US 10936685B2

Summary of US Patent 10936685B2

Title: Poll-based networking system

Assignee: Trinity Info Media LLC

Inventors: Timothy Beggy, David Shaun Neal

Filing Date: July 2, 2018

Issue Date: March 2, 2021

Abstract: The patent describes a poll-based system that establishes an online and mobile network of users, products, goods, and services determined through polling. The system compares a current user's polling responses in real-time to identify the most similar matches among other users or products, goods, and services. As the user progressively answers questions, the system updates the matching and presentation of these similar entities. This process involves comparing selected answers against descriptions of other products, goods, and services, or general questions, to generate a likelihood of a match. Profiles of products, goods, and services that meet a predetermined match threshold are then presented to the user, including links for specific purchases.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

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

  1. Receive user information to create a unique user profile.
  2. Provide the user with polling questions that have a finite set of answers and unique identifications.
  3. Receive and store the user's selected answers to these questions.
  4. Compare the selected answers against those of other users (based on unique identifications) to determine a numerical likelihood of a match.
  5. Display to the user other users, or products, goods, or services, that meet a predetermined match threshold.
     Crucially, it specifies that some operations are performed on a handheld device, and that two or more results 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. It involves causing one or more processors to perform actions similar to those in Claim 1:

  1. Receiving user information for a profile.
  2. Providing polling questions with finite answers and unique identifications.
  3. Receiving and storing selected answers.
  4. Comparing the selected answers against other users' answers (based on unique identifications) to generate a likelihood of a match.
  5. Displaying other users who meet a predetermined match threshold.
     Like Claim 1, it emphasizes that one or more operations are carried out on a handheld device, and that multiple results are displayed in a swipeable list.

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

  1. Receiving user information for a profile.
  2. Providing polling questions with finite answers and unique identifications.
  3. Receiving and storing selected answers.
  4. Causing the display of other users that have a likelihood of match within a predetermined threshold.
     This claim also includes the features that one or more operations are carried out on a handheld device, and that two or more results are displayed in a list reviewable by swiping.

CAFC 2026 Dockets Search

A search of the CAFC dockets for 2026 for the specific patent number 10936685B2 did not yield any new or ongoing litigation directly involving this patent number. The previously noted appeal (Case Number: 2022-1308) was affirmed on July 14, 2023, meaning it is concluded and would not appear in 2026 dockets as an active case.