Dynamic resource matching system
First Claim
1. A resource matching apparatus comprising:
- a communication interface to communicate with one or more wireless devices;
a storage device configured to implement one or more databases for storing wireless device user preferences and application-specific user criteria; and
a processing unit coupled to the input interface and the storage device, the processing unit to implement a matching engine configured to obtain user preferences and application-specific user criteria for a wireless device user from the storage device, match the wireless device user with one or more resources based on the user preferences and application-specific user criteria, and send the matches to the wireless device user via the communication interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for implementing resource and/or location-based matching services between a wireless terminal (e.g., mobile phone) user and one or more resources. A novel infrastructure supports resource and/or location based matching services over a wireless network. A back-end system includes a database, server, and match engine that are configured match a user with one or more resources based on the user'"'"'s characteristics, preferences, and/or location. Such resources include (1) other users, (2) targeted advertising, (3) businesses/networking opportunities, and/or (4) locate a nearby service or store. A flexible database architecture supports application-specific resources which facilitate the deployment of various matching services. Application developers are thus able to implement different resource-matching applications for wireless devices through a common back-end infrastructure. Additionally, the match engine may include a feedback mechanism that permits the match engine to learn a user'"'"'s preferences.
172 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A resource matching apparatus comprising:
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a communication interface to communicate with one or more wireless devices;
a storage device configured to implement one or more databases for storing wireless device user preferences and application-specific user criteria; and
a processing unit coupled to the input interface and the storage device, the processing unit to implement a matching engine configured to obtain user preferences and application-specific user criteria for a wireless device user from the storage device, match the wireless device user with one or more resources based on the user preferences and application-specific user criteria, and send the matches to the wireless device user via the communication interface.
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2. The apparatus of 1 wherein the processing unit is further configured to
receive an indication that the wireless device user is ready to receive a match; -
receive an indication of the type of matching service the wireless device user desires;
receive one or more match criteria from the wireless device user; and
notify the match engine of the one or more match criteria.
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3. The apparatus of 1 wherein the processing unit is further configured to
receive a match selection from the wireless device user in response to the one or more matches; -
compare the match selection to the one or more matches sent to the wireless device user; and
adjust weights of the user preferences in the matching engine based on the wireless device user selection.
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4. The apparatus of 1 wherein the processing unit is further configured to
obtain current location information for the one or more wireless device users; - and
match the one or more resources to the wireless device user based on the current location of the wireless device user.
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5. The apparatus of 4 wherein the one or more resource matches are businesses in the vicinity of the wireless device user'"'"'s current location.
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6. The apparatus of 1 wherein the processing unit is further configured to
provide the wireless device user with a map or directions to the one or more resource matches.
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7. The apparatus of 1 wherein the processing unit is further configured to
provide the wireless device user with current location information of a second wireless device user.
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8. The apparatus of 1 wherein the storage device is configurable to store a plurality of databases to support one or more match-enabled applications.
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9. The apparatus of 1 wherein the storage device is configured to implement one or more databases for storing advertisements and the processing unit is further configured to match the wireless device user with one or more advertisements and send the matched advertisements to the wireless device user.
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10. A resource matching device comprising:
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means for communicating with one or more wireless device users;
means for storing one or more databases for storing wireless device user preferences and application-specific user criteria; and
means for processing resource-based matches configured to obtain user preferences and application-specific user criteria for a wireless device user from the means for storing, match the wireless device user with one or more resources based on the user preferences and application-specific user criteria, and send the matches to the wireless device user via the communication interface.
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11. A resource matching method comprising:
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determining one or more matches for a wireless device user based on application-specific user criteria; and
sending one or more resource matches to the user based on the application-specific user criteria.
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12. The method of 11 further comprising:
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receiving one or more match criteria from a wireless device associated with the wireless device user;
receiving an indication as to the type of matching service the wireless device user desires.
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13. The method of 11 further comprising:
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receiving a match selection from the user in response to the one or more resource matches; and
adjusting the user preferences based on the user selection.
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14. The method of 11 further comprising:
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matching the wireless device user with one or more advertisements; and
sending the advertisements to the user.
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15. The method of 11 further comprising:
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obtaining current location information for the wireless device user; and
matching the one or more resources to the wireless device user based on the current location of the wireless device user.
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16. A processing unit comprising:
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an input interface to receive preferences and current location information for a wireless device user;
a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the input interface and configured to determine one or more matches for the user based on the user preferences and current location and application-specific information; and
an output interface communicatively coupled to the circuit to provide the one or more matches for the wireless device user.
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17. The processing unit of 16 wherein the processing circuit is further configured to
receive information about the type of matching service the wireless device user desires; - and
receive one or more match criteria from the wireless device user.
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18. The processing unit of 16 wherein the processing circuit is further configured to
receive a match selection from the wireless device user in response to the one or more matches; - and
adjust the user preferences based on the user selection.
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19. The processing unit of 16 wherein the processing circuit is further configured to
match the user with one or more advertisements; - and
transmit the one or more advertisements to the user.
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20. A machine-readable medium having one or more instructions for resource matching, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
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obtain one or more resource matching criteria for a wireless communication device user; and
provide one or more resource matches to the user based on the user match preferences and current location.
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21. The machine-readable medium of 20 further having one or more instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
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receive an indication that the wireless communication device user is ready to receive a match;
receive an indication as to the type of matching service the user desires;
receive one or more match criteria from the wireless communication device user; and
notify a matching engine of the one or more match criteria.
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22. The machine-readable medium of 20 further having one or more instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
receive a match selection from the wireless communication device user in response to the one or more resource matches.
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23. The machine-readable medium of 22 further having one or more instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
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compare the match selection to the one or more matches sent to the wireless communication device user; and
adjust the user preferences based on the wireless communication device user selection.
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24. The machine-readable medium of 20 wherein the one or more resource matches are one or more other registered users.
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25. The machine-readable medium of 20 wherein the one or more resource matches are targeted advertising.
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26. The machine-readable medium of 20 wherein the one or more resource matches are businesses in the vicinity of the user'"'"'s current location.
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27. The machine-readable medium of 20 further having one or more instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
provide the wireless communication device user with current location information of a second wireless communication device user.
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28. The machine-readable medium of 20 further having one or more instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
provide the wireless communication device user with a map or directions to the one or more resource matches.
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29. The machine-readable medium of 20 further having one or more instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
provide a configurable resource structure to support multiple types of resource matches.
Specification