United States Patent [19J
`Shapira
`
`[54)
`
`[76]
`
`INTRODUCfiON SYSTEM FOR LOCATING
`COMPATIBLE PERSONS
`Inventor: Shmuel Shapira, 225 S. Reeves Dr.,
`#5, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90212
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 501,268
`
`Mar. 29, 1990
`[22] Filed:
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`May 12, 1989 [IL]
`Israel ...................................... 090277
`Int. a.s ........................ G06F 15/38; G08B 5/22;
`[51)
`G08B 1/123; G08G 1/123
`[52) u.s. Cl ................................ 364/419; 340/825.44;
`340/993; 340/407
`[58] Field of Search ................... 364/419; 340/825.44,
`340/407, 993
`
`[56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,696,384 4/1972 Lester .................................. 340/312
`3, 772,668 11/1973 Smith .................................. 340/224
`3,839,7 17 7/ 1974 Paul ............................... 343/ 6.5 LC
`3,858,212 9/1974 Tompkins et al. ............ 343/ 100 CS
`3,970,824 3/1976 Walton et al. ................... 235/ 61.11
`4,107,675 3/ 1978 Sellers eta! . .................. 343/ 6.5 LC
`4,121,102 1/1978 Wilson ................................ 250/341
`4,173,016 10/1979 Dickson .............................. 340/407
`4,225,953 9/ 1980 Simon et al. ........................ 367/ 117
`4,263,595 4/ 1981 Vogel ............................. 343/ 6.5 SS
`4,275,385 11/1981 White .................................. 340/312
`4,348,740 9/ 1982 White .................................. 364/ 419
`4,348,744 9/ 1982 White .................................. 364/419
`4,476,469 4/ 1984 Lander ........................... 340/ 825.49
`4,495,495 12/1985 Ormanns et al. ............... 340/825.45
`4,495,496 6/ 1985 Miller, III ...................... 340/825.54
`4,510,495 10/ 1985 Sigrimis et al. ................ 340/825.54
`4,556,883 2/1985 Strietze1 ......................... 340/825.54
`4,595,922 4/1986 Cobb et al. ..................... 340/825.49
`4,598,272 4/ 1986 Cox ..................................... 340/ 539
`4,644,350 2/1987 Ishii ................................ 340/ 825.44
`4,644,351 2/1987 Zabarsky et al ............... 340/825.44
`4,661 ,972 1/1987 Kai ........................................ 379/ 57
`4,663,625 3/ 1987 Yewen ............................ 340/ 825.54
`4,688,026 7/1987 Scribner et al. .................... 340/572
`4,739;328 9/ 1988 Koelle et al. ......................... 342/44
`4,740,788 8/ 1988 Konneker ....................... 340/ 825.44
`4,752,951 3/1988 Konneker ............................ 3791211
`
`Ill m~lllll ~~~~~II ~I! ~Ill ~1111~11 ~11!1~11! ~ll~llllli
`US005086394A
`5,086,394
`[II] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Feb. 4, 1992
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0125143 11/1984 European Pat. Off ..
`0189089 1/1986 European Pat. OfT ..
`3508448 7/1986 Fed. Rep. of Germany .
`8703139 12/1987 France .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Sanger, Elizabeth; "Mating by Computer: A New Ser(cid:173)
`vice Seeks to Match Inventors with Ventures"; Sep. 3,
`1984, Barron's, p. 32.
`Baig, Edward C.; "Making Money Helping Singles
`Mingle", Fortune, vol. III No. 4, Feb. 18, 1985, pp.
`98-103.
`Dial-A-Match; Clapp, D.; inforworld vol. 6; issue: No.
`19 p. 38; 5/7/84.
`Saturday Night Beeper; Grevstad, E.; 80 Micro p. 334;
`7/83.
`Looking for Mr. Right; Chin, K.; Inforworld; vol. 6
`Issue: No. 28; pp. 28-30.
`Meeting Your Match Online; Meyer, C.A.; 7/84; Lin(cid:173)
`k-Up vol. I Issue: No. 10; p. 38-40.
`Some Computers Shoot Electronic Arrows; Yuen, M.
`Softalk vol.: V3 Issue: No. 6; pp. 164-168.
`Primary Examiner-Dale M. Shaw
`Assistant Examiner-Xuong M. Chung
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Darby & Darby
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACf
`An introduction system for participating users, includes
`for each user a personal device that is subject to activa(cid:173)
`tion by remote paging. Each user, also has a memory
`device that contains personal data defining the user by
`personal characteristics such as traits and interests. A
`local control unit receives the respective personal data
`from a plurality of user memory devices and using com(cid:173)
`puter means compares the personal data of each user
`with the personal data of other users who have within
`the same time frame entered their personal data into the
`local control unit via their respective memory devices.
`Pairs who are matched to predetermined standards by
`the computer comparison are automatically paged via
`their personal devices and an introduction is facilitated.
`
`27 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Mtvice orea
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 4, 1992
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,086,394
`
`~~----~u
`-~ pers9nal ',
`'--
`"' .IY.
`deva ce
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`i
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`1 servace
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`1 deva ce
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`...........
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`I devace
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`I
`~--~~,~-----+---------r
`...,..........,__. ~~ \
`teleohone
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`exchange
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`...........
`service area
`
`FIG.1
`
`......_ ___ ..,
`
`/
`
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`~"'
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 4, 1992
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`5,086,394
`
`22,
`
`I
`I
`
`receiver
`
`t ronsmitter
`f
`modem
`
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`'
`.---------·- -------------------..,
`~21.
`16 I
`~
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`user's
`1
`teleprone 1--
`COMpUTER
`-
`memory module
`i
`J
`~-~, modem
`reader
`-
`I
`'bci5e-con"trotunir------------- -- ----(.- -- ·
`FIG. 2
`34
`
`I
`
`l-28 r26
`H
`
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`
`['_32
`CRT
`
`I I
`16-t
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`I
`
`ronscpiver
`males
`·
`channel 1
`
`I ' I
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`26
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`
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`
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`
`34
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`user's
`COMPUTER
`emory mod
`..-.+-~-t modem
`reooer
`L~----- - ·- _.., ____ - ------------------..J
`bose con'trol unit
`FIG.3
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 4, 1992
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,086,394
`
`---------,
`I v1'
`
`I
`I
`
`buzzer
`
`timer
`
`50
`
`antenna
`--------------------,
`
`r(cid:173)
`'
`
`53
`
`receiver
`
`52
`
`mouthpiece
`
`I
`I
`14~
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`t
`I
`I
`I
`f
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`L------------------------~
`personal device (pel)
`FIG.4b
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 4, 1992
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`5,086,394
`
`antenna
`--- ---------------------...,
`I
`H modem
`I
`d~ta
`.
`receiver
`1nter ace
`I
`~
`j~er
`~ •
`m1cro-
`IJ SWitthing
`~ controller
`unt
`
`11
`
`r---
`
`r
`I
`,,~~~
`I
`I
`I
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`
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`I
`I
`I
`buzzer
`~~~~ng
`I
`comP.Jter
`u~t
`I
`interface
`I
`I
`.--
`so~ket
`I
`I
`I ootoH
`power source
`I
`!SWitch
`1...------------------------- _ ___,
`I
`personal device ( pd )
`FIG. 5 b
`
`J--
`
`1-
`transmitter
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`f---9 charo: ters ~
`4
`display
`
`56
`
`antenna
`r---- --------------------,
`
`outhpiece
`
`computer
`interface
`'------------------------------...1
`FIG. Sa
`Personal device (pd)
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 4, 1992
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,086,394
`
`62
`
`ENTER USER
`DATA
`INTO
`LCU
`
`-
`
`-
`
`LOCATE
`LCD AT
`ACTIVITY ~60
`SITE
`
`6
`
`FIG. 6
`
`COMPARE
`USER DATA
`IN LCU
`
`64
`
`NO
`
`68
`
`PAGE
`MATCHED
`USERS
`
`70 1---.__
`
`t
`J.Q DATA
`INPUT TO
`LCU BY
`PAGED USERS
`
`dr
`
`LCU OUTPUTS
`OTHER PAGED
`I. D.
`USER
`
`~
`
`MATCHED
`USERS
`MEET
`
`74
`
`--72
`
`6
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,086,394
`
`Th'TRODUCfiON SYSTEM FOR LOCATING
`COMPATIBLE PERSONS
`
`2
`use of the Dickson system is restricted to a limited gath(cid:173)
`ering and minimal range of distance where the two
`people have to be virtually within sight of each other.
`Also, this system is highly limited with regard to the
`5 number of parameters that are matched prior to giving
`a favorable response to the first party.
`What is needed is a "friend finder" system that is
`available to users in many different localities and, upon
`request, introduces parties, who, by their own stan(cid:173)
`dards, are well matched or compatible.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to systems for intro(cid:173)
`ducing people who are desirous of making new ac(cid:173)
`quaintances, and more particularly to an introduction
`system that seeks, substantially immediately, to bring
`together people having compatible traits and interests. 10
`In the past, a variety of systems has been suggested for
`introducing persons to each other. These systems have
`been rather simple and did not fulfill the expectations of
`the parties. None of the suggested systems attained
`commercial success.
`Introductions effected by dating or marriage agencies
`suffer from several drawbacks. Prospective partners
`have no way of assessing the situation prior to actually
`meeting, generally because the initial meeting has to be
`pre-arranged for a specific future time. It is quite com- 20
`mon for either or both individuals to be in a particularly
`unreceptive mood at the appointed time, especially
`because the prospective couple has had no input in
`arranging an actual meeting. Agencies will eventually
`provide some introduction regardless of actual favor- 25
`able prospects for a successful match. The user of such
`services has no control over who will be the recipient of
`his/her name and address, with the additional inherent
`danger that such information can be easily circulated.
`Further, days and weeks may pass before a first meeting 30
`is achieved.
`Singles' bars and clubs theoretically offer to over(cid:173)
`come some of the problems associated with dating agen(cid:173)
`cies but possess several inherent drawbacks of their
`own. Although immediate contacts are available, poten- 35
`tial partners have no prior information about each other
`and there is the problem of "ice-breaking", that is find(cid:173)
`ing a suitable basis and the privacy to introduce oneself
`to a total stranger. The only evidence that a "match" is
`possible is the presence of both persons at the same 40
`place and time.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,016 to Dickson offers an "on the
`spot" introduction system for the situation where pro(cid:173)
`spective couples are in the same immediate area, for
`example, at a dance. In this patent, a first party has a 45
`short-range transmitter/receiver that identifies the first
`party and a very limited number of characteristics of the
`second party that the first party is seeking to meet. All
`of the potential second parties in the zone where the
`first party is operating, the dance, have receivers/trans- 50
`mitters that contain corresponding data indicative of
`the person that the potential second parties would be
`willing to meet.
`A potential second party receiver device interprets
`the first party's request and, if a suitable match is found, 55
`the second party's unit transmits a signal that is received
`by the first party. After that, a hunting process ensues
`wherein the strength of the exchanged signals depends
`upon the closeness of the parties. The parties search
`until they meet.
`This system is strictly one-to-one whereby the re(cid:173)
`ceiver device only accepts one response that matches
`the required parameters. Further simultaneous inquiries
`and responses will either jam the first signal or not be
`acknowledged at all. This system thus only accepts a 65
`first match, not necessarily the best match available. By
`its nature, the more people using the Dickson system,
`the more jamming problems there will be. Therefore,
`
`15
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to pro(cid:173)
`vide an improved introduction system that brings to(cid:173)
`gether people who, by their own standards, are desirous
`of meeting.
`Another object of this invention is to provide an
`introduction system that allows initial contact between
`"matched" persons by means other than an actual meet(cid:173)
`ing, full identification of the parties being withheld until
`the first contact has been made with favorable re-
`sponses.
`A further object of the invention is to provide an
`introduction system that enables the user to locate and
`identify a potential partner in his close vicinity within
`minutes.
`Still another object of the invention is to provide an
`introduction system that looks for best matches when
`more than one match is available.
`Yet another object of this invention is to provide an
`improved introduction system that is available to a user
`at many different geographic localities, but having a
`range that can be limited by the user on any particular
`occasion.
`Another object of this invention is to provide an
`introduction system that accepts and processes many
`competing requests for introduction without jamming.
`A further object of this invention is to provide an
`introduction system that provides substantially immedi(cid:173)
`ate, real time results.
`Yet another object of the invention is to provide an
`introduction system that automatically processes user
`requests for introduction and automatically notifies
`matched pair.
`Still another object of this invention is to provide an
`introduction system that does not introduce the same
`parties more than one time.
`With the introduction system in accordance with the
`invention, a plurality of first parties may seek out indi(cid:173)
`vidual respective second parties, who may or may not
`exist. Seeking, identifying and introducing a respective
`first party and second party is accomplished by the
`introduction system, which initially is intermediate the
`parties. A person who wishes to become a user of the
`introduction system provides data concerning himself-
`/herself and thereby characterizes the possibly non(cid:173)
`existent person he/she would like to meet. The inputted
`data may also include the desired characteristics in a
`60 prospective matching person, geographic location and
`time constraints for meetings. In other words, a would(cid:173)
`be user informs the system who and where he/she is and
`the personal characteristics and interests to be matched
`in a second party desired for introduction. The data is
`entered into a centralized computer system that at(cid:173)
`tempts to match the first party request against data of
`other participants in the system, the data including the
`other party's characteristics and interests in prospective
`
`7
`
`

`

`5,086,394
`
`4
`Local inputs at the local control units may be made
`by magnetic identification cards that the users carry, or
`the card may include a memory chip and perhaps a
`computer chip for automatic interaction through the
`local control unit with the centralized computer.
`Contact with the system may also be by keyboard entry
`at the local control unit or by dialing a particular phone
`number. Data may be inputted from a touch-tone tele(cid:173)
`phone and the local control unit may have a display
`and/or printer to provide instructions and feed-back,
`e.g. a person's first name, to the user, including the
`results of a matching effort, after the user has been
`paged.
`It should be understood, that when a "match" of two
`users has been made, it is not to imply that each and
`every parameter set out by the seeking party has been
`met. Certain mandatory factors, for example, religion,
`age ranges, educational background, may be required to
`be satisfied entirely whereas other factors such as hob(cid:173)
`bies and other preferences may be matched, for exam(cid:173)
`ple, only with a 25% agreement. Such factors represent
`ground rules of the system, which are made known to
`the users, and form no part of the subject invention.
`Further, the individual entering the system at a particu(cid:173)
`lar time may have an option to indicate the degree of
`match that is acceptable on a given occasion. The com(cid:173)
`puter then matches parties against the higher standard
`of the potential pair of participants.
`The invention accordingly comprises the several
`steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with
`respect to each of the others, and the apparatus em(cid:173)
`bodying features of construction, combinations of ele(cid:173)
`ments and arrangements of parts that are adapted to
`effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following
`detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will
`be indicated in the claims.
`
`25
`
`3
`introductions, and also including geographic and time
`constraints to match those of the seeking party.
`Each party who is a user (subscriber) of the system
`has, and in most instances carries, a personal device
`whereon he/she is contacted by the introduction sys- 5
`tern, if a match is found, and an encoded membership or
`identification card that identifies the holder and his/her
`personal data. The personal device may be specially
`designed for this system, or the system may be adapted
`to use existing devices such as beepers, radio transceiv- 10
`ers, cordless/cellular telpehones, and the like.
`In a preferred embodiment, a system local control
`unit is located in a particular geographic area, e.g., a
`popular restaurant. A user entering the geographic area
`inputs his data to the local control unit using the en- 15
`coded user identification card. A centralized computer
`connected to many terminals, or a computer in a self
`contained local control unit, compares the data against
`other persons who have used the same local control unit
`to input their respective data within a time period (e.g. 20
`same evening) that indicates the likelihood of a contin(cid:173)
`ued presence in the geographic area. If a valid match is
`made by the computer, the computer pages that
`matched pair via the personal devices that each user
`carries, and the paged persons return to the control unit
`to meet. A display or printout can indicate, for example,
`the matched parties' first names when one party inserts
`his/her identification card in the control unit. This in(cid:173)
`formation provides a more comfortable ambience for 30
`the first contact and minimizes potential mix-up where
`many people may simultaneously be relying on a partic(cid:173)
`ular terminal to find companions at that time.
`In another embodiment of the invention where the
`personal device is solely a page-receiving device, upon 35
`being paged, the paged party telephones the local
`branch of the introduction system, and if both parties
`have responded to the paging, the first and second
`parties are connected and may converse for a limited
`time period.
`In another embodiment of the invention, the personal
`devices include transceivers. When a match is found,
`the central system sets both parties' transceivers to op(cid:173)
`erate at a common frequency, pages the parties, and
`allows the first party to speak with the matched second 45
`party over that frequency channel for a limited period
`of time.
`Presumably, in all embodiments, if the voice commu(cid:173)
`nications between the first and second parties go favor(cid:173)
`ably, previously withheld information, such as full 50
`names and addresses, can be exchanged. The parties
`future activities then become separated from the intro(cid:173)
`duction system.
`When both parties fail to respond to their respective
`page calls, the introduction system can leave a message 55
`for a responding party, suggest a later time for contact
`between the parties, and even suggest meeting places
`JUld times based upon the geographic location.
`Local control units of the system may be provided in
`many different locations where the choice of potential 60
`partners is significant but opportunities to communicate
`are limited. For example, these local control units
`would be placed where time is spent in ordinary cir(cid:173)
`cumstances such as community centers, social clubs,
`exhibit halls, convention centers, auctions, theme parks, 65
`sporting facilities, office complexes, restaurants, parks,
`beaches, universities, shopping malls, museums, theaters
`(before curtain and after the final curtain), etc.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference
`40 is made to the following description taken in connection
`with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a functional drawing of the introduction
`system in accordance with the invention using a tele(cid:173)
`phone exchange for communication between a master
`control unit and local control units;
`FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of a local control unit;
`FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of an alternative em(cid:173)
`bodiment of a local control unit;
`FIG. 4a is a personal paging device to be carried by
`a system user;
`FIG. 4b is another personal device having transceiv(cid:173)
`ing capabilities, enabling voice communication to be
`carried by a user;
`FIG. Sa is a personal device having capability for
`autonomous operation; and
`FIG. Sb is a personal device similar to FIG. Sa having
`a character display for indicating information.
`FIG. 6 is a functional flow diagram of the introduc(cid:173)
`tion system in accordance with the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`An introduction system 10 in accordance with the
`invention includes a central or master control unit 12
`that fulfills a number of functions, and a plurality of
`substations assigned to individual participants in the
`system. These substations are herein designated as per(cid:173)
`sonal devices 14. A plurality of base or local control
`
`8
`
`

`

`5,086,394
`
`5
`units 16 have a defined function in a given area 18, and
`the local control units 16 are intermediate the central
`control unit 12 and the personal devices 14. By means of
`a public or private telephone exchange 20, each local
`control unit 16 can communicate, as necessary, with the 5
`central or master control unit 12, and users may also be
`in communication with the central or local control units
`12, 16 by using the telephone exchange 20.
`A basic feature of the introduction system is the pro(cid:173)
`vision of a large plurality of personal devices, which are 10
`respectively assigned to individual participants. Each
`personal device includes a paging system having an
`individualized address such that the central or local
`control unit 12, 16 can contact any personal device 14,
`which falls within the geographic service area 18 of the 15
`local control unit 16, to the exclusion of all other per(cid:173)
`sonal devices.
`A person, who wishes to become a participant (sub(cid:173)
`scriber) in the introduction system 10, enters data con(cid:173)
`cerning himself/herself and his/her interests. Data may 20
`preferably be entered from a written application form
`submitted to an assigned address, or data may be en(cid:173)
`tered by telephone to a local control unit 16 or to the
`master control unit 12. The data, for example, could be
`broken into two categories. Included in the first cate- 25
`gory are, mandatory criteria such as, for example, eth(cid:173)
`nic background, religious affiliation, education, income,
`age, height, smoking and drinking habits, etc. Addition(cid:173)
`ally, the data can include users' interests, life style, hob(cid:173)
`bies, etc., and even desired characteristics of a compati- 30
`ble matching person.
`After the data has been furnished and inputted, the
`new user is provided with an assigned personal device
`that is identified to that individual by an address code
`and may store a copy of the user's personal data. Other 35
`paraphernalia are also furnished, such as instruction
`booklets, encoded membership cards including the
`user's personal data, and renewal subscription forms,
`etc. From that time, the member can utilize the system
`in any available location that is covered by the system. 40
`Whenever the user is in a service area 18 covered by
`the system 10, that person can inform the system of his
`availability at a certain location by calling the local
`telephone number of the local control unit 16 from a
`touch-tone telephone and, by responding to a voice 45
`menu, the user inputs information. This information can
`include, for example, his personal code assigned by the
`system 10, his present location, planned duration of stay
`in that service area 18, and the service area within
`which an introduction to a second party is desired.
`Where a local control unit 16 is readily available, for
`example, in a restaurant, the user may enter the fixed
`data directly by inserting his membership card into the
`local control unit 16 and then by entering, using a local
`control unit keyboard, any requested variable informa- 55
`tion regarding the specific location for meeting and, for
`example, the planned duration of stay at that location.
`It is assumed that generally a male person is seeking
`to make contact with a female and vice versa. It should
`be understood that the invention is not so limited. In a 60
`given geographic area where the user fmds himself/her(cid:173)
`self, the user may seek out persons of the same sex hav(cid:173)
`ing common interests, for example, playing tennis, fish(cid:173)
`ing, etc.
`In the particular service area 18 where a present 65
`request is being initiated, the local control unit 16 corn(cid:173)
`pares the user's entered personal data with the entered
`personal data of other users who are simultaneously and
`
`6
`immediately available in the service area or particular
`location, for example, a museum or university, specified
`by the user. In an alternative embodiment where a per-
`sonal device or card only identifies the user but pro(cid:173)
`vides no personal data, when the user is in a new service
`area, that is, in a geographic region or a particular place
`that he has not previously or recently visited, the local
`control unit may retrieve his data from the master con(cid:173)
`trol unit 12 by way of the telephone exchange 20. The
`local control unit 16 may store the data of its frequent
`users.
`When a compatible couple is found, the system auto-
`matically noUies (pages) the two users by activating
`their personal devices. Several methods may be used to
`initiate an immediate meeting. The paged parties may
`call the local control unit 16 from any public or private
`telephone. After entering his/her personal identification
`code, the system will automatically interconnect the
`two parties if both parties have called in. This allows a
`telephone conversation for a predetermined period of
`time. The parties then make their own arrangements for
`a meeting, if their conversation advances in that direc(cid:173)
`tion.
`On the other hand, rather than initiating a direct
`telephone connection, and especially, where both paged
`parties do not telephone at the same time in response to
`being paged, the local control unit 16 informs the call(cid:173)
`ing party, using digitized/synthesized voice messages,
`the possible partner's first name, and place and time of
`a possible meeting. Psers can then leave/retrieve a
`verbal message regarding a future meeting when
`contact is again made with the local control unit 16 at a
`designated time.
`In another embodiment in accordance with the inven(cid:173)
`tion, users who have access to and make respective
`requests through a particular base control unit 16, re(cid:173)
`turn to that base control unit after being paged to re(cid:173)
`ceive a printout that includes a possible partner's first
`name and a listing of their shared interests. The time and
`place of the possible meeting is immediate and at the
`local control unit. Further, if both parties enter their
`respective identification data into the local control unit,
`a beeper will sound on the personal device of the first
`party to so enter his/her data, but only after the second
`party to return to the base control unit enters his/her
`identification. Further, if both parties enter their respec-
`tive identification data into the local contra! unit, a
`beeper will sound on the personal device of the first
`party to so enter his/her data, but only after the second
`50 party to return to the loci control unit enters his/her
`identification.
`By using a conventional telephone from such places
`as home, office, car, etc, a user can call the local control
`unit 16 from any place within the coverage area 18 of
`the paging system. The user may also call from the
`place where a meeting is desired, for example, a mu-
`seum. The user can inform the system about the dura(cid:173)
`tion of his availability and the geographic area to be
`covered. By virtue of the computer's speed in providing
`matching data, if a compatible couple is found simulta(cid:173)
`neously within any acceptable area, the system will
`page the users, substantially immediately, asking them
`to dial the base control unit 16 by telephone. After
`entering their personal codes, the system automatically
`interconnects them and allows a telephone conversation
`between the two people. In such a case, the personal
`device is a pager of the conventional type that has been
`adapted to the introduction system with a proper ad-
`
`9
`
`

`

`5,086,394
`
`7
`dressing and user identification code. Alternatively, the
`paged parties approach the local control unit, where the
`personal data was recently input to meet.
`Following is an alternative introduction system in
`accordance with the invention that is again represented 5
`functionally in FIG. 1. Data is entered originally for
`each user into the master control unit 12, and stored as
`described above. When a person informs a local control
`unit 16 of his presence in a given geographic area, the
`stored data is scanned, looking for compatibility among 10
`the predefined parameters of the seeking party and the
`person being sought. The contact by the local control
`unit 16 between two matched parties is based on a radio
`communication, the use of ultrasonics, infra red radia(cid:173)
`tion, etc., as compared to the public telephone system, 15
`that was used in an embodiment described above.
`The central or master control unit 12, when used in
`an embodiment in accordance with the invention, exer(cid:173)
`cises overall control over the local control unit 16 and
`may have a computer storage capacity for storing and 20
`evaluating the data pertaining to all of the participants.
`The individual personal devices 14 are generally battery
`powered units of portable nature that are equipped with
`signaling means, that is, buzzers, LEDs or the like, or
`they may be provided with voice radio communication 25
`means (transceiver) operative over a predetermined
`limited range.
`The local control units 16 may be located in a plural-
`ity of locations in a given city, and each such unit is
`assigned a certain effective area 18 in which the unit 16 30
`operates and in which it has adequate range and capabil-
`ity for making introductions. Features of various em(cid:173)
`bodiments of such local control unit 16 are set out here(cid:173)
`inafter. The local control units 16 temporarily store data
`of participants who have informed that unit about 35
`his/her presence in a given vicinity or location for a
`given period of time. Personal data need not be perma(cid:173)
`nently stored in the local unit 16. During this period of
`time, the local control unit 16 scans the system memory
`for a compatible potential partner who has also an- 40
`nounced his or her availability at such location during
`such time period. If such a compatible potential partner
`is found, and one may not exist, the local control unit 16
`automatically establishes contact between the two par(cid:173)
`ticipants. After making an introduction by a method 45
`indicated above, the local control unit 16 records this
`fact to prevent future repetition. A pair of users is only
`matched once. Where the personal devices 14 are pro(cid:173)
`vided with voice two-way communication means, in
`some circumstances a meeting can be arranged between 50
`such potential partners by themselves. Otherwise,
`contact with the local control unit 16 is necessary for
`effecting such a meeting.
`In another alternative embodiment, when a new user
`joins the system, the master control unit or central unit 55
`12 analyzes an applicant's questionnaire, by whatever
`format is used to originally input the information, and
`arranges his/her personal details and preferences in a
`particular format and assigns a personal address code
`for the individual. The master control unit 12 then 60
`adapts a personal device 14 for use by each individual
`subscriber by transferring the personal address code and
`personal data to a memory of the personal device. The
`master control unit 12 retains a record of information on
`the assigned address code and may retain the personal 65
`data in its memory. The master control unit 12 when
`maintaining data for each system user, on demand trans(cid:173)
`fers data to a requesting base control unit 16 by way of
`
`8
`communication means, such as the telephone lines
`(FIG. 1). Personal data is updated in the master control
`unit memory as new inputs are received. The master
`control unit can display information to users (subscrib(cid:173)
`ers) at a loca