SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED MATCHING BASED ON QUESTION RESPONSES

• US 20100077032A1
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Match Group, LLC (Match Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Match.com LLC (Match Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Roberts, Anna M., Smith, Marty L., Dubey, Sharmistha, Woodby, Stanley E. JR., Drennan, Ricky J., Ginsberg, Amanda W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,195,668 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking

Abstract

In one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a central website that interfaces with one or more end users to establish a profile for each of the end users to be used in matching the end users to each other for a potential relationship. Information is provided in the profile and the information includes relevant characteristics of corresponding end users. A first end user is asked one or more questions after their profile is established, the questions being posed to a second end user whose respective profile has also been established and whose profile has already been matched to the first end user'"'"'s profile. Answers for the questions from the first and second end users are compared and a subsequent message is sent to the first end user if the answers provided by the first end user and the second end user are compatible.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a central website that interfaces with one or more end users to establish a profile for each of the end users to be used in matching the end users to each other for a potential relationship, wherein information is provided in the profile and the information includes relevant characteristics of corresponding end users, and wherein a first end user is asked one or more questions after their profile is established, the questions being posed to a second end user whose respective profile has also been established and whose profile has already been matched to the first end user'"'"'s profile, whereby answers for the questions from the first and second end users are compared and a subsequent message is sent to the first end user if the answers provided by the first end user and the second end user are compatible.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the questions are presented to the first end user via a floating screen module.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the floating screen module is delivered to the first end user when the first end user logs into the central website.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the questions are provided on an electronic dashboard displayed to the first end user.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the questions are provided in an e-mail communication to the end user.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the questions relate to an interpretation of a picture or an image that is shown to the end user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein inactivity by the first end user triggers the questions being asked of the first end user.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end user and second end user were previously matched and shown to the first end user on an electronic dashboard before the questions were asked of the first end user.

9. A method, comprising:

interfacing with one or more end users to establish a profile for each of the end users to be used in matching the end users to each other for a potential relationship, wherein information is provided in the profile and the information includes relevant characteristics of corresponding end users;

asking a first end user one or more questions after their profile is established; and

asking the questions to a second end user whose respective profile has also been established and whose profile has already been matched to the first end user'"'"'s profile, whereby answers for the questions from the first and second end users are compared and a subsequent message is sent to the first end user if the answers provided by the first end user and the second end user are compatible.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the questions are presented to the first end user via a floating screen module.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the floating screen module is delivered to the first end user when the first end user logs into the central website.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the questions are provided on an electronic dashboard displayed to the first end user.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the questions are provided in an e-mail communication to the end user.

14. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution and when executed by a processor operable to:

interface with one or more end users to establish a profile for each of the end users to be used in matching the end users to each other for a potential relationship, wherein information is provided in the profile and the information includes relevant characteristics of corresponding end users;

ask a first end user one or more questions after their profile is established; and

ask the questions to a second end user whose respective profile has also been established and whose profile has already been matched to the first end user'"'"'s profile, whereby answers for the questions from the first and second end users are compared and a subsequent message is sent to the first end user if the answers provided by the first end user and the second end user are compatible.

15. The logic of claim 14, wherein the questions are presented to the first end user via a floating screen module.

16. The logic of claim 15, wherein the floating screen module is delivered to the first end user when the first end user logs into the central website.

17. The logic of claim 14, wherein the questions are provided on an electronic dashboard displayed to the first end user.

18. The logic of claim 14, wherein the questions are provided in an e-mail communication to the end user.

19. The logic of claim 14, wherein inactivity by the first end user triggers the questions being asked of the first end user.

20. The logic of claim 14, wherein the first end user and second end user were previously matched and shown to the first end user on an electronic dashboard before the questions were asked of the first end user.