Electronic matching engine for matching desired characteristics with item attributes
First Claim
1. A method for matching user preferences with item characteristics in an electronic database, wherein items are stored in a database along with associated attributes and values, the database coupled to a processor and user input device, the method comprising accepting signals from the user input device to allow a user to specify preferences in the form of attributes and values;
- using the processor to identify one or more matches by using a weighted comparison among at least one value in the preferences and at least one value in the database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
? A digital system for matching desired characteristics with item attributes. The system provides for weighting of variable values to be matched, and substitution of variables or values. Both discrete and continuous weighting can be used. This approach provides for more flexible matching to yield practical and useful results without placing high requirements on the computer system. Weights can be assigned to variable values as defaults. Such assignment is usually performed by a system administrator, or the assignment can be calculated by a process in the matching engine (e.g., as a discrete or continuous function) or otherwise automatically derived. Weights can be selected by users (both buyers and sellers) by using a user interface that translates common expressions (e.g., “not required,” “desired,” “required”) into weighting values between 0 and 1. Alternatively, users can assign weights as a number, or by other means. One feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention allows preferences (i.e., characteristics and attributes) to be matched with regard to two different sides of a transaction. For example, both buyer and seller preferences can be taken into account in creating a match. This allows sellers to eliminate items or services from a particular transaction based on seller goals of profitability, or where it makes a difference as to who the buyer is, or what is being offered in exchange for an item or service for sale. For example, in a job market system, the “seller” is an employer who may require prospective candidates to have a minimum number of years of education.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for matching user preferences with item characteristics in an electronic database, wherein items are stored in a database along with associated attributes and values, the database coupled to a processor and user input device, the method comprising
accepting signals from the user input device to allow a user to specify preferences in the form of attributes and values; using the processor to identify one or more matches by using a weighted comparison among at least one value in the preferences and at least one value in the database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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6. A method for matching user preferences with item characteristics in an electronic database, wherein items are stored in a database along with associated attributes and values, the database coupled to a processor and user input device, the method comprising
accepting signals from the user input device to allow a user to specify preferences in the form of attributes and values; -
using the processor to identify one or more user matches by using a weighted comparison among at least one value in the preferences and at least one value in the database;
using the processor to identify one or more item matches by using a weighted comparison among at least one value in the database and at least one value in the preferences; and
informing the user of best matches, wherein the best matches include at least one match from the one or more user matches and at least one match from the one or more item matches.
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14. A method for matching buyer preferences with characteristics of items being sold in an electronic marketplace, the method comprising
accepting input from buyers to define buyer preferences as attribute/value pairs; -
storing definitions of items as attribute/value pairs; and
using weighting information with the attribute/value pairs to match buyer preferences with item characteristics by deriving a score for a match. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for generating a score for the strength of a match between first and second sets of attribute/value pairs, the method comprising
deriving a first score to indicate the strength of a match of the first set to the second set; - and
deriving a second score to indicate the strength of a match of the second set to the first set, wherein the first and second scores are not the same. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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29. A method for matching user preferences with item characteristics in an electronic database, wherein items are stored in a database along with associated attributes and values, the database coupled to a processor and user input device, the method comprising
accepting signals from the user input device to allow a user to specify preferences in the form of attributes and values; using the processor to identify one or more matches after performing a step of substituting one or more attributes in the preferences.
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30. A method for matching user preferences with item characteristics in an electronic database, wherein items are stored in a database along with associated attributes and values, the database coupled to a processor and user input device, the method comprising
accepting signals from the user input device to allow a user to specify preferences in the form of attributes and values; using the processor to identify one or more matches after performing a step of substituting one or more attributes in the characteristics.
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31. A method for matching user preferences with item characteristics in an electronic database, wherein items are stored in a database along with associated attributes and values, the database coupled to a processor and user input device, the method comprising
accepting signals from the user input device to allow a user to specify preferences in the form of attributes and values; -
substituting one or more attributes in either the characteristics or the preferences; and
subsequent to the step of substituting, performing the step of using the processor to identify one or more matches by using a weighted comparison among at least one value in the preferences and at least one value in the database.
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Specification