Patents Examined by Amee A. Shah
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Patent number: 8145419Abstract: A mobile object position estimation apparatus mounted in a mobile object includes a first estimation mechanism for estimating the mobile object position based on the outputs from an inertial navigation sensor device (acceleration sensor, and yaw rate sensor, or the like) mounted on the mobile object, a storage for storing map information including at least node information, a second estimation mechanism for estimating the mobile object position based on a predicted path of traveling of the mobile object predicted from the node information, and a synthesis mechanism for determining the final estimated mobile object position by synthesizing the mobile object position estimated by the first estimation mechanism and the mobile object position estimated by the second estimation mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirohisa Onome, Kazunori Kagawa, Yasuhiro Tajima, Iwao Maeda, Kiyomi Nagamiya, Akihiro Ueda
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Patent number: 8140406Abstract: At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving data related to an item, the item being associated with a listed price and receiving data related to a user requested price for the item. Some embodiments include determining whether a first seller accepts the user requested price for the item and in response to a determination that the first seller accepts the user requested price, sending an offer to the user to purchase the item at the user requested price.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventors: Jerome Myers, Rimas (Ray) Rauba, John P. Ruckart
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Patent number: 8126778Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, example embodiments of a transaction system that may receive, over a network, a first set of transaction data associated with a transaction for an item. In an example embodiment, a reputation application may adjust a rating associated with the transaction when the first set of transaction data indicates a purchase or a return of the item.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: eBay Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Boyd, Alexander Grinenko
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Patent number: 8117081Abstract: A system comprises a buyer request creation module to receive a buyer request listing, the buyer request creation module automatically to determine a listing category for the buyer request listing. A buyer request searching module locates a buyer request listing corresponding to a search criteria. A buyer request response module adds a response to the buyer request listing, the response comprising a reference to a listing for an item offered for sale on the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: eBay Inc.Inventors: David Raccah, Leonard Robert Speiser, Edward O'Neil Garcia
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Patent number: 8108922Abstract: Techniques are described for providing customizable sign-on functionality, such as via an access manager system that provides single sign-on functionality and other functionality to other services for use with those services' users. The access manager system may maintain various sign-on and other account information for various users, and provide single sign-on functionality for those users using that maintained information on behalf of multiple unrelated services with which those users interact. The access manager may allow a variety of types of customizations to single sign-on functionality and/or other functionality available from the access manager, such as on a per-service basis via configuration by an operator of the service, such as co-branding customizations, customizations of information to be gathered from users, customizations of authority that may be delegated to other services to act on behalf of users, etc.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Peter Sirota
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Patent number: 8108264Abstract: A method and apparatus allows offering and selling items based on a non-public target price. The target price is initially established in advance for a given item and is not known to potential buyers. Offers for the item are accepted and a transaction is completed if an offer exceeds or is equal to the target price. A target price sale may be conducted in conjunction with a traditional auction. During such an auction-phase, bids are accepted in a traditional manner and the item is sold if the ending bid is higher than a reserve price. The establishment of a target price allows the seller to define an acceptable price in a private sale independent of circumstances, and the non-public nature of the target price allows the seller to control the process. In the case that a traditional auction is also conducted, the existence of both target sale and auction phases can maximize the expected sale price of the item.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Inventor: Geraldine F. Davis
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Patent number: 8078476Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media to provide notification of calendar events across multiple platforms of potentially diverse types. In one embodiment, a method of cross-platform calendar notification can comprise detecting an occurrence of a previously set calendar event. Profile information for a user associated with the calendar event can be read and one or more end devices to which to provide notification of the occurrence of the calendar event can be determined based on the profile information. A notification message can be generated indicating occurrence of the calendar event. The notification message can be sent to each of the one or more end devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.Inventors: Jordan Alperin, Rich Cerami
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Patent number: 8073621Abstract: The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus and a method for providing a user with a list of turn-by-turn positions (TBTs) located ahead on a route. The navigation apparatus of the present invention according to an embodiment comprises a GPS receiving module for receiving navigation satellite signals and calculating a position; a controller for receiving position information from the GPS receiving module, outputting the position information together with map information, and controlling operation of the GPS receiving module; and a storage unit for storing the map information, wherein the controller displays information on two or more TBTs on a proceeding route in the form of a list, the list having a size determined depending on distances to the TBTs included in the TBT information. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that a user can easily recognize information on TBTs ahead and drive a vehicle along a set route only with a TBT list.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyun-Seok Kim, Kun-Sik Lee, Jun-Ho Park, Yu-Ri Lee, Jae-Hee Shim
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Patent number: 8073742Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes detecting a request to change a selected order. The selected order has been submitted for provisioning. The method further includes incorporating a change in the selected order and re-submitting the selected order for provisioning. The method also includes synchronizing the re-submitted order in an external provisioning system. The synchronizing includes overriding the order that had been previously submitted for provisioning.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Siebel Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard Joseph Caballero, Mark David Lewis, Carlos Alejandro Sandrea
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Patent number: 8046267Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention include generating a list of orders associated with an account. The list of orders comprises orders that are open. Selection of one of the orders is detected. A request to change the selected order is detected. Changes in the open and pending orders to reflect the future state of an asset are applied. A quote based on the future state of an asset is generated. A user is allowed to change the configuration of the future state of the asset, and the change is incorporated in the quote.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Sibel Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard Joseph Caballero, Mark David Lewis, Carlos Alejandro Sandrea
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Patent number: 8032422Abstract: A method of transacting sales over a computerized network correlates in a first database record a first product and a plurality of first purchasers to form a pool; further correlates a plurality of second purchasers; issues an offer to a vendor of the first product; and consummates a transaction between the vendor and the first and second purchasers. The offer is issued to the vendor responsive to a time rate of accumulation of buyers in the pool. A first commitment price for buyers is responsive to historical sales performance of the first product; a price trend of an article similar to the first article; or a price trend of the first article itself over time. A second product desired to be purchased by a first purchaser is defined, and an offer is made to a vendor for the purchase of the second product.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Inventors: Stuart G. Pickard, Raphael A. Monsanto
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Patent number: 8027929Abstract: A method of producing a performance, the performance being transmitted over a network, the performance being subject to a record-keeping requirement, includes the steps of: providing information pertaining to a performance in accordance with a record-keeping requirement; associating the information with the performance; providing the associated information to a custodian; and transmitting the performance over a network.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Inventors: Gregory A. Piccionelli, Michael M. Gerardi
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Patent number: 8019653Abstract: Techniques are described for assisting users in dynamically creating and using composite services that are based on other constituent services. In some situations, each constituent service is a Web service (“WS”), and each composite service is a new WS whose execution involves dynamically invoking multiple specified constituent WSes in a specified manner. Such techniques may be used, for example, in conjunction with an electronic WS marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes, such as to allow a user to dynamically create a new composite WS that is based on one or more WSes available from other WS providers and that reflects any constraints of the WS marketplace, with the composite WS available for use by other WS consumers. This abstract is not intended for use in interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frederick, Gunavardhan Kakulapati, Ashish Agrawal, James R. McCann, III
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Patent number: 8019656Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating a self-updating naturally-reading narrative product summary including assertions about a selected product. In one embodiment, the system and method includes evaluating an existing narrative product summary, comparing an existing attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model, respectively, to a current attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model to determine if one of the comparisons shows a change. The system and method further determines a new attribute associated with the selected product, selects an alternative product, retrieves a new assertion model with assertions that describe the selected product and identify an alternative product in a natural manner.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: CBS Interactive Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Baran, Timothy Allen Musgrove, Robin Hiroko Walsh
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Patent number: 8019652Abstract: Techniques are described for assisting users in dynamically creating and using composite services that are based on other constituent services. In some situations, each constituent service is a Web service (“WS”), and each composite service is a new WS whose execution involves dynamically invoking multiple specified constituent WSes in a specified manner. Such techniques may be used, for example, in conjunction with an electronic WS marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes, such as to allow a user to dynamically create a new composite WS that is based on one or more WSes available from other WS providers and that reflects any constraints of the WS marketplace, with the composite WS available for use by other WS consumers. This abstract is not intended for use in interpreting or limiting the scope of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frederick, Gunavardhan Kakulapati, Ashish Agrawal, James R. McCann, III
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Patent number: 8005723Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as in accordance with usage models that are configured for available services by the providers of the services. In some situations, the services are Web services, and an electronic Web service (“WS”) marketplace is provided via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who purchase access to those WSes via the electronic marketplace based on configured usage models selected by the consumers. Some or all of the one or more usage models configured for an available WS may each have associated use prices and/or non-price use conditions, and if so access to those WSes using those usage models may be provided only if a consumer requesting access provides appropriate payment and otherwise satisfies the specified use conditions for a selected usage model.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter Sirota, Guarav D. Ghare, Don Johnson, Tushar Jain, Robert Frederick, Ashish Agrawal, Jeffrey Barr
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Patent number: 8001011Abstract: Techniques for interacting with an online media store using a first device to identify a digital media item of interest to a user of the first device, using the first device to store an interest indicator for the digital media item of interest at the online media store, and subsequently interacting with the online media store using a second device to purchase or preview the digital media item of interest as identified by the interest indicator. Additionally, ring tones and graphics associated with the digital media item of interest can also be purchased.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joe Hayashi, Kevin Saul
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Patent number: 8001058Abstract: A facility for responding to a request for information about an item. The facility receives a request for information about the item. Among a plurality of sellers, the facility identifies those sellers (1) that are offering the item for sale, (2) whose availability level for the selected item exceeds a predetermined availability threshold, and (3) that have a seller score relating to a number of different items offered for sale by the seller that exceeds a predetermined score threshold. The facility uses the identified sellers and the price of the item to select the featured seller of the item. The facility replies to the request for information with a web page containing both information describing the item and a control that can be activated to order the item from the featured seller.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James A. Harding, Sean M. O'Neill
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Patent number: 7996280Abstract: A method for providing a gift registry in an on-line mall. Multiple communities within an on-line mall environment are provided, as well as multiple stores within each community. Each store is occupied by a merchant, with merchandise being directed to this community. The method further includes providing customer access to the multiple stores. The embodiment further provides for a gift registry, where the gift registry is associated with any of the multiple stores within one or more of the multiple communities, and access is provided to the gift registry to a registrant customer, so that the registrant customer can select merchandise for entry into the gift registry. Access to the gift registry is also provided to a purchase customer so that the purchase customer can select, for purchase, merchandise selected by the registrant customer.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: eBay Inc.Inventor: L. William Wittsche
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Patent number: 7991645Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can facilitate computer-assisted haggling and/or negotiation between multiple parties simultaneously. For example, various proxies associated with both buyers and sellers can be configured to negotiate with other proxies to buy or sell an item. The negotiations can be required to be progressive and during the negotiations a buyer or seller is, typically, allowed to withdraw his or her proposals. The architecture can include a registration component that can resolve concurrency and facilitate a registration of an agreement between two of the parties. The registration of an agreement can create a binding obligation between the parties after which other outstanding proposals can be terminated.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Kamal Jain