System and method for modeling and applying a people network representation
First Claim
1. A method for determining a contact path between a first individual and a target individual, the method comprising:
- performing using a computer system;
storing in a memory data associated with multiple individuals;
tracking network communications of the individuals;
determining a level of interaction between the individuals based on the network communications to develop a people network;
determining a contact path between the first individual and the target individual using the level of interaction based on the network communications between the first individual, the target individual, and one or more intervening individuals based on the network communications, the contact path including one or more of the intervening individuals having at least a predetermined level of interaction with at least one of the first individual and the target individual and the contact path identifies one or more of the intervening individuals that represent a proposed path through the people network for the first individual to contact the target individual, wherein the one or more individuals of the contact path include one or more intervening individuals other than the first individual and the target individual;
providing the contact path to the first individual;
analyzing recency and frequency of communications between the individuals; and
dynamically updating the people network based on the analysis of the recency and frequency of communications between the individuals.
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Abstract
A system and method for applying a people network representation to aid contact between a member of an organization and a target individual selects a contact path between the member and the target supported by analysis of the level of interaction between members of the organization based on network communications of the organization. Level of interaction is analyzed using network communications that take into account the recentness and frequency of interactions, such as email, ICQ, or phone interaction. To contact a targeted individual, for instance such as to obtain expertise in a desired area, the model of the people network allows determination of a contact path between the member and target which improves the likelihood of obtaining the target'"'"'s expertise. A contact path from a member may include a suggestion to contact the target through one or more intervening organization members.
24 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for determining a contact path between a first individual and a target individual, the method comprising:
performing using a computer system; storing in a memory data associated with multiple individuals; tracking network communications of the individuals; determining a level of interaction between the individuals based on the network communications to develop a people network; determining a contact path between the first individual and the target individual using the level of interaction based on the network communications between the first individual, the target individual, and one or more intervening individuals based on the network communications, the contact path including one or more of the intervening individuals having at least a predetermined level of interaction with at least one of the first individual and the target individual and the contact path identifies one or more of the intervening individuals that represent a proposed path through the people network for the first individual to contact the target individual, wherein the one or more individuals of the contact path include one or more intervening individuals other than the first individual and the target individual; providing the contact path to the first individual;
analyzing recency and frequency of communications between the individuals; anddynamically updating the people network based on the analysis of the recency and frequency of communications between the individuals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for determining a people network of multiple individuals, the system comprising:
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one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory electronic data storage devices, coupled to the one or more processors, to store data associated with the individuals and to store code executable by the one or more processors to; track network communications of the individuals; determine a level of interaction between the individuals based on the network communications to develop a people network; determine a contact path between the first individual and the target individual using the level of interaction between the first individual, the target individual, and one or more intervening individuals based on the network communications, the contact path including one or more of the intervening individuals having at least a predetermined level of interaction with at least one of the first individual and the target individual and the contact path identifies one or more of the intervening individuals that represent a proposed path through the people network for the first individual to contact the target individual, wherein the one or more individuals of the contact path include one or more intervening individuals other than the first individual and the target individual; provide the contact path to the first individual;
analyze recency and frequency of communications between the individuals; anddynamically update the people network based on the analysis of the recency and frequency of communications between the individuals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of utilizing a computer system for determining a contact path between a first individual and a target individual, the method comprising:
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storing in a non-transitory memory of the computer system data associated with multiple individuals; and executing one or more modules in the computer system to; track network communications of the individuals; determine a level of interaction between the individuals based on the network communications to develop a people network; determine a contact path between the first individual and the target individual using the level of interaction between the first individual, the target individual, and one or more intervening individuals based on the network communications, the contact path including one or more of the intervening individuals having at least a predetermined level of interaction with at least one of the first individual and the target individual and the contact path identifies one or more of the intervening individuals that represent a proposed path through the people network for the first individual to contact the target individual, wherein the one or more individuals of the contact path include one or more intervening individuals other than the first individual and the target individual; provide the contact path to the first individual; analyze recency and frequency of communications between the individuals; and dynamically update the people network based on the analysis of the recency and frequency of communications between the individuals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for determining a contact path between a first individual and a target individual, the apparatus comprising:
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a non-transitory computer readable medium for storing data associated with multiple individuals; and one or modules stored in one or more non-transitory computer readable media to; track network communications of the individuals; determine a level of interaction between the individuals based on the network communications to develop a people network; determine a contact path between the first individual and the target individual using the level of interaction between the first individual, the target individual, and one or more intervening individuals based on the network communications, the contact path including one or more of the intervening individuals having at least a predetermined level of interaction with at least one of the first individual and the target individual and the contact path identifies one or more of the intervening individuals that represent a proposed path through the people network for the first individual to contact the target individual, wherein the one or more individuals of the contact path include one or more intervening individuals other than the first individual and the target individual; provide the contact path to the first individual; analyze recency and frequency of communications between the individuals; and dynamically update the people network based on the analysis of the recency and frequency of communications between the individuals. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification