Search system and method involving user and provider associated beneficiary groups
First Claim
1. A computer implemented user directed search method, the method comprising the steps of:
- associating a user with at least one of a plurality of beneficiary groups;
associating at least one of a plurality of providers with the at least one of the plurality of beneficiary groups;
entering search request input parameters in a database;
entering beneficiary input parameters in the database;
comparing the search request input parameters to the beneficiary input parameters in the database; and
selecting a provider from the at least one of the plurality of providers to provide one of a good, service and information defined in the search request by dynamically prioritizing expanding or contracting synergistic concentric circles of a search result.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A search system and method provide a user with a fast and efficient way to progressively expand a search for providers of a specified search object, such as a good, service, or information; while maintaining a desired link to a beneficiary group including a particular geographic community, a community of interest, or a user-preferred class of providers. More specifically, the user and/or provider is initially associated with at least one of a plurality of beneficiary groups, such as a local church for example. The system and method then affords the user an arrangement, such as a synergistic concentric circle arrangement for example, for searching for a provider associated with a user-specified beneficiary group or groups. Thus, a user may conduct a targeted search for a specified search object from providers associated with a similarly specified beneficiary group. The search or beneficiary group can thereafter be expanded by the user, until the user selects a provider of the user-specified good, service, or information, associated with the user-specified beneficiary group(s).
50 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer implemented user directed search method, the method comprising the steps of:
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associating a user with at least one of a plurality of beneficiary groups; associating at least one of a plurality of providers with the at least one of the plurality of beneficiary groups; entering search request input parameters in a database; entering beneficiary input parameters in the database; comparing the search request input parameters to the beneficiary input parameters in the database; and selecting a provider from the at least one of the plurality of providers to provide one of a good, service and information defined in the search request by dynamically prioritizing expanding or contracting synergistic concentric circles of a search result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A search system, comprising:
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a database, adapted to store information associating a user with at least one beneficiary group, to store information associating a provider with at least one beneficiary group, to store search request input parameters and adapted to store beneficiary input parameters; and a controller, to receive a search request from a computer device of a user, to compare the search request input parameters to the beneficiary input parameters in the database and to provide a search result to the user including a provider associated with the beneficiary group of the user by dynamically prioritizing expanding or contracting synergistic concentric circles of a search result. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A search method for a computer device, the method comprising the steps of:
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associating a user with at least one of a plurality of beneficiary groups; associating at least one of a plurality of providers with the at least one of the plurality of beneficiary groups; entering search request input parameters and beneficiary input parameters in a database creating a self directed expandable search; searching for a provider by comparing the search request input parameters to the beneficiary input parameters in the database and expanding the search by searching in expandable synergistic concentric circles formed based upon the search request and associated beneficiary group of the user if the provider is not initially found; and
selecting a provider from the at least one of the plurality of providers to provide one of a good, service and information defined in the search request by dynamically prioritizing expanding or contracting synergistic concentric circles of a search result. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification