Date matching methods

• US 5,920,845 A
• Filed: 04/04/1997
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rafael Risemberg
• Original Assignee: Rafael Risemberg
• Inventors: Risemberg, Rafael
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAUDLE, PENNY L
• Application Number:
  US08/832,955
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 709/8, 709/7, 709/9, 705/1
• US Class Current: 705/319
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/78 discriminating between different kinds of targets, e.g. IFF-radar, i.e. identification of friend or foe G01S13/75, G01S13/79 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 2001/085 Partner search devices

Abstract

A means and method for use at a date matching event to determine, in a discreet manner, the date preferences of a plurality of participants. The method includes gathering the plurality of participants at the date matching event, and assigning a unique identification code to each participant. The identification code is worn or otherwise displayed in plain sight, being readily observable by a plurality of the other participants. Each applicant may next, if time permits, be provided a temporal period to introduce themselves to the other participants, which is followed by a temporal interval for applicants to interact. After an interval for interaction, the date preferences of each participant are discreetly collected and analyzed to determine all occurring mutual matches. The mutual match results are then delivered to the participants, wherein matched participants may then meet to discuss the arrangements for their date.

Claims

1. A method for use at a date matching event attended by a plurality of participants, the method comprising:

(a) assigning an identification code to each participant, the identification code placed in plain sight, being readily observable by a plurality of the other participants;

(b) facilitating interaction of participants;

(c) supplying to each participant a date preference card for indicating, discreetly, at least one date preference, each date preference designating a participant with whom a date is desired, said card enables each respective participant to indicate a prioritized list of other participants with whom a date is desired by recording one or more assigned participant identification codes;

the date preference card is computer scannable to support the automated input of the listed participant identification codes;

(d) collecting said date preference card for indicating date preferences;

(e) processing, using a general purpose computing system, each collected date preference card for indicating date preferences to determine mutual matches of participants;

each mutual match indicating at least two participants who requested each other for a date preference; and

(f) informing the participants of the mutual matches to enable them to plan their date.

2. The method according to claim 1, including the additional steps of scanning a plurality of the date preference cards and processing information produced by said scanning, the processing to provide a match summary to indicate date preferences and associated mutual matches of participants.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the scanning and processing is supported by the inclusion of a general purpose computing system.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the match summary is generated by a results printer operatively coupled to a computing means, the match summary including thereon a list of mutual matches.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the indicating of date preference mutual matches is provided as printed message slips, one slip provided to each participant submitting a respective date preference sheet.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the mutual matches are communicated to the plurality of participants via a telephone call after the event has ended.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the printed slips direct respective matched participants to a semi-private location to discuss and plan their date.

8. A method supporting the date matching of a plurality of participants attending a dating service event, the method comprising:

(a) gathering the plurality of participants at the dating service event;

(b) assigning a unique identification code to each participant, the identification code placed in plain sight, being readily observable by a plurality of the other participants;

(c) positioning the participants to enable each respective participant to observe substantially all other participants, and providing a temporal interval for each person to speak about, and generally introduce themselves to the other participants;

(c) facilitating interaction of participants;

(d) determining the date preferences of each participant using a date preference card, each date preference of a respective participant designating at least one other participant with whom a date is desired, said card enables each respective participant to indicate a prioritized list of other participants with whom a date is desired;

the date preference cards are computer readable to support the automated input of the indicated date preferences of the participants in a relatively short period time;

(e) reading the date preference cards and processing the determined date preferences to provide a match summary indicating the date preferences and associated mutual matches of the participants, using a general purpose computing system having a results printer operatively coupled thereto;

each mutual match indicating at least two participants who designated each other as date preferences; and

(f) informing the participants of the mutual matches to enable them to plan their date.