Flexible rule-based communication system and method for controlling the flow of and access to information between computer users

摘要

Flexible rule-based information system allows information originators, administrators, recipients, and requesters (collectively, “users”) to control and influence the flow of and access to information. How much control each user is given depends on the configuration of the system by the administrator and the choice of system-wide rules by the administrator. The originators generate messages or evaluate external content, then optionally specify rules indicating the type of recipients they would like to reach. Recipients specify rules indicating what types of messages and from what types of originators they want to receive. Users provide profile information and have incentive to provide as much information as possible so as to trigger the right rules.