Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
SPORTS MATCAMAKER SYSTEMS
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to providing a system for improved method for arranging
meetings between unacquainted
people. More particularly, this invention relates to providing a system for
matching persons and/or teams offering to
participate in particular sporting or social events with persons and/or teams
desiring to participate in similar sporting or
social events.
The explosive diffusion of the Internet into countries such as the United
States has been accompanied by the
proliferation of Internet-based singles matchmaking systems. These matchmaking
systems are predominantly oriented
toward single men and women wishing to meet other single men and women,
generally for the purpose of establishing a
romantic relationship. The success of these matchmaking systems is
demonstrated by the large number of web sites devoted
to matchmaking available on the Internet today. Examples of Internet-based
dating systems include Match.com,
eHarmony.com and Kiss.com.
Typically, these matchmaking systems focus exclusively on the singles and
their desire to meet each other. In
other words, these matchmaking systems ignore the social networking needs of
the remainder of the population desiring to
meet or jointly participate in something other than a "date". While it is
possible to find someone interested in golf or tennis
using these sites, it is not possible to search and find a person with whom to
play a specific game of golf or tennis on these
matchmaking web sites. As a result a very large group of people and activities
are not able to socially network effectively
through the Internet. For example, couples, children, and teams have no means
for identifying others wishing to participate
in activities that are event oriented, i.e. location, time and date dependent.
For instance a traveler wishing to play golf on a
Saturday while away from home must rely on calling golf courses in the area to
determine if there are any opportunities to
join a group. Conversely, this traveler must rely on the same methods to make
an offer to play golf. Additionally, the
traveler has no opportunity to get to know the other participants in advance.
Thus, a great need exists for a system capable of effectively permitting
social networking for people by facilitating
identification of others who desire to offer and accept participation in
activities that are event (especially sporting) oriented
using the Internet.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
A primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide a system
for matching persons making specific
sporting and social event participation offers with persons desiring to
participate in a specific sporting and social event.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a
system for permitting participants to post
offers to participate in a particular sporting or social event.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a
system for permitting participants to
search for individuals making an offer to participate in a particular sporting
or social event.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a
system for permitting participants to
search profiles of participants' sporting and social interests and related
skill levels.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a
system for permitting participants to
communicate with each other through a web site.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a
system for permitting couples, kids and
teams to post offers to participate in a particular sporting or social event.
A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide
such a system that is efficient,
inexpensive, and handy. Other objects and features of this invention will
become apparent with reference to the following
descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a
computer program system for an
Internet computer system, relating to finding at least one proposed joint
event for assisting displaying participant personal
1
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
,r=,=~v
jirfi#~7e:ihFo''fSatidnof a[6de ahY'tiYi&First participant by at least one
second participant with, comprising the steps of: searchably
storing proposed-event information wherein such proposed-event information
comprises at least at least one type of
proposed joint event, at least one proposed geographic area for such proposed
joint event, and at least one proposed time
criterion for such at least one proposed joint event; permitting input on
behalf of such at least one first participant of such at
least one proposed joint event; searchably storing such participant personal
profile information wherein such participant
personal profile information comprises at least at least one unique
identifier, such at least one type of such proposed joint
event, such of at least one first skill level of such at least one type of
proposed joint event, demographic information, and
contact information; permitting input on behalf of such at least one first
participant such participant personal profile
information; permitting associating such entered proposed joint event with
such entered participant personal profile
information; permitting input on behalf of such at least one second
participant first searchable criteria for proposed matching
of such at least one proposed joint event; retrieving from such computer
database such stored proposed-event information
matching such first searchable criteria; and displaying such entered
participant profile information associated with such
retrieved proposed-event information. Moreover, it provides such a computer
program system wherein such at least one type
of proposed joint event comprises at least one sporting event. Additionally,
it provides such a computer program system
wherein at least one of such at least one first participant and such at least
one second participant comprises at least one team.
Also, it provides such a computer program system wherein at least one of such
at least one first participant and such at least
one second participant comprises at least one couple. In addition, it provides
such a computer program system further
comprising the steps of permitting input, on behalf of such at least one first
participant, of at least one first skill level of such
at least one type of proposed joint event; permitting input on behalf of such
at least one second participant at least one
second searchable criterion for proposed matching with such at least one skill
level of such at least one type of proposed
joint event; retrieving from such computer database such proposed-event
information matching such second searchable
criterion; and displaying such entered participant profile information
associated with such retrieved proposed-event
information. And, it provides such a computer program system further
comprising the step of retrieving on behalf of such at
least one first participant such proposed-event information from such computer
database. Further, it provides such a
computer program system further comprising the steps of: permitting input on
behalf of such at least one second participant
at least one third searchable criteria for proposed matching of such personal
profile information; and retrieving from such
computer database such personal profile information matching such third
searchable criteria. Even further, it provides such a
computer program system wherein such personal profile infonnation further
comprises at least two of the following:
children information, participant background information, personality traits
information; favorite foods information;
preferred music information; and at least one image. Moreover, it provides
such a computer program system further
comprising the steps of: searchably storing at least one bulletin board
posting; permitting entry on behalf of such at least one
first participant of such at least one bulletin board posting; associating
such at least one such bulletin board posting with such
at least one first participant; permitting input on behalf of such at least
one second participant at least one fourth searchable
criteria for proposed matching with such personal profile information;
retrieving such at least one bulletin board posting
associated with such personal profile information matching such fourth search
criteria. Additionally, it provides such a
computer program system wherein such fourth search criteria comprises: at
least one type of proposed joint event, at least
one proposed geographic area for such proposed joint event; and at least one
proposed time criterion for such at least one
proposed joint event. Also, it provides such a computer program system further
comprising the step of assisting such at least
one second participant to communicate with such at least one first
participant. In addition, it provides such a computer
program system wherein the step of assisting such at least one second
participant to communicate with such at least one first
participant comprises the steps of assisting non-disclosure of first contact
information of such first participant to such
second participant; and assisting non-disclosure of second contact information
of such second participant to such first
participant. And, it provides such a computer program system wherein the step
of assisting such at least one second
2
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WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
; dl ff iI. i,j;.~~
pafti~ip~d~Ct'$d ~ofnmuni~at`e''wit~ suCh at least one first participant is
accomplished with text messaging on digital mobile
phones.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention
provides a system relating to conducting
business utilizing an Internet web site comprising the steps of: providing at
least one first searchable database adapted to
contain proposed sporting event information; and receiving such proposed
sporting event information from at least one first
participant; providing at least one second searchable database adapted to
contain participant personal profile information;
receiving such participant personal profile information from such at least one
first participant; permitting at least one second
participant to describe first search criteria related to searching such at
least one first searchable database; wherein such first
search criteria comprise at least at least one type of proposed sporting
event, at least one proposed geographic area related to
such at least one proposed sporting event, and at least one proposed time
frame related to such at least one proposed sporting
event; retrieving such proposed sporting event infonnation matching such first
search criteria; and presenting to such at least
one second participant such participant personal profile information from such
at least one first participant. Further, it
provides such a system further comprising the step of receiving web site
advertising revenue. Even further, it provides such
a system wherein the step of receiving web site advertising revenue comprises
the steps of: offering web site advertising to at
least one advertiser; receiving at least one web site advertisement from such
at least one advertiser; receiving payment from
such at least one advertiser; after such step of receiving payment, approving
such at least one web site advertisement; and
displaying such approved such at least one web site advertisement. Moreover,
it provides such a system further comprising
the step of permitting at least one of such at least one first participant and
such at least one second participant to select at
least one link to such at least one advertiser. Additionally, it provides such
a system wherein such at least one advertiser
comprises at least one sporting venue. Also, it provides such a system further
comprising the step of receiving membership
fees. In addition, it provides such a system wherein the step of receiving
membership fees comprises the step of receiving
payment from at one of such at least one first participant and such at least
one second participant. And, it provides such a
system further comprising the steps of: offering at least one product for sale
to at least one of such at least one first
participant and such at least one second participant; and receiving payment
from at least one of such at least one first
participant and such at least one second participant. Further, it provides
such a system further comprising the step of:
promoting at least one group event for at least one of such at least one first
participant and such at least one second
participant with at least one event provider; charging each attending at least
one of such at least one first participant and such
at least one second participant at least one fee; and paying such at least one
event provider. Even further, it provides such a
system further comprising the steps of: permitting at least one of such at
least one first participant and such at least one
second participant to select at least one link to such at least one travel
provider; and receiving referral payments from such at
least one travel provider. Moreover, it provides such a system further
comprising the steps of: promoting at least one reality
television program with at least one reality television program provider; and
accepting at least one offer to participate in such
at least one reality television program from at one of such at least one first
participant and such at least one second
participant. Additionally, it provides such a system further comprising the
step of assisting communication between such at
least one first participant and such at least one second participant. Also, it
provides such a system further comprising the
step of offering payment to least one affiliate for referral of at least one
new participant. In addition, it provides such a
system further comprising the steps of: permiiting such at least one second
participant to describe second search criteria
related to searching such at least one second searchable database; and
permitting such at least one second participant to view
such personal profile infonnation matching such second search criteria. And,
it provides such a system further comprising
the steps of: providing at least one third searchable database adapted to
contain bulletin board message information;
receiving such bulletin board message information from such at least one first
participant; permitting such at least one
second participant to describe third search criteria related to searching such
at least one third searchable database in
combination with such at least one second searchable database; permitting such
at least one second participant to view such
3
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
~t =,,,t, q ttõ~a t {c ,,,;jt,.,,t~ iai~n
rbu~}eti~t btlt ~rd"tnesSagc ~tlfdln matching such third search criteria; and
permitting such at least one second participant to
view such participant personal profile information related to such at least
one first participant.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention
provides a computer program system for
an Internet computer system, relating to assisting finding at least one first
participant by at least one second participant,
comprising the steps of: searchably storing participant personal profile
information wherein such participant personal profile
information comprises at least at least one unique identifier, demographic
information, contact information, permitting input
on behalf of such at least one first participant such personal profile
information; searchably storing at least one bulletin
board posting; permitting entry on behalf of such at least one first
participant of such at least one bulletin board posting; and
associating such at least one such bulletin board posting with such at least
one first participant. Further, it provides such a
computer program system further comprising the steps of: permitting input on
behalf of such at least one second participant
at least one first searchable criteria for proposed matching with such
personal profile information in combination with such
bulletin board posting; and retrieving such at least one bulletin board
posting associated with such personal profile
information matching such search criteria. Even further, it provides such a
computer program system further comprising the
steps of: permitting input on behalf of such at least one second participant
at least one second searchable criteria for
proposed matching of such personal profile information; and retrieving from
such computer database such first personal
profile information matching such third searchable criteria. Even further, it
provides such a computer program system
wherein at least one of such at least one first participant and such at least
one second participant comprises at least one team.
Even further, it provides such a computer program system wherein at least one
of such at least one first participant and such
at least one second participant comprises at least one couple. Even further,
it provides such a computer program system
wherein such personal profile information further comprises at least two of
the following: marital status information children
information, participant background information, personality traits
information; favorite foods information; preferred music
information; and at least one image. Even further, it provides such a computer
program system further comprising the step
of assisting such at least one second participant to communicate with such at
least one first participant. Even further, it
provides such a computer program system wherein the step of assisting such at
least one second participant to communicate
with such at least one first participant comprises the steps of: assisting non-
disclosure of first contact information of such
first participant to such second partlcipant; and assisting non-disclosure of
second contact information of such second
participant to such first participant. Even further, it provides such a
computer program system wherein the step of assisting
such at least one second participant to communicate with such at least one
first participant is accomplished with text
messaging on digital mobile phones.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides an
Internet computer system, relating to
assisting finding of at least one proposed joint event by at least one second
participant with at least one first participant,
comprising: computer database means for searchably storing proposed-event
information wherein such proposed-event
information comprises at least at least one type of proposed joint event, at
least one proposed geographic area for such
proposed joint event, and at least one proposed time frame for such at least
one proposed joint event; computer interface
means for permitting database entry on behalf of such at least one first
participant of such at least one proposed joint event;
computer interface means for permitting entry on behalf of such at least one
second participant first searchable criteria for
proposed matching of such at least one proposed joint event; and computer
processing means for retrieving from such
computer database means such proposed-event information matching such first
searchable criteria. Moreover, it provides
such an internet computer system wherein such at least one type of proposed
joint event comprises at least one sporting
event. Additionally, it provides such a Internet computer system wherein at
least one of such at least one first participant and
such at least one second participant comprises at least one team. Also, it
provides such a Internet computer system wherein
at least one of such at least one first participant and such at least one
second participant comprises at least one couple. In
addition, it provides such a Internet computer system further comprising:
computer interface means for permitting database
entry, on behalf of such at least one first participant, of at least one first
skill level of such at least one type of proposed joint
4
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WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
=A.,ac ,m.rs
eveti~; compu~er mter~aee mean~,.;G,.s fof permitting entry on behalf of such
at least one second participant at least one second
searchable criterion for proposed matching with such at least one skill level
of such at least one type of proposed joint event;
computer processing means for retrieving from such computer database means
such proposed-event information matching
such second searchable criterion. And, it provides such a Internet computer
system further comprising computer processing
means for retrieving on behalf of such at least one first participant such
proposed-event information from such computer
database means. Further, it provides such a Internet computer system further
comprising: computer database means for
searchably storing participant personal profile information wherein such
participant personal profile information comprises
at least at least one unique identifier, such at least one type of such
proposed joint event, such of at least one first skill level
of such at least one type of proposed joint event, demographic information,
contact information, computer interface means
for database entry on behalf of such at least one first participant such
personal profile information; computer interface means
for permitting entry on behalf of such at least one second participant at
least one third searchable criteria for proposed
matching of such personal profile information; and computer processing means
for retrieving from such computer database
means such first personal profile information matching such third searchable
criteria. Even further, it provides such an
Internet computer system wherein such personal profile information further
comprises at least two of the following: children
information, participant background information, personality traits
information; favorite foods information; preferred music
information; and at least one image. Moreover, it provides such an Internet
computer system further comprising: computer
database means for searchably storing at least one bulletin board posting;
computer interface means for entry on behalf of
such at least one first participant of such at least one bulletin board
posting; computer processing means for associating such
at least one such bulletin board posting with such at least one first
participant; computer interface means for permitting entry
on behalf of such at least one second participant at least one fourth
searchable criteria for proposed matching with such
personal profile information; computer processing means for retrieving such at
least one bulletin board posting associated
with such personal profile information matching such fourth search criteria.
Internet computer system wherein such fourth
search criteria comprise: at least one type of proposed joint event, at least
one proposed geographic area for such proposed
joint event,'and at least one proposed time criterion for such at least one
proposed joint event. Additionally, it provides such
a Internet computer system further comprising computer processing means for
assisting such at least one second participant
to communicate with such-at least-one-first participant.- Also, itprovides
such a Internet computer system wherein such
computer processing means for assisting such at least one second participant
to communicate with such at least one first
participant comprises: computer processing means for assisting non-disclosure
of first contact information of such first
participant to such second participant; and computer processing means for
assisting non-disclosure of second contact
information of such second participant to such first participant.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention
provides a computer system for an
Internet computer system, relating to finding at least one proposed joint
event for assisting displaying participant personal
profile information of at least one first participant by at least one second
participant with, comprising: at least one computer
process structured and arranged to assist searchably storing proposed-event
information wherein such proposed-event
information comprises at least at least one type of proposed joint event, at
least one proposed geographic area for such
proposed joint event, and at least one proposed time criterion for such at
least one proposed joint event; at least one computer
process structured and arranged to assist permitting input on behalf of such
at least one first participant of such at least one
proposed joint event; at least one computer process structured and arranged to
assist searchably storing such participant
personal. profile information wherein such participant personal profile
information comprises at least at least one unique
identifier, such at least one type of such proposed joint event, such of at
least one first skill level of such at least one type of
proposed joint event, demographic information, and contact information; at
least one computer process structured and
arranged to assist permitting input on behalf of such at least one first
participant such participant personal profile
information; at least one computer process structured and arranged to assist
permitting associating such entered proposed
joint event with such entered participant personal profile infonnation; at
least one computer process structured and arranged
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
,t% .tc u .~rag.,r,w.::
to assis~ permi~'E~ng iiip'ut-bn (~eh~flRf such at least one second
participant first searchable criteria for proposed matching of
such at least one proposed joint event; at least one computer process
structured and arranged to assist retrieving from such
computer database such stored proposed-event information matching such first
searchable criteria; and at least one computer
process structured and arranged to assist displaying such entered participant
profile information associated with such
retrieved proposed-event information. Even further, it provides such a
computer system wherein such at least one type of
proposed joint event comprises at least one sporting event. Even further, it
provides such a computer system wherein at least
one of such at least one first participant and such at least one second
participant comprises at least one team. Even further, it
provides such a computer system wherein at least one of such at least one
first participant and such at least one second
participant comprises at least one couple. Even further, it provides such a
computer system further comprising: at least one
computer process structured and arranged to assist permitting input, on behalf
of such at least one first participant, of at least
one first skill level of such at least one type of proposed joint event; at
least one computer process structured and arranged to
assist permitting input on behalf of such at least one second participant at
least one second searchable criterion for proposed
matching with such at least one skill level of such at least one type of
proposed joint event; at least one computer process
structured and arranged to assist retrieving from such computer database such
proposed-event information matching such
second searchable criterion; and at least one computer process structured and
arranged to assist displaying such entered
participant profile information associated with such retrieved proposed-event
information. Even further, it provides such a
computer system further comprising at least one computer process structured
and arranged to assist retrieving on behalf of
such at least one first participant such proposed-event information from such
computer database. Even further, it provides
such a computer system further comprising: at least one computer process
structured and arranged to assist permitting input
on behalf of such at least one second participant at least one third
searchable criteria for proposed matching of such personal
profile information; and at least one computer process structured and arranged
to assist retrieving from such computer
database such personal profile information matching such third searchable
criteria. Even further, it provides such a computer
system wherein such personal profile information further comprises at least
two of the following: children information,
participant background information, personality traits information; favorite
foods information; preferred music information;
and at least one image. Even further, it provides such a computer system
further comprising: at least one computer process
structured and arranged to-assist searchably storing at least one bulletin
board posting; at least one computer process
structured and arranged to assist permitting entry on behalf of such at least
one first participant of such at least one bulletin
board posting; at least one computer process structured and arranged to assist
associating such at least one such bulletin
board posting with such at least one first participant; at least one computer
process structured and arranged to assist
permitting input on behalf of such at least one second participant at least
one fourth searchable criteria for proposed
matching with such personal profile information; at least one computer process
structured and arranged to assist retrieving
such at least one bulletin board posting associated with such personal profile
information matching such fourth search
criteria. Even further, it provides such a computer system wherein such fourth
search criteria comprises: at least one type of
proposed joint event, at least one proposed geographic area for such proposed
joint event; and at least one proposed time
criterion for such at least one proposed joint event. Even further, it
provides such a computer system further comprising at
least one computer process structured and arranged to assist assisting such at
least one second participant to communicate
with such at least one first participant. Even further, it provides such a
computer system wherein such at least one computer
process structured and arranged to assist assisting such at least one second
participant to communicate with such at least one
first participant =comprises: at least one computer process structured and
arranged to assist assisting non-disclosure of first
contact information of such first participant to such second participant; and
at least one computer process structured and
arranged to assist assisting non-disclosure of second contact information of
such second participant to such first participant.
DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS AND CROSS-REFERENCES
The following terms and acronyms are explained below as background and are
used throughout the detailed
description:
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,,,. . uN~, p~ ' j, m" n
~o~ T~~blrjg). Any system that supports an online diary such as a personal
chronological log of
thoughts published on a Web page or a shared on-line journal where people can
post diary entries about their personal
experiences and hobbies.
Cl:at/Cl:at Room. Any system that allows any number of users to have a typed
(and/or voice-based), real-time, on-
line conversation, either by all users logging into the same computer, or more
commonly nowadays, via a network. Using
special software, Internet users can enter chat areas or "virtual spaces,"
where they can communicate in real time.
Client-Server. A model of interaction in a distributed system in which a
program at one site sends a request to a
program at another site and waits for a response. The requesting program is
called the "client," and the program that
responds to the request is called the "server." In the context of the World
Wide Web, the client is typically a "Web browser"
that runs on a user's computer; the program that responds to Web browser
requests at a Web site is commonly referred to as a
"Web server."
Database. One or more large structured sets of persistent data maintained upon
a computer system organized and
structured according to a software system defining rules for organization as
well responding to queries to read, write or
modify data as well as provide statistical information regarding the contained
data. As used herein for purposes of
discussion, a database may be either a single unified system or a distributed
system wherein certain database elements are
located upon different systems, acting in harmony to appear as one unified
database.
Domain Name System (DNS). An Internet service that translates domain names
(which are alphabetic identifiers)
into IP addresses (which are numeric identifiers for machines on a TCP/IP
network).
Email. A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a
computer network, as between personal
computers.
Extensible Markup Language (XML). XML describes a class of data objects known
as XML documents and
partially describes the behavior of computer programs which process these
documents. More specifically, XML is a
restricted form of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (also known as
SGML). XML documents are made up of
storage units defined as entities which in turn comprise either parsed or
unparsed data in the form of characters or simply a
character. XML is designed and intended to improve the functionality of the
Internet by providing more flexible and
adaptive forms of information. XML can-be used-to-store any kind of structured
information and in such encapsulated form,
pass it between different computer systems which would otherwise be unable to
communicate.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). A standard coding convention and set of
codes for attaching presentation
and linking attributes to informational content within documents. During a
document authoring stage, the HTML codes
(referred to as "tags") are embedded within the informational content of the
document. When the Web document (or
"HTML document") is subsequently transferred from a Web server to a Web
browser, the codes are interpreted by the Web
browser and used to parse and display the document. In addition to specifying
how the Web browser is to display the
document, HTML tags can be used to create links to other web sites and other
Web documents (commonly referred to as
"hyperlinks"). For more information on HTML, see Ian S. Graham, The HTML
Source Book, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,
1995 (ISBN 0471-1 1 894-4).
Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP). The standard World Wide Web client-servor
protocol used for the
exchange of information (such as HTML documents and client requests for such
documents) between a Web browser and a
Web server. HTTP includes a number of different types of messages that can be
sent from the client to the server to request
different types of server actions. For example, a "GET" message, which has the
format GET, causes the server to return the
document or file located at the specified Universal Resource Locator (URL).
HTTPS. HTTP over SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) can be best understood as a secure
form of HTTP
communication. Specifically, SSL is a protocol utilized for the authentication
and encryption of HTTP traffic. In operation,
the server and client exchange a set of encryption keys that are used to
create a unique encryption key used to encrypt all
data exchanged during the session.
7
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.lt
u. d^fv ~lnr. .. J[ 11 tj ~t-':F 1ii
w")~r~'fr"i~`IRArI~E:~NA"t~oM rig frame, with content just like an ordinary
frame, included in the HTML 4 standard. Inline
Frames are useful for maintaining a frame of information on the user's display
at all time even when the underlying content
is scrolled up or down.
Instant Messagirig. Abbreviated IM, a type of communications service that
enables you to create a kind of private
chat room with another individual in order to communicate in real time over
the Internet, analogous to a telephone
conversation but using text-based, not voice-based, communication. Typically,
the instant messaging system alerts you
whenever somebody on your private list is online. You can then initiate a chat
session with that particular individual.
Internet. A collection of interconnected (public and/or private) networks that
are linked together by a set of
standard protocols to form a distributed network. While this term is intended
to refer to what is now commonly known as
the Internet, it is also intended to encompass variations that may be made in
the future, including changes and additions to
existing standard protocols.
LAN. A Local Area Network of computer systems, typically within a building or
office, permitting networking,
the associated sharing of resources and files, such as application software,
printers and client information, in an inter-office
setting.
PHP. A server-side, cross-platform, HTML-embedded scripting language used to
create dynamic web pages. PHP
is Open Source software.
Short Message Service (SMS). A service available on most digital mobile phones
(and other mobile devices, e.g. a
Pocket PC, or occasionally even desktop computers) that permits the sending of
short messages (also known as text
messages, or more colloquially SMSes, texts or even txts) between mobile
phones, other handheld devices and even landline
telephones. Messages are sent via a store-and-forward mechanism to a Short
Message Service Centre (SMSC), which will
attempt to send the message to the recipient. If the user is not reachable at
a given moment, the SMSC will save the message.
Later when the user is reachable, the SMSC will retry the delivery process.
Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL is a standard language used to
communicate with relational database
management systems (such as Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, Access,
etc.) for the purpose of performing tasks such
as data insertion, deletion, update, and general query for the return of data.
The Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP). SOAP is a lightweight XML/HTTP-based
protocol for the exchange
of information in a decentralized distributed platform-independent
environment. Fundamentally, SOAP consists of three
parts. The first is an envelope that defines a framework for describing what
is contained in the message and how it should be
processed. The second is a set of encoding rules for expressing instances of
application-defined data types. The third is a
normalized convention for representing remote procedure calls and responses.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). A standard Internet
protocol (or set of protocols)
which specifies how two computers exchange data over the Internet. TCP/IP
handles issues such as packetization, packet
addressing, and handshaking and error correction. For more information on
TCP/IP, see Volumes I, II and III of Comer and
Stevens, Internetworking with TCP/IP, Prentice Hall, Inc., ISBNs 0-13-468505-9
(vol. I), 0-13-125527-4 (vol. II), and
0-13-474222-2 (vol. III).
Uniform Resource Locator ((NL). A unique address which fully specifies the
location of a file or other resource
on the Internet. The general format of a URL is protocol://machine
address:port/path/filename. The port specification is
optional, and, if not entered by the user, the Web browser defaults to the
standard port for whatever service is specified as
the protocol. For example, if HTTP is specified as the protocol, the Web
browser will use the HTTP default port. The
machine address in this example is the domain name for the computer or device
on which the file is located.
WAN. A Wide Area Network, such as the Internet.
World Wide Web ("Web'). Used herein to refer generally to both (1) a
distributed collection of interlinked,
user-viewable hypertext documents (commonly referred to as "Web documents",
"Web pages", "electronic pages" or "home
pages") that are accessible via the Internet, and (2) the client and server
software components that provide user access to
8
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
;f n ,,,,:b rr J; ;i
a u n ii yc [r,i, .i. u.~i,, q.!;
such ~oouments using"'staridardized Tnternet protocols. Currently, the primary
standard protocol for allowing applications to
locate and acquire Web documents is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP),
and the electronic pages are encoded using
the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). However, the terms "World Wide Web" and
"Web" are intended to encompass
future markup languages and transport protocols that may be used in place of
or in addition to the Hypertext Markup
Language (HTML) and the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. I shows a diagrammatical overview of the Internet communications used in
the instant system according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a simplified functional diagrammatical overview of the
relationship among the web site server and
users of the instant system according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 shows a simplified functional diagrammatical overview of the
relationship between the web server and the
web site and its primary functions, according to the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows a summary schematic of the primary entities and their
relationships associated with the instant
system and method, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 shows a summary schematic of the primary steps which may be completed
in the instant system and
method, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen for the web site home page screen
presented to visitors according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a welcome screen displayed after member login
according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a member registration screen used to register new
members according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows an example of a singles member profile screen that is completed
by new single members according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen used by members to add a photo their
member profile according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows an example of a couple's member profile screen that is completed
by new members joining as a
couple according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows an example of a team's member profile screen that is completed
by new members joining as a team
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 shows an example of a Match Request screen used by members to input
desired match information for a
particular activity, usually a sport-related activity, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen reminding a member that a new sports
skill will be added to their profile
when requesting a match according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 15 shows an example of a quick search screen used to find a member by
their screen name according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 shows an example of a member search screen which permits a member to
search for members with
specific attributes according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 17 shows an example of kids search screen which permits a member to
search for kids with a specific set of
attributes according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 shows an example of a member search results screen according to a
preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 19 shows an example of a completed member profile according to a
preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
9
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
V1d.`'`2EhdQ`s'~ii 'eQp3d -of a member's favorites list screen according to a
preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 21 shows an example of a member's photo screen according to a preferred
embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 22 shows an example of an email screen permitting members to email each
other according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 shows an example of an instant messaging screen permitting members to
message each other according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 shows an example of a Match Search screen for searching for members
that have entered desired match
information according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 shows an example of a Search Results screen displaying all members'
profile information for members
having input match information matching search criteria entered by a member
according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 26 shows an example of a bulletin board search screen permitting a member
to search for possible match
requests posted to the bulletin board according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 27 shows an example of a bulletin board posting matching a member's
search according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 shows an example of a bulletin board post screen which permits a
member to add a new bulletin board
posting according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 shows an example of a directory search screen which permits members to
search for advertisers according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 30 shows an example of location listing screen for a member's search
criteria according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31 shows-an example of a map request screen for obtaining a map or
directions to a selected advertiser's
location according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32 shows an example of an advertiser information screen used by
prospective advertisers according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 33 shows an example of the first sign up screen used by an advertiser to
place the information on the web site
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 34 shows an example of advertiser or location provider instructions
screen for guiding advertisers through the
set up process according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 35 shows an example of an advertising help screen which provides answers
to advertisers' frequently asked
questions according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 36 shows an example of a member's shopping opportunities screen
displaying retailers offering discounts
through the web site according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 37 shows an example of a member's shopping opportunities screen
displaying advertisers and retailers,
within a particular category, offering discounts through the web site
according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 38 shows an example of a chat screen used by members to chat when both
are online according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 shows an example of an alternate Search Results screen displaying all
members' profile information for
members having input match information matching search criteria entered by a
member according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
. b:n[ fnr f.v miviD ..it li ff 11nv1~ fitvivi
PIlis.R0'shb'l4giln &airipTe of a member profile that may be sent via text
(SMS) messaging screen to another
member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 41 shows an example of a text (SMS) messaging screen permitting members
to text (SMS) message each
other according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 42 shows an example of an administrator's screen permitting approval or
disapproval of advertisements
submitted by Players Guide advertisers according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 43 shows an example of an advertiser edit screen permitting an advertiser
to edit previously submitted
advertisements according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES
AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, a diagrammatical overview of the Internet
communications used in the instant system,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, preferably the
present invention comprises a web server 101
connected via the Internet 107 to users 118, 120, 122 and nnn. The web server
101 preferably comprises computer system
108 which in tum comprises input and output devices. For example, the computer
system 108 preferably comprises a
display screen or monitor 104, a keyboard 116, a printer 114, a mouse 106,
etc. The computer system 108 further preferably
comprises a database 102 for storage of the data and software comprising
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
The computer system 108 is preferably connected to the Internet 107 that
serves as the presently preferred communications
medium using http (hypertext transport protocol) as preferred protocol. The
Internet 107 comprises a global network of
networks and computers, public and private. The Internet 107 is the preferable
connection method by the users 118, 120,
122 and nnn in preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, a simplified functional diagrammatical overview of the
relationship among the web site server
and users of the instant system according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is, preferably, registered user(s)
202 will use a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, to connect to web
server 101 through use of the Internet 107. Once
connected registered user(s) 202 will login and begin using the functions
available to them. Similarly, unregistered user(s)
203 will use a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, to connect to web
server 101 through use of the Internet 107. Once
connected unregistered user(s) 203 is preferably encouraged to register and
become a member. Preferably, unregistered
user(s) 203 are not required to register, but they will not be able to utilize
all the functions available to registered user(s) 202
until they do. Likewise, advertiser(s) 205 wishing to advertise on web site
301 preferably uses a web browser, such as
Internet Explorer, to connect to web server 101 through use of the Internet
107 to set up and maintain their advertisements.
Finally, web site manager 201 also preferably uses a web browser, such as
Internet Explorer, to connect to web server 101
through use of the Internet 107 to operate and maintain the web site 301.
Referring to FIG. 3, a simplified functional diagrammatical overview of the
relationship between Web Server 101
and Matchmaker Web site 300 and its primary functions, according to the
preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, substantially all
functional components and Matchmaker Database 320 of web site 300 preferably
reside on web server 101. The functional
component User Registration & Login 301 preferably comprises login functions
for registered user(s) 202, and registration
processes for unregistered user(s) 203. (See FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8)
Functional component User Profile 302 permits Registered User(s) 202 to create
or update their profile
information. Preferably, unregistered User(s) may register and then complete
the profile information as an individual, as a
couple, as a team, and as a parent"complete a profile his or her children.
(See FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12) (at least
herein embodying wherein at least one of such at least one first participant
and such at least one second participant comprises
at least one team; and at least herein embodying wherein at least one of such
at least one first participant and such at least
one second participant comprises at least one couple). Preferably, Registered
User(s) 202 also use User Profile 302 to
update their profile information. Upon reading the teachings of this
specification, those with ordinary skill in the art will
now understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues
as user preference, competitive requirements,
11
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
.0 ~F,F,r. ifi,kyrn:
t( R:,,.~t fl lr ll"' ls tr~ ~,.C. ,....ii
t tc., ~n' seart ha~Ie vatuewsuc~i asentity may be input and stored and
associated with a registered user, entity may be
employer, company, sports club, hotel, fitness center or other organization,
etc.
Advertiser Set Up 303 is preferably used to establish new advertiser accounts,
update existing advertiser accounts,
and create and modify advertising information to be displayed on Matchmaker
Web Site 300 as part of a directory of venues
(Player's Guide). Preferably, Advertiser Set Up 303 also provides help
instructions, frequently asked question lists and
advertising plan costs and benefit explanations, including preferred placement
within the directory of business entities.
Preferably, Advertiser 205 provides specific information about their business,
its location and any special offers (See FIG.
32, FIG. 33, FIG. 34, and FIG. 35). Preferably, Advertiser 205 may create
advertiser's own directory listing and then
checkout by making the required payment using a credit card or another form of
Internet-based payment, such as Pay-Pal.
Preferably, after payment is made the submitted and approved, the
advertisement is reviewed by web site administrator (See
FIG. 42). Preferably, if the advertisement is approved, web site administrator
will permit the advertisement to be posted in
the directory as requested by Advertiser 205. Preferably, Advertiser 205 may
review approved directory listings
(advertisements) and make changes or remove any or all directory listings (See
FIG. 43) (at least herein embodying after
such step of receiving payment, approving such at least one web site
advertisement; and at least herein embodying
displaying such approved such at least one web site advertisement).
Match Request 304 is preferably used by a Registered User 202 to create and
store an offer to meet another
Registered User 202 at a specific place and time for a sporting or social
event (at least herein embodying computer database
means for searchably storing proposed-event information wherein such proposed-
event information comprises at least at
least one type of proposed joint event, at least one proposed geographic area
for such proposed joint event, and at least one
proposed time frame for such at least one proposed joint event; at least
herein embodying computer interface means for
permitting database entry on behalf of such at least one first participant of
such at least one proposed joint event; and at least
herein embodying wherein such at least one type of proposed joint event
comprises at least one sporting event). As shown in
FIG. 13, preferably previous match requests made by Registered User 202 are
listed in Schedule of My Match Requests
1301 shown below Request Match Dialog 1302. Preferably, when Registered User
202 completes Request Match Dialog
1301 for a sport/activity not in their profile Add Sport/Activity Reminder
1401 is presented as demonstrated in FIG. 14 (at
least herein embodying computer processing means for retrieving on behalf of
such at least one first participant such
proposed-event information from said computer database means). Preferably,
Registered User 202 may remove any match
request shown in Schedule of My Match Requests 1301.
Preferably, function Match Search 305 provides Registered User 202 the ability
to input match criteria including
sport/event, time frame and location as well as selected personal criteria,
including age, gender and marital status, then
search Matchmaker Database 320 for all Registered Users 202 having input match
requests that meet the criteria, as shown
in FIG. 24 (at least herein embodying computer interface means for permitting
entry on behalf of such at least one second
participant first searchable criteria for proposed matching of such at least
one proposed joint event; and at least herein
embodying computer processing means for retrieving from said computer database
means such proposed-event information
matching such first searchable criteria). As used herein, time frame may refer
to a specific date and time, a range of dates, a
range of times, or one or more specified days of the week. FIG. 25 provides an
example of match requests that fit the
inputted criteria. Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those
with ordinary skill in the art will now understand
that, under appropriate circumstances, considering issues such as the need for
partial matching of search criteria, etc., other
selection arrangements, such as, for example, using of heuristic selection
methods for partial or approximate matching, etc.,
may suffice. Upon reading the teachings of this specification; those with
ordinary skill in the art will now understand that,
under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preference,
competitive requirements, etc., an entity value,
such as employer, company, hotel, sports club, fitness center or other
organization, etc., may be searchably associated with a
registered user and may be used as a search criteria. Preferably, the search
results may be refined by specifying the desired
skill level as shown at the top of FIG. 25. Preferably, Registered User 202
may then view the profile (See FIG. 19) and a
12
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
=~~y.,~u~~ :.: ::~ = n. ~=.:c .i .,,
pho~ (=S~ewi~I~i:2'1) 'eaelsi'Ifeg4steled User 202 having made a match request
matching the search criteria. A dialog
between Registered Users 202 may then be initiated using either email (See
FIG. 22) Instant Messaging (IM) (See FIG. 23),
or digital mobile phone-based text messaging (SMS messaging) (See FIG. 41)
agreeing to meet for the sporting or social
event.
Preferably, Member Search 306 permits Registered User 202 to search Matchmaker
Database 320 using the
member criteria as shown in FIG. 16. Preferably, a search may be performed for
singles, couples or teams. Those members
matching the search criteria are listed for review as shown in FIG. 18. Upon
reading the teachings of this specification, those
with ordinary skill in the art will now understand that, under appropriate
circumstances, considering issues such as the need
for partial matching of search criteria, etc., other selection arrangements,
such as, for example, using of heuristic selection
methods for partial or approximate matching, etc., may suffice. Preferably,
the profile (See FIG. 19) and a photo (See FIG.
21) may be viewed by Registered User 202. A dialog between Registered Users
202 may then be initiated using either email
(See FIG. 22), Instant Messaging (IM) (See FIG. 23), or digital mobile phone-
based text (SMS) messaging (See FIG. 41).
Preferably, Registered User 202 may also search for kids (See FIG. 17), which
will return a list of singles or couples with
children matching the search criteria. Preferably, Registered User 202 may
also search for a member solely using a screen
name as shown in FIG. 15.
According to an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention,
alternate Search Results displaying all
members' images for members whose inputted match information match the search
criteria (See FIG. 39) may be presented
to Registered User 202. Preferably, when Registered User 202 moves the cursor
over each image, the profile information
related to that member will be displayed. Preferably, when Registered User 202
slides the "ability level" bar, some images
will fade out or in depending on each member's ability, etc. All these changes
will affect speed and efficiency of searching
for Registered User 202.
Directory Search 307 preferably pennits Registered User 202 to identify and
select a location at which a desired
sporting or social event can be conducted. As shown in FIG. 29, Registered
User 202 may search by business name or
request a list of business entities within a category. FIG. 30 provides an
example of the results of a search within the
"Gymnastics" category. Preferably, Registered User 202 may then view more
detailed about the business entity or request a
-map and driving directions as shown in FIG: 31.
Functional component Shopping 308 preferably permits Registered User 202 to
identify and select an online
retailer as shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37. As shown in FIG. 37, preferably
Registered User 202 may select a link to a
desired online retailer and make a purchase, often at a discount. Preferably,
the discounts provided are only available to
Registered User 202 as a benefit of membership.
Functional component Online Forums 309 preferably comprises online chat, one
or more BLOGs and online
forum/bulletin boards made available to Registered User 202. FIG 22 shows an
example of a preferred email message
screen. FIG. 23 presents an example of a preferred Instant Message screen.
FIG. 28 provides an example of a preferred
screen used to post a new message to a bulleting board. FIG. 38 illustrates an
example of a preferred chat screen.
Functional component Bulletin Board Search 310 preferably permits Registered
User 202 to search for messages
posted to a bulletin board messages that nieet the search specified criteria
as shown in FIG. 26. Preferably, the search
process combines a search of the profile portion of Matchmaker Database 320
and text match searching of bulletin board
messages. Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those with
ordinary skill in the art will now understand that,
under appropriate circumstances, considering issues such as the need for
partial matching of search criteria, etc., other
selection arrangements, such as, for example, using of heuristic selection
methods for partial or approximate matching, etc.,
may suffice. Preferably, all bulletin board messages matching the search
criteria are displayed as shown in FIG. 27.
Functional component Email/IM 311 preferably provides the functionality
necessary to support email and Instant
Messaging between Registered User 202. Additionally preferred functions
include the use of screen names provided by
Registered User 202 rather than actual email addresses or Instant Message
handles.
13
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
lt C2t'^l fc U: rmnp.=n..ll ~r=~lt
unc~iondl"coirlponent Xffiliates 312 preferably provides tracking and
accounting for visitors referred from
affiliate web sites which then become Registered User 202. Preferably, the
business entities operating the affiliated web
sites have agreed to include a link to Matchmaker Web Site 300 which can be
used by Unregistered User 203. Preferably,
Affiliates 309 calculates any remuneration owed to each business entity as a
result of referred Unregistered User 203
becoming a Registered User 202.
Functional component User Account Information 313 preferably comprises all the
necessary administrative
functions to manage a database of members including tracking and collection of
membership fees.
Functional component Partner's Account Information 314 preferably comprises
all the necessary administrative
functions to manage a database of affiliate, advertising and shopping
partners. Preferably, these functions include the
tracking and collection of fees due to Web site Manager 201 and tracking and
payment of fees due to affiliate partners for
new member referrals.
Referring to FIG. 4, a summary schematic of the primary entities and their
relationships associated with the instant
system and method, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, Web site Manager 201 establishes and
manages Matchmaker Web site 300 in step Manage Web site 410.
Preferably, in step Establish Advertiser Relationships 412 Web site Manager
201 offers opportunities to be listed
in directory of venues (Player's Guide) for sporting and social events.
Preferably, Advertiser 205 uses Advertiser Set Up 303
to select from one of the plans offered, complete its directory entry and set
up the method of payment. Preferably, each
Advertiser 205 also has the opportunity to become an Affiliate 404, which
preferably entitles Advertiser 205 to discounted
advertising rates and other benefits. Advertiser 205 preferably comprises
sporting venues such as golf courses, tennis clubs,
health clubs, martial arts studios, paintball facilities or any other location
that provides a venue for a sporting event.
Additionally, Advertiser 205 preferably comprises social venues such as movie
theaters, restaurants, campgrounds, and
hotels. In addition Advertiser 205 preferably comprises businesses that
provide services and products that support sporting,
athletic and social activities.
Preferably, Web site Manager 201 will selectively contract with Advertiser 205
or other venues including hotels,
restaurants and clubs to cater and manage sporting and social events such as
tennis tournaments, bridge tournaments and
similar competitions. In turn, preferably Web site Manager 201 will promote
each planned tournament via email targeted to
selected members within the Matchmaker Database 320 who, for instance, have
indicated an interest in the planned sporting
or social event. Preferably, Web site Manager 201 will accept reservations and
entry fee payments for the planned event.
Preferably, in step Establish Retailer Relationships 414 Web site Manager 201
will offer web site links to Retailer
405 to permit Registered User 202 to purchase products and services from
Retailer 405. In return, Retailer 405 preferably
offers Registered User 202 a discount on some or all its products or services.
In summary the intent is to use the increased
interest in shopping with Retailer 405 and in turn provide an incentive for
visitors to become Registered User 202.
Preferably, in step Establish Affiliate Relationships 416 Web site Manager 201
will offer a commission to each
Affiliate 404 for each visitor that comes to Matchmaker Web site 300 from the
web site of Affiliate 404 and then becomes
Registered User 202. Preferably, each Affiliate 404 agrees to place a link on
its web site and to promote Matchmaker Web
site 300. As noted, Affiliate 404 may also become Advertiser 205 and receive
reductions in costs for the placement of
entries in directory of venues. Affiliate 404 preferably comprises the same
business that may be Advertiser 205, but in
addition preferably comprises web sites which are devoted to both professional
and amateur sporting events. Additionally
Affiliate 404 preferably comprises web sites focused on nutritional and
performance improvement products.
Preferably, in step Establish Travel Relationships 431 Web site Manager 201
preferably will arrange to promote
and advertise products and services offered by to Adventure Travel and Tour
Operators 430 domestically and internationally.
Preferably, Web site Manager 201 will, in turn, receive referral fees or
commissions for members that use the advertised
products and services and optionally advertising fees associated with ads
presented on Matchmaker Web Site 300.
14
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
WO 2007/022004 PCT/US2006/031495
We~~rdbly;'Yn's'tep'Esfati'lish TV Relationships 436 Web site Manager 201
preferably will arrange with TV
Producer 435 to promote and advertise at least one "reality" television
program oriented toward using competitors chosen
from members in Matchmaker Database 320 for national and international
competitions. Preferably, in turn, the reality
television program will promote that only members (singles, couples and teams)
will be chosen from the members in
Matchmaker Database 320. Preferably, Web site Manager 201 will, in turn,
receive increased registrations of members thus
increasing substantially the number of members in Matchmaker Database 320,
which in turn increases demand for the other
services and products offered in and through Matchmaker Web Site 300.
Preferably Web site Manager 201 will use Registered Users 202 stored in the
Matchmaker Database 320 as a
source for advertising and organizing tournaments in all kinds of
sports/activities. Advertisers 205 (such as tennis clubs, golf
clubs, etc.) will preferably host and run in local areas throughout the globe,
with certain prizes supplied by Web site
Manager 201. Preferably the winners of first round tournaments are then
eligible to play in the second round tournaments,
and so on, until the final championships. Preferably, TV Producer 435 as a
business partner of Web site Manager 201, such
as a FOX Sports, could send camera crews to various cities during the rounds
of toumaments to capture interviews and other
footage of participants, matches, ete. - like the talent program American Idol
does at auditions. Then the final'
championships can be the core content of a reality television program aired by
TV Producer 435. The benefit is that Web
site Manager 201 can use the Advertisers 205 (such as athletic clubs
facilities) nationwide, which are in the business of
holding tourrnaments, since they bring in revenue and new members to the
Advertiser 205 (preferably Web site Manager 201
registers all tournament entrants and collects the fees online). Also these
Advertisers 205 (athletic clubs) will actually
compete to hold the Web site Manager 201 tournaments since there is a chance
TV Producer 435 camera crews may visit
and give the Advertisers 205 much exposure by collecting footage of the
tournament. These tournaments constantly being
run year round are really the eliminating and qualifying process for the
ultimate reality television program. When they are
advertised, they will draw new members to Web site Manager 201, since
tournament participants must be Registered Users
202, and, as many people want to appear on a reality television program, they
will most likely register for the Web site
Manager 201 local tournaments for such an opportunity.
Preferably, in step Establish Supplier Relationship 450 Web site Manager 201
will arrange with at least one
Product Supplier 451 to provide products for resale by Web Site Manager 201.
Preferably, Matchmaker Web Site 300 will
provide ecommerce functions necessary for Registered User 202 to purchase and
pay for the offered products. Preferably,
the offered products will comprise nutrition products generally associated
with health and fitness. Upon reading the
teachings of this specification, those with ordinary skill in the art will now
understand that, under appropriate circumstances,
considering issues such as market changes and customer demand changes, other
types of products may be offered for sale,
such as, for example, sporting equipment, clothing, etc., may suffice.
Registered User 202 preferably completes login to Matchmaker Web Site 300 to
initiate the step Use Matchmaker
Web Site 411. Preferably, Registered User 202 agrees to pay a periodic fee in
return for access to all functions available
through Matchmaker Web Site 300 including Match Requests 304, Match Search
305, Member Search 306, Online Forums
309, Bulletin Board Search 310, and Email/IM 311. In step Find Activity
Location 413 Registered User 202 preferably uses
Advertiser Search 307 to select at least one activity location. In step
Purchase Goods and Services 415, Registered User 202
preferably uses Shopping 308 to find a retailer from which to purchase the
desired products and services.
Preferably, Unregistered User 203 may visit Matchmaker Web Site 300 directly
and become a member by
completing the User Registration and Login 301 and agreeing to pay a periodic
fee as depicted by step User Access and
Registration 420.
Preferably, in step Visit Affiliate Web site 421, Unregistered User 203 may
visit the web site of Affiliate 404
which presents information about Matchmaker Web Site 300 and a link to
Matchmaker Web Site 300. Preferably, selecting
the link will present Registration and Login 301 to Unregistered User 203
which begins step User Access and Registration
420, further described above.
CA 02659221 2009-01-27
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fY";r ~}:.1, =., ,il Jk 12
I~~~eriirig Suirimary schematic of the primary steps which may be completed in
the instant system and
method, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each
visitor must register and create a profile to
utilize the functions of Matchmaker Web Site 300 in step Create Profile 601.
Preferably, a new member completes the
registration form (FIG. 8) indicating whether the registration is for a
single, a couple or a team by completing the field "You
Are:" which then takes the user to the appropriate profile form (FIG. 9, FIG.
11, or FIG. 12) and where the user completes at
least the required fields which include demographic data (such as age, gender,
marital status, etc.), contact information (such
as email address) and the user's preferred sports/activities pastimes and
related skill level (at least herein embodying
computer interface means for permitting database entry, on behalf of such at
least one first participant, of at least one first
skill level of such at least one type of proposed joint event; at least herein
embodying computer database means for
searchably storing participant personal profile information wherein such
participant personal profile information comprises
at least at least one unique identifier, such at least one type of such
proposed joint event, such of at least one first skill level
of such at least one type of proposed joint event, demographic information,
contact information; and at least herein
embodying computer interface means for database entry on behalf of such at
least one first participant such personal profile
information; at least herein embodying wherein such personal profile
information further comprises at least two of the
following: children information; participant background information;
personality traits information; favorite foods
information; preferred music information; and at least one image). Preferably,
each Registered User 202 may have more
than one sports/activities pastime. Preferably, Registered User 202 can then
enter the member's area (FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG.
17 and FIG. 24) and begin searching for members and matches. Preferably, when
Registered User. 202 logs out of the
Matchmaker Web Site 300 the first time, he/she cannot log in again until
he/she receives an initiation email and activates the
membership by clicking the link in the email. If Registered User 202 tries to
log in before receiving the initializing email,
the site will automatically provide them with a button to send out another
activation email, and Registered User 202 is
directed to look for the email and activate his/her membership by clicking the
link in the email. Once Registered User 202
activates his/her membership, Registered User 202 can log in the and begin
searching via all search boxes for adult
members, Match Requests, members by screen name and adults who have kids
broken down by gender, age, sports played,
and level of ability (FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 24). Preferably,
Registered User 202 can not contact another
-member or make a match request (FIG. 13) until-he/she becomes a paying
member. -
As shown, preferably in step 1' Member Inputs Match Info 602, Registered User
202, as a paid member, makes at
least one Match Request which is a public request (offer) to play a match with
others in a particular sport/activity, in a
particular city, on a specific date, with a particular gender, martial status,
couple or team, of a particular skill level (FIG. 13
and FIG. 14). As depicted, Registered User 202 may indicate a preference for
the day of week by selecting the desired Day
of Week Check Boxes 1303. Preferably, use of Day of Week Check Boxes 1303
permits searching by day of week.
Preferably, sport/activity match requests (offers) may include any time and
location based event, such as playing a round of
golf, fishing, watching a sporting event, going to a movie, or having dinner.
Once at least one match request is posted to Matchmaker Database 320,
preferably another Registered User 202
may search for a match that meets his/her criteria as shown in step 2"a Member
Searches Match Database 603. Preferably,
Registered User 202 uses the Match Search Screen (FIG. 24) to query Matchmaker
Database 320. Preferably, all member
profiles associated with Match Requests satisfying the search criteria are
presented in the Search Results screen (FIG. 25) (at
least herein embodying computer processing means for retrieving from said
computer database means such proposed-event
inforrriation matching such secbnd searchable criterion). As shown, Registered
User 202 may then filter the displayed Match
Requests, by selecting a skill level from Skill Level Drop Down 2501 (at least
herein embodying computer interface means
for permitting entry on behalf of such at least one second participant at
least one second searchable criterion for proposed
matching with such at least one skill level of such at least one type of
proposed joint event).
Once Registered User 202 determines that a listed profile of a member with a
matching Match Request is
desirable, in step 2"d Member Contacts 15` Member 604, preferably, Registered
User 202 views (requesting) the details of the
16
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,: .W
memb`eYa`s` `piorife~on #he fvle'ri~be`r` P'iwfile screen (FIG. 19). If the
selected member is still desirable, Registered User 202 (as
a paid member) may contact the other member via the Instant Messaging (FIG.
23), via email (FIG. 22), digital mobile
phone-based text messaging (SMS messaging) (See FIG. 40 and FIG. 41), the chat
room system (FIG. 38), or the bulletin
board system (FIG. 28) by selecting the appropriate link on the Member Profile
screen (at least herein embodying computer
processing means for assisting such at least one second participant to
communicate with such at least one first participant).
Preferably, in all cases communication between members uses their "screen
names" rather than their actual email addresses
or mobile phone numbers to protect their privacy and ensure security (at least
herein embodying computer processing means
for assisting non-disclosure of first contact information of such first
participant to such second participant; at least herein
embodying computer processing means for assisting non-disclosure of second
contact information of such second participant
to such first participant; and at least herein embodying wherein the step of
assisting such at least one second participant to
communicate with such at least one first participant is accomplished with text
messaging on digital mobile phones).
The business advantage of Matchmaker Web Site 300 is that Registered Users 202
may immediately (preferably
with one click) find the main object Registered Users 202 is searching for:
PEOPLE. Statistics show that the faster
Registered Users 202 can find what they are looking for on Matchmaker Web Site
300, the more successful the Matchmaker
Web Site 300 will be.
Preferably, the present Matchmaker Web Site 300 immediately connects
Registered Users 202 together using as
limited computing resources as possible and providing more than one method of
beginning the process of making a match,
and then Registered Users 202 use their computer resources to communicate
further with each other, if they so choose.
Once both Registered Users 202 have agreed to meet for a match a location must
be determined. If a location must
be found, Registered User 202 preferably searches the directory of venues
(Player's Guide) to view information about the
variety of locations available, in step Search for Event Location 605. As
shown in FIG. 29, Registered User 202 may search
by business name or category or select a category from those displayed. The
resulting list of venues is presented in a listing
of the directory entries fitting the "search criteria (FIG. 30).
In step Obtain Directions and Contact Information 606, preferably selecting
one of the directory entries presents
additional information about the venue, such as costs, reservation
requirements and hours of operation. Additionally,
Registered-User 202 may choose to obtain a map or driving directions by
selecting the Map link which permits Registered
User 202 to complete the map form as shown in FIG. 31.
After selecting a venue Registered User 202 will complete the necessary
arrangements to conduct the match at the
agreed data and time in step Use Advertiser to Facilitate Event 607.
In step Users Meet for Match 608 individuals, couples or teams, as the case
may be, meet and complete the
planned activity.
Referring again to FIG. 5, step 2"d Member Searches Member Database 609,
Registered User 202 may search for
another Registered User 202 for the purpose of meeting socially by using one
of the member search screens, Quick Search
(FIG. 15), Member Search (FIG. 16) or Kid Search (FIG. 17). Preferably,
Registered User 202 may search by any
combination of the search fields provided including singles, couples or teams
(at least herein embodying computer interface
means for permitting entry on behalf of such at least one second participant
at least one third searchable criteria for proposed
matching of such personal profile information). All members matching the
search criteria are preferably displayed on the
Member Search Results screen (FIG. 18) (alternate Member Search Results
screen, (See FIG. 39) may also be displayed). (at
least herein embodying computer processing means for retrieving from said
computer database means such first personal
profile information matching such third searchable criteria).
Once Registered User 202 determines that a listed member is desirable, step
2"d Member Contacts 15S Member 610,
preferably, Registered User 202 views the selected member's profile on the
Member Profile screen (FIG. 19). If the selected
member is still desirable, Registered User 202 (as a paid member) may contact
the other member via the Instant Messaging
(FIG. 23), via email (FIG. 22), text messaging (SMS messaging) (See FIG. 40
and FIG. 41), the chat room system (FIG. 38),
17
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l-S:e4 ai~:fs i{uu F.: nnft ,A6 ~E /S {:r.q i':nn
d'r th~`fiultefi~r~-f~`oard~sysf~m"'TVI6N) by selecting the appropriate link
on the Member Profile screen.
Once both Registered Users 202 have agreed to meet socially a location must be
determined. If a location must be
found, Registered User 202 preferably searches the directory of venues
(Player's Guide) to view information about the
variety of locations available, in step Search for Event Location 605. As
shown in FIG. 29, Registered User 202 may search
by business name or category or select a category for those displayed. The
resulting list of venues is presented in a listing of
the directory entries fitting the search criteria (FIG. 30).
In step Obtain Directions and Contact Information 606 preferably, selecting
one of the directory entries presents
additional information about the venue, such as costs, reservation
requirements and hours of operation. Additionally,
Registered User 202 may choose to obtain a map or driving directions by
selecting the Map link which permits Registered
User 202 to complete the map form as shown in FIG. 31.
After selecting a venue Registered User 202 will complete the necessary
arrangements to meet socially at the
agreed data and time in step Use Advertiser to Facilitate Event 607.
Following selection and arrangement of a location the individuals, couples or
teams, as the case may be, meet as
shown instep Members Meet 611.
Referring again to FIG. 5, Registered User 202 may post messages to the
bulletin board as shown in step 1'
Member Posts Bulletin Board Entry 612. Preferably, when Registered User 202
decides to make a post to the bulletin board
(FIG. 28), his/her message is automatically associated with his/her personal
profile by a link, so that the readers of the
bulletin board message can click the link and read the profile of Registered
User 202 who posted the message (at least herein
embodying computer database means for searchably storing at least one bulletin
board posting; at least herein embodying
computer interface means for entry on behalf of such at least one first
participant of such at least one bulletin board posting;
and at least herein embodying computer processing means for associating such
at least one such bulletin board posting with
such at least one first participant). Preferably, bulletin board messages may
be used to assist in setting up sports/activity
matches or simply to make announcements.
In step 2 a Methber Searches Bulletin Board 613, Registered User 202 may
search for bulletin board messages
preferably using search criteria as shown in FIG. 26 (at least herein
embodying such fourth search criteria comprise: at least
one type of proposed joint event; at least-one-proposed geographic area-for
such proposed joint event; at least one proposed
time criterion for such at least one proposed joint event). Preferably, the
entered search criteria will be used to search in
combination through both the member profiles and the bulletin board messages
to complete the request (at least herein
embodying computer interface means for permitting entry on behalf of such at
least one second participant at least one fourth
searchable criteria for proposed matching with such personal profile
information). As shown in FIG. 27, the search result
preferably presents a list of all messages matching the search criteria (at
least herein embodying computer processing means
for retrieving such at least one bulletin board posting associated with such
personal profile information matching such fourth
search criteria). Registered User 202 may view the profile of Registered User
202 that posted the message by selecting the
profile button and/or photo button. Additionally, Registered User 202 may
contact the individual by selecting the email
button.
Referring again to FIG. 5, in step Select Link to Retailer 614, Registered
User 202 may search for an online
retailer to purchase a product or service. The preferred method for searching
is shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37. Preferably,
Registered User 202 selects a link to the desired Retailer 405 and makes a
purchase through the web site of Retailer 405 as
shown in step Member Purchases Products and Services 615.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments of this
invention, it will be understood that
the broadest scope of this invention includes modifications such as diverse
shapes, sizes, and materials. Such scope is
limited only by the below claims as read in connection with the above
specification.
Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from the above
descriptions and the below claims.
18
