Patent ID: 7318037

Claim:
A computer implemented method for calculating relationship strengths between users of a computerized network, comprising: determining a relative total value based on a total quantity of electronic interactions between a first user and a second user of the computerized network; determining a relative exclusive value based on a total quantity of electronic interactions exclusively between the first user and the second user; determining a relative longevity value based on a length of time the first user and the second user have been electronically interacting, wherein the relative longevity value comprises a ratio of a sum of absolute interaction dates from a midpoint date between a first interaction and a last interaction between the first user and the second user, to a maximum sum of absolute interaction dates between the first user and all other users; determining a relative recency value based on a recency of electronic interactions between the first user and the second user; weighting the relative total value, the relative exclusive value, the relative recency value, and the relative longevity value to yield normalized values; and calculating a relationship strength between the first user and the second user based on the normalized values, wherein the relationship strength is used to facilitate communications between the first user and the second user.