Collections of linked databases

Abstract

Methods and systems relating to inferential networks are provided herein. This technology is further directed to methods and systems for making and using inferential networks. Still further, this technology is generally directed to making one or more inferential networks by using data generated from directed searches of collections of linked databases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for informing a reader of an electronic document that a reader's personal communication network includes a database that is likely to possess information on a topic related to a word appearing in the electronic document, the method comprising:
 comparing text recited in the electronic document and content within the database in the reader's personal communication network, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases;   identifying a relationship between the word appearing in the electronic document and the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network; and   displaying a visual indicator distinguishing the word from other words in the electronic document that are unrelated to the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including:
 establishing a hyperlink from the word and/or visual indicator appearing in the electronic document to the database in the reader's personal communication network.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identifying includes:
 searching the text recited in the electronic document;   searching the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network; and   determining whether the topic is related to at least one word of text recited in the electronic document and at least a portion of the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identifying uses an electronic library of terms and topics related to the word, and wherein the word does not directly match the content. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the displaying includes at least one of:
 altering a color of the word to a color that distinguishes the word from surrounding text in the electronic document; and   underscoring the word to a color that distinguishes the word from surrounding text in the electronic document.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic document is a web page retrieved from remote system and/or device, the web page including search results returned in response to at least one of a directed search and a broadcast search of the reader's personal communication network. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the personal communication network indicates to whom the reader communicates with regarding particular subjects or fields of interest. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including:
 comparing the text recited in the electronic document with databases in the reader's personal communication network to determine the database likely to possess information on the topic.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the databases in the reader's personal communication network to which the text recited in the electronic database is compared are limited to databases within a reader-selected number of degrees of separation from a selected database in the reader's personal communication network, the selected database being designated by the reader as being likely to have searchable data that is related to at least a portion of the sought-after data. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the databases in the reader's personal communication network to which the text recited in the electronic database is compared are limited to databases identified with one or more members of the reader's personal communication network that are located in a desired geographic region or affiliated with a desired medical institution. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the related term is a topic having sub-topics, and wherein the method further includes:
 identifying the sub-topics of the topic by accessing a library of related terms and topics; and,   comparing the sub-topics recited in the electronic document with the databases in the reader's personal communication network.   
     
     
         12 . A system for informing a reader of an electronic document that a reader's personal communication network includes a database that is likely to possess information on a topic related to a word appearing in the electronic document, wherein said device includes:
 at least one processor programmed to:
 compare text recited in the electronic document and content within the database in the reader's personal communication network, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases; 
 identify a relationship between the word appearing in the electronic document and the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network; and 
 display a visual indicator distinguishing the word from other words in the electronic document that are unrelated to the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least processor is further programmed to:
 establish a hyperlink from the word and/or visual indicator appearing in the electronic document to the database in the reader's personal communication network.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the identification includes:
 searching the text recited in the electronic document;   searching the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network; and   determining whether the topic is related to at least one word of text recited in the electronic document and at least a portion of the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the identification uses an electronic library of terms and topics related to the word, and wherein the word does not directly match the content. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the electronic document is a web page retrieved from remote system and/or device, the web page including search results returned in response to at least one of a directed search and a broadcast search of the reader's personal communication network. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least processor is further programmed to:
 compare the text recited in the electronic document with databases in the reader's personal communication network to determine the database likely to possess information on the topic.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the databases in the reader's personal communication network to which the text recited in the electronic database is compared are limited to at least one of:
 databases within a reader-selected number of degrees of separation from a selected database in the reader's personal communication network, the selected database being designated by the reader as being likely to have searchable data that is related to at least a portion of the sought-after data; and   databases identified with one or more members of the reader's personal communication network that are located in a desired geographic region or affiliated with a desired medical institution.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the related term is a topic having sub-topics, and wherein the at least processor is further programmed to:
 identify the sub-topics of the topic by accessing a library of related terms and topics; and,   compare the sub-topics recited in the electronic document with the databases in the reader's personal communication network.   
     
     
         20 . A nontransitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for informing a reader of an electronic document that a reader's personal communication network includes a database that is likely to possess information on a topic related to a word appearing in the electronic document, the method comprising:
 comparing text recited in the electronic document and content within the database in the reader's personal communication network, the personal communication network being a type of social network that is based upon communication links between electronically stored databases;   identifying a relationship between the word appearing in the electronic document and the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network; and   displaying a visual indicator distinguishing the word from other words in the electronic document that are unrelated to the content within the database in the reader's personal communication network.