Subscription-based method for facilitating user-to-user communication in a network environment

Abstract

A method, system, and computer readable medium for facilitating user-to-user communication in a network environment are disclosed. A server system receives a plurality of subscription requests from subscribing users, each such request specifying a set of subscription criteria. The server system then configures an account of each subscribing user to associate each such request with the account. The server system next receives a request to broadcast a specific item of content, the request lacking identification of an intended recipient. In response to the broadcast request, the server system identifies any subscribing users then eligible to receive the specific item of content based on the subscription criteria, and serves, using a RESTful web service, the specific item of content to a client device of each identified subscribing user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for communicating broadcasted content, from a broadcasting user in a computer network environment that includes the Internet, the method comprising:
 receiving in the computer network environment, by a server system from first computing devices on behalf of a plurality of users in the computer network environment, herein called “subscribing users,” a corresponding plurality of electronic subscription requests, each electronic subscription request specifying a set of subscription criteria, the set including at least one subscription criterion, for selection of items of content in the computer network environment to which the corresponding subscribing user is to be subscribed;   storing, by the server system, in association with an account of each subscribing user, data defining a modality and address for communication with such subscribing user, such data obtained from such subscribing user and without input from the broadcasting user;   storing, by the server system, in association with the account of each subscribing user data defining for such subscribing user the set of subscription criteria, in the corresponding electronic subscription request, for selection of items of content;   receiving in the computer network environment, by the server system from a second computing device on behalf of the broadcasting user an electronic broadcast request to broadcast a specific item of content, wherein the electronic broadcast request lacks identification of an intended recipient, and wherein the electronic broadcast request includes an identification of the broadcasting user;   storing, by the server system, for later retrieval the electronic broadcast request, including the identification of the broadcasting user and the item of content;   identifying, by the server system, in response to the electronic broadcast request, based on the sets of subscription criteria as applied to the electronic broadcast request, any subscribing users then eligible to receive the specific item of content;   storing a content association, by the server system, of the specific item of content with the accounts of the identified subscribing users;   automatically transmitting in the computer network environment, by the server system, using a RESTful web service, the specific item of content to a client device of each identified subscribing user in the computer network environment via the content association; and   providing, by the server system, to each identified subscribing user, access for retrieval, via a user interface, of the stored item of content.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first computing devices and the second computing device is selected from the group consisting of: a personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand held computer, a laptop computer, a mobile telephone, and a smart device. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each subscription criterion selects items of content in the computer network environment according to one or more of: a taxonomy classification of knowledge domains, a particular knowledge domain in the taxonomy, a source, and a service. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one subscription criterion is a knowledge domain that is defined by a topic, and wherein the broadcast request associates the topic with the specific item of content. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one subscription criterion is a source, the source is human, and is identified by name. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one subscription criterion is a source, and the source is an artificial intelligence (AI) agent. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the modality for communication includes one or more of: a discussion tool, an instant messenger (IM) tool, a voice and video tool, a collaboration tool, a meeting tool, a file sharing tool, a chat tool, an Internet Protocol (IP) phone tool, a fax tool, and an email tool. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each subscription criterion is associated with a respective granular level selected from the group consisting of all users of the computer network environment, service clusters, personal networks, and local networks. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one set of subscription criteria is formed by combining individual subscription criteria using Boolean logic. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the specific item of content includes filtering based on a commercial status of the broadcasting user, a role of the broadcasting user, a name of the broadcasting user, and a communications utility for receiving the specific item of content. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the commercial status of the broadcasting user is one of: paid, free, and sponsored. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the role of the broadcasting user is selected from the group consisting of: unknown subscriber, service provider, artificially intelligent agent, human agent, broker, and subscriber in a personal network of a subscribing user. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one electronic subscription request specifies a set of subscription criteria that was determined in response to a subscribing user searching for items of content according to a set of searching criteria. 
     
     
         15 . A server system for communicating user-broadcasted content, from a broadcasting user, in a computer network environment that includes the Internet, the server system comprising:
 a database storing account data for a plurality of users in the computer network environment;   a web services framework for accessing the database as part of providing a web application; and   a web server providing a RESTful interface for accessing the web application over the Internet, wherein the web application performs the processes of:
 receiving, from first computing devices on behalf of a plurality of users in the computer network environment, herein called “subscribing users,” a corresponding plurality of electronic subscription requests, each electronic subscription request specifying a set of subscription criteria, the set including at least one subscription criterion, for selection of items of content in the computer network environment to which the corresponding subscribing user is to be subscribed; 
 storing, by the server system, in association with an account of each subscribing user, data defining a modality and address for communication with such subscribing user, such data obtained from such subscribing user and without input from the broadcasting user; 
 storing in association with the account of each subscribing user data defining for such subscribing user the set of subscription criteria, in the corresponding electronic subscription request, for selection of items of content; 
 receiving, from a second computing device on behalf of the broadcasting user, an electronic broadcast request to broadcast a specific item of content, wherein the broadcast request lacks identification of an intended recipient, and wherein the electronic broadcast request includes an identification of the broadcasting user; 
 storing for later retrieval the electronic broadcast request, including the identification of the broadcasting user and the item of content; 
 identifying, in response to the electronic broadcast request, based on the sets of subscription criteria as applied to the electronic broadcast request, any subscribing users then eligible to receive the specific item of content; 
 storing a content association of the specific item of content with the accounts of the identified subscribing users; 
 automatically transmitting, using a RESTful web service, the specific item of content to a client device of each identified subscribing user in the computer network environment via the content association; and 
 providing, by the server system, to each identified subscribing user, access for retrieval, via a user interface, of the stored item of content. 
   
     
     
         16 . A server system according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first computing devices and the second computing device is selected from the group consisting of: a personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand held computer, a laptop computer, a mobile telephone, and a smart device. 
     
     
         17 . A server system according to  claim 15 , wherein the modality for communication includes one or more of: a discussion tool, an instant messenger (IM) tool, a voice and video tool, a collaboration tool, a meeting tool, a file sharing tool, a chat tool, an Internet Protocol (IP) phone tool, a fax tool, and an email tool. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A server system according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one set of subscription criteria is formed by combining individual subscription criteria using Boolean logic. 
     
     
         20 . A server system according to  claim 15 , wherein the web application further comprises a filter for filtering the specific item of content based on a commercial status of the broadcasting user, a role of the broadcasting user, a name of the broadcasting user, and a communications utility for receiving the specific item of content. 
     
     
         21 . A server system according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one electronic subscription request specifies a set of subscription criteria that was determined in response to a subscribing user searching for items of content according to a set of searching criteria. 
     
     
         22 . A non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored computer program code that, when executed by a server system, provides a method for communicating broadcasted content, from a broadcasting user in a computer network environment that includes the Internet, the method comprising:
 receiving in the computer network environment, by the server system from first computing devices on behalf of a plurality of users in the computer network environment, herein called “subscribing users,” a corresponding plurality of electronic subscription requests, each electronic subscription request specifying a set of subscription criteria, the set including at least one subscription criterion, for selection of items of content in the computer network environment to which the corresponding subscribing user is to be subscribed;   storing, by the server system, in association with an account of each subscribing user, data defining a modality and address for communication with such subscribing user, such data obtained from such subscribing user and without input from the broadcasting user;   storing, by the server system, in association with the account of each subscribing user data defining for such subscribing user the set of subscription criteria, in the corresponding electronic subscription request, for selection of items of content;   receiving in the computer network environment, by the server system from a second computing device on behalf of the broadcasting user, an electronic broadcast request to broadcast a specific item of content, wherein the electronic broadcast request lacks identification of an intended recipient, and wherein the broadcast request includes an identification of the broadcasting user;   storing, by the server system, for later retrieval the electronic broadcast request, including the identification of the broadcasting user and the item of content;   identifying, by the server system, in response to the electronic broadcast request, based on the sets of subscription criteria as applied to the electronic broadcast request, any subscribing users then eligible to receive the specific item of content;   storing a content association, by the server system, of the specific item of content with the accounts of the identified subscribing users;   automatically transmitting in the computer network environment, by the server system, using a RESTful web service, the specific item of content to a client device of each identified subscribing user in the computer network environment via the content association; and   providing, by the server system, to each identified subscribing user, access for retrieval, via a user interface, of the stored item of content.   
     
     
         23 . A manufacture according to  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the first computing devices and the second computing device is selected from the group consisting of: a personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand held computer, a laptop computer, a mobile telephone, and a smart device. 
     
     
         24 . A manufacture according to  claim 22 , wherein the modality for communication includes one or more of: a discussion tool, an instant messenger (IM) tool, a voice and video tool, a collaboration tool, a meeting tool, a file sharing tool, a chat tool, an Internet Protocol (IP) phone tool, a fax tool, and an email tool. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A manufacture according to  claim 22 , further comprising program code for forming at least one set of subscription criteria by combining individual subscription criteria using Boolean logic. 
     
     
         27 . A manufacture according to  claim 22 , further comprising program code for filtering the specific item of content based on a commercial status of the broadcasting user, a role of the broadcasting user, a name of the broadcasting user, and a communications utility for receiving the specific item of content. 
     
     
         28 . A manufacture according to  claim 22 , wherein at least one subscription request specifies a set of subscription criteria that was determined in response to a subscribing user searching for items of content according to a set of searching criteria. 
     
     
         29 . A computer-implemented method of subscribing, to user-generated items of content in a computer network environment in which a server system serves such items of content to users, the method comprising:
 storing, by the server system, a plurality of items of content and, for each such item of content, an identification of a user of the computer network environment that created the item of content, such user herein called a “content creator”;   receiving, by the server system from a computing device on behalf of a requesting user of the computer network environment, a set of search criteria for searching the stored plurality of items of content;   identifying, by the server system, one or more items of content in the stored plurality of items of content that match the set of search criteria;   serving, by the server system to the computing device, using a RESTful web service, for each identified item of content, the item of content and an identification of its content creator;   receiving, by the server system from the computing device, a request to subscribe the requesting user to a content creator whose identification was served, such content creator herein called the “selected content creator”;   updating, by the server system, an account of the requesting user to indicate that the requesting user is subscribed to items of content created by the selected content creator;   automatically transmitting in the computer network environment, by the server system, using a RESTful web service, to a computing device on which the requesting user has accessed its updated account, one or more items of content created by the selected content creator.   
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein identifying the one or more items of content includes excluding any item of content with respect to which a privacy setting by content creator does not authorize disclosure to the requesting user of such item of content. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing, by the server system, to each user in the computer network environment, access for retrieval of the stored item of content.