Automatic user matching in an online environment
First Claim
1. A method of user matching in an online environment comprising the acts of:
- performing a proximity user search based on a predetermined search parameter of a subject user;
identifying a plurality of candidates based on the proximity user search;
ranking the plurality of candidates based on one or more profile matching criteria of the subject user; and
matching, according to said ranking, at least one of the plurality of candidates to the subject user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A subject user may be automatically matched to one or more other users in an online resource-limited environment. In one embodiment, a multi-user online environment is accessed using a resource-limited device operated by the subject user. A pool of candidates from the available online users may then be generated based on their proximity in the online environment to the subject user. The various candidates within this pool may then be ranked based on a comparison of user profile matching criteria. Candidates may then be selectively added to the subject user'"'"'s interaction group, which in one embodiment represents the set of online users which will be “seen” or otherwise available to the subject user for possible interaction.
250 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of user matching in an online environment comprising the acts of:
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performing a proximity user search based on a predetermined search parameter of a subject user;
identifying a plurality of candidates based on the proximity user search;
ranking the plurality of candidates based on one or more profile matching criteria of the subject user; and
matching, according to said ranking, at least one of the plurality of candidates to the subject user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An online environment server comprising:
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a network interface configured to connect the server to a wireless network;
a processor electrically coupled to the network interface; and
a memory electrically coupled to the processor, the memory containing processor-executable instructions implementing an online environment, the server configured to;
perform a proximity user search based on a predetermined search parameter of a subject user, identify a plurality of candidates based on the proximity user search, rank the plurality of candidates based on one or more profile matching criteria of the subject user, and match, according to said ranking, at least one of the plurality of candidates to the subject user. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product comprising:
a processor readable medium having processor executable program code embodied therein for user matching in an online environment, the processor executable program code including;
processor executable program code to perform a proximity user search based on a predetermined search parameter of a subject user, processor executable program code to identify a plurality of candidates based on the proximity user search, processor executable program code to rank the plurality of candidates based on one or more profile matching criteria of the subject user, and processor executable program code to match, according to said ranking, at least one of the plurality of candidates to the subject user. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A handheld electronic device operable by a subject user and configured to communicate with an online environment server over a wireless network, the electronic device comprising:
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a memory containing processor-executable instructions implementing an online environment application client for accessing an online environment; and
a processor electrically coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute the application client to;
provide location information to the online environment server representative of a current location within the online environment, wherein the current location is usable to perform a proximity user search, based on a predetermined search parameter, to identify a plurality of candidates in proximity to the subject user, and receive data representative of an interaction group for the subject user, wherein the interaction group includes at least one of the plurality of candidates that have been matched to the subject user in an order based on one or more profile matching criteria of the subject user.
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26. The handheld electronic device 25, wherein the predetermined search parameter is representative of a distance within the online environment measured from the subject user.
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27. The handheld electronic device 25, wherein the profile matching criteria include one or more of age, gender, interests, habits, personality, inclusion on a block list, inclusion on a buddy list, historical interaction data, physical appearance data and familial data.
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28. The handheld electronic device 26, wherein said ranking comprises a comparison of the one or more profile matching criteria of the subject user to corresponding profile matching criteria for the plurality of candidates.
Specification