System and Method for Providing a Search Feature in a Network Environment

• US 20100017375A1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 8,010,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: N/A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/26 Visual data mining; Browsing structured data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

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 is operable to populate a queue of a first end user with a profile of a second end user. The central web site includes a search component that, once the first end user has reviewed the profile, allows the first end user to search for one or more other end users using specified criteria.

Claims

1-31. -31. (canceled)

32. An apparatus, comprising:

a search component configured to;

execute a generic search based on preliminary information provided by the first end user such that generic matches to other end users are provided for the first end user; and

execute a limited search based on additional information provided by the first end user that is different from the preliminary information, the limited search identifying additional matches that are different from the generic matches, wherein the generic matches and the additional matches are displayed separately and concurrently for the end user in a queue of the first end user.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the search component is provided as a graphical illustration that includes one or more pre-configured criteria for the first end user to select.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein criteria for the limited search are separated into a first section and a second section, the first section including basic search criteria and the second section including advanced search criteria.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein questions for the criteria are in a drop down selection format, a multiple choice question format, a true/false format, or a yes/no format.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein selections of the questions are compiled and aggregated in order to identify trends for, or tendencies of, the first end user.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a server configured to interface with one or more end users and to manage information related to the one or more end users, wherein the search component is 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, an on-line dating service, or an escort service.

38. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the queue of the first end user comprises a separate segment that includes profiles of individuals that have identified the first end user through the search component.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein results of the search component are delivered to the first end user such that the first end user can evaluate the results.

40. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein usage of the limited search is restricted and includes usage terms that are different from usage terms of the generic search.

41. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein results from the search component are displayed to the first end user and the first end user is offered a limited ability to contact one or more of the end users identified by the search.

42. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the search component is part of a server configured to manage a subscriber service associated with a plurality of end users in a network environment.

43. A method, comprising:

executing a generic search based on preliminary information provided by the first end user such that generic matches to other end users are provided for the first end user; and

executing a limited search based on additional information provided by the first end user that is different from the preliminary information, the limited search identifying additional matches that are different from the generic matches, wherein the generic matches and the additional matches are displayed separately and concurrently for the end user in a queue of the first end user.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

providing a graphical illustration for searching activities that includes one or more pre-configured criteria for the first end user to select.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein criteria for the limited search are separated into a first section and a second section, the first section including basic search criteria and the second section including advanced search criteria, and wherein questions for the criteria are in a drop down selection format, a multiple choice question format, a true/false format, or a yes/no format.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein selections of the questions are compiled and aggregated in order to identify trends for, or tendencies of, the first end user.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

interfacing with one or more end users via a server; and

managing information related to the one or more end users 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, an on-line dating service, or an escort service.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein results are delivered to the first end user such that the first end user can evaluate the results, and wherein usage of the limited search is restricted and includes usage terms that are different from usage terms of the generic search.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein results are displayed to the first end user and the first end user is offered a limited ability to contact one or more of the end users identified by the search.

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

executing a generic search based on preliminary information provided by the first end user such that generic matches to other end users are provided for the first end user; and

executing a limited search based on additional information provided by the first end user that is different from the preliminary information, the limited search identifying additional matches that are different from the generic matches, wherein the generic matches and the additional matches are displayed separately and concurrently for the end user in a queue of the first end user.

51. The logic of claim 50, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

providing a graphical illustration for searching activities that includes one or more pre-configured criteria for the first end user to select wherein criteria for the limited search are separated into a first section and a second section, the first section including basic search criteria and the second section including advanced search criteria.

52. The logic of claim 51, wherein questions for the criteria are in a drop down selection format, a multiple choice question format, a true/false format, or a yes/no format, and wherein selections of the questions are compiled and aggregated in order to identify trends for, or tendencies of, the first end user.

53. The logic of claim 50, the processor being further operable to perform operations comprising:

interfacing with one or more end users via a server; and

managing information related to the one or more end users 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, an on-line dating service, or an escort service.