Michael B Doherty

US Patent:

7143054, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Jul 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/897577

Inventors:

Michael Emmett Doherty - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

The Procter & Gamble Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

705 10

Abstract:

An apparatus, program product, and method analyze electronic messages directed between individuals to quantitatively assess the relative communication capabilities of such individuals. A quantitative value referred to as “communication strength” is determined for one or more individuals from a plurality of individuals based upon analysis of the electronic messaging activities of such individual(s), and is subsequently used to select an individual from among the plurality of individuals, e. g. , for the purpose of selecting a target for a viral marketing encounter, a market research project, etc. The communication strength of an individual is determined by modeling a plurality of conversations identified through analysis of a plurality of electronic messages generated by the plurality of individuals, where each conversation is associated with a talker and a listener from the plurality of individuals, and is useful in determining a level of messaging activity between the talker and listener associated with such conversation.

US Patent:

20020052934, May 2, 2002

Filed:

Aug 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/939924

Inventors:

Michael Doherty - Cincinnati OH, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

709/219000, 709/218000

Abstract:

An apparatus, program product, and method provide personalized assistance to a user navigating locations on a hyperlinked network, such as websites on the public internet or a private intranet. The system enabling this method is comprised of two websites: an Agent Link Creation Website and an Agent Website. The first one creates a customized Agent Link which points to the second one. Using a web browser, the user saves the customized Agent Link, for example on a menu bar or in a bookmark list, and later uses it whenever desired. The Agent Link transfers the user's web browser to the Agent Website and delivers two key types of information: the link address of the web page the user was viewing, and a set of information personalized to the user. The Agent Website uses that information and may present the user relevant information of potential interest, possibly including where to go next. Alternatively it may automatically transfer the user to a different location.