as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2008/0103784 Al
`Wongetal.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May1, 2008
`
`
`US 20080103784A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`CONSTRUCTING AN INTERACTIVE
`ONLINE NETWORKOF LIVING AND
`NON-LIVING ENTITIES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`June T.W. Wong, Vancouver
`(CA); Clement K.L. Ma,
`Vancouver (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`OYEN, WIGGS, GREEN & MUTALA LLP
`480 - THE STATION
`601 WEST CORDOVA STREET
`VANCOUVER, BC V6B 1G1
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`0752004 B.C. Ltd., Vancouver
`(CA)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/552,933
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 25, 2006
`
`(22)
`
`10
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`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl
`(2006.01)
`G06.OQ 1000
`,
`(2006.01)
`G06Q 30/00
`(52) U.S. Che neces cne cece ceeeeesereneceneecneneneeea 705/1
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and system for generating an interactive comput-
`erized biological network consisting of living and non-living
`entities based upon the multiple relationship types which can
`exist between entities. The network can consist of multiple
`node types. Such node types can include persons, places,
`objects, and animals, each connected by one or more link-
`ages associated with a precise linkage type representing the
`relationship type between a node and any other node type in
`the same network. Nodesare connected to other nodesin the
`network by linkages which can have multiple linkage types.
`Each linkage type represents the actual relationship type
`between the nodes, such as person, place, object or animal
`represented by the nodes.
`
`
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`
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`
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`
`
`
`
`Meta EX1006
`
`IPR2024-00529
`US. Patent No. 8,332,454
`
`Meta EX1006
`IPR2024-00529
`U.S. Patent No. 8,332,454
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May1,2008 Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 2008/0103784 Al
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`Patent Application Publication May1,2008 Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 2008/0103784 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`May 1, 2008 Sheet 3 of 7
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`US 2008/0103784 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`May 1, 2008 Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 2008/0103784 Al
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`Patent Application Publication May1,2008 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2008/0103784 Al
`
`
`Select feature or
`operation to create a
`new node
`
`
`
`Select a node type
`(e.g. Person Node)
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`Select a node sub-type
`(e.g. Person Node sub-type
`Living Person Node)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Enter node
`
`information (e.g.
`personalinformation
`for Inactive Living
`Person Node)
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 1,2008 Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 2008/0103784 Al
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Go to an
`
`Select feature or
`operation to add a
`new node to the
`existing node
`
`
`
`
`
`
`existing node
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`|
`
`
`
`Select a node type
`(person, place,
`object or animal)
`
`
`
`Select a node
`sub-type(if
`required or
`desired)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Enter node
`information (name,
`description etc.)
`
`
`
`Selectlinkage type representing a type
`or type of links which can exist between
`the two node typesto be connected
`
`End
`
`}
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May1,2008 Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 2008/0103784 Al
`
` Go to or select an
`existing node of any
`node type as the
`“first node”
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Find or select a node
`or nodes of any node
`type to be linked to
`the first node
`
`
`
`Select linkage type,
`representing the type or
`type of links which can exist
`between the two node types
`to be connected
`
`
`
`End
`
`

`

`US 2008/0103784 Al
`
`May 1, 2008
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`CONSTRUCTING AN INTERACTIVE
`ONLINE NETWORK OF LIVING AND
`NON-LIVING ENTITIES
`
`
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The inventionrelatesto the field of online networks
`and more particularly to a method of constructing an inter-
`active online network of living and non-living entities.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] The present inventors have disclosed in co-pending
`USS. patent application Ser. No. 11/382,430 filed May 9,
`2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, a method of
`constructing a family tree using an online social network.
`Such a family tree includes familial relationships among
`living and deceased individuals. However, there are many
`other types of relationships which can be documented
`between individuals, and furthermore there are many inter-
`actions between individuals and objects and other entities
`around them. At present there is no method to organize,
`display and precisely document the complex interactions
`between people and the manyentities they encounter in their
`lives. There are many other such interactions in the real
`world other than those between persons, such as person to
`object, object to object, person to pet, pet to product, pet to
`pet, product owner to product, customer to business etc.
`[0003] Online social networking systems such as Mys-
`pace.com and Friendster.com have recently become popular
`as a means to connect with and share personal information
`with other individuals via the Internet. Such social networks
`
`are based on users registering with the system and connect-
`ing with others on the system as friends. An individual
`establishes a home page on the network at which his/her
`friends can share photos, blogs, videofiles and the like. Such
`systems are limited to establishing symmetric connections
`between personsor organizations of persons, such as friend-
`ship relationships, and are not suited for including the wide
`variety of living and non-living entities with which a living
`individual interacts on a daily basis. Further, such systems
`do not construct a well-defined interactive structure of
`
`symmetric and asymmetric relationships among living and/
`or non-living entities which can be viewed and searched.
`[0004] The foregoing examples of the related art and
`limitations related thereto are intended to beillustrative and
`not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will
`
`become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading
`of the specification and a study of the drawings.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0005] The following embodiments and aspects thereof
`are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems,
`tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and
`illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments,
`one or more of the above-described problems have been
`reducedor eliminated, while other embodiments are directed
`to other improvements.
`[0006] The invention provides a method and system for
`constructing an interactive computerized network ofliving
`and non-living entities, comprising: 1) providing an interac-
`tive computer system comprising a database, the system
`being accessible to one or more users;
`ii) creating an
`interactive computerized network comprising a plurality of
`
`nodes, each node associated with a defined node type
`representing living and non-living entities, each node linked
`to one or more nodes of the same node type or a different
`node type by linkages; each linkage associated with a
`defined linkage type; each linkage type representing the type
`of relationship which exists between the entities represented
`by the nodes that are linked, the linkages of nodes thereby
`forming a computerized network.
`[0007]
`In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodi-
`ments described above, further aspects and embodiments
`will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by
`study of the following detailed descriptions.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`[0008] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in refer-
`enced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodi-
`ments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered
`illustrative rather than restrictive.
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a com-
`[0009]
`puter network as used in the invention;
`[0010]
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a net-
`workofliving and non-living entities as constructed accord-
`ing to the invention;
`[0011]
`FIG. 3 illustrates a hierarchy of possible node types
`and sub-types; and
`[0012]
`FIG.4 illustrates a matrix of possible node linkage
`types,
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one aspect of the
`[0013]
`invention involving construction of a network, namely the
`steps in creating a new node;
`[0014]
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second aspect of
`the invention involving construction of a network, namely
`the steps in creating a new node andcreating a linkage from
`a new node to existing nodes; and
`[0015]
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a second aspect of
`the invention involving construction and modification of a
`network, namely the steps in creating or editing a linkage
`between two existing nodes.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`specific
`the following description,
`[0016] Throughout
`details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough
`understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well
`known elements may not have been shown or described in
`detail
`to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.
`Accordingly, the description and drawingsare to be regarded
`in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
`[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, a number of users 10
`having computer terminals 14, whether laptops, desktops,
`handheld, personal digital assistants, mobile telephones or
`any other device capable of communicating over a network,
`have access to a computer network 12 such as the Internet,
`whether wirelessly or through wired access. Terminals 14
`may have an internet browser and an e-mail application for
`example, and may themselves include a local or wide area
`network. A social network server or servers 20 maintain a
`system comprising an Internet website, database and asso-
`ciated data, whichis accessible to users 10. Server 20 has the
`hardware and software required to operate an internet-
`accessible social network,
`including web server, email
`server, databases, data storage and thelike.
`[0018]
`Initially user 10 accesses the system website andis
`presented with a page to register for the system by entering
`
`

`

`US 2008/0103784 Al
`
`May 1, 2008
`
`basic profile information, such as name, gender, address,
`birthdate and a username and password. A uniqueidentifier,
`such as a number, alphanumeric or alphabetic string,
`is
`assignedto the user and, once registered, a representation in
`the system, hereinafter referred to as a “node”30, is created
`for the user. All of the foregoing are carried out in a manner
`well known to web site programmers. Suchfirst node 31 is
`designated “active” as defined below.
`[0019] Each active node can contain information pertain-
`ing to the living individual person that it represents, com-
`munication tools, data and files, storage space, network
`information and tools to edit the network of living and
`non-living entities. Nodes can contain genetic information.
`Each active node allows the individual person that it repre-
`sents to log into the system and access its own nodeand its
`associated “control panel”. The user can upon registration
`and thereafter, carry out a numberoftasksor activities while
`at the “control panel” of his/her node,
`including 1) edit
`his/her own node; 2) build a network of living and non-
`living entities (hereinafter “the network’); 3) edit the net-
`work; 4) communicate with other entities within or outside
`the network using the features of the social network; and 5)
`make use of projects and features facilitated by the network
`of living and non-living entities. As described further below,
`the control panel allows an individual person to 1) expand
`and edit the network of living and non-living entities by:
`adding nodes and linkages; editing nodes and linkages;
`inviting other individual persons to join; and 11) communi-
`cate with nodesin the same networkofliving and non-living
`entities, other nodes in the computerized network,as well as
`otherliving individual persons outside the network of living
`and non-living entities; send invitations; accept invitations;
`grant permissions; share information; compare information;
`and make use of the projects and features facilitated by the
`network of living and non-living entities.
`
`Editing the User’s Node
`
`[0020] The user can edit the user’s own node including
`editing the content of the user’s profile, the appearance of
`the node, selecting the layout and color of the user’s web
`page which is accessible to others, add, remove or edit
`photos, add or change privacy settings, add a blog or
`testimonials, add genetic information andthe like. This can
`be done on registration and at any other time through the
`user’s control panel.
`
`Constructing the Network of Living and Non-Living Enti-
`ties
`
`[0021] Once registered with the system, a user maystart
`construction of his/her network of living and non-living
`entities 24 (FIG. 2). The network of living and non-living
`entities is represented by a number of elements, each rep-
`resenting a living or non-living entity, which are referred to
`as “nodes” 30, joined by connections 32, referred to as
`“linkages”, to other nodes 30. “Linkage”refers to the direct
`link between two adjacent nodes or the chain of links and
`nodes between non-adjacent nodes. The user, 31, can con-
`struct a network or join an existing network by adding,
`creating and linking new nodes 30 or by linking existing
`nodes, wherein nodes 30 represent people 33 (living and
`deceased), places 35, objects 37 and animals 39. Each time
`
`a nodeis added, that node is assigned a unique identifier, the
`nodesandtheir linkages thereby forming a network ofliving
`and non-living entities.
`[0022]
`FIG. 3 illustrates the hierarchy of node types and
`sub-types. While four main node types are preferred, the
`numberof main node types may be greater or less. For each
`main node type there are multiple sub-types or designations,
`and each sub-type can have sub-types etc. For example the
`person node type has sub-types living or deceased. The
`living sub-type has further sub-types active and inactive and
`so on. Further sub-types can include male/female, mother/
`father, etc. The animal node type has sub-types pet or wild
`animal. The pet sub-type has further sub-types dog/cat and
`so on. Object sub-types can be groups, organizations, prod-
`ucts, businesses, books, songs, etc. Place sub-types can be
`country, state, province, city, town, landmark etc. Each node
`can be viewed by the user or third parties as a web page
`having features designated bythe userit represents. Thus the
`network simultaneously consists of multiple nodes having
`designated types, sub-types, and further sub-types etc. co-
`existing in the same network.
`[0023] Each node type/sub-type has a defined structure
`and features, and common node types/sub-types have a
`common defined structure and features. Different node
`
`types/sub-types can have different properties, structure and
`features. Each node type/sub-type can be linked to any other
`node of the same node type/sub-type, or a different node
`type/sub-type in the same network. Each node type/sub-type
`can be linked through a chain of nodes and linkages con-
`sisting of different node types/sub-types and linkage types to
`another node of the same or different node type/sub-type.
`The type or types of links which can exist between two
`nodes depends on the node type/sub-type of the nodes to be
`linked and can representthe types of relationships which can
`exist between the node types/sub-types to be linked (see
`FIG. 4). The links between the two nodes to be connected
`may be asymmetric. An asymmetriclink is one that can have
`a forward andreverse or inverse value whichis different e.g.
`mother/daughter; pet/owner.
`[0024] Thus nodes 30 are linked by linkages 32 with a
`defined linkage type. Nodes can be linked by more than one
`linkage type, representing the multiple types of relationships
`between the entities represented by the nodes. Each linkage
`type represents the actual relationship type which exists
`between a node and any other node type. A linkage of a
`person nodeto an object node can be, for example, customer,
`fan, owner, admirer, member and the like. A linkage of a
`person node to another person node can be, for example:
`mother/daughter, bestfriend, biological, social, or genetic. A
`linkage of a person node to an animal node can be owner/pet,
`admirer, etc. A linkage of a person nodeto a place node can
`bevisitor, resident, fan, etc. Nodesare thus linked by precise
`linkage types representing the actual type relationship which
`exists between the person, place, object or animal repre-
`sented by the linked nodes.
`[0025]
`FIG.4 illustrates a matrix of linkage relationships.
`Row and column 40 represent different node types/sub-
`types. For each pair of node types and/or sub-types 40 (for
`example, living male person 1a3 to living female person
`4a1, living female person 4a1 to pet/cat 2a@2, etc.) there will
`be a set of linkages L, 42 consisting of multiple linkage
`types. For example two person nodes can be linked with the
`linkage types father/daughter, friend/friend, employer/em-
`ployee etc. A person node 1a2 can be linked to a pet node
`
`

`

`US 2008/0103784 Al
`
`May 1, 2008
`
`3a3 by a link with linkage type owner/pet, friend, admirer
`etc. (L18f and L18r). A person/object relationship can be
`owner, memberetc. As illustrated in FIG. 4, where the
`relationship is asymmetric,
`there will be two types of
`linkages r and f depending on the direction of the linkage
`between the two nodes, one being the inverse (reverse r) of
`the other (forward f). For example pet/owner, mother/son
`and father/daughter are such asymmetric relationships. A
`linkage may thus have reciprocal relationship types and be
`bidirectional e.g. node 1 to node 2 and node 2 to node 1. The
`relationship of node 1 to node 2 maynot be the sameas the
`relationship of node 2 to node 1. For example, the linkage
`type of a person node to a dog node may be owner while the
`linkage type of the same dog node to the person node may
`be pet.
`FIG. 5 illustrates the steps when a user creates a
`[0026]
`newnode. The user selects the feature from his/her control
`
`panel to create a newnode. The user selects a node type for
`the new node such as person, place, object or animal. Next
`the user selects a node sub-type from a menu provided for
`that node type, or by entering an acceptable sub-type (e.g.
`for a person node—living or deceased, for an animal node—
`pet/livestock;
`for an object node—organization/product
`etc.). Next, the user selects a further node sub-type from a
`menu provided for that node sub-type, or by entering an
`acceptable sub-type (e.g. for a node type person with a
`sub-type living, the further sub-type choice can be active or
`inactive etc.). Further levels of sub-type in the hierarchy can
`be specified. Node information is then entered to complete
`the node such as name, description etc.
`[0027]
`FIG.6 illustrates the steps in creating a new node
`and linking it to an existing node. The user goes to an
`existing node 30 (which neednotbe the user’s node 31). The
`user selects the feature from the node’s control panel to
`create a new node. The userselects a node type for the new
`node such as person, place, object or animal. Next,
`if
`desired,
`the user selects a node sub-type from a menu
`provided for that node type, or by entering an acceptable
`sub-type (e.g. for a person node—living or deceased, for an
`animal node—pet/livestock, for an object node—organiza-
`tion/product etc.). Next
`the user selects a further node
`sub-type from a menu providedfor that node sub-type, or by
`entering an acceptable sub-type (e.g. for a node type person
`with a sub-type living, the further sub-type choice can be
`active or inactive etc.). Further levels of sub-type in the
`hierarchy can be specified. Node information is then entered
`to complete the node such as name, description etc. Next the
`user selects the linkage type to define the relationship
`between the two nodes to be linked from a menu which
`
`provides the set of linkages L which can exist between the
`two nodes, as shownin FIG.4, or by entering an acceptable
`linkage (e.g. father/daughter, pet/owneretc.).
`[0028]
`FIG.7 illustrates the steps in linking twoexisting
`nodes. The user goesto or selects thefirst existing node of
`any type or sub-type by clicking on the node, identifyingits
`unique identifier, or by searching and selecting from key-
`word identifiers or other search terms. Next the user selects
`
`the nodeto be linked, which can be any type or sub-type, by
`clicking onit, identifying its unique identifier, or by search-
`ing for and selecting from keyword identifiers or other
`search terms. Next the user selects the linkage type to define
`the relationship between the nodesto be linked from a menu
`which provides the set of linkages L which can exist
`
`between the two nodes, as shown in FIG.4, or by entering
`an acceptable linkage type (e.g. father/daughter, pet/owner
`etc.).
`[0029] Users who have registered with the system are
`“active” while individual persons whose nodes form part of
`a network of living and non-living entities but have not
`registered with the system are “inactive”. An “active” node
`is one whoseassociated user has registered with the system,
`and whois alive. It contains the home page and information
`pertaining to the user represented by the node, as well as a
`control panel accessible to the living individual person that
`it represents. Nodes which are not “active” are either des-
`ignated as “potentially-active” or “inactive”. A “potentially-
`active” node is one whose associated entity is a live person
`or organization of persons but whohasnotregistered with
`the system, and an “inactive” node is one whose associated
`user is deceased or which represents an entity other than a
`living person or organization of living persons. The effect of
`these designations is discussed further below. A potentially-
`active node contains the data and tools associated with the
`
`potentially-active node, a control panel andall other asso-
`ciated features of the potentially-active node. An “inactive”
`node contains a homepage as described below and a control
`panel for other living users to edit the node.
`[0030] While an “inactive” node will always remain so
`(unless the designation was made in error), a “potentially-
`active” node becomes “active” once the living individual
`personthat it represents joins the system through registration
`as described further below. An active node becomesinactive
`whenthe associated individual person thatit represents dies.
`These designations affect how the information connected
`with the node can be modified, and how communicationsare
`made between nodes. Thus the system designates nodes 30
`as active, potentially-active, or inactive. Living persons or
`organizations of persons can represent themselves to other
`persons or organizations of persons through their active
`nodes and interact electronically with other persons or
`organizations of persons represented by an active node.
`[0031] An inactive node can contain information pertain-
`ing to the entity that it represents, a home page, communi-
`cation tools, data andfiles, storage space, and tools to allow
`one or more living individual persons to view, add, edit, or
`delete information pertaining to the entity that it represents,
`such as by clicking on a link which takes the individual
`person to a control panel. The control panel of the inactive
`node allows one or more living individual persons to inde-
`pendently add, edit, or delete information for the same
`inactive node, such as by clicking on a link to go to an
`editing page. The identity of the contributor is automatically
`recorded. All contributions and contributors to the same
`
`entity’s home page can be viewed from the entity’s node.
`The inactive node can also contain communication tools
`
`which allow living individual persons to exchange informa-
`tion pertaining to the entity that it represents.
`[0032] A potentially-active node can contain information
`pertaining to the living individual person or organization of
`personsthatit represents, home page, communicationtools,
`data andfiles, storage space, and tools to allow one or more
`living individual persons to view, add, edit, or delete infor-
`mation pertaining to the individual personthat it represents.
`The potentially-active node can also contain invitation tools
`which allow other individual personsto invite the individual
`person or organization of persons represented by the poten-
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`tially-active node to register with the system and thereby
`change the potentially-active node to active.
`[0033] The network of living and non-living entities as
`shown in FIG.2 is thus created by the addition and linkage
`of a node to one or more other additional nodes, or by
`uploading a file. The linkage can have one or more defined
`linkage types representing different
`relationship types.
`Nodesare thus linked by precise linkage types representing
`the actual relationship type which exists between the person,
`place, object or animal represented bythe linked nodes. An
`individual person’s node may occupy more than oneposi-
`tion in the same network. For example an individual per-
`son’s node may belinked to the network as both a friend of
`one node and a co-worker of another node in the same
`
`than a user with an active node. Any number of nodes and
`linkages can be created independently and added to the
`network.
`
`Editing the Network of Living and Non-Living Entities
`
`[0038] The network of living and non-living entities can
`be edited by living individual persons whoare represented
`by active nodes within the same network of living and
`non-living entities or another networkor outside the network
`of living and non-living entities in the system. An inactive
`node can be edited by one or more living individual persons
`such as ones who are represented by an active node. For
`example, person nodes 33 or animal nodes 39 can be edited
`by editing the facts, records, life story or other information
`about an individual person or animal, or by altering whether
`they are living or deceased, or by leaving a testimonial,
`adding photos or other information. A node for a place 35
`can be edited by adding testimonials, stories etc. about the
`place. Anode for an object 37 can be edited by adding details
`of the object such as location, price, specifications etc.
`[0039] A potentially-active node can also be edited by one
`or more living individual persons or organizations of per-
`sons whoare represented by an active node 36. An active
`node 36 can be edited by the sameliving individual person
`or organizations of persons represented by the node. The
`active node can also be edited by one or moreotherliving
`individual persons or organizations of persons who are
`represented by another active node 36, such as by leaving a
`testimonial, adding photos or other feedback, provided per-
`mission is obtained as described below.
`
`network. The relationship of a node to another node within
`the same networkof living and non-living entities can also
`be represented by more than one defined linkage type. For
`example an individual person may be a spouse of another
`individual person in the network as well as a co-worker.
`[0034] A living individual person with an active node can
`view the connection, one or a series of defined linkages of
`nodes, between its own node and any other node in the
`network of living and non-living entities. The user can
`determine the linkage and view the connection between the
`user’s node 31 and another node 30, as shown in FIG.2, by
`clicking on a hyperlink or from a home page, such as by
`clicking on a link, and from whichthe user can view a chain
`showing the precise connection between any two nodes. The
`network of living and non-living entities 24 can be viewed
`[0040] The network of living and non-living entities can
`directly from the home page associated with the node or
`also be edited by adding new nodesto the network of living
`from the control panel of the viewer.
`and non-living entities 24, and by adding or modifying a
`[0035] The network of living and non-living entities 24
`series of linkages 32 between the existing nodes in the
`can be viewed in many ways, suchas graphically as a set of
`networkofliving and non-living entities 24. The network of
`nodes 30 connected by their associated linkages 32, or as a
`living and non-living entities can be edited by changing the
`list. The network of living and non-living entities can be
`linkage type of an existing linkage in the networkofliving
`presented graphically by setting a single node as the root of
`and non-living entities or by deleting a linkage. The per-
`the network of living and non-living entities and displaying
`mission for a living individual person or organizations of
`a set numberof linkages 32 radiating from the root node.
`persons whois represented by an active nodeto add, edit or
`Anotherpart of the network of living and non-living entities
`delete a node in the network ofliving and non-living entities
`can be viewedbyresetting another nodeasthe root. This can
`is defined by the relationship of the editing user’s node to the
`be done by entering that node’s usernameoridentifier, or by
`node to be edited as well as relationship to all other active
`clicking on a link from the node of interest. When the
`nodes within the same network of living and non-living
`network of living and non-living entities 24 is viewed from
`entities who will be affected by the addition. The permission
`a nodeorits associated control panel, the entity represented
`for a living individual person or organizations of persons
`by the node or control panelis set as the original root. When
`whois represented by an active nodeto edit a linkage 32 in
`a viewer navigates the network of living and non-living
`the network of living and non-living entities 24 can be
`entities away from the original root, the path back to the
`defined by living individual persons or organizations of
`original root is displayed. The network of living and non-
`persons whowill be affected by the edit. The right of a user
`living entities for any individual entity can be viewed by
`to edit the network is dependent on the location of the node
`viewing the individual entity’s node.
`to be edited relative to the user’s node and any other active
`[0036] Nodes, linkages, linkage types, and all data per-
`nodes affected by the edit between the edited node and the
`taining to the network can be categorized, sorted and stored
`user’s node. The network of living and non-living entities 24
`in the same database which forms part of the system and
`can also be edited by adding new data to a node 30 within
`retrievable from the same system. Data is categorized and
`the network of living and non-living entities, such as by
`has a commonstructure within the same node type.
`changing or deleting existing data connected with the node,
`or by changing the node type. For example, an “active”
`[0037]
`Instead of being constructed by an active user, a
`designation for a node can be converted to a “potentially-
`network of living and non-living entities can be created or
`active” designation. An “active” designation for a node can
`contributed by a user who is not a memberof that network
`of living and non-living entities, or by a user who is not
`also be converted to an “inactive” designation, for example
`
`registered with the system, such as byuploadingafile such once the individual person that it represents becomes
`
`
`as a GEDCOMfile, or by the system managers. Thus one or
`deceased. A “potentially-active” designation for a node can
`more nodesin the network can be created by an entity other
`also be converted to an “inactive” designation once the
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`individual person that it represents becomes deceased. An
`inactive designation for a node can also be converted to a
`“potentially-active” designation to make a correction, and a
`“potentially-active” designation for a node can also be
`converted to an “active” designation as discussed below.
`[0041] Once a node becomes active, the persons or orga-
`nization of persons represented by the node can add to the
`network ofliving and non-living entities 24 by creating new
`nodes 30 for entities that he/she would like to add to the
`network of living and non-living entities and linking the
`nodes to existing nodes in the network of living and non-
`living entities through defined relationships, thus growing
`the network of living and non-living entities. Individual
`persons with active nodes can edit the network ofliving and
`non-living entities by editing other pote