System and method for providing a certified photograph in a network environment

• US 7,617,134 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• 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): Pond; Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US11/156,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20060287928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: 705/27, 705/26
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A method for providing a certified photograph in a network environment is offered that includes interfacing with one or more end users and managing information related to one or more of the end users. The method further includes displaying one or more photos of the end users and providing a label on the photos that certifies the photos as being substantially accurate.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a certified photograph in a network environment, comprising:

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, wherein the web site is operable to display one or more photos of the end users and to provide a label on the photos that certifies the photos as being substantially accurate, wherein the information is provided in a profile, which includes a certified photo, the label including indicia signifying an endorsement from the web site for the certified photo, wherein the web site includes a search component configured to receive a first search request from a particular end user, the first search request including a first option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for only end user profiles that include a certified photo, and wherein the central web site is configured to respond to the first search request by providing the particular end user with the profiles that include the certified photo, and wherein the search component is configured to receive a second search request from the particular end user, the second search request including a second option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for profiles that include and that do not include a certified photo.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the label includes a date of when the photo was taken.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the web site is configured to facilitate an on-line dating operation such that one or more of the end users are capable of interacting in order to find candidates that match their interests.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the photos include an expiration date such that once the expiration date has arrived the photos no longer include the label.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the web site 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, or an escort service.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a photograph web site operable to offer pricing and scheduling information for the photos.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the central web site provides a link to the photograph web site, and wherein the web sites are operable to communicate with each other.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the photograph web site is operable to offer one or more photograph packages from which one or more of the end users may select.

9. A method for providing a certified photograph in a network environment, comprising:

interfacing with one or more end users;

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

displaying one or more photos of the end users; and

providing a label on the photos that certifies the photos as being substantially accurate, wherein the information is provided in a profile, which includes a certified photo, the label including indicia signifying an endorsement from the web site for the certified photo, wherein the web site includes a search component configured to receive a first search request from a particular end user, the first search request including a first option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for only end user profiles that include a certified photo, and wherein the central web site is configured to respond to the first search request by providing the particular end user with the profiles that include the certified photo, and wherein the search component is configured to receive a second search request from the particular end user, the second search request including a second option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for profiles that include and that do not include a certified photo.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

including a date of when the photo was taken on the label.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

configuring a central web site to facilitate an on-line dating operation such that one or more of the end users are capable of interacting in order to find candidates that match their interests.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

directing the end users to a photographer, who is responsible for taking the photos.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

offering pricing and scheduling information for the photos.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a link from a first web site to a second web site that is operable to manage the photos.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second web site is operable to offer one or more photograph packages from which one or more of the end users may select.

16. A system for providing a certified photograph in a network environment, comprising:

means for interfacing with one or more end users;

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

means for displaying one or more photos of the end users; and

means for providing a label on the photos that certifies the photos as being substantially accurate, wherein the information is provided in a profile, which includes a certified photo, the label including indicia signifying an endorsement from the web site for the certified photo, wherein the web site includes a search component configured to receive a first search request from a particular end user, the first search request including a first option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for only end user profiles that include a certified photo, and wherein the central web site is configured to respond to the first search request by providing the particular end user with the profiles that include the certified photo, and wherein the search component is configured to receive a second search request from the particular end user, the second search request including a second option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for profiles that include and that do not include a certified photo.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for facilitating an on-line dating operation such that one or more of the end users are capable of interacting in order to find candidates that match their interests.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for directing the end users to a photographer, who is responsible for taking the photos.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for offering pricing and scheduling information for the photos.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for providing a link from a first web site to a second web site that is operable to manage the photos.

21. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for providing a message to be communicated to one or more new end users in order to inform them of a process that is associated with the photos.

22. Software for providing a certified photograph in a network environment, the software being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer code such that when executed is operable to:

interface with one or more end users;

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

display one or more photos of the end users; and

provide a label on the photos that certifies the photos as being substantially accurate, wherein the information is provided in a profile, which includes a certified photo, the label including indicia signifying an endorsement from the web site for the certified photo, wherein the web site includes a search component configured to receive a first search request from a particular end user, the first search request including a first option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for only end user profiles that include a certified photo, and wherein the central web site is configured to respond to the first search request by providing the particular end user with the profiles that include the certified photo, and wherein the search component is configured to receive a second search request from the particular end user, the second search request including a second option that allows the particular end user to query the central web site for profiles that include and that do not include a certified photo.

23. The medium of claim 22, wherein the code is further operable to:

include a date of when the photo was taken on the label.

24. The medium of claim 22, wherein the code is further operable to:

configure a central web site to facilitate an on-line dating operation such that one or more of the end users are capable of interacting in order to find candidates that match their interests.

25. The medium of claim 22, wherein the code is further operable to:

direct the end users to a photographer, who is responsible for taking the photos.

26. The medium of claim 22, wherein the code is further operable to:

offer pricing and scheduling information for the photos.

27. The medium of claim 22, wherein the code is further operable to:

provide a link from a first web site to a second web site that is operable to manage the photos.

28. The medium of claim 22, wherein the code is further operable to:

provide a message to be communicated to one or more new end users in order to inform them of a process that is associated with the photos.