System and Method for Providing a Certified Photograph in a Network Environment

• US 20100017469A1
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Match Group, LLC (Match Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Match.com LLC (Match Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kirby, Todd W., Terrill, Chris S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A method for providing a certified photograph in a network environment is offered that includes interfacing with one or more end users and managing information related to one or more of the end users. The method further includes displaying one or more photos of the end users and providing a label on the photos that certifies the photos as being substantially accurate.

Claims

1-33. -33. (canceled)

34. An apparatus, comprising:

a search component configured to;

receive a first search request from a particular end user, the first search request including a first option allowing the particular end user to query for one or more end user profiles that include a certified photo, wherein the certified photo is reflective of an accuracy associated with an image of an individual, and

respond to the first search request by providing the particular end user with the profiles that include a certified photo, and wherein the search component is configured to receive a second search request from the particular end user, the second search request including a second option that allows the particular end user to query for one or more profiles that include and that do not include the certified photo.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the certified photo includes a label having indicia signifying an endorsement from an entity for the certified photo.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the certified photo includes a date associated with when the certified photo was taken, and an expiration date that triggers removal of the label after a given time interval.

37. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising:

a server configured to interface with one or more end users and to manage information related to the one or more end users.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the search component is configured to interface with a server associated with a job seeking service, a person finder service, an athletic service, a real estate service, an academic service, a real estate finding service, or an escort service.

39. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising:

a server configured to interface with the search component to provide an on-line dating platform that allows one or more end users to interact.

40. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein an option is provided for one or more end users that allows for uploading selected photographs into respective profiles for the end users.

41. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the search component is part of a server configured to manage a subscriber service associated with a plurality of end users in a network environment.

42. A method, comprising:

receiving a first search request from a particular end user, the first search request including a first option allowing the particular end user to query for one or more end user profiles that include a certified photo, wherein the certified photo is reflective of an accuracy associated with an image of an individual;

responding to the first search request by providing the particular end user with the profiles that include a certified photo; and

receiving a second search request from the particular end user, the second search request including a second option that allows the particular end user to query for one or more profiles that include and that do not include the certified photo.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the certified photo includes a label having indicia signifying an endorsement from an entity for the certified photo.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the certified photo includes a date associated with when the certified photo was taken, and an expiration date that triggers removal of the label after a given time interval.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

interfacing with one or more end users via a server; and

managing information related to the one or more end users.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the server is associated with a job seeking service, a person finder service, an athletic service, a real estate service, an academic service, a real estate finding service, an on-line dating service, or an escort service.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

providing an option for one or more end users that allows uploading selected photographs into respective profiles for the end users.

48. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

managing a subscriber service associated with a plurality of end users in a network environment.

49. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving a first search request from a particular end user, the first search request including a first option allowing the particular end user to query for one or more end user profiles that include a certified photo, wherein the certified photo is reflective of an accuracy associated with an image of an individual;

responding to the first search request by providing the particular end user with the profiles that include a certified photo; and

receiving a second search request from the particular end user, the second search request including a second option that allows the particular end user to query for one or more profiles that include and that do not include the certified photo.

50. The logic of claim 49, wherein the certified photo includes a label having indicia signifying an endorsement from an entity for the certified photo.

51. The logic of claim 49, wherein the certified photo includes a date associated with when the certified photo was taken, and an expiration date that triggers removal of the label after a given time interval.

52. The logic of claim 49, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

interfacing with one or more end users via a server; and

managing information related to the one or more end users.

53. The logic of claim 52, wherein the server is associated with a job seeking service, a person finder service, an athletic service, a real estate service, an academic service, a real estate finding service, an on-line dating service, or an escort service.

54. The logic of claim 49, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

managing a subscriber service associated with a plurality of end users in a network environment.