Secure online dating support system and method

Abstract

A secure online dating support system and method requires potential members to submit personal information regarding themselves as a predicate to becoming a member of the dating system. This personal information is provided in a manner, either in-person at an information receiving center, or submitted to an information collector, or submitted directly to an online dating service, that permits its verification. Preferably, authorization is also provided by the potential member for further investigation, resulting in an investigator conducting an investigation, and communicating the results to the online dating service, so that the information revealed by the investigation can be displayed to members of the online dating service and/or to individuals outside of the dating service who have been given access by the participating member.

1 . An online dating support system comprising, in combination: an online dating service; at least one potential member in communication with said online dating service; at least one member in communication with said online dating service; a personal information and authorization receiving center in communication with said online dating service; and an investigator in communication with said online dating service.  
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said personal information and authorization receiving center has means for obtaining a digital photograph of said potential member.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said personal information and authorization receiving center has means for scanning an image of at least one document provided by said potential member.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said members and wherein said plurality of members are organized into at least two levels of membership.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said at least two levels of membership are differentiated based on the level of disclosure required from said plurality of members.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said at least two levels of members are differentiated based on the frequency of disclosure required from said plurality of members.  
     
     
         7 . A method of online dating comprising the steps of: providing an online dating service; providing at least one potential member of said online dating service; providing at least one member of said online dating service; providing a personal information and authorization receiving center in communication with said online dating service; providing an investigator in communication with said online dating service; said at least one potential member visiting said personal information and authorization receiving center; said at least one potential member providing personal information to said information and authorization receiving center; said information and authorization receiving center communicating said personal information to said online dating service; said online dating service accepting said potential member as a member; and said online dating service posting at least some of said personal information concerning said potential member on a web-site.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said personal information includes at least one photograph of said potential member, wherein said at least one photograph is taken at said information and authorization receiving center.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said personal information further includes height and weight information concerning said potential member, wherein said height and weight information is obtained at said information and authorization receiving center.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said personal information further includes at least one of the following: a birth certificate, information concerning marital status, income information, sexually transmitted disease information, and property ownership information.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of said potential member providing to said information and receiving center written authorization to obtain additional information concerning said potential member.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of said potential member providing to said investigator written authorization to obtain additional information concerning said potential member.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of said investigator investigating said potential member.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of providing at least two levels of membership for said online dating service.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said at least two levels of membership are differentiated based on an amount of said personal information provided.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein an accessing member's access to said personal information concerning other said members is restricted based on said accessing member's membership level.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of said online dating service providing a complaint forum.  
     
     
         18 . A method of online dating comprising the steps of: providing an online dating service; providing at least one potential member of said online dating service; providing at least one member of said online dating service; providing a personal information and authorization receiving center in communication with said online dating service; providing an investigator in communication with said online dating service; said at least one potential member visiting said personal information and authorization receiving center; said at least one potential member providing personal information to said information and authorization receiving center, said personal information includes at least one of the following: at least one photograph of said potential member, wherein said at least one photograph is taken at said information and authorization receiving center, height and weight information concerning said potential member, wherein said height and weight information is obtained at said information and authorization receiving center, birth certificate, information concerning marital status, income information, sexually transmitted disease information, and property ownership information; said potential member providing to said information and receiving center written authorization to obtain additional information concerning said potential member; providing an investigator in communication with said online dating service; said investigator investigating said potential member; providing at least two levels of membership for said online dating service, wherein said at least two levels of membership are differentiated based on an amount of said personal information provided; said information and authorization receiving center communicating said personal information to said online dating service; said online dating service accepting said potential member as a member; and said online dating service posting at least some of said personal information concerning said potential member on a web-site, wherein an accessing member's access to said personal information concerning other of said members is restricted based on said accessing member's membership level.  
     
     
         19 . A method of personal information verification for dating comprising the steps of: providing a personal information and authorization receiving center; a person providing personal information to said information and authorization receiving center, wherein said personal information further includes at least one of the following: at least one photograph of said person, wherein said at least one photograph is taken at said information and authorization receiving center, height and weight information concerning said person, wherein said height and weight information is obtained at said information and authorization receiving center, birth certificate, information concerning marital status, income information, sexually transmitted disease information, and property ownership information; said personal information and authorization receiving center verifying said personal information; and said personal information and authorization receiving center providing said person with a certification of said personal information after all information submitted by said user has been verified.  
     
     
         20 . A method of online dating comprising the steps of: providing an online dating service; providing at least one potential member of said online dating service; providing at least one member of said online dating service; providing an information collector in communication with said online dating service; said information collector visiting said at least one potential member; said at least one potential member providing personal information to said information collector; said information collector communicating said personal information to said online dating service; said online dating service accepting said potential member as a member; and said online dating service posting at least some of said personal information concerning said potential member on a web-site.