US 10936685

US Patent 10936685, titled "Poll-based networking system," was issued to Trinity Info Media LLC. The inventors are Timothy Beggy and David Shaun Neal. The application was filed on July 2, 2018, and the patent was published (issued) on March 2, 2021.

Abstract:
The patent describes a poll-based system for online and mobile networks that connects users and products, goods, and services. It identifies matches by comparing a current user's polling responses in real-time. As the user progressively answers questions, the system continuously updates and presents matches. The selected answers are compared against descriptions of other products, goods, and services, or general questions, to generate a likelihood of match. Profiles of matched entities (users, products, goods, or services) that fall within a predetermined threshold are then presented, including links for specific purchases.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1 (System Claim): This claim describes a poll-based networking and e-commerce system. It includes one or more processors and associated memory configured to perform several operations:

  1. Receive user information to create a unique user profile.
  2. Provide the user with polling questions, each having a finite set of answers and a unique identification.
  3. Receive and store the user's selected answer for these questions.
  4. Compare the selected answer against other users' selected answers (based on unique identification) to generate a "likelihood of match." This matching also applies to products, goods, or services.
  5. Display to the user other users, or products, goods, or services, that meet a predetermined likelihood of match.
  6. Crucially, one or more of these operations are performed on a hand-held device.
  7. Additionally, two or more results based on the likelihood of match are displayed in a list that can be reviewed by swiping.

• Claim 2 (Method Claim): This claim outlines a computer-implemented method for creating a poll-based network, involving one or more processors executing instructions to perform similar operations to Claim 1:

  1. Receive user information to generate a unique user profile.
  2. Provide polling questions with finite answers and unique identifications.
  3. Receive and store selected answers.
  4. Compare the selected answers against those of other users (based on unique identification) to determine a likelihood of match.
  5. Display to the user other users (and implicitly products, goods, or services, though not explicitly stated in this claim's summary) that meet a predetermined likelihood of match.
  6. Similar to Claim 1, one or more operations are carried out on a hand-held device.
  7. Also, two or more results are displayed in a swipe-reviewable list.

• Claim 3 (Computer Program Product Claim): This claim covers a computer program product for creating a poll-based network. It consists of computer-readable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, executable by one or more processors to cause them to perform operations including:

  1. Receiving user information to generate a unique user profile.
  2. Providing polling questions with finite answers and unique identifications.
  3. Receiving and storing selected answers.
  4. Causing to be displayed to the user other users that have a likelihood of match within a predetermined threshold (the comparison step itself is implied but not explicitly listed as an operation the product causes to be performed).
  5. Like the other independent claims, one or more operations are performed on a hand-held device.
  6. Two or more results are displayed in a list reviewable by swiping.

USPTO and CAFC Dockets Search:
A search of the USPTO database confirms the patent details provided above, including its status as "Active, expires 2030-12-17".

Regarding CAFC dockets for 2026, general searches for CAFC dockets show that the court provides information on case filings and records, including an event on July 3, 2026, for a public opening. However, a specific search for "US10936685" within CAFC 2026 dockets did not yield specific case filings or proceedings directly naming this patent for the year 2026. The provided patent information indicates "Family has litigation," with a "US case filed in Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit" related to case 22-1308, as well as cases in the California Central District Court, but these citations do not specify activity in 2026. Without more specific search results for 2026 CAFC dockets for this patent number, I cannot confirm any ongoing CAFC proceedings for the current year.