(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Almog et al.
`
`111111
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20020002479Al
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0002479 Al
`Jan. 3, 2002
`( 43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) CAREER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Gal Almog, Rosh-Haayin (IL); Daniel
`A. Vidor, Rosh-Haayin (IL)
`
`Int. Cl? ..................................................... G06F 17/60
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl ................................................................... 705/8
`
`Correspondence Address:
`William H. Dippert, Esq.
`c/o Cowan, Liebowitz and Latman, P.C.
`1133 Avenue of the Americas
`New York, NY 10036-6799 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`09/742,687
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 20, 2000
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 20, 1999
`
`(IL) ................................................. 133617
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method of job placement. The method includes storing a
`database including a plurality of records of worker profiles,
`providing a description of a job opening, storing the descrip(cid:173)
`tion of the job opening in a job opening database, and
`automatically determining by a processor, for at least one of
`the records in the worker database, whether the worker
`profile in the record matches the description of the job
`opening.
`
`12
`
`13
`
`INPUT
`INTERFACE
`
`USER
`TESTING
`
`1 1
`
`10
`
`23
`
`JOB OPENING
`DATABASE
`
`WORKER
`DATABASE
`
`SUPPLEMENTARY
`INFORMATION
`
`QUERY
`
`MATCHING AND SIMILARITY
`DEFINITIONS
`
`14
`
`15
`
`QUERY
`
`JOB SEARCH
`
`WORKER SEARCH
`
`QUERY
`BANK
`
`CAREER
`PLANNING
`
`SALARY
`INFORMATION
`
`GENERAL
`STATISTICS
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 2002/0002479 Al
`
`SERVER
`
`INTERNET
`
`22
`
`26
`
`20 ____/
`
`FIG.l
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 2002/0002479 Al
`
`12
`
`13
`
`INPUT
`INTERFACE
`
`USER
`TESTING
`
`11
`
`10
`
`23
`
`JOB OPENING
`DATABASE
`
`WORKER
`DATABASE
`
`SUPPLEMENTARY
`INFORMATION
`
`QUERY
`
`MATCHING AND SIMILARITY
`DEFINITIONS
`
`14
`
`15
`
`QUERY
`
`JOB SEARCH
`
`WORKER SEARCH
`
`QUERY
`BANK
`
`CAREER
`PLANNING
`
`SALARY
`INFORMATION
`
`GENERAL
`STATISTICS
`
`FIG.2
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 2002/0002479 Al
`
`( 100
`ENTER RECORD
`DEFINING WORKER
`
`(108
`
`(102
`
`DISPLAY MATCHING
`JOB OPENINGS
`
`REQUEST FEEDBACK
`INFORMATION
`
`(104
`
`QUERY BASED ON
`VARIATION OF RECORD
`
`(106
`
`CHANGE RECORD
`
`(110
`
`REQUEST E-MAIL
`UPDATES
`
`FIG.3
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.4
`
`

`

`NAME: I
`E-MAIL: I
`PASSWORD: I
`GENDER: I
`AGE:[
`CITY:[
`COUNTRY:l
`
`DEGREE TYPE:! BACHELOR
`
`INSTITUTE: I
`FIELD OF STUDY: I
`AVERAGE: I
`MAJOR: I
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`53
`
`36
`
`32
`I I 1992 I-I 1994 I
`I INDUSTRY:ITELECOMMUNICATIONS
`I
`I POSITION:IAPPLICATION PROGRAMMING I
`I
`TITLE: ITEAM LEADER
`I
`I
`I
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`I ADD I
`
`TITLE:
`
`LOCATION:
`
`HOURS:
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`- -
`
`- - - -
`
`- · · · · - - -
`
`40
`
`42
`
`ANNUAL
`GROSS SALARY:! 65000
`I
`ANNUAL NET:I 55000
`I
`@YES ONO
`PENSION
`HEALTH INSURANCE@ YES ON0
`
`VACATION:!
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`-
`
`1
`
`I
`
`I
`
`-
`
`- - - _,
`
`34 OTHER SKILLS
`I LAGUAGES:I
`LEVEL: l-.----------~
`
`/38
`
`- - - - - -
`
`]
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`ON-LINE l
`TESTS
`,----
`
`56
`
`FIG.4
`
`30
`
`""C
`~
`
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`~
`0' =:
`~ .....
`
`I")
`
`.... 0 =
`
`~
`~
`?
`~~
`
`N c c
`
`N
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`
`~
`0 ......,
`Ul
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`~ c c c
`
`N
`~
`-..J
`'0
`
`>
`'"""'
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.5
`
`

`

`80
`
`CAREER COUNSELOR
`
`CURRENT DATE: NOVEMBER 1999
`
`LENGTH OF PLAN:
`5 YEARS
`
`MAXIMIZE:
`TOTAL INCOME
`
`82
`
`84
`
`Dol
`
`RESULTS:
`
`IN ALASKA
`2000-2001 SOFTWARE ENGINEER
`CLICK HERE
`
`2001-2002 HARDWARE CONSULTANT ARIZONA
`CLICK HERE
`
`CONSTRAINTS
`1- WORK HOURS PER MONTH<300
`
`2- LOCATION DURING AT LEAST
`25% OF TIME=ARIZONA
`
`0
`0
`0
`
`86
`
`2003-2004 PATENT AGENT
`
`GOOD LUCK
`
`FIG.5
`
`'t:l
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`>
`'t:l -....
`.... 0 =
`""C = 0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`~
`~
`?
`~
`
`~
`
`N c c
`
`N
`
`'JJ. =-~
`~ .....
`Ul
`0 ......,
`Ul
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`
`N -c c c
`
`N
`~
`-..J
`'0
`
`>
`'"""'
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.6
`
`

`

`US 2002/00024 79 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`1
`
`CAREER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to methods of pro(cid:173)
`viding employment information and particularly to on-line
`automatic systems for providing career management ser(cid:173)
`vices and employment information.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`Job hunting and recruiting is a problematic and
`time consuming task. Many companies need to find highly
`qualified workers within very short periods. For this purpose
`conventional ads are not usually sufficient. Employment
`agencies maintain databases of people looking for jobs.
`However, these databases are usually of limited scope.
`Therefore, in many cases employment agencies deal with
`recruiting workers which are not included in their database
`responsive to specific requests of employers for workers.
`
`[0003] Many Internet sites provide information on job
`openings, e.g., www.careermosaic.com. These sites, how(cid:173)
`ever, are usually only an electronic version of conventional
`want ads. Some web sites, such as Bid4geeks.com and
`Talent Market, post employees for auction, inviting employ(cid:173)
`ers to bid for the employees.
`
`[0004] An employment agency at www.careercentral.com
`allows online job recruiters to fill out questionnaires describ(cid:173)
`ing their professional profiles. Likewise employers seeking
`workers may fill out questionnaires on-line.
`
`[0005] A web site, at careerbuilder.com, allows users to
`search for job offers of a specific position which are above
`a minimal salary.
`
`[0006] One of the major tools in luring workers is offering
`high salaries. Of course, employers prefer not to offer too
`high a salary unnecessarily. Workers, on the other hand, wish
`to receive as high a salary as possible. One of the methods
`to know how high a salary to offer or accept is by comparing
`to other workers in similar positions.
`
`[0007] Some web sites, such as www.informationweek(cid:173)
`.com/itsalsryadvisor and wwwjobsmart.com, provide salary
`surveys based on professions and experience. These surveys
`are usually based on a relatively small number of surveyed
`companies and/or workers, and are updated only every few
`months.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention
`relates to managing an on-line, widely available database of
`employment related information which is continuously
`updated in real time.
`
`[0009] The use of a real time database has the advantage
`of providing important real time data on available workers
`as this data is accumulated. In the real time database, only
`a short period (e.g., of the order of seconds) occurs between
`entering information and using that information in providing
`query results.
`
`leave an open query for the average compensation of a given
`profile and receive updates when the compensation he/she is
`actually getting is substantially lower than the going aver(cid:173)
`age. In addition, an employer may provide a running query
`for workers such that each new worker preparing a record
`which fits the query is immediately brought to the attention
`of the employer and/or the employer's job opening is
`immediately brought to the attention of the worker.
`
`[0011]
`In some embodiments of the invention, the queries
`provided by the users are used in building the database.
`Many queries require entering, for example, a worker profile
`to which the query relates. The data entered for the query is
`optionally used in building a record of the database.
`
`[0012] The use of a real time database also helps in
`convincing people to enter information into the database.
`The ability to receive information substantially at the same
`time the information is being acquired is an incentive for
`people to enter the information. A person connecting to the
`database to receive information is usually more willing to
`provide information than a person who needs to provide
`information without receiving information. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present invention, only people who provide
`information to the database are allowed to query the data(cid:173)
`base.
`
`[0013] The use of an on-line database allows users to
`provide sequences of queries which depend on the results of
`each other. For example, if too many records are received in
`response to a query, the query may be narrowed by the user,
`to receive a smaller number of records which fulfill the
`query. In another example, a user may provide sequences of
`queries which check the affect of changes in the user's
`expertise on the compensation the user receives.
`
`[0014] The database optionally includes records on cur(cid:173)
`rent employment and compensation of workers. Optionally,
`the database also includes for at least some of the records
`information on desired positions and/or compensations for
`which the workers are willing to accept a new position.
`
`[0015]
`In some embodiments of the invention, the data(cid:173)
`base may be queried for records which describe workers
`who fulfill a desired profile. A company performing the
`query may approach these workers and offer them jobs.
`Optionally, the database may be queried for employment
`related information based on records which match a certain
`profile. The employment related information may include an
`average salary rate for the profile, suggested methods of
`increasing the salary and/or methods for reaching a desired
`salary. Alternatively or additionally, the employment infor(cid:173)
`mation includes information on the popularity of specific job
`titles and/or worker profiles as well as the percentage of
`persons in the population who may fill specific job openings.
`
`[0016] An aspect of some embodiments of the present
`invention relates to automatic matching of workers and
`employers without human intervention. By managing an
`on-line real time database, employers can find a predeter(cid:173)
`mined number of workers which most closely fit their needs
`without manually scrutinizing large numbers of worker
`profiles.
`
`[0010]
`In some embodiments of the invention, a running
`query may be left at the database, such that each new record
`which fulfills the query is brought to the immediate attention
`of the user who provided the query. Thus, a worker may
`
`[0017] Optionally, workers and employers may specify
`criterions of the jobs and workers they are looking for and
`thus avoid scrutinizing large lists of jobs and/or worker
`profiles.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.7
`
`

`

`US 2002/00024 79 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`2
`
`[0018] There is therefore provided in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention, a method of job
`placement, including storing a database including a plurality
`of records of worker profiles, providing a description of a
`job opening, storing the description of the job opening in a
`job opening database, and automatically determining by a
`processor, for at least one of the records in the worker
`database, whether the worker profile in the record matches
`the description of the job opening. Optionally, storing the
`database includes receiving information for at least some of
`the records over a network which connects a plurality of
`remote processors. Optionally, providing the description of
`the job opening includes providing the description over a
`network which connects a plurality of remote processors.
`
`[0019] Optionally, storing the database includes storing a
`database in which at least some of the records include a
`salary received by the worker represented by the record.
`Alternatively or additionally, storing the database includes
`storing records which include values for a predetermined set
`of fields and providing the description of the job opening
`includes providing values for the predetermined set of fields.
`Optionally, providing the description of the job opening
`includes providing range values for one or more of the fields
`and/or stating an importance of one or more of the fields.
`Optionally, determining whether the worker profile matches
`the job opening includes assigning each field a score and
`generating a total matching score from a weighted sum of
`the scores of the fields. Optionally, determining for at least
`one of the records whether the worker profile of the record
`matches the job opening includes determining which of a
`plurality of the records match the job opening. Optionally,
`the method includes providing a list of the workers repre(cid:173)
`sented by the matching records to an employer. Optionally,
`the method includes selecting by the employer workers who
`are of interest to the employer, and indicating to the workers
`that they have been selected by the employer. Optionally,
`indicating to the workers includes marking a job opening
`record of the employer with a special indication in display(cid:173)
`ing search results of the job opening database to the worker.
`Alternatively or additionally, indicating to the workers
`includes sending a message to the workers. Optionally, the
`method includes determining one or more attributes which
`differentiate between the matching records. Optionally, the
`method includes displaying a graph which shows an average
`salary of the matching records depending on the one or more
`attributes. Optionally, the method includes counting the
`matching records. Optionally, the method includes deter(cid:173)
`mining an average salary of the matching records.
`
`[0020] Optionally, determining for at least one of the
`records whether the worker profile of the record matches the
`job opening includes selecting a predetermined number of
`records which most closely fit to the job opening description.
`Alternatively or additionally, determining for at least one of
`the records whether the worker profile of the record matches
`the job opening includes setting a similarity range to the job
`opening description such that records falling in the similarity
`range are considered matching the job opening.
`
`[0021] Optionally, providing a different description of a
`job opening responsive to the determination and repeating
`the determining with the provided different description.
`Optionally, the descriptions of the job openings include a
`plurality of fields and the different description of a job
`opening is different from the previously provided descrip-
`
`tion in substantially only one field. Optionally, automatically
`providing by the processor suggested changes in the descrip(cid:173)
`tion of the job opening such that the description matches a
`desired set of one or more records. Optionally, providing the
`suggested changes includes providing changes which match
`records with an average salary higher than an average salary
`of records matching the provided description without the
`changes, by a required percent. Optionally, the method
`includes displaying data from one or more worker records
`which were determined to match the job opening descrip(cid:173)
`tion. Optionally, at least one of the one or more worker
`records from which data was displayed was stored in the
`worker database only a short period before the automatic
`determination. Optionally, the method includes notifying the
`workers represented by the one or more records from which
`data was displayed that the data was displayed.
`
`[0022] There is further provided in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention, a system for job
`placement, including a memory which stores a plurality of
`records of worker profiles, a network interface which
`receives a record describing a job opening from a network
`which connects a plurality of remote processors, and a
`processor which compares the received job opening record
`to one or more of the worker profile records in the memory.
`
`[0023] Optionally, the processor selects worker records
`which match the job opening record.
`
`[0024] Optionally, the job opening record includes a plu(cid:173)
`rality of requirements and the processor selects worker
`records which fit all the requirements of the job opening
`record. Alternatively, the processor selects worker records
`which fit at least a predetermined percent of the require(cid:173)
`ments of the job opening record. Optionally, the processor
`selects a predetermined number of worker records which
`most closely match the job opening record. Optionally, the
`processor assigns substantially each of the worker records
`with a matching score which indicates the extent to which
`the worker record matches the job opening record.
`
`[0025] Optionally, the job opening record includes a plu(cid:173)
`rality of requirements and in assigning the matching scores
`the processor assigns each of the requirements with a weight
`indicative of the importance of the requirement in assigning
`the matching scores. Optionally, the processor calculates an
`average salary of the selected worker records. Alternatively
`or additionally, the processor suggests changes in the job
`opening record which would result in a job opening record
`which would match records which have a predetermined
`attribute. Optionally, the predetermined attribute includes an
`average salary higher than the average salary of the selected
`worker records by at least a given percent. Optionally, the
`processor sends messages to workers represented by the
`selected worker records notifying them of the job opening.
`Optionally, at least some of the worker records in the
`memory are received through the network interface. Option(cid:173)
`ally, the system includes a second memory in which the
`received job opening records are stored. Optionally, worker
`records received through the interface are stored in the
`memory and may be compared by the processor to the
`received job opening record immediately upon reception.
`
`[0026] There is further provided in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention, a method of estab(cid:173)
`lishing an opinion on a worker profile, including receiving
`a worker profile, comparing the received worker profile to a
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.8
`
`

`

`US 2002/00024 79 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`3
`
`database of a plurality of worker profiles, and automatically
`generating by a processor, responsive to the comparison, an
`opinion on the received worker profile. Optionally, receiving
`the worker profile includes receiving over a network which
`connects a plurality of remote processors. Optionally, gen(cid:173)
`erating the opinion includes generating an opinion on a
`salary level of the worker profile. Alternatively or addition(cid:173)
`ally, generating the opinion includes generating a career plan
`for an owner of the worker profile. Further alternatively or
`additionally, generating the opinion includes suggesting one
`or more subjects to be studied. Further alternatively or
`additionally, generating the opinion includes stating salary
`levels for several values of a field of the worker profile
`which achieve highest salary levels among the possible
`values of the field. Optionally, the method includes display(cid:173)
`ing the opinion within a short period from receiving the
`worker profile. Optionally, generating the opinion is per(cid:173)
`formed based on one or more records of the worker database
`which were stored in the worker database only a short period
`before receiving the worker profile. Optionally, the method
`includes periodically generating a follow up opinion and
`notifying the owner of the worker profile when the follow up
`opinion has results substantially different than previously
`generated opinions.
`
`[0027] There is further provided in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention, a method of job
`placement, including storing a database including a plurality
`of records of job openings, providing a description of a
`worker, storing the description of the worker in a worker
`database, and automatically determining by a processor, for
`at least one of the records in the job opening database,
`whether the job opening in the record matches the worker
`description.
`
`[0028] Optionally, the automatic determination is per(cid:173)
`formed based on one or more records of the job opening
`database which were stored in the job opening database only
`a short period before providing the worker description.
`Optionally, the method includes displaying data from one or
`more records of the job opening database which were
`determined to match the worker description. Optionally, the
`data from the one or more records is displayed together with
`indication of the attitude of the employers of the one or more
`records toward the worker description. Optionally, the indi(cid:173)
`cation of the attitude of the employer includes indication of
`whether the description of the worker fits to the job opening
`in the respective record and/or whether the description of the
`worker was viewed by the employer. Optionally, the worker
`description includes a salary range desired by the worker.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0029] The invention will be more clearly understood by
`reference to the following description of embodiments
`thereof in conjunction with the figures, wherein identical
`structures, elements or parts which appear in more than one
`figure are labeled with the same or similar numeral in all the
`figures in which they appear, in which:
`
`[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for
`providing employment information, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the contents
`and services provided by the system of FIG. 1, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0032] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the actions performed by
`a user accessing the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a user interface
`for receiving information for an employment database, in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
`and
`
`[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a user interface
`for career planning, in accordance with an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system 20 for
`managing employment information, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the invention. System 20 comprises a server
`22 which manages a database of employment information.
`Optionally, a plurality of remote terminals 24 connect to
`server 22 over a public network 26, such as the Internet.
`Alternatively or additionally, some of terminals 24 connect
`to server 22 over a private or dedicated network.
`
`[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the contents
`and services provided by server 22, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention. Server 22 optionally
`carries one or more databases of employment related infor(cid:173)
`mation. In some embodiments of the invention, server 22
`carries a worker database 10 and a job opening database 11.
`An input interface 12 is used by users to enter information
`to databases 10 and 11. In addition, an on-line user testing
`unit 13 may be invoked by users to perform psychometric
`tests, language tests and/or other employment related tests,
`the results of which are stored in the user's record of worker
`database 10. Alternatively or additionally, server 22 provides
`on-line courses and/or connects users to on-line courses of
`other servers. Upon graduation of an on-line course, the
`worker's record in database 10 is optionally automatically
`updated.
`
`[0037] Users connecting to server 22 may search data(cid:173)
`bases 11 and 10 for job openings and workers, respectively,
`using search engines 14 and 15. In addition, users may
`invoke procedures for requesting employment related infor(cid:173)
`mation, such as a procedure for requesting salary informa(cid:173)
`tion of specific worker profiles 18, a procedure for career
`planning 19 and/or a procedure for general statistics 21.
`Server 22 optionally includes definitions 16 of which
`records in the same database are considered similar (e.g., the
`largest distance between two records which are still similar),
`and of which records of one database are considered match(cid:173)
`ing records of the other database. In some embodiments of
`the invention, server 22 includes an open query bank 25 in
`which users leave queries which are evaluated periodically
`by server 22 as new records enter the database. In some
`embodiments of the invention, each record in databases 10
`and/or 11 serves as an open query for respective jobs and
`workers who fit the record.
`
`[0038]
`In some embodiments of the present invention,
`server 22 comprises a supplementary information database
`23 which has information which helps in performing record
`comparisons. The supplementary information includes, for
`example, geographical information used to determine dis(cid:173)
`tances between cities, currency information to compare
`salaries in different currencies, tuition fees and ratings of
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.9
`
`

`

`US 2002/00024 79 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`4
`
`education institutes. Alternatively or additionally to storing
`the supplementary information in server 22, the server
`consults other Web sites which carry the required supple(cid:173)
`mentary information.
`[0039] Databases 10 and 11 are optionally connected
`on-line to terminals 24 and are updated in real time. Thus,
`as described below, information added to a database at a
`specific time may be used already a short period (e.g., a few
`seconds) later in generating responses to user queries by
`server 22.
`[0040] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the actions performed by
`a user accessing server 22, in accordance with an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention. The user optionally enters
`(100) through interface 12 a record containing a worker
`profile describing the user, or other worker. Responsive to
`the entered record, the user may request from server 22 to
`search the job opening database and display (108) a listing
`of job openings which match the entered profile. Optionally,
`the worker may also request that server 22 provide (102)
`feedback on the record, such as an opinion on the salary
`which should be paid to the worker, suggestions on courses
`worthwhile to be learnt by the worker and/or a career plan.
`[0041] Upon receiving the feedback and/or the job open(cid:173)
`ing listings the worker may request (104) feedback and/or
`additional job openings based on one or more variations of
`the entered record, e.g., "what if" questions. For example,
`the user may query for a deserved salary of the worker
`and/or for job openings if the worker had more experience
`or worked in a different location.
`[0042]
`In some embodiments of the present invention, the
`user may amend (106) the record responsive to the feedback
`and/or listed job openings.
`[0043]
`In some embodiments of the invention, the user
`may leave (110) in query bank 25 delayed queries to be
`evaluated by server 22 periodically even when the user is not
`connected to the server. The results of the delayed queries
`are optionally sent to the user via e-mail (external or internal
`to server 22), a real time banner and/or any other messaging
`method. Alternatively or additionally, the user is notified that
`new results have been determined and is invited to connect
`to server 22 to see the results. In some embodiments of the
`invention, the results are sent to the user only if they fulfill
`an interest criterion set by the user. For example, a delayed
`query may request notification when the average salary in
`records similar to the user's profile increases by more than
`10% relative to the salary of the user and/or relative to the
`answer to the query as received on the last time the user
`connected to server 22.
`[0044]
`In some embodiments of the invention, server 22
`periodically evaluates all the delayed queries in bank 25
`from scratch. Alternatively, server 22 stores along with each
`delayed query in bank 25, fields summarizing the results of
`the query, and for each addition, deletion and/or change in
`a record of one of databases 10 and 11 the result fields are
`updated as necessary.
`
`[0045]
`In some embodiments of the invention, the user
`may request (110) that matching job openings and/or worker
`profiles entered to the database at later times be brought to
`his/her immediate attention. In some embodiments of the
`invention, entering a record to worker database 10 is an
`implicit request to receive updates on available job open-
`
`ings. Alternatively or additionally, the worker may indicate
`how eager he/he is to receive job offers on a multi-level scale
`(e.g., no job-offers, curious, interested, looking although
`employed, unemployed).
`
`[0046] The speed at which the information is brought to
`the user optionally depends on the payments of the user. In
`some embodiments of the invention, an e-mail message or a
`real time banner is sent to the user with the description of the
`job. Alternatively or additionally, the message states that a
`new opening awaits the user at server 22. Further alterna(cid:173)
`tively or additionally, a message is sent periodically to the
`user (e.g., every week) stating the number of additional jobs
`which match the user's record.
`
`[0047]
`In some embodiments of the present invention,
`when an employer views a worker profile in database 10
`indication is sent to the worker who entered the profile.
`Optionally, the indication indicates the level of interest the
`employer showed, for example by stating whether the profile
`was found similar to a job-opening posted by the employer,
`whether the employer indicated he/she was interested in the
`worker, and/or how much time the employer spent viewing
`the details of the worker. Optionally, database 10 stores for
`each worker record a listing of the number of employers who
`showed interest in the profile of the worker. Employers
`querying database 10 may search for workers who, for
`example, have high interest levels.
`
`[0048] Referring now in more detail to entering (100) the
`record, the user optionally enters the record information to
`server 22 from a remote terminal 24, over network 26.
`Optionally, the user surfs to a Web site of server 22 which
`contains forms to be filled in by the user, as described
`hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4. Alternatively or
`additionally, the user enters the information on terminal 24
`and uploads the record to server 22. Optionally, the user
`downloads a procedure for entering the information from
`server 22 to terminal24. This alternative is especially useful
`for users who wish to enter information for a plurality of
`workers. Further alternatively or additionally, the user
`downloads forms and/or receives the forms by mail or Fax,
`and returns the forms using mail, e-mail, Fax or any other
`suitable means. Further alternatively or additionally, the user
`sends the information to be included in the record in an open
`format and server 22 translates the information in the open
`format into the form of the records in the database using text
`mining and/or by a human operator.
`
`[0049] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a Web page 30
`for receiving information for the worker database, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodiment of the present invention. Web
`page 30, which optionally is part of interface 12, comprises
`a plurality of windows for entering various employment
`information of a worker. The windows may be displayed on
`a single page or on a plurality of linked pages. For the
`simplicity of FIG. 4, all the windows are shown on a single
`page. Optionally, Web page 30 comprises a personal infor(cid:173)
`mation window 32 in which the user may enter a name,
`residence location (e.g., city, state and/or country), e-mail
`address, and other personal information which may be used
`to contact the worker and/or the user. In some embodiments,
`however, users are not obligated to enter identification
`information and/or may use pseudo names. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the invention, the user receives an internal mailbox
`on server 22, for example when the user does not have a
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1018 p.10
`
`

`

`US 2002/00024 79 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`5
`
`mailbox or when the user does not want to identify himself.
`Personal information window 32 optionally also receives
`general information about the worker, such as age (or birth
`date), gender and personal status.
`
`[0050]
`In some embo