Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects digital data processing systems and methods that match search objectives across user accounts. In one such aspect, such a system includes one or more digital data processors that limit access to data associated each of one or more users as a function of credentials, where that data includes information about the associated user, other persons and/or entities (such as, for example, businesses). Search functionality provided in such a system matches search objectives against data associated with multiple said users having different respective credentials to identify data meeting those objectives. And, that search functionality responds to identification of data meeting such an objective by notifying one or more users associated with that data.

Abstract: A method for querying the collective social network on behalf of a limited group of users is described. The method consists of a system that schedules and executes searches according to a set of search objectives specified by the users. The system searches each member's social network for a connection that matches any search objective.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus according to the invention comprises a lattice data set with a partial order of concepts (LDSWPOC) including a plurality of data elements, each of which belongs to exactly one associated concept. The set of concepts carries the structure of a partial order. Each data elements associated with a concept may be linked to one or more other data elements associated with one or more other concepts. The links define (i) a path between data elements directly linked thereby and/or (ii) a portion of a path between data elements linked by intermediate subsets of data elements. The paths define a relationship between the data elements in accord with the partial order of the concepts with which they are associated, such that selected conditions and/or constraints (collectively, “conditions”) are satisfied.