Meme Virality Tracking via Perceptual Hashing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring the virality of Internet memes are subjective, platform-specific, and ineffective in tracking their proliferation across multiple social networks and media platforms, making it difficult to objectively assess their reach and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for identifying and tracking Internet memes by monitoring digital visual content for a common visual moment, using perceptual hashing to determine similarity, and tracking instances across platforms, allowing for objective measurement of virality and creation of a 'meme economy' for trading shares in popular memes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If subjective methods are used to measure meme virality, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision and objectivity are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememe virality measurement precisionVSAvoidtracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces perceptual hashing as an intermediary mechanism that automatically compares visual content across platforms. The hashing algorithm generates unique identifiers for meme images, enabling objective tracking without manual intervention. This intermediary system bridges the gap between simple measurement and precise tracking by automating the comparison process through cryptographic hashing techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective human evaluation with automated computational methods. Instead of relying on human judgment to assess meme virality, the system uses perceptual hashing algorithms and data analytics to objectively measure and track meme proliferation across multiple platforms, substituting mechanical computation for human subjective assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If platform-specific methods are used to track memes, then the tracking is easy to implement, but the adaptability across multiple platforms is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-platform tracking capabilityVSAvoidmulti-platform tracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal tracking system that operates across multiple social media platforms simultaneously. The perceptual hashing mechanism is platform-agnostic, generating consistent identifiers for the same meme image regardless of which platform it appears on. This universal approach enables cross-platform tracking by treating all platforms through a common methodological framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the tracking process into distinct functional components: image hashing, data collection from multiple sources, similarity comparison, and virality scoring. This segmentation allows the system to handle platform-specific variations at the data collection level while maintaining a unified analysis framework, thereby achieving cross-platform adaptability through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If manual tracking of meme instances is performed, then the system complexity is low, but the productivity and coverage of tracking are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememe tracking speed and coverageVSAvoidautomated tracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service tracking where the system automatically monitors, collects, and analyzes meme instances across platforms without requiring manual intervention. The perceptual hashing algorithm autonomously identifies and tracks meme variations, and the system automatically updates virality metrics as new instances are detected, enabling high-speed tracking with minimal human input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes continuous automated monitoring of meme proliferation across multiple platforms. The system operates continuously to detect new meme instances, update tracking data, and recalculate virality metrics in real-time, ensuring uninterrupted and comprehensive coverage of meme spread without the limitations of periodic manual tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4111404B1Internet meme economy
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SNAP INC
  • EP4111404B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4111404B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4111404B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method for facilitating an Internet meme economy, executed by one or more processors, comprises identifying an Internet meme, providing an offering of shares in the Internet meme at a first share price, receiving a cryptocurrency purchase of shares in the Internet meme from a user, tracking the reach of the Internet meme, and based on the tracking of the Internet meme reaching a first threshold, providing a buyback offer for shares in the Internet meme at a second share price, the second share price being greater than the first share price. The method may further comprise identifying an iteration of the Internet meme and assigning shares in the iteration of the Internet meme to shareholders of the Internet meme.