Method and apparatus for acquiring content-based capital via a sharing technology

摘要

A server [115] or client-based content storage unit includes a communication device [300] to receive data corresponding to a transfer of at least one of media content and a link to the media content, from a first user [120] to a second user [125]. The communication device [300] also receives data corresponding to usage of the media content by the second user [125], and transmits some representation of a content capital to the first user [120]. A content usage aggregator [315] receives information corresponding to the usage of the media content by the second user [125]. A content usage evaluator [310] determines the content capital based on an aggregation of monitored use of the media content by the second user [125].

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
monitoring by a computing device a first transfer of media content or a link to the media content, from a first user to a second user; the computing device determining a first content capital score between the first user and the second user based on how many times the second user forwarded the media content or the link received from the first user and how many times the media content was viewed or played by the second user, wherein different weights are assigned to a number of times that the media content was viewed or played, the first content capital score being an indication of the first user's influence over the second user; the computing device forwarding the first content capital score to the first user so that the first user has the indication of the first user's influence over the second user; monitoring by the computing device a second transfer of media content or a link to the media content, from the first user to a third user; the computing device determining a second content capital score between the first user and the third user based on how many times the third user forwarded the media content or the link received from the first user and how many times the media content was viewed or played by the third user; and the computing device forwarding the second content capital score to the first user so that the first user has indication of the first user's influence over the third user.