Patent Us6776687b2

Scott Simon

2 min read

·

11-01-2025

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Patent US6776687B2, titled "System and method for providing personalized information based on user preferences," describes a system for delivering customized information to users based on their individual preferences. This seemingly straightforward concept has significant implications for personalized advertising, content recommendation, and user experience design.

Understanding the Core Technology

The patent outlines a system that leverages user-provided preferences and past behavior to create a personalized information profile. This profile informs the selection and delivery of relevant information, effectively filtering out irrelevant content. The key components of the system include:

• User Preference Acquisition: Gathering user preferences through various means, such as explicit user input (e.g., surveys, settings), implicit feedback (e.g., browsing history, purchase history), and inferred preferences (e.g., based on demographic information).
• Profile Creation and Management: Building and maintaining a dynamic profile that constantly updates based on new user data. This requires robust data management and potentially sophisticated algorithms to handle large datasets and changing preferences.
• Information Filtering and Selection: Utilizing the user profile to filter and select information relevant to the user's interests. This might involve sophisticated ranking algorithms to prioritize the most relevant items.
• Information Delivery: Presenting the filtered information to the user in a clear and engaging manner, perhaps through personalized dashboards, email notifications, or tailored web pages.

Implications and Significance

The technology described in US6776687B2 is foundational to many aspects of modern online experiences. Its impact spans across numerous industries, including:

• E-commerce: Personalized product recommendations significantly boost sales conversion rates.
• Social Media: Tailored news feeds and content suggestions keep users engaged.
• News and Media: Customized news feeds deliver relevant news to individual users.
• Advertising: Targeted advertising maximizes ad efficiency and user experience.

The patent's significance lies in its comprehensive approach to personalized information delivery, addressing the entire lifecycle from user preference acquisition to information presentation. While the details of the specific algorithms and implementation may not be explicitly detailed, the patent lays out a clear framework for creating a system capable of providing highly personalized experiences.

Limitations and Considerations

While the patent proposes a powerful system, certain limitations and ethical considerations warrant attention. These include:

• Data Privacy: The system's reliance on user data raises concerns about privacy and data security. Robust data protection measures are crucial.
• Bias and Discrimination: Algorithms used to filter and select information could inadvertently perpetuate existing biases, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. Careful algorithm design and ongoing monitoring are necessary to mitigate this risk.
• Filter Bubbles: Over-personalization could create "filter bubbles," limiting users' exposure to diverse viewpoints and potentially reinforcing existing beliefs.

In conclusion, US6776687B2 describes a significant advance in personalized information delivery. Understanding its technology and implications is crucial for anyone working in the fields of user experience design, data science, and online content delivery. However, careful consideration of ethical implications and potential biases is paramount to ensure responsible implementation.