Social Networking Providing visual and physiological cues in a matching

Social Networking 20 Providing visual and physiological cues in a matching system 21 Network community construction system 22 Group communications system based on predetermined acceptance criteria 23 Detecting proximate mobile devices with similar user profiles 20 20 21 Providing visual and physiological cues in a matching system Office. Hence, there were no office actions issued by the PTO and no written responses. The file history reflects references found as a result of a patent holder’s search. The claims were written specifically to avoid the references. The claims were amended by examiner’s amendment and then issued as U.S. Patent 7,342,503. A continuation application was filed and has issued as U.S. Patent 7,394,388. A second continuation application (12/146,517) is pending as of the date of this writing. Seller: Robelight, LLC 22 Featured IP Assets: Related IP: US 7,342,503; US 7,394,388 23 US 12/146,517 Expected Value: $400,000+ Potential Licensees: Lot Summary: The patents included in this Lot were developed as improvements to prior social networking patents which sold at Auction in the Spring of 2007 for $2.86 million (see Lot 25, Spring 2007 OT Auction). The inventions offered in this Lot provide a system to match people with common interests through visual and psychological cues. The system operates to detect the presence of a match seeker and to alert that person if an appropriate match is within a defined space. A match seeker wears a user monitor such as an RFID enabled device, a Bluetooth enabled device, a GPS enabled device, or a WiFi enabled device. When the presence of the match seeker is detected, an information server (which may be on a network remote from the defined space) operates to determine if the profile of the match seeker “matches” the profile of another match seeker. If a match is present, a wearable display (a “match indicator”) alerts the seekers. Patents in this Lot were prosecuted using the accelerated examination procedures recently introduced by the U.S. Patent and Trademark ■ Social Networking Companies ■ Wireless Telecommunications Companies ■ Mobile Device Manufacturers 110 Social Networking Providing visual and physiological cues in a matching system Patent Number: US 7,342,503 20 20 21 Patent Number: US 7,394,388 Title: System and method for providing visual and physiological cues in a matching system Title: System and method for providing visual and physiological cues in a matching system 22 Inventors: Elliott D. Light; Jon L. Roberts Inventors: 23 Elliott D. Light; Jon L. Roberts Issue Date: March 11, 2008 Issue Date: July 1, 2008 Earliest Filing Date: August 24, 2007 Earliest Filing Date: August 24, 2007 Representative Independent Claim: A match alert display system comprising: match indicators, wherein the match indicators are responsive to matching alert signals and are configured to display matching attributes conveyed by the matching alert signals; a first user monitor, wherein the first user monitor is configured to transmit a first response signal comprising first identification information to a presence detector establishing a presence of the first user monitor within a defined space; a second user monitor, wherein the second user monitor is configured to transmit a second response signal comprising second identification information to the presence detector establishing a presence of the second user monitor within the defined space; the presence detector, wherein the presence detector comprises instructions for receiving the identification information from the first and second user monitors and sending the identification information to an information server, wherein the information server comprises: a memory, wherein the memory... (claim continued) Representative Independent Claim: A match alert display system comprising: match indicators, wherein the match indicators are responsive to matching alert signals and are configured to display matching attributes conveyed by the matching alert signals; a first user monitor, wherein the first user monitor is configured to transmit a first response signal comprising first identification information to a presence detector establishing a presence of the first user monitor within a defined space; a second user monitor, wherein the second user monitor is configured to transmit a second response signal comprising second identification information to the presence detector establishing a presence of the second user monitor within the defined space; the presence detector, wherein the presence detector comprises instructions for receiving the identification information from the first and second user monitors and sending the identification information to an information server, wherein the information server comprises: a memory, wherein the memory... (claim continued) Social Networking 111 21 20 21 Network community construction system business company - such as an Internet service provider - which operates the server. The conventional system is, therefore, a community provided on the network in a closed cyberspace. This community is operated on preset specific subjects, and members of the system are only users who positively demonstrate the intent of participation in the community. Therefore, the conventional network community is lacking in expansibility or flexibility, both since its participants are fixed, or since users interested in a plurality of subjects need to comply with certain formalities in order to participate. The technology disclosed by the offered patent provides a system to exchange information between computers, and registers user-produced messages through logical connectors. An agent having a message produced by the computer user is sent through a logical connector, and the message is stored in a message database for future reference. Information specifying the user producing the message is registered through the logical connector. The offered IP assets would be of use to companies and organizations that rely heavily on communications through a computer network. The techniques may be used for interaction, information exchange and electronic commercial transaction between community members. The advantage of these techniques includes their allowing for spontaneous and autonomous generation and management of a network community, thereby facilitating on a computer network interactive communications, the exchange of opinions and the exchange of information on a common subject or a subject with a high similarity. The entire process functions without the need of a server managed by a specific business company. Sellers: Data Cake Baker Corporation & Kazuyoshi Maegawa 22 Featured IP Asset: US 6,643,681 23 Related IP: JP11-326235 Expected Value: $450,000+ Lot Summary: The IP assets offered in this Lot are directed toward the fields of computer networks and communications. Specifically, these assets disclose a system for constructing a network community capable of providing interactive communications on subject(s) with high similarity, as well as exchanging information, or carrying on electronic commerce, among a plurality of network users without the need for a server managed by a specific service provider. Communications are an integral element of society, both from sociological as well as economic viewpoints. Finding faster, easier, and more efficient means to communicate and exchange ideas has remained a driving force for innovation in the marketplace; currently, the Internet may be considered the medium of choice for communicating information. The Internet has brought more people together, more quickly, than anything before it. However, the means by which this network is provided has its shortcomings. A conventional network community makes use of a client/server system, and is provided by a 112 Social Networking Network community construction system Sample Forward Citation Analysis: ■ Accenture LLP ■ Sony Corporation 21 20 21 Patent Number: US 6,643,681 Potential Licensees: Title: ■ Internet Service Providers ■ Social Networking Sites ■ Website Operators System for constructing network community 22 Inventors: Takayuki Saito; Tatsuji Igarashi 23 Issue Date: November 4, 2003 Earliest Filing Date: November 17, 1999 Representative Independent Claim: A system for constructing a network community for communicating between a plurality of computers, wherein each of the computers comprises: transmitting means for generating an agent a function and including a message relating to a user, and transmitting the agent to the network, wherein the agent comprises a software module moving on the computer network and executing predetermined processing; and message storing means for receiving the agent and storing the message included in the agent in association with information specifying the user associated with transmitting the message; wherein the agent identifies a message having a predetermined similarity to the message relating to the user from a plurality of messages stored in the message storing means that received the agent, and posts the identified message via the network to the user associated with the message. Social Networking 113 22 20 21 Group communications system based on predetermined acceptance criteria to leverage their databases, increase the effectiveness of communication for their clients, and improve their behavioral targeting. The patented system provides a method of dynamically matching defined users of a group communication system, so subgroups of users with certain characteristics can intercommunicate. The system first establishes acceptance criteria that define what user characteristics are desired. Next, it gathers matching acceptance criteria from user profiles. It then calculates the degree of match between a user’s profile data and the acceptance criteria of all the other users in the database. When the system receives a communication from the primary user, the message data is then made available to the other users in the targeted subgroup. This technology can extend to any sort of group-based communication, including, but not limited to, email, discussion boards, SMS/ MMS, advertising, voicemails, chat, and instant messaging. It has applications in fields such as social networking, advertising networks, mobile communication, consumer research, market research, and emergency response. As mobile applications, which are both socially and locally aware, are expected to be the next “killer apps,” there is a clear need to empower communication within dynamically determined user groups. Because group communication is central to knowledge, information, and social sharing in many business and consumer applications, this patent may be strategically valuable to a variety of industries, including, but not limited to, consumer Internet, mobile phone software, advertising, application software, online games, and market research. Seller: Local2Me.com, Inc. 22 Featured IP Asset: US 6,480,885 23 Related IP: US 60/100,387; US 60/115,566; US 60/143,947; AU19990063928; PCT/US99/21589 Expected Value: $1,200,000+ Lot Summary: This fundamental patent discloses a method of enabling new group communication applications derived from large user bases via both online services and portable electronic communication devices. This method automatically forms affinity groups using a matching process of user-specified criteria and user profile data, so users can exchange messages with nearby or like-minded people. The Internet and mobile phones have recently become very popular for people to connect with affinity groups. College students, athletic enthusiasts, customers of a product, and endless other groups can benefit from these connections. Network operators, web portals, social networking sites, online gaming communities, corporate websites, and corporate intranets have enormous databases containing millions of user profiles. But those systems only allow individual or very broad messaging and/or user-created groups. The patented system creates new communication channels by targeting recipients based on selected characteristics, enabling organizations 114 Social Networking Group communications system based on predetermined acceptance criteria Sample Forward Citation Analysis: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ AT&T, Inc. Biglist, Inc. Comverse Technology, Inc. Escom Corporation Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Fujitsu Limited Hula Holdings, LLC International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corporation MobileComNetworks, Inc. Nazomi Communications, Inc. NEC Corporation Omniture Inc. OpenTV Corp. Pavaler Printing Ltd., LLC ReachForce, Inc. Research in Motion Limited Resource Consortium Limited SAP AG SonicWALL, Inc. Sony Corporation Stone Investments, Inc. Symantec Corporation Tena Technology, LLC Time Warner, Inc. Toshiba Corp. Yahoo!, Inc. 22 20 21 Patent Number: US 6,480,885 Title: Dynamically matching users for group communications based on a threshold degree of matching of sender and recipient predetermined acceptance criteria 22 23 Inventor: Michael Olivier Issue Date: November 12, 2002 Earliest Filing Date: September 15, 1998 Representative Independent Claim: A method of dynamically matching defined users of a group communication system, so that subgroups of the users having certain characteristics can intercommunicate comprising the steps of: a) establishing acceptance criteria parameters and user profile data parameters defining said characteristics; b) obtaining acceptance criteria data and user profile data corresponding to the acceptance criteria parameters and user profile data parameters for each user of a multiplicity of users; c) calculating the degree of match between the user profile data of each user and the acceptance criteria data of all other users of said multiplicity of users, and using the results of those calculations that exceed a particular threshold level of match to identify a subgroup associated with each said user; and d) upon receipt by the system of a communication from a particular one of said users including message... (claim continued) Potential Licensees: ■ Email Client Software Providers ■ Communications Companies ■ Social Networking Companies Social Networking 115 23 20 21 Detecting proximate mobile devices with similar user profiles The system works by matching each user profile with a person’s mobile device, carrying with it a unique identifier. These profiles are then stored in a separate, central database that communicates with each of these devices. The devices detect proximity to other devices, and when proximity is detected the central database is alerted and a matching function is performed. If a match between proximate devices is identified, or a match between a device and a specific location or interest, the devices are notified that somebody with similar interests is nearby, or a desired location, event, etc. is nearby, giving them the opportunity to connect with the person, location, event, etc. of interest. The method disclosed also enables the delivery of content relevant to the location and interests of the user. The method thereby offers advertisers access to social networking communities, as well as mobile advertising opportunities. Further, advertisers or such entities could use the technology to capture marketing or viewing data to help them construct reports on their relationship with viewers or users. In addition to advertising, many industries could benefit from this technology due to the wide range of applications. Applications related to rich media tours of visitor attractions, emergency alerts and messages, security screenings, as well as interactive gaming are just a sampling of what is offered in this Lot. Sellers: Suman Beros & Marian K. Riedy 22 Featured IP Asset: US 7,254,406 23 Related IP: US 60/387,482 Expected Value: $500,000+ Lot Summary: This patent Lot discloses a method and apparatus for detecting the proximity of selected mobile devices using short-range radio frequency communications, such as Bluetooth technology, and/or geographical positioning based on the comparison and evaluation of a pre-determined data set associated with each mobile device. Online social networking is a virtually ubiquitous tool people use today to meet other people and maintain pre-existing relationships. People are beginning to use mobile communication devices to participate in these social networking systems, usually by accessing the Internet. Social networking users are now utilizing the various methods of connecting in real time and space, for example, by “self-reporting” their location. The method disclosed in this Lot allows truly mobile networking by enabling network members to use their mobile phones and the method disclosed to adventitiously find out when other members are nearby, in real time and space. This system greatly expands the potential for spontaneous social interaction with people of similar characteristics. Sample Forward Citation Analysis: ■ Nokia Corporation Potential Licensees: ■ ■ ■ ■ Social Networking Companies Location Based Systems Companies Wireless Telecommunications Providers Wireless Device Manufacturers 116 Social Networking Detecting proximate mobile devices with similar user profiles Patent Number: US 7,254,406 23 20 21 Title: Method and apparatus for effecting a detection of mobile devices that are proximate and exhibit commonalities between specific data sets, or profiles, associated with the persons transporting the mobile devices Inventors: Suman Beros; Marian K. Riedy Issue Date: August 7, 2007 separate central database application the unique identifiers of the detected and detecting mobile devices; e) determining whether or not such unique identifiers have profiles stored in the central database; f) comparing and evaluating the profiles associated with the persons transporting the proximate mobile devices to determine whether the data comprising the profiles matches when profiles are available for both detecting and detected mobile devices; g) notifying the person(s) transporting mobile devices that a proximate match based on their profile is detected; h) effecting an exchange of information between proximate mobile devices when the comparison and evaluation of the profiles determines that there is a match. 22 23 Earliest Filing Date: June 10, 2002 Representative Independent Claim: A method for detecting selected proximate mobile devices comprising the steps of: a) accepting the unique identifier of a mobile device, the profile to be associated with the person transporting this mobile device and the profile(s) of other persons transporting mobile devices for which detection is sought; b) storing the unique identifier and the profiles in a separate central database; c) detecting proximate mobile devices by periodically initiating detection of proximate Bluetooth-enabled devices; establishing Bluetooth piconets with such proximate Bluetooth-enabled devices that are within range; obtaining such proximate mobile devices’ globally unique 48bit Bluetooth devices address (BD ADDR); and initiating connection to the central database application through a local network access point or through a commercial wireless carrier/ operator infrastructure; d) submitting to the Social Networking 117