WO2021015609A1

WO2021015609A1 - Computer implemented method of matching user profiles

Info

Publication number: WO2021015609A1
Application number: PCT/NL2019/050473
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dennis Alexander Johan SANDERS
Original assignee: Relate B.V.
Priority date: 2019-07-23
Filing date: 2019-07-23
Publication date: 2021-01-28

Abstract

The present invention relates, to a computer implemented method of matching user profiles comprising the steps of: receiving, by the profile matching server, from one of the plurality of user devices, an enrolment request, the enrolment request comprising the user profile of the user of the user device; providing a list of predetermined personal interest data elements; receiving a selection of the list of predetermined personal interest data elements; generating a public user profile for the user of the user device, comprising a selection of the user identity data elements and the selection of the list of personal interest data elements, the selection of user identity data elements being defined by the user of the user device and the user identity data elements comprising a user name and an avatar; receiving a matching request based on corresponding personal interest data elements comprising a current location of the user device; determining matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and located within a predetermined distance, determining a relate factor defined by an integer of the corresponding personal interest data elements; displaying a list of the matching public user profiles, and corresponding relate factor; receiving a selection of one of the displayed matching public user profiles; and displaying the corresponding personal interest data elements and at least one user identity data element of the selection.

Description

Title: Computer implemented method of matching user profiles

Description

The present invention relates, in general, to a computer implemented method of matching user profiles.

The present invention further relates to, a computer program product, a computer program product, a computer-readable non-volatile storage medium, a communication device and a digital distribution platform server for matching user profiles.

Several social platforms have emerged over the last few years. Some are directed to making new friends or linking with relatives, others are directed to linking with business contacts. What these platform have in common, is that the platforms promote sharing personal information with others. Some platforms have for their objective to harvest data, preferably personal data from the users of the platform whereas other platforms try to keep the users active on their platform for as long as possible since they earn money through promotional activities during active screen time of their users.

If a user wants to make new contact, the currently known social platforms require a registration procedure in which personal information of the user is shared with the platform. Upon initiating new contacts the user may search the platform for users by using certain search queries, e.g. based on first name, surname, address, profession, username, etc. The outcome of the queries gives the user the opportunity to determine further personal details of the new contact, such as a profile picture, place of residence, education, etc.

It is difficult to predict whether or not the new contact will, eventually, result in a personal, commercial, or business relation which may be considered successful. In view of the present disclosure a successful relation may be defined as a relationship between two, or more, users, wherein the participating users consider the relationship valuable. From a personal and social point of view, these successful relations may thus for example be relations considered friendly relations between individuals. From a business or commercial point of view, the successful relation may for example be a relation between an individual and a company wherein the company provides services to the individual and both parties are satisfied with the service provided.

The number of successful relations that result from the use of the known social platforms is considered to be relatively low. Most new relations obtained from such platforms remain shallow and will not result in what is indicated above as a successful relation. The conversion rate, meaning the number of successful relations resulting from the total number of relations, is rather low. Gaining successful new relations is very time consuming.

The present disclosure has for its objective to provide an improved method for matching users for gaining successful relations.

A further objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method for matching users for gaining successful relations with a higher success rate or conversion rate.

The objective is achieved by a computer implemented method, which, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, matches user profiles between users of a plurality of user devices, wherein each of the users comprises a user profile comprising user identity data elements and at least one personal interest data element corresponding to the user profile. The method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the profile matching server, from one of the plurality of user devices, an enrolment request, the enrolment request comprising the user profile of the user of the user device;

providing, by the profile matching server, in response to the enrolment request, to the user device, a list of predetermined personal interest data elements;

receiving, by the profile matching server, from the user device, a selection of the list of predetermined personal interest data elements;

generating, by the profile matching server, a public user profile for the user of the user device, the public user profile comprising a selection of the user identity data elements and the selection of the list of personal interest data elements, the selection of user identity data elements being defined by the user of the user device and the user identity data elements comprising a user name and an avatar;

receiving, by the profile matching server, from the user device a matching request for matching with user profiles based on corresponding personal interest data elements, the matching request comprising a current location of the user device; determining, by the profile matching server, matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and located within a predetermined distance of the current location, and for each matching public user profile determining a relate factor defined by an integer of the corresponding personal interest data elements;

displaying, by the profile matching server, on the user device, a list of the matching public user profiles, and the corresponding relate factor for each of the matching public user profiles;

receiving, by the profile matching server, from the user device a selection of one of the displayed matching public user profiles;

displaying, by the profile matching server, the corresponding personal interest data elements and at least one user identity data element of the selection of user identity data elements of the selected one of the matching public user profiles.

The invention according to the present disclosure is based on the insight of the inventor that the, or at least one of the most important aspect(s) of achieving a successful relation is to limit the information shared between two users upon initiating a new relation, to only that information with the highest influence on the conversion rate. Information that does not, or not sufficiently add to that goal, is kept private and thus not shared between the users.

If only that information is shared between the user that significantly adds to an increase in conversion rate, the identity of the users may be kept private as well. Hence, the user has full control over their own identity and selects which information is shared with other users.

Known social platforms have the tendency to share as much information as possible and besides that, harvest the information for further commercial use, for example in selling the data to third parties for advertisement purposes.

It is noted that the present embodiments may be applied using a business model which is not based on advertisements, but is user functionality driven, which means users can pay for (tiered) subscriptions and micro transactions options to get more value out of the service. The goal of the present embodiments is to give users access to life changing people and opportunities around them, as quality of life is determined by the sum of meaningful experiences and connections you encounter. The present embodiments will increase the effectiveness of achieving this goal by increasing the conversion rate.

With the present disclosure the information shared is limited and the information stored on the platform is kept minimal as well.

It was an insight of the inventor that the information shared between users with the highest conversion rate was information that was classified as interest. The interests can be defined by a discrete number of predefined personal interest data elements. These data elements are predefined, meaning that the user, upon enrolment or at a later moment upon configuring the profile, may select one, several or a large number of interests. The data elements may also be added by performing certain (verified) action, e.g. Iron Man Winner of Hawaii 2019, amongst the first 100 users of the Relate application, etc. The interests are assigned to the user profile as the predefined personal interest data element and define what interest the user. The identity of the user is thus, when participating in public communications, defined by a number of personal interest data elements. With such a public user profile that is preferably tailor-made for that particular contact, the users are instantly shown what they have in common, find out even more about each other (other personal interests or user identity information), without the need to reveal their complete identities like in known social platform applications. With the relate application of the present disclosure, privacy is respected and fully controlled by the user itself. The user has the obligation to follow, connect, or friend each other beforehand, with the end-goal to get them both offline, out of the application and to meet physically. For this, the present disclosure filters users (personal identity data elements) and at the same time contextualized and tailors this towards the (viewing) user identity data and makes it available in different views, to experience the application individually by default.

Relate is the fastest way to get to know the people well, with the ease of finding collections of like-minded people to engage and build relationships with or to make (planned) meetings more efficient by knowing how they relate to each other and what they share.

This contact matching is initiated by a first step in which the profile matching server receives an enrolment request from one of the user devices. The enrolment is preferably performed only once and enables the user of the user device to setup the profile. As such, the user is requested to provide the user profile. The user profile comprises one or preferably several user identity data elements. These user identity data elements have identification data as payload, which for example may comprise a username, a photo of the user, a (real) name/ first name, surname, etc. For the present disclosure only one unique personal identity data element is required, all other elements are optional. Although the profile of the user may contain several of these identity data elements, these are not automatically made public.

Once the profile matching server has received the enrolment request, the user is prompted with a list of predetermined personal interest data elements, e.g. a lists of hobbies or topics of interest such as soccer, Italian food and woodworking. The user may select one, a few, or a large number thereof as personal interest data elements. These elements define the identity of the user or at least those parts that is are made (partly) public. Once a user identity data element is known and one or multiple personal interest data elements are chosen, the server may generate a public user profile. The public user profile thus contains both discrete personal interest data elements and user identity data elements. The user identity data elements are a selection of the user identity data elements that are defined during enrolment. The selection is not being performed by the profile matching server but by the user of the user device and comprise a username and an avatar. The avatar is to be interpreted in a broad sense, meaning that the avatar may be a pictogram, a hologram, a general picture, a personalized icon or figure that represents the user on the platform. It may also contain a photo of the user, but that is not required.

Once the public profile of the user has been generated, the matching can be started. The matching may be initiated by the server without specific request from any of the user. This is advantageous since plural connecting links may thus be determined already. Once any of the users wants to initiate a contact, the server has already fully or partly completed the matching process. Since this process is computationally complex, it may require a certain amount of resources and thus time of the computer. By performing the matching process prior to the request for matching by the user, the responsiveness of the request is improved.

Performing the matching on forehand will however result in use of resources to determine matches and connecting links between users from which no request is or will be received. In an example, the matching process may thus preferably be initiated upon receipt of a matching request from any of the users.

The matching process, either automatically initiated, or manually initiated from any of the users, is comprised of matching variables used in the query. These variables comprised in the request at least comprise a current location of the user device. This may be determined through several techniques such as, but not limited to, Global Positioning Systems, mobile communication nodes, triangulation, third party applications, personal area networks, wireless access networks, etc..

The variables comprised in the request also contain one or more of the personal interest data elements that are comprised in the public user identity. In this way, the query will return other users which have a corresponding, equal or at least relating personal interest, determined through comparison of the data elements, and are currently located within a predetermined distance of each other, hence, within the current location of the user device for which the query was executed.

Each user being nearby, i.e. within the predetermined distance, is assigned a relate factor. The relate factor is defined by an integer of the corresponding personal data elements, i.e. the number of interest that the user shares with the other, matched, user.

A list of those users which are nearby, and preferably have one or multiple interests in common, are returned to the user device for displaying the list on the device. Each user is being displayed with their corresponding relate factor.

At that moment, the personal information of those users listed is, intentionally, very limited. This prevents that the user from showing further interest, and further investigating the user by clicking on their profile, which is based on personal information that does help in increasing the chances of success in building and obtaining a successful relationship with this user. It forces the user of the user device to select from the list of users that particular user that has the largest number of common interests.

Once the user selects one of the users listed on the device, the personal interests of that user, and at least some user identity information is being shown to the user. The user may thus further investigate and see who the selected (e.g. clicked-on) user is by determining what interests they have in common. The server may prevent that all of the personal interests of the user are visible and may limit the interests that are displayed to only those that the match users have in common. Alternatively, the server may also disclose all of the interests, and most preferably, the user may configure that these are all disclosed or which interests should be disclosed or made visible and which should not, e.g. by flagging those interest data elements with a visible flag. By way of example, user A has 30 personal interests which are stored as personal interest data elements or meta tags to the user identity. Upon the matching step/search query, other users are scanned/searched around user A. The query will return results tailored to the identity of user A. This could mean, user A shares 4 interests with user B, 0 interests with user C and 13 interests with user D. The full user identity of user A is, preferably, never visible to any of these or other users unless a user matches all personal interests.

It is noted that in the context of the present disclosure, in all aspects and all examples described, the term user is to be understood in a non-limiting manner. The user can be a person, individual, category of persons, group of persons, a building, a vehicle, a company, etc. This allows to provide a user with feedback on how they relate to other users in their surroundings. E.g. if a user (a person) runs the application, and looks at a building housing a restaurant (which is stored as a meta tag or personal interest data element in the buildings user identity), and if the user has stored he or she likes vegetarian food, the meta tag or data element may be found as matching, resulting in a notification to the user (e.g. using an AR headset, through the mobile phone, a wearable, etc.).

In an example, the step of displaying the corresponding personal interest data elements comprises displaying the user name and the avatar of the selected one of the matching public user profiles.

In an example, the avatar is a photo of the user.

The photo of the user is preferably displayed after selection of the that user from the list of matching users. This is beneficial since it prevents the user from selecting a user based on criteria that do not add to the increase of the conversion rate. If the photo is shown on forehand, the user might, unintentionally, select the user on the basis of appearance which is no guarantee for building a successful relationship, whereas the mathematical expression of common interests is. By releasing the photo after the selection the user is forced to base the selection on the number of common interests.

In an example, the step of determining, by the profile matching server, matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements comprises determining, by the profile matching server, matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and located within a predetermined distance of approximately 20 kilometres of the current location, and for each matching public user profile determining a relate factor defined by an integer of the corresponding personal interest data elements. The skilled person will appreciate that the distance of the user and surrounding users within the predetermined distance of for example 20km, will all be determined in real-time or near-real-time such that it can be determined that the users that are considered nearby, are indeed at that moment in time within the predetermined range.

The ratio behind the distance of approximately 20 kilometres is, that according to such a definition the other, matching user is within reach or is to be considered nearby. Within reach or nearby, in the context of the present disclosure is to be considered such a distance that the user is able to meet the other user in person within a limited amount of time. It is the purpose of the present disclosure to provide an effective pre selection tool for users to meet other users. The meeting however may take place, and even preferably takes place offline in person. Hence, the distance is a distance in which in person meetings may be effective. In an example the distance may also be expressed in a time duration before the users can meet. This does not only depend on the actual geographical distance between the user but also the complexity of the route towards each other. Some locations may have better infrastructures than others. Better infrastructure will decrease travel time or increase travel distance. Hence, in an example, the server or the user device is arranged to obtain infrastructural data, for example through public or commercial street maps applications. Based on that data a route to the other user may be calculated and a travel time may be determined as well. By way of example, the distance can be defined as any matching user within 20 minutes travel time.

Travel time is also influenced by the way of transportation, e.g. by car, bike or trough walking. Preferably, the travel time or distance may thus be expressed in relation to one, two or all types of transportation. More preferably, the list of users is categorized by transportation type, i.e. users within car travel distance, within bike travel distance and within walking distance, wherein car may be defined as any one of 50km, 40km, 30km, 20km, 15km, 10km or 5km, bike travel distance any one of 25km, 20km, 15km, 10km, 5km, 3km, 2km or 1 km and walking distance any one of 5km, 4km, 3km, 2km, 1 km, 500m, 400m, 300m, 250m, 100m, or only 10m.

In an example, the personal interest data elements are organized in main-categories and sub-categories, wherein each main-category is linked to at least one of the sub-categories. The personal interest data elements may be defined as plurality of discrete elements, or may also relate to each other, either in a single layered relationship or a multi layered relationship wherein some main interests may be divided in sub interests. The server in such example may preferably direct the user to select the lowest level of interest, for example by prompting the user to select a subcategory interest when selecting a main category interest. If the user sticks with the main category, the matching procedure may be executed by determining initially a corresponding sub-category interest data element, and upon no results, repeating the query on the corresponding main-category.

In an example, the server may also determine relations between the personal interest data elements, for example, if multiple users have certain personal interest data elements selected in their profile, another user having some of these personal interest data elements may be suggested to select other personal interest data elements which where selected by the other users as well.

In an example, the step of displaying, by the profile matching server, the corresponding personal interest data elements comprises displaying personal interest data elements consisting of the selection of the list of personal interest data elements of the public user profile of the user of the user device.

Upon selecting a user from the list, all of the personal interests of the selected user may be shown to the user and thus may form part of the public user profile of that user. However, preferably, only those interest data elements are shown that both users have in common. This is advantageous since it hides certain personal information of the user which is probably not relevant for the relation between the users. The information shared between the users is limited to only that information they have in common and thus only that information which may form the basis of the successful relation.

In an example, the step of displaying, by the profile matching server, of the corresponding personal interest data elements, comprises displaying personal interest data elements of the selected matching public user profile wherein the personal interest data elements being displayed consist of those personal interest data elements the user of the communication device and the user of the matching public user profile have in common. In an example, the user profile further comprises character traits data elements obtained from an assessment procedure of the user, wherein the step of determining, by the profile matching server, matching public user profiles comprises matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and corresponding character traits data elements and located within a predetermined distance of the current location, and for each matching public user profile determining a relate factor defined by an integer of the corresponding personal interest data elements.

In an example, the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving, by said profile matching server, a contacting request for exchanging further information or further user identity data elements, from the user device, for establishing contact with a further user device associated with the selected one of the matching public user profiles,

forwarding, by the profile matching server, the contacting request, to the further user device;

receiving, by the profile matching server, from the further user device, approval for exchanging the further information or the further user identity data elements;

exchanging, by the profile matching server, the further information or the user identity data elements between the user device and the further user device.

Once the matching users are listed, and the user has selected one of these users to see their common interests, the user may initiate further contact by starting a relate procedure which may be considered an act of getting in contact. Upon relating or getting in contact, the server receives a contacting request to exchange further information or to share user identity data elements. This is to be interpreted in its broadest sense, meaning that this information shared is any information that the users exchange. The way in which the information is exchanged may be facilitated through a messaging system serviced by the server, e.g. a chat or direct message type of communication between the users. Preferably, the communication may also be facilitated by providing the user, who has send the contacting request, to decide how to contact the matching user, either through a direct message, as a point-to-point type of communication, or as a broadcast message, as a point-to-multipoint type of communication with multiple recipients, for example all users with the same interest within a certain distance. Preferably, the communication of the user may be limited through the type of communication. The direct message type of communication is without limitation and may allow to user to chat on whatever they like, whereas other types of communication such as the broadcast, may direct the recipient to answer a question with yes or no. This is for example beneficial in cases in which no elaborate chatting is desired, for example since there is little time, and the user might want to now on short term if the other user or users will be present at a certain event or location at a certain moment in time. By way of example, the user may be interested to see all users nearby that have the same interest in playing golf and send a broadcast message to all these users;“who will participate in a game of golf @ 9.00h on the new golf course”. The recipients may answer with yes, I will be present, or no.

In a further example, the step of receiving, by the profile matching server, a contacting request for exchanging further information or user identity data elements, from the user device, further comprises receiving a contact request expiration timer, and wherein the step of receiving, by the profile matching server, from the further user device, approval for exchanging further information or user identity data elements comprises receiving, by the profile matching server, from the further user device, approval for exchanging further information or user identity data elements within a time period corresponding to the expiration timer.

Since distance is an important aspect and time is a relevant factor, it is preferred to have a timer on such above indicated broadcast messages. This makes sure that the information shared between the users is kept clean and lean. This ensures the information is distributed efficiently, only to the nearby users who are interested in golf for example, so the information shared will be highly relevant. It is also beneficial since it may trigger the user to decide whether or not to join the suggested game such that all users on short time notice know if the game is on, and who will participate. In known social platforms obtaining this information may lead to huge conversions.

In an example, the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving, by the profile matching server, from the user device, a valuation data element for a matching user profile; and

filtering, by the profile matching server, the list of the matching public user profiles, based on the valuation data element, for obtaining a filtered list of the matching public user profiles. Preferably, the list of matching users is not too long and not too short. Ideally, the list may show between 5 and 25 matching users. If the matching query result in a high number of matching users, the server may enable the user to use rankings. With the ranking, certain users may be filtered-out of the list such that only those users remain which have a higher relational value. This may be expressed by a rating process in which the users are given an option of rating other users, e.g. either on profile level, thus in general, or on a personal interest level, thus a rating for that particular interest. If a user for example wants to link and make contact with another user which shares their interest in wine, the user may select from the list of users matching on shared wine interest data elements, those users with a higher ranking or score for the wine interest. This can be implemented by giving for example a“+1” or other added rating value to a specific personal interest data element. Preferably, there are for example 10 levels, from 0 to 10, the highest number representing the highest level of expertise. You may start at 0 and after receiving a +1 , you go to the next level and so on, until the maximum level is reached. Preferably, you can only receive +1 ratings for climbing a level from those users with at least or preferably a higher level for that interest. This means that climbing to higher levels is limited and gets more difficult along the way and is verified by an expert or at least someone with sufficient level of expertise to determine your level for that interest. Preferably, you can only receive a +1 once per unique user to prevent misuse of the ranking system. By way of example, this may be implemented as User A is level 1 and User B is level 1 at personal interest data element“wine”. They both can give each other a +1 and therefore both go to level 2 after the +1 evaluation. User C is level 3 and User D is level 7, User C can give user D a +1 but this appreciation will not count for user D level upgrade process as D has level 7 and user C level 3. On the other hand, User D can give a +1 that will add to the level upgrade process as he has level 3+. To conclude: with the Relate functionality implemented in the present embodiment, the user community verifies the user identity. If a user creates a fake identity, meaning an identity that does not represent his/her true identity, than it will be extremely hard to gain levels as other community members have to +1 them to grow to higher card levels. E.g. with the interest“wine”, every user starts on Level 0 and it’s very hard to gain to high levels even with support of cardholders. Without support it is impossible. Users may be the“gatekeepers” of their levels for certain interests. Why would they +1 a user, if they feel that the other user is not worth it or does not represent true interest in that subject?

In an example, the profile matching server may provide the user with an assessment or questionnaire, preferably during the enrolment procedure. The assessment may contain a predetermined number of questions which may be adapted for the user or may contain standard questions from which character traits of the user may be determined or defined. These character traits may be used as a filter on top of the personal interest data elements, e.g. to further increase the accuracy . Importantly, this may help him find people who suit him best and know which don’t. Everyone knows his true friends, people who you are enthusiastic about and you are willing to refer to everyone as being trustworthy etc. These are known as true friends. The opposite of these are failed true friends, people who you thought were true friends but have disappointed you and maybe even gave you a traumatized experience. You want to avoid this category. Then you have people were you have a natural (mutual) disconnect with, therefore both sides avoid contact. Lastly“unknown true friends” exist, people you won’t recognize as true friends at first but have the potential to become true friends. To conclude: you want to meet more people situated in the categories of true friends and unknown true friends and avoid people in the category failed true friends and disconnected people, because these won’t fit to your identity. This is exact where the present invention embodiments’ functionality is about, i.e. to help to find people who fit the user best. E.g. if Mark is a true friend of User A, we can recommend user A people just like Mark.

Other (additional) filter may also be used, e.g. filters based on reflection, opinions, judgements, which may be implemented through questions like “did you enjoy the meeting?”. The personal interest data elements may also be categorized in levels and used as (additional) filters through which the user may verify or rate an expertise in the personal interest, e.g. does that person like to drink wine or an oenologist. An advantage of having such additional filter is it may help user to initiate the contact since there is more information disclosed over that person. With the verified identity the user may create an individual or tailor-made identity which is collectively verified and confirmed. The user has full control over the identity and may decide which personal interests are shown. This is not linked to clicking behaviour or profile building by any algorithm etc. The user may decide their own experience since they have control over the (public) identity, i.e. only show what you have in common. In an example, the method further comprises the step of:

receiving, by the profile matching server, from the user device a threshold value of the relate factor;

wherein the step of displaying, by the profile matching server, on the user device, the list of the matching public user profiles, and the corresponding relate factor for each of the matching public user profiles comprises displaying a selection of matching public user profiles having a relate factor exceeding the threshold value.

If the result of the matching query is that a large number of users match on that particular interest and within that distance, the ideal number of users listed may be exceeded. The server, in such a situation may preferably hide users having a relate factor which is below a threshold. The threshold may preferably be dynamically defined such that the number of listed users is kept below a predetermined number.

In an example, the method comprises the steps of:

receiving, by the profile matching server, a further personal interest data element;

determining, by the profile matching server, whether the further personal interest data element is comprised in the list of predetermined personal interest data elements;

adding, by the profile matching server, the further personal interest to the list of predetermined personal interest data element upon determining that the further personal interest is not comprised in the list of predetermined personal interest data elements.

If a user has interest in something for which no personal interest data element has been created yet, the server may provide the opportunity to add a new interest data element. Preferably, these may also be filtered, for example for undesirable subjects for which a blacklist is created on forehand.

In an example, the personal interest data elements may also be obtained through third parties, e.g. through an API with other social platforms. Preferably, this third party date is classified in accordance with the type categorization of the data elements already present in the server.

In an example, the personal interest data elements may also be classified as public or private. Publicly classified interests may be used by anybody without restriction whereas the private ones may require an approval by one or more users prior to disclosure of the personal interest data element and the users linked to each other by that element.

In second aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product loadable into non-volatile internal memory of a communication device, wherein the computer program product comprises computer program code arranged for performing the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

In an example, the computer program product is carried on an electrical carrier signal.

In an example, the computer program product is downloadable from a server of a telecommunication network.

In third aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable non-volatile storage medium comprising computer program code arranged for performing the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

In fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a communication device such as a smartphone or tablet, comprising non-volatile internal memory, on which computer program code is stored and arranged for performing the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

In fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a digital distribution platform server for apps on a user device, wherein the platform comprises a non volatile memory, being arranged for distribution of an application comprising a computer program product which comprises computer program code arranged for performing the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure, in the second, third, fourth and fifth aspect have benefits corresponding to those of the first aspect. Thus, all examples, advantages and features disclosed in relation to the first aspect apply to these other aspects of the present disclosure in a corresponding manner.

The present disclosure will now be explained by means of a description of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure, in which reference is made to the figures. In the figures, like reference numerals denote identical parts or parts performing an identical or comparable function or operation. Of the figures:

Fig. 1 : illustrates the steps of the method according to an aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 2: illustrates the relational levels of the users;

Fig. 3 illustrates the list of matching users;

Fig. 4 illustrates the contact screen to relate and meet between users;

Fig. 5 illustrates the components of a system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 shows the minimal individual steps of the computer implemented method of matching user profiles 100 between users of a plurality of user devices, each of the users comprising a user profile comprising user identity data elements and at least one personal interest data element corresponding to the user profile. The method comprising several steps. The first step is the step of receiving 101 , by the profile matching server, from one of the plurality of user devices, an enrolment request, the enrolment request comprising the user profile of the user of the user device. The next step is the step of providing 102, providing, by the profile matching server, in response to the enrolment request, to the user device, a list of predetermined personal interest data elements. The next step is the step of receiving, 103, by the profile matching server, from the user device, a selection of the list of predetermined personal interest data elements. Next is the step of generating 104, by the profile matching server, a public user profile for the user of the user device, the public user profile comprising a selection of the user identity data elements and the selection of the list of personal interest data elements, the selection of user identity data elements being defined by the user of the user device and the user identity data elements comprising a user name and an avatar. Then the step of receiving 105 follows, by the profile matching server, from the user device a matching request for matching with user profiles based on corresponding personal interest data elements, the matching request comprising a current location of the user device. Then in the next step, the profile matching server determines 106, matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and located within a predetermined distance of the current location, and for each matching public user profile determining a relate factor defined by an integer of the corresponding personal interest data elements. The next step is the step of displaying 107, by the profile matching server, on the user device, a list of the matching public user profiles, and the corresponding relate factor for each of the matching public user profiles. The following step is the step of receiving 108, by the profile matching server, from the user device a selection of one of the displayed matching public user profiles. Then finally the step of displaying 109 follows, in which the profile matching server, displays the corresponding personal interest data elements and at least one user identity data element of the selection of user identity data elements of the selected one of the matching public user profiles. Once the corresponding personal interest data elements have been showed, the user may initiate a contact by sending 1 10 a contact request to the server. The server will forward 1 11 the request to the user for which the contact request is meant, if that user approves, he or she may return an approval 1 12 message to the server by which further information may be exchanged 1 13 in the final step. The information that is exchanged may either be exchanged without restrictions through a direct messaging service or in a fixed format through a broadcast message which messages preferably comprise a expiration timer.

Fig. 2 shows a conceptual view of the context of an aspect of the present disclosure: Users can create their own personal (public) identity 201 and broadcast or reveal it to other users. The second shell 202 (‘Relate’) determines how a user relates to other users of the present social network application, and allows to initiate forms of contact to get to know more about common interests, e.g. a user may choose to use the contact, function as described above. By transitioning to the third shell 3 (‘Meet’) a user may choose to initiate a chat, meet other users physically around interests based on the user’s identity by actively making clear to the other user that a physical meeting is desirable (with the broadcast function, users can invite other users to an activity or meeting) to indicate to the other user that they are open to meet physically and go offline to meet in person.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first screen wherein the users that match, i.e. from the matching step described above, are shown to the user (e.g. as an avatar). Each matching user has either an avatar or picture/photo 303, and a name 305 which are public personal data elements. The view will also show for each matching user the number of personal interests, i.e. relate factor 304, 307, they have in common. Hence for example here 16 shared interests with Sara. In case there is no picture or photo to show, the number of personal interest, i.e. the relate factor, may also be shown in place of that picture 307 as is the case with Ricardo. Once the user has been selected, e.g. clicked on, the picture may be released and visible to the user.

Besides showing the overview of users nearby, the screen shown in Fig. 3 may also show, for example from a further tab in the screen, a shared interests nearby tab (not-shown). By selecting this tab, the user may select a certain personal interest data element which is used as an extra filter for the users that are nearby, e.g. corresponding to the way in which the users are listed in Fig. 3. This tab may thus only show those users that are nearby, which have the personal interest corresponding to the selected personal interest. With each user also their relate factor is shown.

The matching users are listed and sorted by distance the distances are not expressed in actual geographical range but grouped to either biking 302, walking 308 or car (not shown) distance which might correspond to for example 1 km for walking and 5km for biking.

In Fig. 4 the next screen is shown which is shown to the user upon clicking one of the matching users as shown in Fig. 3. The screen will illustrate the user of the device 401 with photo and the clicked on matching user on the other side 402. In between both pictures 401 , 402 the number of matching or corresponding personal interests are shown and expressed as an integer relate factor 403. In the centre of the screen one of the shared interests is shown 404, in this case for example running. This could either be shown (preferably) as a picture, but in case a picture is missing (for example if the card has just been created by the user), it may also be pictogram style or simply described in text. These personal interest are preferably only those interests of the matching user 402 that both users 401 , 402 have in common, i.e. 33 in this case. The user may go through these personal interests by swiping them from top to bottom, although left-to-right may be used as well. If the user decides he or she wants to meet the other, they can click the relate button 405 such that a direct messaging type of communication can be initiated or for example a question to provoke answers, preferably within the predetermined expiration timer which may elicit an immediate response. By way of example, the user may be interested to see all users nearby that have the same interest in playing golf and send a broadcast message to all these users;“who will participate in a game of golf @ 9.00h on the new golf course”. The recipients may answer with yes, I will be present, or no. "

As described above, the present embodiments can be executed on a (mobile) user device such a computing device 20. Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a computing device 20 capable of executing any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure. The computing device 20 comprises a receiver/transmitter 21 (with associated antenna 22) to allow (data) communication with computing devices 20 of other users (e.g. via a Wi-Fi or mobile telephony network). Furthermore, the computing device 20 comprises a processor 25 connected to a memory unit 26, a display unit 29 and a positioning (e.g. GPS) unit 27 with associated antenna 28. The computing device 20, especially the processor 25, is in a further aspect arranged to execute one or more of the embodiments or aspects described above. I.e. a mobile computing device 20 is provided, comprising a telecommunication unit 21 for communicating with other mobile computing devices 20, and a processing unit 25 connected to a memory unit 26 and a display unit 29, wherein the processing unit 25 is arranged to execute the method according to any one of the embodiment described herein. The present disclosure in an even further aspect is embodied as a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions, which, when loaded on a mobile computing device 20, provides the mobile computing device 20 with the capability to execute the method according to any one of the embodiments described herein. The computer program product can easily be modified to include more or less of the various method embodiments described herein.

The positioning unit 27 may be implemented as a stand-alone positioning device (e.g. a GPS locator), or may use other or additional devices or neighbouring equipment, e.g. positioning based on Bluetooth signals, known Wi-Fi hotspots, assisted GPS, or localization based on known cell base station locations in mobile communication networks (e.g. 5G network).

The display unit 25 may range from a simple indicator to actual display screen, or even AR/VR headsets (which would also possibly act as input device to the application embodiments being executed on the processing unit 25).

Expressions such as“comprise”,“include”, “incorporate”,“contain”, “is” and“have” are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed in be a reference to the plural and vice versa.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that one, some or all method steps of may primarily be performed in a communication device such as a (smart) mobile User Equipment, or in a server which is located at a remote location, for example a back-end physical or virtual server in a dedicated, high security level data centre. Moreover, the person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that some of these steps may be performed by all element in parallel, or preferably, wherein each of the elements performs one or more of the method steps.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of matching user profiles between users of a plurality of user devices, each of said users comprising a user profile comprising user identity data elements and at least one personal interest data element corresponding to said user profile, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by said profile matching server, from one of said plurality of user devices, an enrolment request, said enrolment request comprising said user profile of said user of said user device;

providing, by said profile matching server, in response to said enrolment request, to said user device, a list of predetermined personal interest data elements;

receiving, by said profile matching server, from said user device, a selection of said list of predetermined personal interest data elements;

generating, by said profile matching server, a public user profile for said user of said user device, said public user profile comprising a selection of said user identity data elements and said selection of said list of personal interest data elements, said selection of user identity data elements being defined by said user of said user device and said user identity data elements comprising a user name and an avatar;

receiving, by said profile matching server, from said user device a matching request for matching with user profiles based on corresponding personal interest data elements, said matching request comprising a current location of said user device;

determining, by said profile matching server, matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and located within a predetermined distance of said current location, and for each matching public user profile determining a relate factor defined by an integer of said corresponding personal interest data elements;

displaying, by said profile matching server, on said user device, a list of said matching public user profiles, and said corresponding relate factor for each of said matching public user profiles;

receiving, by said profile matching server, from said user device a selection of one of said displayed matching public user profiles; displaying, by said profile matching server, said corresponding personal interest data elements and at least one user identity data element of said selection of user identity data elements of said selected one of said matching public user profiles.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of displaying said corresponding personal interest data elements comprises displaying said user name and said avatar of said selected one of said matching public user profiles.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said avatar is a photo of said user.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of determining, by said profile matching server, matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements comprises determining, by said profile matching server, matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and located within a predetermined distance of approximately 20 kilometres of said current location, and for each matching public user profile determining a relate factor defined by an integer of said corresponding personal interest data elements;

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said personal interest data elements are organized in main-categories and sub categories, wherein each main-category is linked to at least one of said sub categories.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of displaying, by said profile matching server, said corresponding personal interest data elements comprises displaying personal interest data elements consisting of said selection of said list of personal interest data elements of said public user profile of said user of said user device.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of displaying, by the profile matching server, of said corresponding personal interest data elements, comprises displaying personal interest data elements of said selected matching public user profile wherein the personal interest data elements being displayed consist of those personal interest data elements the user of the communication device and the user of the matching public user profile have in common.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step user profile further comprises character traits data elements obtained from an assessment procedure of said user, wherein said step of determining, by said profile matching server, matching public user profiles comprises matching public user profiles having a corresponding personal interest data elements and corresponding character traits data elements and located within a predetermined distance of said current location, and for each matching public user profile determining a relate factor defined by an integer of said corresponding personal interest data elements.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

receiving, by said profile matching server, a contacting request for exchanging further information or further user identity data elements, from said user device, for establishing contact with a further user device associated with said selected one of said matching public user profiles,

forwarding, by said profile matching server, said contacting request, to said further user device;

receiving, by said profile matching server, from said further user device, approval for exchanging said further information or said further user identity data elements;

exchanging, by said profile matching server, said further information or said user identity data elements between said user device and said further user device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of receiving, by said profile matching server, a contacting request for exchanging further user identity data elements, from said user device, further comprises receiving a contact request expiration timer, and wherein said step of receiving, by said profile matching server, from said further user device, approval for exchanging further user identity data elements comprises receiving, by said profile matching server, from said further user device, approval for exchanging further user identity data elements within a time period corresponding to said expiration timer.

1 1. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

receiving, by said profile matching server, from said user device, a valuation data element for a matching user profile; and

filtering, by said profile matching server, said list of said matching public user profiles, based on said valuation data element, for obtaining a filtered list of said matching public user profiles.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

receiving, by said profile matching server, from said user device a threshold value of said relate factor;

wherein said step of displaying, by said profile matching server, on said user device, said list of said matching public user profiles, and said corresponding relate factor for each of said matching public user profiles comprises displaying a selection of matching public user profiles having a relate factor exceeding said threshold value.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

receiving, by said profile matching server, a further personal interest data element;

determining, by said profile matching server, whether said further personal interest data element is comprised in said list of predetermined personal interest data elements;

adding, by said profile matching server, said further personal interest to said list of predetermined personal interest data element upon determining that said further personal interest is not comprised in said list of predetermined personal interest data elements.

14. A computer program product loadable into non-volatile internal memory of a communication device, wherein said computer program product comprises computer program code arranged for performing the method according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

15. The computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer program product is carried on an electrical carrier signal.

16. The computer program product according to claim 14, wherein said computer program product is downloadable from a server of a telecommunication network.

17. A computer-readable non-volatile storage medium comprising computer program code arranged for performing the method according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

18. A communication device such as a smartphone or tablet, comprising non-volatile internal memory, on which computer program code is stored and arranged for performing the method according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

19. A profile matching server, comprising non-volatile internal memory, on which computer program code is stored and arranged for performing the method according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

20. A digital distribution platform server for apps on a user device, wherein said platform comprises a non-volatile memory, being arranged for distribution of an application comprising a computer program product which comprises computer program code arranged for performing the method according to any one of the claims claim 1 to 13.