Compensation based on entity groups

Abstract

Various implementations for providing compensation based at least in part on a number of entity groups are described. A relationship network associated with an entity includes a plurality of network entities. The relationship network is determined, and a number of entity groups within the relationship network are counted. The entity groups have a predetermined number of network entities. An entity is caused to be provided with compensation that is based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network.

1 . A method, comprising:
 determining, by a computing system, a relationship network associated with an entity, the relationship network including a plurality of network entities;   counting, by the computing system, a number of entity groups in the relationship network, individual ones of the entity groups having a predetermined number of network entities; and   causing, by the computing system, the entity to be provided with compensation that is based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein individual ones of the entity groups are characterized by having network entities with direct connections to common network entities that are associated with the individual ones the entity groups. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a first subset of the number of entity groups within a personal network and a second subset of the number of entity groups within an extended network, and wherein the causing the entity to be provided with the compensation is based at least in part on numbers of entity groups within the first subset and the second subset. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, for the entity, a compensation tier that the entity has achieved based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network, and wherein the causing the entity to be provided with the compensation is based at least in part on the determined compensation tier. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the determined compensation tier is one of a plurality of compensation tiers, individual ones of the plurality of compensation tiers characterized as being associated with corresponding minimum numbers of entity groups. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the determined compensation tier is one of a plurality of compensation tiers, wherein subsets of the plurality of compensation tiers are grouped into compensation bands, and wherein the method further comprises causing the entity to be provided with a reward based at least in part on achievement of a compensation tier that is within a compensation band not previously achieved by the entity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the relationship network is associated with a mobile telephony service, and wherein the entity and the plurality of network entities are subscribers to the mobile telephony service. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises causing the entity to be provided with other compensation based at least in part on purchases made by network entities within the relationship network. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the calculating of the other compensation includes determining, for the entity, a compensation tier that the entity has achieved based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network, and wherein the causing the other compensation to be provided is based at least in part on a percentage associated with the determined commissioning tier. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a subset of the plurality of network entities with direct connections to the entity; and   determining, for individual ones of the subset, corresponding percentages of the plurality of entity groups that connect to the entity via the individual ones of the subset;   wherein the causing the compensation to be provided is based at least in part on a highest one of the corresponding percentages.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining another number of the plurality of network entities with direct connections to the entity, and wherein the causing the entity to be provided with the compensation is based at least in part on the other number. 
     
     
         12 . A computing system, comprising:
 memory;   one or more processors;   a relationship network module stored on the memory and executable by the one or more processors to determine a relationship network associated with an entity, the relationship network including a plurality of network entities; and   a compensation module stored on the memory and executable by the one more processors to cause the entity to be provided with compensation based at least in part on a number of entity groups within the relationship network, individual ones of the entity groups having a predetermined number of network entities.   
     
     
         13 . The computing system of  claim 12 , wherein individual ones of the plurality of entity groups include corresponding network entities with connections to corresponding common network entities. 
     
     
         14 . The computing system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the relationship network module is further executable to determine a subset of the entity groups within a personal network portion of the relationship network; and   the compensation module is further executable to cause the entity to be provided with the compensation further based at least in part on another number of the subset of the entity groups within the personal network portion of the relationship network.   
     
     
         15 . The computing system of  claim 12 , wherein the compensation module is further configured to:
 determine a compensation tier for the entity based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network; and   cause the compensation to be provided to the entity based at least in part on the compensation tier.   
     
     
         16 . The computing system of  claim 15 , wherein subsets of the plurality of compensation tiers are grouped into compensation bands, and wherein the compensation module is further executable to cause a reward to be provided to the entity based at least in part on achievement of a compensation tier that is within a compensation band not previously achieved by the entity. 
     
     
         17 . The computing system of  claim 12 , wherein the compensation module is further configured to:
 determine a compensation tier for the entity based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network; and   cause other compensation to be provided to the entity based at least in part on the determined compensation tier and purchases made by network entities within the relationship network.   
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the relationship network module is further executable to determine another number of the plurality of network entities with direct connections to the entity; and   the compensation module is further executable to determine the compensation tier further based at least in part on the other number being greater than or equal to a minimum number for the determined compensation tier.   
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the relationship network module is further executable to determine, for individual ones of a subset of the plurality of network entities with direct connections to the entity, corresponding percentages of the plurality of entity groups that connect to the entity via the individual ones of the subset; and   the compensation module is further executable to cause the compensation to be provided based at least in part on the corresponding percentages.   
     
     
         20 . One or more computer-readable storage media comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors of a computing device to cause the computing device to:
 determine a relationship network associated with an entity, the relationship network including a plurality of network entities;   count a number of entity groups in the relationship network, individual ones of the entity groups having a predetermined number of network entities; and   cause the entity to be provided with compensation that is based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network.   
     
     
         21 - 25 . (canceled)