US6819919B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for providing matching and introduction services to proximate mobile users and service providers
Assignee: Google LLC
•
Filing: 2000-10-18
•
Granted: 2004-11-16
•
Expires: 2020-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A system enabling mobile wireless users to obtain information on other proximate users both fixed and wireless. Said information is gathered from a central database that stores user profiles and real-time locations of system users. Mobile users can request information on nearby users by submitting a request from a mobile telephone or similar communications endpoint to the central database. The request is accompanied by the user's location, obtained from GPS (Global Positioning System) or other technology, or from user input. The server searches the profile database for nearby users based on requester's location, locations of other users of the system and optional parameters specified in the request. Search results are returned to the requester. The system facilitates communication between requester and owner(s) of profiles returned by system.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirohisa A. Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G08; G08B; G08B1/00; G08B1/08; G08B2001/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for providing matching and introduction services to users of communications equipment comprising the steps of: storing at least two user profiles in a database; storing the real-time geographic position of a plurality of users in said database; a first user submits a first search request to a first server using a first wireless communications device; said server performs a first search of said database by: initially sorting said user profiles based on geographic proximity to said first user; further sorting the remaining said user profiles that contain at least one search word specified by said first user; and selecting remaining user profiles that contain access control features that have been disabled; said server returns search results to said first user; and facilitating communication between said first user and other users whose user profiles have been selected by said first user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for providing matching and introduction services to users of communications equipment comprising the steps of: storing at least two user profiles in a database; storing the real-time geographic position of a plurality of users in said database; a first user submits a first search request to a first server using a first wireless communications device; said server performs a first search of said database by: initially sorting said user profiles based on geographic proximity to said first user; further sorting the remaining said user profiles that contain at least one search word specified by said first user; and selecting remaining user profiles that contain access control features that have been disabled; said server returns search results to said first user; and facilitating communication between said first user and other users whose user profiles have been selected by said first user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said user profiles are created and stored using said wireless communications device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said user profiles are created and stored in said database via a World Wide Web connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by GPS technology integral to said wireless communications device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by triangulation of radio waves emitted by said wireless communication device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by Received Signal Strength Indication of the transmitted signal from said wireless communications device by at least one receiving station remote from said communications device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by said first user entering said position data via manual interface with said wireless communications device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication device automatically determines and then transmits said first user's current geographic position as part of said search request.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said search is performed a plurality of times in response to said user defining the periodicity and persistence of said search of said database.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first user is automatically notified if an additional user becomes proximate to said first user wherein said additional user meets criterion established in said search of said database.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for providing matching and introduction services to mobile users of wireless communications equipment comprising the steps of: creating and storing at least two user profiles in a database; storing the real-time geographic position of a plurality of uses in said database; a first user submits a first search request to a first server using a first mobile wireless communications device; said first users current geographic position is transmitted to said database with said search request; a first search of said database is performed by said server using parameters provided by said first user and includes: updating said database with said first user's current geographic position; initially sorting said user profiles based on geographic proximity to said first user; further sorting the remaining said user profiles that contain at least one search word specified by said first user; selecting any remaining user profiles that contain access control features that have been disabled; said server returns search results to said first user; and facilitating communication between said first user and other users whose user profiles have been selected by said first user.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for providing matching and introduction services to mobile users of wireless communications equipment comprising the steps of: creating and storing at least two user profiles in a database; storing the real-time geographic position of a plurality of uses in said database; a first user submits a first search request to a first server using a first mobile wireless communications device; said first users current geographic position is transmitted to said database with said search request; a first search of said database is performed by said server using parameters provided by said first user and includes: updating said database with said first user's current geographic position; initially sorting said user profiles based on geographic proximity to said first user; further sorting the remaining said user profiles that contain at least one search word specified by said first user; selecting any remaining user profiles that contain access control features that have been disabled; said server returns search results to said first user; and facilitating communication between said first user and other users whose user profiles have been selected by said first user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said use profiles are created and stored using said wireless communications device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 or 12 wherein said user profiles are created and stored in said database via a World Wide Web connection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by GPS technology integral to said wireless communications device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by triangulation of radio waves emitted by said wireless communication device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by Received Signal Strength Indication of the transmitted signal from said wireless communications device by at least one receiving station remote from said communications device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first user's current geographic position is determined by said first user entering said position data via manual interface with said wireless communications device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said wireless communication device automatically determines and then transmits said first user's current geographic position as part of said search request.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said search is performed a plurality of times in response to said user defining the periodicity and persistence of said search of said database.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first user is automatically notified if an additional user becomes proximate to said first user wherein said additional user meets criterion established in said search of said database.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said search of said database further includes the steps of syntax parsing and authenticating said first user's search request.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer program product for providing matching and introduction services to users of communications equipment, the computer program product including a computer-readable medium having computer program code for performing the operations of: storing at least two user profiles in a database; storing real-time geographic positions of a plurality of users in the database; receiving from a first user a first search request, the request transmitted using a first wireless communications device; performing a first search of the database by: initially sorting the user profiles based on geographic proximity to the first user; further sorting the remaining user profiles that contain at least one search word specified by the first user; and selecting remaining user profiles that contain access control features that have been disabled; returning search results to the first user; and facilitating communication between the first user and other users whose user profiles have been selected by the first user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer program product for providing matching and introduction services to users of communications equipment, the computer program product including a computer-readable medium having computer program code for performing the operations of: storing at least two user profiles in a database; storing real-time geographic positions of a plurality of users in the database; receiving from a first user a first search request, the request transmitted using a first wireless communications device; performing a first search of the database by: initially sorting the user profiles based on geographic proximity to the first user; further sorting the remaining user profiles that contain at least one search word specified by the first user; and selecting remaining user profiles that contain access control features that have been disabled; returning search results to the first user; and facilitating communication between the first user and other users whose user profiles have been selected by the first user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the user profiles are created and stored using the wireless communications device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the user profiles are created and stored in the database via a World Wide Web connection.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the first user's current geographic position is determined by GPS technology integral to said wireless communications device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the first user's current geographic position is determined by triangulation of radio waves emitted by said wireless communication device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the first user's current geographic position is determined by Received Signal Strength Indication of the transmitted signal from said wireless communications device by at least one receiving station remote from said communications device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the first user's current geographic position is determined by said first user entering said position data via manual interface with said wireless communications device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the wireless communication device automatically determines and then transmits the first user's current geographic position as part of said search request.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the search is performed a plurality of times in response to the user defining the periodicity and persistence of the search of said database.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer program product of claim 22 wherein the first user is automatically notified if an additional user becomes proximate to the first user wherein the additional user meets criterion established in the search of the database.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5995015A
Cited
US5043736B1
Cited
US5043736A
Cited
US5295180A
Cited
US5758288A
Cited
EP0708571A2
Cited
US5568153A
Cited
US6397057B1
Cited
US5761648A
Cited
WO1997013387A1
Cited
US5918180A
Cited
US6047327A
Cited
US5774802A
Cited
WO1997041654A1
Cited
US5963864A
Cited
US6018699A
Cited
US5953400A
Cited
US5873040A
Cited
US5884272A
Cited
US5852775A
Cited
US6061561A
Cited
US5974393A
Cited
US6233506B1
Cited
US6055434A
Cited
WO1998036585A2
Cited
US6181927B1
Cited
US6060995A
Cited
US6411891B1
Cited
US6044261A
Cited
US6442391B1
Cited
US6091956A
Cited
US6052122A
Cited
US6061681A
Cited
WO1999005597A1
Cited
US6157841A
Cited
US6067356A
Cited
US6505046B1
Cited
WO1999033199A1
Cited
US6286005B1
Cited
US6119014A
Cited
US5966696A
Cited
WO1999056144A1
Cited
US5982281A
Cited
US6073138A
Cited
WO1999066757A1
Cited
WO2000004730A1
Cited
US6067045A
Cited
US6360102B1
Cited
WO2000022860A1
Cited
US6292672B1
Cited
US6166685A
Cited
WO2000035216A1
Cited
WO2000040038A2
Cited
US6208866B1
Cited
US6292743B1
Cited
US6332127B1
Cited
WO2000051333A1
Cited
WO2000062564A1
Cited
US6549768B1
Cited
US6381465B1
Cited
WO2001024551A1
Cited
US6400956B1
Cited
US6484148B1
Cited
US20010027111A1
Cited
US6377793B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-11-16 | 2008-05-17 | 2008-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-16 | 2012-05-17 | 2012-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-16 | 2016-05-17 | 2016-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |