Patent ID: 6641481
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
A method for matching users over a computer network, the method comprising steps of:receiving a one-action input at a requesting client application executing on a computer connected to the computer network, the one-action input being received from a requesting user associated with the requesting client application; sending at least one message from the requesting client application to a host computer connected to the computer network, the message containing information relating to a request for initiating a matchmaking process on the host computer, the matchmaking process matching the requesting user into an online session instance along with other suitable users automatically, without further input being received from the requesting user associated with the requesting client application, each suitable user being connected to the computer network through a client application that is compatible with the requesting client application; receiving at the host computer the at least one message from the requesting client application; and matching the requesting user into an online session instance with other suitable users determined to match the requesting user, wherein the step of matching the requesting user into an online session matches the requesting user during a first predetermined period of time based on information relating to at least one operating parameter of the computer on which the requesting client application is executing and at least one user-defined parameter relating to the requesting user, wherein when the requesting user has a predetermined user status with respect to the requesting client application, the step of matching the requesting user into an online session matches the requesting user during a second period of time with other users that have the predetermined user status with respect to a client application corresponding to the requesting client application, wherein the predetermined user status based on a predetermined number of abandoned games.