MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS MATCHING SYSTEM

• US 20090325553A1
• Filed: 09/03/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Fraccaroli, Federico
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 2001/085 Partner search devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

A wireless communications network comprises a server in a central location storing matching profiles for a plurality of users of the network. The matching profile for each user is stored in the server through the user'"'"'s mobile unit or a secure page on the Internet. Each matching profile is corresponded with a respective mobile unit using the same identification information (ID) of the respective mobile unit utilized for carrying out phone calls. The server has a customizable variable matching algorithm and probes the matching profiles corresponding to the respective mobile units in a cell or group of cells for a match every time a new mobile unit subscribes into the cell or group of cells. When there is a match of matching profiles, the two persons are put in contact or advised of each other through a phone call or other communications method.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing a first profile for a first person, wherein the first profile identifies one or more characteristics selected by the first person;

storing a second profile for a second person, wherein the second profile identifies one or more characteristics selected by the second person

determining a geographic location of a first mobile unit associated with the first person, wherein determining the geographical location of the first mobile unit includes requesting a geographical location indication from the first mobile unit;

determining a geographic location of second mobile unit associated with the second person;

when one of the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit enters a new cell providing wireless communications services, comparing the determined location of the first mobile unit to the determined location of the second mobile unit to determine a match based on the determined location of the first mobile unit being within a threshold distance of the determined location of the second mobile unit, and further based on a similarity between the stored first profile and the stored second profile, wherein determining the match includes determining a similarity between matching profile information for one of said first and second person, and request profile information for another of said first and second person;

wherein in the event of a match, sending a message signal to at least one of the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit indicating the match, and storing information regarding the determination of the match in a log file,

wherein if a match is not determined for the threshold distance, the threshold distance is increased

wherein the stored profile of the first person includes identification information for one or more other specific persons.