Patents Examined by Edward Baird
  • Patent number: 9898727
    Abstract: A server receives a card ID of a credit card, a credit amount, and a terminal ID for identifying a shop terminal from a shop terminal. The server acquires a corresponding user ID from the card ID, to find out whether this user has approved that location information can be acquired from his/her mobile terminal. In the case where the user has approved that location information is acquired in advance, the server acquires a mobile phone number from the user ID, to know a location of the mobile terminal with use of this mobile phone number. The server acquires a shop ID from the terminal ID (fixed-line telephone number) of the shop terminal, to be able to acquire a shop location from the shop ID. The server compares the location of the mobile terminal and the location of the shop, to judge whether or not conformance is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rakuten, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9886718
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a method for polling, by a script at a browser, one or more servers by sending messages to the one or more servers. The one or more messages may solicit one or more bids for presenting an ad at the browser. The one or more messages may also enable access to information at the browser. The information may be relevant to the one or more servers making the one or more bids. The script may receive one or more responses from the one or more servers. The one or more responses include the one or more bids. The script may also evaluate the one or more bids, and select one of the bids based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: THE RUBICON PROJECT, INC.
    Inventors: Jason J. A. Knapp, Fabrizio Blanco
  • Patent number: 9846884
    Abstract: A Click Conversion Score (CCS) is a tool to provide a new “Ad-Exchange” for connecting Publishers and Advertisers in the Pay-per-Click advertising market. The CCS provides checks and balances into the Ad-Exchange by assessing the quality of traffic each Publisher provides Advertisers using an adaptive, multi-dimensional profiling system. This assessment is directly used in the charges billed the Advertisers. The score is adaptive, and highly dependent on the conversion feedback loop provided by Advertisers. A CCS system scores each Click and each resulting Conversion an Advertiser receives from the Ad-Exchange. In the preferred implementation, the score reflects a ratio of the measured conversion rate for a Publisher's traffic with the “expected” conversion rate based upon Advertisers histories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph P. Milana, Bogdan Eugen Popescu, Colin Andrew Shepherd
  • Patent number: 9836792
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention removes barriers that undermine efficient risk-management. The invention prioritizes consumers by predicting their unmet demand for risk protection. Once deemed eligible, consumers are enrolled and funds are allocated to the payment of a premium for income insurance, contribution to a financial vehicle such as a savings or investment product, and payment of a premium for savings loss insurance. Active participants are eligible for income protection in case of job loss, systematic savings and ownership of public equities, principal protection and incentives based on utilization. The system and method of the present invention is calibrated on an ongoing basis to the behaviors of target consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventors: Deborah A Dixon, Delores A Dixon
  • Patent number: 9818158
    Abstract: A computer device and method for processing risk or loss related data to determine insurance underwriting, pricing, or other decisions contingent upon informatic and credit score data. An insurance underwriting decision is identified which is to be rendered regarding an insured. Informatic data is received from one or more of an insured property and vehicle associated with the insured. Credit score data relating to the insured is also received. Analytics is performed on the received informatic data and credit score data to determine the insurance underwriting, pricing, or other decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ramsey Devereaux, David S. Franck, Karen Moritz, Spencer Read, Daniela Wheeler, Eric Vaith, Erin McCaw, Christopher Norman, Jodi J. Healy, Bharat Prasad, Kathleen L. Swain, Michael J. Allen
  • Patent number: 9805415
    Abstract: A system, method, and software product for obtaining details on merchant data from customers purchasing goods or services at a merchant with a payment instrument. After customers make purchases, a server associated with a payment instrument network or payment instrument issuing bank sends a message in the form of a signal to open an application, an SMS, an e-mail, an electronic bank statement, or other electronic means to the customer offering the customer the opportunity to provide details on merchant data on the merchant where the purchase was just made, including the name and address of the merchant where the purchase was just made. The customer may be offered rewards for providing of details on merchant data. The payment instrument network and payment instrument issuing bank are thus presented with the opportunity to mine data in a crowdsourced manner from consumers who have just purchased from a merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MasterCard International Incorporated
    Inventor: Justin Xavier Howe
  • Patent number: 9779394
    Abstract: One or more devices may receive multiple data records from a sensor device when the sensor device receives an indication from a network device, associated with a service provider network, to provide the multiple data records via the service provider network. Each of the multiple data records may include analytics data collected by the sensor device. The one or more devices may store the multiple data records; receive, from a client device, a data request for one or more of the multiple data records meeting particular criteria; form, based on receiving the data request, processed data including the one or more of the multiple data records meeting the particular criteria; and provide the processed data to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Tracy J. Smith, Donna L. Polehn
  • Patent number: 9767462
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the objective is to give an e-commerce system user control over when a message is sent so that it arrives at a time that is relative to a subscriber's local time zone. This gives users the ability to send messages to subscribers so that they are received by subscribers at a specific time of day in their time zone. For example, localized time zone delivery would send messages so that they are arrive in the inbox of subscriber “A” located in San Diego around 10:00 AM Pacific Time and around 10:00 AM Eastern Time for subscriber “B” who is located in Boston. Furthermore, localized time zone delivery allows system users to assign a time zone preference value to subscribers in their e-commerce system account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Mapp Digital US, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Lee Byers, Daniel Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 9582829
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system calculates a user risk score, and determines a first subset of questions using the user risk score and type of user device. The system communicates and receives answers to the first subset of questions. The system determines a second subset of questions based on the answers to the first subset of questions. The system communicates and receives answers to the second subset of questions. The system determines whether the answers to the first subset of questions are accurate. If the verification indicates that the answer to one or more of the first subset of questions is not accurate, the system determines a third subset of questions. The system communicates and receives answers to the third subset of questions. The system determines a plurality of repayment plans based on the user risk score and the answers to the first, second, and third subset of questions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Vladimirovna Starikova, Linda Ann Eddy, Brian Dunne
  • Patent number: 9311672
    Abstract: A method is provided comprising receiving, at a first node, transactional data associated with a consumer (wherein the first node comprises a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory), receiving, at the first node, a credit approval request associated with the consumer, wherein the credit approval request is associated with a proposed transaction, determining, by the first node, whether the transactional data conforms with the proposed transaction, and at least one of approving and denying the credit approval request in response to the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hochstatter, John Leonard, Christopher W. McKinzie
  • Patent number: 9262787
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first sensor data representing information collected, during a first time period, by a sensor located on or in a vehicle configured to sense an environment external to the vehicle, storing the data in a memory, processing the data to determine a first set of one or more characteristics of the external environment, and determining, based on the first set of characteristics, a first risk indicator representing a risk of loss during the first time period. The method also includes receiving second sensor data representing information collected, during a second time period, by the sensor, storing the data in the memory, and processing the data to determine a second set of one or more characteristics of the external environment. The method also includes determining, based on the second set of characteristics, a second risk indicator representing a risk of loss during the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd Binion, Joe Harr, Brian Fields, Steven Cielocha, Steve J. Balbach
  • Patent number: 8856041
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for trading in an electronic trading environment including receiving market data relating to a plurality of tradeable objects; sending a order to an exchange for the first tradeable object at a quoted price; receiving a fill confirmation for the quoting order at a filled price; determining a difference between the quoted price and the filled price; determining a hedge price for each of the plurality of tradeable objects other than the first tradeable object based at least in part on the difference and at least one multiplier associated with at least one leg of the trading strategy; and sending hedge orders for each of the plurality of tradeable objects other than the first tradeable object at the corresponding hedge price. The plurality of tradeable objects includes at least a first, second, and third tradeable object, which are traded as legs of a trading strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sagy Pundak Mintz, Michael J. Burns
  • Patent number: 8843409
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for policy event management is disclosed. The method includes: receiving by a broker an electronic communication from an insurance provider of an event related to a policy of a consumer serviced by the insurance provider; responsive to receiving the notice, automatically determining whether the event meets at least one event criteria monitored by the broker; and responsive to determining that the event corresponds to at least one event criteria monitored by the broker, automatically initiating an action related to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Webcetera, L.P.
    Inventor: Nagaraj V. Rao
  • Patent number: 8831987
    Abstract: A method and system conduct an auction for advertising across multiple markets. A first market conducts a first auction for a first advertising impression. A first bid is selected as the auction winner and a ratio is computed as the first bid plus a spread to the second highest bid. The price to be paid is the lower of the first bid or the first bid multiplied by the ratio. The first bid, second bid, and spread are transmitted to a second market for a second advertising impression auction. The second market respects the rules of the first market's auction where such that if the first bid is selected as the winner, a ratio is computed as the first bid plus the spread to the next highest bid. The price to be paid for the second impression is the first bid multiplied by the new ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Rubicon Project
    Inventors: Jason J. A. Knapp, Fabrizio Blanco
  • Patent number: 8825543
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for distributed risk management. According to one example embodiment, a central risk controller is provided that can communicate with a plurality of local risk management modules located at a plurality of gateways. The central risk controller may allocate a portion of a central account balance associated with a trading account to each local risk management module. Then, as the trades are made using the trading account, the local risk management modules may manage risk associated with the trades until the local account balance is insufficient. As the account balance gets low, the local risk management module may query the central risk controller for the additional risk account balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Slezak
  • Patent number: 8825546
    Abstract: A system operable to monitor the consumption of a commodity at the premises of a consumer may comprise a billing system interfacing with suppliers and retailers of the commodity to facilitate the purchase and distribution of the commodity. The billing system may include a payment structure that can alleviate the burden of consumers having to pay for an entire delivery of the commodity—the consumer is only responsible for paying for the amount actually consumed during a time period at a prevailing price during that time—as well as significantly reduce a retailer's working capital required to float the purchase of the commodity before it is paid by its consumers. Such a billing system and payment structure may eliminate or reduce the need for a retailer to borrow against receivables to pay for such purchases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Philip J. Baratz
  • Patent number: 8812384
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating asset risks using categories of primary loan underwriting factors associated with a pre-selected number of variables. An initial handle-based tree data structure is created based upon primary loan underwriting factors associated with a loan and includes a plurality of handle cells that segment loans according to values of the pre-selected variables. The initial handle-based tree data structure is modified by combining handle cells containing least significant splits and rank ordering of the modified handle-based tree data structure is performed to segment portfolio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: SAS Institute Inc.
    Inventors: Mingyuan Zhang, Clark Richard Abrahams
  • Patent number: 8805734
    Abstract: In an automated leads-and-bids matching system, bid profiles are defined to describe desires of lead buyers. Received leads are matched to active ones of the bid profiles whose specifications the leads substantially match. Lead segmentation data is captured on-the-fly for example by inducing potential consumers to navigate their way through tree-organized web sites that categorize the consumers according to their geographic location, income/revenue range, class of products desired and/or other attributes. Live voice or other telecommunication connections to the pre-classified consumers are coupled to corresponding, pre-classified telecommunication nodes of a call processing system. The call processing system deduces the segmentation data of the consumers from the identities of the pre-classified nodes through which their connections pass. The deduced segmentation data is passed to an automated matching system or auctioning subsystem that finds the highest bids for each given lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LeadPoint, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Diana, Per Pettersen
  • Patent number: 8805733
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a single premium deferred annuity are provided. In one embodiment, the annuity may be used for retirement planning. Aspects disclosed herein relate to an annuity that provides protection against market losses and allows the purchaser/owner to choose the level of protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: David Hanzlik, Sarah R. Donahue, Robert Koth
  • Patent number: 8712905
    Abstract: System and methods for reducing the risks involved in trading multiple spread trading strategies in an electronic trading environment are provided. Specifically, reducing the risks involved in trading multiple spreads that share a leg by, among other things, quoting a single order in the shared leg instead of quoting orders for each of the corresponding spread legs. Based on the computed quote price for the single order, associating the single order with the leaned on price that results in the price closest to the inside market in the shared leg. The single quote order is based on the market conditions in the spread legs and the desired spread price. Once the single order fills, a hedge order is sent to the leg that obtains the most advantageous price for the spread based on the other spread options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander D. Deitz, Sagy P. Mintz, David W. Garrison