System and method for providing a near matches feature in a network environment

• US 8,473,490 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2008
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• 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: Bonilla, Francisco J., Dubey, Sharmistha, Woodby, Stanley E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): ORTIZ DITREN, BELIX M
• Application Number:
  US12/266,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20090070133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/732
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a feature in a network environment is provided that includes a central website operable to interface with one or more end users and to manage information related to one or more of the end users. One or more searches are conducted for one or more of the end users, and one or more attributes previously determined by a selected one of the end users are varied to offer one or more additional matches to the selected end user, and the additional matches are different from matches offered to the selected end user based on the previously determined attributes. In more specific embodiments, the central website offers the additional matches based on a number of current matches being served to the selected end user.

Claims

1. An apparatus including a central website comprising:

a memory for storing data; and

a processor that executes instructions associated with the data, wherein the processor and the memory cooperate, such that the central website is configured for;

interfacing with one or more end users to manage information related to one or more of the end users;

conducting one or more searches for one or more of the end users;

determining that a selected one of the end users has not received a predetermined threshold number of matches during a predetermined time period;

suggesting variations to one or more attributes previously determined by the selected end user; and

offering, to the selected end user, a first number of matches based on one or more variations made by the selected end user to the one or more previously determined attributes, wherein the first number of matches is greater than a second number of matches based on the previously determined attributes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of matches is based on a number of current matches being served to the selected end user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of matches is based on the predetermined time period and the predetermined threshold number of matches.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first number of matches is based on at least a portion of a second group of matches being offered to a second end user.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second end user and the selected end user share one or more similar attributes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the searches are 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.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of matches is based on an authorization from the selected end user.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of matches is offered to the selected end user autonomously.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein first number of matches is offered to the selected end user based on the selected end user navigating through a tab on a website, a hyperlink on a website, an icon on a website, or via an e-mail.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein first number of matches is offered to the selected end user based on a subscription agreement with the selected end user.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central website allows the selected end user to vary one or more attributes based on a subscription agreement with the selected end user.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central website offers suggestions to the selected end user to vary one or more attributes to receive additional matches.

13. A method comprising:

interfacing, via a central website, with one or more end users;

managing information related to one or more of the end users;

conducting one or more searches for one or more of the end users;

determining that a selected one of the end users has not received a predetermined threshold number of matches during a predetermined time period;

suggesting variations to one or more attributes previously determined by the selected user; and

offering, to the selected end user, a first number of matches based on the variations made by the selected end user to the one or more previously determined attributes, wherein the first number of matches is greater than a second number of matches based on the previously determined attributes.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first number of matches are offered based on a number of current matches being served to the selected end user and based on the predetermined time period and the predetermined threshold number of matches.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the first number of matches is based on at least a portion of a second group of matches being offered to a second end user, and wherein the second end user and the selected end user share one or more similar attributes.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein first number of matches is offered to the selected end user based on the selected end user navigating through a tab on a website, a hyperlink on a website, an icon on a website, or via an e-mail.

16. Logic encoded in non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

interfacing with one or more end users;

managing information related to one or more of the end users;

conducting one or more searches for one or more of the end users;

determining that a selected one of the end users has not received a predetermined threshold number of matches during a predetermined time period;

suggesting variations to one or more attributes previously determined by the selected end user; and

offering, to the selected end user, a first number of matches based on the variations made by the selected end user to the one or more previously determined attributes, wherein the first number of matches is greater than a second number of matches based on the previously determined attributes.

17. The logic of claim 16, wherein the first number of matches are offered based on a number of current matches being served to the selected end user and based on the predetermined time period and the predetermined threshold number of matches.

18. The logic of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the first number of matches is based on at least a portion of a second group of matches being offered to a second end user, and wherein the second end user and the selected end user share one or more similar attributes.

20. The logic of claim 16, wherein first number of matches is offered to the selected end user based on the selected end user navigating through a tab on a website, a hyperlink on a website, an icon on a website, or via an e-mail.