Patent Publication Number: US-9836496-B1

Title: Multi-platform alerting system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of special-purpose machines that facilitate the curation and management of data sets, including computerized variants of such special-purpose machines and improvements to such variants, and to the technologies by which such special-purpose machines become improved compared to other special-purpose machines that facilitate the curation and management of data sets. In particular, the present disclosure addresses systems and methods for the providing alerts associated with the data sets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Computer-based data systems provide users with access to large data sets. For example, a data system can fulfill user requests for specified data, and cause presentation of the specified data to the user. While these types of computer-based data systems allow users to request and access data, they also require that a user repeatedly access a specified piece of data to determine whether modifications to the specified piece of data have occurred. This can be impractical when a user desires immediate notification that data has been modified and/or the user needs to monitor multiple pieces of data that would require executing multiple requests. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various ones of the appended drawings merely illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit its scope to the illustrated embodiments. On the contrary, these examples are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a network diagram depicting a network system comprising a group of application servers in communication with a network-based ontology curation system configured for managing and curating large-scale data sets, consistent with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating various components of the ontology curation system, which is provided as part of the network system, consistent with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating various components of the notification system, which is provided as part of the networked system  102 , consistent with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method for registering to monitor a data object, consistent with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating monitoring a data object for changes, consistent with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of a computer system within which a set of instructions for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to specific example embodiments for carrying out the inventive subject matter of the present disclosure. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter. It shall be appreciated that embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. 
     Example embodiments relate to a notification system that provides users with notifications with respect to data objects and/or components of data objects (e.g., properties, media, links, notes, etc.). The notification system presents a notification interface that enables a user to register to monitor data objects and/or specific object components for modifications. Once a user has registered to monitor a data object and/or components of the data object, the notification system can periodically transmit requests for the data and determines whether the data has been modified. The notification system can provide the user with a notification when a modification to the selected data has occurred. 
     The notification system can be configured to work with any type of system, such as any type of database system. For example, in some embodiments, the notification system can be utilized to monitor changes to data objects maintained by an ontology curation system. 
     Computer-based database systems, such as relational database management systems, typically organize data according to a fixed structure of tables and relationships. The structure may be described using an ontology, embodied in a database schema, comprising a data model that represents the structure and reason about objects in the structure. As discussed above, an ontology is normally fixed at the time that the database is created such that any change to the ontology represented by the schema is extremely disruptive to the database system, and may require user intervention by an administrator to modify tables or relationships, or to create new tables or relationships. Thus, a system to curate ontologies may be configured to minimize changes to data by the ontology curation system. 
     In order to surface and present relevant data to the requesting users, the ontology curation system receives requests to view data objects, and curates ontologies of linked data associated with the data object of the request based on attributes of the request itself. In this way, the most relevant aspects of the requested data object may be presented to requesting users. 
     As an example, the request attributes may include a reference to a data object, or component of a data object, an identifier of the requesting device itself, as well as user attributes of a user making the request (e.g., user profile data). In response to receiving the request, the network-based ontology curation system identifies properties of the requested data object and accesses one or more databases to gather a set of data objects to include in a curated ontology associated with the data object for the requesting user. The one or more databases can include databases maintained by the network-based ontology curation system as well as federated data source databases. A federated data source can be any service external to the network-based ontology curation system that exposes read functionality (e.g., search, aggregation, object load) for data maintained by the federated data source. 
     The network-based ontology curation system retrieves and prioritizes data objects from the databases (e.g., databases maintained by the network-based ontology curation system and/or federated data source databases) based on the request attributes, and generates a curated ontology based on the prioritization. For example, the system may prioritize what to show and the placement of the various data objects. Separately, the underlying components for searching and applying an ontology may prioritize amongst the various data sources and/or the data from a given data source (e.g., for example, if there are duplicates, older or newer entries). In some example embodiments, the network-based ontology curation system generates and causes display of a view of the data object based on the curated ontology at a graphical user interface (GUI) at the requesting device. A format of the presentation may also be based on the request attributes. 
     The ontology curation system retrieves the set of data objects from a primary database maintained by the network-based ontology curation system. In one embodiment, the primary database may include identifiers, e.g., keys, pointers, addresses, or row numbers, usable to access data objects within one or more federated data source databases. An identifier may uniquely identify data in a federated data source database. In other words, the identifier in the primary database refers to data stored in the federated database. 
     In some example embodiments, the ontology curation system may simply be configured based on user inputs defining priorities of data objects based on request attributes. For example, the ontology curation system may receive a configuration specifying priorities, and present formats of ontologies based on requests attributes. Request attributes may include device identifiers, device attributes of the requesting device (e.g., mobile, desktop, wearable, etc.) organization identifiers, user identifiers, as well as team identifiers of specific teams within organizations (e.g., marketing, security, sales). 
     A notification system provides users with notifications with respect to data objects and/or components of data objects (e.g., properties, media, links, notes, etc.). The notification system presents a notification interface that enables a user to register to monitor data objects and/or specific object components for modifications. Once a user has registered to monitor a data object and/or components of the data object, the notification system can periodically transmit requests to the ontology curation system for the data and determines whether the data has been modified. The notification system can provide the user with a notification when a modification to the selected data has occurred. 
       FIG. 1  is a network diagram illustrating a network environment  100  suitable for operating an ontology curation system  150  along with a notification system  160 . A networked system  102  provides server-side functionality, via a network  104  (e.g., an intranet, the Internet or a Wide Area Network (WAN)), to one or more clients such as the client device  110 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a web client  112  and client application  114  executing on client device  110 . 
     An Application Program Interface (API) server  120  and a web server  122  are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to, application server(s)  140 . The application server(s)  140  host the ontology curation system  150  and the notification system  160 . The application server(s)  140  are coupled to database server  124  that facilitates access to the primary database  126 . The primary database  126  may include one or more databases. 
     Although the application server(s)  140  are shown as a single component, this is only for ease of explanation and not meant to be limiting. One skilled in the art would recognize that the application server(s)  140  can be comprised of one or more computing devices, and that the ontology curation system  150  and the notification system  160  can reside on different application servers  140 . Further, while the networked system  102  is shown as including only a single ontology curation system  150  and notification system  160 , this too is only for ease of explanation and not meant to be limiting. The networked system  102  can include multiple ontology curation systems  150  and/or notification systems  160 , and this disclosure anticipates all such embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the notification system  160  can be configured to communicate and monitor data maintained by multiple ontology curation systems  150 . In this way, the notification system  160  can be a central repository for user notifications across multiple ontology curation systems  150  that a user desires to monitor. Further, although the functionality of the notification system  160  is discussed in relation to an ontology curation system  150 , this is also just one example and not meant to be limiting. The notification system  160  can be configured to monitor any type of system, such as a general database system, and provide a user with notifications. This disclosure anticipates any and all such embodiments discussed above. 
     The ontology curation system  150  curates ontologies based on input data and request attributes from requests received from client devices (e.g., client device  110 ) and/or notification system  160 . For example, the ontology curation system  150  is configured to receive requests to access or view data objects, access the primary database  126  and/or data source  130  to retrieve a set of data objects based on request attributes of the request, curate an ontology based on the set of data objects, and return the curated data in response to the request. Although a single data source is shown, this is for ease of explanation and not meant to be limiting. One skilled in the art would recognize that network environment  100  can include any number of data sources, and this disclosure anticipates all such variations. 
     The notification system  160  provide users with notifications with respect to data objects and/or components of data objects (e.g., properties, media, links, notes, etc.). The notification system  160  presents a notification interface that enables a user to select data objects and/or specific object components that the user would like to monitor. Once a user has registered to monitor data objects, the notification system  160  periodically transmits requests to the ontology curation system  150  for the data objects and determines whether the data object (e.g., object components of the data object) have been modified. The notification system  160  can provide the user with a notification when a modification to the selected data object has occurred. 
     As shown, the network environment  100  includes the client device  110  in communication with the networked system  102  over the network  104 . The networked system  102  communicates and exchanges data with the client device  110  that pertains to various functions and aspects associated with the networked system  102  and its users. Likewise, the client device  110 , which may be any of a variety of types of devices that include at least a display, a processor, and communication capabilities that provide access to the network  104  (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal navigation device (PND), a handheld computer, a desktop computer, a laptop or netbook, or a wearable computing device), may be operated by a user (e.g., a person) of the networked system  102  to exchange data with the networked system  102  over the network  104 . 
     The client device  110  communicates with the network  104  via a wired or wireless connection. For example, one or more portions of the network  104  may comprises an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi®) network, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) network, another type of network, or any suitable combination thereof. 
     In various embodiments, the data exchanged between the client device  110  and the networked system  102  may involve user-selected functions available through one or more user interfaces (UIs). The UIs may be specifically associated with the web client  112  (e.g., a browser) or the client application  114 , executing on the client device  110 , and in communication with the networked system  102 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating various components of the ontology curation system  150 , which is provided as part of the networked system  102 , consistent with some embodiments. To avoid obscuring the inventive subject matter with unnecessary detail, various functional components (e.g., modules and engines) that are not germane to conveying an understanding of the inventive subject matter have been omitted from  FIG. 2 . However, a skilled artisan will readily recognize that various additional functional components may be supported by the ontology curation system  150  to facilitate additional functionality that is not specifically described herein. 
     As is understood by skilled artisans in the relevant computer arts, each functional component (e.g., module) illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be implemented using hardware (e.g., a processor of a machine) or a combination of logic (e.g., executable software instructions) and hardware (e.g., memory and processor of a machine) for executing the logic. Furthermore, the various functional components depicted in  FIG. 2  may reside on a single computer (e.g., a laptop), or may be distributed across several computers in various arrangements such as cloud-based architectures. Moreover, any two or more modules of the ontology curation system  150  may be combined into a single module, or subdivided among multiple modules. It shall be appreciated that while the functional components (e.g., modules) of  FIG. 2  are discussed in the singular sense, in other embodiments, multiple instances of one or more of the modules may be employed. 
     The ontology curation system  150  is shown as including a communication module  210 , a curation module  230 , an output module  240 , and an object load service  250 , all configured to communicate with each other and the primary database  126  (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, a switch, or application programming interfaces (APIs)). The primary database  126  may comprise one or more databases. In some example embodiments, the primary database  126  is organized in an ontology and/or object model. The data source  130  may be organized in any data structure or data store for storing and/or organizing data, including but not limited to, relational databases, object-oriented databases, key-value stores and/or XML databases among others. In some example embodiments, the data source  130  may contain high-scale datasets including time series data, however the data source  130  may contain any type of data. 
     In some example embodiments, the application server  140  transmits requests to the ontology curation system  150 , which in turn sends the request along to the database server  124 . The database server  124  may then query the primary database  126 . In such embodiments, the primary database  126  may employ an ontology schema and return search results based on the request received from the database server  124 . The search results may for example include data objects, e.g., a string (e.g., text string) or JSON data object. 
     In further embodiments, the ontology curation system  150  may include a translation layer (e.g., Object Load Service  250 ) configured to intercept returned queries from the primary database  126  to add type, change a type, or to otherwise vary the returned query based on the custom ontology. For example, the object load service  250  may be configured to enrich the returned search results with data retrieved from another data source, such as the data source  130 . The data source  130  can maintain any type of data, such as high-scale time series data. High-scale data sets can include an IP geocoding service that includes data useable to enrich data objects (e.g., IP addresses) received from the primary database  126  with latitude/longitude coordinates; as well as a map tile database that contains map imagery depicting locations of coordinates. 
     In some example embodiments, the primary database  126  returns a data object in response to receiving the request from the ontology curation system  150 , wherein the data object is a JSON data object that contains an identifier. The ontology curation system  150  receives the JSON object and queries the data sources  130  using the identifier in the JSON data object as a query. 
     The communication module  210  provides functionality to communicate with client device  110  in order to receive requests to view data objects. The requests may include a reference to a data object or a component of a data object, as well as attributes and properties of the client device  110 , and the requesting user  106 . The communication module  210  also provides functionality to receive requests for data from notification system  160 . The requests may include a reference to a data object or a component of a data object, as well as attributes and properties of the client device  110 , and the requesting user  106 . 
     Object components of a data object may include object properties, object media, object notes, and object links. The object properties are structured pieces of information that define behavior and characteristics of the data object (e.g., a data type). The object media include binary attachments of data that may include images, text, video, and other specialized forms. The object notes are free text containers of information that provide details about the data object itself. The object links define connections of any one data object to one or more linked data objects. Data objects may also include metadata that defines geo-coordinates (e.g., to indicate a source location of the data object), as well as temporal data (e.g., defining a point in time in which the data object was collected). 
     In some example embodiments, the data objects may further include an Access Control List (ACL), which is a list of Access Control Items (ACIs). Each ACI defines a level of permission that a particular user or user group is permitted to the data object and/or components of the data object. An ACL includes a set of these permissions. 
     The output module  240  returns requested data objects in response to a received request. For example, the output module  240  can provide requested data objects and/or object components to the notification system  160  and or the client device  110 . 
     The output module  240  can generate and cause display of a presentation of the data object based on the curated ontology at the client device  110 . The presentation may be generated based on: the type of data to include in an object view; pre-configured presentation requirements associated with data types; as well as access credentials of a requesting user. For example, some users may have greater access privileges than other users, such that some data may not be viewable. In some example embodiments, the presentation of the data object is based on request attributes that include one or more device properties of the requesting client device  110 . For example, the presentation of the data object may differ based on the client device  110  being a mobile device versus a desktop device, as both devices would receive different curated ontologies. 
     In some example embodiments, the output module  240  also determines a presentation format of each linked data object in the curated ontology based on corresponding object components. For example, a first data object may include object components indicating that the first data object can be displayed in a map image, while a second data object includes object components that indicate that the second data object must be displayed in a time series. The output module  240  formats the presentation of the curated ontology based on the object components. 
       FIG. 2  also includes a depiction of primary database  126 . In some example embodiments, the primary database  126  may receive data (e.g., high-scale data sets) from a data source  130 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating various components of the notification system  160 , which is provided as part of the networked system  102 , consistent with some embodiments. To avoid obscuring the inventive subject matter with unnecessary detail, various functional components (e.g., modules and engines) that are not germane to conveying an understanding of the inventive subject matter have been omitted from  FIG. 3 . However, a skilled artisan will readily recognize that various additional functional components may be supported by the notification system  160  to facilitate additional functionality that is not specifically described herein. 
     As is understood by skilled artisans in the relevant computer arts, each functional component (e.g., module) illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be implemented using hardware (e.g., a processor of a machine) or a combination of logic (e.g., executable software instructions) and hardware (e.g., memory and processor of a machine) for executing the logic. Furthermore, the various functional components depicted in  FIG. 3  may reside on a single computer (e.g., a laptop), or may be distributed across several computers in various arrangements such as cloud-based architectures. Moreover, any two or more modules of the notification system  160  may be combined into a single module, or subdivided among multiple modules. It shall be appreciated that while the functional components (e.g., modules) of  FIG. 3  are discussed in the singular sense, in other embodiments, multiple instances of one or more of the modules may be employed. 
     The notification system  160  is shown as including an interface module  310 , a data request module  320 , a comparison module  330  and a notification module  340 , all configured to communicate with each other and the database  126  (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, a switch, or application programming interfaces (APIs)). 
     The interface module  310  can provide a user with a notification interface that enables the user to register to monitor data objects for modifications. Monitoring a data object for modifications can include monitoring the data object as a whole for modifications, including modifications made to any components of the data object and/or data objects linked to the data object. Alternatively, monitoring a data objects for modifications can include monitoring a subset of the data object for modifications, such as modifications to specified components of the data object and/or data objects linked to the data object. A modification can include any change to data, such as an addition of data, deletion of data and/or modification of existing data. 
     The notification interface can present a listing of various data objects that the user can register to monitor. This can include data objects associated with different services, data objects including components that are stored at different databases and/or data sources, etc. The user can browse the listed data objects and register to monitor one or more of the data objects. For example, the notification interface can include one or more user interface elements, such as buttons, text boxes, links, checkboxes, etc., that the user can interact with to register to monitor selected data objects. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can present the user with data identifying the components of the data objects and/or data objects linked to the data objects. In this type of embodiment, the user can register to monitor a data object as a whole or, alternatively, register for a subset of components of the data object. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can allow the user to select notification settings dictating how the user would like the data objects monitored and/or how the user would like to be notified that a data object has been modified. For example, the notification interface can allow the user to select a monitoring frequency at which the user would like the data objects monitored for modifications, such as every 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours, etc. The notification interface can allow the user to select an overall monitoring frequency for monitoring all registered data objects and/or select individual monitoring frequencies for one or more of the registered data objects. Accordingly, a user could select a different monitoring frequency for each registered data object. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can allow a user to select a monitoring duration for a data object. The monitoring duration can indicate a period of time during which the notification system  160  will monitor the selected data objects for modifications. The notification system  160  stops monitoring the data object after the selected monitoring duration has expired. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can allow the user to select how the user would like to be notified that a modification to a data object has occurred. For example, the notification interface can allow the user to select a preferred contact method, such as e-mail, push notification, phone call, etc. The notification interface can also allow the user to select times when the user would like to be notified and/or notification methods based on time. For example, a user may choose to only receive notifications during working hours (e.g., 9 am-5 pm). Alternatively, a user may choose to receive push notifications during working hours and e-mails after working hours. 
     The interface module  310  can save the user&#39;s selections in a notification settings file associated with the user. For example, the notification settings file can be stored in the database  126  and the interface module  310  can communicate with the database  126  to modify the notification settings file according to a user&#39;s selections. The notification settings file can include data identifying the data objects the user has registered to monitor, monitoring frequencies, monitoring durations, preferred contact methods, selected notification times, etc. The notification settings file can also include data identifying the user and/or the user&#39;s client device  110 . 
     The data request module  320  can utilize a user&#39;s notification setting file to generate and transmit requests to the ontology curation system  150  for data objects and/or components of data objects that the user has registered to monitor. For example, the data request module  320  can utilize the user&#39;s notification setting file to generate a request including request attributes identifying the data objects and/or components of data objects that the user has registered to monitor. 
     The data request module  320  can also include data identifying the user and/or the user&#39;s client device  110  in the request, which the ontology curation system  150  can utilize to confirm that the user has permission to access the requested data objects. For example, the ontology curation system  150  can utilize the data identifying the user and/or the user&#39;s client device to check an ACL associated with a requested component and confirm that the user has permission to access the component. The ontology curation system  150  will not return requested data if the user does not have permission to access the requested data. 
     The data request module  320  can generate and transmit requests to the ontology curation system  150  based on the monitoring frequencies included in the user&#39;s notification setting. Alternatively, the data request module  320  can generate and transmit the requests according to a predetermined schedule. 
     The data request module  320  can provide the data received from the ontology curation system  150  to the comparison module  330 . The comparison module  330  can utilize the received data to determine whether any modifications have occurred. In some embodiments, the comparison module  330  can compare the received data (e.g., components of a data object) to a previously received version of the data. The previously received version of the data can be stored in the database  126  and the comparison module  330  can communicate with the database to access the previously received version of the data. If the comparison module  330  determines that the data includes a modification from the previously received version of the data, the comparison module  330  can alert the notification module  340  of the detected modification. The comparison module  330  can also update the previously received version of the data stored in the database to reflect the modification. 
     The notification module  340  can notify the user that a modification to a data object has been detected. For example, the notification module  340  can send the user an e-mail, send a push notification to the user&#39;s client device  110 , call the user, etc. In some embodiments, the notification module  340  can notify the user based on the user&#39;s notification settings file. For example, the notification module  340  can access the user&#39;s notification settings file from the database to identify the user&#39;s preferred contact method and/or contact times. The notification module  340  can then notify the user according to the user&#39;s selected settings. 
     The notification can include any type of data notifying the user that the data object has been modified. For example, the notification can simply state that a data object has been modified. Alternatively, the notification can include detailed information about the modification, as well as links to access additional data, such as the modified data. User activity and interaction with the embedded links can be captured and analyzed as metrics to gauge performance and/or to modify future notifications. 
     In some embodiments, the notifications can be customized by the user. For example the user can select the type of data that the user would like to receive as part of the notification. In some embodiments, the notification interface can provide a user with one or more template notifications to select from as well as allow the user to customize the notifications by selecting data that the user would like included in the notification. 
     In some embodiments, the notification system  160  may transmit additional requests to the ontology curation system  150  when generating a notification. For example, the notification system  160  can query the ontology curation system  150  for additional data regarding data objects that have been modified. The notification system  160  can include the returned data in the notifications provided to the user. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method  400  for registering to monitor a data object, consistent with some embodiments. The method  400  is embodied in computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors such that the operations of the method  400  are performed in part or in whole by the notification system  160 ; accordingly, the method  400  is described below by way of example with reference thereto. However, it shall be appreciated that at least some of the operations of the method  400  may be deployed on various other hardware configurations, and the method  400  is not intended to be limited to the notification system  160 . 
     At operation  410 , the interface module  310  presents a notification interface. For example, the notification interface can be presented on a user&#39;s client device  110 . The notification interface enables the user to register to monitor data objects for modifications. Monitoring a data object for modifications can include monitoring the data object as a whole for modifications, including modifications made to any components of the data object and/or data objects linked to the data object. Alternatively, monitoring a data objects for modifications can include monitoring a subset of the data object for modifications, such as modifications to specified components of the data object and/or data objects linked to the data object. A modification can include any change to data, such as an addition of data, deletion of data and/or modification of existing data. 
     The notification interface can present a listing of various data objects that the user can register to monitor. This can include data objects associated with different services, data objects including components that are stored at different databases and/or data sources, etc. The user can user the notification interface to browse the listed data objects and register to monitor one or more of the data objects. For example, the notification interface can include one or more user interface elements, such as buttons, text boxes, links, checkboxes, etc., that the user can interact with to register to monitor selected data objects. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can present the user with data identifying the components of the data objects and/or data objects linked to the data objects. In this type of embodiment, the user can register to monitor a data object as a whole or, alternatively, register for a subset of components of the data object. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can allow the user to select notification settings dictating how the user would like the data objects monitored and/or how the user would like to be notified that a data object has been modified. For example, the notification interface can allow the user to select a monitoring frequency at which the user would like the data objects monitored for modifications, such as every 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours, etc. The notification interface can allow the user to select an overall monitoring frequency for monitoring all registered data objects and/or select individual monitoring frequencies for one or more of the registered data objects. Accordingly, a user could select a different monitoring frequency for each registered data object. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can allow a user to select a monitoring duration for a data object. The monitoring duration can indicate a period of time during which the notification system  160  will monitor the selected data objects for modifications. The notification system  160  stops monitoring the data object after the selected monitoring duration has expired. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can allow the user to select how the user would like to be notified that a modification to a data object has occurred. For example, the notification interface can allow the user to select a preferred contact method, such as e-mail, push notification, phone call, etc. The notification interface can also allow the user to select times when the user would like to be notified and/or notification methods based on time. For example, a user may choose to only receive notifications during working hours (e.g., 9 am-5 pm). Alternatively, a user may choose to receive push notifications during working hours and e-mails after working hours. 
     In some embodiments, the notification interface can allow the user to customize the notifications that the user receives. For example, the notification interface can provide the user with one or more template notifications that the user can select from. The notification interface can also allow the user to customize a selected template notification to further customize the notification to the user&#39;s specific needs. 
     At operation  420 , the interface module  310  receives user selections indicating data object that the user would like to monitor as well as notification settings selected by the user. The user selections can be received as a result of the user utilizing the notification interface. 
     At operation  430 , the interface module  310  generated a notification setting file based on the received user selections. The notification settings file can include data identifying the data objects the user has registered to monitor, monitoring frequencies, monitoring durations, preferred contact methods, selected notification times, etc. The notification settings file can also include data identifying the user and/or the user&#39;s client device  110 . 
     At operation  440 , the interface module  310  can store the notification settings file. For example, the notifications settings file can be stored in database  126 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating monitoring a data object for changes, consistent with some embodiments. The method  500  is embodied in computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors such that the operations of the method  500  are performed in part or in whole by the notification system  160 ; accordingly, the method  500  is described below by way of example with reference thereto. However, it shall be appreciated that at least some of the operations of the method  500  may be deployed on various other hardware configurations, and the method  500  is not intended to be limited to the notification system  160 . 
     At operation  510 , the data request module  320  accesses a data object based on a user&#39;s notification settings. The data request module  320  can utilize a user&#39;s notification setting file to generate and transmit a request to the ontology curation system  150  for the data object and/or components of data object that the user has registered to monitor. For example, the data request module  320  can utilize the user&#39;s notification setting file to generate a request including request attributes identifying the data object and/or components of data object that the user has registered to monitor. 
     The request can also include data identifying the user and/or the user&#39;s client device  110 , which the ontology curation system  150  can utilize to confirm that the user has permission to access the requested data objects. For example, the ontology curation system  150  can utilize the data identifying the user and/or the user&#39;s client device to check an ACL associated with a requested component and confirm that the user has permission to access the component. The ontology curation system  150  may deny requests for data that the user does not have permission to access. 
     The data request module  320  can generate and transmit the request according to the monitoring frequencies included in the user&#39;s notification setting. Alternatively, the data request module  320  can generate and transmit the requests according to a predetermined schedule. 
     The data request module  320  can provide the data received from the ontology curation system  150  to the comparison module  330 . The received data can include data gathered from multiple data sources and/or databases. 
     At operation  520 , the comparison module  320  compares the data object and/or set of components of the data object received in response to the request to a previous set of components of the data object. The previous set of components can be a set of components that were previously received and recorded by the notification system  160 . The previous set of the data object can be stored in the database  126  and the comparison module  330  can communicate with the database to access the previously received version of the data. The comparison module  320  can compare perform the comparison to determine whether the data object has been modified (e.g., one or more components of the data object have been modified). 
     At operation  530 , the comparison module determines, based on the comparison, that the set of components of the data object includes at least one modification from the previous set of components of the data object. 
     At operation  540 , the notification module  340  notifies the user of the at least one modification to the data object. For example, the notification module  340  can send the user an e-mail, send a push notification to the user&#39;s client device  110 , call the user, etc. In some embodiments, the notification module  340  can notify the user based on the user&#39;s notification settings file. For example, the notification module  340  can access the user&#39;s notification settings file from the database  126  to identify the user&#39;s preferred contact method and/or contact times. The notification module  340  can then notify the user according to the user&#39;s selected settings. 
     The notification can include any type of data notifying the user that the data object has been modified. For example, the notification can simply state that the data object has been modified. Alternatively, the notification can include detailed information about the modification, as well as links to access the modified data. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of a computer system within which a set of instructions for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. Specifically,  FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic representation of the machine  600  in the example form of a system, within which instructions  602  (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, a driver, or other executable code) for causing the machine  600  to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. For example, the instructions  602  include executable code that causes the machine  600  to execute the methods  400  and  500 . In this way, these instructions  602  transform the general, non-programmed machine into a particular machine programmed to carry out the described and illustrated functions in the manner described herein. The machine  600  may operate as a standalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines. 
     By way of non-limiting example, the machine  600  may comprise or correspond to a television, a computer (e.g., a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a netbook), a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an entertainment media system (e.g., an audio/video receiver), a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch), a portable media player, or any machine capable of outputting audio signals and capable of executing the instructions  602 , sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by machine  600 . Further, while only a single machine  600  is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include a collection of machines  600  that individually or jointly execute the instructions  602  to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The machine  600  may include processors  604 , memory  606 , storage unit  608  and I/O components  610 , which may be configured to communicate with each other such as via a bus  612 . In an example embodiment, the processors  604  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, processor  614  and processor  616  that may execute instructions  602 . The term “processor” is intended to include multi-core processors that may comprise two or more independent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that may execute instructions  602  contemporaneously. Although  FIG. 6  shows multiple processors  604 , the machine  600  may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processors with multiples cores, or any combination thereof. 
     The memory  606  (e.g., a main memory or other memory storage) and the storage unit  608  are both accessible to the processors  604  such as via the bus  612 . The memory  606  and the storage unit  608  store the instructions  602  embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. In some embodiments, the database  126  resides on the storage unit  608 . The instructions  602  may also reside, completely or partially, within the memory  606 , within the storage unit  608 , within at least one of the processors  604  (e.g., within the processor&#39;s cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof, during execution thereof by the machine  600 . Accordingly, the memory  606 , the storage unit  608 , and the memory of processors  604  are examples of machine-readable media. 
     As used herein, “machine-readable medium” means a device able to store instructions and data temporarily or permanently and may include, but is not be limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory, flash memory, optical media, magnetic media, cache memory, other types of storage (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), or any suitable combination thereof. The term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to store instructions  602 . The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium, or combination of multiple media, that is capable of storing instructions (e.g., instructions  602 ) for execution by a machine (e.g., machine  600 ), such that the instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the machine  600  (e.g., processors  604 ), cause the machine  600  to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein (e.g., methods  400  and  500 ). Accordingly, a “machine-readable medium” refers to a single storage apparatus or device, as well as “cloud-based” storage systems or storage networks that include multiple storage apparatus or devices. The term “machine-readable medium” excludes signals per se. 
     Furthermore, the “machine-readable medium” is non-transitory in that it does not embody a propagating signal. However, labeling the tangible machine-readable medium as “non-transitory” should not be construed to mean that the medium is incapable of movement—the medium should be considered as being transportable from one real-world location to another. Additionally, since the machine-readable medium is tangible, the medium may be considered to be a machine-readable device. 
     The I/O components  610  may include a wide variety of components to receive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information, exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/O components  610  that are included in a particular machine will depend on the type of machine. For example, portable machines such as mobile phones will likely include a touch input device or other such input mechanisms, while a headless server machine will likely not include such a touch input device. It will be appreciated that the I/O components  610  may include many other components that are not specifically shown in  FIG. 6 . The I/O components  610  are grouped according to functionality merely for simplifying the following discussion and the grouping is in no way limiting. In various example embodiments, the I/O components  610  may include input components  618  and output components  620 . The input components  618  may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen configured to receive alphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric input components), point based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other pointing instrument), tactile input components (e.g., a physical button, a touch screen that provides location and/or force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactile input components), audio input components, and the like. The output components  620  may include visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), acoustic components (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., a vibratory motor, resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and so forth. 
     Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies. The I/O components  610  may include communication components  622  operable to couple the machine  600  to a network  624  or devices  626  via coupling  628  and coupling  630 , respectively. For example, the communication components  622  may include a network interface component or other suitable device to interface with the network  624 . In further examples, communication components  622  may include wired communication components, wireless communication components, cellular communication components, near field communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components to provide communication via other modalities. The devices  626  may be another machine or any of a wide variety of peripheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a Universal Serial Bus (USB)). 
     Modules, Components and Logic 
     Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute either software modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware modules. A hardware module is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client, or server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described herein. 
     In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) to perform certain operations. A hardware module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations. 
     Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where the hardware modules comprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective different hardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at a different instance of time. 
     Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive information from, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardware modules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiple of such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses that connect the hardware modules). In embodiments in which multiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at different times, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. For example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information). 
     The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modules referred to herein may, in some example embodiments, comprise processor-implemented modules. 
     Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented modules. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors may be located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm), while in other embodiments the processors may be distributed across a number of locations. 
     The one or more processors may also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., APIs). 
     Electronic Apparatus and System 
     Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, or software, or in combinations of them. Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program product, for example, a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, for example, in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, for example, a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. 
     A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site, or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method operations can also be performed by, and apparatus of example embodiments may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry (e.g., an FPGA or an ASIC). 
     The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In embodiments deploying a programmable computing system, it will be appreciated that both hardware and software architectures merit consideration. Specifically, it will be appreciated that the choice of whether to implement certain functionality in permanently configured hardware (e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., a combination of software and a programmable processor), or in a combination of permanently and temporarily configured hardware may be a design choice. Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and software architectures that may be deployed, in various example embodiments. 
     Language 
     Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent, to those of skill in the art, upon reviewing the above description. 
     All publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated references should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls. 
     In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended; that is, a system, device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim.