Patent ID: 6745178
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method in a computer network for identifying users with similar interests comprising steps of:accepting a first query statement from a first user; storing a first item of information related to the first query; accepting a second query for a second user; storing a second item of information related to the second query; computing a measure of similarity of the first query and the second query by using the first item of information and the second item of information, wherein the measure of similarity is computed by: generating a list of answers in a union of the first item of information and the second item of information; generating a set of score difference terms for each answer in the list; and forming a sum by summing the set of score difference terms; comparing the measure of similarity to a threshold similarity criterion; in the case that the measure of similarity meets the threshold similarity criterion, informing the first user of the second user; accepting a request from the first user to invite the second user to participate in a chat session; forwarding the request to the second user; accepting an agreement from the second user to chat; and establishing a chat session between the first user and the second user.