Online dating service enabling testimonials for a service subscriber

• US 20060059164A1
• Filed: 09/06/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Oath Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smola, Egon, Wang, Wei, Truong, Vu Hao Thi, Clancy, Maurice L. Jr., Ong, Herbert, Ksar, Ramsey M., Weiss, Aaron F., Sharma, Nawien
• Application Number:
  US11/220,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20060059164A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/95 Retrieval from the web
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards enhancing an online dating service experience by enabling a subscriber to the service to provide an online dating testimonial from a friend, family member, companion, and the like, to another subscriber. The invention further enables the subscriber to tell a date how they may feel about the date in a non-email format. In one embodiment, the subscriber may select from a list of predefined online dating messages. The subscriber may also modify the predefined online dating message before sending to the date.

Claims

1. A method for use in managing an online dating message, comprising:

selecting a recipient from an online dating environment;

selecting at least one predefined online dating feedback message from a set of predefined online dating feedback messages;

modifying at least a portion of the selected predefined online dating feedback message;

sending the modified predefined online dating feedback message towards the selected recipient; and

if an online dating testimonial is received, providing access to the online dating testimonial within the online dating environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the recipient further comprises selecting the recipient from at least one of an online dating candidate, and a date.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the online dating candidate further comprises a candidate selected from a list of online dating candidates obtainable, in part, by performing an online dating search.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of predefined online dating feedback messages further comprises at least one message for indicating a desire for a date, indicating a desire for another date, indicating that no further contact is desired, indicating that prior form of contact was enjoyable, indicating a compliment, providing dating or relationship help or advice, and indicating that prior form of contact was not enjoyable.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is configured to operate with a mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the online dating testimonial is received from at least one of a friend, and a family member.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the modified online dating feedback message further comprises sending a non-email formatted message.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing access to the online dating testimonial further comprises providing access using a URL link.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

composing another online dating feedback message; and

sending the composed online dating feedback message to at least one other recipient within the online dating environment.

10. A client device that is configured for use in communicating an online dating message, comprising:

a display;

a transceiver for receiving and sending information to another computing device;

a processor in communication with the display and the transceiver; and

a memory in communication with the processor and storing data and machine instructions that causes the processor to perform a plurality of operations, including;

selecting a recipient from an online dating environment;

selecting at least one predefined online dating feedback message from a set of predefined online dating feedback messages;

modifying at least a portion of the selected predefined online dating feedback message;

enabling the modified predefined online dating feedback message to be sent towards the selected recipient; and

if an online dating testimonial is received, providing access to the online dating testimonial within the online dating environment.

11. The client device of claim 10, wherein selecting the recipient further comprises selecting the recipient from at least one of an online dating candidate, and a date.

12. The client device of claim 11, wherein the online dating candidate further comprises a candidate selected from a list of online dating candidates obtainable, in part, by performing an online dating search.

13. The client device of claim 10, wherein the set of predefined online dating feedback messages further comprises at least one message for indicating a desire for a date, indicating a desire for another date, indicating that no further contact is desired, indicating that prior form of contact was enjoyable, indicating a compliment, providing dating or relationship help or advice, and indicating that prior form of contact was not enjoyable.

14. The client device of claim 10, wherein the client device is configured to operate as a mobile device.

15. The client device of claim 10, wherein the online dating testimonial is received from at least one of a friend, and a family member.

16. A mobile device that is configured for use in communicating an online dating message, comprising:

a display;

a transceiver for receiving and sending information to another computing device over a wireless network;

a processor in communication with the display and the transceiver; and

a memory in communication with the processor and storing data and machine instructions that causes the processor to perform a plurality of operations, including;

selecting a recipient from an online dating environment;

selecting at least one predefined online dating feedback message from a set of predefined online dating feedback messages;

modifying at least a portion of the selected predefined online dating feedback message;

enabling the modified predefined online dating feedback message to be sent towards the selected recipient; and

if an online dating testimonial is received, providing access to the online dating testimonial within the online dating environment.

17. A server that is configured for use in managing an online dating message, comprising:

a transceiver for receiving and sending information to another computing device;

a processor in communication with the transceiver; and

a memory in communication with the processor and storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to perform a plurality of operations, including;

enable a selection of a recipient from an online dating environment;

enable a selection of at least one predefined online dating feedback message from a set of predefined online dating feedback messages;

enable a modification of at least a portion of the selected predefined online dating feedback message;

sending the modified predefined online dating feedback message towards the selected recipient; and

if an online dating testimonial is received, providing access to the online dating testimonial within the online dating environment.

18. The server of claim 17, wherein the server is configured to communicate with a mobile device.

19. The server of claim 17, wherein the online dating testimonial is received from at least one of a friend, and a family member.

20. The server of claim 17, wherein sending the modified online dating feedback message further comprises sending a non-email formatted message.

21. An apparatus of managing an online dating message, comprising:

a means for selecting a recipient from an online dating environment;

a means for selecting at least one predefined online dating feedback message from a set of predefined online feedback messages;

a means for modifying at least a portion of the selected predefined online dating feedback message;

a means for sending the modified predefined online dating feedback message towards the selected recipient; and

if an online dating testimonial is received, a means for providing access to the online dating testimonial within the online dating environment.