Social Network Connectedness Assessment via Indirect Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ambiguity in determining the strength or quality of connections between individuals on a social network, as direct connections may not accurately reflect acquaintance and indirect connections lack clear qualitative assessment.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines connectedness by analyzing direct and indirect connections, considering the number and type of intermediate individuals, and incorporating qualitative information from social networks to quantify the strength of relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct connection is used to represent relationship between individuals, then connection simplicity is improved, but connection accuracy deteriorates because direct connection may result from single meeting and not reflect actual acquaintance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection assessment into multiple independent components: direct connection analysis, indirect connection analysis, and qualitative value analysis. Each component evaluates specific aspects of the relationship separately, allowing the system to maintain simple direct connection representation while adding layered analysis for improved accuracy through segmentation of the evaluation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by evaluating connections not only through direct/indirect structural paths but also through qualitative values derived from social network information. This adds a qualitative dimension to the previously quantitative structural assessment, enabling simultaneous maintenance of simplicity and improvement of accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If indirect connection is used to represent relationship between individuals, then connection coverage is improved, but connection quality assessment deteriorates because indirect connections lack clear qualitative assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces qualitative value as an intermediary metric that mediates between the structural indirect connection and the actual relationship quality. This intermediary component translates complex indirect connection patterns into assessable qualitative values, enabling quality assessment of connections that would otherwise be unmeasurable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the assessment parameter from purely structural (direct/indirect connection count) to include qualitative values derived from social network information. This parameter transformation enables meaningful quality assessment of indirect connections by converting social behavior patterns into measurable quality metrics
3Measurement precision
If quantitative measurement of connection strength is implemented, then connection assessment objectivity is improved, but connection depth analysis deteriorates because quantitative measures cannot capture qualitative relationship nuances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges quantitative structural measurement (direct/indirect connection analysis) with qualitative value assessment into a unified connection strength determination. This combination allows the system to maintain objectivity through quantitative methods while preserving qualitative nuances through integrated qualitative value evaluation, preventing information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite assessment model that combines multiple types of information (structural connection data and qualitative social network information) to form a comprehensive connection strength metric. This composite approach maintains objectivity through systematic evaluation while capturing qualitative nuances through multi-source data integration
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for determining the connectedness from a first individual to a second individual on a social network. In some embodiments, a method includes: (a) receiving information associated with the social network, (b) determining a direct connection between the first individual and the second individual, (c) determining one or more indirect connections between a first individual and a second individual, and (d) determining the connectedness based at least partially on: the direct connection, and/or the number of indirect connections between the first individual and the second individual, and/or the type of each indirect connection, and/or a qualitative value of each indirect connection. Embodiments of the invention allow a user of a system to determine the strength (or quality/closeness) of a connection between two individuals on a social network.