Abstract:
A dedicated computer client application interfaces with, searches, and displays results from an online dating database. The application opens a window on the computer desktop. Search criteria entered into the application and matching profiles from the database are displayed in the window. Profiles can be selected to form matches with other members. Tools to facilitate communication between users are included. The application consumes a portion of the computer desktop and includes autoscrolling to allow a user to passively browse the window while working in other windows on the computer desktop.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The invention relates to online dating services and computer applications for accessing them. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0008]    Matchmaking is an ancient art. From the family friend to a commercial enterprise, dating services have evolved. In attempts to satisfy their customers, dating services have applied various strategies and technology in attempts to produce successful compatible couples. 
         [0009]    Dating services have harnessed the technology, networking, and community of the Internet. A typical online dating service keeps a database of member profiles. Member profiles include various fields of data that the online dating service believes will be useful for successfully forming compatible couples. The data kept in profiles typically includes a member&#39;s gender, the gender being sought, physical characteristics of the member, interests of the member, photographs of the member, and other relevant data. 
         [0010]    With their member profiles stored in their database, dating services employ various methods of matching members to each other. Members enter criteria for searching the database and matches result. Dating services employ various statistical tools and fuzzy logic to include near matches and to rank the quality of the match. 
         [0011]    As stated, a member typically begins to meet another member of the dating service by posting their profile and then by entering search criteria and searching the database of user profiles. The initial search results provide potential matches. The matches are “potential” because both the user and the member have not agreed to the match. From the potential matches, a user selects specific members by their profile who interest the user. A message (i.e. an invitation) is then relayed by the server to the given member. If the given member accepts the invitation, a match is created. Matches have the ability to communicate with each other by short messages, email, and online chat. 
         [0012]    Methods of matching can be divided into two categories: one-way matching and two-way matching. 
         [0013]    One-way matching involves a user providing criteria. The criteria are used to find matches from the database. The resulting matches are usually ranked from the most compatible to the least. 
         [0014]    Two-way matching also involves users entering criteria for searching the database. However, in two-way matching, the match and ranking are based not only on the user&#39;s criteria but on the potential match&#39;s compatibility with the user as well. 
         [0015]    Online dating databases typically employ computer servers to store the information in their database. In turn, the servers are connected to web servers. Users login, access, edit, and search the database through the web servers. Users use clients that connect via a network (usually the Internet) to send and receive information from the web servers and database. Clients can take the form of terminals, personal computers, mobile telephones, personal data assistants (PDAs), and the like. 
         [0016]    The most common way for users to access most online dating services is with a personal computer using a web browser via an Internet connection.  FIG. 7  shows a web browser viewing an online dating database. Web browsers have become powerful applications that can display most forms of data. Web browsers not only have the power to view websites, they can now view word-processing document spreadsheets, and all of the data made available on an intranet. As the power of web browsers has increased, so has their “footprint”: that is, the resources of the computer that are being consumed. Not only do web browsers consume system memory and processor time, they also consume desktop space. To provide a versatile interface that is useful for browsing the many types of media being browsed, web browsers include a universal set of buttons (i.e. forward, backward, refresh, search, etc.) that may not be needed when accessing specific forms of data. In addition, most browsers add various toolbars for searching, document generation, and shortcuts that consume even more desktop, processor, and memory space. Because the desktop space consumed by web browsers has grown, many users (especially those with smaller monitors) find it difficult to maintain an open browser on the same desktop on which they are simultaneously working with another application (for example, a word processor). As a result, users have been unable to simultaneously browse an online dating database while continuing to work in a different window on the same computer desktop. 
         [0017]    U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2005/0086211 (hereinafter “Mayer &#39;211”) describes an instant message client that is an application running on a client computer. The user completes a profile on the client computer. The instant message application uploads the profile and receives matches from the server. Matches are placed on the contact list of the instant message application without the other member&#39;s permission. A beacon from the instant message client lets the server know if a user has become offline even though the user had not logged off properly. Mayer &#39;211 does not specify that the potential matches are displayed in the application. Mayer &#39;211 does not disclose a scrolling interface and does not disclose an icon hidden in the system tray when minimized. Mayer &#39;211 does not teach an application that can be a window overlying other work but only consuming a portion of the desktop to allow other work to continue while passively browsing. 
         [0018]    Zvinyastskovsky et al. &#39;142 (and Weiss et al. &#39;147 and other patents and applications) are owned by Yahoo! The described system includes client devices. The clients can receive instant messages and display information from the server. The client devices can run a web browser that allows the user to browse, email, and instant message. The client application also allows a user to edit search criterion while simultaneously updating matching results. The matches include photographs and additional profile information. The Yahoo! documents do not teach an application for passive browsing that enables a user to conduct other activities. 
         [0019]    Collins &#39;951 teaches a computerized on-line dating service for searching matching people and is owned by Match.com. The patent teaches to access the database with an internet browser. A dedicated application is not taught. 
         [0020]    Accordingly, a need exists for a dedicated application that consumes less resources than a web browser to browse filtered, potentially-matching online dating profiles and that can be passively viewed while still allowing other work to be conducted on the computer desktop. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a dedicated computer client application for searching an online dating database that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that consumes a minimum of computer and desktop resources and that allows a user to passively browse profiles of potential matches while continuing to work using other applications on the computer desktop. 
         [0022]    With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a dedicated computer client application for interfacing with an online dating database of profiles. The application creates a window that is displayed on a client computer desktop. The window covers only a portion of the computer desktop. A summary profile from the online dating database is displayed in the window. The summary profile is derived from a profile of a member in the online dating database and matches a criterion provided by the user. A button is disposed in the window and associated with the summary profile. The button invites the member to add the user to a match list of the member and the user. The application is “dedicated” in that it is configured to display data provided by the online dating database but is not a general browser that is intended to display information from other websites and servers. 
         [0023]    The size of the window is less than one quarter of the total available desktop area. While percentages of desktop space changes with a user&#39;s preferences and the size of a user&#39;s monitor, applicants have found that a window size of no more than five centimeters (5 cm) tall and eighteen centimeters (18 cm) wide is preferable. Making the window too small prevents the user from quickly scanning the page and from being able to see enough information. 
         [0024]    As stated, an object of the invention is to allow “passive” browsing of profiles. “Passive” is meant to mean that the user can view a changing list of profiles without intervening with the application. In addition, the term “passive” is meant to imply that a user can be conducted other activity while still passively using the application. For example, the user can be working in a word-processor window on the desktop while the application is running in a different space on the computer desktop. 
         [0025]    A further object of the invention is to provide an application that provides a plurality of profiles at a given time. Preferably, five summary profiles are shown at a given time. Providing a number of profiles allow a user to glance at a number of summary profiles quickly. However, the number of profiles must be limited to a number, for example five, in order to prevent the user from being distracted and having to stop and scrutinize all of the summary profiles. 
         [0026]    To further the ability of the application to promote passive browsing, the application can be set to autoscroll periodically. That is, after a period of time that is set by the user, the summary profile or profiles that are being displayed are replaced with different summary profiles that are potential matches. The application allows for the time period to be adjusted. In this way, a user can work in another application and glance once per period of time at the window of the application. The autoscroll can be turned off. In addition, users of the application can page forward and backward through profiles. In addition, users can enter a specific page to which they can browse directly. 
         [0027]    The summary profiles being shown in the application can be potential matches. If the user notices a summary profile that interests the user, the user may select to send a message such as an invitation to the member associated with the profile. If the member accepts the invitation, then the user and the member become a match. 
         [0028]    To further the object of allowing passive viewing of summary profiles, the window of the application can be set to remain on top of the desktop. That is, the window of the application remains viewable and unobstructed on the desktop even when other applications are selected. Because the window only consumes only a portion of the computer desktop, the other applications being overlapped are still viewable and usable. 
         [0029]    In accordance with a further object of the invention, the application is an extensible markup language browser. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a W3C-recommended general-purpose markup language for creating special-purpose markup languages, capable of describing many different kinds of data. In other words, XML is a way of describing data and an XML file can contain the data too, as in a database. It is a simplified subset of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). Its primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of data across different systems, particularly systems connected via the Internet. Within the context of the invention, data in the form of XML is sent from the web server connected to the database. The data reaches the client computer by a network, preferably the Internet. The application then displays the data. The summary profile, which is in the form of XML, is formed from the (full) profile stored in the online dating database. The application, by being adopted to display this information and not adapted to provide other information such as html, consumes less computer resources such as memory and processor time than other browsers. 
         [0030]    As a user views summary profiles and becomes curious about a summary profile, the user may want to learn more about a user&#39;s profile. By selecting the summary profile, the application opens a further window. In the further window, a detailed profile can be displayed. With the additional information in the detailed profile, the user can decide to make a match. 
         [0031]    If a summary profile interest the user, the user can select an email button that is disposed in the window beside the respective summary profile. When the email button is selected, the application opens an email window. The email window allows the user to write an email letter. The email is forwarded to the member via the server. By using the server rather than the user&#39;s email program, the privacy of the user&#39;s email address is maintained. 
         [0032]    A button for sending instant messages can be included in the window beside each profile. When pressed, the button sends an instant message to the member associated with the summary profile. In the online dating service context, the inventors refer to such instant messages as “flirts” and the button within the window that triggers a flirt as the “flirt button”. When selecting the flirt button, a window opens allowing a flirt message to be sent. The window can include fields to be completed by the user or the message can be selected from a list of prepared (i.e. canned) messages. 
         [0033]    For each summary profile when the user is online, a respective chat button is placed in the window. The chat button opens a chat window. In the chat window, users can send text messages in real time, transmit and receive video and sound, and see each others profiles and pictures. 
         [0034]    Summary profiles are expurgated versions of the detailed profiles stored in the online database. The summary profiles preferably include a thumbnail photograph of the member and other brief information such as the user&#39;s age and location. Summary profiles can be quickly scanned in the window as the user continues working on other applications in other windows. The user can scan the summary profiles that are displayed in the window. If a summary profile interests the user, the user can select the profile to open a window containing the member&#39;s detailed profile. In addition, the user can select one of the buttons such as the email button, flirt button, or chat button in order to communicate with the member. 
         [0035]    To provide as much information in the window without consuming additional desktop area, the application provides pages within the window. Preferably, only one page is displayed at a given time. However, each page has a tab that is always visible. The tab of a page can be selected to move the respective page to the top of the window. Examples of pages that can be included in the window are the browse page, the flirts page, the email page, the search page, and the settings page. 
         [0036]    The search page provides a means for entering criteria with which the database can be searched for potential matches. A search page is provided within the window of the application. The search page allows criteria matching fields in the database to be entered. Examples of fields that could be included in the database and searched from the application include the following: username, gender, gender being sought, age, city, state, country, hair color, eye color, body type, ethnicity, religion, occupation, education, income, drinking behavior, relationship status, have children, and if the member wants children. Once the user enters data in the application, the criteria are submitted to the web server and online database; potential matches are found and transmitted to the application where they are displayed. 
         [0037]    The flirt page helps the user to organize incoming and outgoing flirts, which as stated before are instant messages. When an incoming flirt is received, the message is shown along with a summary profile of the sender. The user can select the summary profile to view a detailed profile of the sender. The user can then approve or decline or sender to form a match. Matches remain on each others flirt pages to facilitate communication. 
         [0038]    An email page in the window organizes incoming and sent emails. The email page shows header information (i.e. sender, title, date sent, and whether the email was read or unread. A message on the email page can be selected to open an email window showing the full text of the movie. The email window has a reply button to allow the user to send a reply email to the sender. Emails on the email page can be filtered to show only the read or unread messages. Likewise, the sent email messages can be shown on the email page. 
         [0039]    A search page is included in the window. The search page includes fields for the user to enter criteria. When a submit button is selected, the application transmits the criteria to the web server. Applications in the web server search the member profiles based on the user-supplied criteria. The applications convert member profiles into summary profiles, which are in turn transmitted to the application on the client application in the form of XML. While a variety of criteria are possible, the search page could include fields for entering criteria asking the user&#39;s gender, the gender being sought, the lowest and highest possible age of matches, and zip code where profiles are to be found. In searching, known methods involving fuzzy logic and match ranking can be used to expand the search and to order the search results. Matching profiles can be further filtered to include only profiles that include photographs or that are online. 
         [0040]    A settings page is included in the window of the application. The settings page allow the user enter a username, a password field for entering a password, and a submit button. The submit button transmits the username and the password to the online dating database. 
         [0041]    Additional settings of the application are controlled from the settings page. For example, a checkbox can be included to cause the application to be run every time at the workstation&#39;s startup. The settings page can have a show alerts checkbox. When show alerts is checked, the application displays pop-up alerts upon receipt of emails, instant messages, and flirt messages. Included in the pop-up alert, is a username, thumbnail, or summary profile of the sender. Selecting the pop-up letter opens the email, instant message, or flirt. The pop-up alert also has a close button to close the pop-up alert. 
         [0042]    The application can also be set to open a bubble whenever a summary profile is hovered over. The bubble includes a more detailed profile than the summary profile. Bubbles allow a user to quickly see more information about a summary profile without having to open a new window. 
         [0043]    Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0044]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a dedicated computer client application for searching an online dating database, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
         [0045]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  shows a computer desktop with a window of an application according to the invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 2  shows the window of the application with a browse page being displayed. 
           [0048]      FIG. 3  shows the window of the application with a flirts page being displayed. 
           [0049]      FIG. 4  shows the window of the application with an email page being displayed. 
           [0050]      FIG. 5  shows the window of the application with a search page being displayed. 
           [0051]      FIG. 6  shows the window of the application with a settings page being displayed. 
           [0052]      FIG. 7  shows a computer desktop with a web browser displaying a webpage of an online dating database according to the prior art. 
           [0053]      FIG. 8  is a window showing a detailed profile window. 
           [0054]      FIG. 9  shows a send flirt window. 
           [0055]      FIG. 10  shows a chat window. 
           [0056]      FIG. 11  shows an incoming email window. 
           [0057]      FIG. 12  shows an outgoing email window. 
           [0058]      FIG. 13  shows a popup alert. 
           [0059]      FIG. 14  shows the window of the application with a sent email page on top. 
           [0060]      FIG. 15  shows a sent email window. 
           [0061]      FIG. 16  shows the window of the application with a flirt approval page on top. 
           [0062]      FIG. 17  is a schematic drawing of a computer network according to the invention. 
           [0063]      FIG. 18  shows the window of the application with the browse page on top and with a popup profile being shown. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0064]    Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is seen a computer desktop  1 , which is typical of computer operating systems with graphical user interfaces such as those sold under the trademark WINDOWS®. The computer desktop  1  includes a taskbar  2  for switching between applications that are running. A system tray  3  is located in the taskbar  2  by default at the bottom right of the computer desktop  1 . The system tray  4  contains miniature icons  200  for easy access to system functions. Double clicking on a miniature icon  200  allows a view and access to details application settings and controls. Desktop shortcuts  3  are icons on the computer desktop  1  that can be double-clicked to launch associated applications and documents. In  FIG. 1 , the window  100  is not drawn to proportion with the computer desktop  1 . As discussed below, to allow passive browsing, the window  100  is preferably much smaller on the computer desktop  1  than what is shown. 
         [0065]      FIG. 17  shows a preferred embodiment of a network used in conjunction with the application according to the invention. An online dating database  400  is hosted on a computer server. The online dating database  400  is connected to a web server  401 . The web server  401  receives incoming requests from clients and transmits data to clients  403 . The web server  401  runs applications for maintaining and search the online dating database. The web server  401  is connected by a computer network, preferably the Internet, to client computers  403 . The client computers  403  are running client software, most preferably, the WINDOWS operating system. 
         [0066]    A window  100  of an application according to the invention is on the lower right of the computer desktop  1 . The window  100  has a title bar  101 . The title bar  101  displays a name of the application, i.e. WEBDATE DESKTOP AGENT. The title bar  101  includes a help button  102  and close button  103 . The help button  102  provides a hyperlink to an html-based help file. The close button  103  closes the window  100 . The application remains running even though the window  100  has been closed. Within the window  100 , a number of pages  109 ,  125 ,  131 ,  141 ,  151 , and  161  exist. Each page has a respective tab  110 ,  125 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150 , and  160 . The tabs are always visible within the window  100  and allow a respective page to be brought to the top of the window  100 . 
         [0067]    The size (i.e. area) of the window  100  in both relative (to the overall computer desktop  1 ) and absolute terms is a key feature of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the area of the window consumes less than ten percent of the area of the computer desktop  1 . In absolute terms, the window  100  is preferably thirteen centimeters (13 cm) wide and four and one half centimeters (4.5 cm) high. 
         [0068]      FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the browse page  111  when the browse page  111  is on top within the window  100 . The browse page  111  displays a plurality of summary profiles  127 . Each summary profile  127  is a potential match based on criteria entered by the user and transmitted from the online dating database  400 . Each summary profile  127  is transferred as data in the form of Extensible Markup Language (XML). Each summary profile  127  includes a thumbnail  111 . The thumbnail  111  is a picture of the user whose summary profile  127  is being displayed. The thumbnail  111  can be selected to open a detailed profile window  300 . The summary profile  127  also includes, for the user associated with the profile, a username  112 , an age  113 , a city  114 , and a state  115 . A flirt button  116  is included below each profile. When selected, the flirt button  116  sends a brief message to the user associated with the profile called a “flirt” by opening a flirt window  260  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Preferably, the brief message is selected from a group of pre-entered messages like, “I think you are cute,” “I think we could be friends,” etc. by using the flirt dropdown box  261  and then clicking the send button  262 . An email button  117  associated with each summary profile  127  is also included on the browse page  125 . When selected, the email button  117  opens an email window  190  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The email window  190  allows an email message to be composed. The email address of the recipient user is not displayed, only the username  193 . The web server  401  receives the email message from the application, locates the recipient user&#39;s email address from the online dating database  400 , and forwards the email message to the recipient user&#39;s email address. A chat button  126  is displayed beneath each summary profile  127  when the user associated with the summary profile  127  is online. When the chat button  126  is selected, a chat window  250  as shown in  FIG. 10  opens. From the chat window  250 , the user may enter text in a message field  251  and then select a send button  252  to send an instant message to the user associated with the respective summary profile  127 . The browse page  125  includes an autoscroll switch  118 . When the autoscroll switch is set to on, the summary profiles  127  that are currently displayed on the browse page  125  are periodically replaced with different summary profiles  127 . The browse page  125  includes the current page number  128  taken out of a total page number  122 . To go to a specific page, the user may enter a page number into the page field  121  and select the go to page button  120 . The user may manually change the page to next page or the previous page by selecting the next page button  124  and the previous page button  123 . 
         [0069]    The chat window  250  includes a transcript field  257  to display incoming and outgoing messages. A thumbnail  111  of the member is included. A profile button  253  opens a detailed profile window  300 . A webcam button  254  starts a user&#39;s webcam. An add member button  255  adds a member to the user&#39;s match list. A ban button  256  prevents future messages from being received from the member. A clear chat button  258  clears the transcript field  257 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 8  shows a detailed profile window  300 . The detailed profile window  300  lists the data stored in the online data database  400  that relates to a selected member. 
         [0071]      FIG. 3  shows the window  100  of the application when the flirts page  131  has been selected. The flirts page  131  shows summary profiles  127  who have accepted your flirt request or whose flirt requests have been approved by the user. The flirts page  131  also shows summary profiles  127  of users who have sent flirt requests and are pending approval. The summary profiles  127  each include a respective thumbnail  111 , username  112 , and age  113 . An email button  15  beneath each summary profile  127  opens an email window  190  that allows the user to send an email to the user associated with the user profile. If the user associated with the summary profile  127  is online, a chat button  126  is placed beneath the summary profile  127 . When pressed, the chat button  126  opens a chat window  250  wherein the two users may communicate in real time with each other. The flirts page  131  includes an approve button  132 . The approve button  132  displays a flirts approval page  180 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 16  shows the flirts approval page  180 . The flirts approval page  180  shows summary profiles  127  of users who have sent flirts to the user. Each summary profile  127  includes a thumbnail  111 , username  112 , and an age  113 . Beneath each summary profile  127  is an accept radio button  182  and a decline radio button  183 . When the pending flirt requests have been accepted or declined by the user, the user may select a process button  184 . When the process button  184  is selected the application sends information to the online dating database  400  to add the profile to the user&#39;s flirts list or to delete the profile from the user&#39;s pending flirt list. To replace the summary profiles  127  displayed on the pending flirts page  180 , with additionally pending profiles, the user may select the previous page button  123  or next page button  124 . To return to the flirts page  180 , the user selects the view flirt network button  181 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 4  shows the email page  141 , which is on top within the window  100 . The email page  141  displays a list of emails received by the user. The email page  141  includes a table with the following columns: from field  146 , subject field  147 , date sent field  148 , and email status field  149 . The from field  146  lists the username  112  who sent an email. The subject field  147  lists the subject of the email. The date sent field  148  lists the time and date when the email was sent. The email status field  149  lists the status of the message, i.e. read or unread. When the from field  146  of a given email is hovered over, a thumbnail  111  of the sender appears. Unread emails can be highlighted in a different color to help users identify unread messages. Selecting a message opens an email window  190  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The email window  190  has a title bar  101  and close button  103 . For a selected message, the username who sent the email is displayed in the from field  146 . The recipient username (i.e. the user&#39;s username) is displayed in the recipient username field  147 . A message field  191  displays the text of the message. To reply to the email, the user clicks the reply button  192 . Clicking the reply button opens an outgoing email window  210 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 12  shows the outgoing email window  210 . A reply message can be sent by opening the outgoing email window  210 . The recipient field  193  is automatically completed. A subject field  147  allows the user to enter a subject for the message. The user enters the body of a message in the message field  191 . When completed, the user can select the send button  211  to send the message to the online dating database  400  where it is forwarded to the recipient user. 
         [0075]      FIG. 14  shows a sent email page  230 . The sent email page  230  is moved to the top of window  100  by selecting the sent email button  145 . The sent emails are summarized in a table. The table has the following columns: a recipient field  231 , a subject field  147 , a date sent field  148 , and a status field  149 . The total email sent field  232  stores the number of emails that have been sent. When a message is selected, a sent email window  240  opens as shown in  FIG. 15 . The sent email window  240  includes a recipient filed  146  storing the username of the recipient, a sender field  193  storing the username of the sender, a subject field  147  storing the subject of the email message, and a message field  191  storing the text of the message. The sent email window  240  has a close button  241 . When the close button  241  is selected, the sent email window  240  closes. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  shows the window  100  with the search page  151  on top. The search page  151  is moved to the top of the window  100  by selecting the search tab  150 . The search page  151  is where a user enters criterion for searching the online dating database  400 . The default criterion for the search are taken from the user&#39;s profile kept in the online dating database  400 . As stated, profiles that match the criterion are displayed on the browse page  109 . In the preferred embodiment, the search criteria that can be entered are the following fields: the user gender  152 , the gender sought  153 , the minimum age  154 , the maximum age  155 , the zip code  156 . Additional filters can be added. For example, the results can be filtered to include only profiles that include photographs by checking the photo only checkbox  157 . Likewise, the results can be filtered to include only profiles associated with users who are online by checking the online only checkbox  158 . Once the criteria are entered, the user selects the enter button  159 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  shows the window  100  with a settings page  161  on top. To move the settings page  161  to the top of the window  100 , the user selects the settings tab  160 . 
         [0078]    New users of the online dating database  400 , who are installing the application for the first time, can create an account from the settings page  161 . Selecting the signup button  162  opens a registration webpage of the online dating database  400 . 
         [0079]    Users with existing accounts with the online dating database  400  can login by entering their username and password into the username field  164  and password field  165 , respectively. Checkboxes allow the user to change the settings of the application. The following are checkboxes included in the preferred embodiment: autologin checkbox  166 , launch at startup  167 , show alerts  168 , profile bubble over pictures  169 , and auto scrolling  170 . A dropbox allows the user to set an autoscrolling time field  171 . When the period of time specified in the autoscrolling time field  171  expires, the application replaces the summary profiles  127  in the browse page  109 . When the autoscrolling checkbox  170  is unchecked, the browse page  109  is changed by pressing the previous page button  123  and the next page button  124 . 
         [0080]    Selecting the auto-login checkbox  166  causes the application to automatically login the user into the application without having to enter your username and password every time the application is launched. When a launch at startup checkbox  167  is checked, the application starts automatically whenever the workstation  403  is started. 
         [0081]    A show alerts checkbox  168  can be checked to cause the application to create a pop-up alert  220 .  FIG. 13  shows a popup alert  220 . When an email, instant message, or flirt message is forwarded to the application, a popup alert  220  opens. The popup alert  220  includes a from field  146 , a view button  221 , and a close button  222 . Hovering over the from field  146  opens a thumbnail  111 . Selecting the view button  221  opens the incoming email window  190  or chat window  250 . Selecting the close button  222  dismisses the popup alert  220 . 
         [0082]    When a profile bubble over profile checkbox  169  is checked on the settings page  161  and a user subsequently is browsing summary profiles  127  on the browse page  125 , a bubble  129  opens when the user hovers over a given profile as shown in  FIG. 18 . The bubble contains more information than the summary profile and allows the user to quickly determine if the user wishes to invite the member to become a match. 
         [0083]    The settings page  161  has a view/edit profile button  172 . Selecting the view/edit profile button  172  opens a webpage with which the user can view and/or edit the user&#39;s profile in the online dating database  400 . 
         [0084]    A view account settings button  173  is included on the settings page  161 . A user changes account settings by selecting the view account settings button  173 . The settings that can be changed include email address, zip code, and password. 
         [0085]    A status field  175  is included on the settings page  161 . The status field  175  describes the status of the application. Typically the status is “logged in” when a user has properly logged into the online dating database  400 . The status field  175  displays error messages when the application is unable to login. After successfully logging in, the browse tab  110  becomes activated.