Representing connection paths between users of a social network

Abstract

A method and system for evaluating the reputation of a member of a social networking system is disclosed. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, one or more attributes associated with a social networking profile of a member of a social network are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a ranking, rating or score is assigned to a particular category of reputation. When requested, the ranking, rating or score is displayed to a user of the social network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for generating a visualization of one or more connection paths between a searching member and a target member in a social networking system, the method comprising:
 storing a plurality of relationships between a plurality of members of the social networking system, the plurality of members including the searching member and the target member;   receiving a search request, the search request initiated on behalf of the searching member;   processing the search request to identify a plurality of results, the plurality of results including the target member;   analyzing the plurality of relationships between the searching member and the target member to identify the one or more connection paths between the searching member and the target member; and   generating a display profile of the target member for display, the display profile including the visualization of the one or more connection paths between the searching member and the target member, the visualization including a selection of a predetermined number of the one or more connection paths and a link for triggering an indirect contact request to the target member, wherein the generating of the display profile of the target member is performed by one or more computer processors.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating, responsive to receiving an activation signal for the link for triggering the indirect contact request, a contact request form, the contact request form permitting receipt of a completed contract request comprising a first-degree contact on the connection path between the searching member and the target member and a message to the first-degree contact;   receiving the completed contact request form; and   generating a message to the first-degree contact, the message including the completed contact request and an approval link for the first-degree contact to approve the request.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined number of the one or more connection paths is three. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization obscures an additional number of the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selection of the predetermined number of the one or more connection paths is based on lengths of the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selection of the one or more connection paths is based on strengths of one or more connections in the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization further includes a link for viewing a partial profile of the target user. 
     
     
         8 . A system for generating a visualization of one or more connection paths between a searching member and a target member in a social networking system, the system comprising:
 a memory comprising a set of instructions;   one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to, based on the set of instructions,   store a plurality of relationships between a plurality of members of the social networking system, the plurality of members including the searching member and the target member;   receive a search request, the search request initiated on behalf of the searching member;   process the search request to identify a plurality of results, the plurality of results including the target member;   analyze the plurality of relationships between the searching member and the target member to identify the one or more connection paths between the searching member and the target member; and   generate a display profile of the target member for display, the display profile including a visualization of the one or more connection paths between the searching member and the target member, the visualization including a selection of a predetermined number of the one or more connection paths and a link for triggering an indirect contact request to the target member.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, based on the set of instructions:
 generate, responsive to receiving an activation signal for the link for triggering the indirect contact request, a contact request form, the contact request form permitting receipt of a completed contract request comprising a first-degree contact on the connection path between the searching member and the target member and a message to the first-degree contact;   receive the completed contact request form; and   generate a message to the first-degree contact, the message including the completed contact request and an approval link for the first-degree contact to approve the request.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined number of the one or more connection paths is three. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the visualization obscures an additional number of the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the selection of the predetermined number of the one or more connection paths is based on lengths of the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the selection of the one or more connection paths is based on one or more strengths of one or more connections in the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the visualization further includes a link for viewing a partial profile of the target user. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for generating a visualization of one or more connection paths between a searching member and a target member in a social networking system, the apparatus comprising:
 means for storing a plurality of relationships between a plurality of members of the social networking system, the plurality of members including the searching member and the target member;   means for receiving a search request, the search request initiated on behalf of the searching member;   means for processing the search request to identify a plurality of results, the plurality of results including the target member;   means for analyzing the plurality of relationships between the searching member and the target member to identify the one or more connection paths between the searching member and the target member; and   means for generating a display profile of the target member for display, the display profile including a visualization of the one or more connection paths between the searching member and the target member, the visualization including a selection of a predetermined number of the one or more connection paths and a link for triggering an indirect contact request to the target member.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 means for, responsive to receiving an activation signal for the link for triggering the indirect contact request, generating a contact request form, the contact request form permitting receipt of a completed contract request comprising a first-degree contact on the connection path between the searching member and the target member and a message to the first-degree contact;   means for receiving the completed contact request form; and   means for generating a message to the first-degree contact, the message including the completed contact request and an approval link for the first-degree contact to approve the request.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined number of the one or more connection paths is three. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the visualization obscures an additional number of the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the selection of the predetermined number of the one or more connection paths is based on lengths of the one or more connection paths. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the selection of the one or more connection paths is based on strengths of one or more connections in the one or more connection paths.