social networking
information consumption gap analysis.
[0017] The social and collaborative application environment may
obtain as inputs the agenda and/or heading of the meeting. The
social and collaborative application environment may utilize the
agenda and/or heading of the meeting to infer one or more "social
media topics," and may search for social network postings related
to the social media topic(s) within forums or other social media
collaborative environments within which the users are actively
participating. Postings made to social network environments by
invitees to the meeting that are related to any of the social media
topics may include information relevant to the meeting and to other
invitees to the meeting. As described herein, other invitees may be
notified of such postings so they may review the respective
postings prior to the meeting.
[0018] The meeting creator may also tag specific social media
topics within the meeting invitation. In such circumstances, the
social and collaborative application environment may then utilize
the tagged social media topics and monitor each social network
user's level of participation in the respective social network(s)
by recording times where users are active and are not active. When
the social and collaborative application environment determines
that a social network information consumption gap exists, it may
flag the information/content associated with the identified
consumption gaps so that it may be presented to other users at a
given determined time or time period when the users are active in
the social network environment. The presentation of information
associated with identified social network information consumption
gaps may be presented in a digest format to assist the respective
social network users with expedient review of the information.
[0019] It should be noted that conception of the present subject
matter resulted from recognition of certain limitations associated
with social network information sharing among groups, such as
product development teams. For example, it was observed that in
situations where social networks are used to communicate regarding
coordinated activities, such as development projects, many users
may post information that is useful to further the collective goal
of the group or the topic of a particular social network
conversation. However, it was further observed that where a high
number of social network members contribute to social network
content regarding a particular topic, it may become difficult for
each individual user to identify relevant/important information,
and users may not have time to consume all of the content that is
posted by other users. It was additionally observed that this
social network information consumption problem may be compounded by
respective users posting content and consuming posted content of
other users at different times, which causes information
consumption by individual users to be out of synchronization (e.g.,
out of phase) with one another. It was determined from these
several observations that inefficiencies may result where the
individual users lack information posted by other users,
particularly where a relevant decision is pending or a meeting is
being conducted to discuss the respective topic (e.g., progress of
a project). It was further determined within this context that
technology to identify social network information consumption gaps
for individual users and to alert the respective users so that the
users may synchronize (e.g., consume/read the relevant content)
before meeting with one another may improve information sharing
within social network environments. The present subject matter
provides social networking information consumption gap resolution,
as described above and in more detail below. As such, improved
social network information sharing may be obtained through use of
the present technology.
[0020] The social networking information consumption gap resolution
described herein may be performed in real time to allow prompt
presentation of information associated with identified social
network information consumption gaps. For purposes of the present
description, real time shall include any time frame of sufficiently
short duration as to provide reasonable response time for
information processing acceptable to a user of the subject matter
described. Additionally, the term "real time" shall include what is
commonly termed "near real time"--generally meaning any time frame
of sufficiently short duration as to provide reasonable response
time for on-demand information processing acceptable to a user of
the subject matter described (e.g., within a portion of a second or
within a few seconds). These terms, while difficult to precisely
define are well understood by those skilled in the art.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation
of a system 100 for social networking information consumption gap
resolution. A computing device.sub.--1 102 through a computing
device_N 104 communicate via a network 106 with a server.sub.--1
108 through a server_M 110. The computing device.sub.--1 102
through the computing device_N 104 and the server.sub.--1 108
through the server_M 110 may also communicate with a calendar and
scheduling database 112.
[0022] As will be described in more detail below in association
with FIG. 2 through FIG. 4B, the computing device.sub.--1 102
through the computing device_N 104 and the server.sub.--1 108
through the server_M 110 may each provide automated social
networking information consumption gap resolution. The automated
social networking information consumption gap resolution is based
upon monitoring and analysis of social network postings in relation
to topics of scheduled meetings between social network users,
identification of social network information consumption gaps among
the respective social network users, and notification (e.g., in
digest format) to any social network user(s) determined to have a
social network information consumption gap that, if not resolved
prior to the meeting, may reduce efficiency of the scheduled
meeting. The present technology may be implemented at a user
computing device or server device level. A variety of possibilities
exist for implementation of the present subject matter, and all
such possibilities are considered within the scope of the present
subject matter.
[0023] It should be noted that any of the respective computing
devices described in association with FIG. 1 may be portable
computing devices, either by a user's ability to move the
respective computing devices to different locations, or by the
respective computing device's association with a portable platform,
such as a plane, train, automobile, or other moving vehicle. It
should also be noted that the respective computing devices may be
any computing devices capable of processing information as
described above and in more detail below. For example, the
respective computing devices may include devices such as a personal
computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, etc.) or a handheld device (e.g.,
cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), email device,
music recording or playback device, tablet computing device, e-book
reading device, etc.), a web server, application server, a social
networking server, or other data server device, or any other device
capable of processing information as described above and in more
detail below.
[0024] The network 106 may include any form of interconnection
suitable for the intended purpose, including a private or public
network such as an intranet or the Internet, respectively, direct
inter-module interconnection, dial-up, wireless, or any other
interconnection mechanism capable of interconnecting the respective
devices.
[0025] The calendar and scheduling database 112 may include a
relational database, an object database, or any other storage type
of device. Alternatively, the calendar and scheduling database 112
may be implemented as a calendar and scheduling server with storage
for social network user calendars and scheduling information. As
such, the calendar and scheduling database 112 may be implemented
as appropriate for a given implementation.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation
of a core processing module 200 capable of performing social
networking information consumption gap resolution. The core
processing module 200 may be associated with either the computing
device.sub.--1 102 through the computing device_N 104 or with the
server.sub.--1 108 through the server_M 110, as appropriate for a
given implementation. As such, the core processing module 200 is
described generally herein, though it is understood that many
variations on implementation of the components within the core
processing module 200 are possible and all such variations are
within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0027] Further, the core processing module 200 may provide
different and complementary processing of social networking
information consumption gaps in association with each
implementation. As such, for any of the examples below, it is
understood that any aspect of functionality described with respect
to any one device that is described in conjunction with another
device (e.g., sends/sending, etc.) is to be understood to
concurrently describe the functionality of the other respective
device (e.g., receives/receiving, etc.).
[0028] A central processing unit (CPU) 202 provides computer
instruction execution, computation, and other capabilities within
the core processing module 200. A display 204 provides visual
information to a user of the core processing module 200 and an
input device 206 provides input capabilities for the user.
[0029] The display 204 may include any display device, such as a
cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light
emitting diode (LED), electronic ink displays, projection,
touchscreen, or other display element or panel. The input device
206 may include a computer keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a pen, a
joystick, touchscreen, or any other type of input device by which
the user may interact with and respond to information on the
display 204.
[0030] A communication module 208 provides interconnection
capabilities that allow the core processing module 200 to
communicate with other modules within the system 100. The
communication module 208 may include any electrical, protocol, and
protocol conversion capabilities useable to provide interconnection
capabilities, appropriate for a given implementation.
[0031] A memory 210 includes an application storage and execution
area 212 that stores and provides execution space for one or more
applications, including a web browser or an application-specific
application for access to one or more social networks, a
calendar/scheduling application, and other applications for use in
association with the core processing module 200. The memory 210
also includes a social networking analysis storage area 214 that
stores information for one or more social network users, such as
social network posting content, meeting topics (e.g., social media
topics), authentication time(s) and durations, and other
information usable to chart social networking behavior and identify
social networking information consumption gaps.
[0032] It is understood that the memory 210 may include any
combination of volatile and non-volatile memory suitable for the
intended purpose, distributed or localized as appropriate, and may
include other memory segments not illustrated within the present
example for ease of illustration purposes. For example, the memory
210 may include a code storage area, an operating system storage
area, a code execution area, and a data area without departure from
the scope of the present subject matter.
[0033] A social networking information consumption gap analysis
module 216 is also illustrated. The social networking information
consumption gap analysis module 216 provides social networking user
posting analysis relative to authentication times and meeting
schedules for the core processing module 200, as described above
and in more detail below. The social networking information
consumption gap analysis module 216 implements the automated social
networking information consumption gap resolution of the core
processing module 200.
[0034] It should also be noted that the social networking
information consumption gap analysis module 216 may form a portion
of other circuitry described without departure from the scope of
the present subject matter. Further, the social networking
information consumption gap analysis module 216 may alternatively
be implemented as an application stored within the memory 210. In
such an implementation, the social networking information
consumption gap analysis module 216 may include instructions
executed by the CPU 202 for performing the functionality described
herein. The CPU 202 may execute these instructions to provide the
processing capabilities described above and in more detail below
for the core processing module 200. The social networking
information consumption gap analysis module 216 may form a portion
of an interrupt service routine (ISR), a portion of an operating
system, a portion of a browser application, or a portion of a
separate application without departure from the scope of the
present subject matter.
[0035] A timer/clock module 218 is illustrated and used to
determine timing and date information, such as social network user
authentication times/durations and meeting scheduling information,
as described above and in more detail below. As such, the social
networking information consumption gap analysis module 216 may
utilize information derived from the timer/clock module 218 for
information processing activities, such as the social networking
information consumption gap resolution described herein.
[0036] The calendar and scheduling database 112 is again shown
within FIG. 2 associated with the core processing module 200. As
such, the calendar and scheduling database 112 may be operatively
coupled to the core processing module 200 without use of network
connectivity, as appropriate for a given implementation.
[0037] The CPU 202, the display 204, the input device 206, the
communication module 208, the memory 210, the social networking
information consumption gap analysis module 216, the timer/clock
module 218, and the calendar and scheduling database 112 are
interconnected via an interconnection 220. The interconnection 220
may include a system bus, a network, or any other interconnection
capable of providing the respective components with suitable
interconnection for the respective purpose.
[0038] Though the different modules illustrated within FIG. 2 are
illustrated as component-level modules for ease of illustration and
description purposes, it should be noted that these modules may
include any hardware, programmed processor(s), and memory used to
carry out the functions of the respective modules as described
above and in more detail below. For example, the modules may
include additional controller circuitry in the form of application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs), processors, antennas, and/or
discrete integrated circuits and components for performing
communication and electrical control activities associated with the
respective modules. Additionally, the modules may include
interrupt-level, stack-level, and application-level modules as
appropriate. Furthermore, the modules may include any memory
components used for storage, execution, and data processing for
performing processing activities associated with the respective
modules. The modules may also form a portion of other circuitry
described or may be combined without departure from the scope of
the present subject matter.
[0039] Additionally, while the core processing module 200 is
illustrated with and has certain components described, other
modules and components may be associated with the core processing
module 200 without departure from the scope of the present subject
matter. Additionally, it should be noted that, while the core
processing module 200 is described as a single device for ease of
illustration purposes, the components within the core processing
module 200 may be co-located or distributed and interconnected via
a network without departure from the scope of the present subject
matter. For a distributed arrangement, the display 204 and the
input device 206 may be located at a point of sale device, kiosk,
or other location, while the CPU 202 and memory 210 may be located
at a local or remote server. Many other possible arrangements for
components of the core processing module 200 are possible and all
are considered within the scope of the present subject matter. It
should also be understood that, though the calendar and scheduling
database 112 is illustrated as a separate component for purposes of
example, the information stored within the calendar and scheduling
database 112 may also/alternatively be stored within the memory 210
without departure from the scope of the present subject matter.
Accordingly, the core processing module 200 may take many forms and
may be associated with many platforms.
[0040] FIG. 3 through FIG. 4B described below represent example
processes that may be executed by devices, such as the core
processing module 200, to perform the automated social networking
information consumption gap resolution associated with the present
subject matter. Many other variations on the example processes are
possible and all are considered within the scope of the present
subject matter. The example processes may be performed by modules,
such as the social networking information consumption gap analysis
module 216 and/or executed by the CPU 202, associated with such
devices. It should be noted that time out procedures and other
error control procedures are not illustrated within the example
processes described below for ease of illustration purposes.
However, it is understood that all such procedures are considered
to be within the scope of the present subject matter. Further, the
described processes may be combined, sequences of the processing
described may be changed, and additional processing may be added or
removed without departure from the scope of the present subject
matter.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of
a process 300 for social networking information consumption gap
resolution. At block 302, the process 300 monitors, by a processor,
social network content consumption activities of social network
users related to content published via at least one social network.
At block 304, the process 300 compares the monitored social network
content consumption activities of each of at least two of the
social network users. At block 306, the process 300 determines,
based upon the comparison, that a difference in consumption of the
published content exists between the at least two of the social
network users. At block 308, the process 300 generates a
notification to any of the at least two of the social network users
determined, based upon the difference in consumption, to have
consumed less of the published content than at least one other
social network user.
[0042] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a flow chart of an example of an
implementation of process 400 for that utilizes activity logs
social networking information consumption gap resolution. FIG. 4A
illustrates initial processing within the process 400. The process
400 begins by iteratively monitoring social network postings and
posting consumption by social network users, and monitoring
calendared meetings/events to identify social network information
consumption gaps. The higher-level iteration will be described
first, followed by the processing in response to an affirmative
determination at the respective decision points.
[0043] At decision point 402, the process 400 makes a determination
as to whether a social network access by a social network user has
been detected. In response to determining that a social network
access by a social network user has not been detected, the process
400 makes a determination at decision point 404 as to whether an
upcoming calendared meeting has been detected (e.g., scheduled for
the current day). In response to determining at decision point 404
that an upcoming calendared meeting has not been detected, the
process 400 returns to decision point 402 and iterates as described
above. The processing described may be processed for each detected
social network access by multiple social network users and for each
detected calendared meeting.
[0044] In response to determining that a social network access by a
social network user has been detected at decision point 402, the
process 400 determines, within the respective social network(s), a
quantity of published content posted and a quantity of published
content viewed by each of at least two of the social network users
at block 406. At block 408, the process 400 creates a social
network activity log that documents the detected user social
network access to the respective social network(s), the determined
quantity of the published content posted, and the determined
quantity of published content viewed by each of the social network
users.
[0045] At decision point 410, the process 400 makes a determination
as to whether another social network activity log for the
respective social network user exists. In response to determining
that another social network activity log for the respective social
network user exists, the process 400 combines the social network
activity logs into a single social network activity log for the
respective social network user at block 412. As such, the process
400 may document multiple social network accesses for each social
network user.
[0046] In response to combining the social network activity logs
into a single social network activity log for the respective social
network user at block 412, or in response to determining that
another social network activity log for the respective social
network user does not exist at decision point 410, the process 400
charts user social network access behavior for the respective
social network user at block 414. The charting may include
charting, across a number of days, user social networking access
behavior of each social network user, and may include using the
social network activity log for the user that is updated over time.
The charting of the user social networking access behavior may be
utilized, for example as described above, to determine notification
times at which to notify the social network users of identified
gaps in social network information consumption.
[0047] As such, at block 416, the process 400 determines a likely
next social network access time period by the social network user.
As described above, the process 400 may determine a likely next
social network access time period prior to a calendared meeting of
any social network user determined to have consumed less of the
published content than at least one other social network user. The
determination of the likely next social network access time period
prior to a calendared meeting may be based upon the charted user
social network access behavior relative to the respective
calendared meeting. At block 418, the process 400 sets a configured
notification time during the determined likely next social network
access time period. The configured notification time may be
configured to notify the social network user prior to a calendared
meeting, and be configured to generate the notification for the any
of social network users determined to have consumed less of the
published content than at least one other social network user. The
process 400 returns to decision point 402 and iterates as described
above.
[0048] Returning to the description of decision point 404, in
response to determining that an upcoming calendared meeting has
been detected, the process 400 transitions to the processing shown
and described in association with FIG. 4B.
[0049] FIG. 4B illustrates additional processing associated with
the process 400 that utilizes activity logs for social networking
information consumption gap resolution. At block 420, the process
400 obtains, in response to detecting the calendared meeting, a
list of invitees to the calendared meeting. At block 422, the
process 400 obtains at least one of an agenda and/or a subject
description and/or a topic of the calendared meeting. The
respective one or more of the agenda, the subject description, and
the topic of the calendared meeting may be analyzed and processed
to derive/infer a social media topic search pattern.
[0050] At block 424, the process 400 forms a social media topic
search pattern based upon one or more of the agenda, the subject
description, and the topic of the calendared meeting. The social
media topic search pattern may be used to search social networks,
and to identify and resolve social networking information
consumption gaps.
[0051] At block 426, the process 400 searches the respective social
network(s) using the social media topic search pattern. At block
428, the process 400 identifies, via the search using the social
media topic search pattern, related social network postings by the
respective social network users within the respective social
network(s). At block 430, the process 400 obtains social network
activity logs that document detected user social network accesses
to the respective social networks, the determined quantity of
published content posted, and the determined quantity of published
content viewed by each of the respective social network users on
the invitee list. At block 432, the process 400 identifies social
network postings related to the social media topic search pattern
(e.g., topic of the meeting) that have been reviewed and that have
not been reviewed by the respective social network users. The
process 400 may, for example, compare the postings made by each
social network user with postings reviewed by each other social
network user to identify postings that have not been reviewed by
any social network users. As such, the process 400 compares
monitored social network content consumption activities of each of
the social network users to identify social network information
consumption gaps.
[0052] At decision point 434, the process 400 makes a determination
as to whether all postings related to the topic of the social media
topic search pattern (e.g., topic of the meeting) have been
reviewed by all other invitees to the meeting. In response to
determining that all postings related to the topic of the social
media topic search pattern (e.g., topic of the meeting) have been
reviewed by all other invitees to the meeting, and that there is no
social network information consumption gap for the respective
meeting, the process 400 returns to the processing described above
in association with FIG. 4A at decision point 402 and iterates as
described above.
[0053] Alternatively, in response to determining that all postings
related to the topic of the social media topic search pattern
(e.g., topic of the meeting) have not been reviewed by all other
invitees to the meeting, and that there is a social network
information consumption gap for the respective meeting, the process
400 identifies at least one item of the published content posted by
at least one other social network user (invitee) that has not been
reviewed and that represents the determined difference in social
network consumption at block 436. As such, the process 400
identifies any social network information consumption gap as
specific social network postings of other invitees to the meeting
that have not been reviewed by other invitees.
[0054] At block 438, the process 400 generates a digest-formatted
summary, that represents the difference in social network
consumption, that includes one or more hypertext links to the
identified individual social network postings posted by any other
social network user. At block 440, the process 400 determines a
configured notification time for any social network users for which
the social network information consumption gap has been identified.
At block 442, the process 400 configures a notification with the
generated digest-formatted summary at the configured notification
time for the respective social network user(s).
[0055] At decision point 444, the process 400 makes a determination
for each social network user associated with an identified social
network information consumption gap as to whether any of the
respective notification time(s) have occurred, such as by use of
the timer/clock module 218. In response to determining for each
such social network user that the respective configured
notification time(s) have occurred, the process 400 generates the
respective notification(s) at block 446 to notify the respective
social network users to review the respective social network
postings that have not yet been reviewed prior to the meeting. The
process 400 returns to the processing described above in
association with FIG. 4A at decision point 402 and iterates as
described above.
[0056] As such, the process 400 monitors social network accesses
(e.g., access and authentication times) and monitors social network
postings by individual social network users. The process 400 also
monitors social network postings reviewed by individual social
network users and calendared meetings scheduled for multiple social
network users. In response to determining that a scheduled meeting
is approaching, the process 400 identifies any postings related to
the meeting (e.g., by topic, etc.) that have not been reviewed by
any meeting participant(s), which represent social network
information consumption gaps. The process 400 notifies each social
network user of the respective social network postings that are
related to the meeting so that each social network user may review
the related social network postings prior to the meeting. As such,
meeting efficiency and meeting time management may be improved by
use of the present technology.
[0057] As described above in association with FIG. 1 through FIG.
4B, the example systems and processes provide social networking
information consumption gap resolution. Many other variations and
additional activities associated with social networking information
consumption gap resolution are possible and all are considered
within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0058] Those skilled in the art will recognize, upon consideration
of the above teachings, that certain of the above examples are
based upon use of a programmed processor, such as the CPU 202.
However, the invention is not limited to such example embodiments,
since other embodiments could be implemented using hardware
component equivalents such as special purpose hardware and/or
dedicated processors. Similarly, general purpose computers,
microprocessor based computers, micro-controllers, optical
computers, analog computers, dedicated processors, application
specific circuits and/or dedicated hard wired logic may be used to
construct alternative equivalent embodiments.
[0059] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or
computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present
invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an
entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident
software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and
hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, aspects of the
present invention may take the form of a computer program product
embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer
readable program code embodied thereon.
[0060] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc
read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic
storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In
the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium
may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for
use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0061] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0062] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0063] Computer program code for carrying out operations for
aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination
of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented
programming language such as JAVA.TM., Smalltalk, C++ or the like
and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The program
code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the
user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the
user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the
remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0064] Aspects of the present invention have been described with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program
instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0065] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or
other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a
particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the
computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0066] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0067] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures 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 the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more
executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of
the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions
or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
[0068] A data processing system suitable for storing and/or
executing program code will include at least one processor coupled
directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The
memory elements can include local memory employed during actual
execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories
which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in
order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from
bulk storage during execution.
[0069] Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to
keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the
system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
[0070] Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable
the data processing system to become coupled to other data
processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through
intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modems and
Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of
network adapters.
[0071] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0072] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *