# US 10,311,329 B2 · Social connection via real-time image comparison

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,311,329 B2
- Document ID: US10311329B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/610,357
- Filed: 2015-01-30
- Published: 2016-08-04
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-30
- Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation
- Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation
- Inventors: Maryam Ashoori; Jason B. Ellis; Robert G. Farrell; Jonathan Lenchner; Clifford A. Pickover
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10311329B2

## CPC

- H04L 51/04: Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
- G06F 18/22: Matching criteria, e.g. proximity measures
- G06V 20/30: in albums, collections or shared content, e.g. social network photos or video
- H04L 51/046: Interoperability with other network applications or services
- H04L 51/10: Multimedia information
- H04L 51/52: for supporting social networking services
- H04L 67/306: User profiles
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING

## Abstract

A method and system are provided. The method includes acquiring a first image by a first user. The method further includes performing, using a processor, a comparative analysis of the first image and at least one other image acquired within a threshold time by at least one other user. The method also includes establishing a real-time communication interface between the first user and the at least one other user in response to the comparative analysis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer program product for social connection, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method comprising:
acquiring a first image by a first user;
performing, using a processor, a comparative analysis of the first image acquired by the first user and at least one other image acquired by at least one other user; and
establishing a real-time communication interface between the first user and the at least one other user in response to the comparative analysis,
wherein the comparative analysis is only performed responsive to the first image and the at least one other image being respectively acquired by the first user and the at least one other user within each of a respective user-settable predetermined threshold time respectively set by the first user and the at least one other user.

### Claim 2

A system, comprising:
an image acquisition device for acquiring a first image by a first user;
an image similarity determination device for performing a comparative analysis of the first image acquired by the first user and at least one other image acquired by at least one other user; and
a real-time communication establishment device for establishing a real-time communication interface between the first user and the at least one other user in response to the comparative analysis,
wherein the comparative analysis is only performed responsive to the first image and the at least one other image being respectively acquired by the first user and the at least one other user within each of a respective user-settable predetermined threshold time respectively set by the first user and the at least one other user.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one other image comprises a plurality of other images and the at least one other user comprises a plurality of other users, and the system further comprises an image selection device for selecting a best one of the plurality of other images in response to at least one of, characteristics of the plurality of other images, characteristics of the plurality of other users, other demographics of the plurality of other users, and geographic locations of the plurality of other users.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one other image comprises a plurality of other images and the at least one other user comprises a plurality of other users, and wherein the real-time communication establishment device places the first user and at least two of the plurality of other users with similar images into a multi-way chat session.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the comparative analysis is based upon features independently extracted from image acquisition devices used to acquire the first image and the at least one other image.