Social Network Telephonic Connection Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack efficient methods for establishing real-time telephonic connections between members of a social network, particularly in a manner that allows for performance-based advertising and tracking of connections for advertisers and service providers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for identifying telephonic references within social network profiles, presenting user interface elements for initiating telephonic connections, and using a connection server to manage and track these connections, allowing for performance-based advertising and billing based on successful connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional directory assistance services are used to find contact information, then customers can obtain phone numbers and addresses, but customers are charged fees and required to listen to advertisements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to directly access contact information of social network connections through their own devices without requiring assistance from directory services. Users can initiate calls directly through the social network interface, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on external directory assistance services
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the contact information functionality from traditional directory assistance services and integrates it directly into the social network platform. By pulling out the phone number lookup and calling capabilities and embedding them in the social network interface, users gain direct access without fees or advertisements
2Loss of information
If advertisements are included in web pages to reach web users globally, then advertisers can reach a wider audience, but advertisements contain only limited information requiring additional clicks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges contact information, communication capabilities, and social network features into a single integrated interface. By combining phone numbers, calling functions, and connection management directly in the social network profile view, users access complete information without needing to click through multiple pages or advertisements
Solution Approach 2:
The social network interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: displaying profiles, providing contact information, enabling direct calling, and managing connections. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate advertisements or additional clicks to access detailed contact information
3Reliability
If telephone connections are established through traditional switching centers, then real-time voice communication is enabled, but the system lacks ability to track and measure advertising performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that track call initiation, connection status, and communication duration. By monitoring these parameters and reporting them to advertisers, the system provides measurable performance data while maintaining reliable real-time communication through the connection server infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The connection server acts as an intermediary between the communication network and the advertising system. It mediates the call connection process while simultaneously collecting and reporting performance data, enabling both reliable communication and measurable advertising effectiveness without interfering with the actual voice transmission
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses to provide telephonic connections to members of a social network. One embodiment includes: identifying a first member connected to a second member in a social network; determining whether profile data of the first member of the social network includes a telephonic reference of the first member; presenting a user interface element to the second member over a data communication network in response to a determination that the profile data of the first member includes the telephonic reference of the first member; and responsive to a selection of the user interface element, initiating a first telephonic connection to the first member using the telephonic reference of the first member and a second telephonic connection to the second member to provide a telephonic connection between the first member and the second member.