Patents Examined by Shaun Sensenig
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Patent number: 9785909Abstract: An invention for preventing propagation of malicious content within a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, a malicious content propagation prevention tool provides this capability. The malicious content propagation prevention tool includes a scanning component configured to scan a plurality of inventory items within a virtual universe. An identification component is configured to identify a set of malicious inventory from the plurality of inventory items. The malicious content propagation prevention tool further comprises an assurance component configured to prevent propagation of malicious content within the virtual universe by performing at least one of the following: isolating the set of malicious inventory items, and modifying a malicious behavior caused by the set of malicious inventory items.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
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Patent number: 8775326Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Thomas Nielsen, Ellen Spertus, Alexandre Drobychev
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Patent number: 8738544Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed toward identifying a number of advocates. A social-connection map for users of a wireless communications network is determined. A number of heavy users is determined based on the number of connections in a social-connection map. Advocate criteria are evaluated and used to identify a number of advocates.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Nasir Mohmood Mirza, Jeff Howle, Ryan Fagan, David Fairchild, Michael Powell, Robert Earl Lee, II
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Patent number: 8688595Abstract: A system and method for measuring or at least detecting the effect of at least implicit communication on transactions within a social group, optionally such as consumer purchases for example. The group may optionally comprise a social network, a pair, 3 or more individuals and so forth. By “implicit communication” it is meant communication for which there is no record, for example in a database. The aftereffects of such communication may optionally be determined, detected and/or measured through detection and/or measurement of influence, as described in greater detail below. For example, if a first consumer performs purchase of an item and a second consumer later purchases the same or similar item within a given time period, the two purchases may optionally be linked through influence which may in turn have optionally occurred through implicit communication.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Pursway Ltd.Inventors: Elery Pfeffer, Guy Gildor
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Patent number: 8650131Abstract: A system and method for measuring or at least detecting the effect of at least implicit communication on transactions within a social group, optionally such as consumer purchases for example. The group may optionally comprise a social network, a pair, 3 or more individuals and so forth. By “implicit communication” it is meant communication for which there is no record, for example in a database. The aftereffects of such communication may optionally be determined, detected and/or measured through detection and/or measurement of influence, as described in greater detail below. For example, if a first consumer performs purchase of an item and a second consumer later purchases the same or similar item within a given time period, the two purchases may optionally be linked through influence which may in turn have optionally occurred through implicit communication.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Pursway Ltd.Inventors: Elery Pfeffer, Guy Gildor
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Patent number: 8639634Abstract: A computer system and computer-implemented method are provided for management of employee leave and absence policies. The system is configured to receive data related to an employee leave claim at a single point of contact. The single point of contact may be implemented as a single address for leave issues related to any type of leave, including for example for employment-related injuries compensated through workers compensation, short term disability, long-term disability, and other types of leave. The system may be configured to provide prompts to a user for claims relating to multiple types of leave. The system may be configured to furnish data to separate computer systems for administration of multiple types of leave. The system may be configured to provide communications related to employee leave claims between separate computer systems responsive to receipt of data from one or more of the computer systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance CompanyInventors: Karen J. Nelson, Marjorie E. Savage, Fredrick J. Weber
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Patent number: 8620735Abstract: A method and system is described for targeting advertisements to a targeted travel habit. A targeted travel habit is comprised of a derived travel habit and associated values for any variables relevant to the derived travel habit. A derived travel habit allows targeting an advertisement towards a specific travel habit of a traveler, and utilizes the raw data entered by a traveler into a location calendar system. This raw data includes the traveler's home locations and travel plans. Raw data may be for the past, present, or future.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Inventor: Denis Khoo
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Patent number: 8595146Abstract: Enabling access to user-specific content includes maintaining data indicating a social network that indicates a first user and a second user that are connected by one or more relationships through zero or more intermediary users. At least one of the relationships that connect the first and second users is categorized. A request for access to content maintained by the second user is received from the first user. One or more of the relationships that connect the first user to the second user are identified using the data indicating the social network. A category of at least one of the identified relationships is identified. A type of access to the content to be provided to the first user is identified based on the identified category. The first user is enabled to access the content in accordance with the identified type of access.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: AOL Inc.Inventor: Jeremy Liew
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Patent number: 8577688Abstract: An alliance business relationship is managed by receiving a request for a relationship from a firm. An alliance taxonomy stored in a database is used to determine whether the request is an alliance. An opportunity in the request is identified and quantified. The alliance is formed, executed, and subsequently terminated. Thereafter, the alliance is again evaluated against the criteria in the taxonomy to determine whether another relationship type applies.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Nathan Sauders Caswell, Gina M. Comer, Michael A. Limanni, Jr.
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Patent number: 8494972Abstract: A method of appraising the value of a property based on obtaining a credit score of an owner of a property and assigning an ownership responsibility indicator to the property. The ownership responsibility indicator provides insight into the condition of the property without performing a complete inspection. A more accurate value of the property can then be determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Pythalis Suite Data KG, LLCInventor: Steven Paul Wiese
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Patent number: 8489516Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alan Nielsen, Ellen Spertus, Alexandre Drobychev
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Patent number: 8442922Abstract: Systems, methods and software are disclosed for capturing and/or importing and processing media items such as digital images or video (202) associated with a sporting event such as a marathon or bicycle race (FIG. 3). The media items are processed, including bib number or facial recognition if necessary (204, 206, 504), to associate them with an individual participant. Other input sources may include spectator uploads (506), external web sites and media sharing (508) or soda! networking (510) services. The system (500) aggregates, organizes and generates content, and distributes it (580) via various output channels, which may include event web sites (256), personal feeds (250), and other output channels (260, 254, 252, FIG. 4). Preferably, selected content is associated with at least one individual participant in the event, and that content is automatically distributed to channels that are associated with that individual participant.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Strands, Inc.Inventor: Francisco J. Martin
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Patent number: 8429090Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Thomas Alan Nielsen, Ellen Spertus, Alexandre Drobychev
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Patent number: 8229862Abstract: Systems and methods for rating associated members in a social network are set forth. According to one embodiment a method comprising outputting a ratings interface for rating at least one member of a social network associated with a user, wherein the rating interface provides the user with the ability to rate the member in one or more categories, receiving ratings for the member from the user, associating the ratings with the member, and connecting the ratings for the member with the user is set forth.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Orkut Buyukkokten, Adam Douglas Smith
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Patent number: 8224757Abstract: Methods and systems, including computer program products, for use with a curriculum management system that manages a curriculum comprised of at least a course. The method includes scheduling a booking of the course for a learner; receiving input requesting a modification to the booking; determining whether the booking is an individual booking or a curriculum booking; and processing the modification based on whether the booking is an individual booking or a curriculum booking.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: SAP AGInventor: Holger Bohle
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Patent number: 8078546Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for assembling a project team is provided. In one embodiment potential team members, such as, for example, retirees from a company, with appropriate qualifications are notified of a project for which team members are needed. The potential team members are identified based on information contained in a database of potential team members. Along with the notification of the project, the potential team members receive a request for bids. The entity then receives a bid from a responding potential team member and compares the bid to bid acceptance criteria. If the bid meets bid acceptance criteria, a bid acceptance is sent to the responding potential team member and the responding potential team member is notified of other members of the project team.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jeffery R. Coulter, Thomas L. Hill
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Patent number: 8010460Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the reputation of a member of a social networking system is disclosed. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, one or more attributes associated with a social networking profile of a member of a social network are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a ranking, rating or score is assigned to a particular category of reputation. When requested, the ranking, rating or score is displayed to a user of the social network.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Linkedin CorporationInventors: James Duncan Work, Allen Blue, Reid Hoffman
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Patent number: 8010459Abstract: Systems and methods for rating associated members in a social network are set forth. According to one embodiment a method comprising outputting a ratings interface for rating at least one member of a social network associated with a user, wherein the rating interface provides the user with the ability to rate the member in one or more categories, receiving ratings for the member from the user, associating the ratings with the member, and connecting the ratings for the member with the user is set forth.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Orkut Buyukkokten, Adam Douglas Smith
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Patent number: 8005685Abstract: A facility for ranking a list of priced alternatives is described. The facility attributes criteria to a user. The facility determines values for the criteria based on information about the user. The facility uses the determined values to adjust the actual prices of the priced options. The facility uses the adjusted prices to rank a list of options and presents them to a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Charles G. Bird
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Patent number: 7958058Abstract: An item migration system generates a workflow process comprising logical nodes and physical nodes. Candidate physical nodes are associated with the logical nodes. An item generated at an initial logical node within the workflow process is inserted into the workflow and logically migrated to a subsequent logical node. The system determines whether the item requires physical migration based on properties of the item, characteristics of the subsequent logical node, characteristics of candidate physical nodes, and weighting factors applied to the properties and characteristics. If the item requires physical migration, the system selects an optimum target physical node from the candidate physical nodes. The present system migrates the item to the physical location corresponding to the selected physical node. Otherwise, the present system performs logical migration to the logical node without physical migration.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kwai Hing Man, Wai Kei So