Abstract:
The functions and operations of a matching system and method are disclosed. The component features may include a multi-dimensional matching procedure utilizing both linear and non-linear weighting carried out by a positive feedback loop. Practical uses include social networking and social discovery, as well as automatic searching of people, places, deals, and other items which the system and method determine could be of interest to users, based upon user interests, preferences, and other attributes and characteristics.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 61/793,664, filed on Mar. 15, 2013. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Social networking applications, as well as matching services, that are currently in use can provide many benefits and conveniences to their end users. 
         [0005]    However, there are some apparent limitations of existing applications and services. For example, existing services will often use matching procedures which are simplistic, non-nuanced, and which bury the user with results that are only loosely related to the user&#39;s true interests. 
         [0006]    Other services might also attempt to work around a user&#39;s stated preferences and interests. These services sometimes do so by attempting to track user actions and/or behavior, and then attempting to divine a user&#39;s “preferences” from such behavior, even if these newly-found “preferences” are different from the user&#39;s stated preferences. These services also sometimes implement such a work-around by scanning a database for other users believed to be similar to the current user, and then assuming that the current user&#39;s preferences will mirror the preferences of other users (rather than the preferences obtained from the user directly). 
         [0007]    Also, many existing services comprise inefficient procedures for determining matches between information entries such as users, interests, objects, places, establishments, etc. 
         [0008]    Many existing services inform the user of only some of the information associated with a matched item. This limits the user&#39;s ability to easily determine the item&#39;s additional characteristics, and to explore new attributes about the item which the user may discover to be of interest to him/her. 
         [0009]    Additionally, such applications or services will often require affirmative steps by the end user to actively search for whatever it is that the user might be pursuing. 
         [0010]    Finally, many of these services do not allow users the option of controlling the degree to which they are anonymous to other users as they use such services. 
         [0011]    The present invention addresses and solves these concerns. The invention is directed toward a system and method for taking attributes and characteristics of a wide range of informational entries, and matching these attributes with users&#39; interests. The invention avoids an avalanche of irrelevant results by using an advanced matching procedure based upon weighting and relevancy by means of a points system, in which different degrees of importance are assigned in a calculated and targeted manner to various categories of matches. Additionally, the invention uses preferences obtained directly from users, resulting in matches that are more meaningful and more valuable. Furthermore, the invention is also capable of processing efficiencies such as pre-processing, or such as integration of existing techniques such as “map-reduce” steps into its matching procedures. Additionally, the invention shares with users all the informational attributes and characteristics associated with each matched item, thereby enhancing the ability of users to explore and to discover new interests. The invention eliminates the burden on the user to search actively for items that might match the user&#39;s interest. In addition, the invention also allows users to reveal only certain information at one stage of the process of connecting with another user, and to reveal more at a later stage if the user so chooses—this allows users to maintain a degree of anonymity which many other social networking services do not permit. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    In this application, the term “item” refers to an informational term and/or informational entry in a data-storage repository which is associated, in said repository, with other informational terms and/or informational entries which in turn represent the item&#39;s attributes and/or characteristics. 
         [0013]    In this application, the term “position” refers to a geographic location or area that can be determined with some specificity. The means of determining such a position or positions might comprise cellular towers, Global Positioning System (GPS), or other techniques. 
         [0014]    Embodiments of the presently claimed and disclosed invention are directed toward a system for, and method of, processing information collected from a data-storage repository through a positive feedback loop and/or matching procedure. Such a method would be accomplished by: collecting information from a previously existing database or other data-storage repository; operating a multi-dimensional positive feedback loop wherein a specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure is used to match portions of said collected information with other portions of said collected information; calculating the degree to which said matched information is matched to other information within the feedback loop&#39;s matching procedure; and returning and distributing calculated, context-sensitive results which are determined by the aforesaid degree to which said matched information is matched to other information within the feedback loop&#39;s matching procedure. Such a system would comprise: a database or other data-storage repository which contains information, and which contains associations and/or connections between said information and related information; and a multi-dimensional positive feedback loop wherein information collected is matched with other information collected according to a specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure. 
         [0015]    The preferred embodiment of the invention will create such results using such collected information as items, informational terms and/or informational entries, or the likes as input data. Such items, informational terms and/or informational entries could comprise: common interests or tastes, personal characteristics, features or characteristics of places or locations, attributes of deals, discounts, or sale specials, attributes or characteristics of one or more users; attributes or characteristics of one or more users; attributes of a user combined with attributes of a place, location, business enterprise, or other establishment; or attributes of a user combined with such informational constructs as deals, discounts or sale specials, and/or supplemental user-entered information such as a review or recommendation that will become associated with existing informational entries, and/or the likes thereof. The preferred embodiment will also return such results to a user in visual form. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the system or method will include a position-tracking function, and will use the output of this position-tracking function in subsequent operations. Such a function might be invoked in response to certain user actions. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, said positive feedback loop and/or matching procedure will be multi-dimensional, and as such it will determine how highly to rank, or how heavily to weight, or what value to assign to, or what number of points to assign to, a certain overall matching result by taking into account a number of separate matches between attributes, characteristics, items, informational terms and/or informational entries. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the list of attributes, characteristics, items, informational terms and/or informational entries in the data-storage repository will include interests and/or preferences of each associated user; personal characteristics, features or characteristics of places or locations; attributes of particularized deals or discounts, and/or user-created recommendations. Such characteristics or features of a user might include: age; geographical position; tastes in food or cuisine; interests in movies, stage shows or literature; interests in music; hobbies; romantic interests; etc. Such characteristics or features of a place or location might include available menu items, items available for purchase or rent, business hours, and/or category of establishment or category of business with which the location is associated. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, said ranking or weighting of results will be based on a point system, wherein each separate match creates a certain number of points and the overall result is a function of the points resulting from all of the separate matches. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the positive feedback loop will comprise a linear matching procedure. Such a linear procedure would calculate a value and/or number as measured in points, or another weighting intermediary, by beginning at a predetermined number of points and decreasing the points awarded in a linear manner based upon a predetermined gap in points, or other dissimilarities, between the two inputted attributes, with a zero-point minimum. One example could be the use of this linear mechanism to determine how many points are assigned to a match if a user&#39;s age is matched with another user&#39;s age. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a result or results obtained from the specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure are returned in an order determined by a function both of geographical distance of said result or results from a user, and of the number of points resulting from a match. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, said specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure comprises a map-reduce procedure. Said map-reduce procedure will comprise mapping steps and reducing steps. Said map-reduce procedure will split the input data into clusters, process these clusters separately using said specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure, and then aggregate the results. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the system and/or method will comprise a series of “pre-processing” steps implemented by the system and/or method. In such “pre-processing” steps, initial stages of processing will eliminate results based on certain criteria. These criteria might include: whether or not an item&#39;s geographical distance from a designated user is too great; whether or not an item is within a predetermined radius of a designated user; whether or not information associated with an item indicates that a visibility preference is set to hide the entity&#39;s visibility to other users; or, whether or not information associated with an item indicates that the item has active status, and/or lacks the status of being inactive, deleted, and/or disabled. This “pre-processing” procedure will conduct binary filtering based on these criteria, and will return a predetermined number of item results, which then will be processed, matched, and ranked using subsequent data-collecting and/or data-processing procedures. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, portions of the information in said data-storage repository will be associated with multiple hierarchical layers or tiers of broader upper categories and narrower sub-categories. In such embodiments, the broader and narrower categories in an associated pair could be designated, respectively, as a “parent” category or an equivalent term and a “child” category or an equivalent term. In such embodiments, the broader and narrower categories can be associated with attributes, items, or characteristics following a hierarchical model by creating a parent/child relationship between attributes, items, or characteristics with the upper and narrower categories. In some of these embodiments, the matching procedure implemented by or within the positive feedback loop could assign more weight to matched informational items within the same narrower “child” category than it assigns to matched informational items within the same broader “parent” category. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, a user who identifies an item that said user wishes to mark for future reference can designate such an item as a “favorite”, or equivalent term, thereby creating an informational entry containing information associated with said item, and/or an identifier that can be used to find such item. In some cases, said item might be another user. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, a user can request a specialized connection with another user—if said request is accepted, this connection will be designated as a “buddy” relationship, or equivalent term. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, items, informational terms and/or informational entries can be designated to be given an increased value and/or an increased number of points when matched by said specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure. In some embodiments, the weighting of an item or items processed by the positive feedback loop and/or matching procedure could be changed in response to user directives. In some of these embodiments, a user could designate an informational entry such as an item, attribute, and/or characteristic as belonging to a specific category, which would cause the system and/or method to adjust the weight that is calculated when said designated informational entry is matched. By way of example, a user&#39;s designation of an informational entry as the above-mentioned designations of “favorite” or “buddy” would cause the positive feedback loop and/or matching procedure to upwardly adjust the weight when said informational entry is matched. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, items, informational terms and/or informational entries can be designated to be given a significantly increased value and/or a significantly increased number of points when matched by said specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure. In some embodiments, users can designate an informational entry such as an item, attribute, or characteristic to be in a category called “mood mode”, or an equivalent term. In such a case, the positive feedback loop and/or matching procedure would significantly increase the weight that is calculated when said informational entry is matched. In some of these embodiments, the “mood mode” designation would be binary, and a user could toggle or switch it at will from on to off and back again. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, items, informational terms and/or informational entries which are deemed to be equivalent to each other are capable of being associated with information which identifies them as being equivalent to each other, and are capable of being processed identically by said specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure. In some of these embodiments, the system and/or method will assign an internal system identifier to every informational term which a user picks to identify said user&#39;s preferred information entry correlating to that user&#39;s particular attribute or characteristic. In such embodiments, the system and method would be capable of assigning the same internal system identifier to informational terms deemed equivalent to each other, such as those informational terms which designate items, attributes, characteristics, or categories. An example of this might be when the same internal system identifier is assigned to the terms “seltzer” and “soda water”. In cases where multiple items have the same internal system identifier, the system and/or method will process them identically. In some embodiments, items, informational terms and/or informational entries deemed to be related to each other are capable of being associated with information which identifies them as being related to each other, and are capable of being processed in analogous ways by said specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure. In some of these embodiments, information associated with specific items or other informational terms will designate them as being related to each other, even if they do not have the same internal system identifier. An example of this might be the term “earring” being related to the terms “piercing” or “pierced”. The system and/or method will be capable of processing such related items in analogous ways. 
         [0000]    In some embodiments, items, informational terms and/or informational entries are capable of being added to a profile, and wherein an opportunity is provided to associate additional information with said items, informational terms and/or informational entries. In some of these embodiments, each user who adds a term, attribute, and/or characteristic to a profile will have the opportunity to associate additional information with said term, attribute, or characteristic. This additional information might take the form of a review, personal note, or photo. This additional information might also take the form of a more detailed and/or specific description. In some of these embodiments, a business or other establishment could add additional information to a generic term, attribute, or characteristic. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, an item or other informational entry might be associated with, and/or capable of being associated with, aggregate data collected from multiple users or multiple items. By way of example, an item representing a place, location or establishment might be associated with aggregate data which represents characteristics or attributes of users who are at, and/or have previously been at, said place, location or establishment. In some of these embodiments, the prior and/or current positions of a user or users would be determined through the position-tracking function, recorded, and associated with said users&#39; profiles. In some of these embodiments, the position-tracking function of the system and/or method would provide a user&#39;s position, after which said item, and its associated aggregate data, could also be associated with or matched with said user&#39;s position. In some of these embodiments, said aggregate data will be compiled into percentages or numbers of users with similar characteristics who are at, and/or who have been at, said location. In some of these embodiments, said aggregate data could be associated with certain time periods, including but not limited to times of the day, the week, the month, or the year, In some embodiments, said percentages, numbers, and/or associations would be represented to a user or users through such visual representations as bar diagrams, pie charts, specific colors, alphanumeric characters, tree diagrams, Venn diagrams, etc. In some of these embodiments, said aggregate data, matches, and/or associations could be represented and/or returned to a user or users in a visual representation or other user-decipherable form, such as a visual map with highlighted areas, designated as a “heat map” or equivalent term. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, a degree of user anonymity is maintained because predetermined information (and/or categories of information) which may be capable of specifically identifying a user or users is not disclosed to other users. However, in some of these embodiments, previously undisclosed user information can be shared in response to user instructions, queries, or other affirmative steps. In some of these embodiments, said undisclosed user information will comprise all of said user&#39;s attributes, characteristics, and other associated information which makes up a user&#39;s full profile. In some of these embodiments, the affirmative steps in question will comprise the affirmative steps needed for the system and/or method to establish a “buddy” specialized connection relationship between two users. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, an alert or other communication can be sent and/or is capable of being sent to a user and/or receiving point when or after said specialized, context-sensitive matching procedure determines a match and/or returns a matching item, informational term and/or informational entry whose value and/or another weighting intermediary and/or whose number of points surpasses a predetermined threshold; whose distance from said user and/or receiving point is within a certain radius; and/or whose designation matches a certain predetermined status, such as said “buddy” status, or said “favorite” status, or equivalent terminology. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  shows an illustration of the relationship between broader “parent” categories and narrower “child” sub-categories. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  shows a basic representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising the translation of results into a visual format comprising an item list and sub-lists. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising the opportunity for a specified user to change his or her profile, add interests, and/or deleted interests. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising the translation of results into a visual format comprising an item list and sub-lists, and also comprising the opportunity for a specified user to change his or her profile, add interests, and/or deleted interests. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising a matching procedure placed within the overall data processing procedure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising the outputting of results from the pre-processing procedure and the culling of attribute and/or characteristic data which is then used in a matching procedure. 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising the outputting of results from the pre-processing procedure and the culling of attribute and/or characteristic data which is then used in a matching, mapping and reducing procedure. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising the outputting of results from the pre-processing procedure into a matching procedure, after which said results are divided into clusters, submitted to separate matching tasks, and then processed by a reducing procedure. 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method, comprising the outputting of results from the pre-processing procedure and the culling of attribute and/or characteristic data which is then used in a matching procedure, after which said results are divided into clusters, submitted to separate matching tasks, and then processed by a reducing procedure, and also comprising the translation of results into a visual format comprising an item list and sub-lists, and also comprising the opportunity for a specified user to change his or her profile, add interests, and/or deleted interests. 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s capability to aggregate, associate, and display data in a “heat map” format. 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s capability to establish a “buddy” relationship, which affects the degree to which users&#39; information is shared with other users. 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface on a mobile device. 
           [0046]      FIG. 14  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a People/Matches Overview on a mobile device. 
           [0047]      FIG. 15  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing Match Details on a mobile device. 
           [0048]      FIG. 16  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing “Match Details, Expanded” on a mobile device. 
           [0049]      FIG. 17  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a buddy request function on a mobile device. 
           [0050]      FIG. 18  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a invisibility function on a mobile device. 
           [0051]      FIG. 19  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a Related Interests function on a mobile device. 
           [0052]      FIG. 20  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing an interest-based related supplemental information function on a mobile device. 
           [0053]      FIG. 21  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a place and/or interest-based related supplemental information function on a mobile device. 
           [0054]      FIG. 22  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing Place Recommendations and/or Place Match Details on a mobile device. 
           [0055]      FIG. 23  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing Place More Info and Place Offers functions on a mobile device. 
           [0056]      FIG. 24  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing a Mood Mode function on a mobile device. 
           [0057]      FIG. 25  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing Deals/Matches Overview and Deal Details functions on a mobile device. 
           [0058]      FIG. 26  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing a messaging function on a mobile device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0059]    The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying figures. This detailed description does not limit the invention, nor do the accompanying figures. Instead, they merely serve to explain the invention. 
         [0060]      FIG. 1  shows an illustration of the relationship between broader “parent” categories and narrower “child” sub-categories. In said illustration, Tier 1  101  contains an informational entry represented as “Sports”. This entry serves as the “parent” of the informational entries represented in Tier 2  102 , which are the “child” sub-categories of “Sports”, and are represented as the entries of sports terms “Baseball”, “Hockey”, “Football”, “Lacrosse”, “Basketball”, “Tennis”, and “Archery”. In Tier 2, the informational entry “Basketball”, which is a “child” of the informational entry “Sports”, also serves as the “parent” of the entries in Tier 3  103 , which represent various basketball leagues. In Tier 3, the informational entry “NBA Basketball”, which is a “child” of the informational entry “Basketball”, also serves as the “parent” of the entries in Tier 4  104 , which represent National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. In Tier 4, the informational entry “Chicago Bulls”, which is a “child” of the informational entry “NBA Basketball”, also serves as the “parent” of the entries in Tier 5  105 , which represent various players on the roster of the Chicago Bulls. When the system and/or method calculate point values for matches, the number of points awarded to a match for a matched informational entry in a “child” category will be higher than the number of points awarded to a match for a matched informational entry in the child&#39;s “parent” category. For this reason, in the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , matches in Tier 5  105  will be awarded more points than matches in Tier 4  104 ; matches in Tier 4  104  will be awarded more points than matches in Tier 3  103 ; matches in Tier 3  103  will be awarded more points than matches in Tier 2  102 ; and matches in Tier 2  102  will be awarded more points than matches in Tier 1  101 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 2  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  210  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  220  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  230  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  240  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  210  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  250 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  251 . These additional data collection and processing steps  251  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  249  from a data repository or data repositories. The results are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  260 . The system and/or method then determines  270  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  280  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  210 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  290 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 3  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  310  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  320  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  330  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  340  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  310  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  350 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  351 . These additional data collection and processing steps  351  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  349  from a data repository or data repositories. The results are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  360 . These results are then translated into a visual format  361  comprising a list of items, along with sub-lists comprising each item&#39;s associated attributes and/or characteristics. The system and/or method then determines  370  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  380  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  310 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  390 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 4  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  410  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  420  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  430  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  440  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  410  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  450 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  451 . These additional data collection and processing steps  451  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  449  from a data repository or data repositories. The results are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  460 . Said specified user is then given an opportunity  462  to change his or her profile, to add interests, and/or to delete interests. The system and/or method then determines  470  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  480  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  410 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  490 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 5  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  510  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  520  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  530  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  540  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  510  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  550 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  551 . These additional data collection and processing steps  551  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  549  from a data repository or data repositories. The results are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  560 . These results are then translated into a visual format  561  comprising a list of items, along with sub-lists comprising each item&#39;s associated attributes and/or characteristics. Said specified user is then given an opportunity  562  to change his or her profile, to add interests, and/or to delete interests. The system and/or method then determines  570  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  580  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  510 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  590 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  610  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  620  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  630  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  640  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  610  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  650 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  651  as well as a matching procedure  655 . Said additional data collection and processing steps  651  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  649  from a data repository or data repositories. The results of this matching procedure are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  660 . The system and/or method then determines  670  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  680  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  610 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  690 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 7  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  710  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  720  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  730  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  740  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  710  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  750 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  751  which create outputted results  752  from which attributes and/or characteristics are culled  753  and submitted to a matching procedure  755 . Said additional data collection and processing steps  751  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  749  from a data repository or data repositories. The results of this matching procedure are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  760 . The system and/or method then determines  770  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  780  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  710 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  790 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 8  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  810  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  820  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  830  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  840  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  810  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  850 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  851  which create outputted results  852  from which attributes and/or characteristics are culled  853  and submitted to a matching, mapping and reducing procedure  855  which utilizes a pre-existing “map-reduce” process. Said additional data collection and processing steps  851  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  849  from a data repository or data repositories. The results of said “matching, mapping and reducing procedure  855  are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  860 . The system and/or method then determines  870  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  880  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  810 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  890 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 9  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  910  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  920  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  930  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  940  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  910  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  950 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  951 , the results of which are submitted to a mapping procedure  956  which divides data into clusters which are then submitted to separate matching tasks  957 , the output of which is submitted to a reducing procedure  959 . Said additional data collection and processing steps  951  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  949  from a data repository or data repositories. The results of this reducing procedure  959  are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  960 . The system and/or method then determines  970  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  980  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  910 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  990 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 10  shows a representative embodiment of a positive feedback loop used by the system and method. In said embodiment, specific selected data is collected  1010  for pre-processing from sources comprising the “visibility” and “active/inactive” attributes of users  1020  obtained from a data repository, the positions of users  1030  as determined by a position-tracking function of the system and/or method, and the “position” attributes of items  1040  obtained from a data repository. Said specific selected data  1010  is then inputted into the system and/or method&#39;s overall data processing procedure  1050 , which in this embodiment comprises pre-processing and additional data collection and processing steps  1051  which create outputted results  1052  from which attributes and/or characteristics are culled  1053  and submitted to a mapping procedure  1056  which divides data into clusters which are then submitted to separate matching tasks  1057 , the output of which is submitted to a reducing procedure  1059 . Said additional data collection and processing steps  1051  comprise the collection of additional informational entries  1049  from a data repository or data repositories. The results of said reducing procedure  1059  are then outputted and/or displayed to a specified user  1060 . Said results are then translated into a visual format  1061  comprising a list of items, along with sub-lists comprising each item&#39;s associated attributes and/or characteristics. Said specified user is then given an opportunity  1062  to change his or her profile, to add interests, and/or to delete interests. The system and/or method then determines  1070  whether or not said specified user has added or deleted interests, or has changed his or her profile, or has changed his or her location. If so, the positive feedback loop returns  1080  to the collection of specific selected data for pre-processing  1010 . If not, the positive feedback loop concludes  1090 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 11  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s capability to aggregate, associate, and display data in a “heat map” format. In said embodiment, data relating to various users is contained in a data repository  1101 , from which select information regarding users&#39; positions, users&#39; prior or previous positions, and/or other attributes is collected  1102 . This collected information is associated  1103  with a specific item or items, and said information and items are processed and filtered  1104  based upon users&#39; positions and/or users&#39; previous positions. Additional data is then collected  1105  from users&#39; profiles to compile aggregate data  1106  on multiple users. From this aggregate data, numerical and/or percentage data is calculated  1107 . Said numerical and/or percentage data is then associated  1108  with a specific item or items. Finally, a visual representation  1109  of said numerical and/or percentage data is displayed. 
         [0071]      FIG. 12  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s capability to establish a “buddy” relationship, which affects the degree to which users&#39; information is shared with other users. In such an embodiment, a first user could issue a request  1201  to a second user to establish a connection designated as a “buddy” relationship, or equivalent term. Said second user then decides  1202  whether or not to accept said request  1201 . If so, a “buddy” connection is established  1203 , and otherwise no “buddy” relationship is established  1204 . Alternatively in such an embodiment, a second user could issue a request  1205  to a first user to establish a connection designated as a “buddy” relationship, or equivalent term. Said second user then decides  1206  whether or not to accept said request  1205 . If so, a “buddy” connection is established  1207 , and otherwise no “buddy” relationship is established  1208 . If at some later time a user attempts to access  1209  the profile data of another user, the system and/or method determines  1210  whether a “buddy” relationship exists between the two users. If not, a user&#39;s access will be limited  1211  to the public profile of the other user. If so, a user will be able to access  1212  the other users&#39; full profile. 
         [0072]      FIG. 13  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface on a mobile device. A top layer  1310  comprises buttons allowing the user to select the categories of People, Places or Deals. A second layer comprises visual representations of specific interests  1320  and an invitation for the user to add these interests to build up his or her profile. A bottom layer comprises a row of functional buttons  1330 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 14  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a People/Matches Overview on a mobile device. Tabs  1410  allow a user to switch between the ability to view People, Places and/or Deals. A layer  1420  under the tabs  1410  comprises avatars or other visual representation of the system and or method&#39;s users. Under said layer  1420  is a list  1430  of interests and/or preferences belonging to a particular user. Finally, a bottom layer comprises a row of functional button icons  1440 . In this particular representative embodiment, a checkmark  1451  highlights and/or represents an interest that the user on the screen shares with the user who is currently logged in to the system and/or method. Also in this particular representative embodiment, a plus sign surrounded by a circle  1452  highlights and/or represents an unshared interest; the plus sign also allows said unshared interest to be added to the profile of the user currently logged in with a tap on said plus sign. 
         [0074]      FIG. 15  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing Match Details on a mobile device. An upper layer  1510  comprises a username, and a tap button used to return to the previous screen. A second  1520  layer comprises an avatar or other visual representation of the user associated with said username, as well as number of Buddies, number of Followers, and/or other information associated with said username. A third layer  1530  comprises a series of functional button icons. A fourth layer  1540  comprises tabs which allow a user to switch between the ability to view Top Interests, All Interests, or By Category. A fifth layer  1550  comprises a list of interests and/or preferences belonging to the user associated with said username. Finally, a sixth layer  1560  comprises a row of functional button icons. In this particular representative embodiment, a checkmark  1551  highlights and/or represents an interest that the user on the screen shares with the user who is currently logged in to the system and/or method. Also in this particular representative embodiment, a plus sign surrounded by a circle  1552  highlights and/or represents an unshared interest; the plus sign also allows said unshared interest to be added to the profile of the user currently logged in with a tap on said plus sign. 
         [0075]      FIG. 16  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing “Match Details, Expanded” on a mobile device. An upper layer  1610  comprises a username, and a functional button icon used to return to the previous screen. A second layer  1620  comprises a series of functional button icons. A third layer  1630  comprises an avatar or other visual representation of the user associated with said username, as well as number of Buddies, number of Followers, and/or other information associated with said username. A fourth layer  1640  comprises supplementary information, as well as a functional button icon allowing a user to flag such information as inappropriate. Finally, a fifth layer  1650  comprises a series of functional button icons. In this particular representative embodiment, a checkmark  1651  highlights and/or represents an interest that the user on the screen shares with the user who is currently logged in to the system and/or method. Also in this particular representative embodiment, a plus sign surrounded by a circle  1652  highlights and/or represents an unshared interest; the plus sign also allows said unshared interest to be added to the profile of the user currently logged in with a tap on said plus sign. 
         [0076]      FIG. 17  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a buddy request function on a mobile device. A user operating a first device  1710  can send a buddy request  1720  to a user operating a second device  1730 , who then is presented with functional button icons  1740  representing various options of how to respond to said buddy request  1720 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 18  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a invisibility function on a mobile device. A user operating a first device  1810  can operated a functional toggle buton icon  1820  which results  1830  in said user&#39;s profile becoming invisible to other users who are operating mobile devices  1840 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 19  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a Related Interests function on a mobile device. A user can tap or otherwise activate an interest in a list of interests and/or preferences  1910 , resulting  1920  in a list of Related Interests  1930  appearing, hence allowing said user to explore and discover new interests that he or she might appreciate. 
         [0079]      FIG. 20  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing an interest-based related supplemental information function on a mobile device. A user can tap or otherwise activate a visual representation of an interest in a list of interests and/or preferences  2010 , allowing for the display and/or entry  2020  of such supplementary information  2030  as photos and/or notes that are associated with said interest. 
         [0080]      FIG. 21  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface component representing a place and/or interest-based related supplemental information function on a mobile device. A user viewing a list of places and/or interests  2110  can tap or otherwise activate a visual representation of an interest, resulting in supplemental information related to such interest being displayed  2130 , potentially allowing certain specific users (e.g., merchants) to communicate detailed information regarding their place&#39;s features to other users. Such an embodiment might also comprise a menu  2140  which allows a user to designate an item, place, interest, or other informational entry as “most visited” or “most recommended”. 
         [0081]      FIG. 22  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing Place Recommendations and/or Place Match Details on a mobile device. A first layer comprises a place name  2210 . A second layer  2220  comprises informational details regarding the place associated with said place name  2210 . A third layer  2230  comprises avatars or other visual representation of products. Another layer  2240  comprises recommendations pertaining to the place associated with said place name. Additionally, a user can tap or otherwise activate a visual representation indicating Matches, thereby displaying a list  2250  of attributes, characteristics, interests or other informational entries associated with a matching informational entry. 
         [0082]      FIG. 23  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing Place More Info and Place Offers functions on a mobile device. A first layer comprises a place name  2310 . A second layer  2320  comprises a map which indicates the position of, and/or other informational details regarding, the place associated with said place name  2310 . Such informational details might comprise hours of business operation at various times of the day and/or week  2330 . Additionally, a user can tap or otherwise activate a visual representation indicating Offers, thereby displaying a list  2340  of offers, deals, sale specials, and/or discounts associated with a place, a service, and/or a product. 
         [0083]      FIG. 24  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing a Mood Mode function on a mobile device. With said function, a user can designate  2410  a category, item, interest, or other informational entry as something that the user is currently in the mood for. This switches said Mood Mode on for said informational entry. Activation status of Mood Mode is indicated by a visual representation  2420 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 25  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing Deals/Matches Overview and Deal Details functions on a mobile device. In such an embodiment, a user can transition  2510  from a main deals screen  2520  to a Deal Details screen which comprises a functional button icon indicating “Map”  2530  that a user can tap or otherwise activate to display a map relating to a particular displayed deal, and which also comprises informational details  2540  relating to said particular displayed deal. 
         [0085]      FIG. 26  shows a representative embodiment of the system and/or method&#39;s interface components representing a messaging function on a mobile device. A first field  2610  allows a recipient or recipients to be designated. A second field  2620  might be used to display received and/or previously sent messages. A third field  2630  can be used to input textual and/or other information designated for sending to other parties. Such information could be entered with the aid of a keyboard-style interface  2640 .