Patent ID: 6353813
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for use in computer-implemented apparatus for providing an indication that specifies a degree to which (i) a first entity having a first set of attributes and (ii) a second entity having a second set of attributes match each other, each of said first and second entities having at least one corresponding computer user, each of said sets of attributes reflecting predefined characteristics of an associated one of the entities, wherein the apparatus has a processor, a storage device, connected to the processor and storing both computer executable instructions and a data structure therein, the data structure storing both a corresponding parameter defining each of said entities and a set of attribute parameters for a corresponding set of the attributes associated with said each entity, wherein the method, performed by the processor in response to execution of the instructions implements a collaborative filter match engine, comprises the steps of:a) receiving, on a signal bearing medium, data, for use by the collaborative filter match engine, which includes the parameters defining the first and second entities and the set of attribute parameters for each of the first and second sets of attributes; b) storing the data in the data structure; c) manipulating, through interaction with the storage device, at least a portion of the data structure stored within the storage device to form a harmonized set of common attributes by extending at least one of (i) the first set of attributes to form a first extended set of attributes which includes all attributes of the second set of attributes, and (ii) the second set of attributes to form a second extended set of attributes which includes all attributes of the first set of attributes; d) determining, in response to attribute parameters associated with the first and second entities in the harmonized set of attributes stored within the data structure, a degree to which the first and second entities, at least one of which having a corresponding extended set of attributes, match; and e) generating the indication, as output, that specifies the degree of match.