Location-Based Match Filtering for Shared Future Places

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing matching services struggle to effectively link individuals with similar character traits and values, often providing irrelevant search results and relying solely on textual submissions, which fail to incorporate other criteria used by users for matching.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes location information to determine matches by comparing the historical, current, and future locations of users, presenting relevant matches based on shared location areas and preferences, and providing notifications of potential matches who visit the same places.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If matching services use only textual submissions (profiles or messages) to determine matches, then the matching process is simple to implement, but the matching relevance and accuracy deteriorate because other important criteria are not incorporated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematching accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension for matching by incorporating location information (geographic coordinates, visited places, current location) alongside traditional textual profile data. This multi-dimensional approach enhances matching accuracy by considering both personal characteristics and spatial behavior patterns, resolving the contradiction between simple implementation and accurate matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If on-line dating services provide many search results to users, then user selection options are enhanced, but user time is wasted and users may be deterred from continuing through all search results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumer selectionsVSAvoiduser time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by presenting a curated subset of highly relevant matches based on location compatibility rather than displaying all possible matches. The system calculates location compatibility scores and presents only those matches exceeding a threshold, providing sufficient variety for user selection while eliminating time-wasting irrelevant results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of users scrolling through and evaluating numerous profiles with an automated computational system that calculates location compatibility and ranks matches. This substitution of automated algorithms for manual browsing significantly reduces user time investment while maintaining or enhancing selection quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If matching services incorporate multiple criteria including location information, then matching relevance is improved, but the search and matching process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematching relevanceVSAvoidsearch complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing location compatibility metrics for each user profile. When a match is requested, the system retrieves pre-computed location compatibility data rather than performing complex spatial calculations in real-time. This preliminary processing reduces the complexity of the matching operation while maintaining high matching relevance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4539004B1System and method for matching using location information
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 MATCH GROUP AMERICAS LLC
  • EP4539004B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4539004B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2
  • EP4539004B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In one embodiment, a system includes an interface and a communicatively coupled processor. The interface is configured to receive first future location information of a first user and receive second future location information of a second user. The processor is configured to determine that the first and second future location information each correspond to a future location and determine that a characteristic related to the first user corresponds to a preference related to the second user. In response to these determinations, the processor is configured to cause information to be presented to the second user, the information to be presented to the second user comprising the future location and that the first user and the second user have the future location in common.