User-Service Provider Matching via Scoring Functions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for users to find and connect with service providers via the web lack efficiency in matching users with relevant service providers, leading to suboptimal user experiences due to the need for travel or waiting for service providers to arrive.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize scoring functions to rank organizations and service providers based on various signals, enabling users to select the best match for real-time video communication sessions, thereby facilitating seamless connections and real-time service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users use traditional web search engines to find service providers, then they can access business listings and basic information, but the matching efficiency is low and users experience suboptimal service due to physical travel or waiting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical search methods (manual browsing, physical travel) with an automated video communication system that uses scoring functions to electronically match users with service providers, eliminating the need for physical presence and improving both efficiency and user experience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a video communication system as an intermediary between users and service providers, enabling remote interaction and service delivery without requiring physical travel or waiting for in-person appointments
2Device complexity
If the system uses a single scoring function to rank both organizations and service providers, then the matching process is simple, but the ability to differentiate between organizational and provider-level criteria is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scoring process into two distinct scoring functions: one for ranking organizations and another for ranking service providers within selected organizations. This segmentation allows each scoring function to be optimized for its specific level of evaluation, improving matching accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different scoring criteria and weights at different levels of the hierarchy - organizational-level criteria (such as overall reputation, service coverage) versus provider-level criteria (such as individual expertise, availability). This local differentiation enables precise matching at each level while keeping the overall system structure organized and manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A system is configured to receive a search query from a user device; identify a set of organizations that offer services relevant to the search query; generate first scores for the set of organizations using a first scoring function; generate a document that includes information identifying the set of organizations based on the first scores; provide the document to the user device; receive, based on providing the document to the user device, information indicating a selection of one of the set of organizations as a selected organization; identify a set of service providers, associated with the selected organization, that offer the services relevant to the search query; generate second scores for the set of service providers using a second scoring function, where the second scoring function may be different from the first scoring function; select or receive selection of one of the set of service providers, as a selected service provider, based on the second scores; and cause a video communication session to be established between the user device and a device associated with the selected service provider.