US6735568B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for identifying people who are likely to have a successful relationship
Assignee: eHarmony Inc
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Filing: 2000-08-10
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Granted: 2004-05-11
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Expires: 2020-08-10
Abstract
Abstract The functions and operations of a matching service are disclosed. This includes approximating the satisfaction that a user of the matching service has in the relationships that the user forms with others and identifying candidates for a relationship with the user based on the approximated satisfaction. This also includes approximating the satisfaction that the user will have in a relationship with a particular candidate. The matching service also identifies two parties for a relationship. The matching service makes available a plurality of communication levels at which the parties can communicate. Each communication level allows the parties to exchange information in a different format. The parties are permitted to exchange information at one of the communication levels.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Galen Buckwalter
- 👤 Steven R. Carter
- 👤 Gregory T. Forgatch
- 👤 Thomas D. Parsons
- 👤 Neil Clark Warren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/40; G06Q10/42; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0281; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/14; H04L67/141; H04L67/50; H04L67/535
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method to be performed by a computer for operating a matching service, comprising: generating, from empirical data, a number of factors corresponding to a like number of functions of one or more variables relevant to relationship satisfaction; approximating the satisfaction that a user of the matching service has in the relationships that the user forms with others; identifying, with the computer, candidates for a relationship with the user by determining an association between the approximated satisfaction and one or more of the factors; and approximating the satisfaction that the user will have in a relationship with a particular candidate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method to be performed by a computer for operating a matching service, comprising: generating, from empirical data, a number of factors corresponding to a like number of functions of one or more variables relevant to relationship satisfaction; approximating the satisfaction that a user of the matching service has in the relationships that the user forms with others; identifying, with the computer, candidates for a relationship with the user by determining an association between the approximated satisfaction and one or more of the factors; and approximating the satisfaction that the user will have in a relationship with a particular candidate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein approximating the satisfaction that a user of the matching service has in the relationships that the user forms with others includes generating an approximate individual satisfaction index for the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein approximating the satisfaction that a user of the matching service has in the relationships that the user forms with others includes generating an individual satisfaction estimator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the individual satisfaction estimator includes a relationship between an individual satisfaction index and one or more questions answered by the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: receiving a survey from the user, the user having provided answers to a plurality of inquiries in the survey, at least a portion of the answers being associated with a number; and comparing answers provided by the user to an individual satisfaction estimator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: classifying the user based on the approximated satisfaction that the user has in the relationships that person forms with others; and identifying the candidates such that the candidates fall within the same class as the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein approximating the satisfaction that the user will have in a relationship includes generating an approximate couple satisfaction index for the user and the particular candidate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein approximating the satisfaction that the user will have in a relationship includes generating a couple satisfaction estimator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the couple satisfaction estimator includes a relationship between an individual satisfaction index and one or more questions answered by the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a survey from the user, the user having provided answers to a plurality of inquiries in the survey, at least a portion of the answers being associated with a number; selecting a candidate to be matched with the user, the candidate having provided answers to a second survey, at least a portion of the answers provided by the candidate being associated with a number; and comparing at least a portion of the answers provided by the user and at least a portion of the answers provided by the selected candidate to a couple satisfaction estimator.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
153 words
A method to be performed by a computer for operating a matching service, comprising: receiving a plurality of surveys completed by different individuals, each survey including a plurality of inquiries into matters which are relevant to each individual forming relationships with other people, at least a portion of the inquiries having answers that are associated with a number; performing a factor analysis on the answers to the inquiries to identify a plurality of factors, each factor corresponding to a function of one or more variables representing the inquiries; generating a satisfaction index that approximates the satisfaction that a first candidate has in the relationships that the first candidate forms with others; and matching the first candidate to a second candidate based upon the satisfaction index and based upon differences between the value of at least one factor for the first candidate and the value of at least one factor for the second candidate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
153 words
A method to be performed by a computer for operating a matching service, comprising: receiving a plurality of surveys completed by different individuals, each survey including a plurality of inquiries into matters which are relevant to each individual forming relationships with other people, at least a portion of the inquiries having answers that are associated with a number; performing a factor analysis on the answers to the inquiries to identify a plurality of factors, each factor corresponding to a function of one or more variables representing the inquiries; generating a satisfaction index that approximates the satisfaction that a first candidate has in the relationships that the first candidate forms with others; and matching the first candidate to a second candidate based upon the satisfaction index and based upon differences between the value of at least one factor for the first candidate and the value of at least one factor for the second candidate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the factor analysis is a principal component analysis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising: selecting the factors that most highly predict satisfaction in a relationship.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein selecting the factors includes performing a linear regression on the factors and the satisfaction index.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein selecting the factors includes performing a correlation analysis on the factors and the satisfaction index.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
An automated system for operating a matching service, comprising: means for generating, from empirical data, a number of factors corresponding to a like number of functions of one or more variables relevant to relationship satisfaction; means for approximating the satisfaction that a user of the matching service has in the relationships that the user forms with others; computer means for identifying candidates for a relationship with the user by determining an association between the approximated satisfaction and one or more of the factors; and means for approximating the satisfaction that the user will have In a relationship with a particular candidate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
101 words
An automated system for operating a matching service, comprising: means for generating, from empirical data, a number of factors corresponding to a like number of functions of one or more variables relevant to relationship satisfaction; means for approximating the satisfaction that a user of the matching service has in the relationships that the user forms with others; computer means for identifying candidates for a relationship with the user by determining an association between the approximated satisfaction and one or more of the factors; and means for approximating the satisfaction that the user will have In a relationship with a particular candidate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-11 | 2007-11-10 | 2008-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-11 | 2011-11-10 | 2012-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-11 | 2015-11-10 | 2016-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |