Patent ID: 7860889
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for a computer system includes: computing a social map for a first user, the social map including a plurality of different social distances between a plurality of users in a computer network, wherein a first profile is provided for the first user and includes a first social distance between the first user and a second user, and wherein a second profile is provided for the first user and includes a second social distance between the first user and a third user and the second profile includes no information about the second user, the first social distance and the second social distance being different, and wherein a weighting factor is used in determining the first social distance such that responsiveness in e-mail messaging between the first user and the second user reduces the first social distance; storing the social map for the first user during a user web session in a cache, wherein the social map is computed during log-in time for the user and a cached copy of the social map is stored in the cache, and wherein, while the user is logged into the user web session, an evaluation of the cached copy of the social map is performed in order to identify dirty bits, which are indicative of the cached copy of the social map being stale and requiring an update to be performed during the user web session; receiving a first change to relationship data for the first user during the user web session, the first change made by the first user; receiving a second change to the relationship data for the first user during the user web session, the second change made by another user; computing a revised social map for the first user during the user web session in response to receiving the first change, wherein the revised social map for the first user reflects the first change and the second change only if the first user ratifies the second change; storing the revised social map for the first user during the user web session in the cache; updating a database to include the revised social map; receiving a request from the first user for at least a portion of the revised social map for the first user; and providing at least a portion of the revised social map to the first user from the cache during the user web session.