Abstract:
A dating Internet site based computer system offers matchmakers to aid in the dating process. The system includes a client database to hold clients that wish to date and attributes of said clients. The system contains a matchmaker database that holds matchmakers, who are experts at personal relations. The client and matchmaker database information is used to provide potential clients with insight into whether a matchmaker will be of use to them, as well as information for the internet site to determine whether they should host a given matchmaker. Matchmakers can provide counseling and knowledge with regard to dating for pleasure and success.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates in general to an Internet based computer systems for matchmaking, and in particular, to a method of matching individuals for dating and marriage. 
         [0002]    There are currently internet questionnaires that match individuals for dates. There are also profiles that individuals can use to decide on dates or search for dates. U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,467 describes a method of matching two sets of profiles. However, a person is much more complicated than a list of traits. Compounding this simplification, there will only be a subset of traits that will match with another set of traits in two profiles producing matches with limited information. In addition, opposites often attract. A talkative person may match with a quiet person. On the other hand, a person that loves parties and socializing may not match with a person that avoids social situations. A third person may not care one way or another about social situations. As can be seen the complexities of matching individuals exceeds matching of sets of traits. 
         [0003]    Often date after date does not lead to a relationship desirable for one or both individuals involved. One may in fact choose individuals that are incompatible. A person from an abusive home may choose an abusive spouse. The divorce rate in America is quite large. Internet dating services often lead to a long string of incompatible dates. One&#39;s friends may know other single friends, but certainly a limited number and they too may be incompatible. A system and method is needed to better identify matches that will work, particularly for those interested in marriage. Further, it is desirable for dating to be pleasurable. Current methods often fall short or do not address at all methods of dating that make dating enjoyable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An Internet site based computer system is described to match individuals for dating and marriage. The system includes a client database to hold clients that wish to date and attributes of the clients. The system contains a matchmaker database that holds matchmakers, who are experts at personal relations. The matchmaker database also contains statistics on client satisfaction, marriage and divorce. The client and matchmaker database information is used to provide potential clients with insight into whether a matchmaker will be of use to them, as well as information for the internet site to determine whether they should host a given matchmaker. Matchmakers can provide counseling and knowledge with regard to dating for pleasure and success. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment there is described a method for matching dating individuals to matchmakers for the purpose of achieving the dating goals desired by the dating individuals, the method comprising providing at least one computer having at least one central processing unit; maintaining at least one database in the computer containing the identification of matchmakers that will review data on the dating individuals; maintaining the success of matchmakers in meeting dating individual goals and transforming the data by the central processing unit into a list of matchmakers for use by other dating individuals and, optionally, coaching the dating individuals in meeting the short and long term goals of the dating individuals. 
         [0006]    In a further embodiment there is described a system for matching dating individuals to matchmakers comprising at least one computer having at least one central processing unit and one or more databases accessible over the Internet; said one or more databases in the computer containing the identification of matchmakers that will review information on the dating individuals; said one or more databases in the computer containing profiles of the data individuals; and said one or more databases in the computer containing historical data on the success of matchmakers in meeting dating individual goals, the profiles, identification of matchmakers and historical information transformed by the central processing unit into a list of matchmakers for use by clients that wish to date. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment there is described a method of matching individuals for dating to matchmakers, the method comprising providing at least one computer having at least one central processing unit and a plurality of databases accessible over the internet; maintaining personal profiles for a plurality of individuals for dating in at least one personal profile database; maintaining matchmaker ratings for a plurality of matchmakers in at least one matchmaker ratings database; accessing over the internet by one of the individuals the matchmaker ratings for selecting one of the matchmakers; and selecting using the central processing unit coupled to the personal profile database and the matchmaker rating database, a match between the one of the individuals and one of the plurality of matchmakers based on questionnaire responses by the one or more individuals to a predetermined list of questions. 
         [0008]    In a further embodiment there is described a method for creating a list of matchmakers for use by dating individuals or a matchmaker site, the method comprising providing at least one computer having at least one central processing unit; maintaining at least one database in the computer containing matchmaker identification and matchmaker historical data concerning past success at helping individuals with the dating process; transforming the matchmaker identification and the historical data by the central processing unit into a list of one or more matchmakers for use by a matchmaker site in choosing matchmakers for the site or for use by dating individuals in choosing a matchmaker to aid them in the dating process. 
         [0009]    In a further embodiment there is described a system for creating a list of matchmakers for use in a dating process by dating individuals, comprising at least one computer having at least one central processing unit and at least one database accessible over the internet; the database containing the identification of matchmakers that will review information on the dating individuals; and the database containing matchmaker historical data concerning past success at helping dating individuals with the dating process, the identification of matchmakers and the historical data transformed by the central processing unit into a list of one or more matchmakers for use by a matchmaker site in choosing matchmakers for the site or for use by dating individuals in choosing a matchmaker to aid them in the dating process. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment there is described a method for selecting a matchmaker by a dating individual for aiding in choosing dates, the method comprising providing at least one computer having at least one central processing unit and at least one database accessible over the internet; maintaining matchmaker identifications for a plurality of matchmakers in at least one the database; maintaining matchmaker ratings for a plurality of matchmakers in at least one the database; accessing over the internet by one of the dating individuals the matchmakers to aid the dating individual in choosing dates; selecting using the central processing unit coupled to the matchmaker identification in the at least one database and the matchmaker ratings in the at least one database, a matchmaker based on ratings of the matchmakers. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the invention to provide, for example, an Internet computer based system to match individuals for dating and possible marriage. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the invention for the server, for example, to maintain and supply to clients matchmaker success rates for client satisfaction and marriage. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to provide, for example, client information to the matchmakers, so the matchmaker can make an insightful dating match. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the invention to supply, for example, information to the clients to help to make dating enjoyable. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the invention to help the client, for example, to avoid choosing the wrong person by supplying competent matchmakers from the database. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows the client, server and database configuration over the Internet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an overview of the matchmaking process in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a client personal profile in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a goals menu choice in accordance with one embodiment of the invention 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a date rating questionnaire in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows client database tables in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows the questionnaire builder in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows questionnaire tables in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows the matchmaker database table in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a matchmaker list presented to a client in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  shows matchmaker rating database tables in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  shows a marriage and possible divorce database table in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  shows a rating selection from the database tables in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  shows the choosing of attribute for matchmakers and attributes for clients to acquire matchmaker ratings. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  shows the choosing of those facets to be rated as well as the choosing of statistics. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  shows the processing of stored information to produce a set of matchmakers and associated attributes and ratings. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  shows the structure of statistic information. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0035]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows in accordance with one embodiment of the invention a preferred network structure of the invention. The network structure includes a set of clients on client system  1  such as microprocessor based system, e.g., a computer such as a PC or laptop, as well as other suitable systems such as PDAs, pocket PCs, cell phones and the like. The client system is connected through the Internet to server system  2  that accesses stored database tables such as client  3 , matchmaker  4 , date rating  5  and matchmaker rating  6  database tables. The server system  2  includes a microprocessor and one or more memory components. The Client Tables  3 , shown in detail in  FIG. 6 , holds clients that wish to date, associated attributes of the clients, dating events and optional ratings of these dating events. The ratings of these dating events are generated from a date rating questionnaire, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The Matchmaker Profile Tables  4 , shown in detail in  FIG. 9 , holds each matchmaker and associated attributes of each matchmaker. The Date Rating Tables  5 , as detailed in  FIG. 8 , holds questionnaires generated by matchmakers to be filled out by dating individuals. Filled out questionnaires are stored in said dating events within said Client Tables  3 . The Matchmaker Rating Tables  6 , as detailed in  FIG. 11 , holds ratings of matchmakers by clients. For example dating individual George may rate matchmaker Susan, with regard to ‘meets my goals’ as a 9, from a span of 0 (terrible) to 10 (outstanding). 
         [0036]    A flow diagram of the invention in accordance with one embodiment relating to a client seeking a date is shown in  FIG. 2 . In step  7 , client A creates a personal profile through client system  1  which accesses server system  2  over the Internet. Said personal profile is stored in Client Tables  3 ,  FIG. 1 . The profile will typically contain age, gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, education and occupation by way of examples. However, any other useful profile information can be included, such as hobbies or interests. Given these profile attributes of client A, server system  2  accesses stored database tables  3 ,  4 ,  6  with the select shown in  FIG. 13  The select provides a set of matchmakers displayed in step  8  that have good ratings for clients with a similar profile. This select uses the central processing unit to transform base information from tables MatchMakerRating (Tables  6 ), Facet (Tables  6 ), MatchMaker (Tables  4 ), MatchMaker Profile (Tables  4 ) and Client Profile (Tables  3 ) into a list of recommended Matchmakers. This transformed data consisting of recommended matchmakers may also be used by the site to understand which matchmakers are productive. The select uses table MatchMakerRating stored in Matchmaker Rating Tables  6 , Facet stored in Matchmaker Rating Tables  6 , MatchMaker, stored in Matchmaker Profile Tables  4  and Profile stored in Client Tables  3 . In step  9 , the user can change the portion of their client profile used in determining the matchmakers. Once changed a new set of matchmakers is displayed in step  8 . The client then chooses a matchmaker in step  10 , which corresponds to a profile in Matchmaker Profile Tables  4 . In step  11 , the matchmaker chooses one or more client information requests such as a questionnaire and a personality test which the client fills out. The questionnaire is located in Client Tables  3  and is generated by choosing questions through a dialog box, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The personality test is a standard industry personality test and is stored on the fixed disk on server system  2 . This gives the matchmaker information in choosing a date for the client. In step  12 , the client has the option to have a video conference or phone visit with the matchmaker. The video conference flows between client system  1  through the Internet and to the matchmaker, either directly through the Internet or through server system  2 . In step  13 , the client has a date set up by the matchmaker. In step  14 , if the client has been dating for 3 months, the client fills out matchmaker ratings in step  15 , which are stored in matchmaker database  4 . The client then continues dating or has the option to switch to a new matchmaker. 
         [0037]    An example of a personal profile stored in Client Tables  3 , created by the client from system  1  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The personal profile is used by the server system  2  to determine matchmakers to present to the client, as described in  FIG. 2  step  8 . The profile is also used by the matchmaker to determine suitable dates.  FIG. 4  shows an optional client goals menu that may also be used by the matchmaker in choosing dates. These goals are stored in Client Tables  3 . Selected ‘Client Goals’  17  are added from ‘Goals To Choose From’  16  by pressing the ‘Add’  18  button. 
         [0038]    An example of tables associated with the client that is dating is shown in  FIG. 6 . The profile  19  table contains attributes of the client and is generated in step  7  of  FIG. 2  and is used in step  9 . The dates  20  table contains each recorded date, filled out by the matchmaker in step  13  of  FIG. 2 , which consists of two clients ClientId  21  and the associated date client Dateld  46  and a DateTime  47 . An optional rating document located in location DocLocation  22  is filled out by the client identified by ClientID  21  in step  13   a  of  FIG. 2 . This document is used by the matchmaker to determine the next date for the client identified by ClientID  21 . This rating of a date is used with other date ratings from this client, other client information such as personality tests, along with other personal profiles located in tables  3 , by the matchmaker to transform this information into a date recommendation for the client. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows an example of a date rating sheet to be answered by the client. This is step  13   a  of  FIG. 2 . The matchmaker picks the questions from tables shown in  FIG. 8  using the questionnaire builder in  FIG. 7 . The questionnaire builder is run by the central processing unit and allows individualized questionnaires to be sent to a dating client. The questionnaire builder gives the matchmaker creative flexibility in obtaining information to choose dates. The matchmaker can, of course, have a teleconference instead or in addition to, a questionnaire. From the Standard Questionnaire drop down  23 , the matchmaker can choose a prebuilt questionnaire. These questions immediately show up in the list  24   a . The question type drop down  24  fills the list below  24   a  with that type of question. In this example, the questions in box  24   a  are generated by choosing Personality in dropdown  24  and Male 18-25 in dropdown  23 . In this case, ‘Male 18-25’ may be a prebuilt questionnaire that all matchmakers have access to. The Add  24   c  and Remove  24   d  buttons move questions between the two lists of question type  24   a  and questionnaire  24   b . If the questionnaire is modified from the standard questionnaire  23 , it can be saved for this matchmaker using the Save Name  26  text box and pressing the Save button  27 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows the questionnaire tables. Questionnaire is tied to many questions from table Questions  32 . These questions are stored in Date Rating Tables  5 . For  FIG. 7 , QuestionnaireType  29  is ‘dating’. Thus, questions regarding dating will be listed in box  24   a . Other questionnaire types can be defined. QuestionnaireName  30  shows up in the drop down list in  FIG. 7  standard questionnaire. In  FIG. 7 , questionnaireName is ‘Male 18-25’ and is within the ‘dating’ group of questions. MatchMakerID  33  allows for per matchmaker built questions. If a questionnaire has a matchmaker created set of questions, a matchmaker specific Questionnaire Name  30  is created by filling in text box  26  and pressing the Save button, which will save questions listed in box  24   b  with the MatchMakerID  33  and Save Name  26 . Save Name  26  can then be chosen in dropdown  23  and other dialogs requiring a Standard Questionnaire, such as the Date Rating sheet of  FIG. 5 . MatchMakerID  33  is set to ‘Site Matchmaker’ for questionnaires available to all matchmakers. Thus, a given matchmaker will have choices of ‘Site Matchmaker’ and their own MatchMakerID, which is associated with their own QuestionnaireName  30  questionnaires. For example, MatchMakerID  33  associated with matchmaker Jenny may have a set of questions that she likes to ask for college women graduates. She may add, by pressing Add button  24   c , 10 questions from various Standard Questionnaire questions  23  and various question types  24  and name the QuestionnaireName  26  ‘Women College Graduates’, stored in QuestionnaireName  30  upon pressing the Save button. QuestionNumber  31  gives the order of the questions and is determined once Save  27  in  FIG. 7  is pressed. For example, ‘Did you like her personality’ question in  FIG. 7  would be the first question asked of the three questions shown in box  24   b . Thus, questions from table  32  is transformed into questionnaires in table  28 . 
         [0041]    The matchmaker&#39;s profile is shown in  FIG. 9  and is stored in Matchmaker Profile Tables  4 .  FIG. 10  shows a matchmaker list example. This list is shown to a client in step  10  of  FIG. 2 . Thus, a client that wants to date, might be shown ‘Jamie Taylor’ and ‘Sally Lamont’ as potential matchmakers, shown in  FIG. 10 . The client might choose ‘Jamie Taylor’ to be their matchmaker. The rating questions are ‘understands my needs’  34 , ‘provides useful information’  35  and ‘meets my goals’  36 . Statistics kept are the number of marriages  37  and total ratings  38 . For example, in this figure, ‘Jamie Taylor’ has an average rating of 9 for ‘Understands my needs’ from other clients that have used Jamie Taylor as their matchmaker. We can also keep the length of marriages and compare the average to the national average. The rating questions and statistics used  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37  and  38  in this example are the same for all matchmakers, allowing for equal comparison. Thus, rating information from each client and individual marriage statistics are brought together and transformed into a set of facet ratings for one or more matchmakers. In  FIG. 10 , the dating client selects whether the matchmaker should have a given Degree  39  or gender  40 . This information is combined with the matchmaker profile ( FIG. 9 ) and transformed by the central processing unit to generate a list of matchmakers for the client. In this figure, ‘Jamie Taylor’ and ‘Sally Lamont’ must have a behavior health degree. In this example, ratings of the matchmaker will be based off clients for any age range  41  that are gender  42  of male with a college education  43 . Thus the ‘Understands my needs’ of rating  9  for ‘Jamie Taylor’ is an average rating from clients that have used ‘Jamie Taylor’ as their matchmaker and are male college graduates. 
         [0042]    The tables for the matchmaker ratings are shown in  FIG. 11 . MatchMakerRating  44  contains all the ratings made by clients for all the matchmakers that have been used by clients. MatchMakerRating  44  contains a record for each matchmaker, client and facet combination. For example matchmaker Jamie Taylor, client Jeff Bridges, facet ‘meets my goals’ may have a rating of 7. This is one record. Matchmaker Jamie Taylor, client Jeff Bridges, facet ‘Understands my needs’ may have a rating of 9. This is another record. Matchmaker Sally Lamont, client Don Valdez, facet ‘Understands my needs’ may have a rating of 9. This is another example of a record. Averages of these records along with client profile attributes  19  are transformed by the central processing unit into data used to populate the screen shown in  FIG. 10 . For example, for ‘Jamie Taylor’ the average of the records for all male, college educated clients that have used Jamie Taylor as their matchmaker for facet ‘Understands my needs’ is 9. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 14  a client selects characteristics of matchmakers that he wants in a matchmaker. Default matchmaker characteristic values can be used for male and female clients based on highest chosen characteristics in the past for males and females. He also selects characteristics for clients that have used matchmakers, whose ratings will be used in determining the effectiveness of matchmakers. Default client characteristic values can be used for male and female clients based on highest chosen characteristics in the past for males and females or simply male clients for statistics for males and female clients for statistics for females. In this case the client wants to see information on matchmakers that have an occupation of ‘behavioral health’  68 . ‘behavior health’ is selected from a dropdown of possible occupations. He does not care about the education  69  gender  70  and age range  71  of the matchmaker. He wants ratings to be based off of ‘college educated’  72  ‘male’  73  clients. ‘male’ is selected from a dropdown containing ‘male’ and ‘female. ‘college educated’ is selected from a dropdown of education levels. 
         [0044]      FIG. 15  allows a client to choose what rating facets about the matchmaker  74  and statistics  78  on matchmaker performance he would like to view. Default values can be chosen for male and female clients based on highest chosen characteristics in the past for males and females. Rating facets chosen are ‘understands my needs’  75 , ‘provides useful information’  76  and ‘meets my goals’  77 . Statistics he is interested in are how many clients end up getting married, ‘married clients’  79 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 16  shows a flow for the processing of: 1) gathered matchmaker ratings from clients that have used matchmakers  FIG. 11 , 2) matchmaker and client characteristics from clients that want to choose a matchmaker  FIG. 14  3) stored matchmaker characterstics  FIGS. 9  and 4) stored client characteristics  FIG. 3 . This processing results in a set of matchmakers that a client can choose from, along with associated history of ratings shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0046]    The flow in  FIG. 15  to produce the ratings results shown in  FIG. 10  proceeds as follows. In step  80  Facet table  45   FIG. 11  is read from the database. In step  81  FacetId  45   a  and FacetLabel  45   b  are kept for FacetLabels  45   b  ‘understands my needs’  70 , ‘provides useful information’  71  and ‘meets my goals’  72 . In step  82  client Profile table  19   FIG. 6  is read from the database. In step  83  ClientIds  19   a  are kept for records containing Education  19   b  of college educated and Gender  19   c  of male. In step  84  MatchMaker table  FIG. 9  is read from the database and in step  85  MatchmakerIds  90   a  are kept that have an occupation  90   b  of behavioral health. In step  86  MatchmakerRating table  44  is read from the database. Each record in the MatchmakerRating table  44  consists of the rating of one client, about one matchmaker for one facet. For example client Tom Jones may rate matchmaker Jamie Taylor as a 7 with regard to facet ‘Meets my goals’. In step  87  only MatchmakerRating records containing FacetIds  45   a  from step  81 , ClientIds  19   a  from step  83  and MatchmakerIds  98  from step  85  are kept. In step  88  the Ratings in this set of records is divided into groups containing the same FacetId  45   a  and MatchmakerId  98 , for example the FacetId associated with ‘understands my needs’ and the MatchmakerId  98  associated with James Taylor. In step  89 , for each group, the Rating  44   b    FIG. 11  is averaged. In step  90 , for each group, the Rating  44   b  average, the FirstName  99  and LastName  100  (associated with the MatchmakerId  98 ) and the FacetLabel  45   c  (associated with the FacetId  45   a ) are displayed to the client that wants a matchmaker as shown in  FIG. 10 . For example FirstName  99  LastName  100  Jamie Taylor FacetLable  45   c  ‘Understands my needs’ and average Rating  44   b  of  9   34   a  is one cell of data shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0047]    Statistics are gathered in two tables  FIG. 17 . One table contains statistic types, StatisticType  91 . The other table contains statistic events, StatisticEvent  95 . A record in the StatisticType table  91  might be Statisticld  92  of 1, StatisticLabel  93  of ‘married’ and StatisticDescription  94  of ‘Client got married’. Each client of a given matchmaker that gets married gets an event in StatisticEvent table  95  containing a MatchmakerId  98 , a ClientId  19   a  and a Statisticld  92 . The total number for a statistic, in this example the number of client marriages for a given matchmaker, is acquired by summing the number of married events in the StatisticEvent table  95  for a given MatchmakerId  90   a  and Statisticld  92 . In  FIG. 10  this resulted in a marriages  37  entry of  11 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  shows a select of the MatchMakerRating table  44   FIG. 11 , Facet table  45   FIG. 11 , MatchMaker table  FIG. 9  and Profile table  19   FIG. 6 , to produce the information necessary to display the matchmaker rating questions  34 ,  35 ,  36  shown in  FIG. 10 . The select is run by the central processing unit, which transforms said table information into data to populate items  34   35   36  of  FIG. 10 . In this case, the top two matchmakers ‘Jamie Taylor’ and ‘Sally Lamont’ are shown. Within the select we acquire the matchmaker FirstName  55 , LastName  56 , FactLabel  57  and average rating for matchmakers. The client ratings used, are for clients with Gender  64  male and education  65  college. The aspects of the matchmakers, FacetLabel  63 , that we want to list are ‘understands my needs’, ‘provides useful information’ and ‘meets my goals’. We only want to list those matchmakers with an occupation  66  of ‘behavior health’. 
         [0049]    The Marriage  49  table in  FIG. 12  holds the information for each client ClientId  50  that has gotten married. MarriedToId  51  is the client that ClientId  50  married. MatchMakerId  52  is the active matchmaker that was working with ClientId  50  at the time of the marriage. The marriage date  52  is saved. The divorce date  53  is saved if there is a divorce. These tables are stored in Client Tables  3  of  FIG. 1  and are transformed with the Matchmaker table of  FIG. 9  to generate statistics such as  37  of  FIG. 10  for a given matchmaker. 
         [0050]    An Internet based dating service with matchmakers provides clients an intelligent means of dating suitable individuals and meeting short and long term dating goals. By placing matchmaker ratings in a database, clients can get an understanding of matchmaker strengths and weaknesses. By allowing ratings to be filtered according to desired matchmaker attributes and dating client profile, a clearer picture of a matchmaker&#39;s strengths can be determined as it relates to the needs of a given dating client. 
         [0051]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.