System and method for providing enhanced questions for matching in a network environment

• US 8,010,546 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2010
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleurantin; Jean B
• Application Number:
  US12/690,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20100125530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 707600-831, 709/217, 709/219, 715/752, 715/753, 715/757, 715/758
• US Class Current: 707/758
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3331 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a feature in a network environment is provided that includes a central web site operable to interface with one or more end users and to manage information related to one or more of the end users. The central web site includes a set of questions for one or more of the end users to complete, whereby the central web site is operable to display a comparison of answers for the questions that are submitted by a first end user and a second end user.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a server configured to manage information related to one or more end users, wherein the server includes a processor and a memory element, and wherein the users are provided with a set of questions, wherein a first set of answers to the questions from a first user are displayed concurrent with a second set of answers to the questions from a second user, and wherein the set of questions to be answered are designated by the first user and not the second user, wherein the first and second sets of answers are displayed for the first end user in a graphical illustration that reflects the second end user'"'"'s answers in comparison with the first end user'"'"'s answers.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to provide a comparison of the first and second sets of answers for the questions in relation to each other, and wherein the second set of answers is delivered to the first user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the questions are in a short answer format such that the second end user is required to author original answer information.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the questions are in a multiple choice question format, a true/false format, or a yes/no format.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphical illustration quantifies similarities between first and second sets of answers.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if a sliding scale is designated in a particular direction that is indicative of a positive level of interest, then the second user is moved to an active state, which is displayed to the first user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if a sliding scale is designated in a particular direction that is indicative of a negative level of interest, then the second user is moved to an inactive state for the first user.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sliding scale is used to generate an interest rating component used to match profiles of the users to each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the server is provided as part of a central web site that includes a processor and software configured to interface with the users, and wherein the central web site is associated with a job seeking service, a person finder service, on-line dating service, an athletic service, a real estate service, an academic service, a real estate finding service, or an escort service.

10. A non-transitory method to be performed in a network environment, comprising:

managing information related to one or more end users; and

providing the users with a set of questions, wherein a first set of answers to the questions from a first user are displayed concurrent with a second set of answers to the questions from a second user, and wherein the set of questions to be answered are designated by the first user and not the second user, wherein the first and second sets of answers are displayed for the first end user in a graphical illustration that reflects the second end user'"'"'s answers in comparison with the first end user'"'"'s answers.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing a comparison of the first and second sets of answers for the questions in relation to each other, and wherein the second set of answers is delivered to the first user.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the questions are in a multiple choice question format, a true/false format, or a yes/no format.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein if a sliding scale is designated in a particular direction that is indicative of a positive level of interest, then the second user is moved to an active state, which is displayed to the first user.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein if a sliding scale is designated in a particular direction that is indicative of a negative level of interest, then the second user is moved to an inactive state for the first user.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein a sliding scale is used to generate an interest rating component used to match profiles of the users to each other.

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

managing information related to one or more end users; and

providing the users with a set of questions for which answers can be completed, wherein a first set of answers to the questions from a first user are displayed concurrent with a second set of answers to the questions from a second user, and wherein the set of questions to be answered are designated by the first user and not the second user, wherein the first and second sets of answers are displayed for the first end user in a graphical illustration that reflects the second end user'"'"'s answers in comparison with the first end user'"'"'s answers.

17. The logic of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to perform operations comprising:

providing a comparison of the first and second sets of answers for the questions in relation to each other, and wherein the second set of answers is delivered to the first user.

18. The logic of claim 16, wherein if a sliding scale is designated in a particular direction that is indicative of a positive level of interest, then the second user is moved to an active state, which is displayed to the first user.

19. The logic of claim 16, wherein if a sliding scale is designated in a particular direction that is indicative of a negative level of interest, then the second user is moved to an inactive state for the first user.

20. The logic of claim 16, wherein a sliding scale is used to generate an interest rating component used to match profiles of the users to each other.