초록 ▼

A method and apparatus related to grouping (or matching) network users and computers associated with multi-user applications is disclosed. Each user is associated with a client computer that is connected to a network. A match maker application resides on one or more server computer(s). The match mak

A method and apparatus related to grouping (or matching) network users and computers associated with multi-user applications is disclosed. Each user is associated with a client computer that is connected to a network. A match maker application resides on one or more server computer(s). The match maker application controls the process of collecting Clients into matched sets, called client groups, based upon a wide range of attributes of the users, their client computers, the server computers, software application titles, application instances and/or data communication links of the network, for example. Each time the match maker application creates a client group, it creates a group data set that represents the client group. Network match making information is presented to users in an understandable manner using icons, other graphical images or collections of icons and/or images, for example, displayed on a display screen. For example, a non-textual element of a graphical image can be varied to communicate group information about a client group to a user. A variety of non-textual elements can be used to communicate a variety of group information to a user.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of assisting a user to influence a match maker application, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first client computer said first client computer executing a first cooperating client application wherein the first cooperating client application cooperate

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of assisting a user to influence a match maker application, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first client computer said first client computer executing a first cooperating client application wherein the first cooperating client application cooperates with the match maker application by exchanging information with the match maker application;providing a second client computer being equipped with a video display, said second client computer executing a second cooperating client application wherein the second cooperating client application cooperates with the match maker application by exchanging information with the match maker application;providing a host computer hosting the match maker application, the match maker application maintaining a plurality of group datasets, wherein each group dataset of the plurality of group datasets includes values of each of a plurality of attributes, wherein the plurality of attributes include attributes associated with a group of cooperating client applications, wherein the group of cooperating client applications includes said first cooperating client application, wherein each of the group of cooperating client applications cooperates with the match maker application by exchanging information with the match maker application;selecting at least one value of at least one attribute wherein the at least one attribute is associated with said first cooperating client application, said at least one value being included in at least one group dataset being included in the plurality of group datasets being maintained upon the host computer;transmitting from said match maker application on said host computer a message including said at least one value;receiving said message by said second cooperating client application on said second client computer; andin response to receiving said message, displaying upon said video display of said second client computer a first graphical image having a pre-defined non-textual feature wherein the pre-defined non-textual feature represents said at least one value included in said message.